Patent ID: 6675798
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for controlling a flow of gas from a gas supply to a patient, the method including the following steps:a) providing a regulated flow of a predetermined gas from a gas supply to a patient so as to increase the concentration in the patient's bloodstream of a preselected dissolved substance; b) measuring the concentration of the preselected dissolved substance in the patient's bloodstream; c) producing an output signal indicative of the measured concentration; and d) comparing the measured concentration of the preselected dissolved substance with a desired concentration thereof, so as to determine sufficiency of the regulated flow of the predetermined gas to the patient, and adjusting the regulated flow in accordance therewith said method also including, in response to a failure of said providing step, the additional step of initiating a flow of a predetermined gas from an auxiliary gas supply, thereby to maintain a flow of gas to the patient.