Regulation of a propellant gas flow

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the regulation of a gas volume delivered to a patient during a respiratory cycle, said apparatus including at least one valve (9 or 8) for discharging some of the propellant gas flown from a propellant gas source (4) into a propellant gas chamber (18) and said propellant gas chamber (18) being at least partially defined by a wall (17), having a second chamber (19) on the other side thereof and the location of said wall changing as the propellant gas pressure increases in the propellant gas chamber, thus increasing the volume of the propellant gas chamber, the volume of second chamber (19) on the other side of wall (17) diminishing, thus forcing the gas being delivered to a patient to flow towards a patient (21) and whereafter, in order to perform the exhalation of a patient, the propellant gas chamber pressure is allowed to discharge through valve (9 or 8), whereby the volume of propellant gas chamber (18) diminishes and the volume of second chamber (19) increases as a result of the displacement of wall (17). Between propellant gas chamber (18) and propellant gas source (4) is a pressure regulating element (6), capable of regulating the pressure of a propellant gas flowing from the propellant gas source. The invention relates also to a method for the regulation of a propellant gas flow to be delivered into a propellant gas chamber (18) and supplied from a propellant gas source (4). In abstract, reference is made to fig. 1

Description: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the regulation of a gas volume delivered to a patient during a respiratory cycle, said apparatus comprising at least one valve for discharging some of the propellent gas flown from a propellant gas source into a propellant gas chamber, and said propellant gas chamber being at least partially defined by a wall with a second chamber on the other side thereof and the location of said wall changing as the pressure of propellant gas increases in the propellant gas chamber to increase the volume of said propellant gas chamber, whereby the volume of said second chamber on the other side of the wall diminishes forcing the gas to be delivered to a patient to flow towards a patient whereafter, in order to perform the exhalation of patient through the valve, the pressure of said propellant gas chamber is allowed to discharge for diminishing the volume of the propellant gas chamber and increasing the volume of the second chamber as a result of the wall displacement. The invention relates also to a method for regulating a gas volume. The ventilator is a respiratory device for carrying out the ventilation of a patient's lungs when patient's own respiratory action is insufficient or completely stopped. The structure of ventilators using a pressurized gas as the propelling force can be divided in three components: a control and bellows unit as well as a patient circuit. An object of the control unit is to carry out control parameters characterizing the pulmonary ventilation; such as a tidal volume, respiration frequency, the ratio of inhalation and exhalation times as well as an inhalation pause. The bellows unit separates the control unit and the patient circuit of a ventilator using a pressurized gas as the propelling force. An object of the bellows unit is to prevent the respiratory gases of a patient and the propellant gas from mixing with each other. An object of the patient circuit is to provide separate passages or inhalation and exhalation gases to and from a patient as well as to remove carbon dioxide from exhalation gases. Traditionally, in ventilators using a pressurized gas as the propelling force, a tidal volume to be delivered into a patient's tube system is determined by means of a propellant gas flow and its duration. In US Patent 4,637,385, a propellant gas flow is regulated by throttling a gas source with a needle valve. The position of the needle valve can be controlled by means of a microprocessor and a motor. The position of the needle valve is indicated by a mechanical signal which is converted into an electrical signal. Drawbacks of this solution include sensitivity to calibration errors and needle valve malfunctions. EP Patent publication No. 282,675 describes a flow control valve intended for a ventilator, to which is delivered a stabilized propelling pressure from a gas source. A patient's respiratory gases are carried through said valve under the control of a stepping motor and microprocessor. The flow control valve is regulated by a stepping motor with predetermined control data for delivering a tidal volume to a patient. Said valve is opened to match a required inhalation flow and it is kept open for the duration of a tidal volume delivery. A microprocessor is used to compensate for the effect that the flows occurring at the time of opening and closing the valve have on a tidal volume. The control valve operates on an open-loop principle, which is characterized by inaccurate control. The compensation of an opening and closing time requires a high peak flow. If this is to be minimized by using a high-speed valve, the accuracy of ventilation will be impaired even further. US Patent No. 4,256,100 discloses anaesthesia ventilator, wherein a propellant gas flow is controlled by 5 binary weighted valves. A regulated propellant gas pressure is delivered according to predetermined flow through one of the valves into a collecting chamber and further to a bellows unit. The