Patent Description:
Over the course of a medical treatment, a patient may require some form of respiratory support provided by a ventilator or may require multiple different types of respiratory support which is generally provided by different types of ventilation devices in different settings. Respiratory support may include assisted breathing, wherein the ventilator detects breath attempts and provides supplemental pressure and gas flow for the patient to complete and effective respiratory cycle. Other forms of respiratory support include mechanical ventilation, whereby the ventilator also initiates the respiratory phase of each respiratory cycle.

Different types of mechanical ventilators are available that each provide mechanical ventilation for a particular setting, such as an intensive care ventilator configured to provide mechanical ventilation support for an extended duration of time and an operating room ventilator configured to provide anesthetic gas to the patient and to provide respiratory support to the patient while they are under general anesthesia. During treatment, the patient receiving respiratory support may need to be transferred between ventilator systems. One example of this transfer may occur when a patient is switched between receiving respiratory support from an anesthesia ventilator used during surgery to an intensive care unit (ICU) ventilator to which the patient may be connected before and/or after the surgical procedure. This transfer necessarily requires disconnection of the patient from one ventilator before connection to another, leaving a period when the patient is disconnected from receiving respiratory support from either ventilator. This connection and disconnection of the patient also exposes the patient's airway to pathogens and can lead to acquisition of a nosocomial infection.

<CIT> describes a modular respiration system for the mechanical respiration of a patient. The respirator system has a modular respiration module for connection to the patient, wherein the respiration module contains a respiration system with a respiration drive, an electric energy unit and a memory with a control unit. One or more stationary parts are provided for detachably accommodating the complementary modular respiration module. At least one detachable connection interface is provided for data, electric energy and breathing gas exchange between the respiration module and the stationary part or parts accommodating the respiration module.

<CIT> describes a ventilator system comprising at least one ventilator unit and a plurality of docking stations. Each docking station is adapted to receive the ventilator unit and comprises a communication interface adapted to be connected to a matching interface on the ventilator unit when the ventilator unit is docked in the docking station. The docking stations are arranged at different treatment sites, whereby the ventilator unit can be moved between different docking stations when necessary without interrupting the treatment of a patient connected to the ventilator unit. Hereby, the same ventilator unit can be used throughout a complete treatment of a patient without any need of disconnecting the patient during transports, etc..

The following documents also disclose portable ventilator systems: <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Aspects and features of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.

In one embodiment, a portable ventilator includes a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source to a patient, wherein the portable ventilator is configured to removably connect to a host such that when the portable ventilator is connected to the host the ventilation drive drives ventilation gas from a host gas source to the patient and when the portable ventilator is not connected to the host the ventilation drive drives ventilation gas from a portable gas source to the patient.

One embodiment of a patient ventilation system includes a first host connected to a first host gas source, a portable ventilator configured to removably connect to the first host, and a portable gas source connected to the portable ventilator. The portable ventilator includes a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from the first host gas source to a patient when the portable ventilator is connected to the first host and to drive ventilation gas from the portable gas source to the patient when the portable ventilator is not connected to the first host.

In certain examples, the inspiratory gas from the portable gas source is at a first pressure and the inspiratory gas from the anesthesia gas source is at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. In certain embodiments, the portable ventilator may further comprise a portable gas source input valve configured to automatically open to allow the ventilation gas to flow from the portable gas source when the portable ventilator is not connected to the host gas source. For example, the portable gas source input valve may be configured to open when a delivery pressure of ventilation gas from the host gas source is lower than a delivery pressure of ventilation gas from the portable gas source.

In certain embodiments, the portable ventilator may include a ventilation drive section and a patient interface section. In certain examples, the ventilation drive section and a patient interface section may be configured to removably connect together and may be separable for cleaning and/or maintenance.

One embodiment of a method of ventilator operation (the method not being separately claimed) includes operating a ventilation drive of a portable ventilator to drive ventilation gas from a portable gas source through a patent interface to a patient, wherein the ventilation gas from the portable gas source is at a first pressure. Upon connection of the portable ventilator to a host, the ventilation drive is operated to drive ventilation gas from a host gas source through the patent interface to the patient, wherein the ventilation gas from the host gas source is at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure. In certain examples, the ventilation drive may automatically revert back to driving ventilation gas from the portable gas source through the patent interface to the patient upon the second pressure of the host gas source becoming less than the first pressure of the host gas source.

One embodiment of a ventilator includes a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source to a patient and a patient interface section configured to guide inspiratory gas from the ventilation drive to a patient connection, receive expiratory gas from the patient connection, and expel the expiratory gas out of the ventilator. The ventilation drive and patient interface section are configured to removably connect to at least one host comprising a ventilation path portion so as to divert the inspiratory gas through the ventilation path portion of the host when connected thereto.

In one embodiment, the host may be an anesthesia host comprising a circle breathing system and the ventilation drive is configured to removably connect to the anesthesia host and the circle breathing system. In certain examples, the ventilation drive may be configured to drive inspiratory gas from a host gas source, such as an anesthesia gas source, through the patient interface section to the patient when connected to the host, and to drive inspiratory gas from a portable gas source through the patent interface section to the patient when the ventilator is not connected to the host.

One embodiment of an anesthesia ventilator system includes a portable ventilator comprising a ventilation drive configured to drive inspiratory gas from a gas source to a patient and a patient interface section configured to guide inspiratory gas from the ventilation drive to a patient connection, receive expiratory gas from the patient connection, and expel the expiratory gas out of the portable ventilator. The anesthesia ventilator system further includes a circle breathing system, a scavenging system, and a host gas source. The portable ventilator is configured to removably connect to the circle breathing system, the scavenging system, and the host gas source, wherein the ventilation drive is configured to drive inspiratory gas from the host gas source to the patient through the patient interface section when connected, and to drive inspiratory gas from a portable gas source to the patient through the patent interface section when disconnected.

One embodiment of a method of ventilator operation (the method not being separately claimed) includes operating a ventilation drive to drive inspiratory gas through a patent interface section to a patient. Upon connection of the ventilation drive and the patient interface section to an a host comprising a ventilation path portion, operating the ventilation drive to drive inspiratory gas from an anesthesia gas source through the ventilation path portion and the patent interface section to the patient.

In certain embodiments, upon connection of the ventilation drive and/or the patient interface section to the host, a host source connection valve is opened to facilitate flow of inspiratory gas from a host gas source to the ventilation drive and closing a portable gas source input valve to stop flow of inspiratory gas from the portable gas source to the ventilation drive. In further embodiments, upon connection of the ventilation drive and/or the patient interface section to the host, at least one inspiratory diverter valve in the patient interface section is opened, wherein the inspiratory diverter valve is configured to divert the inspiratory gas from the patient interface section through the circle breathing system.

In one embodiment, a ventilator system includes a ventilator and a host. The ventilator comprises a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source to a patient and a patient interface section configured to guide inspiratory gas along an inspiratory path from the ventilation drive to a patient connection, and guide expiratory gas along an expiratory path from the patient connection out of the ventilator. The patient interface section is configured to releasably connect to the ventilation drive. The ventilator is configured to removably connect to the host such that at least one of the inspiratory path and the expiratory path are diverted through the host when the ventilator is removably connected to the host. In certain embodiments, the expiratory path does not enter the ventilation drive such that the ventilation drive does not receive any patient expiratory gas and, in further embodiments, the patient interface section is separately removable from the ventilator system while the ventilation drive is connected to the host and is a cleanable and sterilizable unit.

One embodiment of a ventilator includes a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source to a patient and a patient interface section configured to guide inspiratory gas along an inspiratory path from the ventilation drive to a patient connection, and guide expiratory gas along an expiratory path from the patient connection out of the ventilator. The patient interface section is configured to releasably connect to the ventilation drive. The ventilation drive is configured to removably connect to a host such that when the ventilation drive is connected to the host the ventilation drive is configured to drive inspiratory gas from a host gas source through the patient interface section to the patient, and when the ventilation drive is not connected to the host the ventilation drive is configured to drive inspiratory gas from a portable gas source through the patient interface section to the patient.

