Inhalation positive pressure breathing apparatus

Claim 2

In a positive pressure breathing apparatus comprising: a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main valve means in said supply conduit means to permit passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter when open, and to shut off the flow of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; control means for said main valve means and associated with said patient adapter such that said main control valve is closed when a predetermined hyperambient pressure is reached in said patient adapter, and to open said valve means when a predetermined subambient pressure is present in said patient adapter; the improvement which comprises: throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means downstream from said main valve, said throttle valve means comprising a movable member in said pressure supply conduit means, said member having a shaped opening means movable from a first position wherein flow through said conduit means is blocked to alternative positions wherein a complete range of flow rates through said conduit means to said patient is permitted dependent upon the shape of said opening means; throttle valve control means for regulating the acceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve means opens, said means operatively linked to said member for movement thereof and in communication with said pressure supply conduit means upstream from said throttle valve means, said throttle valve control means adjustable so that when said main valve means is open, the acceleration of flow through said throttle valve means builds up at a preselected and controlled rate.

Claim 3

The inhalation positive pressure breathing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said throttle valve control means has means to permit rapid deceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve closes, said deceleration being more rapid than and independent of said acceleration.

Claim 4

The positive pressure breathing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said throttle valve control means comprises a fluid pressure cylinder means having a piston operably connected to said movable member so as to actuate movement of said member between said first and alternative positions as said cylinder is filled with fluid, said cylinder in communication at one end with said pressure supply conduit means which supplies the pressure thereto when said main control valve means is open, said cylinder having an exhaust being adjustable to control the rate of movement of said piston between said one to said other end; and means biasing said piston to a position so as to cause said movable member to be in said first position.

Claim 5

The positive pressure breathing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said movable member is slidable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow of said gas through said conduit means and includes means defining an opening having a varying cross section so that as said opening is aligned in said conduit means to permit flow therethrough, the flow rate is shaped.

Claim 6

The inhalation positive pressure breathing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said throttle valve control means further includes an adjustable control valve to control the rate at which fluid pressure enters said one end of said cylinder and, in turn, controls the rate at which said piston opens said throttle valve.

Claim 7

The inhalation positive pressure breathing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein adjustable stop means operably associated with said throttle valve control means adjustably limits the maximum movement of said member from said first position to said alternative positions to limit the volume of said oxygen-containing gas flowing to said patient adapter.

Claim 8

In a positive pressure breathing apparatus comprising: a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patIent adapter for use; a main valve means in said supply conduit means to permit passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter when open, and to shut off the flow of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; control means for said main valve means and associated with said patient adapter such that said main control valve is closed when a predetermined hyperambient pressure is reached in said patient adapter, and to open said valve means when a predetermined subambient pressure is present in said patient adapter; the improvement which comprises: throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means downstream from said main valve, said throttle valve means comprising a slidable plate in said supply conduit means, said slidable plate so shaped and positioned as to block the flow of gas through said conduit means when in a first position, to permit extensive flow of gas through said conduit means in a second position, and to permit intermediate flow rates of gas through said conduit means when said plate is between said first and second positions; control means for said throttle valve to regulate the acceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve means opens so that the flow rate of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter builds up at a controlled rate, said control means for said throttle valve comprising a fluid pressure cylinder means having a piston operably connected to said plate so as to actuate movement of said plate between said first and second positions as said cylinder is filled with fluid, and means biasing said piston to a position so as to cause said plate to be in said first position, said cylinder having at one end a fluid pressure supply line which supplies the fluid pressure thereto when said main control means is open, said cylinder having at the other end thereof an exhaust conduit with an adjustable control valve in said conduit to control the rate of movement of said piston between said first and said other end of said cylinder; and a fluid supply conduit in communication with said other end of said cylinder and check valve means within said conduit to permit rapid flow of fluid pressure into said other end of said cylinder but to prevent the flow of fluid pressure from said other end of said cylinder through said check valve means.

