US3736949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidic respirator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-08
•
Granted: 1973-06-05
•
Expires: 1991-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A respirator as disclosed which is controlled by pneumatic logic components. The respirating apparatus has a first control mode, in which a patient''s lung pressure is sensed to control the breathing function. When lung pressure falls below a predetermined low limit air is supplied to the patient, and as lung pressure approaches and exceeds a predetermined high limit, the supply of air is cut off. In a second control mode, respirating air is again supplied on the basis of sensing pressure below the low limit, but air supply cut off is effected after a predetermined volume of air has been delivered to the patient''s lungs. Supplemental to either type of control is apparatus which counts the number of output ''''breaths,'''' and when a predetermined number has been reached a ''''sigh breath'''' of increased volume is provided to break the constant breath pattern and thereby preclude lung collapse.
Inventors
- 👤 C Wolter
- 👤 T Gustafson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/08; A61M16/0816; A61M16/0841; A61M16/0858; A61M16/0003; A61M2016/0027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first and second variable restriction means each communicating with the conduit means; ii. first switching means responsive to the first restricted pressure for providing a signal pressure of a first or second state; iii. second switching means responsive to the second restricted pressure and to the signal pressure for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means; iv. the first and second variable restriction means being adjusted to establish the first and second limit pressures, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first and second variable restriction means each communicating with the conduit means; ii. first switching means responsive to the first restricted pressure for providing a signal pressure of a first or second state; iii. second switching means responsive to the second restricted pressure and to the signal pressure for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means; iv. the first and second variable restriction means being adjusted to establish the first and second limit pressures, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The respirator apparatus as dEfined by claim 1, wherein the first switching means comprises: first and second pneumatic NOR gates; the output of the first gate communicating with the downstream side of the first variable restriction and with the input of the second gate; the output of the second gate serving as said first signal pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the second switching means comprises: first and second pneumatic NOR gates; one input of the first gate communicating with said first signal pressure; the output of the first gate communicating with one input of the second gate; the downstream side of the second variable restriction communicating with a second input of the second gate; the output of the second gate serving as said second signal pressure and further communicating with a second input of the first gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the first and second switching means comprise fluidic components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The respirator apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein the pressure actuated valve means is normally closed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The respirator apparatus defined by claim 5, and further comprising normally open valve means having an inlet communicating with said conduit means, an outlet serving as an exhaust for the respirator apparatus, and a control pressure inlet for receiving the control pressure, the normally open valve means being constructed and arranged to open when the normally closed valve means is closed and to close when the normally closed valve means is opened.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The respirator apparatus defined by claim 1, and further comprising second control means for counting the number of breaths supplied to the user and for increasing the duration of a selected breath upon completion of a predetermined number of breaths.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
188 words
Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. normally closed pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the normally closed valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for opening the normally closed valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the normally closed valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a first signal pressure corresponding to the first limit pressure; ii. second adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a second signal pressure corresponding to the second limit pressure; iii. and switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to the control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
188 words
Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. normally closed pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the normally closed valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for opening the normally closed valve means when the pressure falls below a first limit and for effecting closing of the normally closed valve means when the pressure exceeds a second limit, comprising i. first adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a first signal pressure corresponding to the first limit pressure; ii. second adjustable means responsive to pressure in the conduit means for providing a second signal pressure corresponding to the second limit pressure; iii. and switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of a first or second state to the control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
193 words
Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the sensed pressure falls below a predetermined limit and for effecting closing of the valve means a predetermined time after said valve means has been opened, comprising i. variable restriction means communicating with the conduit means; ii. first switching means responsive to the restricted pressure for providing a first signal pressure of a first or second state; iii. pneumatic timing means responsive to the second state of the first signal pressure for providing a second signal pressurE of predetermined duration; iv. and second switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
Respirator apparatus for controlling the flow of respirating air to a user, comprising: a. pressure actuated valve means having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of respirating air, an outlet and a control pressure inlet; b. conduit means connected to the outlet of the valve means and terminating in a respirator outlet for the user; c. and control means for sensing pressure in the conduit means, for effecting opening of the valve means when the sensed pressure falls below a predetermined limit and for effecting closing of the valve means a predetermined time after said valve means has been opened, comprising i. variable restriction means communicating with the conduit means; ii. first switching means responsive to the restricted pressure for providing a first signal pressure of a first or second state; iii. pneumatic timing means responsive to the second state of the first signal pressure for providing a second signal pressurE of predetermined duration; iv. and second switching means responsive to the first and second signal pressures for providing a control pressure of first or second state to said control pressure inlet to effect opening and closing of the valve means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein the first switching means comprises: first, second and third pneumatic NOR gates; the output of the first gate communicating with the downstream side of the variable restriction and with the input of the second gate; the output of the second gate communicating with the input of the third gate; and the output of the third gate serving as said first signal pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein the pneumatic timing means comprises: a second normally closed, pressure actuated valve means adapted for connection with a source of fluid pressure; and third conduit means connected downstream of the second valve means, the third conduit means including a fluid capacitor and a variable fluid restriction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
The respirator apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein the second switching means comprises a pneumatic NOR gate having first and second inputs communicating with the first and second signal pressures, respectively, and an output for providing said control pressure, the output further communicating with the first switching means to maintain said first signal pressure in one of said first or second states.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The respirator apparatus defined by claim 9, wherein the valve means is normally closed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
72 words
The respirator apparatus defined by claim 13, and further comprising normally open valve means having an inlet communicating with said conduit means, an outlet serving as an exhaust for the respirator apparatus, and a control pressure inlet for receiving said control pressure, the normally open valve means being constructed and arranged to open when the normally closed valve means is closed and to close when the normally closed valve means is opened.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The respirator apparatus defined by claim 9, and further comprising second control means for counting the number of breaths supplied to the user and for increasing the duration of a selected breath upon completion of a predetermined number of breaths.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2830580A
Cited
US3446207A
Cited
US3504670A
Cited
US3494357A
Cited
US3537449A
Cited
US3610237A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |