Patent Description:
Although ventilator design has grown increasingly complex and efficient, it still suffers from several significant limitations that can threaten the well-being of a ventilated subject. For example, a very simple event in the airflow pathway of the ventilator - namely a blockage (also called an obstruction or an occlusion) - can restrict or prevent the flow of air to the ventilated subject. Although the ventilator will detect the blockage and issue an alarm, the patient may not receive the necessary attention in time which may result in injury or death via asphyxiation. When an alarm is issued, a clinician must receive the alarm, arrive at the ventilator, identify the blockage, and fix the blockage in order for the subject to be properly ventilated again. If too much time elapses, the lack of oxygen can result in serious health consequences for the subject.

A blockage can occur several different ways in a ventilator. For example, if the blockage occurs in the tubing system section that conducts the gas to the subject, the subject will be able to exhale the gas in his/her lungs through the exhalation limb, the check valve, and the ventilator's exhalation port. However, when the subject attempts to inhale little or no gas is delivered to the patient due to the gas delivery path obstruction. This is further aggravated by the check valve blocking the gas flow from the environment towards his/her lungs. The subject will not be able to draw air from the environment since the check valve in the exhalation system will inhibit the flow of the gas from the environment towards the subject.

The blockage could alternatively occur in the tubing system between the subject's port and the exhalation gas outlet. This obstruction may be located in the tubing circuit portion, but may also occur due to a failure of the exhalation valve such that it remains closed. In this case, the gas in the subject's lungs cannot leave the system since the check valve located in the gas delivery port block all gas flow into the ventilator. Only gas flow towards the subject is allowed to flow, and the lungs remain inflated because the check valve in the exhalation port prevents the gas from leaving the tubing system since it blocks the path of the gas to the atmosphere. This leaves the subject inflated and with no possibility of gas exchange. In either of these cases, the subject will asphyxiate and die if left unattended. The subject may suffer an oxygen-deprivation injury if the clinician does not resolve the situation quickly enough.

<CIT> discloses a ventilator with a non-return valve which prevents a flow of breathing gas in a direction from an apparatus output to an apparatus input and a switching valve which enables at least temporarily a flow of breathing gas in a direction from the apparatus output to the apparatus input.

<CIT> discloses a ventilator with functionality to support a patient's lung ventilation in the event of an occlusion.

Accordingly, there is a need for ventilators that allow a patient to breathe even in the occurrence of a blockage in either the gas delivery path or the gas return path, thereby preventing oxygen deprivation injuries or asphyxiation.

The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for enabling a flow of air to and from a ventilated patient in the event of a blockage in the gas delivery path or the gas return path. Various embodiments and implementations herein are directed to a ventilator system comprising an inhalation pathway with an ambient air inlet, a bi-directional emergency valve such as a safety valve or inspiratory hold valve, and a dynamic blower, and comprising an exhalation pathway with a bi-directional exhalation valve and an exhalation port. The exhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the inhalation pathway, during inspiration ambient air can be drawn by the patient from the exhalation port and through the bi-directional exhalation valve, and during exhalation exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional exhalation valve and the exhalation port. The inhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, during inspiration inhalant is delivered to the patient by the dynamic blower, and during exhalation the dynamic blower lowers its speed or stops, and the exhalant exits the ventilator through the a bi-directional emergency valve, the dynamic blower, and the ambient air inlet.

Generally in one aspect, a ventilator system configured to enable breathing in the event of a blockage is provided. The ventilator system includes: (i) an inhalation pathway comprising an ambient air inlet, a bi-directional emergency valve, and a dynamic blower; and (ii) an exhalation pathway comprising a bi-directional exhalation valve and an exhalation port; wherein the exhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the inhalation pathway, during inspiration ambient air can be drawn by the patient from the exhalation port and through the bi-directional exhalation valve, and during exhalation exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional exhalation valve and the exhalation port; and wherein the inhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, during inspiration inhalant is delivered to the patient by the dynamic blower, and during exhalation the dynamic blower lowers its speed or stops and the exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional emergency valve, the dynamic blower, and the ambient air inlet.

According to an embodiment, the inhalation pathway further comprises a bi-directional ambient air flow sensor.

According to an embodiment, the inhalation pathway comprises an ambient air gas engine and a high-pressure gas engine. According to an embodiment, the high-pressure gas engine is a high-pressure oxygen source controlled by a proportional valve. According to an embodiment, the inhalation pathway further comprises a high-pressure air gas engine. According to an embodiment, the high-pressure air gas engine is a high-pressure ambient air or oxygen source controlled by a proportional valve.

According to an embodiment, the inhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, mechanical ventilation of the patient's lungs is possible.

According to an embodiment, the dynamic blower is a dynamically controlled centrifugal blower.

According to an embodiment, the exhalation pathway further comprises a bi-directional flow sensor.

According to an embodiment, the inhalation pathway comprises at least one proportional valve.

According to an embodiment, the inhalation pathway comprises a blower bypass valve, the blower bypass valve configured to bypass the blower during exhalation when there is a blockage in the exhalation pathway, wherein the blower is a constant speed blower.

According to an embodiment, the exhalation pathway comprises a dynamic blower configured to provide ambient air at pressure drawn from the exhalation port when a blockage occurs in the inhalation pathway.

According to an embodiment, the emergency valve is a bi-directional safety valve.

According to an embodiment, the emergency valve is an inspiratory hold valve.

According to an aspect is a ventilator system configured to enable breathing in the event of a blockage. The system includes: (i) a bi-directional emergency valve in an inhalation pathway of the ventilator system; and (ii) one or more controllers configured to: detect a blockage in the inhalation pathway and/or an exhalation pathway of the ventilator system; operate a blower in the inhalation pathway; and operate the emergency valve; wherein, upon detecting a blockage in the inhalation pathway, the one or more controllers are configured to open the bi-directional exhalation valve to allow the patient to draw air from an exhalation port of the exhalation pathway; and wherein, upon detecting a blockage in the exhalation pathway, the one or more controllers are configured to direct the blower to deliver inhalant to the patient during inhalation, and further configured to direct the blower to stop delivering inhalant to the patient during exhalation and to open the bi-directional emergency valve such that exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional emergency valve and the blower.

According to an embodiment, during exhalation the exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional exhalation valve and the exhalation port of the exhalation pathway.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the disclosure.

These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the technology.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a ventilator system and method. More generally, Applicant has recognized and appreciated that it would be beneficial to provide a ventilator system and method that allows a patient to breathe even in the occurrence of a blockage in either the gas delivery path or the gas return path. For example, the ventilator system comprises an inhalation pathway with an ambient air inlet, a bi-directional emergency valve such as a safety valve or inspiratory hold valve, and a dynamic blower. The ventilator system also includes an exhalation pathway with a bi-directional exhalation valve and an exhalation port. When a blockage occurs in the inhalation pathway, during inspiration ambient air can be drawn by the patient from the exhalation port and through the bi-directional exhalation valve, and during exhalation exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional exhalation valve and the exhalation port. When a blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, during inspiration inhalant is delivered to the patient by the dynamic blower, and during exhalation the dynamic blower lowers its speed or stops, and the exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional emergency valve, the dynamic blower, and the ambient air inlet.

