Variable stroke air pulse generator
First Claim
1. An apparatus for high frequency chest wall oscillation, the apparatus comprisinga garment adapted to be worn by a person and having an inflatable chamber, andan air pulse generator in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber and operable to deliver air pulses to the inflatable chamber, the air pulse generator comprising an air chamber bounded at least in part by a movable member which moves through a displacement to create the air pulse and a linkage including a connecting arm pivotably coupled to the movable member, a drive arm, an adjustment arm, and a ground link,wherein the volume of the air pulses delivered to the inflatable chamber is adjustable by varying the magnitude of the displacement of the movable member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) comprises a patient interface which includes an expandable air chamber and an air pulse generator in fluid communication with the patient interface. The air pulse generator includes a variable displacement air chamber and programmable controller which controls the air pulse generator to vary the frequency and volume of air pulses delivered to the patient interface such that HFCWO therapy may be programmed for a particular patient.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for high frequency chest wall oscillation, the apparatus comprising
a garment adapted to be worn by a person and having an inflatable chamber, and an air pulse generator in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber and operable to deliver air pulses to the inflatable chamber, the air pulse generator comprising an air chamber bounded at least in part by a movable member which moves through a displacement to create the air pulse and a linkage including a connecting arm pivotably coupled to the movable member, a drive arm, an adjustment arm, and a ground link, wherein the volume of the air pulses delivered to the inflatable chamber is adjustable by varying the magnitude of the displacement of the movable member.
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9. An air pulse generator for a high frequency chest wall oscillator having an inflatable garment worn by a person, the air pulse generator comprising
a motor with an output, a variable volume air chamber coupleable to the inflatable garment, a moveable member defining a portion of the variable volume air chamber, and a linkage coupling the output of the motor to the moveable member, the motor acting through the linkage to cyclically move the moveable member to create air pulses, the linkage being adjustable to vary a volume of the air pulses delivered to the inflatable garment, wherein the linkage comprises a connecting arm, a drive arm coupled at a first pivot point to the connecting arm, an adjustment arm coupled at the first pivot point to the connecting arm, and a ground link.
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14. An air pulse generator for a high frequency chest wall oscillator comprising
a diaphragm, a first link coupled to the diaphragm, a motor with a rotational output, a drive arm coupled to the output for eccentric motion relative thereto and coupled to the first link to translate rotation of the motor to the first link to cyclically displace the diaphragm, a control arm coupled to the first link, a second link coupled to the control arm and adjustable to vary displacement of the diaphragm, a spur gear coupled to the second link, and an adjuster having a worm gear intermeshing with the spur gear, wherein actuation of the adjuster rotates the spur gear to adjust the second link to change the magnitude of displacement of the diaphragm.
Specification