초록 ▼

A reliable, pulse-flow supplemental oxygen apparatus for alleviating respiratory ailments is provided which yields substantial savings in oxygen while giving the patient the physiological equivalent of a prescribed continuous stream of oxygen. The apparatus preferably includes a demand oxygen valve

A reliable, pulse-flow supplemental oxygen apparatus for alleviating respiratory ailments is provided which yields substantial savings in oxygen while giving the patient the physiological equivalent of a prescribed continuous stream of oxygen. The apparatus preferably includes a demand oxygen valve operated in a pulse mode by means of electronic control circuitry which, through an appropriate sensor, monitors the patient\s breathing efforts and gives a variable “custom tailored”pulse volume of oxygen to the patient during the very initial stages of each inspiration. Pulse volume variability is based upon a measured parameter characterizing at least a part of one and preferably a plurality of the patient\s preceding breaths; advantageously, the elapsed time interval of the patient\s three preceding breath cycles is measured to effectively measure breath rate. These breath-characterizing parameters, together with data characterizing the prescribed continuous oxygen flow to be matched, enable the apparatus to give the desired “on the go”dose variability. The apparatus is also designed to revert to conventional, continuous-flow operation upon a power failure or circuit malfunction, and for this purpose a specialized dual flow control restrictor valve is provided in the form of the invention designed for hospital use. In the event of abnormally low or high breath rates on the part of the patient, the device automatically delivers a relatively long continuous pulse, then stops to again sample the breath rate. If the rate is normal, the usual pulse flow operation is resumed; if the rate remains abnormal, the long pulse volume-rate sampling is repeated. Actual tests with the apparatus hereof demonstrate an oxygen saving of over 50% as compared with continuous flow regimens.

대표청구항 ▼

A pulse translation apparatus for translating a series of input signals occurring at variable time intervals into a series of corresponding output signals such that each of the output signals commences in predetermined time relationship to the occurrence of a corresponding input signal and represent

A pulse translation apparatus for translating a series of input signals occurring at variable time intervals into a series of corresponding output signals such that each of the output signals commences in predetermined time relationship to the occurrence of a corresponding input signal and represents a time duration correlated in predetermined manner with the time intervals corresponding to a predetermined plurality if preceding input signals, said apparatus comprising: input means for receiving said input signals; output means for delivering said output signals; a plurality of timer means greater in number than said predetermined plurality of preceding input signals, and each operable for measuring a time interval between events characterizing the occurrence of the first and last signals of said predetermined plurality of preceding input signals, and for generating an output signal representative of a time duration correlated in predetermined manner with said time interval; means for sequentially coupling each of said timer means with said input means in response to a successive one of said input signals; and means for sequentially decoupling each of said timer means from said input means, and for sequentially coupling each of said timer means with said output means in response to the last signal of said predetermined plurality of input signals.