The ventilator system and method disclosed or otherwise envisioned herein provides numerous advantages over the prior art. Providing a ventilator that enables exhalation through an inhalation pathway in the event of a blockage in an exhalation pathway, and enables inhalation from an exhalation pathway in the event of a blockage in an inhalation pathway, allows a patient to breathe even in the occurrence of a blockage, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, is a block diagram of a prior art dual-limb ventilation system <NUM>. The system includes an inhalation pathway <NUM> through which inhalant is provided to the patient <NUM>. The inhalant is any gas, including but not limited to ambient air and oxygen, among others. According to an embodiment, the ventilation system <NUM> comprises a unidirectional ambient air blower <NUM> as an air source, and may also comprise oxygen from a pressurized oxygen source. The inhalation pathway <NUM> also includes, among many other possible elements such as an air flow sensor (not shown), an inspiratory check valve <NUM> configured to prevent exhalant from entering further into the inhalation pathway. The inspiratory check valve <NUM> thereby prevents, for example, rebreathing of exhalant and also prevents cross-contamination of gas source (ambient air and O<NUM>) gas delivery paths. Although the inspiratory check valve and blower are shown at particular locations along the inhalation pathway, it should be understood that their location is highly adaptable and can be at many different locations along the inhalation pathway.

The prior art dual-limb ventilation system <NUM> also comprises an exhalation pathway <NUM> through which exhalant is received from the patient <NUM> and exits the exhalation pathway via an exhalation port <NUM>. The exhalation pathway <NUM> also includes, among many other possible elements such as an air flow sensor (not shown), an exhalation check valve <NUM> configured to prevent inhalation through the exhalation port. Although exhalation check valve <NUM> is shown at a particular location along the exhalation pathway, it should be understood that its location is highly adaptable and can be at many different locations along the exhalation pathway.

According to an embodiment, the system also includes a controller <NUM>, which is a conventional microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SOC), and/or a field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), among other types of controllers. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions.

The controller <NUM> can be coupled with or otherwise in communication with any needed memory, power supply, I/O devices, control circuitry, sensors, valves, blowers, and/or other devices necessary for operation of the ventilator according to the embodiments described or otherwise envisioned herein. For example, in various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media. In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present technology discussed herein. The terms "program" or "computer program" are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.

According to an embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured or programmed to function as a blower controller to coordinate and control the blower functions of the ventilator. For example, the blower controller can control the rate and strength of the blower(s) of the system, thereby controlling or directing the flow through the circuit, and the speed and thus the pressure at its outlet, or the flow out of the outlet port. According to another embodiment, the blower controller is a separate component, preferably in communication with controller <NUM>, although the multiple functions of the system can be otherwise coordinated. Although this embodiment uses the blower flow controller to excite the circuit, any type of flow source, including for example proportionally controlled compressed gas valves, could be utilized where the source provides a means of actual flow and pressure measurements.

According to this prior art embodiment, if an occlusion occurs in the inspiratory gas path <NUM> such as in the limb of the tubing system, the patient will be able to exhale the gas in their lungs through the exhalation port <NUM>, but will not be able to draw air from the atmosphere as the exhalation check valve <NUM> intentionally blocks the ingress of fresh gas into the tubing.

Similarly, if an occlusion occurs in the exhalation limb <NUM>, the patient will not be able to relieve the pressure in their lungs since the exhalation port <NUM> is not available and the inspiratory check valve <NUM> intentionally prevents gas from escaping through the inspiratory gas path <NUM>.

In either case, the pressure in the tubing system will elevate to the relief level required for a pressure relief valve (not shown) to begin limiting the pressure. An alarm for the occlusion will issue, and a clinical person will have to resolve the problem. If the patient does not receive prompt attention, they may be injured or asphyxiate.

Referring to <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment, is a schematic representation of a novel ventilator system <NUM>. The system includes an inhalation pathway comprising three components: (<NUM>) a high pressure oxygen component <NUM> with a high pressure oxygen inlet and one or more other components such as a proportional valve and a flow sensor; (<NUM>) a high pressure air component <NUM> with a high pressure air inlet and one or more other components such as a proportional valve and a flow sensor; and (<NUM>) an ambient air component <NUM> with an ambient air inlet <NUM>, a dynamically-controlled centrifugal blower <NUM>, a bi-directional flow sensor <NUM>, a bi-directional emergency valve <NUM> such as a safety valve, and optionally other components. Notably, although the inhalation pathway of ventilator system <NUM> comprises three gas delivery engines in this particular embodiment, the system may comprise fewer or additional gas delivery engines. The inhalation pathway further comprises a mixer <NUM> configured to receive the gas input from each of the three components of the inhalation pathway, mix the gas input, and provide it to the patient <NUM>.

