Pediatric ventilator

Claim 2

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure generally in the range of 50-75 p.s.i. and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, flow regulating means for adjusting the rate of flow of gas from the inlet, nebulizing means coupled to the breathing circuit and having main jet flow means and auxiliary flow means and flow divider means connected to the flow regulator means and using said gas having a pressure ranging from 50-75 p.s.i., said flow divider means having one outlet coupled to the main jet flow means of the nebulizing means so that at least a portion of the inlet gas is supplied to the nebulizing means and an additional outlet coupled to the auxiliary flow means of the nebulizing means, said flow divider means including adjustable flow splitting means in the auxiliary flow path for controlling the flow of gas through the additional outlet whereby precise control over the operation of the nebulization means can be obtained by directing a precise portion of the inlet gas to the main jet flow means of the nebulizing means without substantial change to the pressure and rate of flow of the gas being supplied to the patient.

Claim 3

A ventilator as in claim 1 together with a bypass valve assembly having a flow passage therein and having a valve member yieldably held in a closed position to occlude the flow passage, means coupling the bypass valve to the breathing circuit and means coupling the inlet to the bypass valve assembly whereby when sufficient pressure is created on the valve member by the gas supplied from the inlet, the valve member automatically will be moved to an open position to permit additional gas to bypass said valve member and to enter the breathing circuit.

Claim 4

A ventilator as in claim 1 together with emergency intake valve means connected into the breathing circuit.

Claim 5

A ventilator as in claim 1 together with an additional nebulizing means coupled to the breathing circuit and wherein the additional outlet is coupled to the additional nebulizing means.

Claim 6

A ventilator as in claim 1 together with an outflow regulator assembly said assembly including a housing having an outlet and first and second inlets formed therein in communication with the outlet in the housing, valve means within the housing movable between open and closed positions with respect to said outlet to interrupt the communication between the first and second inlets and the outlet, diaphragm means in the housing engaging the valve member and yieldably urging the valve member toward a closed position and manually adjustable means for varying the yieldable force applied by the diaphragm means to the valve member.

Claim 7

A ventilator as in claim 5 wherein said means for varying the yeildable force includes means for adjusting the position of the valve member to vary the pressure which the diaphragm exerts against the valve member to thereby vary the pressure required to move the valve member to the open position to permit exhalation gases to pass from the first inlet to ambient through the outlet.

Claim 8

A ventilator as in claim 6 wherein said means adjusting the position of the valve member includes a valve seat member adapted to be engaged by the valve member and threadedly mounted in the housing for movement toward and away from the valve member by rotational movement of the valve seat member.

Claim 9

A ventilator as in claim 5 wherein said diaphragm means forms first and second chambers in said housing together with means for supplying gas under pressure to the second chamber at predetermined intervals so that an additional positive pressure is required for moving the valve member out of engagement with the valve seat member during said predetermined intervals.

Claim 10

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, nebulizing means, flow divider means connected to the inlet, said flow divider means having one outlet coupled to the nebulizing means so that at least a portion of the inlet gas is supplied to the nebulizing means, said flow divider means including an additional outlet coupled to the breathing circuit and having adjustable flow splitting means for controlling the flow of gas through the additional outlet whereby precise control over the operation of the nebulization means can be obtained by directing a precise portion of the inlet gas to the nebulizing means and an outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, the assembly having a valve member movable between open and closed positions with respect to said oUtlet, yieldable means engaging the valve member and yieldably urging the valve member toward a closed position, manually adjustable means engaging the valve member for adjusting the force applied by the yieldable means to hold the valve member in the closed position, means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said means forming a first venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the first means forming a first venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit.

Claim 11

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, nebulizing means, flow divider means connected to the inlet, said flow divider means having one outlet coupled to the nebulizing means so that at least a portion of the inlet gas is supplied to the nebulizing means, said flow divider means including an additional outlet coupled to the breathing circuit and having adjustable flow splitting means for controlling the flow of gas through the additional outlet whereby precise control over the operation of the nebulization means can be obtained by directing a precise portion of the inlet gas to the nebulizing means and an outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, the assembly having a valve member movable between open and closed positions with respect to said oUtlet, yieldable means engaging the valve member and yieldably urging the valve member toward a closed position, manually adjustable means engaging the valve member for adjusting the force applied by the yieldable means to hold the valve member in the closed position, means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said means forming a first venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the first means forming a first venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit.

Claim 12

A ventilator as in claim 9 together with means connected to the second inlet of the regulator assembly for supplying a gas under pressure in substantial coincidence with the inhalation phase.

Claim 13

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, nebulizing means and flow divider means connected to the inlet, said flow divider means having one outlet coupled to the nebulizing means so that at least a portion of the inlet gas is supplied to the nebulizing means, said flow divider means including an additional outlet coupled to the breathing circuit and having means for controlling the flow of gas through the additional outlet whereby precise control over thhe operation of the nebulization means can be obtained and outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, the assembly having a valve member yieldably held in a closed position means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said first means forming a venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the first means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit, said means coupling the inlet of the means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit including a shuttle valve assembly having first and second valve members disposed on opposite sides of the means forming a venturi-like passage, both of said valve members being movable between open and closed positions in the same directions.

Claim 14

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, nebulizing means and flow divider means connected to the inlet, said flow divider means having one outlet coupled to the nebulizing means so that at least a portion of the inlet gas is supplied to the nebulizing means, said flow divider means including an additional outlet coupled to the breathing circuit and having means for controlling the flow of gas through the additional outlet whereby precise control over thhe operation of the nebulization means can be obtained and outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, the assembly having a valve member yieldably held in a closed position means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said first means forming a venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the first means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit, said means coupling the inlet of the means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit including a shuttle valve assembly having first and second valve members disposed on opposite sides of the means forming a venturi-like passage, both of said valve members being movable between open and closed positions in the same directions.

Claim 15

A ventilator as in claim 11 wherein each of said valve members is provided with means for normally retaining the same in a closed position, said first valve member being movable to an open position during the exhalation phase and the second of said valve members being movable to an open position during the inhalation phase.

Claim 16

A ventilator as in claim 12 together with inspiratory relief valve means coupled to the breathing circuit and to the shuttle valve whereby when a predetermined below atmospheric condition is created within the breathing circuit, ambient air will be permitted to enter the breathing circuit.

Claim 17

A ventilator as in claim 13 together with pressure relief means coupled to the breathing circuit and relieving the pressure in the breathing circuit whenever the pressure in the breathing circuit exceeds a predetermined pressure above atmospheric.

Claim 18

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, nebulizing means and flow divider means connecting to the inlet, said flow divider means having one outlet coupled to the nebulizing means so that at least a portion of the inlet gas is supplied to the nebulizing means, said flow divider means including an additional outlet coupled to the breathing circuit and having means for controlling the flow of gas through the additionaL outlet whereby precise control over the operation of the nebulization means can be obtained, an outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, the assembly having a valve member yieldably held in a closed position, means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said first means forming a venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the first means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathingcircuit and a non-rebreathing valve assembly coupled to the first inlet of the outflow regulator assembly, said non-rebreathing valve assembly including a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets, a diaphragm disposed in the housing and forming first and second chambers in the housing, said diaphragm having an opening therein permitting communication between said first and second chambers, and valve means carried by the diaphragm for closing said opening in the diaphragm, said diaphragm being movable so that said valve means carried by the diaphragm occludes the first outlet in the housing to prevent communication between said second chamber and the first outlet, said housing being formed with an additional opening in said housing venting said first chamber to the atmosphere and valve means carried by the housing for normally closing said additional opening, a compression bulb connected to said inlet and means connecting the second outlet of the housing to the outlet of the means forming the venturi-like passage.

Claim 19

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, nebulizing means and flow divider means connecting to the inlet, said flow divider means having one outlet coupled to the nebulizing means so that at least a portion of the inlet gas is supplied to the nebulizing means, said flow divider means including an additional outlet coupled to the breathing circuit and having means for controlling the flow of gas through the additionaL outlet whereby precise control over the operation of the nebulization means can be obtained, an outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, the assembly having a valve member yieldably held in a closed position, means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said first means forming a venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the first means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathingcircuit and a non-rebreathing valve assembly coupled to the first inlet of the outflow regulator assembly, said non-rebreathing valve assembly including a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets, a diaphragm disposed in the housing and forming first and second chambers in the housing, said diaphragm having an opening therein permitting communication between said first and second chambers, and valve means carried by the diaphragm for closing said opening in the diaphragm, said diaphragm being movable so that said valve means carried by the diaphragm occludes the first outlet in the housing to prevent communication between said second chamber and the first outlet, said housing being formed with an additional opening in said housing venting said first chamber to the atmosphere and valve means carried by the housing for normally closing said additional opening, a compression bulb connected to said inlet and means connecting the second outlet of the housing to the outlet of the means forming the venturi-like passage.

Claim 20

A ventilator as in claim 15 wherein said housing is provided with a normally open bleed-down orifice in communication with the first chamber in the housing.

Claim 21

A ventilator as in claim 15 wherein said means connected to the second inlet of the regulator assembly includes a second venturi assembly connected to the second inlet of the regulator assembly together with a control cartridge for automatically supplying gas under pressure to said second venturi assembly during the inhalation phase.

Claim 22

A ventilator as in claim 17 together with an inspiratory time limit control valve assembly adapted to be connected to said source of gas and for causing an alarm to be sounded when a predetermined inhalation time limit has elapsed.

Claim 23

A ventilator as in claim 18 together with lock-out means controlled in synchronism with said inspiratory time limit control assembly for locking out the flow of gases from said control cartridge to said second venturi assembly after said predetermined inhalation time limit has elapsed.

Claim 24

A ventilator as in claim 19 together with means for resetting said lock-out means to permit said control cartridge to automatically control the operation of said ventilator.

Claim 25

A ventilator as in claim 19 wherein said inspiratory time limit control valve assembly and said lock-out means are interconnected so that they operate substantially simultaneously.

Claim 26

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its operative cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to the breathing circuit, said outflow regulator assembly including a housing having first and second inlets and an outlet, means connecting said first inlet to the breathing circuit, a valve member, a diaphragm mounted in the housing secured to the valve member and forming first and second chambers within the housing with the first chamber being in communication with the first inlet and the outlet and the second chamber being in communication with the second inlet, a valve seat member disposed within the first chamber and adApted to be engaged by the valve member for occluding the passage between the first inlet and the outlet in the housing, said diaphragm applying a yieldable force urging the valve member into engagement with the valve seat member, means for adjusting the position of the valve seat member to thereby vary the yieldable force applied by the diaphragm to the valve member and means for supplying gas under pressure to the second inlet of the housing, said means for supplying gas under pressure includes a control cartridge for controlling the flow of gas whereby gas is supplied to said second inlet during the inspiratory phase.

Claim 27

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its operative cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to the breathing circuit, said outflow regulator assembly including a housing having first and second inlets and an outlet, means connecting said first inlet to the breathing circuit, a valve member, a diaphragm mounted in the housing secured to the valve member and forming first and second chambers within the housing with the first chamber being in communication with the first inlet and the outlet and the second chamber being in communication with the second inlet, a valve seat member disposed within the first chamber and adApted to be engaged by the valve member for occluding the passage between the first inlet and the outlet in the housing, said diaphragm applying a yieldable force urging the valve member into engagement with the valve seat member, means for adjusting the position of the valve seat member to thereby vary the yieldable force applied by the diaphragm to the valve member and means for supplying gas under pressure to the second inlet of the housing, said means for supplying gas under pressure includes a control cartridge for controlling the flow of gas whereby gas is supplied to said second inlet during the inspiratory phase.

Claim 28

A ventilator as in claim 22 together with timing means for actuating an alarm when a predetermined inspiratory time has elapsed.

Claim 29

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its operative cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to the breathing circuit, said outflow regulator assembly including a housing having first and second inlets and an outlet, means connecting said first inlet to the breathing circuit, a diaphragm mounted in the housing and forming first and second chambers within the housing with the first chamber being in communication with the first inlet and the outlet and the second chamber being in communication with the second inlet, a valve member disposed within the first chamber and adapted to be engaged by the diaphragm assembly for occluding the passage between the first inlet and the outlet in the housing, means for supplying gas under pressure to the second inlet of the housing, said means for supplying gas under pressure including a control cartridge for controlling the flow of gas whereby gas is supplied to said second inlet during the inspiratory phase, timing means for actuating an alarm when a predetermined inspiratory time has elapsed and lockout means for locking out the supply of gas to said second inlet when said predetermined inspiratory time has elapsed.

Claim 30

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its operative cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to the breathing circuit, said outflow regulator assembly including a housing having first and second inlets and an outlet, means connecting said first inlet to the breathing circuit, a diaphragm mounted in the housing and forming first and second chambers within the housing with the first chamber being in communication with the first inlet and the outlet and the second chamber being in communication with the second inlet, a valve member disposed within the first chamber and adapted to be engaged by the diaphragm assembly for occluding the passage between the first inlet and the outlet in the housing, means for supplying gas under pressure to the second inlet of the housing, said means for supplying gas under pressure including a control cartridge for controlling the flow of gas whereby gas is supplied to said second inlet during the inspiratory phase, timing means for actuating an alarm when a predetermined inspiratory time has elapsed and lockout means for locking out the supply of gas to said second inlet when said predetermined inspiratory time has elapsed.

Claim 31

A ventilator as in claim 24 together with reset means for resetting the lock-out means.

Claim 32

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its operative cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to the breathing circuit, said outflow regulator assembly including a housing having first and second inlets and an outlet, means connecting said first inlet to the breathing circuit, a diaphragm mounted in the housing and forming first and second chambers within the housing with the first chamber being in communication with the first inlet and the outlet and the second chamber being in communication with the second inlet, a valve member disposed within the first chamber and adapted to be engaged by the diaphragm assembly for occluding the passage between the first inlet and the outlet in the housing and means for supplying gas under pressure to the second inlet of the housing, said means for supplying gas under pressure including a control cartridge for controlling the flow of gas whereby gas is supplied to said second inlet during the inspiratory phase, said means for supplying gases to said second inlet of said regulator assembly including means forming an inspiratory venturi-like passage and means for introducing a jet of gas into said passage under the control of said control cartridge.

