Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A respirator apparatus, comprising: a source of breathing gas; a breathing catheter having an open end for introducing breathing gas into the lungs of a patient and an opposite end; gas line means connected between said source and said opposite end of said breathing catheter for providing one way flow from said source to said breathing catheter; means for establishing timed respiration cycles, each cycle having an inspiration phase and an expiration phase, and for permitting flow of said breathing gas through said catheter, whereby a maximum lung pressure is produced during each inspiration phase; means connected to said gas line means for sensing the pressure of said breathing gas; means responsive to said means for establishing timed respiration cycles and to said means for sensing pressure, for producing a control signal when said pressure remains higher than a predetermined level below said maximum lung pressure during the latter portion of each said expiration phase; and means responsive to said control signal for preventing flow of said breathing gas through said gas line means and catheter during the subsequent inspiration phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A respirator apparatus, comprising: a source of breathing gas; a breathing catheter having an open end for introducing breathing gas into the lungs of a patient and an opposite end; gas line means connected between said source and said opposite end of said breathing catheter for providing one way flow from said source to said breathing catheter; means for establishing timed respiration cycles, each cycle having an inspiration phase and an expiration phase, and for permitting flow of said breathing gas through said catheter, whereby a maximum lung pressure is produced during each inspiration phase; means connected to said gas line means for sensing the pressure of said breathing gas; means responsive to said means for establishing timed respiration cycles and to said means for sensing pressure, for producing a control signal when said pressure remains higher than a predetermined level below said maximum lung pressure during the latter portion of each said expiration phase; and means responsive to said control signal for preventing flow of said breathing gas through said gas line means and catheter during the subsequent inspiration phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure sensing means comprises a cylinder, a piston slidable within said cylinder, adjustable means for biasing said piston toward one end of said cylinder against the pressure in said catheter and stop means for limiting movement of said piston in response to said pressure, further comprising transducer means responsive to said sensing means when said piston rests against said stop means, said producing means being responsive to said transducer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for locking said establishing means in its existing phase when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase, until said pressure drops below said predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for resetting said establishing means when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for blocking the output of said establishing means when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for locking said establishing means in its existing phase when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for resetting said establishing means when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for blocking the output of said establishing means when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for resetting said establishing means when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for blocking the output of said establishing means when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for blocking the output of said establishing means when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising means responsive to said control signal for locking said establishing means in its existing phase when pressure above said predetermined level is detected during said latter portion of said expiration phase, until said pressure drops below said predetermined level.