Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for indicating improper condition of apparatus
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2001-06-12
Lewis, Aaron J. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means for indicating improper condition of apparatus
C128S205240, C128S204260
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244267
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a respirator with an inhalation line, a exhalation line with an exhalation valve, a pressure-measuring means for measuring the airway pressure p and with a circuit connected at least to said exhalation valve for controlling the phases of respiration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A respirator with an inhalation line, an exhalation line, a metering means for inhaled gas, as well as an exhalation valve that can be actuated has been known from DE 195 16 536 C2, with which both a volume-controlled and pressure-controlled respiration can be performed. Both the breathing gas flow and the breathing gas pressure are monitored during the respiration. A stenosis and disconnection alarm device as well as a pressure relief valve are usually present as safety and monitoring means. The pressure relief valve is used to reduce excess pressure during the inhalation phase and to limit them to a predetermined limit value. A pressure-limiting valve of this type is shown as an example in DE 28 01 546 C2.
An excessively high respiration pressure may have various causes. For example, the breathing gas flow is set to an excessively high value or the inhalation tube leading to the patient is kinked. However, cases of application in which a rapid pressure relief of the breathing gas-carrying components must be performed are also conceivable, e.g., in the case of the sudden onset of spontaneous respiratory activity or cough-related gasps. An overpressure limitation alone is not sufficient in these cases. On the other hand, it must also be ensured that the patient can exhale at any time. Exhalation via the exhalation valve is no longer possible in the case of a partially or completely kinked exhalation tube, and the pressure relief valve remains closed until the maximum pressure set is reached.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to improve a respirator of the type such that a rapid pressure reduction can be established in the breathing gas lines leading to the patient.
According to the invention, a respirator is provided with an inhalation line an exhalation line with an exhalation valve, a pressure-measuring means for measuring the airway pressure p and with a circuit connected at least to the exhalation valve for controlling the phases of respiration. A control valve is provided in the inhalation line with a control pressure space and with a discharge port. The discharge port can be opened to the environment through a said valve element. A control pressure line, which is branched off from the inhalation line and can be connected to the control pressure space is also provided. A reversing valve with an evacuation line, through which a flow connection can be established between the control pressure space and the evacuation line, is arranged in the control pressure line.
The advantage of the present invention is essentially that a rapid pressure relief of the components carrying breathing gas is possible through the control valve arranged in the inhalation line at both a high inhalation pressure and increased exhalation resistance, e.g., as a consequence of a kinked exhalation line. However, the exceeding of permissible pressure limits may also be caused by the patient's spontaneous breathing activity. By opening the control valve, the patient has the possibility at any time during the inhalation phase and the exhalation phase to release the exhaled gas directly into the environment via the control valve or to obtain inhaled gas via the control valve. Diaphragm valves, in which the valve element is designed as an elastic diaphragm, are especially suitable as control valves.
It is particularly advantageous to connect the pressure-measuring means to a limit value transducer, which compares the instantaneously measured airway pressure p with a limit pressure p
g
and sends a reversing signal to the reversing valve when the limit value is exceeded. The reversing valve is actuated by the reversing signal such that a flow connection is established between the control pressure space and the evacuation line, through which the pressure in the control pressure space is reduced to the ambient pressure level and the control valve opens.
An especially good pressure monitoring is possible if different limit valves p
g1
and p
g2
are preset as the limit pressure p
g
during the inhalation phase and the exhalation phase.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3831596 (1974-08-01), Cavallo
patent: 3949749 (1976-04-01), Stewart
patent: 4227523 (1980-10-01), Warnow et al.
patent: 4350115 (1982-09-01), Pasternack
patent: 4466433 (1984-08-01), Robbins
patent: 4611591 (1986-09-01), Inui et al.
patent: 4838257 (1989-06-01), Hatch
patent: 5596984 (1997-01-01), O'Mahony et al.
patent: 5797393 (1998-08-01), Kohl
patent: 5813399 (1998-09-01), Isaza et al.
patent: 28 01 546 C2 (1979-07-01), None
patent: 195 16 536 C2 (1996-11-01), None
Dräger Medizintechnick GmbH
Lewis Aaron J.
McGlew & Tuttle P.C.
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