Abstract: A system of treating atelectasis is provided that includes a tracheal tube positioned within an airway of a ventilated patient and an acoustic sensor coupled to the tracheal tube. The system also includes a monitor communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The monitor includes a processor configured to receive a baseline signal from the acoustic sensor. The processor is configured to provide control instructions to adjust a pressure of a gas mixture delivered to the airway through the tracheal tube. The processor is also configured to receive an updated signal from the acoustic sensor after the adjustment and identify a change in airway openness of lungs of the ventilated patient caused by the adjustment of the pressure. Further, identifying the change is based on the baseline signal and the updated signal.

Abstract: A system of treating atelectasis is provided that includes a tracheal tube positioned within an airway of a ventilated patient and an acoustic sensor coupled to the tracheal tube. The system also includes a monitor communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The monitor includes a processor configured to receive a baseline signal from the acoustic sensor. The processor is configured to provide control instructions to adjust a pressure of a gas mixture delivered to the airway through the tracheal tube. The processor is also configured to receive an updated signal from the acoustic sensor after the adjustment and identify a change in airway openness of lungs of the ventilated patient caused by the adjustment of the pressure. Further, identifying the change is based on the baseline signal and the updated signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods that utilize a tracheal tube system with a piezoelectric cuff inflation system. The piezoelectric cuff inflator system may include an inlet, and outlet, and a piezoelectric element. In use the piezoelectric cuff inflator system may actuate the piezoelectric element to move a fluid from the inlet through the outlet suitable for inflating one or more cuffs included in the tracheal tube system. A circuitry may provide a frequency signal suitable for delivering a constant pressure to the cuff via the piezoelectric cuff inflation system.

Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: A medical ventilator includes a pressure generator for increasing a pressure of gas that produces heat during the operation thereof. A heat sink spaced from the pressure generator is provided for absorbing heat from the pressure generator. A bacteria filter requiring heating in excess of an ambient temperature for the effective operation thereof is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink. A heat pipe is coupled in thermal communication with the heat sink and the pressure generator for conveying at least part of heat produced by the pressure generator to the bacteria filter via the heat sink.

Abstract: An insufflation system that includes a first tube that inserts into a patient's airway for providing a primary flow of breathing gas to such a patient. At least one insufflation catheter is provided in or within the first tube for delivering a flow of insufflation gas to the patient. In one embodiment, a flow control system is coupled between the first tube, the insufflation catheter, and a source of insufflation gas to control the flow of gas between the patient circuit, the insufflation catheter, and the source of insufflation gas. In another embodiment, a ventilator and tracheal gas insufflation system are provided in a common housing.

Abstract: A medical ventilator system and method that triggers, cycles, or both based on patient effort, which is determined from cross-correlating patient flow and patient pressure. The medical ventilator is also controlled such that sensitivity to a patient initiated trigger increases as the expiratory phase of the breathing cycle progresses. The present invention also provides adaptive adjustment of cycling criteria to optimize the cycling operation.

Abstract: A medical ventilator system and method that triggers, cycles, or both based on patient effort, which is determined from cross-correlating patient flow and patient pressure. The medical ventilator is also controlled such that sensitivity to a patient initiated trigger increases as the expiratory phase of the breathing cycle progresses. The present invention also provides adaptive adjustment of cycling criteria to optimize the cycling operation.

Abstract: An insufflation system that includes a first tube that inserts into a patient's airway for providing a primary flow of breathing gas to such a patient. At least one insufflation catheter is provided in or within the first tube for delivering a flow of insufflation gas to the patient. In one embodiment, a flow control system is coupled between the first tube, the insufflation catheter, and a source of insufflation gas to control the flow of gas between the patient circuit, the insufflation catheter, and the source of insufflation gas. In another embodiment, a ventilator and tracheal gas insufflation system are provided in a common housing.

Abstract: A medical ventilator system and method that triggers, cycles, or both based on patient effort, which is determined from cross-correlating patient flow and patient pressure. The medical ventilator is also controlled such that sensitivity to a patient initiated trigger increases as the expiratory phase of the breathing cycle progresses. The present invention also provides adaptive adjustment of cycling criteria to optimize the cycling operation.

