Patent ID: 6102041
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
A respiratory assistance device, comprising:a respiratory assistance tube adapted to be introduced into the windpipe of a patient;an inflatable ballonet coupled to said respiratory assistance tube;a first pipe fluidly coupled to an interior portion of said inflatable ballonet, said first pipe being coupled to a source of gas, said first pipe allowing said inflatable ballonet to be inflated with gas;a first pressure sensor, said first pressure sensor generating a signal representative of a gas pressure within said inflatable ballonet;a second pipe associated with said respiratory assistance tube, said second pipe being in fluid communication with the windpipe of the patient at a point downstream of said inflatable ballonet when said respiratory assistance tube is disposed in the windpipe of the patient;a second pressure sensor, said second pressure sensor being in fluid communication with said second pipe, said second pressure sensor generating a signal representative of a gas pressure within the windpipe of the patient at a point downstream of said inflatable ballonet when said respiratory assistance tube is disposed in the windpipe of the patient; andan electronic control circuit that controls a cyclic flow of respiratory gas supplied to the patient through said respiratory assistance tube, said electronic control circuit adjusting the respiratory gas provided to the patient based upon said signals generated by said first and second pressure sensors, said adjustment of the respiratory gas being done while said inflatable ballonet is inflated and sealed against an interior portion of the windpipe of the patient to avoid uncontrolled return of the respiratory gas through the windpipe of the patient.