Abstract: A system and method for automatically selecting an appropriate oxygen dose to maintain a desired blood oxygen saturation level is disclosed. The system and method are particularly suited for use with ambulatory patients having chronic obstructive lung disease or other patients requiring oxygenation or ventilation. In one embodiment, the method includes delivering a first oxygen dose to the patient while repeatedly sequencing through available sequential oxygen doses at predetermined time intervals until the current blood oxygen saturation level of the patient attains the desired blood oxygen saturation level. The method then continues with delivering the selected oxygen dose to the patient so as to maintain the desired blood oxygen saturation level.

Abstract: Methods for automatically maximizing blood oxygenation saturation or maintaining blood oxygen saturation levels in adult patients having an oxygen requiring pulmonary disease and infant patients having underdeveloped lungs, within a specified range of values. In one embodiment, the method includes energizing a valve to deliver oxygen to the patient at a first rate and measuring the associated average oxygen saturation level of the patient. The method also includes deenergizing the valve and energizing another valve to deliver oxygen to the patient at a second rate and measuring the second average oxygen saturation level of the patient. A dominant valve, the valve associated with the higher average oxygen saturation level, is identified based on the measured oxygen saturation levels and then energized to deliver oxygen to the patient, thereby maximizing the blood oxygen saturation level in the patient.