Patent ID: 9226690
Filing Date: 2016-01-05
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method for determining anatomical dead space (Vat) in a respiratory tract of a living organism, comprising the steps of: (a) continuously and simultaneously measuring flow (F) and respiratory air density (D) of respiratory air of a living organism during exhalation (EX) over time (T) via a lung diagnosis apparatus having an ultrasound measurement zone comprising at least one ultrasonic transmitter and receiver; (b) determining and storing, using an evaluation unit comprising a microprocessor that is operatively coupled to the lung diagnosis apparatus and that further comprises a memory, a start point (To) of exhalation (EX) at which the flow (F) becomes greater than zero and a dead space end point (Tt), at which the respiratory air density (D) becomes an approximately constant value (Dk) after significant decreases (Df) following the start point (To); (c) calculating and storing, using the evaluation unit, an integral of the flow (F) from the start point (To) of exhalation (EX) to the dead space end point (Tt); and, (d) repeating said steps (a), (b) and (c), as necessary, for completing a determination of the anatomical dead space (Vat) in the respiratory tract of a living organism.