Abstract: A method and system for assisting clinicians in determining when and how to perform a lung recruitment procedure. The method includes a user configurable interface that an operator or institution can set up to correspond to best practices. Based upon the information entered into the configurable user interface, a method and algorithm automatically determines when a lung recruitment procedure should be instituted. The system can either manually or automatically enable the beginning of the lung recruitment procedure depending upon the clinician and facility preferences. The algorithm includes a plurality of process steps that are carried out in a clinically-relevant order to eliminate patient condition options and to provide the appropriate recommended actions prior to initiating the lung recruitment procedure.

Abstract: A system for controlling patient sedation and spontaneous breathing intensity includes a ventilator system that delivers ventilation to the patient. The system further includes a spontaneous breathing control module configured to determine a first spontaneous breathing intensity at a first sedative status of the patient, and a second spontaneous breathing intensity at a second sedative status of the patient. A sedation/breathing relationship is then defined between spontaneous breathing intensity and sedative status for the patient based on the first and second sedative statuses and the first and second spontaneous breathing intensities. The spontaneous breathing control module then receives a desired spontaneous breathing intensity for the patient and determines a desired sedative status that achieves that desired spontaneous breathing intensity based on the sedation/breathing relationship.

Abstract: A system for controlling patient sedation and spontaneous breathing intensity includes a ventilator system that delivers ventilation to the patient. The system further includes a spontaneous breathing control module configured to determine a first spontaneous breathing intensity at a first sedative status of the patient, and a second spontaneous breathing intensity at a second sedative status of the patient. A sedation/breathing relationship is then defined between spontaneous breathing intensity and sedative status for the patient based on the first and second sedative statuses and the first and second spontaneous breathing intensities. The spontaneous breathing control module then receives a desired spontaneous breathing intensity for the patient and determines a desired sedative status that achieves that desired spontaneous breathing intensity based on the sedation/breathing relationship.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting clinicians in determining when and how to perform a lung recruitment procedure. The method includes a user configurable interface that an operator or institution can set up to correspond to best practices. Based upon the information entered into the configurable user interface, a method and algorithm automatically determines when a lung recruitment procedure should be instituted. The system can either manually or automatically enable the beginning of the lung recruitment procedure depending upon the clinician and facility preferences. The algorithm includes a plurality of process steps that are carried out in a clinically-relevant order to eliminate patient condition options and to provide the appropriate recommended actions prior to initiating the lung recruitment procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying anesthetic agent to an anesthesia system. The system is connecting detachably with at least two such apparatuses. The apparatus includes a storage volume for a liquid anesthetic agent and a space for evaporating the liquid agent. The apparatus also includes a gas inlet port for receiving a fresh gas for mixing with evaporated agent and a gas outlet port for conducting the gas mixture including evaporated agent to the system. The apparatus also includes a logic circuit for controlling anesthetic agent supply and an apparatus signal connector to exchange information. The apparatus signal connector includes at least one first apparatus contact for receiving from the system a signal indicating whether anesthetic agent supply is allowed or prevented, and a second apparatus contact to indicate that this apparatus is configured to supply anesthetic agent.

Abstract: A method for controlling a capacity of a carbon dioxide remover in an anesthesia breathing system is disclosed herein. The method includes determining exhaled breathing gas flow volume of a subject in the breathing system, and determining exhaled gas flow volume removed from the breathing system. The method also includes determining carbon dioxide concentration exhaled, and calculating a data indicative of a volume of carbon dioxide removed by the carbon dioxide remover from a breathing gas flow based on the determined exhaled breathing gas flow volume, the determined exhaled gas flow volume removed from the breathing system and the determined carbon dioxide concentration. The method also includes storing the calculated data indicative of the volume of carbon dioxide removed by the carbon dioxide remover, and comparing the stored calculated data with information indicative of carbon dioxide removing capacity of the carbon dioxide remover.

