Patent ID: 6722359
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
Apparatus for assisting with ventilating a patient breathing in successive cycles, each having a phase of inhalation and a phase of exhalation, said apparatus comprising:a pressurized gas source, an outlet orifice of said pressurized gas source supplies a stream of pressurized gas intended to be transmitted to the upper airways of the patient; a pressurized gas stream distribution unit which comprises a transmission circuit which connects the outlet orifice of the gas source to a first free end of a main inhalation pipe, to the second free end of which is fixed a mask intended to be worn by the patient; and an inhalation valve for regulating the gas stream and which is interposed in the transmission circuit, and is controlled by a control circuit of the apparatus, and which is produced in the form of a rotary directional-control valve, wherein the inhalation valve for regulating the gas stream comprises a tubular valve body having a wall with a longitudinal oblong opening that allows the stream of gas from the outlet orifice of the gas source to be transmitted to the first free end of the main inhalation pipe and comprises a spool which is mounted so that the spool can turn in the body, said spool is closed at one axial end and has an axial end edge, at an opposite end to the closed end, said axial end edge has a profile that corresponds to a curve in the overall form of a spiral so that as the spool is turned, the passage cross section of the oblong opening allowing the transmission of the gas stream is varied progressively.