Hardware configuration for pressure driver

Abstract

A pressure driver for a ventilation system comprises a gas source, an inspiration flow control valve and a patient pressure sensor to form a closed loop control system. The inspiration flow control valve may be mounted within a housing and is operative to open and close in response to patient pressure measurements in order to produce a desired pressure at the patient. The pressure driver may further include a mixture control for allowing selective adjustment of the oxygen concentration in pressurized gas delivered to the patient. An oxygen mixer is connected between the gas source and the mixture control and is operative to deliver the desired mixture of oxygen and air to the inspiration flow control valve for delivery to the patient. An oxygen sensor monitors the oxygen concentration in the gas provided by the oxygen mixer.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] none [0003] Statement Regarding Federally Funded Research / Development [0004] none technical field [0005] The present invention relates generally to respiratory devices and, more particularly, to a pressure driver for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation system that uses pressure measurements in a closed loop control system to maintain pressure at the patient . This pressure driver can be used with a flow generator device to minimize exhalation resistance and reduce the work of breathing. Background technique [0006] The use of respiratory devices for patients with respiratory impairments is known. Typically, such devices assist a patient's breathing by providing positive pressure to the patient's lungs throughout the breathing cycle while allowing normal exchange of inhaled and exhaled gases to prevent lung collapse. Ideally, such devices provide steady CPAP at the patient to facilitate ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0010] Unfortunately, due to the non-adjustability of the manual flow control valves used in existing infant ventilator devices, such leaks in the ventilation system may go undetected and result in a drop in pressure at the patient

Additionally, many existing infant ventilator devices lack the ability to detect leaks or detect disconnections at patient lines

Also, existing infant ventilator devices lack tools for correcting for pressure drops at the patient due to such leaks and / or disconnections

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