Ventilator for Rapid Response to Respiratory Disease Conditions

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of ventilators, and, more specifically, to a ventilator system that addresses respiratory distress due to the onset of an epidemic or pandemic disease state. In particular, the present invention is a ventilator system that can be manufactured quickly with minimal skill requirements and employed rapidly in response to epidemic respiratory disease conditions. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a ventilator having a gas input, an inhalation conduit connected to the gas input, a patient flow control valve, operably connected to the gas input via the inhalation conduit, a patient interface, separated from the inhalation conduit by the flow control valve, and a gas shut-off mechanism that senses a pressure state in the inhalation conduit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE [0001] The present invention relies on for priority U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 776,493, filed on Feb. 23, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 829,502, filed on Oct. 13, 2006.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of ventilators, and, more specifically, to a ventilator system that addresses respiratory distress due to the onset of an epidemic or pandemic disease state. In particular, the present invention is a ventilator system that can be manufactured quickly with minimal skill requirements and employed rapidly in response to epidemic respiratory disease conditions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Respiratory distress may be brought on by the onset of an epidemic of an infectious agent in an otherwise healthy population. Respiratory distress can be caused by several disease states, including, but, not limited to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (or “SARS”) and Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”). Severe Acut...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a ventilator comprising a gas input having a gas interface, a gas inlet conduit, a gas reservoir, and a valve; an inhalation conduit connected to said valve; a patient flow control valve, operably connected to said gas input via said inhalation conduit; a patient interface, separated from said inhalation conduit by said flow control valve; a gas shut-off mechanism that senses a pressure state in said inhalation conduit; an expiratory conduit connected to said patient interface and an expiratory valve separating said expiratory conduit from a first conduit; and an alarm circuit operably connected to said first conduit via an actuator, wherein said alarm circuit generates an alarm signal based upon a change in pressure detected by said actuator.

Problems solved by technology

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (or “SARS”), a serious form of pneumonia resulting in respiratory distress and sometimes death, has become an emerging epidemic threat.

Every new case of SARS and / or Avian Influenza reported still has the potential to spark another outbreak and even worse, a global pandemic.

Avian Influenza is another emerging epidemic threat that results in severe respiratory distress with an even faster onslaught of symptoms.

Respiratory distress, among other symptoms, includes an impaired ability of the patient to maintain efficient oxygenation.

In addition, conventional ventilators require either the use large fabrication machinery with a complicated set-up to produce the various metal parts or advanced tooling and moulding processes that are necessary to produce highly durable plastic parts.

As new features and ventilating modes are added, the complexity of operation increases as the existing controls and display areas are burdened with the requirement of facilitating input and display of the new features.

Thus, conventional ventilators are complex devices and are costly to manufacture and operate.

Thus, conventional ventilators have a large number of operational modes, produced by a complicated set of components, requiring a skilled technician to set up the system.

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