Patent ID: 8631797
Filing Date: 2014-01-21
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for supporting the respiration of a patient comprising: a gas pump operatively connected to an oxygen-bearing gas source, a control unit for activating the gas pump, a plurality of valves operatively connected to the control unit, sensors connected to the control unit for detecting spontaneous respiration of the patient including inhalation and exhalation, and a catheter adapted to be inserted into the respiratory system of the patient and fluidly connected to the gas pump; wherein a first subset of the valves are set to first predetermined positions and fluidly interconnect an output of the gas pump moving in a first stroke direction to the catheter to deliver a current flow during the patient inhalation, and a second subset of the valves are set to second predetermined positions and fluidly interconnects the output of the gas pump moving in a second, opposite direction to the catheter to deliver a countercurrent flow during patient exhalation; wherein the catheter directs the current flow without turbulence to the lungs during the patient inhalation and attenuates flow by generated turbulence from the countercurrent flow during the patient exhalation.