초록 ▼

An apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring physiological parameters associated with the ventilation of infants during assisted ventilation. The infant is placed in a plethysmograph and various sensor means are used to measure flow of gas into and out of the plethysmograph and infant respir

An apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring physiological parameters associated with the ventilation of infants during assisted ventilation. The infant is placed in a plethysmograph and various sensor means are used to measure flow of gas into and out of the plethysmograph and infant respiration. The outputs of the sensor means are supplied to a microcomputer system for processing. A unique calibration system is provided which constantly corrects for changing system parameters such as plethysmographic chamber air leaks, compliance and the like. Additionally, a heating system which exhibits radiant as well as convective heating properties is provided to maintain the infant in a constant temperature environment with a minimal amount of temperature fluctuation. From this data, ventilator breaths are discriminated from infant breaths.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for obtaining continuous measurements of infant ventilation during assisted ventilation by an assisted ventilation gas source comprising: a plethysmograph having at least an input port, means for coupling an assisted ventilation gas source to said input port of said plethysmograph, a pr

An apparatus for obtaining continuous measurements of infant ventilation during assisted ventilation by an assisted ventilation gas source comprising: a plethysmograph having at least an input port, means for coupling an assisted ventilation gas source to said input port of said plethysmograph, a pressure pulse source coupled to said plethysmograph for applying a pressure pulse of known volume into said plethysmograph, an endotracheal tube having a first end which is coupled to said input port and a second end which is insertable into an airway of an infant placed in said plethysmograph such that said airway is isolated from the interior of said plethysmograph, a pneumotachometer attached to said plethysmograph and having a resistance to air flow and being adapted for providing a pressure differential on opposite sides of said pneumotachometer, a differential pressure transducer coupled to said pneumotachometer for outputting a differential pressure signal reflecting said pressure differential, said differential pressure signal being proportional to a flow signal indicating a flow rate through said pneumotachometer, means for detecting pressure changes in said endotracheal tube caused by said assisted ventilation gas source and breathing efforts of said infant and for outputting an airway pressure signal in accordance with such pressure changes, means for converting said differential pressure signal into digital data, a preprogrammed computer system having: means for calculating digitized flow data from said digitized differential pressure data, means for frequency correcting said digitized flow data, means for determining from said frequency corrected digitized data at least whether pressure changes in the interior of said plethysmograph are due to assisted ventilation or to the infant\s breathing efforts and for determining a resultant volumetric displacement from said frequency corrected digitized flow data.