Ventilator respiratory gas accumulator with purge valve

• US 8,424,523 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2010
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ogilvie, Mark, Vuong, Steve, Patel, Nirav, Nakai, Richard, Wallner, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): STIGELL, THEODORE J
• Application Number:
  US12/729,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20110132366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.18, 12820421-20422, 128/205.24, 128/207.14, 128/207.16
• US Class Current: 128/204.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/085 Gas sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/209 Relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 in the expiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/025 Helium
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator for storing a gas mixture. This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a system that includes an accumulator located away from the flow path that reduces/eliminates pockets of an undesirable gas mixture from entering the gas flow path and reaching the patient after a gas mixture change by utilizing a purge valve.

Claims

1. A method for ventilating a patient, the method comprising:

delivering a first gas mixture through a flow path of a medical ventilator, wherein the flow path is a passageway connecting a gas source to a patient circuit and the flow path is further connected to an accumulator;

providing the accumulator with the first gas mixture while delivering the first gas mixture;

delivering a second gas mixture through the flow path;

measuring a gas flow rate of the second gas mixture in the flow path of the medical ventilator; and

controlling an active gas purge valve in the accumulator to release at least a portion of the first gas mixture from the accumulator to an external environment different from the flow path when the second gas mixture is delivered through the flow path, wherein the purge valve is controlled based on at least one of the measured gas flow rate and a concentration of gases in the second gas mixture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling the active gas purge valve further comprises controlling a duration between purges based on at least one of a breath size and a rate of inspiration.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring a pressure of a gas mixture in the accumulator;

and controlling the active gas purge valve based on the measured pressure.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising controlling the purging of the accumulator based on the measured pressure.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the release of at least the portion of the stored first gas mixture prevents the released portion of the stored first gas mixture from entering the flow path.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the release of at least the portion of the stored first gas mixture prevents the stored first gas mixture from entering the flow path from the accumulator.