Abstract: A housing for a solid, fluidal substance for removing an undesired respiratory gas component of a respiratory gas flow, the housing comprising a space for receiving the solid, fluidal substance, a wall surrounding part of the space, a first separator surrounding part of the space, the first separator being configured to allow the respiratory gas to flow and to prevent the solid, fluidal substance from escaping from the space through the first separator, a second separator surrounding part of the space, the second separator being configured to allow the respiratory gas to flow and to prevent the solid, fluidal substance from escaping from the space through the second separator; and a limiter disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the limiter being configured to limit movement of the solid, fluidal substance inside the space.

Abstract: An interface device for supplying a gas flow for breathing is disclosed herein. The device includes at least one socket for detachably connecting an apparatus for supplying anesthetic agent, at least one gas output opening for delivering the fresh gas to the apparatus, and at least one gas input opening for receiving the fresh gas mixed with anesthetic agent. The device also includes a connection valve and at least four ports in flow communication with the valve, a first port receiving the gas, a second port providing a communication with the output opening, a third port providing a communication with the input opening, and a fourth port providing a communication for breathing, the valve having a first operational state disconnecting communication between the first and second port, and to second operational state providing communication between the first and second port, but also between the third and fourth port.

Abstract: A method for controlling a capacity of a carbon dioxide remover in an anesthesia breathing system is disclosed herein. The method includes determining exhaled breathing gas flow volume of a subject in the breathing system, and determining exhaled gas flow volume removed from the breathing system. The method also includes determining carbon dioxide concentration exhaled, and calculating a data indicative of a volume of carbon dioxide removed by the carbon dioxide remover from a breathing gas flow based on the determined exhaled breathing gas flow volume, the determined exhaled gas flow volume removed from the breathing system and the determined carbon dioxide concentration. The method also includes storing the calculated data indicative of the volume of carbon dioxide removed by the carbon dioxide remover, and comparing the stored calculated data with information indicative of carbon dioxide removing capacity of the carbon dioxide remover.

Abstract: A method for determining a ventilation need specific for a patient is disclosed herein. The method includes providing a breath gas with a machine ventilator circuit from a starting pressure to lungs to start inspiration, and filling lungs to a predetermined breath gas pressure level. The method also includes determining in a control unit a filling volume of the breath gas needed to achieve the predetermined breath gas pressure level from the starting pressure, and determining in the control unit a lung elastic property based on a relationship between the determined filling volume of the breath gas and differences in the starting pressure and the predetermined breath gas pressure level. The method also includes determining in the control unit a respiration rate exploiting at least the lung elastic property. A corresponding arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: A housing for a substance removing an undesired component of a respiratory gas is disclosed herein. The housing includes a first space for the substance and a first wall surrounding part of the first space. The housing also includes a first end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a first opening for the gas communication with the first space, and a second end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a second opening for the gas communication with the first space. The housing further includes a first channel between the first and the second end for the gas flow, the first channel comprising a first orifice at the first end and a second orifice at the second end. The first orifice, the first opening, the second orifice and the second opening are in flow communication with outside the housing.

Abstract: An interface device for supplying a gas flow for breathing is disclosed herein. The device includes at least one socket for detachably connecting an apparatus for supplying anesthetic agent, at least one gas output opening for delivering the fresh gas to the apparatus, and at least one gas input opening for receiving the fresh gas mixed with anesthetic agent. The device also includes a connection valve and at least four ports in flow communication with the valve, a first port receiving the gas, a second port providing a communication with the output opening, a third port providing a communication with the input opening, and a fourth port providing a communication for breathing, the valve having a first operational state disconnecting communication between the first and second port, and a second operational state providing communication between the first and second port, but also between the third and fourth port.