Abstract: A medical ventilator system and method that triggers, cycles, or both based on patient effort, which is determined from cross-correlating patient flow and patient pressure. The medical ventilator is also controlled such that sensitivity to a patient initiated trigger increases as the expiratory phase of the breathing cycle progresses. The present invention also provides adaptive adjustment of cycling criteria to optimize the cycling operation.

Abstract: A ventilatory system which may be operated in an invasive and a non-invasive mode is provided utilizing a graphical user interface for presenting only those controlled parameters utilized for that specific mode of operation. Volume and pressure ventilatory support parameters are included for invasive ventilation and non-invasive ventilation control parameters are provided for non-invasive ventilatory assistance. The graphical user interface enables an operator to select the desired mode of operation wherein only those parameters related to that specific mode of operation are presented. Furthermore, a blower is provided for providing an air source to the ventilator enabling the ventilator to be self sufficient.

Abstract: A ventilatory system which may be operated in an invasive and a non-invasive mode is provided utilizing a graphical user interface for presenting only those controlled parameters utilized for that specific mode of operation. Volume and pressure ventilatory support parameters are included for invasive ventilation and non-invasive ventilation control parameters are provided for non-invasive ventilatory assistance. The graphical user interface enables an operator to select the desired mode of operation wherein only those parameters related to that specific mode of operation are presented. Furthermore, a blower is provided for providing an air source to the ventilator enabling the ventilator to be self sufficient.

Abstract: A medical ventilator system and method that triggers, cycles, or both based on patient effort, which is determined from cross-correlating patient flow and patient pressure. The medical ventilator is also controlled such that sensitivity to a patient initiated trigger increases as the expiratory phase of the breathing cycle progresses. The present invention also provides adaptive adjustment of cycling criteria to optimize the cycling operation.

Abstract: The system and method for flow triggering pressure supported ventilation include a source of a predetermined, preinspiratory, constant flow of breathing gas to a patient, one or more flow sensors for measuring the rate of gas flow in a flow path communicating with the patient, means for determining when inhalation from the flow path has occurred, and means for generating pressure support in the delivered gas flow in response to inhalation by the patient, means to terminate pressure support when inspiratory phase concludes, and means to reestablish the predetermined, preinspiratory, continuous flow of breathing prior to the patient's next inspiratory effort. A plurality of individual gas sources preferably provide a controlled mixture of breathing gas. In combination with pressure support to the patient during the inspiration effort, the flow triggering strategy of the invention offers significant improvements in providing breath support to patients having weakened respiratory capabilities.

Abstract: The method for flow triggering breath supported ventilation is accomplished by providing a system comprising a source of a predetermined, preinspiratory, constant flow of breathing gas and connecting such to a patient breathing attachment. One or more flow sensors measure the gas flow rate in a flow path communicating with the patient breathing attachment, determining when inhalation from the flow path has occurred. Breath support is generated in the delivered gas flow in response to inhalation by the patient, and the predetermined, preinspiratory, continuous flow of breathing gas is reestablished prior to the patient's next inspiratory effort. In combination with various types of breath support, the flow triggering strategy of the invention offers significant improvements in providing breath support to patients having weakened respiratory capabilities.

Abstract: The system and method for flow triggering pressure supported ventilation include a source of a predetermined, preinspiratory, constant flow of breathing gas to a patient, one or more flow sensors for measuring the rate of gas flow in a flow path communicating with the patient, means for determining when inhalation from the flow path has occurred, and means for generating pressure support in the delivered gas flow in response to inhalation by the patient, means to terminate pressure support when inspiratory phase concludes, and means to reestablish the predetermined, preinspiratory, continuous flow of breathing prior to the patient's next inspiratory effort. A plurality of individual gas sources preferably provide a controlled mixture of breathing gas. In combination with pressure support to the patient during the inspiration effort, the flow triggering strategy of the invention offers significant improvements in providing breath support to patients having weakened respiratory capabilities.