Patent ID: 7296573
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of delivering pressurized gas to an airway of a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a gas flow generator and a patient interface adapted to couple the gas flow generator to an airway of a patient; delivering a flow of gas to such a patient using the gas flow generator and the patient interface; differentiating between an expiratory phase and an inspiratory phase of a respiratory cycle of such a patient; establishing a reduced pressure profile for a pressure of the flow of gas provided to the patient, where the reduced pressure profile has a contour that is predetennined prior to initiation of the expiratory phase and is detennined independent of operating characteristics of the gas flow generator, and wherein the contour defines a changing pressure over a period of time; and controlling the gas flow delivered to such a patient so that (1) the pressure of the flow of gas is provided at a first pressure level during at least a portion of the inspiratory phase, and (2) the pressure of the flow of gas is provided according to the reduced pressure profile during at least a portion of the expiratory phase of the respiratory cycle.