Abstract: A valve is provided for relieving a gaseous pressure of a branching unit in flow communication with lungs of a subject. The valve comprises an inlet port in flow communication with the branching unit, an outlet port configured to release pressure by discharging a gas flow from the inlet port, and a valve seat in flow communication with the inlet port. The valve further comprises a valve member configured to close a gas discharge between the inlet port and the outlet port when forced against the valve seat, and to facilitate gas discharge between the inlet port and the outlet port when not forced against the valve seat. The valve further comprises a closing spring configured to direct a predetermined closing force to the valve member and an actuator configured to increase and decrease the closing force directed to the valve member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying anesthetic agent to an anesthesia system. The system is connecting detachably with at least two such apparatuses. The apparatus includes a storage volume for a liquid anesthetic agent and a space for evaporating the liquid agent. The apparatus also includes a gas inlet port for receiving a fresh gas for mixing with evaporated agent and a gas outlet port for conducting the gas mixture including evaporated agent to the system. The apparatus also includes a logic circuit for controlling anesthetic agent supply and an apparatus signal connector to exchange information. The apparatus signal connector includes at least one first apparatus contact for receiving from the system a signal indicating whether anesthetic agent supply is allowed or prevented, and a second apparatus contact to indicate that this apparatus is configured to supply anesthetic agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient. The breathing gas CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) during the expiration of breathing gases by the patient, the end tidal (EtCO2), CO2 partial pressure, and the CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) of the blood are measured. The volume (V) of breathing gases expired during the expiration of breathing gases by the patient is also measured and a relationship between changes in breathing gas CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) and changes in breathing gas volume (V) in an alveolar expiration phase of patient expiration is determined. The difference between the blood CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) and the end expiration CO2 partial pressure is divided by the relationship between PCO2 and V produce a quantity which is compared to a threshold value. If the quantity is below the threshold value, the absence of a pulmonary embolism is indicated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an average signal characteristic profile derived from signals obtained from different cycles of a cyclically recurring physiological phenomenon. A signal produced from first and second cycles of the physiological phenomenon is sampled at a series of data points to obtain second physiological property values at the data points. The change in the second physiological property values for the first cycle signal between a pair of successive data points and the change in the second physiological property values for the second cycle signal between the same pair of successive data points are determined and averaged. The average change amount is applied to a value of the average signal characteristic profile at one of the pair of successive data points to produce a new second physiological property value for the average signal characteristic profile at the other of the data points of the pair.

Abstract: A housing for a solid, fluidal substance for removing an undesired respiratory gas component of a respiratory gas flow, the housing comprising a space for receiving the solid, fluidal substance, a wall surrounding part of the space, a first separator surrounding part of the space, the first separator being configured to allow the respiratory gas to flow and to prevent the solid, fluidal substance from escaping from the space through the first separator, a second separator surrounding part of the space, the second separator being configured to allow the respiratory gas to flow and to prevent the solid, fluidal substance from escaping from the space through the second separator; and a limiter disposed between the first separator and the second separator, the limiter being configured to limit movement of the solid, fluidal substance inside the space.

Abstract: A valve is provided for relieving a gaseous pressure of a branching unit in flow communication with lungs of a subject. The valve comprises an inlet port in flow communication with the branching unit, an outlet port configured to release pressure by discharging a gas flow from the inlet port, and a valve seat in flow communication with the inlet port. The valve further comprises a valve member configured to close a gas discharge between the inlet port and the outlet port when forced against the valve seat, and to facilitate gas discharge between the inlet port and the outlet port when not forced against the valve seat. The valve further comprises a closing spring configured to direct a predetermined closing force to the valve member and an actuator configured to increase and decrease the closing force directed to the valve member.

Abstract: A housing for a substance removing an undesired component of a respiratory gas is disclosed herein. The housing includes a first space for the substance and a first wall surrounding part of the first space. The housing also includes a first end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a first opening for the gas communication with the first space, and a second end, surrounding part of the first space, comprising a second opening for the gas communication with the first space. The housing further includes a first channel between the first and the second end for the gas flow, the first channel comprising a first orifice at the first end and a second orifice at the second end. The first orifice, the first opening, the second orifice and the second opening are in flow communication with outside the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying a breathing gas for a respiration. The apparatus includes a reciprocating unit configured to receive an inspiration gas flow and adapted to control respiratory movements. The apparatus also includes a gas mixer for supplying a fresh gas flow. The apparatus also includes a breathing circuit configured to conduct an expiration gas flow to the reciprocating unit and to conduct the fresh gas flow from the gas mixer for the respiration and to conduct the gas flow from the reciprocating unit for an inspiration, the breathing circuit comprising a CO2 remover configured to remove carbon dioxide from the gas. The apparatus also includes a first bypass passage configured to permit bypassing the reciprocating unit and connecting the breathing circuit to the inspiration gas flow upstream from the reciprocating unit.