Patent ID: 6820618
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method of controlling a medical ventilator on demand during the ventilation of a patient for nullifying the imposed work of breathing during an inhalation effort by the patient, the medical ventilator in fluid communication with a source of breathing gas and with a functionally open gas ventilator flow conduit having an endotracheal tube in fluid communication with the patient, the endotracheal tube having a distal end which is adapted for disposition in the patient's trachea, the method comprising the steps of:a) selecting a predetermined baseline pressure that is at least zero; b) delivering a predetermined supply of the breathing gas from the ventilator based on a preselected ventilation mode into the endotracheal tube and thence into the patient at the initiation of the inhalation effort; c) sensing the pressure of the breathing gas proximate the distal end of the endotracheal tube; d) monitoring the pressure of the breathing gas; e) automatically and proportionally controlling the supply of breathing gas delivered by the ventilator to substantially maintain the pressure of the breathing gas proximate the distal end of the endotracheal tube at the predetermined baseline pressure throughout the inhalation effort.