Patent US6312406B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4155356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Respiration assisting apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-02-02
•
Granted: 1979-05-22
•
Expires: 1997-02-02
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for assisting expiration of respiratory gas from the lungs and/or assisting pulmonary blood circulation. The apparatus comprises means for generating a series of pressure pulses and means for transmitting the pressure pulses to air passageways in the lungs through respiratory gas. The generating means can comprise a solenoid controlled pump, a solenoid controlled valve, or a reflector means for directing pulses into the lungs. The transmitting means preferable comprises a tube for placement in the trachea. The frequency, amplitude, and shape of the pressure waves are controlled to outwardly displace walls of collapsed air passageways in the lungs, to maintain the outward displacement, and to generate a pumping action to assist in respiration. Wave characteristics may be controlled manually or modulated by signals derived from an electrocardiogram and/or a pleural pressure sensing means.
Inventors
- 👤 Jose G. Venegas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/0003; A61M16/0009; A61M16/0006; A61M16/021; A61M16/022; A61M16/0057; A61M16/0075; A61M2230/00; A61M2230/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for assisting expiration of respiratory gas through collapsed lung passageways, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a series of pressure pulses having a waveform characterized by a rapid rise and gradual decline, having an amplitude sufficient, in combination with said waveform, to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the pleural pressure acting thereon, and having a frequency on the order of 15 Hz. such that successive pulses arrive at the passageway prior to its recollapse; and means for transmitting said generated pulses to said air passageway through exhaled respiratory gas in a direction opposite the direction of flow of said respiratory gas, whereby outward displacement of otherwise inwardly collapsed lung passageways is maintained and respiration is assisted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for assisting expiration of respiratory gas through collapsed lung passageways, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a series of pressure pulses having a waveform characterized by a rapid rise and gradual decline, having an amplitude sufficient, in combination with said waveform, to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the pleural pressure acting thereon, and having a frequency on the order of 15 Hz. such that successive pulses arrive at the passageway prior to its recollapse; and means for transmitting said generated pulses to said air passageway through exhaled respiratory gas in a direction opposite the direction of flow of said respiratory gas, whereby outward displacement of otherwise inwardly collapsed lung passageways is maintained and respiration is assisted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generating means comprises cyclically operable pump means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generating means comprises a reservoir of pressurized gas fitted with a cyclically operable gas release means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means comprises a main duct of a size sufficient for placement in the trachea, and a branch duct in fluid communication with said main duct.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising artificial respiration means in fluid communication with said branch duct.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generating means comprises means for varying the amplitude of said pressure pulses whereby outward displacement of said gas passageway is optimized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generating means includes pleural pressure sensing means and pressure pulse amplitude control means responsive to the output of said pleural pressure sensing means for optimizing the outward displacement of said gas passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generating means comprises cardiac rhythm sensing means having an output signal and means for utilizing said output signal to control selected characteristics of said generated pressure pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for utilizing said output signal comprises means for modulating the amplitude of said pressure pulses so that the amplitude reaches a maximum at a selected phase relationship to the cardiac rhythm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for utilizing said output signal comprises means for controlling the incidence of pulses so that at least one pulse is generated at a selected phase relationship to the cardiac rhythm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for assisting the expiration of air from the lungs of a patient exhibiting the symptoms of emphysema, said apparatus comprising means for repetitively generating pressure pulses at a repetition rate on the order of 15 Hertz, said pulses being characterized by a relatively rapid rise in pressure followed by a relatively gradual decrease in pressure and by an amplitude sufficient to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the plural pressure acting thereon; and means, including a branch duct, for coupling said pressure pulses to the patient's bronchial passages, whereby, during exhalation, inner airways in the patient's lungs will be opened by said pulses, aiding the release of otherwise trapped air, thereby facilitating ventilation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for assisting the expiration of air from the lungs of a patient exhibiting the symptoms of emphysema, said apparatus comprising means for repetitively generating pressure pulses at a repetition rate on the order of 15 Hertz, said pulses being characterized by a relatively rapid rise in pressure followed by a relatively gradual decrease in pressure and by an amplitude sufficient to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the plural pressure acting thereon; and means, including a branch duct, for coupling said pressure pulses to the patient's bronchial passages, whereby, during exhalation, inner airways in the patient's lungs will be opened by said pulses, aiding the release of otherwise trapped air, thereby facilitating ventilation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising means for controlling the phase of said pressure pulses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising pressure pulse amplitude control means, pleural pressure sensing means operatively connected to a pressure transducer, and means for varying the amplitude of said pressure pulses in response to the output of said pressure transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising means for sensing cardiac rhythm having an output signal and means for utilizing said output signal to control selected characteristics of said pressure pulses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for assisting the expiration of air from the lungs of a patient exhibiting the symptoms of emphysema, said apparatus comprising: electrical signal source means for generating a repetitive sawtooth electrical waveform having relatively steep portions separated by relatively gradual portions, said waveforms being generated at a repetition rate on the order of 15 Hertz; acoustic means including an electromagnetic transducer and a diaphragm assembly actuated by said transducer, said transducer being energized by said signal source to generate acoustic pressure pulses corresponding to said waveform and having an amplitude sufficient to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the pleural pressure