Respirator and a process for operating a respirator

1. A process for operating a respirator with an inspiration pressure-vs.-time curve, which curve has an airway target pressure (p aw — target ) and a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), the process comprising the steps of:

forming the inspiration pressure-vs.-time curve from a starting airway pressure to the airway target pressure (p aw — target ) on a ramp-like pressure curve, the starting airway pressure at a beginning of inspiration (p aw — Start ) being greater than the PEEP.

2. A process in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

shaping the ramp-like pressure curve on a basis of a lung disease of a patient to be respirated.

3. A process in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising:

setting a desired time constant (τ desired ) for a time dynamics of a filling of the lungs of the patient;

determining a time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics of the patient;

calculating the ramp-like pressure curve based on the desired time constant and the time constant of the lung mechanics.

4. A process in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising:

setting the starting airway pressure (p aw — Start );

setting a time constant for determining a change over time in the inspiration pressure applied; and

calculating the ramp-like pressure curve.

5. A process in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

setting a desired time constant (τ desired ) for a time dynamics of a filling of the lungs of the patient;

determining a time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics of the patient;

calculating the ramp-like pressure curve based on the desired time constant and the time constant of the lung mechanics.

6. A process in accordance with claim 5 , further comprising:

determining the time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics by means of regression or occlusion.

7. A process in accordance with claim 3 , further comprising:

setting the time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics on a respirator.

8. A process in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

setting the starting airway pressure (p aw — Start );

setting a time constant for determining a change over time in the inspiration pressure applied; and

calculating the ramp-like pressure curve.

9. A respirator for applying a inspiration pressure-vs.-time curve which has an airway target pressure (p aw — target ) and a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), the respirator comprising:

means for shaping the inspiration pressure-vs.-time curve, the inspiration pressure-vs.-time curve reaching the airway target pressure (p aw — target ) on a ramp-like curve starting from a starting airway pressure (p aw — Start ) at a beginning of inspiration, the starting airway pressure (p aw — Start ) being greater than the PEEP.

10. A respirator in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising:

means for setting a desired time constant (τ desired ) for a time dynamics of a filling of the lungs of the patient;

means for determining a time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics of the patient;

means for calculating the ramp-like pressure curve.

11. A respirator in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising:

means for determining the time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics by means of regression and occlusion maneuvers.

12. A respirator in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising:

means for setting the starting airway pressure (p aw — Start );

means for setting a time constant for determining a change over time in the inspiration pressure applied; and

means for calculating the ramp-like pressure curve.

13. A process for mechanically ventilating a patient, the process comprising the steps of:

recording a PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) of the patient;

providing an inspiration pressure/time curve;

flowing breathing gas into the patient according to the inspiration pressure/time curve, the pressure/time curve transitioning from a starting airway pressure at a beginning of an inspiration stroke to an airway target pressure at an end of the inspiration stoke, the starting airway pressure being higher than the PEEP.

14. A process in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising:

determining a lung disease of the patient;

shaping the pressure/time curve on a basis of the lung disease of the patient.

15. A process in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising:

setting a desired time constant (τ desired ) for filling of the lungs of the patient;

determining an actual time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics of the patient;

shaping the pressure/time curve on based on the desired and actual time constant.

16. A process in accordance with claim 15 , further comprising:

determining the actual time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics by means of one of regression and occlusion.

17. A process in accordance with claim 15 , further comprising:

setting the actual time constant (τ) of the lung mechanics on a respirator.

18. A process in accordance with claim 13 , wherein:

said inspiration pressure/time curve transitioning from said starting airway pressure to said airway target pressure over a desired time constant, a value of said desired time constant being greater than zero, said value of said desired time constant being selected dependent upon a condition of the lungs of the patient.

19. A process in accordance with claim 18 , further comprising:

determining an actual time constant (τ) for filling of the lungs of the patient;

forming said starting airway pressure based on said actual time constant and said desired time constant.

20. A process in accordance with claim 18 , further comprising:

determining an actual time constant (τ) of the lungs of the patient;

forming a shape of said inspiration pressure/time curve from said starting airway pressure to said airway target pressure based on said actual time constant and said desired time constant.