Patent ID: 6152131
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for detecting an empty breathing gas compartment condition in apparatus for ventilating a patient's lungs with breathing gas, the breathing gas compartment being located in a container and separated from a driving gas compartment by a movable barrier, the driving gas compartment being pressurizable by a driving gas to compress the breathing gas compartment to provide breathing gases to the patient, the breathing gas compartment being expandable by exhaled gases of the patient, said method comprising the steps of:supplying driving gas to the driving gas compartment of the container;measuring a volumetric property of one of the gases in the container;measuring a gas pressure property indicative of that existing in the container resulting from the supply of driving gas;determining a compliance property from the volumetric and pressure properties so measured; andascertaining from the compliance property whether an empty breathing gas compartment condition exists in the apparatus.