Ventilator system <NUM> further comprises an exhalation pathway <NUM> via which exhalant is allowed to be exhaled from the patient <NUM> to the exhalation port <NUM>. The exhalation pathway <NUM> comprises one or more additional components, such as for example, a flow sensor and a bi-directional exhalation valve <NUM>, among other possible components.

Notably, ventilator system <NUM> is lacking the unidirectional inhalation check valve and the unidirectional exhalation check valve found in prior art ventilator systems. As described in detail below, this is an important aspect of the novel ventilator system <NUM> that enables the system to prevent asphyxia in the event of a blockage in either the inhalation pathway or the exhalation pathway.

During normal inhalation, one or both proportional valves in the high-pressure pathways open to allow high-pressure gas to enter the system, and blower <NUM> forces ambient air into the system. The mixer <NUM> receives the gases and generates the proper mix which is then provided at pressure to patient <NUM> for inhalation. During normal exhalation, the one or both proportional valves in the high-pressure pathways close and blower <NUM> lowers its speed or stops, and no gas is provided to the patient. The exhalant is allowed to exit via the exhalation pathway, through the exhalation valve <NUM> and the exhalation port <NUM>.

Ventilator system <NUM> of the present invention is configured to enable breathing by patient <NUM> in the event of a blockage or occlusion in either the inhalation pathway or the exhalation pathway. In the event of a blockage along the inhalation pathway, such as at location <NUM> or any other location along the inhalation pathway, gas can no longer be provided to patient <NUM> from the one or more high-pressure gas sources or the ambient air source. The blockage along the inhalation pathway may be caused, for example, by a tubing circuit obstruction or the exhalation valve getting stuck closed. The inhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage can exit via the exhalation pathway per normal, but without the design of the ventilator system <NUM> the patient would not be able to receive new gas. The ventilator system will detect the blockage due to the flow sensors in the inhalation pathway no longer detecting flow, and the system will raise an alarm, but in prior art systems the issue may not be resolved in enough time to prevent injury or asphyxiation. Accordingly, the exhalation pathway is configured with a bi-directional exhalation valve <NUM> that enables the patient <NUM> to draw ambient air in reverse along the exhalation pathway, from exhalation port <NUM> through the bi-directional exhalation valve <NUM> and into the lungs of patient <NUM>. Similarly, the patient can exhale via the exhalation pathway per normal. Although inhalant is not provided to the patient under pressure, even minimal self-initiated inhalation by the patient will allow enough oxygen to enter the patient's lungs to prevent serious injury or asphyxia.

According to an embodiment, the exhalation pathway may comprise a dynamically controlled blower configured to provide ambient air from the exhalation port <NUM> to the patient in the event of a blockage in the inhalation pathway. When a blockage in the inhalation pathway is detected by the ventilator system, the blower can be controlled to provide ambient air from the exhalation port <NUM> to the patient during an inhalation phase, and controlled to lower or stop the blower speed during an exhalation phase. According to a further embodiment of a blower in the exhalation pathway, the exhalation pathway may further comprise an open/closed valve to block the blower path in normal operation and avoid gas leakages through the blower when it is inactive. Many other variations are possible.

