Patent ID: 6581596
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: A61H,A61M,F16K

Abstract:
A high frequency pressure oscillation device comprising:a patient circuit defining a path between a source of breathing gas and an airway of a patient; a valve disposed in the patient circuit such that in an open position the path between such a source of breathing gas and an airway of a patient is substantially unobstructed, and, in a closed position, the path between such a source of breathing gas and an airway of a patient is at least partially obstructed; and an actuating system associated with the valve that alternatively places the valve in the open position and the closed position at a predetermined oscillation rate independent of patient effort, where the valve is a sleeve valve comprising: a hollow first cylinder having an open first end and a first slot defined in a wall thereof, and a hollow second cylinder having a second slot defined in a wall thereof, wherein the second cylinder is positioned coaxially around the first cylinder, and wherein the actuating system moves the second cylinder axially with respect to the first cylinder so that in the open position the first slot and the second slot overlap and in the closed position the first slot and the second slot do not overlap.