Patent ID: 7066176
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An airway valve system for affording a re-breathing capability to a breathing circuit, comprising: a breathing circuit having first end adapted to be coupled an airway of a patient and a second end; a pressure-actuated valve disposed in the breathing circuit between the first end and the second end, wherein the valve has a first mode responsive to a first level of actuation pressure for permitting a gas flow through the valve between the first end and the second end of the breathing circuit, and a second mode responsive to a second, different level of actuation pressure for diverting such a gas flow through an expanded volume operatively coupled to the breathing circuit; a control line extending from a source of pressurized fluid to the valve to selectively effect a change in mode of the valve between the first mode and the second mode through a change in actuation pressure level; first monitoring means for detecting a characteristic associated with such as gas flow in the breathing circuit; second monitoring means for detecting a characteristic associated with the actuation pressure; and a pressure controller, receiving an output of the first monitoring means and the second monitoring means and being operatively coupled to the control line, the source of pressurized fluid, or both, wherein the pressure controller is adapted to change the actuation pressure level applied to the valve via the control line based on the characteristics monitored by the first monitoring means and the second monitoring means.