Claim 9

In a positive pressure breathing apparatus comprising: a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patIent adapter for use; a main valve means in said supply conduit means to permit passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter when open, and to shut off the flow of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; control means for said main valve means and associated with said patient adapter such that said main control valve is closed when a predetermined hyperambient pressure is reached in said patient adapter, and to open said valve means when a predetermined subambient pressure is present in said patient adapter; the improvement which comprises: throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means downstream from said main valve, said throttle valve means comprising a slidable plate in said supply conduit means, said slidable plate so shaped and positioned as to block the flow of gas through said conduit means when in a first position, to permit extensive flow of gas through said conduit means in a second position, and to permit intermediate flow rates of gas through said conduit means when said plate is between said first and second positions; control means for said throttle valve to regulate the acceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve means opens so that the flow rate of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter builds up at a controlled rate, said control means for said throttle valve comprising a fluid pressure cylinder means having a piston operably connected to said plate so as to actuate movement of said plate between said first and second positions as said cylinder is filled with fluid, and means biasing said piston to a position so as to cause said plate to be in said first position, said cylinder having at one end a fluid pressure supply line which supplies the fluid pressure thereto when said main control means is open, said cylinder having at the other end thereof an exhaust conduit with an adjustable control valve in said conduit to control the rate of movement of said piston between said first and said other end of said cylinder; and a fluid supply conduit in communication with said other end of said cylinder and check valve means within said conduit to permit rapid flow of fluid pressure into said other end of said cylinder but to prevent the flow of fluid pressure from said other end of said cylinder through said check valve means.

Claim 10

In a positive pressure breathing apparatus comprising: a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main valve means in said supply conduit means to permit passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter when open, and to shut off the flow of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; control means for said main valve means and associated with said patient adapter such that said main control valve is closed when a predetermined hyperambient pressure is reached in said patient adapter, and to open said valve means when a predetermined subambient pressure is present in said patient adapter; the improvement which comprises: throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means downstream from said main valve, said throttle valve means being adjustable to limit the volume of said oxygen-containing gas flowing to said patient adapter; control means for said throttle valve to regulate the acceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve means opens so that the flow rate of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter builds up at a controlled rate; a venturi pump in said pressure supply conduit means between said throttle valve means and said main valve means; a second throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means between said main valve means and said venturi pump, said second throttle valve being adjustable to limiT the flow of gas passing between said main valve means and said venturi pump; and means operably associated with said first-mentioned throttle valve means and said second throttle valve means to adjust said second throttle valve means to limit the flow of oxygen-containing gas passing to said venturi pump in accordance with the maximum allowable flow of oxygen-containing gas permitted by said first-mentioned throttle valve means.

Claim 11

In a positive pressure breathing apparatus comprising: a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main valve means in said supply conduit means to permit passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter when open, and to shut off the flow of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; control means for said main valve means and associated with said patient adapter such that said main control valve is closed when a predetermined hyperambient pressure is reached in said patient adapter, and to open said valve means when a predetermined subambient pressure is present in said patient adapter; the improvement which comprises: throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means downstream from said main valve, said throttle valve means being adjustable to limit the volume of said oxygen-containing gas flowing to said patient adapter; control means for said throttle valve to regulate the acceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve means opens so that the flow rate of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter builds up at a controlled rate; a venturi pump in said pressure supply conduit means between said throttle valve means and said main valve means; a second throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means between said main valve means and said venturi pump, said second throttle valve being adjustable to limiT the flow of gas passing between said main valve means and said venturi pump; and means operably associated with said first-mentioned throttle valve means and said second throttle valve means to adjust said second throttle valve means to limit the flow of oxygen-containing gas passing to said venturi pump in accordance with the maximum allowable flow of oxygen-containing gas permitted by said first-mentioned throttle valve means.

Claim 12

In a positive pressure breathing apparatus comprising: a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main valve means in said supply conduit means to permit passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter when open, and to shut off the flow of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; control means for said main valve means and associated with said patient adapter such that said main control valve is closed when a predetermined hyperambient pressure is reached in said patient adapter, and to open said valve means when a predetermined subambient pressure is present in said patient adapter; the improvement which comprises: throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means downstream from said main valve; control means for said throttle valve to regulate the acceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve means opens so that the flow rate of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter builds up at a controlled rate; a cabinet for housing at least said throttle valve means and said control means, said cabinet having controlled apertures for permitting entry of air into said housing; a venturi in said supply conduit means between said main valve means and said throttle valve means, said venturi means positioned within said cabinet so as to draw gas within said cabinet into said supply conduit means; said control means for said throttle means comprising a pressure-operated piston cylinder having a pressure chamber, a bleed port in said pressure chamber opening into said cabinet, a pressure supply line for said fluid pressure cylinder leading from said pressure supply conduit means between said main valve means and said venturi to said pressure cylinder to actuate said throttle valve as said main valve means opens, whereby air supplied to said patient adapter can be enriched by said oxygen-containing gas bleeding from said piston cylinder into said cabinet.

Claim 13

In a positive pressure breathing apparatus comprising: a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main valve means in said supply conduit means to permit passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter when open, and to shut off the flow of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; control means for said main valve means and associated with said patient adapter such that said main control valve is closed when a predetermined hyperambient pressure is reached in said patient adapter, and to open said valve means when a predetermined subambient pressure is present in said patient adapter; the improvement which comprises: throttle valve means in said pressure supply conduit means downstream from said main valve; control means for said throttle valve to regulate the acceleration of the flow of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter as said main control valve means opens so that the flow rate of said oxygen-containing gas to said patient adapter builds up at a controlled rate; a cabinet for housing at least said throttle valve means and said control means, said cabinet having controlled apertures for permitting entry of air into said housing; a venturi in said supply conduit means between said main valve means and said throttle valve means, said venturi means positioned within said cabinet so as to draw gas within said cabinet into said supply conduit means; said control means for said throttle means comprising a pressure-operated piston cylinder having a pressure chamber, a bleed port in said pressure chamber opening into said cabinet, a pressure supply line for said fluid pressure cylinder leading from said pressure supply conduit means between said main valve means and said venturi to said pressure cylinder to actuate said throttle valve as said main valve means opens, whereby air supplied to said patient adapter can be enriched by said oxygen-containing gas bleeding from said piston cylinder into said cabinet.

Claim 14

An inhalation positive pressure breathing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the opening in said bleed port is adjustable to vary the amount of oxygen enrichment of said gas passing into said patient adapter.

Claim 15

In a respiratory apparatus having a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use, a main control valve in said conduit adapter to permit passage of said pressurized gas therethrough when open and to prevent the passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed, said valve being a diaphragm-controlled magnetic toggle valve, a manual override means for said valve, the improvement in said last means comprising: a stem fixed to said diaphragm and extending exteriorly of said valve; a handle engageable with said stem only during manual operation of said valve; said stem having spaced stop members and said handle is attached to a resiliently biased bar, said bar being positioned between said stop members so as to control said stop members when actuated by said handle and so as to avoid contacting said stop members when said valve is pneumatically operated.

Claim 16

In a respiratory apparatus having a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use, a main control valve in said conduit adapter to permit passage of said pressurized gas therethrough when open and to prevent the passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed, said valve being a diaphragm-controlled magnetic toggle valve, a manual override means for said valve, the improvement in said last means comprising: a stem fixed to said diaphragm and extending exteriorly of said valve; a handle engageable with said stem only during manual operation of said valve; said stem having spaced stop members and said handle is attached to a resiliently biased bar, said bar being positioned between said stop members so as to control said stop members when actuated by said handle and so as to avoid contacting said stop members when said valve is pneumatically operated.

