Patent ID: 7717109

Claim:
A system for providing assisted ventilation or anesthesia and that can minimize the discrepancy between the fresh gas inspired (F I ) and fresh gas delivered (F D ) concentrations and optimize utilization of fresh gases, comprising a recirculation module comprising a recirculation module fresh gas flow input, a one-way expiratory valve permitting expired gases to flow to said recirculation module from an expiratory port, and a one-way inspiratory valve permitting gas to flow to an inspiratory port from said recirculation module, wherein said recirculation module fresh gas flow input allows fresh gases to be supplied proximally of said inspiratory valve, said system further comprising a diverter valve having a diverter fresh gas flow input and at least two diverter fresh gas flow outputs, wherein said diverter valve can selectively divert all fresh gas flow either to said recirculation module fresh gas flow input or a location distal of said inspiratory valve, said diverter fresh gas outputs being formed in first and second valve lever conduits in said diverter valve, wherein said system can minimize the discrepancy between the fresh gas inspired (F I ) and fresh gas delivered (F D ) concentrations and optimize utilization of fresh gases when said diverter valve diverts all fresh gas flow to a location distal of said inspiratory valve, said recirculation module further comprising a scrubber, said scrubber comprising a patient exhaust receiving portion, a scrubbed gas output portion, and an absorbent portion located between said patient exhaust receiving portion and said scrubbed gas output portion wherein said absorbent portion can hold an absorbent composition for absorbing carbon dioxide, wherein said recirculation module fresh gas flow input is located between said absorbent portion and said one-way inspiratory valve.