초록 ▼

An apparatus conserves oxygen delivered from a supply (28) to a patient through a cannula (44) by providing oxygen delivery selectively in accordance with the physiological requirements and current breathing pattern of the patient. Oxygen flow is set at a prescribed flow rate from the supply by a re

An apparatus conserves oxygen delivered from a supply (28) to a patient through a cannula (44) by providing oxygen delivery selectively in accordance with the physiological requirements and current breathing pattern of the patient. Oxygen flow is set at a prescribed flow rate from the supply by a regulator (30). An oxygen conserving unit (38) includes a controller (64) that operates responsive to timed relationships among pressure signals determined by a fuzzy logic program to deliver oxygen to the patient by opening a valve (72) when a sensed pressure in the patient's nasal passage reaches a threshold level and when the controller determines that the reaching of the threshold is indicative of an inhalation cycle. The controller is further operative to adjust the time period that oxygen is delivered to the patient in accordance with a programmed relation to meet the dynamically changing needs of the patient. The apparatus further includes features which provide fast response, conservation of the energy from a battery power source (86) and both visual and audio indicators (54, 56) to provide indications of alert and alarm conditions. The apparatus further provides control by the user through a single manually actuated switch (52), and mechanical interconnection with the switch and valve to assure continuous flow when the switch is set to a continuous flow setting.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for conserving oxygen being delivered from an oxygen supply to a patient comprising:a sensing passage fluidly connectable to a nasal passage of a patient, and a delivery passage separated from said sensing passage, wherein said delivery passage is fluidly connectable to

[ I claim:] [1.] An apparatus for conserving oxygen being delivered from an oxygen supply to a patient comprising:a sensing passage fluidly connectable to a nasal passage of a patient, and a delivery passage separated from said sensing passage, wherein said delivery passage is fluidly connectable to a patient's nasal passage;a valve, wherein said valve includes a valve inlet, wherein said valve inlet is fluidly connectable to an oxygen supply, and wherein said valve further includes a valve outlet, wherein said valve outlet is fluidly connectable to said delivery passage, and wherein said valve is selectively changeable between a first valve condition wherein said valve inlet and valve outlet are not in fluid communication, and a second valve condition wherein said valve inlet and valve outlet are in fluid communication;a pressure sensor, wherein said pressure sensor is in fluid communication with said sensing passage, and wherein said sensor is operative to a sense a sensed pressure in said sensing passage;a controller in operative connection with said pressure sensor and said valve, wherein said controller is operative to cause said valve to change from the first condition to the second condition responsive to said senses pressure reaching a threshold level; anda manually actuated switch, wherein said switch is manually movable between a first switch position and a second switch position, wherein said manual switch is in operative connection with said valve, and wherein in the first switch position said valve is enabled to change responsive to said controller between said first and second valve conditions, and wherein in the second switch position said valve is continuously in the second condition.