Patent ID: 6840241
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining a recruitable volume in a lung comprising: a pneumatic unit adapted to interact with a respirating subject for supplying a breathing gas flow to the subject; a measurement system adapted to interact with the subject for measuring volume and pressure associated with respiration; and a control system connected to said pneumatic unit and to said measurement system, said control system operating said pneumatic unit mode applying elevated pressure to a lung of the subject, at a first point in time, regulating the pneumatic unit to generate a first test breath having predetermined parameters with respect to at least one of flow and pressure of the breathing gas flow, and registering volume and pressure in the lung during the first test breath, measured by the measurement system, at a second point in time, and regulating the pneumatic unit to generate a second test breath identical to the first test breath, and registering volume and pressure in the lung during the second test breath, measured by the measurement system, comparing the registered volume and pressure for each of the first test breath and the second test breath, and determining a recruitable volume and assessing an efficacy of said elevated pressure based on the comparison.