Reliability-enhanced apparatus operation for re-breathing and methods of effecting same
First Claim
1. A method of enhancing reliability of operation of a pressure-actuated airway valve for a breathing circuit, the airway valve having a first mode for permitting air flow substantially directly through the airway valve and a second mode for providing a re-breathing capability to the breathing circuit, comprising:
- providing a control line extending from a source of pressurized fluid to the airway valve to selectively effect a change in mode of the airway valve between the first mode and the second mode through a change in an actuation pressure provided to the airway valve via the control line;
providing a control line valve disposed in the control line between the source of pressurized fluid and the airway valve, wherein the control line valve is configured for selective communication between the control line and an ambient environment;
detecting pressure within the control line; and
correcting a detected control line pressure deviation from at least one selected magnitude of control line pressure by adjusting the communication between the control line and ambient environment so as to control the actuation pressure applied to the airway valve.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for enhancing reliability of, and monitoring, the operation of airway valves to enhance patient safety. Pneumatic control line pressure (positive or negative) for actuation of the airway valve may be specified at a given magnitude or within a selected range and monitored continuously. Reduced or excessive pressure may be compensated by actuation of a pressure source or a bleed valve, and monitoring may be effected so as to warn the user of any deviation from the range, or deviations of selected magnitudes or frequencies or a combination thereof. The inspired volume of CO2 may be monitored using air flow and CO2 sensing, with detection of excessive CO2 volume triggering a warning. Similarly, measured end-tidal or end-inspired CO2 or other appropriate measures of CO2 concentration may be employed as a warning trigger. Other driving energy sources for airway valves, and monitoring thereof, are also disclosed.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method of enhancing reliability of operation of a pressure-actuated airway valve for a breathing circuit, the airway valve having a first mode for permitting air flow substantially directly through the airway valve and a second mode for providing a re-breathing capability to the breathing circuit, comprising:
-
providing a control line extending from a source of pressurized fluid to the airway valve to selectively effect a change in mode of the airway valve between the first mode and the second mode through a change in an actuation pressure provided to the airway valve via the control line;
providing a control line valve disposed in the control line between the source of pressurized fluid and the airway valve, wherein the control line valve is configured for selective communication between the control line and an ambient environment;
detecting pressure within the control line; and
correcting a detected control line pressure deviation from at least one selected magnitude of control line pressure by adjusting the communication between the control line and ambient environment so as to control the actuation pressure applied to the airway valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification