Portable medical ventilator system using a portable oxygen concentrator

Abstract

A portable medical ventilator that uses pulsed flow from an oxygen concentrator to achieve higher oxygen concentrations includes a positive pressure source for delivering pressurized air to a patient and a negative pressure source for triggering the oxygen concentrator. A patient circuit attached to a patient interface mask connects the ventilator to the patient. The ventilator includes a controller module configured to generate a signal to a negative pressure device to trigger the concentrator to initiate one or more pulses of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator. The oxygen pulses are delivered directly to the patient interface via a multi-tube or multi-lumen patient circuit. The oxygen does not mix with air in the ventilator or patient circuit, bypassing leaks in the patient circuit and / or patient interface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to medical ventilators, and more particularly to portable ventilators that improve the percentage of inspired oxygen by integrating a negative pressure triggering device within the ventilator to trigger pulsed flow and / or multiple pulses from an oxygen concentrator. [Background technology]

[0002] Oxygen is typically delivered to portable ventilators by a high-flow oxygen concentrator with a constant oxygen flow rate, a compressed gas cylinder, or a fixed medical oxygen piping system. The oxygen is mixed with air within the ventilator to provide the patient with the desired ratio of inspired oxygen (Fi). O 2) to effectively treat the condition. When such high-pressure sources are unavailable or have limited capacity, oxygen concentrators are used to provide low-pressure, low-flow oxygen to the ventilator. Oxygen concentrators typically deliver 1 LPM to 10 LPM of oxygen by mixing air with oxygen at the inlet or outlet of a blower or compressor.

[0003] In the past, oxygen has been added to the inspiratory limb of a patient's breathing circuit before the inspiratory cycle. Preferably, oxygen-rich gas stored in the inspiratory limb is delivered to the patient as the ventilator delivers a breath. The proximal location of the inspiratory limb within the ventilator circuit increases the proportion of inspired oxygen within the alveolar spaces of the patient's lungs. In all cases, current state-of-the-art ventilators use only low, continuous flow settings of oxygen from a concentrator or other oxygen delivery device. This method can only be used with continuous-flow concentrators, not triggered oxygen concentrators.

[0004] The concentrator is connected to the inlet of the ventilator's compressor. This amount of oxygen is combined with the air delivered by the ventilator to create a homogenous mixture that is then delivered to the patient, producing a proportion of inspired oxygen in the patient's lungs. In this type of configuration, the ventilator cannot trigger the concentrator and can only use fixed-flow concentrators.

[0005] Portable oxygen concentrators, compressed gas cylinders, and liquid oxygen storage devices are also used to provide supplemental oxygen to respiratory patients via nasal cannulae to increase the proportion of inspired oxygen. In these cases, the oxygen delivery is either a low continuous flow or a pulsed flow, triggered by a drop in pressure within the cannula as the patient inhales. This method does not provide any mechanical ventilation to the patient. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Used alone, these prior art methods can generate a sufficient percentage of inspired oxygen for a patient to treat some medical conditions while the patient is at home or near a high-flow oxygen source. When conventional high-pressure or high-flow oxygen sources are unavailable, uneconomical, or need to be conserved, these methods offer the potential to generate Fi while conserving oxygen and energy more than currently available methods. O Systems and techniques for improving the binary are needed.

[0007] Prior art methods can generate a fraction of inspired oxygen from a pulse concentrator by modifying the concentrator to accept a signal from the ventilator. However, all work with unmodified concentrators and do not rely on the patient's Fi. O A portable ventilator capable of delivering oxygen to the nasal pillow interface required to increase 2 is needed.

[0008] Prior art methods have been shown to transfer Fi from a pulse concentrator by modifying the patient circuit to include a venturi valve or venturi tube to create negative pressure that triggers the oxygen concentrator. O2 can be generated. These methods require higher pressure and / or flow rate from the portable ventilator so that the venturi can generate the negative pressure necessary to trigger the concentrator. Portable ventilators have low pressures and flows, so they cannot be used with venturis, which require higher pressure and / or flow rate to generate negative pressure. Also, venturis leak air at low pressures and / or flows, reducing the flow and / or pressure to the patient. Using these methods, oxygen pulses mix with the ventilator flow, and some of this mixed flow leaks at the patient interface, resulting in Fi O 2. Higher Fi can be achieved by using a portable ventilator with all unmodified pulse concentrators and avoiding leaks in the patient circuit and patient interface. O 2 must be able to be delivered to the patient.

[0009] These prior art methods are ineffective when used with portable ventilators equipped with portable pulse concentrators. Portable ventilators are pressure and flow limited, and have high levels of leakage at the interface, making inspired oxygen concentration ineffective when using portable pulse concentrators. What is needed is a portable ventilator that can trigger any pulse oxygen concentrator and deliver oxygen pulses directly to the patient interface, avoiding leak ports in the patient interface and circuit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention has many benefits and advantages over known portable ventilators. In particular, the present invention utilizes a method of triggering any portable oxygen concentrator that uses a triggered pulse delivery mechanism. Furthermore, the oxygen pulses are delivered directly to the patient interface, avoiding leaks in the patient circuit or patient interface. Because of the present invention, patients who require lighter equipment are more portable and have a higher fidelity. O You can stay outside for long periods of time while accepting 2.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a ventilator system similar to a ventilator commonly used in conjunction with a nasal pillows interface is connected to the patient breathing circuit of a portable ventilator. The portable ventilator can trigger pulses of oxygen from a portable oxygen concentrator and deliver the pulses of oxygen directly to a patient interface. In one embodiment, the ventilator is designed to trigger any portable concentrator when negative pressure is generated within the ventilator. The negative pressure is connected to the concentrator and triggers the concentrator to deliver pulses of oxygen to the patient interface. In another embodiment, an electromechanical negative pressure device is placed within the ventilator to generate negative pressure at any time during breathing and use the negative pressure to trigger the concentrator to deliver pulses and / or pulses of oxygen to the patient during inhalation and / or exhalation.

[0012] Additional aspects of the present invention include the design of nasal cavities within the pillow interface and methods for delivering oxygen pulses directly to the patient, while avoiding potential leaks in the patient circuit and interface. The delivery of oxygen to the patient is facilitated by a ventilator circuit that connects the ventilator to the patient using multi-tubing or multi-lumen tubing. The multi-tubing or multi-lumen tubing contains air delivery lines used during the inhalation and exhalation cycles.

[0013] One or more embodiments of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of: delivering a continuous flow of oxygen to an oxygen cannula within a nasal pillow interface; triggering an oxygen source for pulsed delivery of a bolus of oxygen; triggering the oxygen source includes triggering the oxygen source based on the start of an inspiratory phase and / or at any time during the inspiratory and / or expiratory phases; triggering the oxygen source includes triggering an oxygen concentrator using an electromechanical negative pressure device in situ within the ventilator; or generating negative pressure within the ventilator multiple times during inspiration and / or expiration to trigger the oxygen source. The triggering of the oxygen source includes a microprocessor within the ventilator signaling an electromechanical negative pressure device to generate negative pressure that is detected by the portable concentrator to deliver the pulsed oxygen bolus. The negative pressure is detected by the portable concentrator to deliver the pulsed oxygen bolus. A triggering event causes triggering of the oxygen source for oxygen bolus delivery, and the time of the triggering event is set by the user to the start of inspiration or any time during inspiration / expiration. The POC triggering method using a negative pressure device uses a check valve downstream of the negative pressure device, so it is not affected by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and is not affected by the ventilator's bias flow.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention includes a medical ventilator system that uses multi-tube or multi-lumen patient circuit tubing to increase the proportion of inspired oxygen delivered to a patient's nasal pillows interface. The medical ventilator system includes a positive pressure blower for breathing into the patient during the inspiratory cycle and controlling pressure during the expiratory cycle, an electromechanical negative pressure device for triggering a POC, and a multi-tube or multi-lumen patient circuit for connecting the ventilator to the patient, the patient circuit including an airflow delivery line, an oxygen supply line, and a pressure sensing and / or monitoring line. The ventilator triggering mechanism for detecting patient effort is based on a flow or pressure sensor integrated into the ventilator.

[0015] One or more embodiments of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of: the ventilator mechanism includes a sensor that senses the patient's positive inspiratory pressure and is located at the nasal pillows interface; the ventilator triggering mechanism includes a flow sensor and / or a pressure sensor at a location within the ventilator; the ventilator includes an oxygen source triggering mechanism, the triggering mechanism in communication with the oxygen source for pulsed delivery of a bolus of oxygen; the triggering mechanism triggers the oxygen source by generating a negative pressure that triggers the oxygen source; and the triggering of the negative pressure is synchronized by a microprocessor of the ventilator and set by the user to trigger one or more pulses at any set time of the breath.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention includes at least one system for increasing the percentage of inspired oxygen delivered by a medical ventilator through a ventilator multi-tube or multi-lumen circuit and delivered to a patient's nares via an oxygen cannula in a nasal pillows interface. The ventilator circuit also includes a means for supplying pressurized air to the patient through the nasal pillows and measuring pressure proximal to the patient. The medical ventilator system includes an oxygen source triggering mechanism, a verbal speed blower, and a negative pressure device for triggering the oxygen source to pulse-deliver a bolus of oxygen from the ventilator to a location proximal to the patient's nares or borders, thereby increasing the percentage of inspired oxygen delivered to the patient.

[0017] One or more embodiments of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of: the ventilator delivers a continuous flow of air to the patient circuit; the trigger mechanism includes a sensor that senses patient triggering effort; the trigger mechanism includes a negative pressure device disposed on the ventilator; the ventilator includes a trigger mechanism that sends a negative air pressure signal to an oxygen source for pulsed delivery of a bolus of oxygen; and the ventilator circuit includes separate lines for a supply of pressurized air to the patient, an oxygen supply, and pressure sensing and / or monitoring.

[0018] A further aspect of the present invention includes a portable medical ventilator that can achieve higher oxygen concentrations using pulsed flow from an oxygen concentrator. The ventilator includes both a positive pressure source for supplying pressurized air to the patient and a negative pressure source for triggering the oxygen concentrator. A patient circuit attached to a nasal pillows interface mask connects the ventilator to the patient. The ventilator includes a controller module configured to generate a signal to a negative pressure device to trigger the concentrator and initiate one or more pulses of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator. The oxygen pulses are delivered directly to the patient's nasal pillows interface or patient interface via a multi-tube or multi-lumen patient circuit. The oxygen does not mix with air in the ventilator or patient circuit. The nasal pillows interface or patient interface includes an oxygen nasal cannula (or oxygen connection tube) for delivering pulses of oxygen directly to the pillow chamber (or nasal pillows interface). Operation of the negative pressure source is initiated by a microprocessor and can be configured by the ventilator user. The portable medical ventilator works with any portable concentrator.

[0019] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for delivering pressurized breaths to a patient and triggering an oxygen source to mix and deliver Fi delivered to the patient, the method comprising: a respiratory delivery interface including one or more mixing chambers; a positive pressure source; a negative pressure source; a ventilator circuit for connecting a ventilator to the respiratory delivery interface; O The present invention includes a medical ventilator for increasing the respiratory rate by 2. The ventilator circuit includes a multi-lumen circuit for delivering pressurized air and pulsed oxygen upon triggering of a pressurized breath. The respiratory delivery interface includes a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is an air delivery lumen for delivering air to one or more mixing chambers, and the second lumen is an oxygen delivery lumen for delivering oxygen to one or more mixing chambers for mixing with the air immediately before delivery to the patient, without prior mixing in the ventilator or ventilator circuit, thereby avoiding any interface leaks.

[0020] One or more embodiments of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of: the oxygen source delivers a continuous flow of oxygen to the ventilator; the oxygen source is a pulse oxygen concentrator that delivers pulses of oxygen boluses to the ventilator; the ventilator is configured to trigger the oxygen source by generating negative pressure within the ventilator at any time during the patient's inspiration and expiration; the ventilator is configured such that the negative pressure source causes multiple triggering of the oxygen source for oxygen bolus delivery during inspiration; the respiratory delivery interface is a member selected from the group consisting of one or more of an intubation tube, a non-rebreathing mask, a partial rebreathing mask, a full face mask, a full face mask, a nasal cannula, and nasal pillows; and / or the respiratory delivery interface further includes a third lumen, which is at least one of a trigger lumen and a monitoring lumen.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for delivering pressurized breaths to a patient and triggering an oxygen source to provide Fi delivered to the patient using the medical ventilator described immediately above. O 2, triggering delivery of a first medical gas and a second medical gas having a third lumen; mixing the first medical gas and the second medical gas in one or more mixing chambers of the respiratory delivery interface immediately before delivery to the patient, without prior mixing in the ventilator or ventilator circuit, to avoid interface leaks.

[0022] An additional aspect of the present invention includes a nasal pillows interface for delivering multiple gases to a patient, comprising: pillows for sealing against the patient's nares to deliver pressurized mixed medical gases; one or more mixing chambers; and a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen being a first medical gas delivery lumen for delivering a first medical gas to the patient, and the second lumen being a second medical gas delivery lumen for delivering a second medical gas to the patient; wherein the first lumen and the second lumen deliver the first medical gas and the second medical gas to the one or more mixing chambers to mix the first medical gas and the second medical gas immediately prior to delivery to the patient, without prior mixing within the ventilator or ventilator circuit, avoiding any interface leaks.

[0023] One or more embodiments of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of: the first lumen is an air delivery lumen for delivering air to the patient, and the second lumen is an oxygen delivery lumen for delivering oxygen to the patient, the first lumen and the second lumen being configured to deliver air and oxygen to one or more mixing chambers to mix the air and oxygen immediately prior to delivery to the patient without prior mixing in the ventilator or ventilator circuit, avoiding any interface leaks; and / or the one or more mixing chambers include respective mixing chambers within the pillow.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for delivering multiple gases to a patient having the nasal pillows of the aspect of the present invention described immediately above, wherein the nasal pillows interface includes a third lumen, which is at least one of a trigger lumen and a monitoring lumen, the method comprising: triggering delivery of a first medical gas and a second medical gas with the third lumen; and mixing the first medical gas and the second medical gas in one or more mixing chambers of the nasal pillows interface immediately prior to delivery to the patient, without prior mixing in a ventilator or ventilator circuit, to avoid interface leakage.

[0025] One or more embodiments of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of: a ventilator including a ventilator-internal triggering flow sensor, and a method comprising: triggering delivery of a first medical gas and a second medical gas with the ventilator-internal triggering flow sensor; and mixing the first medical gas and the second medical gas in the one or more mixing chambers of the nasal pillows interface immediately prior to delivery to a patient, without prior mixing within the ventilator or the ventilator circuit, avoiding any interface leaks.

[0026] A further aspect of the present invention includes a respiratory delivery interface for delivery of multiple gases from a ventilator circuit and the ventilator to a patient, comprising: one or more mixing chambers; a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen being a first medical gas delivery lumen for delivering a first medical gas to the patient, and the second lumen being a second medical gas delivery lumen for delivering a second medical gas to the patient; and the first lumen and the second lumen being configured to deliver the first medical gas and the second medical gas to the one or more mixing chambers to mix the first medical gas and the second medical gas immediately prior to delivery to the patient, without prior mixing within the ventilator or ventilator circuit, thereby avoiding any interface leaks.

[0027] One or more embodiments of the aspect of the invention described immediately above include one or more of: the respiratory delivery interface is a member selected from the group consisting of one or more of an intubation tube, a non-rebreathing mask, a partial rebreathing mask, a full face mask, a full face mask, a nasal cannula, a nasal mask, and nasal pillows; and the third lumen is at least one of a trigger lumen and a monitoring lumen.

[0028] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a first medical treatment delivered to a patient with the respiratory delivery interface just described, which includes delivering a pressurized breath to the patient and triggering an oxygen source to trigger the delivery of a first medical treatment. O 2, comprising: triggering delivery of a first medical gas and a second medical gas with a trigger lumen; and mixing the first medical gas and the second medical gas in one or more mixing chambers of a respiratory delivery interface immediately prior to delivery to the patient, without prior mixing in the ventilator or ventilator circuit, thereby avoiding any interface leaks.

[0029] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for delivering pressurized breaths to a patient and triggering an oxygen source to deliver Fi to the patient using the breath delivery interface just described. O 2, comprising: triggering delivery of a first medical gas and a second medical gas with a respiratory internal trigger flow sensor; and mixing the first medical gas and the second medical gas in one or more mixing chambers of a respiratory delivery interface immediately prior to delivery to the patient, without prior mixing in the ventilator or ventilator circuit, avoiding any interface leaks.

[0030] The above, along with other features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent with reference to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0031] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical prior art medical ventilator system in which an oxygen concentrator is connected to the inlet of a ventilator blower. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a typical prior art medical ventilator system in which a signal connects an oxygen concentrator and a medical ventilator. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical prior art medical ventilator in which a venturi is added to the patient circuit to trigger an oxygen concentrator. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a medical ventilator. [Figure 5] 10 is an exemplary graph showing a method for delivering one pulse of oxygen during inspiration. [Figure 6] 10 is an exemplary graph illustrating a method for delivering multiple pulses of oxygen during inspiration. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of one embodiment of a medical ventilator. [Figure 8] 1 is an embodiment of a pillow nasal interface with a supply tube. [Figure 9A] 10A-10C are cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a pillow nasal interface with integrated nasal cannula. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a front view of the pillow nasal interface with integrated nasal cannula of FIG. 9A applied to the patient's nostrils. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary infrastructure capable of implementing one or more of the processes described herein, according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary processing system capable of performing one or more of the processes described herein, according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The subject matter described herein is taught by example implementations. Various details have been omitted for clarity and to avoid obscuring the subject matter. The examples provided below illustrate the delivery of inspired oxygen (F iO The present invention is directed to devices, apparatus, and methods for increasing the proportion of 2). Other features and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description that follows.

[0034] After reading this description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, not all various embodiments of the invention are described herein. It is understood that the embodiments presented herein are presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Thus, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope or breadth of the invention.

[0036] In medical ventilators that use a pulsed flow, rather than a continuous flow, of oxygen from a low-pressure oxygen source such as an oxygen concentrator, the amount of inspired oxygen (F) delivered to the patient or user (e.g., spontaneously breathing patient, non-spontaneously breathing patient) is iO Systems and methods for increasing the proportion of oxygen in the blood (oxygen) 2 are described. Other oxygen sources, such as oxygen concentrators, compressed oxygen tanks, membrane oxygen generators, chemical oxygen generators, liquid oxygen systems, or any oxygen delivery system that requires patient effort to initiate delivery of oxygen pulses and / or flow, may be used as well.

[0037] 1 shows a typical prior art medical ventilator 20. The medical ventilator 20 includes a positive pressure source 30 and a patient circuit 40 for supplying mixed oxygen and air to a user and pillow user interface 50 and a portable oxygen source 70.

[0038] Conditions of the medical ventilator 20, such as flow rate, oxygen concentration level, etc., may be constant for the system, manually controllable, and / or automatically controllable. For example, the medical ventilator 20 may include a user interface that allows a user, provider, physician, etc., to input information, such as prescribed oxygen level information, flow rate, etc., to control the oxygen output of the ventilator system 10. A flow of oxygen mixed with air is delivered from the medical ventilator 20 to the patient with each breath via the breath or user circuit 40 during the inspiratory phase; the flow is interrupted during the expiratory phase. Note that some ventilators have a small flow rate during the expiratory phase that is used to maintain positive pressure during exhalation; in these cases, the flow is not completely interrupted during the expiratory phase. A small amount of continuous oxygen flow can still be added during this phase.

[0039] The control module of the ventilator 20 can take any form known in the art and includes a central microprocessor or CPU that communicates with the components of the ventilator 20 described herein via one or more interfaces, controllers, or other electrical circuitry for controlling and managing the medical ventilator 40. The ventilator system 20 may include a user interface as part of the control module 60 or coupled to the control module to allow a user, provider, physician, etc., to input information such as prescribed oxygen level, flow rate, activity level, etc. for controlling the ventilator.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional medical ventilator system including an oxygen source 110 (e.g., an oxygen concentrator / storage device), a medical ventilator 120, and a breathing circuit 140 between the ventilator 120 and a patient 150. In one embodiment, the oxygen concentrator 110 includes a controller / control module (e.g., a controller processing one or more modules stored in memory that perform the functions described herein) configured to generate a trigger signal 160 to initiate the delivery of a pulse of oxygen (or a pulse bolus of oxygen) from the oxygen concentrator 110. In some embodiments, a storage device can be used in combination with the oxygen concentrator 110 to control the delivery of oxygen to the breathing circuit 140. In other embodiments, the storage device can be separate from the oxygen concentrator 110. The controller module for generating the trigger signal to initiate the delivery of a pulse of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator 110 can be incorporated into the oxygen concentrator 110 and / or the storage device. In this prior art, the oxygen concentrator must be modified to accept the trigger signal from the ventilator.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a conventional medical ventilator system including an oxygen source 110 (e.g., an oxygen concentrator / storage device), a medical ventilator 120, and a breathing circuit 140 between the ventilator 120 and a patient 150. In one embodiment, the oxygen concentrator 110 is connected to the negative port of a venturi 170 disposed within the breathing circuit 140. The venturi 170 is configured to generate negative pressure that is connected to the concentrator to initiate the delivery of a pulse of oxygen (or a pulse bolus of oxygen) from the oxygen concentrator 110. The patient circuit must be modified to include the venturi 170. The venturi 170 requires a pressure and / or flow that is higher than the pressure and / or flow generated by a portable ventilator. iO Using this method to reduce 2, one pulse can be delivered by the concentrator. By using Bl level breathing or PEEP during exhalation, the venturi creates negative pressure during the inhalation and exhalation cycle, preventing the concentrator from triggering and delivering F to the patient. iO 2 can be reduced.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a medical ventilator 210 is described. The medical ventilator 210 includes a positive pressure source 230 for generating an airflow that creates positive pressure in the patient, and a negative pressure source 220 for generating negative pressure that triggers an oxygen source 280 (e.g., an oxygen concentrator). The medical ventilator 210 is connected to a patient / breathing circuit 250 with multi-tubing or multi-lumen tubing. The multi-lumen tubing includes three lumens: one for ventilator pressurized air, one for oxygen flow, and one for pressure sensing. The breathing circuit 250 is connected to a nasal pillow interface 260, which is connected to a patient 270. The ventilator 210 can be used with any oxygen concentrator 280 currently used to provide oxygen to ambulatory patients via nasal cannulae. Triggering of oxygen pulses by the oxygen concentrator 280 is controlled by a negative pressure device within the ventilator 210. Negative pressure can be generated to initiate oxygen pulses during the inspiratory and / or expiratory cycles.

[0043] The patient / breathing circuit 250 includes a special connector to a medical ventilator. The breathing circuit 250 includes three tubes or three-lumen tubing: 1) air pressurized gas, 2) oxygen flow and / or pulse, and 3) a pressure sensing line. The three tubes or three-lumen tubing are connected to a nasal pillows interface 260.

[0044] Negative pressure device 220 creates negative pressure in ventilator 210, which triggers concentrator 280 to send a pulse of oxygen to the oxygen inlet of the ventilator. The pulse of oxygen is delivered via patient / breathing circuit 250 directly to the oxygen cannula of nasal pillows interface 260.

[0045] In another embodiment, F iO A small continuous flow of oxygen may also be delivered when pulses are not being delivered to help raise blood pressure.

[0046] In one embodiment, the oxygen concentrator 280 is iOTo obtain the binary value, a pulsed flow is provided to the ventilator 210. The medical ventilator 210 may include one or more output sensors to sense one or more conditions of the user 270, such as pressure, flow, leak, respiratory rate, activity environment, etc., to monitor the patient during breathing.

[0047] 5 shows an example of a waveform graph identifying a patient's pressure signal 300 and airflow 320, as well as one oxygen pulse 330 delivered by a concentrator to a ventilator 330. The x-axis represents time in seconds in the patient or breathing circuit, and the y-axis 310 represents pressure in cmH20. In one embodiment, the ventilator airflow 320 is shown and one oxygen pulse is shown on the same graph 330.

[0048] 6 shows an example of a waveform graph identifying a patient pressure signal 300 and airflow 320, as well as multiple oxygen pulses 350 delivered by a ventilator. The x-axis represents time in seconds in the patient or breathing circuit 250, and the y-axis 310 represents pressure in cmH20. In one embodiment, the ventilator airflow 320 and two oxygen pulses 350 are shown on the same graph.

[0049] 7, an embodiment of a control unit 400 can take any form known in the art and includes a central microprocessor or CPU 410 that communicates with components of the system described herein via one or more interfaces, controllers, or other electrical circuitry for controlling and managing the system. The system may include a user interface as part of the control unit or coupled to the control unit to allow a user, provider, physician, etc. to input information to control the system, such as, for example, the number of oxygen pulses, positive inspiratory pressure, positive expiratory pressure information, flow rate, activity level, etc.

[0050] Referring to Figure 8, an embodiment of a pillow-nose interface 450 worn by the patient is described. OThe interface includes an oxygen cannula 440 integrated into the interface for delivering pulses and / or pulses of oxygen to the patient to increase pulmonary flow. A supply tube 420 includes a connector 415 for connecting the interface to the patient / breathing circuit 250. The supply tube 420 may be a thin, flexible tube made of an inert material such as polyurethane, silicone, or another material known in the art. Note that all components of the interface may be made of medical-grade, biocompatible materials. A medical ventilator 210 delivers gases, such as air and / or oxygen, through the tube 420. The medical ventilator 210 can provide volume and / or pressure-type therapy delivered to the patient via the interface.

[0051] 9A and 9B, an embodiment of pillow interface 450 is described in more detail. Pressurized air from air supply lumen 454 (from ventilator 330) and oxygen gas from oxygen cannula / oxygen supply lumens 458, 470 are mixed in mixing chamber 462 of pillow 466. Lumen 474 is a trigger lumen. In an alternative embodiment, oxygen cannula / oxygen delivery lumen 458 may be the opening of a tube and may not extend completely into chamber 462 of pillow 466. Pillow 466 seals with nostril 478 of patient 482, delivering the mixed gas from chamber 462 of pillow 466 to patient 482.

[0052] System Overview Infrastructure FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary system 500 that may be used, for example, but not limited to, to control and / or communicate with the control unit 400 of the ventilator 210, according to one embodiment. The infrastructure may include a platform 510 (e.g., one or more servers) that hosts and / or executes one or more of the various functions, processes, methods, and / or software modules described herein. The platform 510 may include dedicated servers or may include a cloud instance that utilizes shared resources of one or more servers. These servers or cloud instances may be co-located or geographically distributed. The platform 510 may also include or be communicatively connected to a server application 512 and / or one or more databases 514. The platform 510 may also be communicatively connected to one or more user systems 530 via one or more networks 520. The platform 510 may also be communicatively connected to one or more external systems 540 (e.g., other platforms, websites, etc.) via one or more networks 520.

[0053] The network 520 may include the Internet, and the platform 510 may communicate with user systems 530 over the Internet using standard transmission protocols such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTPO), HTTP Secure (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), FTP Secure (FTPS), Secure Shell FTP (SFTP), and the like, as well as proprietary protocols. While the platform 510 is shown connected to various systems over a single set of networks 520, it should be understood that the platform 510 may be connected to various systems over a different set of one or more networks. For example, the platform 510 may be connected to a subset of the user systems 530 and / or external systems 540 over the Internet, but may be connected to one or more other user systems 530 and / or external systems 540 over the Internet. Furthermore, while only a small number of user systems 130 and external systems 540, one server application 512, and one set of databases 514 are shown, it should be understood that the infrastructure may include any number of user systems, external systems, server applications, and databases.

[0054] The user system 530 may include any type or types of computing devices capable of wired and / or wireless communication, including, but not limited to, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones or other mobile phones, servers, game consoles, televisions, set-top boxes, electronic kiosks, point-of-sale terminals, automated teller machines, and / or the like.

[0055] Platform 510 may include a web server that hosts one or more websites and / or web services. In embodiments in which a website is provided, the website may include a graphical user interface including one or more screens (e.g., web pages) generated, for example, in FlyperText markup language (HTML) or other languages. Platform 510 transmits or provides one or more screens of the graphical user interface in response to requests from user system 530. In some embodiments, these screens may be provided in the form of a wizard, where two or more screens are provided in a sequential manner, with one or more of the successive screens depending on the interaction of a user or user system 530 with one or more previous screens. Both requests to and responses from platform 510, including screens of the graphical user interface, may be communicated over network 520, which may include the Internet, using standard communication protocols (e.g., HTTP, TXXX, etc.). These screens (e.g., web pages) may include a combination of content and elements such as text, images, video, animations, references (e.g., hyperlinks), frames, inputs (e.g., text boxes, text areas, check boxes, radio buttons, drop-down menus, buttons, forms, etc.), scripts (e.g., JavaScript), and the like, including elements that include or are derived from data stored in one or more databases (e.g., database 514) locally and / or remotely accessible to platform 510. Platform 510 may also respond to other requests from user system 530.

[0056] Platform 510 may further include, be communicatively coupled to, or otherwise have access to, one or more databases 514. For example, platform 510 may include one or more database servers managing one or more databases 514. System 530 or server application 512 executing on platform 510 may submit data (e.g., user data, form data, etc.) stored in database 514 and / or request access to data stored in database 514. Any suitable database may be utilized, including, but not limited to, Mystystem™, Oracle™, IBM™, Mechnolt VT™, Access™, and the like, including cloud-based databases and proprietary databases. Data may be submitted to platform 510, for example, using the well-known POST request supported by HTTP, via FTP, and / or similar. This data, and other requests, may be processed by server-side web technologies, such as servlets or other software modules (e.g., included in server application 512) executed by platform 510.

[0057] In embodiments in which web services are provided, platform 510 may receive requests from external systems 540 and provide responses in Extensible Markup Language (XML), JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and / or any other suitable or desired format. In such embodiments, platform 510 may provide an application programming interface (API) that defines how user systems 530 and / or external systems 540 can interact with the web services. Thus, user systems 530 and / or external systems 540 (which may themselves be servers) can define their own user interfaces and rely on web services to implement or provide back-end processes, methods, functions, storage, and / or the like, described herein. For example, in such embodiments, client applications 532 executing on one or more user systems 530 may interact with server applications 512 executing on platform 510 to perform one or more, or portions of one or more, of the various functions, processes, methods, and / or software modules described herein. Client application 532 can be "thin," in which case processing is primarily performed on the server side by server application 512 on platform 510. A basic example of a thin client application is a browser application that simply requests, receives, and renders web pages. On user system 530, the server application on platform 510 is responsible for generating web pages and managing database functions. Alternatively, client application 532 can be "thick," in which case processing is primarily performed on the client side by user system 530. It should be understood that client application 532 can perform a certain amount of processing relative to server application 512 on platform 510, anywhere along this spectrum between "thin" and "thick," depending on the design goals of a particular implementation.In any case, the applications described herein may comprise one or more executable software modules that perform one or more functions, processes, or application methods described herein, which may reside entirely on either the platform 510 (e.g., the server application 512 performs all processing) or the user system 530 (e.g., the client application 532 performs all processing), or may be distributed between the platform 510 and the user system 530 (e.g., in this case, both the server application 512 and the client application 532 perform processing).

[0058] Exemplary Processing Device 11 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wired or wireless system 600 that may be used in connection with various embodiments described herein, including, but not limited to, the control unit 400 of the ventilator 210. For example, the system 600 may represent components of the platform 510, user system 530, external system 540, and / or other processing devices described herein, used as or in combination with one or more of the functions, processes, or methods described herein (e.g., to store and / or execute an application or one or more software modules of an application). The system 600 may be a server or any conventional personal computer, or any other processor-enabled device capable of wired or wireless data communication. Other computer systems and / or architectures may also be used, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0059] System 600 preferably includes one or more processors, such as processor 610. Additional processors may be provided, such as auxiliary processors for managing input / output, auxiliary processors for performing floating-point mathematical operations, dedicated microprocessors having an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processors), slave processors (e.g., back-end processors) subordinate to the main processing system, additional microprocessors or controllers for dual or multiprocessor systems, and / or coprocessors. Such auxiliary processors may be discrete processors or may be integrated with processor 610. Examples of processors that may be used with system 600 include, but are not limited to, Pentium® processors, Core i7® processors, and Xeon® processors, all of which are available from Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, California.

[0060] The processor 610 is preferably connected to a communication bus 605. The communication bus 605 may include a data channel for facilitating information transfer between storage and other peripheral components of the system 600. Additionally, the communication bus 605 may provide a set of signals used to communicate with the processor 610, including a data bus, an address bus, and / or a control bus (not shown). The communication bus 605 may include any standard or non-standard bus architecture, such as, for example, a bus architecture conforming to the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), the Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA), the MicroChannel Architecture (MCA), the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), a local bus, a standard promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), including the IEEE 488 General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), IEEE 696 / S-100, etc.

[0061] System 600 preferably includes a main memory 615 and may also include a secondary memory 620. Main memory 615 provides storage for instructions and data for programs executing on processor 610, such as one or more functions and / or modules discussed herein. It should be understood that the programs stored in memory and executed by processor 610 may be written and / or compiled according to any suitable language, including, but not limited to, C / C++, Java, JavaScript, Pell, Vical Basicol, .NET, etc. Main memory 615 is typically semiconductor-based memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and / or static random access memory (SRAM). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM),

[0062] Secondary memory 620 may optionally include internal media 625 and / or removable media 630. Removable media 630 may be read from and / or written to in any known manner. Removable storage media 230 may be, for example, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc (CD) drive, a digital versatile disc (DVD) drive, other optical drive, a flash memory drive, etc.

[0063] Secondary memory 620 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable code (e.g., the disclosed software modules) and / or other data stored thereon. Computer software or data stored in secondary memory 620 is loaded into main memory 615 for execution by processor 610.

[0064] In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 620 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded into system 600. Such means may include, for example, a communications interface 640, which allows software and data to be transferred to system 600 from an external storage medium 645. Examples of external storage medium 645 may include an external hard disk drive, an external optical drive, an external magneto-optical drive, etc. Other examples of secondary memory 620 may include semiconductor-based memory such as programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory (block memory), directional memory similar to EEPROM.

[0065] As described above, system 600 may include a communications interface 640. Communications interface 640 allows software and data to be transferred between system 600 and an external device (e.g., a printer), a network, or other information source. For example, computer software or executable code may be transferred to system 600 from a network server (e.g., platform 510) via communications interface 640. Examples of communications interface 640 include an embedded network adapter, a network interface card (NIC), a personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) network card, a card bus network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a universal serial bus (USB) network adapter, a modem, a wireless data card, a communications port, an infrared interface, an IEEE 1394 Firewire, and any other device capable of interfacing system 600 with a network (e.g., network 520) or another computing device. Communications interface 640 preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards such as the Ethernet IEEE 802 standard, Fibre Channel, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Personal Communications Services (PCS), Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), Serial Line Internet Protocol / Point-to-Point Protocol (SLIP / PPP), etc., as well as customized or non-standard interface protocols.

[0066] The software and data transferred via communications interface 640 are typically in the form of electrical communications signals 655. These signals 655 may be provided to communications interface 640 via communications channel 650. In one embodiment, communications channel 650 is a wired or wireless network (e.g., network 520) or various other communications links. Communications channel 650 carries signals 655 and may be implemented using various wired or wireless communications means, including wire or cable, fiber optics, conventional telephone lines, cellular phone links, wireless data communications links, radio frequency (“RF”) links, or infrared links, to name just a few.

[0067] Computer-executable code (e.g., computer programs such as the disclosed applications or software modules) is stored in main memory 615 and / or secondary memory 620. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 640 and stored in main memory 615 and / or secondary memory 620. Such computer programs, when executed, enable system 600 to perform various functions of the disclosed embodiments, as described elsewhere herein.

[0068] As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" refers to any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium used to provide computer-executable code and / or other data to or within system 600. Media include main memory 615, secondary memory 620 (including internal memory 625, removable media 630, and external storage media 645), and any peripheral devices (including network information servers or other network devices) communicatively coupled to communication interface 640. These non-transitory computer-readable media are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, software, and / or other data to system 600.

[0069] In embodiments implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded into system 600 via removable media 630, I / O interface 635, or communication interface 640. In such embodiments, the software is loaded into system 600 in the form of electrical communication signals 655. When executed by processor 610, the software preferably causes processor 610 to perform one or more of the processes and functions described elsewhere herein.

[0070] In one embodiment, I / O interface 635 provides an interface between one or more components of system 600 and one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to, sensors, keyboards, touchscreens or other touch-sensitive devices, biometric sensing devices, computer mice, trackballs, pen-based pointing devices, etc. Examples of output devices include other processing devices, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), plasma displays, light-emitting diode (LED) displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), printers, vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs), surface-conduction electron emission displays (SEDs), field emission displays (FEDs), etc. In some cases, input and output devices may be combined, such as in the case of touch-sensitive displays (e.g., in smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices).

[0071] System 600 may also include one or more optional wireless communication components that facilitate wireless communication over a voice network and / or a data network (e.g., in the case of user system 530). The wireless communication components include an antenna system 670, a radio system 665, and a baseband system 660. In system 600, radio frequency (RF) signals are transmitted and received wirelessly by antenna system 670 under the control of radio system 665.

[0072] In one embodiment, the antenna system 670 may include one or more antennas and one or more multiplexers (not shown) that perform switching functions to provide transmit and receive signal paths for the antenna system 670. In the receive path, the received RF signal may be coupled from the multiplexer to a low noise amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the received RF signal and transmits the amplified signal to the radio system 665.

[0073] In alternative embodiments, the radio system 665 may comprise one or more radios configured to communicate at various frequencies. In one embodiment, the radio system 665 may combine a demodulator (not shown) and a modulator (not shown) into a single integrated circuit (IC). The demodulator and modulator may also be separate components. In the incoming path, the demodulator strips out the RF carrier signal, leaving a baseband received audio signal, which is transmitted from the radio system 665 to the baseband system 660.

[0074] If the received signal contains voice information, the baseband system 660 decodes the signal and converts it to an analog signal. The signal is then amplified and transmitted to a speaker. The baseband system 660 also receives analog audio signals from a microphone. These analog audio signals are converted to digital signals and encoded by the baseband system 660. The baseband system 660 also encodes the digital signals for transmission, generating baseband transmit audio signals that are routed to the modulator portion of the radio system 665. The modulator mixes the baseband audio signals on an RF carrier signal to generate an RF transmit signal that can be routed to the antenna system 670 and passed through a power amplifier (not shown). The power amplifier amplifies the RF transmit signal and routes it to the antenna system 670, where the signal is switched to an antenna for transmission.

[0075] The baseband system 660 is also communicatively coupled to a processor 610, which may be a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 610 has access to data storage areas 615 and 620. The processor 610 is preferably configured to execute instructions (i.e., computer programs, such as the disclosed applications, or software modules), which may be stored in the main memory 615 or the secondary memory 620. Programs may also be received from the baseband processor 660 and stored in or executed upon receipt in the main memory 610 or the secondary memory 620. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 600 to perform various functions of the disclosed embodiments.

[0076] The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles described herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. It should therefore be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent presently preferred embodiments of the invention and, therefore, are representative of the subject matter broadly contemplated by the present invention. It will be further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited by anything other than the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10. Ventilator System 20 Medical respirator 30 Positive pressure source 40 patient circuit 40 User circuit 50 Pillow User Interface 60 Control Module 70 Portable Oxygen Source 110 Oxygen Concentrator 120 Medical ventilators 130 User System 140 Breathing circuit 150 patients 160 Trigger Signal 170 Venturi 210 Medical ventilators 220 Negative pressure source 230 Positive pressure source 250 Breathing circuit 260 Nasal Pillow Interface 270 patients 280 Oxygen Concentrator 300 Pressure Signal 320 Airflow 330 Respirator 350 Oxygen Pulse 400 Control Unit 410 CPU 415 Connector 420 Refill Tube 440 Oxygen Cannula 450 Pillow Nose Interface 454 air supply lumens 458 oxygen supply lumens 462 Mixing Chamber 466 Pillow 470 oxygen supply lumens 478 Nostrils 482 patients 500 Systems 510 Platform 512 Server Applications 514 databases 520 Network 530 User System 532 client applications 540 External Systems 600 Radio System 605 Communication Bus 610 processor 615 main memory 620 Secondary Memory 625 internal memory 630 Removable Media 635 I / O interface 640 Communication Interface 645 External storage medium 650 communication channels 655 Telecommunications Signals 655 signal 660 Baseband System 665 Radio System 670 Antenna System 696 IEEE

Claims

1. 1. A medical ventilator for delivering pressurized breaths to a patient and triggering an oxygen source to increase FiO2 delivered to the patient, comprising: a respiratory delivery interface including one or more mixing chambers; a positive pressure source configured to generate an inspiratory gas at a positive pressure; a negative pressure source disposed within the ventilator and configured to generate negative pressure against the oxygen source, thereby triggering the oxygen source to deliver oxygen to the ventilator; a ventilator circuit for connecting the medical ventilator to the respiratory delivery interface, the ventilator circuit including a multiple lumen circuit for delivering the inspiration gas and the oxygen upon triggering of a pressure breath; Including, 1. A medical ventilator comprising: a respiratory delivery interface including a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen being an inspiratory gas delivery lumen for delivering the inspiratory gas to one or more mixing chambers; and a second lumen being an oxygen delivery lumen for delivering the oxygen to one or more mixing chambers for mixing with the inspiratory gas immediately prior to delivery to the patient, avoiding interface leaks without prior mixing within the medical ventilator or the ventilator circuit.

2. 10. The medical ventilator of claim 1, wherein the oxygen source delivers a continuous flow of oxygen to the medical ventilator.

3. 10. The medical ventilator of claim 1, wherein the oxygen source is a pulse oxygen concentrator that delivers pulses of oxygen boluses to the medical ventilator.

4. 4. The medical ventilator of claim 3, wherein the negative pressure source is configured to cause multiple triggering of the oxygen source to deliver an oxygen bolus during inspiration.

5. 10. The medical ventilator of claim 1, wherein the respiratory delivery interface is a member selected from the group consisting of one or more of an intubation tube, a non-rebreathing mask, a partial rebreathing mask, a full face mask, a total face mask, a nasal cannula, a nasal mask, and nasal pillows.

6. 10. The medical ventilator of claim 1, wherein the respiratory delivery interface further comprises a third lumen that is at least one of a trigger lumen and a monitoring lumen.

7. A ventilator having: (a) a positive pressure source configured to generate a positive pressure of inspiration gas; and (b) a negative pressure source configured to generate and deliver a negative pressure to an oxygen source, thereby triggering the oxygen source to release an oxygen bolus into the ventilator; and a patient circuit having a first lumen and a second lumen, the patient circuit configured to be coupled to a ventilator; A medical ventilator system comprising: The medical ventilator system is configured such that the inspiration gas is delivered through the first lumen of the patient circuit and the oxygen bolus is delivered through the second lumen of the patient circuit.

8. 8. The medical ventilator system of claim 7, wherein the negative pressure source is an electromechanical negative pressure device.

9. 8. The medical ventilator system of claim 7, wherein the positive pressure source is a blower.

10. 8. The medical ventilator system of claim 7, further comprising a controller configured to send a signal to the negative pressure source to cause the negative pressure source to generate negative pressure.

11. 8. The medical ventilator system of claim 7, wherein the ventilator further comprises a ventilator oxygen inlet configured to receive the oxygen bolus from the oxygen source before the oxygen bolus is delivered through the second lumen.

12. A medical ventilator, comprising: a positive pressure source configured to deliver inspiratory gas at positive pressure to a patient circuit for delivery to the patient; a negative pressure source configured to generate and deliver negative pressure to an oxygen source to trigger the oxygen source to deliver an oxygen bolus to the patient circuit for delivery to the patient via the medical ventilator; A medical ventilator comprising:

13. 13. The medical ventilator of claim 12, wherein the negative pressure source is an electromechanical negative pressure device.

14. 13. The medical ventilator of claim 12, wherein the positive pressure source is a blower.

15. 13. The medical ventilator of claim 12, further comprising a controller configured to send a signal to the negative pressure source, causing the negative pressure source to generate negative pressure.

16. 13. The medical ventilator of claim 12, further comprising a ventilator oxygen inlet configured to receive the oxygen bolus from the oxygen source.

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