maximum temporary flow is achieved when all valves are simultaneously open. A tidal volume is determined in relation to preset respiration frequency, inhalation and exhalation times as well as by means of a flow rate per minute by using a microprocessor. A problem in the cited invention is that the realization of a large dynamic area together with resolution requires a plurality of valves. For example, a peak flow of 100 l/min and a resolution of 0.1 l/min require 10 valves and, thus, the solution will be expensive, complicated, bulky and demands a lot of power. An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above problems. An object is to provide a method and an apparatus for regulating a propellant gas flow to be delivered into a bellows unit included in a ventilator so as to match the respiratory needs of a patient. Another object is to provide a reliably operating and simple method and apparatus for regulating as accurately as possible a propellant gas flow to be delivered into a bellows unit included in a ventilator. Accordingly, the invention provides an apparatus for the regulation of gas volume delivered to a patient during a respiratory cycle, said apparatus comprising at least one valve for discharging some of a propellant gas flown from a propellant gas source into a propellant gas chamber and said propellant gas chamber being at least partially defined by a wall having a second chamber on the other side thereof wherein said wall is capable of changing its location on increase of the propellant gas pressure in the propellant gas chamber, thereby increasing the volume of the propellant gas chamber, and thereby diminishing the volume of said second chamber on the other side of wall thereby forcing a gas for delivery to a patient to flow towards the patient and such that whereafter, in order to perform the exhalation of the patient by way of said valve or an outlet valve, said apparatus is adapted for the pressure of the propellant gas chamber to be allowed to discharge for diminishing the volume of the propellant gas chamber and increasing the volume of the second chamber as a result of the displacement of the wall, and wherein between the propellant gas chamber and the propellant gas source there is a pressure regulating element for regulating the pressure of said propellant gas flowing from the propellant gas source characterised in that the pressure regulating element is adapted to regulate the pressure of the propellant gas on the basis of a measurement result received from one or more measuring elements, wherein said one or more elements comprise either of or both of a flow measuring element located between said propellant gas source and said propellant gas chamber for measurement of propellant gas flow through the pressure regulating element or a pressure measuring element located between said pressure regulating element and said propellant gas chamber for measuring the pressure of the propellant gas flow as supplied from the pressure regulating element. The invention also provides a method for the regulation of a propellant gas flow to be delivered into a propellant gas chamber and coming from a propellant gas source, the volume of said propellant gas chamber increasing as a result of the propellant gas pressure simultaneously forcing the volume of a second chamber spaced from the propellant gas chamber to diminish, whereby the respiratory gas contained in this second chamber strives to flow towards a duct which is adapted to be connected to the lung of a patient until, in order to facilitate the exhalation of a patient, the pressure of the propellant gas is reduced whereby the volume of said propellant gas chamber diminishes while the volume of second chamber increases, wherein the pressure of a gas flowing from propellant gas source to propellant gas chamber is regulated by means of a pressure regulating element, characterized in that the propellant gas coming from propellant gas source is delivered through the pressure regulating element, the propellant gas flow passed therethrough being measured and, if necessary, regulation of the propellant gas pressure is effected by means of the pressure regulating element so as to match a desired flow rate. In a solution provided by the invention, the regulation of a propellant gas for a ventilator is based on the application of varying propelling pressure in controlling a gas volume to be delivered to a patient during an inhalation period. The regulation of a varying propelling pressure is effected by means of a pressure regulating element. Such an element is often referred to as a pressure relief valve. A typical propellant gas source is a hospital's pressurized gas supply system, pressure cylinders or a compressor. Typical supply pressures vary within the range of 2.7 - 8 bars. The initial pressure of a pressure regulating element is adjusted to match a desired propellant gas flow. Thus, the pressure of a gas flowing from a propellant gas source is varied by means of a pressure regulating element before the flow reaches a propellant gas chamber, which is included in a bellows unit and whose operation determines the volume of a gas delivered into the lungs of a patient. The amount of gas contained in the single inhalation of a patient is usually referred to as a tidal volume. The pressure of a propellant gas, together with the flow resistance of a gas duct, has an effect on the gas flow rate, which in turn has an effect on how rapidly the volume of said propellant gas