Ventilator adaptable for use with either a dual-limb circuit or a single-limb circuit

• US 20070144516A1
• Filed: 12/05/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Doyle, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,617,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.180
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0883 Circuit type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0015 inhalation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3553 remote, e.g. between patient's home and doctor's office
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/02 Valves non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10

Abstract

A ventilator of the present invention includes a housing, a gas flow generator disposed in the housing, a gas outlet port provided on an exterior surface of the housing, and a first conduit coupling the gas flow generator to the gas outlet port. A gas inlet port is also provided on an exterior surface of the housing. A second conduit couples the gas inlet port to a first exhaust valve in the housing that regulates a flow of exhaust gas from the second conduit. A second exhaust valve in the housing is coupled to the first conduit and regulates a flow of exhaust gas from the first conduit. A controller coupled to second exhaust valve causes the second exhaust valve to change a degree of flow restriction based on a respiratory phase of a patient coupled to the ventilator when the ventilator is operating in a single-limb ventilation configuration.

Claims

1. A ventilator comprising:

a housing;

a gas flow generator disposed in the housing and adapted to generate a flow of gas;

a gas outlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing;

a first conduit coupling the gas flow generator to the gas outlet port;

a gas inlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing;

a first exhaust valve disposed in the housing;

a second conduit coupling the gas inlet port to the first exhaust valve, wherein the first exhaust valve controls a flow of exhaust gas from the second conduit;

a second exhaust valve disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the first conduit, wherein the second exhaust valve controls a first flow of exhaust gas from the first conduit; and

a controller operatively coupled to second exhaust valve, wherein the controller causes the second exhaust valve to change a degree of flow restriction based on a respiratory phase of a patient coupled to the ventilator responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in a single-limb ventilation configuration.

2. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the second exhaust valve is configured and arranged to exhaust the flow of gas from the first conduit to ambient atmosphere, to an inlet of the gas flow generator, or both.

3. The ventilator of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor adapted to monitor a pressure of gas in the first conduit, wherein the controller causes the second exhaust valve change a degree of flow restriction responsive based on an output of the pressure sensor.

4. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the ventilator is adapted to operate in a dual-limb ventilation configuration or in the single-limb ventilation configuration, wherein the controller causes the first exhaust valve change a degree of flow restriction based on a respiratory phase of such a patient responsive to the ventilator operating in the dual-limb ventilation configuration.

5. The ventilator of claim 1, further comprising

a dual-limb circuit comprising an inspiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, and an expiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas inlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in a dual-limb ventilation configuration;

or

a single-limb circuit having a proximal end adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in the single-limb ventilation configuration.

6. The ventilator of claim 5, further comprising:

a patient interface coupled to a distal end of the single-limb circuit; and

a passive exhaust assembly disposed in the patient interface, the single-limb circuit, or both to provide a second flow of exhaust gas to ambient atmosphere.

7. The ventilator of claim 1, further comprising an input device adapted to receive user-input selecting a dual-limb ventilation configuration or the single-limb ventilation configuration.

8. A system for providing ventilation to a patient comprising:

(a) a ventilator comprising;

(1) a housing,

(2) a gas flow generator disposed in the housing and adapted to generate a flow of gas,

(3) a gas outlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and operatively coupled to the gas flow generator,

(4) a gas inlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing, and

(5) a controller disposed in the housing and adapted to operate the ventilator in a dual-limb ventilation configuration or a single-limb ventilation configuration;

(b) a dual-limb circuit comprising an inspiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, and an expiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas inlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in the dual-limb ventilation configuration; and

(c) a single-limb circuit having a proximal end adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in a single-limb ventilation configuration, wherein the controller is adapted to operate the ventilator in the single-limb ventilation configuration responsive to the single-limb circuit being coupled to the ventilator, or in the dual-limb ventilation configuration responsive to the dual-limb circuit being coupled to the ventilator.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a first exhaust valve disposed between the gas flow generator and the gas outlet port and operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller controls the first exhaust valve so as to exhaust a gas to ambient atmosphere, to an inlet of the gas flow generator, or both, responsive to the controller operating the ventilator in the single-limb ventilation configuration.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a conduit coupled between the gas flow generator and the gas outlet port; and

a pressure sensor adapted to monitor a pressure of gas in the conduit, wherein the controller causes the first exhaust valve to change a degree of flow restriction responsive to an output of the pressure sensor.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a second exhaust valve associated with the gas outlet port, wherein the controller causes the second exhaust valve to change a degree of flow restriction responsive to the ventilator operating in the dual-limb ventilation configuration.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a patient interface coupled to a distal end of the single-limb circuit; and

a passive exhaust assembly disposed in the patient interface, the single-limb circuit, or both to provide a second flow of exhaust gas to ambient atmosphere.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising an input device adapted to receive user-input selecting the dual-limb ventilation configuration or the single-limb ventilation configuration.

