Patent ID: 8640699

Claim:
A method for controlling a delivery of a breathing gas to a patient using a processor, the method including: regulating a fractional inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) and a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of the breathing gas delivered to the patient; determining a blood oxygenation level of the patient; automatically adjusting the FiO 2 of the breathing gas delivered to the patient based on the blood oxygenation level of the patient; and in response to determining that the FiO 2 of the breathing gas delivered to the patient exceeds a pre-determined value: automatically initiating a lung recruitment maneuver to achieve a lung recruitment; after completion of the lung recruitment maneuver: setting a post-recruitment maneuver PEEP at a higher level than a PEEP level setting prior to the lung recruitment maneuver; periodically determining, at a first specified frequency, whether to adjust the FiO 2 of the delivered breathing gas; and periodically determining, at a second specified frequency, whether to reduce the PEEP; wherein the second defined frequency of PEEP reduction determinations is lower than the first defined frequency of FiO 2 adjustment determinations such that the FiO 2 is allowed to reach equilibrium between successive PEEP reduction determinations.