Patent ID: 6364161
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: A61M,G05D

Abstract:
A pneumatic oxygen conserver for providing oxygen to a patient, the conserver comprisinga body having a cavity therein, a main diaphragm extending across said cavity dividing the cavity into first and second chambers on opposite sides of the main diaphragm, a first inlet passage extending through the body to said first chamber for delivering oxygen from an oxygen supply to said first chamber, a second inlet passage extending through the body to said second chamber for delivering oxygen from the oxygen supply to said second chamber, an outlet passage extending through the body from said first chamber for delivering oxygen from said first chamber to the patient, the main diaphragm being movable between a closed position in which flow of oxygen through the outlet passage is prevented and an open position in which such flow is permitted, vent passaging extending through the body from said second chamber for venting oxygen from said second chamber, a pressure sensitive valve controlling flow through the vent passaging, the valve being operatively connectable to the patient for permitting flow through the vent passaging when the patient inhales and preventing flow through the vent passaging when the patient exhales, valving positioned along said second inlet passage moveable between an open position in which the valving permits flow through said second inlet passage to pressurize said second chamber thereby enabling the conserver to operate in an oxygen conserving mode, and a closed position in which the valving prevents flow through said second inlet passage and vents said second chamber to depressurize said second chamber and prevent further pressurization of said second chamber thereby enabling the conserver to operate in a continuous flow mode, wherein when the valving is in the oxygen conserving mode and the patient inhales the pressure sensitive valve permits flow through the vent passaging to vent said second chamber thereby moving the main diaphragm to its open position for delivering oxygen through the outlet passage to the patient, and when the patient exhales the pressure sensitive valve prevents flow through the vent passaging to pressurize said second chamber thereby moving the main diaphragm to its closed position for preventing flow of oxygen through the outlet passage to the patient, and wherein when the valving is in the continuous flow mode said second chamber vents through the valving thereby causing the main diaphragm to move to its open position to deliver oxygen continuously through the outlet passage to the patient when the patient inhales and exhales.