14. A method of providing ventilation to a patient comprising:

(a) providing a ventilator comprising;

(1) a housing,

(2) a gas flow generator disposed in the housing and adapted to generate a flow of gas,

(3) a gas outlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and operatively coupled to the gas flow generator,

(4) a gas inlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing, and

(5) a controller disposed in the housing and adapted to operate the ventilator in a single-limb ventilation configuration or a dual-limb ventilation configuration;

(b) providing a dual-limb circuit comprising an inspiratory limb and an expiratory limb;

(c) providing a single-limb circuit having a proximal end;

(d) selecting whether to operate the ventilator in the dual-limb ventilation configuration or the single-limb ventilation configuration; and

(e) coupling the dual-limb circuit to the ventilator responsive to the dual-limb ventilation configuration being selected, wherein the inspiratory limb is connected to the gas outlet port and the expiratory limb is connected to the gas inlet port, or coupling the single-limb circuit to the ventilator responsive to the single-limb ventilation configuration being selected, wherein the proximal end is connected to the gas outlet port.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dual-limb ventilation configuration is selected in the selecting step and the dual-limb circuit is connected to the ventilator in the coupling step, further comprising:

deciding to switch from the dual-limb ventilation configuration to the single-limb ventilation configuration;

uncoupling the dual-limb circuit from the ventilator; and

coupling single-limb circuit to the ventilator.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the single-limb ventilation configuration is selected in the selecting step and the single-limb circuit is connected to the ventilator in the coupling step, further comprising:

deciding to switch from the single-limb ventilation configuration to the dual-limb ventilation configuration;

uncoupling the single-limb circuit from the ventilator; and

coupling dual-limb circuit to the ventilator.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising exhausting gas from a passive exhaust assembly associated with the single-limb circuit.

18. A ventilator comprising:

a housing;

a gas flow generator disposed in the housing and adapted to generate a flow of gas;

an exhaust valve disposed in the housing;

a gas outlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing;

a gas inlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing;

a first conduit structured to couple the gas flow generator to the gas outlet port and to the exhaust valve;

a second conduit structured to couple the gas inlet port to the exhaust valve, wherein the exhaust valve is structured to control at least one of a flow of exhaust gas from the first conduit and a flow of gas from the second conduit; and

a controller operatively coupled to the exhaust valve, wherein the controller causes the exhaust valve to change a degree of flow restriction responsive to a respiratory phase of a patient coupled to the ventilator and responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in a single-limb ventilation configuration or a dual-limb ventilation configuration.

19. The ventilator of claim 18, further comprising a pressure sensor adapted to monitor a pressure of gas in the first conduit, wherein the controller causes the exhaust valve change a degree of flow restriction responsive based on an output of the pressure sensor.

20. The ventilator of claim 18, further comprising

a dual-limb circuit comprising an inspiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, and an expiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas inlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in a dual-limb ventilation configuration;

or

a single-limb circuit having a proximal end adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in the single-limb ventilation configuration.

21. The ventilator of claim 20, further comprising:

a patient interface coupled to a distal end of the single-limb circuit; and

a passive exhaust assembly disposed in the patient interface, the single-limb circuit, or both to provide a flow of exhaust gas to ambient atmosphere.

22. The ventilator of claim 18, further comprising an input device adapted to receive user-input selecting the dual-limb ventilation configuration or the single-limb ventilation configuration.

23. A system structured to provide ventilation to a patient comprising:

(a) a ventilator, comprising;

(1) a housing,

(2) a gas flow generator disposed in the housing and structured to generate the flow of gas,

(3) an exhaust valve, and

(4) a controller adapted to operate the ventilator in a single-limb ventilation configuration or a dual-limb ventilation configuration,

(b) a dual-limb circuit adapted to be coupled to the ventilator, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in the dual-limb ventilation configuration; and

(c) a single-limb circuit adapted to be coupled to the ventilator responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in the single-limb ventilation configuration.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the ventilator further comprises:

a gas outlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and operatively coupled to the gas flow generator; and

a gas inlet port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing;

wherein the dual-limb circuit includes an inspiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, and an expiratory limb adapted to be coupled to the gas inlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in the dual-limb ventilation configuration; and

wherein the single-limb circuit includes a proximal end adapted to be coupled to the gas outlet port, responsive to the ventilator being configured to operate in a single-limb ventilation configuration.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the ventilator further comprises:

a conduit coupled between the gas flow generator and the gas outlet port; and

a pressure sensor adapted to monitor a pressure of gas in the conduit, wherein the controller causes the exhaust valve to change a degree of flow restriction responsive to an output of the pressure sensor.

26. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a patient interface coupled to a distal end of the single-limb circuit; and

a passive exhaust assembly disposed in the patient interface, the single-limb circuit, or both to provide a flow of exhaust gas to ambient atmosphere.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the ventilator further comprises an input device adapted to receive user-input selecting the dual-limb ventilation configuration or the single-limb ventilation configuration.

28. A method for providing ventilation to a patient, comprising:

(a) coupling such a patient to a ventilator with one of a single-limb circuit or a dual-limb circuit; and

(b) creating a flow of gas with the ventilator, the ventilator comprising;

(1) a housing,

(2) a gas flow generator disposed in the housing and structured to generate the flow of gas,

(3) an exhaust valve,

(4) a gas outlet exhaust port disposed on an exterior surface of the housing and operatively coupled to the gas flow generator and to the exhaust valve,

(5) a gas inlet port disposed on the exterior surface of the housing and operatively coupled to the exhaust valve; and

(6) a controller operatively coupled to the exhaust valve, the controller adapted to cause the exhaust valve to change a degree of flow restriction responsive to a respiratory phase of such patient and responsive to such patient being coupled to the ventilator with the single-limb circuit or the dual-limb circuit.