In the event of a blockage along the exhalation pathway, such as at location <NUM> or any other location along the exhalation pathway, gas can still be provided to patient <NUM> from the one or more high-pressure gas sources and the ambient air source, but the patient cannot exhale via the exhalation pathway. Thus, in normal ventilator systems the exhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage would not be able to exit the ventilator system and new gas could not be provided to the patient. The ventilator system will detect the blockage due to the flow sensors in the inhalation pathway no longer detecting flow, and/or the flow sensors in the exhalation pathway no longer detecting flow, and the system will raise an alarm, but in prior art systems the issue may not be resolved in enough time to prevent injury or asphyxiation. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inhalation pathway is configured with a blower <NUM>, bi-directional sensor <NUM>, and bi-directional safety valve <NUM>. Thus, when the blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, the system detects the lack of flow and the exhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage in the exhalation pathway. The blower <NUM> lowers its speed or stops and the exhalant is allowed to exit the ambient air component <NUM> of the inhalation pathway, via the bi-directional safety valve <NUM>, the bi-directional flow sensor <NUM>, the blower <NUM>, and the ambient air inlet <NUM> which is functioning as an outlet. At the end of an exhalation, the blower <NUM> and the proportional valve(s) can activate to provide pressurized air to the patient via the inhalation pathway as per normal.

According to another embodiment of the present invention shown in <FIG>, the inhalation pathway comprises a blower bypass valve <NUM> configured to bypass the blower in the event of an occlusion. In this embodiment the blower is controlled to provide a constant speed. In the event of an occlusion in the exhalation pathway, the blower bypass valve can function to produce an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase through the inhalation pathway. For example, the blower bypass valve can be opened or closed, depending on the configuration, during inhalation so that the constant speed blower can provide inhalant to the patient. During exhalation through the inhalation pathway due to occlusion in the exhalation pathway, the blower bypass valve can be opened or closed, depending on the configuration, to bypass the constant speed blower and allow exhalation through the inhalation pathway.

Referring to <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment, is a schematic representation of a novel ventilator system <NUM>. The system includes an inhalation pathway comprising two components: (<NUM>) a high-pressure oxygen component <NUM> with a high pressure oxygen inlet and one or more other components such as an O<NUM> valve and a flow sensor; and (<NUM>) an ambient air component <NUM> with an ambient air inlet <NUM>, an emergency valve <NUM> such as an inspiratory hold valve, and optionally other components. Notably, although the inhalation pathway of ventilator system <NUM> comprises two gas delivery engines in this particular embodiment, the system may comprise fewer or additional gas delivery engines. The inhalation pathway of ventilator system <NUM> further comprises a dynamically controlled centrifugal blower <NUM>, which in this particular embodiment is downstream of a mixer for the high-pressure oxygen component <NUM> and the ambient air component <NUM>. The inhalation pathway leads to a gas output port <NUM> that leads to a patient (not shown).

Ventilator system <NUM> further comprises an exhalation pathway <NUM> which receives exhalant from the patient via the gas return port <NUM> and flows to the exhalation port <NUM>. The exhalation pathway <NUM> comprises one or more additional components, such as for example, a flow sensor and a bi-directional exhalation valve <NUM>, among other possible components.

During normal inhalation, the O<NUM> valve in the high-pressure pathway opens to allow high-pressure gas to enter the system, the inspiratory hold valve <NUM> allows the flow of air from the air inlet <NUM> into the system, the gases are mixed either by a mixer or via control of the O<NUM> valve and the air and O<NUM> sensors, and the blower <NUM> forces the mixed gases to the patient via the gas output port <NUM>. During normal exhalation, the O<NUM> valve in the high-pressure pathway closes and the inspiratory hold valve <NUM> prevents the flow of air from the air inlet <NUM> into the system and blower <NUM> lowers its speed or stops, and no gas is provided to the patient. The exhalant is allowed to exit via the exhalation pathway, from the patient to gas return port <NUM> through the exhalation valve <NUM> and the exhalation port <NUM>.

