Patent ID: 6360741
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A pressure support system comprising:a pressure generator adapted to provide a gas flow; a conduit operatively coupled to said pressure generator to deliver a gas flow to a patient; an interface device operatively coupled to said conduit to communicate a gas flow to an airway of a patient, wherein at least one of said conduit and said interface device includes an exhaust vent that provides a flow of exhaust gas to atmosphere from a respective one of said conduit and said interface device; flow sensing means for determining a rate at which gas flows in said conduit and for providing flow signal indicative thereof; pressure sensing means for determining a pressure of gas at a patient and for providing a pressure signal indicative thereof; and processing means, receiving said flow signal and said pressure signal, for determining whether a current flow of exhaust gas passing through said exhaust vent is below an alarm threshold based on said flow signal and said pressure signal and for providing an output indicative of said determination.