Abstract: A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.

Abstract: A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.

Abstract: A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A passive valve for use as a fixed leak valve. The valve includes a body having an internal chamber, first and second body ports in fluid communication with the chamber with the first port configured for fluid communication with a patient connection and the second body port configured for fluid communication with a ventilator, a body passageway in fluid communication with the chamber and with ambient air exterior of the body, and a check valve seal positioned to seal the body passageway to permit the flow of gas within the chamber through the body passageway to the exterior of the body and to prevent the flow of ambient air exterior of the body through the body passageway into the chamber. In alternative embodiments, the valve is incorporated into the patient connection or constructed as a separate part connectable to the patient connection.

Abstract: An active exhalation valve for use with a ventilator to control flow of patient exhaled gases. The valve includes a patient circuit connection port, a patient connection port, an exhaled gas port, a pilot pressure port, and a valve seat. The valve further has a movable poppet with inner and outer bellows members and a bellows poppet face. An activation pressure applied to the pilot pressure port extends the bellows members to move the poppet face into engagement with the valve seat and restrict flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, and the reduction of the activation pressure allows the bellows members to move the poppet face away from the valve seat and out of engagement with the valve seat to permit flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, thereby controlling the flow of patient exhaled gases from the valve.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient having a patient connection connected by a patient circuit to a ventilator device. The method includes delivering both a bolus of oxygen and breathing gases including air to the patient circuit. The patient circuit conducts the bolus of oxygen and the breathing gases to the patient connection. The breathing gases are delivered before an end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus may be delivered at or before a beginning of an inspiratory phase of the breath, and the delivery of the bolus may be terminated before the end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus and breathing gases are delivered to the patient circuit via different ventilator connections that isolate the bolus from the breathing gases before they enter the patient circuit.

Abstract: An active exhalation valve for use with a ventilator to control flow of patient exhaled gases. The valve includes a patient circuit connection port, a patient connection port, an exhaled gas port, a pilot pressure port, and a valve seat. The valve further has a movable poppet with inner and outer bellows members and a bellows poppet face. An activation pressure applied to the pilot pressure port extends the bellows members to move the poppet face into engagement with the valve seat and restrict flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, and the reduction of the activation pressure allows the bellows members to move the poppet face away from the valve seat and out of engagement with the valve seat to permit flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, thereby controlling the flow of patient exhaled gases from the valve.

Abstract: A portable mechanical ventilator having a Roots blower provides a desired gas flow and pressure to a patient circuit. The mechanical ventilator includes a flow meter operative to measure gas flow produced by the Roots blower and an exhalation control module configured to operate an exhalation valve connected to the patient circuit. A bias valve connected between the Roots blower and the patient circuit is specifically configured to generate a bias pressure relative to the patient circuit pressure at the exhalation control module. The bias valve attenuates pulsating gas flow produced by the Roots blower such that gas flowing to the mass flow meter exhibits a substantially constant pressure characteristic. The bias pressure facilitates closing of the exhalation valve at the start of inspiration, regulates positive end expiratory pressure during exhalation, and purges sense lines via a pressure transducer module.

Abstract: An active exhalation valve for use with a ventilator to control flow of patient exhaled gases. The valve includes a patient circuit connection port, a patient connection port, an exhaled gas port, a pilot pressure port, and a valve seat. The valve further has a movable poppet with inner and outer bellows members and a bellows poppet face. An activation pressure applied to the pilot pressure port extends the bellows members to move the poppet face into engagement with the valve seat and restrict flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, and the reduction of the activation pressure allows the bellows members to move the poppet face away from the valve seat and out of engagement with the valve seat to permit flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, thereby controlling the flow of patient exhaled gases from the valve.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air for use with a pressure source generating a high pressure and a low pressure. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator includes an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being couplable to the pressure source for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed. The rotary valve includes a cam having first and second rotary positions, in the first rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating high pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating low pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed.

Abstract: A ventilator with an integrated cough assist for use with a patient circuit in fluid communication with a patient connection of a patient, and operable in a ventilation mode and in a cough-assist mode. The ventilator includes a user input for switching operation from ventilation mode to cough-assist mode without disconnecting the ventilator from the patient, and a controller operable in response to the user input and controlling operation of the ventilator in cough-assist mode to provide for at least one cough assist to the patient having an insufflation phase followed by an exsufflation phase. A cough-assist valve in a first state for the insufflation phase communicates a positive pressure to the ventilator connection and in a second state for the exsufflation phase communicates a negative pressure to the ventilator connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

Abstract: A ventilator with an integrated cough assist for use with a patient circuit in fluid communication with a patient connection of a patient, and operable in a ventilation mode and in a cough-assist mode. The ventilator includes a user input for switching operation from ventilation mode to cough-assist mode without disconnecting the ventilator from the patient, and a controller operable in response to the user input and controlling operation of the ventilator in cough-assist mode to provide for at least one cough assist to the patient having an insufflation phase followed by an exsufflation phase. A cough-assist valve in a first state for the insufflation phase communicates a positive pressure to the ventilator connection and in a second state for the exsufflation phase communicates a negative pressure to the ventilator connection.

Abstract: A method of providing a breath to a human patient having a patient connection connected by a patient circuit to a ventilator device. The method includes delivering both a bolus of oxygen and breathing gases including air to the patient circuit. The patient circuit conducts the bolus of oxygen and the breathing gases to the patient connection. The breathing gases are delivered before an end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus may be delivered at or before a beginning of an inspiratory phase of the breath, and the delivery of the bolus may be terminated before the end of the inspiratory phase of the breath. The bolus and breathing gases are delivered to the patient circuit via different ventilator connections that isolate the bolus from the breathing gases before they enter the patient circuit.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator to separate oxygen from air for use with a pressure source generating a high pressure and a low pressure. The pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator includes an adsorption bed having a bed of nitrogen absorbent material; and a multi-position rotary valve for controlling pressure swing adsorption of the adsorption bed, and being couplable to the pressure source for fluid communication therewith and in fluid communication with the adsorption bed. The rotary valve includes a cam having first and second rotary positions, in the first rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating high pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed and in the second rotary position of the cam the rotary valve communicating low pressure generated by the pressure source to the adsorption bed.

Abstract: An active exhalation valve for use with a ventilator to control flow of patient exhaled gases. The valve includes a patient circuit connection port, a patient connection port, an exhaled gas port, a pilot pressure port, and a valve seat. The valve further has a movable poppet with inner and outer bellows members and a bellows poppet face. An activation pressure applied to the pilot pressure port extends the bellows members to move the poppet face into engagement with the valve seat and restrict flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, and the reduction of the activation pressure allows the bellows members to move the poppet face away from the valve seat and out of engagement with the valve seat to permit flow of patient exhaled gases to the exhaled gas port, thereby controlling the flow of patient exhaled gases from the valve.

Abstract: A portable mechanical ventilator having a Roots blower is configured to provide a desired gas flow and pressure to a patient circuit. The mechanical ventilator includes a flow meter operative to measure gas flow produced by the Roots blower and an exhalation control module configured to operate an exhalation valve connected to the patient circuit. A bias valve connected between the Roots blower and the patient circuit is specifically configured to generate a bias pressure relative to the patient circuit pressure at the exhalation control module. The bias valve is further configured to attenuate pulsating gas flow produced by the Roots blower such that gas flowing to the mass flow meter exhibits a substantially constant pressure characteristic. The bias pressure facilitates closing of the exhalation valve at the start of' inspiration, regulates positive end expiratory pressure during exhalation, and purges sense lines via a pressure transducer module.