Ventilator system <NUM> is configured to enable breathing by the patient in the event of a blockage or occlusion in either the inhalation pathway or the exhalation pathway. In the event of a blockage along the inhalation pathway, such as at location <NUM> or any other location along the inhalation pathway, gas can no longer be provided to the patient from the high-pressure gas source or the ambient air source. The blockage along the inhalation pathway may be caused, for example, by a tubing circuit obstruction. The inhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage can exit via the exhalation pathway per normal, but without the design of the ventilator system <NUM> the patient would not be able to receive new gas. The ventilator system will detect the blockage using the flow sensors in the inhalation pathway no longer detecting flow or insufficient flow, and the system will raise an alarm, but in prior art systems the issue may not be resolved in enough time to prevent injury or asphyxiation. Accordingly, the exhalation pathway is configured with a bi-directional exhalation valve <NUM> that enables the patient to draw ambient air in reverse along the exhalation pathway, from exhalation port <NUM> through the bi-directional exhalation valve <NUM> and into the lungs of the patient. Similarly, the patient can exhale via the exhalation pathway per normal. Although inhalant is not provided to the patient under pressure, even minimal self-initiated inhalation by the patient will allow enough oxygen to enter the patient's lungs to delay serious injury or asphyxia, allowing the caregiver to resolve the problem. Further, as described above, according to one embodiment, the exhalation pathway may comprise a dynamically controlled blower configured to provide ambient air from the exhalation port <NUM> to the patient in the event of a blockage in the inhalation pathway.

Notably, according to an embodiment, a blockage such as an occlusion in either the inhalation pathway or the exhalation pathway may not be a total blockage. Instead, the blockage may be partial but severe enough to impede proper respiration and thus could result in asphyxiation or other serious injuries. Accordingly, the alternate flow pathways described or otherwise envisioned herein may be implemented in the event of a partial blockage. The ventilator system can be programmed, designed, or configured such that there is a threshold level of flow or pressure, ranging from no flow or pressure to a predetermined, experimentally derived, or programmed level of flow or pressure, that triggers the alternate flow pathways described or otherwise envisioned herein.

In the event of a blockage along the exhalation pathway, such as at location <NUM> or any other location along the exhalation pathway, gas can still be provided to the patient from the high-pressure gas source and the ambient air source, but the patient cannot exhale via the exhalation pathway. Thus, in normal ventilator systems the exhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage would not be able to exit the ventilator system and new gas could not be provided to the patient. The ventilator system will detect the blockage using information conveyed by one or more of the flow and pressure sensors that monitor ventilation activity in the machine, and/or the flow sensors in the exhalation pathway no longer detecting flow, and the system will raise an alarm, but in prior art systems the issue may not be resolved in enough time to prevent injury or asphyxiation. Accordingly, the inhalation pathway is configured with a blower <NUM> and a bi-directional inspiratory hold valve <NUM>. Thus, when the blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, the system detects the lack of flow and the exhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage in the exhalation pathway. The blower <NUM> lowers its speed or stops and the exhalant is allowed to exit the ambient air component <NUM> of the inhalation pathway, via the blower <NUM> and the bi-directional inspiratory hold valve <NUM>, and out the ambient air inlet <NUM> which is functioning as an outlet. At the end of an exhalation, the blower <NUM> and the inhalation valve(s) can activate to provide pressurized air to the patient via the inhalation pathway as per normal. Accordingly, the inspiratory hold valve <NUM> can be controlled to allow or block gas ingress.

Notably, both ventilator systems <NUM> and <NUM> are capable of mechanical ventilation of the patient's lungs in at least the case of a blockage of the exhalation gas path. Other mechanisms may be provided to allow mechanical ventilation when the exhalation gas path is blocked via provision of auxiliary valves controlled by the ventilator control center.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, is a flowchart of a method <NUM> for enabling a patient to breathe even in the occurrence of a blockage in either the gas delivery path or the gas return path, thereby preventing oxygen deprivation injuries or asphyxiation. At step <NUM> of the method, an anti-asphyxiation ventilator system is provided. The anti-asphyxiation ventilator system can be any of the embodiments described or otherwise envisioned herein.

At some point during operation of the ventilator, an occlusion inadvertently occurs in either the inhalation pathway or the exhalation pathway. The anti-asphyxiation ventilator system detects the occlusion and adapts in order to allow the patient an opportunity to breathe despite the occlusion.

