Pressure control for constant minute volume
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for automatically adjusting IPAP during ventilation of a patient being assisted by a system having a controller, comprising the steps of:
- maintaining a constant preselected IPAP level during each inspiratory phase;
preselecting a target minute volume;
continually measuring said patient'"'"'s actual minute volume;
providing information as to said measured actual minute volume to said controller; and
periodically adjusting said preselected IPAP level of subsequent inspiratory phases so as to gradually conform the actual minute volume to the target minute volume.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for ventilating a patient wherein the inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) is adjusted as a function of minute volume. The IPAP is gradually adjusted over extended periods of time in small increments to conform the patient'"'"'s minute volume to a prescribed value. This gentle but effective approach ensures adequate ventilation while minimizing discomfort to the patient thereby rendering the system ideal for treating sleep disordered breathing in the homecare environment.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method for automatically adjusting IPAP during ventilation of a patient being assisted by a system having a controller, comprising the steps of:
-
maintaining a constant preselected IPAP level during each inspiratory phase; preselecting a target minute volume; continually measuring said patient'"'"'s actual minute volume; providing information as to said measured actual minute volume to said controller; and periodically adjusting said preselected IPAP level of subsequent inspiratory phases so as to gradually conform the actual minute volume to the target minute volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus for providing breathing assistance to a patient comprising:
-
a source of pressurized air; a conduit for ducting said pressurized air to said patient'"'"'s airway; a relief valve for maintaining a constant preselected level of air pressure of each inspiratory phase within said conduit; a flow meter for measuring minute volume of air inhaled by the patient; and a controller for operating said relief valve to periodically adjust said preselected level of air pressure during subsequent inspiratory phases so as to cause the minute volume of air inhaled by the patient as measured by said flow meter to gradually conform to a preselected target value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
-
Specification