Abstract: Upon the detection of an appropriate apnea event, respirating gas supply apparatus according to various embodiments supply stimulus to the upper airway passages of an in vivo respiratory system in an effort to dislodge any occlusion or obstruction in the upper airway passages. In one embodiment the stimulus applied is a high pressure pulse of gas. In another embodiment an electrical signal is applied to an electromyographic electrode (270) positioned in proximity to a nerve controlling a muscle or organ which may obstruct the upper airway passage.

Abstract: In various embodiments of a respirating gas supply method and apparatus a control circuit (32) responsive to a sensor (28) operates valve means (26) to supply pulses of respirating gas through a single hose cannula (48) to an in vivo respiratory system when negative pressure indicative of inspiration is sensed by the sensor (28). The control circuit (32) operates the valve (26) to communicate the in vivo respiratory system with a supply of gas (20) only if the negative pressure sensed by the sensor (28) does not occur within a predetermined yet selectively variable required minimum delay interval between successive pulsed applications of gas to the in vivo respiratory system. The pulse of gas applied to the in vivo respiratory system can be spiked pulses or square pulses. Humidifiers, nebulizers, and sources of a second gas are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Apnea event detection is also provided.

Abstract: Upon the detection of an appropriate apnea event, respirating gas supply apparatus according to various embodiments supply stimulus to the upper airway passages of an in vivo respiratory system in an effort to dislodge any occlusion or obstruction in the upper airway passages. In one embodiment the stimulus applied is a high pressure pulse of gas. In another embodiment an electrical signal is applied to an electromyographic electrode (270) positioned in proximity to a nerve controlling a muscle or organ which may obstruct the upper airway passage.

Abstract: A fluidically-operated respirator comprises an apneic event circuit (10) and a demand gas circuit (20). The apneic event circuit (10) comprises a variable capacitance device (132) and an exhaust means (130) which rapidly discharge fluid from the circuit (10) when an inspiration occurs. If an apneic event occurs, the circuit (10) activates one or more signals (136) as a predetermined volume of fluid is built up in the circuit (10). The demand gas circuit (20) of the respirator supplies respirating gas to a patient at the beginning of an inspiration and for a time period which is a fraction of the duration of the inspiration.

Abstract: In various embodiments of a respirating gas supply method and apparatus a control circuit (32) responsive to a sensor (28) operates valve means (26) to supply pulses of respirating gas through a single hose cannula (48) to an in vivo respiratory system when negative pressure indicative of inspiration is sensed by the sensor (28). The control circuit (32) operates the valve (26) to communicate the in vivo respiratory system with a supply of gas (20) only if the negative pressure sensed by the sensor (28) does not occur within a predetermined yet selectively variable required minimum delay interval between successive pulsed applications of gas to the in vivo respiratory system. The pulse of gas applied to the in vivo respiratory system can be spiked pulses or square pulses. Humidifiers, nebulizers and sources of a second gas are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Apnea event detection is also provided.