Patent ID: 7198679
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for determining an aspiration flow and an aspiration time for aspiration of a dead space, associated with breathing assistance involving a breathing cycle having an expiration phase and an inspiration phase, comprising the steps of: determining a volume of a dead space to be aspirated during the expiration phase; determining an expiration flow with respect to time during at least a portion of the expiration phase; and optimizing an aspiration time and an aspirating flow, for aspirating said dead space, dependent on said volume of said dead space and said expiration flow with respect to time to allow said dead space to be aspirated during ongoing expiration with a minimum of interference to flow balance in said expiration flow at at least one point selected from the group consisting of a point upstream of said dead space and a point downstream of said dead space.