Claim 33

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its operative cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to the breathing circuit, said outflow regulator assembly including a housing having first and second inlets and an outlet, means connecting said first inlet to the breathing circuit, a diaphragm mounted in the housing and forming first and second chambers within the housing with the first chamber being in communication with the first inlet and the outlet and the second chamber being in communication with the second inlet, a valve member disposed within the first chamber and adapted to be engaged by the diaphragm assembly for occluding the passage between the first inlet and the outlet in the housing and means for supplying gas under pressure to the second inlet of the housing, said means for supplying gas under pressure including a control cartridge for controlling the flow of gas whereby gas is supplied to said second inlet during the inspiratory phase, said means for supplying gases to said second inlet of said regulator assembly including means forming an inspiratory venturi-like passage and means for introducing a jet of gas into said passage under the control of said control cartridge.

Claim 34

A ventilator as in claim 26 together with means for spoiling the venturi effect in said passage to thereby change the pressure applied to the diaphragm in the outfLow regulator assembly without changing the pressure in the mainstream flow to said breathing circuit.

Claim 35

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying gas from the inlet to the breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, said assembly having a valve member yieldably held in a closed position, and means connecting the inlet to the breathing circuit and to said outflow regulator assembly, said means including means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said means forming a first venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the means forming a first venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit, said means coupling the inlet of the means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit including a shuttle valve assembly having first and second valve members disposed on opposite sides of the means forming a venturi-like passage, both of said valve members being movable between open and closed positions in the same directions.

Claim 36

In a ventilator for use with a source of gas under pressure and having an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying gas from the inlet to the breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly having an outlet and first and second inlets, said assembly having a valve member yieldably held in a closed position, and means connecting the inlet to the breathing circuit and to said outflow regulator assembly, said means including means forming a first venturi-like passage having an inlet and having an outlet connected to the first inlet of the regulator assembly, means for supplying a jet of gases to said means forming a first venturi-like passage to create a negative pressure within the means forming a venturi-like passage and means coupling the inlet of the means forming a first venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit, said means coupling the inlet of the means forming a venturi-like passage to the breathing circuit including a shuttle valve assembly having first and second valve members disposed on opposite sides of the means forming a venturi-like passage, both of said valve members being movable between open and closed positions in the same directions.

Claim 37

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its opertive cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying a mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to said breathing circuit for controlling the flow of expiratory gases from the breathing circuit, and a non-rebreathing valve assembly connected into said breathing circuit, said non-rebreathing valve assembly including a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets, said housing having means forming a valve seat surrounding the first outlet, valve means movable between open and closed positions with respect to said valve seat, a diaphragm disposed in the housing and forming first and second chambers in the housing, means securing said valve member to said diaphragm, said diaphragm having an opening therein permitting communication between said first and second chambers, and valve means carried by the diaphragm for closing said opening in said diaphragm, said diaphragm being movable so that the valve member carried by the diaphragm is moved into engagement with said valve seat to occlude the first outlet in the housing to thereby prevent communication between said second chamber and the first outlet, said housing being formed with an additional opening in said housing venting said first chamber to the atmosphere and valve means carried by the housing for normally closing said additional opening, a compression bulb connected to said inlet of said housing and means connecting the first and second outlets of said housing into the breathing circuit.

Claim 38

In a ventilator having an inspiratory phase and an expiratory phase in its opertive cycle for use with a source of gas under pressure, an inlet adapted to be connected to said source of gas under pressure, a breathing circuit adapted to be connected to the patient, means for supplying a mainstream flow of gases from said inlet to said breathing circuit, an outflow regulator assembly connected to said breathing circuit for controlling the flow of expiratory gases from the breathing circuit, and a non-rebreathing valve assembly connected into said breathing circuit, said non-rebreathing valve assembly including a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets, said housing having means forming a valve seat surrounding the first outlet, valve means movable between open and closed positions with respect to said valve seat, a diaphragm disposed in the housing and forming first and second chambers in the housing, means securing said valve member to said diaphragm, said diaphragm having an opening therein permitting communication between said first and second chambers, and valve means carried by the diaphragm for closing said opening in said diaphragm, said diaphragm being movable so that the valve member carried by the diaphragm is moved into engagement with said valve seat to occlude the first outlet in the housing to thereby prevent communication between said second chamber and the first outlet, said housing being formed with an additional opening in said housing venting said first chamber to the atmosphere and valve means carried by the housing for normally closing said additional opening, a compression bulb connected to said inlet of said housing and means connecting the first and second outlets of said housing into the breathing circuit.

Claim 39

A ventilator as in claim 29 wherein said housing has a bleed down orifice formed therein in communication with the first chamber in the housing.