At step <NUM>, there is an occlusion in the inhalation pathway of the anti-asphyxiation ventilator system, and gas can no longer be provided to patient <NUM> from the one or more high-pressure gas sources or the ambient air source. The inhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage can exit via the exhalation pathway per normal, but without the design of the anti-asphyxiation ventilator system the patient would not be able to receive new gas. At step <NUM>, the anti-asphyxiation ventilator system detects the blockage due to the flow sensors in the inhalation pathway no longer detecting flow or detecting insufficient flow.

At step <NUM>, the system raises an alarm to alert a healthcare facility and/or professional to the existence of the occlusion.

At step <NUM>, with an occlusion in the inhalation pathway, the anti-asphyxiation ventilator system enables both inhalation and exhalation via the exhalation pathway. For example, the exhalation pathway is configured with a bi-directional exhalation valve that enables the patient to draw ambient air in reverse along the exhalation pathway, from an exhalation port through the bi-directional exhalation valve and into the lungs of the patient. Similarly, the patient can exhale via the exhalation pathway per normal. Although inhalant is not provided to the patient under pressure, even minimal self-initiated inhalation by the patient will allow enough oxygen to enter the patient's lungs to prevent or delay serious injury or asphyxia.

At step <NUM>, with an occlusion in the exhalation pathway, the anti-asphyxiation ventilator system enables both inhalation and exhalation via the inhalation pathway. For example, the inhalation pathway is configured with at least a blower and a bi-directional safety valve or inspiratory hold valve. Thus, when the blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, the system detects the lack of flow and the exhalant in the patient's lungs at the time of the blockage in the exhalation pathway. The blower lowers its speed or stops, and the exhalant is allowed to exit the ambient air component of the inhalation pathway, via the blower and the bi-directional safety valve or inspiratory hold valve. At the of an exhalation, the blower and proportional valve(s) can activate to provide pressurized air to the patient via the inhalation pathway as per normal.

At step <NUM>, the occlusion has been resolved by a clinician, the anti-asphyxiation ventilator system detects the normal flow of air and the system returns to normal ventilation operation.

Accordingly, the ventilator system and method disclosed or otherwise envisioned herein provides numerous advantages over the prior art. Providing a ventilator that enables exhalation through an inhalation pathway in the event of a blockage in an exhalation pathway, and enables inhalation from an exhalation pathway in the event of a blockage in an inhalation pathway, allows a patient to breathe even in the occurrence of a blockage, thereby improving patient outcomes.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

Claim 1:
A ventilator system (<NUM>/<NUM>) configured to enable breathing in the event of a blockage, comprising:
an inhalation pathway comprising an ambient air inlet (<NUM>/<NUM>), a bi-directional emergency valve (<NUM>/<NUM>), and a blower (<NUM>/<NUM>);
an exhalation pathway (<NUM>/<NUM>) comprising a bi-directional exhalation valve (<NUM>/<NUM>) and an exhalation port (<NUM>/<NUM>);
wherein the exhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the inhalation pathway, during inspiration ambient air can be drawn by the patient from the exhalation port and through the bi-directional exhalation valve, and during exhalation exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional exhalation valve and the exhalation port;
wherein either
the blower is a dynamic blower and the inhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, during inspiration inhalant is delivered to the patient by the dynamic blower, and during exhalation the dynamic blower lowers its speed or stops and the exhalant exits the ventilator through the bi-directional emergency valve, the dynamic blower and the ambient air inlet, or
the inhalation pathway comprises a blower bypass valve (<NUM>), and the blower is a constant speed blower, and the inhalation pathway is configured such that when a blockage occurs in the exhalation pathway, during inspiration inhalant is delivered to the patient by the constant speed blower, and during exhalation the blower bypass valve is configured to bypass the blower and allow exhalation through the inhalation pathway.