Patent ID: 6474333
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for purging undesired fluid from a fluid administration system, the fluid administration system having a normal operating mode in which a fluid administered by the system is passed through the system from a source to breathing gases inspired by the patient during an inspiration phase of the respiratory cycle of the patient, the respiratory cycle of the patient having an expiration phase in which breathing gases are expired by the patient, said method comprising the steps of:sensing a state of a patient's respiratory cycle; operating the fluid administration system to pass administered fluid through the system to remove undesired fluid from the fluid administration system, the operation of the fluid administration system being carried out responsive to the respiratory cycle sensing in a discrete interval within a respiratory cycle of the patient that results in the removed, undesired fluid being subsequently carried away from the patient with expired breathing gases of the patient; and supplying undesired fluid removed from the system by the passage of the administered fluid to the breathing gases of the patient.