The inventors have identified that several challenges exist for providing continuous respiratory support to a patient, particularly when an intubated patient must be transferred between ventilators. One major issue is continuous maintenance of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), another is infection avoidance as described above. Further, the inventors have recognized that the best patient care can be provided when a consistent and continuous ventilation connection is maintained, including constant connection to the ventilator via the patient connection device(s) and utilizing consistent ventilation parameters with no break in continuity.

Maintenance of PEEP is an important aspect of continuous mechanical ventilation, especially when the patient is receiving lung volume recruitment therapy. Certain medical conditions, including but not limited to atelectasis, result in collapsed alveoli. Collapsed alveoli can create a significant loss of lung volume and impair the efficiency of gas exchange. Typically, the gas exchange removes carbon dioxide from the patient's blood while introducing oxygen to the patient's blood. Specialized forms of respiratory support known as recruitment procedures have been developed to progressively open or "recruit" collapsed alveoli. Recruitment procedures may use specialized medical gases such as helium in addition to other medical gases of oxygen, nitrogen and air or other additives such as surfactant to reduce airway resistance. Still, recruitment procedures typically involve a series of prescribed ventilation pressure, including, but not limited to inspiratory pressure and expiratory pressure. PEEP is a common component of a prescribed recruitment procedure. PEEP puts a positive pressure on the patient's airway at the end of an expiratory phase of a breathing cycle to "hold open" open alveoli which would normally collapse under ambient pressure. Thus, the PEEP therapy preserves recruited lung volume, maintaining the lung volume gains achieved through the recruitment procedure.

Recruitment procedures typically occur over a prescribed period of time which may be hours or days. The recruitment procedure must take place over a time period as patients in need of lung recruitment typically also have low lung compliance and the recruited volume is desired to be gained from opening of alveoli rather than lung distension. Therefore, the recruitment procedure slowly increases the pressure applied to the lung over time as more alveoli are recruited and lung volume is gained.

However, as noted above, typically when a patient is transferred between ventilators at some point in the transition the patient must be disconnected from one ventilator and reconnected to the other ventilator. Even if this transition period is a short period of time (e.g., within seconds) the loss of the PEEP maintained in the system can cause the recruited alveoli to collapse, giving up any physiological gains that have been made through the previous recruitment procedure and other respiratory support. A new recruitment procedure or procedures must be performed over the aforementioned hours or days in order to re-recruit the lost lung volume. Therefore, embodiments of the portable ventilator <NUM> disclosed herein preserves the numeric conditions of the patient such that recruited lung volume is maintained and constant ventilation is performed.

The inventors have recognized that it is beneficial to the patient to maintain full ventilation functionality at all times, including oxygen supply and continuous and consistent ventilation pressure and ventilation parameters. The inventors developed the disclosed solution based on the above described problems and challenges in the relevant art of patient ventilation. In the disclosed system and method, one ventilation drive and patient connection thereto is continuously maintained such that the patient is continuously ventilated and no disconnection of the patient is ever necessary. The portable ventilator <NUM> and ventilation system <NUM> described herein allows continuous use of the same ventilation drive <NUM> and patient interface section <NUM>, which connect and disconnect from various hosts.

The portable ventilator <NUM> also operates on its own to provide full ventilation support to the patient, including full mechanical ventilation, assisted ventilation support, peep, etc. The portable ventilator <NUM> can attach to any of the various portable ventilation gas sources, such as oxygen tanks or wall gas, and can travel with the patient, such as when being transported between the surgical ward and the ICU, etc. The portable ventilator <NUM> can also connect to a host providing a high pressure gas source, such as a large oxygen cylinder or wall gas, to provide extended duration ventilation. The portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to automatically utilize a host gas source <NUM> when connected thereto when the host <NUM>, provided that the host gas source <NUM> is available and functioning. The portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to automatically revert to independent function and/or maintenance of ventilation from a portable gas source <NUM> whenever the portable ventilator <NUM> is disconnected from a host and/or the host gas source <NUM> is unavailable (e.g. is empty or has malfunctioned).

The portable ventilator <NUM> connects to any one of a plurality of hosts <NUM>, alternately one at a time, in order to provide additional ventilation functions for particular situations, such as extended ICU ventilation, specialized ventilation maneuvers or tests, or anesthesia-related ventilation during surgical or other procedure. Thus, the portable ventilator is configured to connect to a plurality of different host types with differing ventilation functionalities depending on the patient care needs. The portable ventilator may be correspondingly designed with the various host types to enable connection and disconnection of the portable ventilator from each of the various hosts, one at a time.

In the embodiment at <FIG>, the ventilation system <NUM> includes a portable ventilator <NUM> removably connectable to one or more hosts <NUM>, alternately one at a time. A portable gas source <NUM> is connected to the portable ventilator <NUM> and a host gas source <NUM> is connected to the host <NUM>. The portable ventilator <NUM> is configured to deliver ventilation gas to the patient <NUM> from either one of at least one portable gas source <NUM> and a host gas source <NUM>. For example, the portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to deliver ventilation gas from the host gas source <NUM> whenever the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host <NUM> and to deliver ventilation gas from the portable gas source <NUM> to the patient <NUM> whenever the portable ventilator <NUM> is not connected to any host. In certain embodiments, the host gas source <NUM> may be regulated at a higher delivery pressure of ventilation gas compared to the portable gas source <NUM> and the portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to drive ventilation gas to the patient from whichever gas source is available and has the highest delivery pressure.

The portable ventilator <NUM> may include a ventilation drive <NUM> and a patient interface section <NUM>. The ventilation drive <NUM> is configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source <NUM>, <NUM> which may be a portable gas source <NUM> directly to the portable ventilator <NUM> or a host gas source <NUM> connected to a host <NUM> to which the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected. The ventilation drive <NUM> drives the ventilation gas through the patient interface section <NUM> to the patient <NUM>. The patient interface section <NUM> is configured to deliver inspiratory gas from the ventilation drive <NUM> to the patient <NUM> and to receive expiratory gas exhaled by the patient <NUM>. The patient interface section <NUM> is further configured to expel the expiratory gas out of the portable ventilator <NUM>, which may be expelled to atmosphere or, in some embodiments, delivered to a scavenging system or delivered to the host <NUM> for further processing and/or recirculation to the patient (e.g. scavenging and/or CO<NUM> scrubbing and recirculation to the patient). The patient interface section <NUM> includes an inspiratory path <NUM> providing ventilation gas to be inhaled by the patient (inspiratory gas) from the drive <NUM> to the patient <NUM>. The patient interface section <NUM> further includes and defines an expiratory path <NUM> that receives expiratory gases exhaled from the patient <NUM> and expels the exhalation gas out of the portable ventilator <NUM>.

Referring also to <FIG> and <FIG>, the patient interface section <NUM> has an inspiratory connection port <NUM> that connects to an inspiratory portion of a patient connection <NUM> to deliver the inspiratory gas to the patient's lungs. An expiratory connection port <NUM> connects between an expiratory portion of the patient <NUM> and the patient interface section <NUM> to deliver expiratory gas exhaled by the patient to the expiratory path <NUM>. In embodiments, the patient connection <NUM> may include, for example, an endotracheal (ET) tube. In such embodiments, the patient connection is one that creates a pneumatic seal with the airway of the patient. Such a pneumatic seal enables the control and delivery of flows of medical gas and prescribed pressures into the respiratory system of the patient. In other embodiments, the patient connection <NUM> may include any patient end connector configured to deliver appropriate ventilation or respiratory support to a patient, such as a mask, nasal cannula, etc..

