System and process for supplying respiratory gas under pressure or volumetrically

• US 7,717,113 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Airox Co.
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Andrieux, Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIXON, ANNETTE FREDRICKA
• Application Number:
  US11/781,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20080011300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/204.26
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/205 used for exhalation control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/206 Capsule valves, e.g. mushroom, membrane valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 in the expiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise

Abstract

The object of the invention is a device for supplying respiratory gas to a patient according to respiratory cycles, comprising a gaseous flow rate generator provided with a turbine with low inertia and high nominal speed, a first circuit called a supply circuit for the gaseous flow toward a respiratory mask or an intubation means of the patient, means for measuring pressure and/or measuring flow rate of the gaseous flow, computation means for parameters of pressure and/or flow rate, and means for controlling the speed of rotation of the generator, characterized in that the measuring means, the computation means and the speed control means coact automatically to control the speed of rotation of the turbine as a function of the inspiration and expiration phases and as a function of patient pressure signals and/or inspiration flow rate signals.

Claims

1. A system for supplying respiratory gas to a patient according to respiratory cycles, the system comprising:

a housing,

a turbine inside the housing,

a patient inspiration flow outlet on the side of the housing and in flow communication with the turbine,

an exhalation valve interface on the side housing,

a proximal pressure interface on the side of the housing,

an exhalation flow inlet on the side of the housing and defining a portion of an exhalation flow path,

a first flow sensor inside the housing in flow communication with the patient inspiration flow outlet capable of generating a first flow signal,

a first pressure sensor inside the housing in pressure communication with the proximal pressure interface capable of generating a first pressure signal,

a second flow sensor inside the housing in flow communication with the exhalation flow inlet capable of generating a second flow signal indicating a flow rate through the exhalation flow path,

a second pressure sensor inside the housing in pressure communication with the exhalation valve interface capable of generating a second pressure signal,

wherein the exhalation valve interface and the second pressure sensor are located along an exhalation valve control path separate from the exhalation flow path,

a central processing unit in electrical communication with the first and second pressure and flow sensors to receive pressure and flow signals therefrom, and

a turbine speed controller board in electrical communication with the central processing unit and the turbine, wherein the central processing unit and the speed controller board coact to control the rotational speed of the turbine based on at least two pressure and/or a flow signals from the first and second pressure and flow sensors.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a valve inside the housing in pressure communication with the turbine, the exhalation valve interface, the second pressure sensor, and in electrical communication with the central processing unit.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one circuit connected to at least three of the patient inspiration flow outlet, the exhalation valve interface, the proximal pressure interface, and the exhalation flow inlet.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a non-return flap positioned between the turbine and the patient inspiration flow outlet to maintain a greater pressure on a turbine side of the flap than on an outlet side of the flap.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a passive flap positioned between the turbine and the patient inspiration flow outlet for the admission of external air.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an electro-valve located inside the housing in communication with the exhalation valve interface and in electrical communication with the central processing unit.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the electro-valve is in direct fluid communication with the turbine.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a valve external to the housing in communication with the exhalation valve interface, the valve being controlled by gas pressure generated by the turbine.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a laminator positioned between the turbine and the patient inspiration flow outlet.

10. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the system does not include a return system for gas upstream of the turbine.

11. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is adapted to control the system for use with a sealed patient circuit.

12. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is adapted to control the system in accordance with multiple modes of ventilation.

13. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is adapted to control the system in accordance with a volume based mode of ventilation.

14. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is adapted to control the system in accordance with a pressure based mode of ventilation.

15. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central processing unit and speed controller board are adapted to transition from an inhalation phase to an exhalation phase during ventilation by deceleration of the turbine.

16. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central processing unit is adapted to compute an inspiration flow rate and an exhalation flow rate.

17. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an inlet adapted for communication with a source external of the housing and the patient inspiration flow outlet.

18. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising sound deadening means positioned upstream and downstream of the turbine.

19. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the turbine comprises a micro-turbine adapted to provide a pressure of 70 millibar above ambient and a flow of the order of 200 liters/minute.

20. A method for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, the method comprising:

measuring a patient inspiration outlet flow along an inspiration flow path and providing a first flow signal;

measuring a proximal interface pressure and providing a first pressure signal;

measuring an exhalation inlet flow along an exhalation flow path and providing a second flow signal;

measuring an exhalation pressure and providing a second pressure signal;

controlling a flow generator based upon at least three of the first and second flow and pressure signals; and

controlling an exhalation valve via an exhalation valve control path separate from the exhalation flow path, wherein the exhalation pressure is measured along the exhalation valve control path separate from the exhalation flow path.

21. A process in accordance with claim 20, further comprising controlling the flow generator based upon both the first and second flow signals and the first and second pressure signals.