chamber increases. The rate is set so as to attain a desired tidal volume within a certain time frame. As the volume of the propellant gas chamber increases, the volume of another chamber, included in a patient circuit and located on the other side of the wall of the propellant gas chamber, decreases accordingly as the gas from the chamber flows into the lungs of a patient. In order to avoid pressure-induced lung damage, it is essential that a tidal volume be generated with an intra-pulmonary pressure which is as low as possible. In order to minimize the pressure, the peak flow should preferably be as low as possible. The peak flow is the lower, the longer a time used for inspiration. In order to maximize the time, the flow should have a rise and fall time which is as short as possible. Preferably, the propellant gas flow is adjusted linearly by varying the propelling pressure over a constant throttle, i.e. an effort is made to distribute the propellant gas flow uniformly throughout the entire inhalation cycle. Thus, a conventional bellows unit comprises a propellant gas chamber, which is at least partially defined by a wall whose location changes as a result of pressure and the volume of a chamber located on the other side of said wall in turn undergoes a change in the reversed direction relative to the volume of said propellant gas chamber. One example of a wall relocating its position as a result of pressure is e.g. a bellows or a bag. A propellant gas chamber is often located outside such bellows or bag and inside it lies a patient circuit chamber whereby, as the pressure in the propellant gas side increases, the bellows or bag will be compressed. During the exhalation of a patient, the pressure prevailing in a patient circuit is allowed to fall. This is preferably effected in a manner that the pressure of a propellant gas bearing effect on the bellows in the side of a control unit is allowed to drop at least to such a degree that the gas contained in the lungs of a patient can escape out. The inhalation and exhalation cycle requires that between a propellant gas source and a bellows unit on the propellant gas side be preferably located a valve, which can be opened and closed whenever necessary. More preferably, the valve is located between a pressure regulating element and a bellows unit. This valve is herein preferred to as an inspiration valve. Thus, by means of this valve it is possible to control the operation of the bellows. When the valve is open, the gas is able to flow into the bellows unit and, thus, the bellows will be compressed. When the bellows is sufficiently compressed, the valve is closed and, thus, pressure applied on the bellows from the direction of the propellant gas chamber can no longer increase. The inspiration valve is preferably a high-speed on/off-valve which facilitates a short rise and fall time for the flow, said time being preferably less than 40 ms. An inspirational valve is required whenever the rise and fall speed of a pressure regulating element is not sufficient. If the rise and fall speed of a pressure regulating element is sufficiently high, preferably less than 50 ms, the inspiration valve can be omitted. Such a pressure regulating element can be e.g. voltage-controlled. In order to facilitate the exhalation of a patient the pressure of a propellant gas chamber is reduced. This is effected by way of a valve. This outlet valve is preferably spaced apart from an inspiration valve but the inspiration valve itself may possess a function, whereby the pressure can be discharged from the propellant gas chamber. The outlet valve is also often referred to as an expiration valve. Preferably, the outlet valve reduces the pressure prevailing between the bellows and the inspiration valve. While the pressure between the valve and the bellows is falling, the bellows strives to reform since the pressure from the other side of the bellows, i.e. from the direction of a patient circuit, rises to exceed the former pressure. In order to facilitate the inhalation of a patient, the outlet valve is closed and an inspiration valve located between a gas source and bellows unit will be opened. This cycle is repeated as long as necessary. A solution of the invention does not require a separate flow control valve, such as a needle valve, for the regulation of a propellant gas flow. The solution is capable of reducing the number of easily damaged components as well as the price of the apparatus. Preferably, the regulation of a propellant gas flow can also include a feedback for an improved regulation reliability and tidal volume accuracy. The feedback provides an improved possibility for monitoring the changes occurring in a gas space located between a pressure reducing element and a bellows unit and, on the basis of thus obtained information, the adjustment of a pressure regulating element can be effected to correspond more closely to desired values. A simple feedback can be based e.g. on the visual observation of the position of a bellows. However, the feedback is effected by means of flow measurement and/or pressure measurement for a safe operation of the apparatus. The solution is also simple in design. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a ventilator system, illustrating an apparatus of the invention, which apparatus can be used for the application of a method of the invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one possible pressure regulating element, shown in Fig. 1 and useful in an apparatus and method of them invention, Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of one possible flow measuring element, shown in Fig. 1 and useful in an apparatus and method of the invention, Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of another possible flow measuring element, shown in Fig. 1 and useful in an apparatus and method of the invention. Fig. 1 shows a preferred ventilator system roughly divided in three sections, i.e. a control unit 1, a bellows unit 2, and a patient circuit 3. The control unit, wherein the gas coming from a propellant gas source 4 is delivered along a duct 5, is provided with a pressure regulating element 6 for regulating the pressure of a propellant gas flow being delivered into bellows unit 2 so as to attain a desired propellant gas flow between element 6 and the bellows unit. The pressure reduction of a propellant gas flowing from propellant gas source 4 effected by means of pressure regulating element 6 decreases the propellant gas flow proceeding from element 6 along duct 7 as compared to the situation prevailing in duct 5. Furthermore, for opening and closing a gas communication between propellant gas source 4 and bellows unit, the patient circuit is preferably provided with a valve 8, preferably a magnetic valve. Valve 8 is here referred to as an inspiration valve. The reduction of a propellant gas pressure generated in bellows unit 2 requires a valve 9, which is here referred to as an outlet valve and which is preferably a magnetic valve. Instead of two separate valves 8 and 9, there could be just a single valve 8 or 9, which would carry out the functions of both the inspiration and outlet valve. When the outlet valve is closed, the propellant gas pressure in the bellows unit increases if the inspiration valve is open. Between pressure regulating element 6 and bellows unit 2 is preferably coupled a flow measuring element 10 for the determination of a propellant gas flow, said element being preferably a pressure-difference measuring element. The flow measuring element could also be located between propellant gas source 4 and the pressure regulating element. The measurement of a propellant gas flow can also be effected in some other way. The most preferred embodiment is a solution, wherein the prevailing pressure is also measured from between pressure regulating element 6 and the bellows unit. Therefore, said duct 7 extending from element 6 is fitted with a pressure measuring element 11, which preferably compares the pressure downstream of element 6 with the pressure of ambient air. Such conventional pressure measuring elements are commercially available in abundance. In a preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, said pressure measuring element 11 is connected by way of a duct 12 to valve 8, which in turn is further connected by way of a duct 13 to flow measuring element 10. To a duct 14 extending from the flow measuring element to the bellows unit is attached a duct 15, provided with an outlet valve 9. This sequence is preferred but not absolutely necessary in view of the control unit operation. A bellows unit 2, whose operation is primarily controlled by means of a propellant gas flow under the control of a control unit, and the patient circuit 3 are as such perfectly conventional and prior known technology. The bellows unit comprises generally a housing 16, which encloses a propellant gas chamber 18 at least partially defined by a wall 17, whose position changes as a result of the gas pressure. This mobile wall 17 is preferably a bellows or a bag, whereby its condition is easily reformed after a pressure variation. Thus, from the control unit said propellant gas flows along duct 14 into propellant gas chamber 18 located between housing 16 and wall 17. When the propellant gas pressure in chamber 18 exceeds the pressure prevailing on the other side of the wall, in this case in another chamber 19 located inside the bellows, the bellows strives to compress since the volume of propellant gas chamber 18 increases as that of chamber 19 decreases. The compression continues for as long as inspiration valve 8 is open and said outlet valve 9 for discharging the propellant gas from the control unit is closed. The inspiration valve is closed for bringing the exhalation period of a patient to an end. The gas contained in chamber 19 located inside the bellows flows along a duct 20 toward the lungs of a patient 21 as the bellows is compressing. The pressure of a gas flowing in duct 20 can possibly be measured by means of a pressure measuring element 21. This is followed by delivering the gas along a duct 22 to a conventional carbon dioxide absorber 23 and therefrom further along a duct 24 to a valve 25, which is preferably a one-way valve only allowing a gas flow towards a patient. From the one-way valve extends a duct 26 to the respiratory tracts of a patient 21. The gas having travelled through carbon dioxide absorber 23 can be supplemented by delivering along a duct 27 some fresh gas, which usually contains oxygen and nitrogen oxidule and often also some anaesthetic. A tidal volume to be delivered to a patient is dependant on a fresh gas flow to be supplied to a patient circuit as well as on the compliance of the ducts included in a ventilator and a patient circuit. The effect of a fresh gas flow from a tidal volume to be delivered to a patient can be preferably compensated by subtracting from a desired tidal volume the volume of a fresh gas flowing during the course of inspiration. The compliance