As will be described in further detail herein, various pressures within the patient's airway, including but not limited to inspiratory pressure and expiratory pressure, may be controlled during ventilation. A flow of medical gas and/or other ventilation gases is provided through the inspiratory path <NUM> to the patient <NUM> through the patient connection <NUM> in an inspiratory phase of a ventilation cycle and expired gases are directed from the patient <NUM> through the patient connection <NUM> through the expiratory path <NUM> in an expiratory phase of the ventilation cycle. The drive <NUM> may include a ventilation drive means, such as a blower <NUM> configured to drive inspiratory gas to the patient <NUM>. The blower <NUM>, or other drive means, may be controlled based on measured pressures and/or flow rates within the ventilator <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the patient interface section <NUM> is the only portion of the portable ventilator <NUM> that interfaces with the patient exhalation gas. Namely, in some embodiments the expiratory path <NUM> does not enter the ventilation drive <NUM> and thus contaminants from the exhalation path <NUM> do not enter or otherwise reach the drive <NUM>. However, in certain embodiments sensors, actuators, and/or other electronic devices that may sense or flow within the expiratory path may be located within the drive <NUM> section of the portable ventilator <NUM>. For instance, one or more pressure sensors <NUM>, <NUM> configured to sense pressure within the inspiratory or expiratory paths <NUM>, <NUM> may be located in the drive <NUM> section. For instance, inspiratory pressure sensor <NUM> may be situated within the drive <NUM> and configured to sense a pressure within the expiratory path <NUM> in the patient interface section <NUM>, such as near the port <NUM> connecting to the patient connection <NUM>. Similarly, an expiratory pressure sensor <NUM> may be situated within the drive <NUM> and configured to sense a pressure within the expiratory path <NUM>, such as near port <NUM>.

One or more valve actuators that actuate valves in paths <NUM> and <NUM> may also be located in the drive portion. In certain embodiments, the patient interface section <NUM> may be removable from the drive section <NUM> and may be a cleanable and sterilizable module since it interfaces with the patient exhalation gases. The drive <NUM> may be cleanable in that the housing and connection points or interfaces that connect with the patient interface section <NUM> are cleanable, and particularly that interface with the expiratory path <NUM> or otherwise can become contaminated by the exhalation gases. However, in certain embodiments the drive <NUM> is not sterilizable and/or autoclavable and thus does not include passageways that receive contaminated gas, such as exhalation gas from the patient.

Referring again to <FIG> and <FIG>, various hosts <NUM> may be incorporated within the ventilation system <NUM>. The portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to connect with any various types of hosts <NUM> providing different functions including but not limited to high volume and high pressure gas sources to sustain long-term ICU ventilation, and anesthesia delivery in mechanical ventilation for maintaining a patient under general anesthesia. The portable ventilator <NUM> is configured to connect to each of such multiple types of hosts <NUM> to act as the ventilation drive for that host device to deliver ventilation gas from the host gas source <NUM> to the patient <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the portable ventilator <NUM> is further configured to provide an inspiratory path that intersects with a ventilation path portion <NUM> of the host <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the portable ventilator <NUM> may provide and connect to the host <NUM> such that the expiratory gases from the patient are diverted to a ventilation path portion <NUM> of the host <NUM>. For example, in certain embodiments the host <NUM> may include a circle system for anesthesia delivery wherein the inspiratory pathways and expiratory pathways flow through the host <NUM> and connect to the pathways in the patient interface section <NUM>. In another example, the ventilation path portion <NUM> may only connect to the inspiratory pathway and may provide on/off valves, such as P01 valves as shown and described herein.

Each of the at least one host <NUM> includes a ventilator connector <NUM> configured to removably receive the ventilator <NUM> and to connect the ventilation drive <NUM> and patient interface section <NUM> to the ventilation path portion <NUM> in the host <NUM> such that ventilation drive <NUM> receives the host gas and the patient interface section <NUM> interfaces as necessary with the ventilation path portion of the host. Pneumatic diagrams of a portable ventilator <NUM> and pneumatic connections to various host embodiments are shown in <FIG>.

Additionally, the host may be configured to deliver power and/or communicate sensor and control information back and forth to and from the portable ventilator <NUM>. For example, the ventilator <NUM> may include a ventilatory controller <NUM> in communication with a user interface <NUM> on or associated with the portable ventilator <NUM>. For example, the user interface <NUM> may include devices through which a clinician can control ventilation parameters, such as pressure, breath rate, path flow rate, peak, and the like. Such input devices may include dials, buttons, or may be a touch screen configured to receive such input values from a clinician. The user interface <NUM> may also include a display configured to display ventilation information, including the various ventilation control settings, as well as patient information, such as certain patient monitoring information.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a portable ventilator <NUM> disconnected from a host <NUM>. The portable ventilator <NUM> has a housing <NUM> encapsulating the ventilator <NUM> and providing various connections and interfaces. The housing <NUM> includes a user interface section <NUM>' providing various user interface devices and systems through which the user can interact with elements of the ventilator <NUM> and see different patient parameters. The user interface <NUM> includes ventilator control inputs 21a, including buttons, dials, knobs, and the like that enable manual control of the ventilator <NUM> functions by a clinician. The user interface <NUM> further includes a numerical display area 21b providing alphanumeric displays of values, such as ventilator control values and parameters. The numerical display area 21b may include, for example, numeric LED displays. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface <NUM> on the ventilator <NUM> may further include a display 21c configured to display patient monitoring parameters for the patient <NUM>, as well as ventilation parameters and any other relevant control or function information for the ventilator <NUM> and/or a connected host <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the controller <NUM> of the portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to communicate with the controller <NUM> of a host. The host <NUM> may further include a user interface <NUM> which may also be configured to allow a clinician to set ventilation parameters, which may include ventilation parameters that can be set at the ventilator user interface <NUM>, as well as additional parameters specific to the function of the host <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may receive ventilator settings and other inputs from a clinician through the user interface <NUM> on the host <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the parameters set at either user interface <NUM> or <NUM> may be received at either controller <NUM> or <NUM> when the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host. In various embodiments, communication between the controllers <NUM> and <NUM> may be by a physical communication connection, or may be via any wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (ELE), ANT, nearfield communication (NFC), or any other wireless communication protocol.

The portable ventilator includes at least one battery <NUM> or other power storage device configured to store and provide power to the ventilator <NUM>. Thus, the ventilator <NUM> is portable and does not need to remain connected to an external power source. For example, the battery <NUM> may be rechargeable, such as when the ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the battery may be removable and configured to be removed and recharged on a separate charging system. As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> of the ventilator <NUM> may be configured to facilitate easy removal and replacement of one or more batteries <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the host <NUM> may receive power from and/or supply power to the ventilator <NUM> and/or may charge the battery <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the host may connect to a power source <NUM>, such as a power outlet on a wall. In such embodiments, the host <NUM> may include a power connector <NUM> configured to deliver power to the ventilator <NUM> when it is connected to the host <NUM>. In some embodiments, the host may further include a power controller, which may for example be integrated into the host controller <NUM>, situated to control power delivered to the power connector <NUM>. The power controller may distribute power throughout the host and to the portable ventilator <NUM> via power connector <NUM>.

The ventilator controller <NUM> is configured to control various aspects of the portable ventilator <NUM>. In certain embodiments, when the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may participate and/or take over control functions for the portable ventilator <NUM>, including to control aspects of the ventilation drive <NUM> and/or the patient interface section <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the controllers <NUM>, <NUM> may control various aspects of the ventilation drive <NUM>, including pressure regulators, flow controller devices, valve actuators, and the blower module <NUM>. Further, one or more of the controllers <NUM>, <NUM> may receive information from sensors within the drive <NUM>, such as O<NUM> sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors, valve position sensors, etc. Additionally, the ventilation controllers <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to variously control the user interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> on the ventilator <NUM> and/or the host <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an embodiment of a portable ventilator <NUM> detached from a host <NUM>. The host includes a ventilator connection section <NUM> providing various ports and connectors, including the power connector <NUM> and pneumatic connection portions. Specifically, the ventilator connection section <NUM> includes a source connection port <NUM> configured to connect to ventilator gas port <NUM> on the ventilator <NUM> (see <FIG>). The host <NUM> includes a ventilation path portion <NUM> providing four ports <NUM>-<NUM> serving as inlets and/or outlets for inspiratory and/or expiratory gases to enter the ventilation path portion <NUM> of the host <NUM>.

In the depicted example, the ventilation path portion <NUM> is configured to interface with the inspiratory path and expiratory path of the patient interface section <NUM>. Further exemplary ventilation path portions <NUM>, including inspiratory path portions 113b, 113c and expiratory path portions 115c and are provided herein, including at <FIG> and <FIG>. Ports <NUM> and <NUM> are configured to connect with inspiratory ports <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, to connect an inspiratory path portion 113b, 113c in the host <NUM> to the inspiratory path <NUM> in the patient interface section <NUM>. Ports <NUM> and <NUM> on the host <NUM> connect to expiratory ports <NUM> and <NUM> on the ventilator to connect an expiratory path portion 115c of the host <NUM> within the patient interface section <NUM> to an expiratory path within the ventilation path portion <NUM> of the host <NUM>.

Depending on the host type, various ventilator connection section <NUM> configurations may be provided, such as a connection section <NUM> only connecting one of the inspiratory or expiratory paths between the patient interface section <NUM> and the ventilation path portion <NUM> of the host <NUM>. In other embodiments, no inspiratory or expiratory path connections are made between the ventilator <NUM> and the host <NUM>, and thus the host <NUM> only provides a ventilation gas source connection between port <NUM> on the host and port <NUM> on the ventilator <NUM>.

In the depicted embodiment, the ventilator connection section <NUM> provides a horizontal surface on which the ventilator <NUM> sits. A bottom side <NUM>' of the ventilator housing <NUM> contacts a topside <NUM>' of a host housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, the connection section <NUM> may be oriented differently on the ventilator housing <NUM> and host housing <NUM>. For example, the ventilator connection section <NUM> may be a vertical surface configured to connect to a vertical surface on the ventilator housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, multiple connection sections and/or connection locations may be provided and the housings <NUM> and <NUM> are correspondingly designed such that the multiple connections align when the ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host <NUM>. The various ports are provided on the housings <NUM> and <NUM> and positioned such that the ports on the ventilator <NUM> connect with a corresponding port on the host <NUM> when the ventilator <NUM> is vertically lowered onto the ventilator connection section <NUM>.

The ventilator housing <NUM> includes a ventilation drive housing <NUM> and an interface housing <NUM>. The ventilation drive housing <NUM> has a connection side <NUM> providing the ventilation gas port <NUM> that connects to the source connection port <NUM> on the host <NUM>. The interface section <NUM> includes an interface housing having a connection end <NUM> providing ports <NUM> through <NUM> for inspiratory and expiratory path connections with the host <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, connections means may be provided on the ventilator housing <NUM> and on the host housing <NUM> to secure the ventilator <NUM> onto the host <NUM>. This may be important, particularly for portable hosts that may be moved, incur vibration and shock during transport, etc. In the embodiment at <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the ventilator housing <NUM> and the host housing <NUM> have corresponding housing connectors that are configured to mate together to secure the ventilator <NUM> onto the host <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the ventilator housing <NUM> may have a first vent housing connector <NUM> and a second vent housing connector <NUM>. Each of the vent housing connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are configured and positioned to connect to corresponding host housing connectors <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Specifically, the first vent housing connector <NUM> connects to the first host housing connector <NUM> and the second vent housing connector <NUM> connects to the second host housing connector <NUM>. In various embodiments, the housing connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be any type of connectors or connection formation that releasably connects the housings <NUM> and <NUM>. In certain examples, the housing connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be, for example, latches, hooks, thumbscrews.

A release means is also provided in order to release the vent housing connectors <NUM> and <NUM> from the host housing connectors <NUM>, <NUM>. In the depicted example, one or more release levers <NUM> may be positioned on the ventilator housing <NUM> and/or the host housing <NUM> and operatively connected and configured to release the connections when operated by a user. Thus, removal of the ventilator <NUM> from the host <NUM> may include operating the release levers <NUM>, such as by turning or pulling up on the levers <NUM>. The release levers <NUM> have internal connections or linkages within the housing <NUM> to operate or move the vent housing connectors <NUM> and <NUM> into a disconnection position that disengages from the host housing connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. In other embodiments, other release mechanisms or means may be provided, such as buttons, screws, or the like. In still other embodiments, the housing connectors may be configured to provide a friction fit where no release mechanism is necessary and releasing the ventilator <NUM> from the host <NUM> is accomplished by pulling the ventilator housing <NUM> hard enough to overcome the friction force provided by the housing connectors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>. In various embodiments, different numbers and/or locations of housing connectors may be provided. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand in view of the present disclosure that the location and number of connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are merely exemplary and other locations and numbers of connectors may be provided and such embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, a handle <NUM> may be connected to the housing <NUM> and configured to allow a clinician to easily lift and carry the ventilator <NUM>. This facilitates easy movement and transport of the ventilator <NUM>, as well as connection and disconnection from the hosts <NUM>.

The ventilator housing <NUM> may comprise of two sections, the drive housing <NUM> and the interface housing <NUM>. The drive housing <NUM> houses the ventilation drive <NUM>, including the blower module <NUM> and other elements such as those described below with respect to <FIG>. The patient interface section housing <NUM> includes an inspiratory path <NUM> and an expiratory path <NUM> configured to guide the inspiratory and expiratory gas to and from the patient <NUM>. The interface housing <NUM> and the drive housing <NUM> are configured to releasably connect together such that the patient interface section <NUM> can be removed from the drive <NUM>. For example, the patient interface section <NUM> and housing <NUM> may be a cleanable, sterilizable, and/or autoclaveable portion. For example, the patient interface section may be comprised of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) or other autoclaveable plastic material configured to withstand temperatures of <NUM> degrees C, or higher, for an extended period of time sufficient to provide sterilization. For example, the patient interface section <NUM> may an injection molded piece, such as a single continuous piece with smooth interior cavities to form the inspiratory path cavity and expiratory path cavity. In other embodiments, the patient interface section <NUM> may be formed of a machined metal, such as machined stainless steel. In still other embodiments, the patient interface section <NUM> may be a disposable unit that is intended for single-patient use. In such an embodiment, the patient interface section <NUM> may be comprised of a less expensive polymer material, for example, that does not need to be autoclaveable or otherwise sterilizable.

In certain embodiments, the drive housing <NUM> may include a drive housing connector <NUM> configured with and interface housing connector <NUM> on the interface housing <NUM>. The drive housing connector <NUM> and interface housing connector <NUM> are configured to releasably mate so as to releasably connect the respective housings <NUM> and <NUM>. The housing connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may be any of the above-listed connector types.

In certain embodiments, the expiratory path does not enter the ventilation drive housing <NUM> such that the ventilation drive <NUM> is not exposed in any significant way to any patient expiratory gas, other than perhaps at exterior connectors on the drive housing <NUM>. Thus, the ventilation drive <NUM> and interior of the drive housing <NUM> are not exposed to the contaminants in the expiratory gases and may be cleanable by, for example, wiping down the exterior of the housing <NUM>, particularly at the connection interface with the interface housing <NUM>.

The ventilator <NUM> is configured to connect to one or more gas sources, including one or more portable gas sources <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the portable ventilator <NUM> may also be configured to connect directly to wall gas via one or more wall gas lines <NUM>, and/or other gas sources including gas cylinders. In one embodiment, the portable ventilator <NUM> may include multiple gas source connections 29a and 29b, as shown in <FIG>, to connect to different gas source types. For example, the portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to connect to an oxygen tank, as well as to wall gas, such as a low-pressure wall gas source. In the depicted example, wall gas line <NUM> connects to the source connection 29a to provide a low-pressure gas source. For example, the wall gas line <NUM> may be connected to a pressure regulator providing low-pressure oxygen at a pressure of <NUM> kilopascals (kPa) or less, from a wall gas source. Such low-pressure oxygen arrangements are known in the art.

The ventilator <NUM> may also be configured to connect to a higher pressure gas source at connection 29b. The portable gas source <NUM> may be, for example, an oxygen tank, such as having a pressure of <NUM>-<NUM> kPa (<NUM>-<NUM> psig). <FIG> illustrates one such embodiment where a portable gas source 8b is an oxygen tank connected to the portable ventilator <NUM> and transported therewith. This configuration demonstrates a portable ventilator <NUM> utilized on its own during patient transport, such as where the patient is being transported from the OR to the ICU or vice versa. The portable ventilator <NUM> can be utilized to ventilate the patient for an extended period of time provided that the batteries <NUM> or other power source are exchanged or wall power is utilized and the portable gas source 8b is sufficiently changed or swapped. Thus, use of the portable ventilator <NUM> is not only confined to patient transport or short utilization periods because the ventilator <NUM> provides full ventilation functionality for normal continued ventilation support.

In the depicted example, the patient <NUM> is intubated and the patient connection <NUM>' is an endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube patient connection <NUM>' is connected to the inspiratory connection port <NUM> and the expiratory connection port <NUM> on the ventilator <NUM>, and particularly on the interface housing <NUM> on the patient interface section <NUM>. Patient monitors <NUM> are also operatively connected to the patient <NUM> to provide patient monitoring data to the ventilator <NUM>. In the depicted example, an SpO<NUM> patient monitor 420a and an ECG patient monitor 420b, and respective sensors therefore, are each connected to respective patient monitoring ports <NUM> on the ventilator housing <NUM>. Thereby, patient physiological data is provided to the ventilator <NUM>, which may be used by the controller <NUM> for controlling ventilation to the patient as well as for general patient monitoring and alarming. Patient physiological information based on the monitoring data may be displayed on the user interface section 21b, such as on the display 21c.

In certain embodiments, the portable ventilator <NUM> may be configured to hook or connect to the side of the patient's bed <NUM>. For example, the ventilator housing <NUM> may comprise hooks <NUM> or other attachment means for attaching the portable ventilator <NUM> to a side rail <NUM> of the patient's bed <NUM>. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand in view of the present disclosure that other mounting means and locations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The portable ventilator <NUM> is configured to connect to multiple different hosts <NUM>, one at a time. <FIG> and <FIG> depict the portable ventilator <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> connected to different hosts <NUM>. <FIG> shows the portable ventilator <NUM> connected to an ICU host 10b providing on/off valves, such as P01 valves described below with respect to <FIG>. The ICU host 10b includes a host gas source 12b, such as an oxygen tank, which in some embodiments may be a larger oxygen tank then the portable gas source 8b. In other embodiments, the ICU host 10b may be connected to a wall gas source to serve as the host gas source 12b.

The patient <NUM> remains connected to the connection ports <NUM> and <NUM> when the ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host 10b. No disconnection of the patient is required when transferring and the ventilator <NUM> is configured to seamlessly switch from providing inspiratory gas from the portable gas source 8b to providing inspiratory gas to the patient from the host gas source 12b. Likewise, the patient monitors <NUM> remain connected to the patient monitoring ports <NUM> and thus no change or interruption in patient monitoring is required for connection to the host 10b.

In certain embodiments, the ICU host 10b may include a host display 210b. In some embodiments, the ICU host display 210b may be configured to repeat the information displayed on the ventilator display 21c. In other embodiments, the host display 210b may display different or additional parameters or information. The display 210b may serve as the user interface <NUM> for the host 10b, such as to provide control parameters for controlling the ventilation path portion <NUM> and/or other functions of the ICU host 10b.

<FIG> depicts a ventilation system <NUM> configuration where the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to an anesthesia host 10c. Again, the patient <NUM> remains connected to and continually ventilated and monitored by the ventilator <NUM>, including continued connection to connection ports <NUM>, and <NUM> and to the patient monitoring ports <NUM>. The anesthesia host 10c provides a host gas source 12c, which is typically wall gas but may include a cylinder or other gas container and may further include an anesthesia gas source 12c'. The anesthesia host 10c includes a ventilation path portion <NUM> that comprises a circle breathing system <NUM>. As exemplified in the embodiment at <FIG>, the circle breathing system <NUM> includes a circle drive <NUM>, such as a plenum and is configured to connect to both the inspiratory and expiratory paths to provide anesthesia ventilation to the patient. Various circle system configurations are known to those with skill in the art and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In certain embodiments, the circle breathing system <NUM> is housed in a circle section housing <NUM> which may be removable from the anesthesia host 10c. For example, the circle section housing <NUM> may be releasably connected to a housing of the host gas delivery section <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the interface housing <NUM> and the circle section housing <NUM> releasably connect. As illustrated in <FIG>, the circle section housing <NUM> is adjacent and aligned with the interface housing <NUM>. A vent housing connector on the interface housing <NUM> is configured to releasably connect to a host housing connector on the host, which in some embodiments may be preferably located on the circle section housing <NUM>. In the depicted example, ventilation housing connector <NUM> is configured to connect to the host housing connector <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the interface housing <NUM> can be released and disconnected from the drive housing <NUM> at the same time that the circle section housing <NUM> is released and disconnected from the host 10c such that they are removed together as a connected unit. The two housings <NUM> and <NUM> may then be cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized, which may be completed on the connected unit or the housings <NUM> and <NUM> may be disconnected prior to cleaning and/or sterilization. For example, the interface housing <NUM> and the circle section housing <NUM> may be configured to fit together as a clam shell and, once removed from the ventilator <NUM> and the host 10c, then released from one another for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. In certain embodiments, the circle section housing <NUM> may be an injection molded or machined piece, such as manufactured in the same way as the interface housing <NUM>, examples of which are described above.

In certain embodiments, one or more valves may be configured to control flow of ventilation gas within the portable ventilator <NUM> and/or to and from the host <NUM>. In the example at <FIG>, the portable ventilator <NUM> includes two sets of diverter valves <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> controlling the inspiratory and expiratory path connections such that they either remain within the portable ventilator only or are diverted to the inspiratory path portion, the expiratory path portion, or both of the host. <FIG> is a pneumatic diagram demonstrating an exemplary embodiment of a portable ventilator <NUM> including a vent drive <NUM> that connects to a host gas delivery section <NUM> so as to receive inspiratory gas from a host gas source <NUM>. The ventilator <NUM> includes a patient interface section <NUM> that connects to multiple different host types providing differing ventilation path portions <NUM> and specialized ventilation functionality.

The sets of diverter valves include a set of inspiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> configured to control the inspiratory path <NUM>, and a set of expiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> configured to control the expiratory path <NUM>. Each set of valves <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, may be configured to open or close simultaneously and together. For instance, the inspiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured such that either both are open or both are closed. Similarly, expiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> may be jointly actuated and configured such that both are open and closed simultaneously.

In certain embodiments, each of the diverter valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be two-position three-way valves, and may be normally closed-type valves configured to be close in an unactuated, unpowered resting state and to open when the portable ventilator connects to the host <NUM>. Thus, when the inspiratory diverter valves <NUM>, <NUM> are closed, the inspiratory pathway <NUM> is maintained within the portable ventilator <NUM>. Thus, the inspiratory path flows along path portion 60a between the valves <NUM> and <NUM>. When the inspiratory diverter valves <NUM>, <NUM> are open, the inspiratory pathway is diverted into the host <NUM> along path portion 60b (traveling back from the host up path portion 60c). Similarly, when the expiratory diverter valves <NUM>, <NUM> are no actuated, and thus closed, the expiratory pathway <NUM> is maintained within the portable ventilator <NUM> flowing between valves along path portion 70a. When expiratory diverter valves <NUM>, <NUM> are forced open on connection to certain types of hosts, the expiratory gas is diverted along path portion 70b into the host <NUM> (and returns along path portion 70c). The diverter valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be mechanically actuated valves, such as actuated by the mechanical force of connecting the portable ventilator <NUM> to the host <NUM>, or electrically actuated valves, such as solenoids that are electrically configured to actuate the valves when the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host <NUM>.

The portable ventilator <NUM> may further include one or more host source connection valve <NUM> configured to control connection of a host gas source <NUM> to the ventilation drive <NUM> such that ventilation gas can be provided therefrom. The host source connection valve <NUM> may be, for example, a two-way two-position valve. It may be a normally closed-type valve, and may be a mechanically actuated or electromechanically actuated valve. When the host source connection valve <NUM> is in the default closed position, such as when the portable ventilator <NUM> is not connected to a host <NUM>, then no gas flow is provided from the host gas source <NUM>. Conversely, when the host source connection valve <NUM> is opened, such as electrically or mechanically actuated, then gas is permitted to flow from the host gas source <NUM> into the vent drive <NUM>. Likewise, if the host gas source <NUM> gets depleted or malfunctions then the portable gas source 8b is automatically utilized. Thus, input gases may be driven by the ventilation drive <NUM> to the patient from either a portable gas source <NUM> connected directly to the ventilation drive <NUM> or the host gas source <NUM> connected through the host <NUM> to the ventilation drive <NUM>.

In the depicted embodiment, the portable ventilator <NUM> is configured to receive ventilation gas from either of two gas sources <NUM>, including low-pressure oxygen source 8a and high-pressure portable oxygen source 8b. For example, the low-pressure oxygen source 8a may be a lo- pressure regulated wall gas source, such as configured to provide <NUM> lpm and a pressure of <NUM> kPa, or less. Alternatively, the low-pressure gas source may be a small O<NUM> cylinder. The high-pressure oxygen is a higher-pressure gas source than the low-pressure source, such as ranging between <NUM>-<NUM> kPa (<NUM>-<NUM> psi). When a high-pressure oxygen source 8b is connected, the portable gas source input valve 34a, such as a check valve, receives a higher pressure on the downstream side and prevents flow from the low-pressure gas source 8a. However, if no high-pressure oxygen source 8b is connected or the higher-pressure source is depleted, then gas may be automatically provided by the low-pressure oxygen source 8a and gas source input valve 34a forced open.

If gas is provided from the high pressure portable gas source 8b, which is connected to the portable source connection 29b and provides gas to the input gas path 30b, the input gas is filtered at filter 32b. Input pressure is measured by pressure sensor <NUM> and the input gas passes through portable gas source input valve 34b and provided to the pressure regulator <NUM>. Pressure regulator <NUM> is configured to regulate the delivery pressure of ventilation gas from the portable gas 8b. For example, the pressure regulator <NUM> may be configured to provide a delivery pressure of ventilation gas from the portable gas source of <NUM> kPa (<NUM> psi). The pressure regulated gas is then provided to the flow controller <NUM>, such as a flow control valve. Pressure sensor <NUM> is configured to measure the delivery pressure of gas to the flow controller. A test port with a plug and check valve may be provided along the input gas path 30bc delivering gas to the flow controller <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the host gas is delivered at a higher pressure than the gas from the portable gas source and the ventilation drive <NUM> is configured to provide gas only from the highest-pressure source. <FIG> exemplifies such an embodiment, where portable gas source input valves 34a and 34b in the input gas paths 30a and 30b provide gas from one of the gas sources 8a and 8b when the portable ventilator <NUM> is not connected to any host <NUM>. When the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to a host <NUM>, and thus to a host gas source <NUM>, the portable gas source input valves 34a and 34b close to prevent any backflow and otherwise shut off the lines connecting to the gas sources 8a and 8b. For example, the portable gas source input valves 34a and 34b may each be a check valve. When the host gas source connection valve <NUM> is closed, and thus the portable ventilator <NUM> is disconnected from the host, the portable gas source input valve 34a and 34b seeing the highest pressure between the gas path 30a and 30b will open. Thus, gas source is provided from just one of the gas sources 8a, 8b, or alternatively the host source <NUM>, which is the one gas source providing the highest pressure.

Flow sensor <NUM> senses the flow rate outputted by the flow controller <NUM>, such as a flow control valve or other device for controlling gas flow, along gas flow path <NUM> provided to the blower module <NUM>. The blower module <NUM> is controllable to provide cyclical inspiratory and expiratory pressure as required for the patient. The blower <NUM> is controlled, such as by controller <NUM> to provide inspiratory gas flow at an appropriate inspiratory gas flow rate and to significantly reduce the airflow during the expiratory portion of the patient's ventilation cycle. Similarly, the flow controller <NUM> is configured to control flow of the ventilation gas to provide the inspiratory flow and to significantly reduce or turn off the ventilation gas flow during the expiratory phase. The blower <NUM> may be configured to intake air from atmosphere through the air intake port <NUM> along input path 30d. The atmospheric air is filtered by the inlet filter <NUM>. The blower <NUM> thus can circulate ventilation gas into the patient interface section <NUM> provided by either the low-pressure gas source 8a, or low-pressure oxygen source, the high pressure oxygen source 8b and/or from atmosphere. Output flow from the blower is sensed by the flow sensor <NUM>, which senses the total output flow from all gas sources provided by the blower <NUM>. An O<NUM> sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense the oxygen present in the output flow, which is provided in the inspiratory path <NUM>' to the patient interface section <NUM>.

A check valve <NUM> may be provided at the interface between the drive <NUM> and the patient interface section <NUM>. Check valve <NUM> prevents backflow of gases back into the drive <NUM>. Inspiratory gases are provided to the patient on inspiratory path <NUM>. As described above, depending on the position of the inspiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM>, the inspiratory path may travel directly from the drive connection to the patient connection <NUM>, or it may be diverted into a gas path section in the host <NUM>.

For the exhalation gas cycle, expiratory gases travel from the patient, through the patient connection <NUM> to the expiratory connection port <NUM> and into the patient interface section <NUM>. The expiratory gases follow the expiratory path <NUM> through the patient interface section <NUM>, where the expiratory gases are expelled out of the portable ventilator <NUM>. If the expiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> are closed, then gas travels along path 70a between the diverter valves and continues along the expiratory path <NUM> within the patient interface section <NUM>. If the expiratory diverter valves are open, then the gas is diverted to the host <NUM>. This example utilizes normally closed-type valves, in other examples, normally open-type valves may be utilized and the configuration may be adjusted accordingly, as will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure. When the expiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned to divert flow into the host <NUM>, the expiratory gas travels down the path 70b into the host. Where the host provides a circle system, such as exemplified at <FIG>, the gas may be returned from the host to the patient interface section <NUM> at path 70c to continue along expiratory path <NUM>. Expiratory gas flows through the exhalation valve <NUM>, which is actuated by actuator 76a. During the exhalation portion of the ventilation cycle, the exhalation valve <NUM> is positioned to open the flow path to the expiratory port <NUM>. An exhalation flow sensor <NUM> may be positioned and configured to measure the flow rate of the exhalation gas exiting the expiratory port <NUM>. When the portable ventilator <NUM> is not connected to any host, the expiratory port <NUM> vents the exhalation gases to atmosphere. In certain embodiments, a filter, scrubber, sterilizer, scavenging system, or some other gas processing system may be positioned at the output port <NUM> to filter or sterilize the exhalation gases. In certain embodiments, a valve, such as a check valve, may be positioned at the exhalation port <NUM> so as to only allow output flow and prevent any intake at the exhalation port.

Safety valve <NUM> and respective valve control actuator 66a also assist in actuating and controlling the valve <NUM> state. Valve <NUM> may comprise a flexible membrane, the movement of which is controlled by the ventilation drive using the actuator 66a. Safety valve <NUM> acts as a release valve if airway pressure becomes too high, thereby preventing overly high lung pressure of the patient. In various embodiments, safety valve <NUM> may be configured to vent gas to atmosphere or to vent to a scavenging system. In certain embodiments, the valve <NUM> may vent gas to atmosphere when not connected to any host and/or when not connected to a host providing a scavenging system.

<FIG> depict various hosts and the connection between the host and the portable ventilator <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a host providing a host gas source 12a, which may be a larger oxygen cylinder or other oxygen reserve, or may be wall gas. For example, the host source may be stored and provided at <NUM>-<NUM> kPa (<NUM>-<NUM> psig). In this example, the host 10a only provides gas to the ventilation drive <NUM> and does not connect to the patient interface section <NUM>. For example, the host module 10a, joined with the portable ventilator <NUM>, may provide a simple ICU ventilator, with the host module 10a providing a host gas source that is larger than the portable gas source <NUM>. The host gas source 12a connects to the host module 10a at port 79a and is filtered at filter 82a. The ventilation gas from the host gas source 12a then travels through check valve 83a and is provided to the pressure regulator 86a. Pressure sensor 85a measures the input pressure to the pressure regulator. The gas then flows along the host input path 80a to the ventilation drive <NUM>.

The pressure regulator 86a can be configured to provide a higher delivery pressure than the regulator <NUM> in the ventilation drive <NUM>. Thereby, when the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host, ventilation gas from the higher-pressure host will be provided by the ventilation drive to the patient. For example, the host pressure regulator 86a may be configured to provide <NUM> psi, which is greater than the exemplary <NUM> psi of the pressure regulator along the portable gas input path 30b. The ventilator's connection valve 88a may be configured to open when the portable ventilator <NUM> is connected to the host 10a. For example, the ventilator source connection valve 88a may be configured to interact and/or cooperate with the host source connection valve <NUM> such that both valves open, either via mechanical or electrical actuation, when the portable ventilator <NUM> is properly connected to the host 10a.

<FIG> exemplifies another host type, which in the depicted example is an ICU host 10b allowing additional functionality to turn on and off the inspiratory flow, thus enabling a maneuver to measure patient inspiratory drive. In this example, the host 10b provides a host gas source 12b that provides higher pressure gas as described above with respect to host 10a. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the port 79b, filter 82b, check valve 83b, pressure sensor 85b, pressure regulator 86b, and ventilator source connection valve 88b all operate similarly to the correlating features in <FIG> and thus provide ventilation gas from the host gas source 12b to the ventilation drive along path 80b. In addition, the host module 10b includes a ventilation path portion <NUM> connects downstream in the inspiratory path. In the depicted embodiment, the ventilation path portion <NUM> includes at least one on/off valve <NUM> configured to enable a "P01" maneuver to measure patient inspiratory drive such as to perform a negative inspiratory force measurement from the patient. The host 10b connects to the inspiratory path <NUM> at path sections 60b and 60c via connection ports 101b and 102b.

In certain embodiments, connection port 101b may be configured to mechanically actuate the diverter valve <NUM> and connection port 102b may be configured to mechanically actuate the diverter valve <NUM> in the portable ventilator <NUM>. Referring also to the embodiment depicted at <FIG>, each connection port <NUM> and <NUM> may include an actuator <NUM> and <NUM> on the host housing <NUM> that is configured to mechanically actuate the valve <NUM> and <NUM>, such as to move the valve flap <NUM>, <NUM> thereof (see also <FIG>). In the example shown at <FIG>, the actuators <NUM> and <NUM> are upward projections that are adjacent to or otherwise associated with each connection port <NUM> and <NUM> and are configured to extend into the ports <NUM> and <NUM> on the vent housing <NUM> so as to push open the valves <NUM> and <NUM>. Thereby, mechanical connection of the portable ventilator <NUM> to the host 10b mechanically actuates opening of the valves <NUM> and <NUM> that permit inspiratory gas flow to the inspiratory path portion 113b of host 10b. In other embodiments, such actuation may be electrical and the valves <NUM> and <NUM> may be electromechanical valves.

A pressure regulator <NUM> is positioned on flow path <NUM>. For example, the pressure regulator may be configured to provide <NUM> mbar of pressure. The flow path <NUM> travels to an inspiratory on/off valve <NUM>, or a P. <NUM> valve. When the inspiratory on/off valve <NUM>, or P. <NUM> valve, is open, gas travels along pathway 60b of the patient interface section <NUM> through the valve <NUM> to connector 102b and further to patient interface section <NUM> channel 60c. The valve <NUM> may be a pneumatically driven valve comprising a flexible membrane separating the inspiration gas path between ports 101b and 102b from the pneumatic drive pressure channel 113b. The valve closes the inspiration channel between ports 101b and 102b when actuated. Actuation occurs by electrical activation of the solenoid valves <NUM> and <NUM>, which allows the regulator <NUM> outlet pressure as pilot drive on the valve <NUM>. When the P0. <NUM> measurement <NUM> is passed, the valves <NUM> and <NUM> are deactivated, which allows the pilot drive pressure from the valve <NUM> to be exhausted to atmosphere, allowing the P0. <NUM> valve <NUM> to open the path between ports 101b and 102b. This opening may occur due to the elasticity of the flexible membrane or with aid of a spring biasing the membrane to keep the inspiration gas path open.

<FIG> depicts another host type, which in this depicted example is an anesthesia host 10c. The anesthesia host 10c includes a gas source portion <NUM> and a circle breathing system <NUM>. The gas source portion <NUM> connects to a host gas source 12c that provides higher pressure gas as described above with respect to host 10a. The port 79c, filter 82c, check valve 83c, pressure sensor 85c, pressure regulator 86c, and ventilator source connection valve all 88c may all operate similarly to the correlating features described above with respect to <FIG>, and thus provide ventilation gas from the anesthesia source 12c' to the ventilation drive along path 80c. In addition, the anesthesia host 10c connects downstream in the inspiratory path <NUM> to provide a circle system for providing anesthetic agent and corresponding ventilation for supporting anesthesia delivery to the patient. In conjunction with the circle breathing system, the gas source portion <NUM> of the anesthesia host 10c may include additional elements to deliver gas to the bag <NUM> through the bag on/off valve 96a and the bag switch 96b. Thereby, the bag <NUM> can be utilized to drive gas to and from the patient interface section <NUM>, including through the circle breathing system <NUM>. Additionally, certain embodiments of the gas source portion <NUM> may include a test port on/off valve 97a and a test port switch 97b that control gas flow to a test port <NUM>.

The circle breathing system <NUM> of the anesthesia host 10c connects to the inspiratory path at path sections 60b and 60c. Inspiratory gas is received to the host from path section 60b which is delivered to and circulated through the circle system. Anesthesia breathing gas is provided back to the patent interface section <NUM> through path section 60c for delivery to the patient. The anesthesia host 10c includes connection ports 101c and 102c that facilitate connection of the inspiratory path sections 60b and 60c to the inspiratory path portion 113c of the host 10c. The inspiratory path portion 113c is the gas path between the connection ports 101c and 102c, which includes the circle drive <NUM> and the CO<NUM> absorber <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the connection port 101c and 102c may be configured to mechanically actuate the respective diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM>, as described above. In other embodiments, the diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> may be electromechanical valves that are electrically actuated upon connection of the portable ventilator <NUM> to the anesthesia host <NUM> and once proper connection is verified. For example, such electrical actuation may be based on pressure and/or electrical connection sensing to verify that the pneumatic and electrical connections are proper.

In an inspiratory cycle, gas flows from the vent drive <NUM> to port 101c to the flow selector <NUM> and into the circle drive unit <NUM>. The circle drive unit <NUM> may be, for example, a plenum as illustrated in the embodiment. In another example, the circle drive unit may involve a bellows configured to drive gas through the circle breathing system <NUM>. Gas is driven by the circle drive unit <NUM> through the set of valves <NUM>, which divert the gas through the CO<NUM> absorber <NUM> along the path to the inspiratory valve <NUM>. In the depicted example, the inspiratory valve <NUM> is a check valve. Gas that passes through the inspiratory valve <NUM> combines with gas from anesthetic gas source 12c', which includes fresh gas and anesthetic agent, such as vaporized anesthetic drugs and other anesthetic gases. The anesthetic gas and fresh gas mixture are conveyed along the gas flow path <NUM>, combine with the inspiratory gas conveyed through inspiratory valve <NUM>, and then exit the circle breathing system <NUM> of the host 10c at connection port 102c, where it is delivered to the inspiratory path portion 60c and eventually to the patient.