Claim 17

In a respiratory apparatus having a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main contrOl valve in said conduit adapter to permit passage of said pressurized gas therethrough when open and to prevent the passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; said valve being a diaphragm-controlled magnetic toggle valve; a manually operable override means for said valve, the improvement in said last means comprising: pneumatic means communicating with said main control valve to pressurize and depressurize a chamber in said main control valve to actuate said diaphragm for movement to close and open said main control valve, said pneumatic means comprising: a block having an axial bore leading directly into said chamber; first pressurized gas supply means communicating with said axial bore so as to pressurize said chamber when fluid pressure is supplied to said axial bore; means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said first pressurized gas supply means to said axial bore; a lateral bore through said block intersecting and transverse to said lateral bore; a second pressurized gas supply means communicating with said lateral bore so as to cause pressurized gas to pass across said axial bore, thereby creating a suction within said chamber; and means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said second pressurized gas supply to said lateral bore.

Claim 18

In a respiratory apparatus having a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main contrOl valve in said conduit adapter to permit passage of said pressurized gas therethrough when open and to prevent the passage of said pressurized oxygen-containing gas when closed; said valve being a diaphragm-controlled magnetic toggle valve; a manually operable override means for said valve, the improvement in said last means comprising: pneumatic means communicating with said main control valve to pressurize and depressurize a chamber in said main control valve to actuate said diaphragm for movement to close and open said main control valve, said pneumatic means comprising: a block having an axial bore leading directly into said chamber; first pressurized gas supply means communicating with said axial bore so as to pressurize said chamber when fluid pressure is supplied to said axial bore; means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said first pressurized gas supply means to said axial bore; a lateral bore through said block intersecting and transverse to said lateral bore; a second pressurized gas supply means communicating with said lateral bore so as to cause pressurized gas to pass across said axial bore, thereby creating a suction within said chamber; and means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said second pressurized gas supply to said lateral bore.

Claim 19

In a respiratory apparatus having a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main control valve in said conduit means, said valve controlling the flow of said gas to said patient adapter so that when said valve is open, gas is permitted to flow to said adapter and when said valve is closed, flow to said adapter is prevented; said valve being a diaphragm-controlled magnetic toggle valve; a manually operable override means for said main control valve, the improvement in said last means comprising: pneumatic means communicating with said main control valve to pressurize and depressurize a chamber in said main control valve to actuate said diaphragm for movement to close and open said main control valve, said pneumatic means comprising: a block having an axial bore leading directly into said chamber; first pressurized gas supply means communicating with said axial bore so as to pressurize said chamber when fluid pressure is supplied to said axial bore; means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said first pressurized gas supply means to said axial bore; a lateral bore through said block intersecting and traverse to said axial bore; a second pressurized gas supply means communicating with said lateral bore so as to cause pressurized gas to pass across said axial bore, thereby creating a suction within said chamber; and means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said second pressurized gas supply to said lateral bore.

Claim 20

In a respiratory apparatus having a pressure supply conduit means adapted to receive pressurized oxygen-containing gas from a source and deliver oxygen-containing gas to a patient adapter for use; a main control valve in said conduit means, said valve controlling the flow of said gas to said patient adapter so that when said valve is open, gas is permitted to flow to said adapter and when said valve is closed, flow to said adapter is prevented; said valve being a diaphragm-controlled magnetic toggle valve; a manually operable override means for said main control valve, the improvement in said last means comprising: pneumatic means communicating with said main control valve to pressurize and depressurize a chamber in said main control valve to actuate said diaphragm for movement to close and open said main control valve, said pneumatic means comprising: a block having an axial bore leading directly into said chamber; first pressurized gas supply means communicating with said axial bore so as to pressurize said chamber when fluid pressure is supplied to said axial bore; means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said first pressurized gas supply means to said axial bore; a lateral bore through said block intersecting and traverse to said axial bore; a second pressurized gas supply means communicating with said lateral bore so as to cause pressurized gas to pass across said axial bore, thereby creating a suction within said chamber; and means to control the flow of pressurized gas from said second pressurized gas supply to said lateral bore.