Patent ID: 8161972
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a ventilator assembly having inhalation and exhalation passages communicating with one another, a controller, inhalation and exhalation monitors, and a respiration assembly including inhalation and exhalation valves respectively communicating with the inhalation and exhalation passages, the respiration assembly performing repetitive respiratory cycles, each cycle including inhalation and exhalation phases, the method comprising acts of: the controller repetitively operating the respiration assembly through the respiratory cycles by controlling the inhalation and exhalation valves so that one or more of the inhalation and exhalation monitors monitoring a pressure within at least one of the inhalation and exhalation passages during the exhalation phase; and the controller determining whether a circuit disconnect or an occlusion exists based on the pressure monitoring, wherein the endotracheal tube has a check valve so that the gas exhaled by the patient during each exhalation phase is prevented from communicating with the passages.