Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for compensating for hydrostatic pressure offset in transducer-based pressure measurements. The system may comprise: a measurement pressure transducer to measure an apparent fluid pressure at a measurement site, a reference pressure transducer to measure a hydrostatic pressure caused by a level difference between the measurement pressure transducer and the measurement site, and a controller to generate a corrected fluid pressure measurement based on the apparent fluid pressure and the hydrostatic pressure, wherein the measurement pressure transducer and the reference pressure transducer are placed at a same first level, and the measurement site and an end of a fluid-filled tube connected to the reference pressure transducer are at a same second level.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for utilizing a pressure transducer simulator that is configured for use with a pressure sensor device and a patient monitoring device. The pressure transducer simulator may be configured to generate a simulation of the output of an analog pressure sensing device to be compatible with the patient monitoring device. The simulation may be based upon a pressure signal received from the pressure sensor device. In one embodiment, the pressure transducer simulator includes a digital potentiometer that is configured to generate an analog signal based upon the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor device and wherein the digital potentiometer is configured to transmit the analog signal to the patient monitoring device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for utilizing a pressure transducer simulator that is configured for use with a pressure sensor device and a patient monitoring device. The pressure transducer simulator may be configured to generate a simulation of the output of an analog pressure sensing device to be compatible with the patient monitoring device. The simulation may be based upon a pressure signal received from the pressure sensor device. In one embodiment, the pressure transducer simulator includes a digital potentiometer that is configured to generate an analog signal based upon the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor device and wherein the digital potentiometer is configured to transmit the analog signal to the patient monitoring device.

Abstract: A medical ventilator having a valve which controls the flow of gas from a pressurized gas source to a patient for inhalation. Flow through the valve is choked and pressure upstream of the valve is held stable so that a known relationship exists between the position of the valve and the flow rate through the valve. An open loop control system causes the valve to open or close as needed to deliver a preselected tidal volume of gas to the patient on each breath. Since the flow rate is known, no feedback to the controller regarding actual flow conditions is required. The exact positioning of the valve and length of time that the valve is to be held open is predetermined by the controller before the breath is delivered, and is repeated for subsequent breaths. Preferably, the valve is driven by a stepping motor, and the controller comprises a microcomputer.

Abstract: A medical ventilator having a valve which controls the flow of gas from a pressurized gas source to a patient for inhalation. Flow through the valve is choked and pressure upstream of the valve is held stable so that a known relationship exists between the position of the valve and the flow rate through the valve. An open loop control system causes the valve to open or close as needed to deliver a preselected tidal volume of gas to the patient on each breath. Since the flow rate is known, no feedback to the controller regarding actual flow conditions is required. The exact positioning of the valve and length of time that the valve is to be held open is predetermined by the controller before the breath is delivered, and is repeated for subsequent breaths. Preferably, the valve is driven by a stepping motor, and the controller comprises a microcomputer.