On the expiratory cycle, gas is delivered from expiratory flow path 70b through the connection port 103c and into the circle breathing system. Similar to connection ports 101c and 102c, connections ports 103c and 104c connect to the gas flow paths of the portable ventilator <NUM> and may facilitate electrical and/or mechanical valve actuation in order to facilitate gas flow between the flow path within the patient interface section <NUM> and the circle breathing system <NUM>. The connection port 103c connects to the expiratory path portion 70b following diverter valve <NUM> and is configured to facilitate input of the expiratory gases from the patient interface section <NUM> into circle breathing system in the host 10c. The connection port 104c connects to the expiratory flow path portion 70c which delivers gas to diverter valve <NUM> and through the exhalation path <NUM>. Expiratory flow that enters through connection port <NUM> travels through the expiratory valve <NUM>, which may be a check valve, to the drive unit <NUM> and flow selector valve <NUM> to port 104c that connects to expiratory path portion 70c in the patient interface section <NUM>. Connection port <NUM> may be configured to connect to the expiratory port <NUM> of the portable ventilator <NUM> to provide the expiratory gases to a scavenging system <NUM>. The circle breathing system <NUM> may also include a bag <NUM> and corresponding valve <NUM> to allow gas to be drive though the circle breathing system via a manually compressible bag, as is well known in the art. A bag flow sensor <NUM> may be provided along the flow path driven by the bag <NUM> in order to sense the driven gas flow through the bag valve <NUM>.

Diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM> may be mechanically or electrically actuated when the ventilator <NUM> is connected to certain hosts, such as anesthesia host 10c, that interface with the expiratory path. In certain embodiments, connection ports <NUM> and <NUM> may have associated actuators <NUM> and <NUM> configured to mechanically actuate, or open, the valves <NUM> and <NUM>. As described above with respect to the inspiratory diverter valves <NUM> and <NUM>, in one example the actuators <NUM>, and <NUM> may be projections configured to push open the valve flaps <NUM>, <NUM> when the ventilator is seated onto the host 10c.

<FIG> depict an exemplary diverter valve arrangement exemplifying one embodiment of a potential diverter valve set <NUM> and <NUM> or <NUM> and <NUM>, which in the depicted example is an electromechanical arrangement. For example, each diverter valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be a two-position three-way valve. <FIG> depicts the valve set in a closed position where gas flow is maintained within the portable ventilator <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the valve set in an open position where gas flow is diverted to the host <NUM>, be it an anesthesia host 10c comprising a circle system, an ICU host 10b comprising additional ventilation control element, or any other type of host where gas flow is exchanged from the portable ventilator <NUM> into a ventilation path portion <NUM> of the host <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the gas flow path (be it the inspiratory gas flow <NUM> or the expiratory gas flow path <NUM>) passes through the inlet <NUM> which is open due to the diverter valve <NUM>, <NUM> being in the closed position. The gas flowing through the inlet <NUM> travels through the passage way 60a, 70a to the outlet <NUM>, which is open because the diverter valve <NUM>, <NUM> is in the closed position, closing off the passage way to any connected host. In certain embodiments, the valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> are normally-closed-type valves which remain closed when not powered or otherwise actuated. <FIG> show electromechanical valves that are electrically actuated, where each valve is associated with an actuator <NUM> that when electrically powered actuates, and thus opens, the normally-closed valve. In other embodiments, each set of valves <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may have an associated actuator that simultaneously actuates both valves in the set.

In electrically actuated embodiments, each valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be a normally-closed solenoid valve that opens when power is applied to the valve. <FIG> shows the actuators <NUM> not energized, and thus the valve flaps <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in a first position, the closed position which maintains the flow path within the ventilator <NUM> through path portion 60a, 60a in the patient interface section <NUM>. When the actuators <NUM> are energized, as illustrated in <FIG>, the valve flaps <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are then moved to a second position, the open position that permits the ventilation gas to flow to a host <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the electromechanical valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> in an open, or actuated, position where the gas flow flows through inlet <NUM> into the flow path portions 60b, 70b that lead to the host <NUM>. In the open position, as it is referred to herein, the bypass path 60a, 70a, between the valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> is closed off such that ventilation gases do not flow between the valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> without entering the host <NUM>. The gas flows through the pneumatic portion of the host and back up to the ventilator <NUM> through the outlet <NUM> to continue along the inspiratory path <NUM> or the expiratory path <NUM>, whatever the case may be.

As described above, the valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be mechanically actuated valves where the valves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> are mechanically moved into an open position when the ventilator <NUM> gets connected to the host <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates one embodiment where valve flaps <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are mechanically moved upward, such as by the above-described actuator projections <NUM>-<NUM> on the host housing <NUM>. The actuator projections <NUM>-<NUM> are inserted into the ports <NUM>-<NUM> in the ventilator housing <NUM> when the ventilator <NUM> is placed on the host <NUM>, thus forcing the valves open and permitting gas to flow into the ventilation path portion <NUM> of the host.

<FIG> depicts one embodiment of a method <NUM> of ventilator operation where a portable ventilator is first operated on its own to deliver ventilation gas from a portable gas source and then, upon connection to a host, to deliver ventilation from a host gas source. A ventilator <NUM> is operated to drive gas from a portable gas source (e.g., 8b) to a patient at step <NUM>. Pressure of ventilation gas from the portable gas source is monitored at step <NUM>, such as measured by pressure sensor <NUM> within the vent drive <NUM>. Upon connection of the ventilator <NUM>, various valves open and close and step <NUM> in order to facilitate pneumatic connection to the host gas source <NUM> and/or connection to the inspiratory and expiratory pathways in the host <NUM>, as appropriate depending on the host type. For example, connection to the host is facilitated by opening the connection valves <NUM> and 88b and automatically closing the portable gas source input valves 34a and/or 34b, as appropriate. As described above, in one embodiment the input valves 34a and/or 34b are each a check valve. For embodiments where the host includes a ventilation path portion <NUM>, connections of the inspiratory and/or expiratory pathways to the host may also be facilitated by opening the inspiratory diverter valves (e.g. <NUM> and <NUM>) and opening the expiratory diverter valves (e.g. <NUM> and <NUM>).

A pressure from the host gas source is then monitored at step <NUM>, such as measured at pressure sensor <NUM> in the host gas delivery section <NUM>. Upon this connection of a ventilator from the host and/or upon the pressure of the host gas source <NUM> becoming less than that of the portable gas source <NUM>, the ventilator <NUM> switches back to the portable gas source <NUM> to provide inspiratory gas to be delivered to the patient. As described above, in certain embodiments the ventilator <NUM> may be configured to provide inspiratory gas from the connected gas source having the greatest delivery pressure of ventilation gas and the switching occurs automatically by the check valve 34b opening and check valve 83b closing. Thus, if the host gas source becomes depleted or the ventilator <NUM> is disconnected from the host <NUM>, then the pressure of the host gas source drops below that of the portable gas source causing the ventilator <NUM> to flip back to the portable gas source <NUM> for ventilating the patient. When that occurs, the host gas source connection valve <NUM> the ventilator <NUM> may remain open to support the P0. <NUM> valve <NUM> or fresh gas O2 supply while one or more of the portable gas source input valves 34a or 34b opens. Additionally, if the ventilator <NUM> is disconnected from the host <NUM> and the host provides a ventilation path portion <NUM> that connects to the inspiratory or expiratory paths, and the respective diverter valves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will close.

Claim 1:
A portable ventilator comprising:
a ventilation drive configured to drive ventilation gas from a gas source to a patient;
wherein the portable ventilator is configured to removably connect to and disconnect from each of a plurality of hosts such that:
when the portable ventilator is not connected to the host the ventilation drive drives ventilation gas from a portable gas source to the patient, and when the portable ventilator is connected to the host the ventilation drive drives ventilation gas to the patient from the source out of the host gas source and the portable gas source which has the highest delivery pressure.