of the ducts included in a ventilator and a patient circuit can be preferably measured at the ventilator preparation stage by delivering a propellant gas to the patient circuit and by measuring the pressure increase in the patient circuit by means of pressure measuring element 21 and the volume delivered to the patient circuit by means of flow measuring element 10. At the commencement of an exhalation cycle said inspiration valve 8 is closed and outlet valve 9 is opened for allowing the positive pressure prevailing in chamber 18 to discharge preferably to the level of ambient air pressure. During the exhalation of a patient the exhalation gas flows along a duct 28 to a valve 29, which is also preferably a one-way valve preventing a reversed gas flow, and therefrom further along a duct 30, 22 and 20 into chamber 19 inside bellows 17 striving to raise the bellows towards its original condition or, in the case of Fig. 1, towards the top section of housing 16 as a result of the positive pressure level prevailing in the lungs of patient and in the patient circuit. Thus, it is necessary that the pressure prevailing in propellant gas chamber 18 between housing 16 and bellows 17 has fallen below the positive pressure level prevailing in the patient circuit. When the pressure level inside bellows 17 is sufficiently high, which in the case of Fig. 1 takes place as the bellows comes into contact with the top section of housing 16, a valve 31, which can be e.g. a pop-off valve, will be opened for allowing the extra patient gases to escape along a duct 32 out of the patient circuit. To be on the safe side, a duct 33 is used to connect duct 22 to a safety valve 34 for automatically discharging the excess pressure accumulated in the patient circuit. After the exhalation cycle said outlet valve 9 is closed and inspiration valve 8 is re-opened for commencing the inhalation of a patient. The respiration cycles are successively repeated within this sequence of events. The fresh gas flow long duct 24 continues generally throughout the process. Fig. 2 illustrates one commercially available pressure regulating element 6, which is conventional but well suitable for use in a control unit as described herein. The propellant gas comes along duct 5 to a supply tube 38. For the pressure regulating element, said tube terminating in a valve disc 39. On the other hand, an outlet tube 40, carrying propellant gas away from pressure regulating element 6 and having one end thereof connected to duct 7, commences from valve disc 39. Thus, the valve disc separates the trailing end of the supply tube from the leading end of the outlet tube. The propellant gas pressure strives to push valve disc 39 backwards for allowing the propellant gas to discharge from tube 38 into tube 4O. The initial pressure of a propellant gas discharging into tube 40 is adjusted by such alteration of the tension of a spring 41 acting on valve disc 39 that the position of a set screw 42 in contact with this spring is altered by means of a guide sleeve 43. The set screw 42 is connected to guide sleeve 43 in a manner that rotation of the guide sleeve around its centre axis moves said set screw towards or away from valve disc 39 according to the guide sleeve rotating direction. Rotation of the guide sleeve is preferably effected by means of a stepping motor 44. Stepping motor 44 is connected to guide sleeve 43 by a rotor shaft 45. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate longitudinal sections of conventional flow measuring elements 10, which are suitable for use in the assembly of fig. 1. The elements shown in both figures and intended for flow measurement or pressure-difference measuring elements. The throttle is preferably maintained constantly during the measurements but, if desired, the throttle can be varied according to the measuring requirements. Fig. 3 illustrates a laminar flow restricting element, which is constructed by dividing the interior of propellant gas duct 13 into a plurality of small tubes 46, each of said tubes maintaining a laminar flow within an appropriate measuring range. Thus, said tubes 46 serve as a flow restricting element or a choke. Fig. 4 illustrates a turbulent flow restricting element, comprising a disc 47, extending around the perimeter of duct 13 and set against the flow and, thus, serving in this case as a choke or a throttle, and having a hole 48 in the middle for discharging the propellant gas flowing along duct 13. Another convention solution is a reverse structure, i.e. a flow blocking disc is placed in the middle of a duct for discharging the gas through between the disc and the inner perimeter of a duct. After finding its way around a block placed in its passage, the flow strives to carry on its passage in a turbulent form, as shown in fig. 4. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate also a measuring element 49, detecting a pressure difference and receiving signals along measuring channels 50 and 51 from both sides of the flow restricting elements. If pressure-difference based flow measurement is not effected, the control of a propellant gas pressure is preferably facilitated by placing a flow restricting element or a throttle 46 or 47 between pressure regulating element 6 and propellant gas chamber 18. This provides for a larger regulating range for the propellant pressure and a more accurate control of the flow rate. The operation of a control unit appearing in preferred solution of the invention shown in fig. 1 as well as that of the entire ventilator is electronically controlled. The operation is controlled by a processor 52. Thereby, and along a line 53, the initial pressure of pressure regulating element 6 can be varied to match a desired propellant gas flow. In the case shown in fig. 1, the correction or feedback is effected on the basis of a signal received from flow measuring element 10 along a line 54. A flow measurement message received from element 10, which is thus preferably an element measuring the pressure difference over a throttle, is transmitted via an amplifier 55 and an A/D-converter 56 to microprocessor 52. Instead of, or preferably in addition to flow measuring element 10, the initial pressure of pressure regulating element 6 can be monitored by means of pressure measuring element 11. The output voltage of element 11 carried along a line 57 is amplified by amplifier 55 and converted by A/D-converter into a binary form and read by microprocessor 52. Microprocessor 52 is used to regulate the initial pressure of pressure regulating element 6 by controlling the rotation of stepping motor 44 if the measured flow and/or pressure differs from a desired propellant gas flow rate. In this case, the processor calculates correction terms for the control of a stepping motor. The control of a stepping motor is stopped when a calibration value stored in the microprocessor memory matches a signal received from the flow measuring element or pressure measuring element 11. The correction of the initial pressure of pressure regulating element 6 can preferably be effected during both an inhalation and exhalation cycle. Processor 52 is preferably also used for controlling the operation of inspiration valve 8 and outlet valve 9. The opening and closing of the inspiration and outlet valves is determined by means of a preset relationship between respiration frequency and inhalation and exhalation times. A signal from a pressure measuring element 21 included in the patient circuit is also preferably delivered to processor 52. The invention is by no means limited to the above embodiments but various details of the invention can be modified within the scope of the appended claims. The drawing only illustrates the construction and operation of just one pressure regulating element 6. It is obvious that other types of pressure regulating elements can be used just as well within the scope of the invention. Neither is the invention by any means limited to the illustrated assembly of a patient circuit and a bellows unit. There is merely described one possible functional solution for a patient circuit and a bellows unit.

Claims: An apparatus for the regulation of gas volume delivered to a patient during a respiratory cycle, said apparatus comprising at least one valve (8) for discharging some of a propellant gas flown from a propellant gas source (4) into a propellant gas chamber (18) and said propellant gas chamber (18) being at least partially defined by a wall (17) having a second chamber (19) on the other side thereof wherein said wall is capable of changing its location on increase of the propellant gas pressure in the propellant gas chamber, thereby increasing the volume of the propellant gas chamber, and thereby diminishing the volume of said second chamber (19) on the other side of wall (17) thereby forcing a gas for delivery to a patient to flow towards the patient (21) and such that whereafter, in order to perform the exhalation of the patient by way of said valve or an outlet valve (9), said apparatus is adapted for the pressure of the propellant gas chamber to be allowed to discharge for diminishing the volume of the propellant gas chamber (18) and increasing the volume of the second chamber (19) as a result of the displacement of the wall (17), and wherein between the propellant gas chamber (18) and the propellant gas source (4) there is a pressure regulating element (6) for regulating the pressure of said propellant gas flowing from the propellant gas source characterised in that the pressure regulating element (6) is adapted to regulate the pressure of the propellant gas on the basis of a measurement result received from one or more measuring elements (10, 11), wherein said one or more elements comprise either of or both of a flow measuring element (10) located between said propellant gas source (4) and said propellant gas chamber (18) for measurement of the propellant gas flow through the pressure regulating element (6) or a pressure measuring element (11) located between said pressure regulating element (6) and said propellant gas chamber (18) for measuring the pressure of the propellant gas flow as supplied from the pressure regulating element (6). An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said pressure regulating element (6) is also capable of opening and shutting off the propellant gas flow proceeding from the propellant gas source (4) to the propellant gas chamber (18). An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that, in addition to the pressure regulating element (6), between the propellant gas source (4) and the propellant gas chamber (18) is a valve (8), through which flows the propellant gas originating from propellant gas source (4) wherein said valve (8) can be opened and closed for the regulation of the propellant gas flow attempting to pass therethrough along a duct (13) to propellant gas chamber (18). An apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus includes one valve (8 or 9) which is capable of controlling the propellant gas flow proceeding from the propellant gas source (4) to propellant gas chamber (18) as well as a reduction of the propellant gas pressure from the propellant gas chamber. An apparatus as set forth in any of preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the apparatus includes at least two valves (8 and 9), one of which is capable of controlling the propellant gas flow proceeding from propellant gas source (4) to propellant gas chamber (18) and the other is capable of controlling a reduction of the propellant gas pressure from the propellant gas chamber. An apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said valve (8) is capable of opening and cutting off the propellant gas flow proceeding from the propellant gas source (4) to the propellant gas chamber (18). An apparatus as set forth in any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said pressure regulating element (6) is located between propellant gas source (4) and valve (8), and said valve (8) can be opened and closed for the regulation of a propellant gas flow attempting to pass therethrough along duct (13) to propellant gas chamber (18). An apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow measuring element (10) is located between the pressure regulating element (6) and the propellant gas chamber (18). An apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flow measuring element (10) is a pressure-difference measuring element. An apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus is adapted to provide a signal based on a measuring result received from flow measuring element (10) and/or pressure measuring element (11) to a processor (52) for regulating the initial pressure of the propellant gas flow discharging from pressure regulating element (6) whenever the measuring results differ from desired values. An apparatus as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a motor (44) is adapted to effect the regulation of the initial pressure of the propellant gas flow discharging from pressure regulating element (6), which motor is controlled by microprocessor (52). An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure regulating element (6) is adapted to regulate the pressure of the propellant gas flowing from the propellant gas source (4) to distribute the propellant gas flow essentially uniformly throughout the inhalation cycle. A method for the regulation of a propellant gas flow to be delivered into a propellant gas chamber (18) and coming from a propellant gas source (4), the volume of said propellant gas chamber increasing as a result of the propellant gas pressure simultaneously forcing the volume of a second chamber (19) spaced from the propellant gas chamber to diminish, whereby the respiratory gas contained in this second chamber strives to flow towards a duct which is adapted to be connected to the lung of a patient until, in order to facilitate the exhalation of a patient, the pressure of the propellant gas chamber is reduced whereby the volume of said propellant gas chamber (18) diminishes while the volume of second chamber (19) increases, wherein the pressure of a gas flowing from propellant gas source (4) to propellant gas chamber (18) is regulated by means of a pressure regulating element (6), characterized in that the propellant gas coming from propellant gas source (4) is delivered through the pressure regulating element (6), the propellant gas flow passed therethrough being measured and, if necessary, regulation of the propellant gas pressure is effected by means of the pressure regulating element so as to match a desired flow rate. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the pressure regulating element (6) is adapted to adjust a gas volume delivered to patient during a respiratory cycle so that the propellant gas flow is distributed essentially uniformly throughout the inhalation cycle. A method as set forth in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the propellant gas flow is monitored by means of a flow measuring element (10), a signal received therefrom being delivered to a processor (52) which compares information based on the received signal with calibration information stored in a memory and, if the former differs from the calibration information, the regulation of pressure regulating element (6) is performed under the control of the processor. A method as set forth in any of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the propellant gas coming from propellant gas source (4) is delivered through pressure regulating element (6), followed by measuring the initial pressure of the flowing propellant gas and, if necessary, by effecting the regulation of the initial propellant gas pressure by means of the pressure regulating element to match a desired pressure rating. A method as set forth in any of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the initial pressure is monitored by means of a pressure measuring element (11), a signal received therefrom being delivered to processor (52) which compares information based on the received signal with calibration information stored in a memory and, if the former differs from the calibration information, the regulation of pressure regulating element (6) is performed under the control of the processor.

Inventors: HEINONEN ERKKI, HYVOENEN MARKKU, HEINONEN, ERKKI, HYVOENEN, MARKKU, Hyvönen, Markku
Applicants: INSTRUMENTARIUM CORP, INSTRUMENTARIUM CORPORATION
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61M16
IPC codes: A61M16