Patent ID: 8122883

Claim:
An automated ventilatory support system comprising: a ventilator that comprises at least one ventilator setting control, wherein each ventilator setting control controls a parameter relating to gas supplied from the ventilator to a patient; at least one sensor adapted to monitor the patient, or to monitor a component of the ventilator, wherein each sensor generates an output signal; and a processing subsystem operatively coupled to the ventilator and adapted to receive at least one of the output signals from the sensor(s), wherein the processing subsystem has a processor and a memory, the processor adapted to run under the control of a program stored in the memory, wherein the processing subsystem evaluates at least one output signal, and wherein based on a result of the evaluation of the at least one output signal from the sensor(s), the processing subsystem automatically determines and selects a desired level setting for at least one ventilator setting control selected from the group consisting of: a) a minute ventilation (V E ) level; b) a ventilator breathing frequency (f) level; c) a tidal volume (V T ) level; d) a breathing gas flow rate (V) level; e) a pressure limit level; a work of breathing (WOB) level; g) a pressure support ventilation (PSV) level; h) a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) level; i) a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) level; and j) a fractional inhaled oxygen concentration (FIO2) level.