acting thereon; and means, including a branch duct through which respiration takes place, for coupling said pressure pulses to the patient's bronchial passages, whereby, during exhalation, inner airways in the patient's lungs will be opened by said pulses, aiding the release of otherwise trapped air and thereby facilitating ventilation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for assisting the expiration of air from the lungs of a patient exhibiting the symptoms of emphysema, said apparatus comprising: electrical signal source means for generating a repetitive sawtooth electrical waveform having relatively steep portions separated by relatively gradual portions, said waveforms being generated at a repetition rate on the order of 15 Hertz; acoustic means including an electromagnetic transducer and a diaphragm assembly actuated by said transducer, said transducer being energized by said signal source to generate acoustic pressure pulses corresponding to said waveform and having an amplitude sufficient to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the pleural pressure acting thereon; and means, including a branch duct through which respiration takes place, for coupling said pressure pulses to the patient's bronchial passages, whereby, during exhalation, inner airways in the patient's lungs will be opened by said pulses, aiding the release of otherwise trapped air and thereby facilitating ventilation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said diaphragm assembly comprises a chamber having a plate mounted for reciprocal movement in said chamber and connected to said electromagnetic transducer and flap valve means fixed in cooperative relation to said plate whereby pressure pulses are produced only upon movement of said plate in a single selected direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for assisting expiration of respiratory gas through collapsed lung passageways, said process being characterized by the steps of: generating a series of pressure pulses having a waveform characterized by a rapid rise and gradual decline, having an amplitude sufficient, in combination with said waveform, to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the pleural pressure acting thereon, and having a frequency on the order of 15 Hz. such that successive pulses arrive at the passageway prior to its recollapse; and transmitting said generated pulses to said gas passageway through exhaled respiratory gas in a direction opposite the direction of flow of the respiratory gas, whereby outward displacement of otherwise inwardly collapsed lung passageways is maintained and respiration is assisted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for assisting expiration of respiratory gas through collapsed lung passageways, said process being characterized by the steps of: generating a series of pressure pulses having a waveform characterized by a rapid rise and gradual decline, having an amplitude sufficient, in combination with said waveform, to radially outwardly displace a collapsed lung passageway against the pleural pressure acting thereon, and having a frequency on the order of 15 Hz. such that successive pulses arrive at the passageway prior to its recollapse; and transmitting said generated pulses to said gas passageway through exhaled respiratory gas in a direction opposite the direction of flow of the respiratory gas, whereby outward displacement of otherwise inwardly collapsed lung passageways is maintained and respiration is assisted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said pressure pulses are generated by cyclically pumping a gas.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said pressure pulses are generated by cyclically releasing quantities of pressurized gas contained in a reservoir.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said pressure pulses are transmitted through a main duct of a size suitable for placement in a respiratory passage.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said main duct is of a size sufficient for placement in the trachea and said process is further characterized by the step of passing all respiratory gases through said main duct.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 21 wherein said respiratory gas is passed through said main duct via a branch duct in fluid communication with said main duct, said branch duct being situated to inhibit transmission of pressure pulses therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 20 further characterized by the step of inducing artificial respiration through said main duct.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 17 further characterized by the step of varying the amplitude of said generated pressure pulses to optimize the outward displacement of said gas passageway.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 17 further characterized by the steps of sensing pleural pressure external to the lungs and utilizing said sensed pleural pressure to control the amplitude of said generated pressure pulses to optimize the outward displacement of said gas passageway.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 17 further characterized by the steps of sensing cardiac rhythm and utilizing said sensed rhythm to control selected characteristics of said generated pressure pulses.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 17 further characterized by controlling the frequency of said pressure waves on the order of 15 Hz.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for assisting expiration of respiratory gas through collapsed lung passageways, said process being characterized by the steps of: providing a main duct in fluid communication with a respiratory passage; artificially forcing respiratory gas into and out of the lungs through said duct; generating a series of pressure pulses at a frequency on the order of 15 Hz having a waveform characterized by a rapid rise and gradual decline, and having an amplitude sufficient, in combination with said waveform, to radially outwardly displace a gas passageway in the lungs against the pleural pressure acting thereon; and transmitting said generated pulses through said duct and to the site of said collapsed lung passageway through exhaled respiratory gas, whereby outward displacement of otherwise inwardly collapsed lung passageways is maintained and respiration is assisted.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for assisting expiration of respiratory gas through collapsed lung passageways, said process being characterized by the steps of: providing a main duct in fluid communication with a respiratory passage; artificially forcing respiratory gas into and out of the lungs through said duct; generating a series of pressure pulses at a frequency on the order of 15 Hz having a waveform characterized by a rapid rise and gradual decline, and having an amplitude sufficient, in combination with said waveform, to radially outwardly displace a gas passageway in the lungs against the pleural pressure acting thereon; and transmitting said generated pulses through said duct and to the site of said collapsed lung passageway through exhaled respiratory gas, whereby outward displacement of otherwise inwardly collapsed lung passageways is maintained and respiration is assisted.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 28 wherein said respiratory gas comprises a gas used in anaesthesia.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE355416C
Cited
US2918917A
Cited
US3349766A
Cited
US3863082A
Cited
US3993059A
Cited
US3923055A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-21 | 1982-11-20 | 1983-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-21 | 1986-11-20 | 1987-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-21 | 1990-11-20 | 1991-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |