Mask pressure regulation in CPAP treatment and assisted respiration by dynamic control of mask vent flow

1. A system for delivering pressurized air to a patient, the system comprising:

a patient interface configured to communicate the pressurized air to the patient;

an air source configured to deliver the pressurized air to the patient interface; and

a vent valve configured to control venting from the patient interface to maintain a substantially constant pressure at the patient interface,

wherein the patient interface is between the air source and the vent with respect to a direction of air flow from the air source to the vent.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the air source comprises an air flow generator.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the air flow generator includes a blower that is driven by a controllable electric motor.

4. The system according to claim 3 , further comprising a constant pressure control configured to control the electric motor.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the constant pressure control includes a feedback circuit with a pressure transducer.

6. The system according to claim 3 , further comprising a constant speed control configured to control the electric motor.

7. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the air flow generator includes a flow measuring element to provide a representation of air flow through the air flow generator.

8. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the vent valve is located external to the air flow generator.

9. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the vent valve is located within the air flow generator.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the vent valve is communicated with the patient interface by a return vent conduit.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the vent valve is configured to vary flow rate through the vent valve to maintain the substantially constant pressure.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to vary the flow rate through the vent valve as respiratory flow varies to maintain the substantially constant pressure.

13. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the patient interface includes an inlet port communicated with an air delivery conduit for air delivery from the air source and an outlet port communicated with the vent valve for air venting.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the inlet port includes a one-way valve to prevent reverse air flow from the patient to the air source.

15. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to calculate pressure at the patient interface as a function of measured air flow and measured or calculated pressure at the air source.

16. The system according to claim 1 , wherein system is configured so that all CO2 washout occurs through the vent valve.

17. A method for delivering pressurized air to a patient, the method comprising:

delivering pressurized air to a patient interface from an air source; and

using a vent downstream from the patient interface, controlling venting from the patient interface to maintain a substantially constant pressure at the patient interface while flow out of the vent is at or above a predetermined minimum flow rate.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the air source is a flow generator, and further comprising controlling the flow generator to output a substantially constant pressure.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the air source is a flow generator with an electric motor, and further comprising controlling the flow generator so that the electric motor operates at a substantially constant rpm.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the air source is a flow generator, and further comprising controlling the flow generator to use substantially constant power to pressurize the air.

21. The method of claim 17 , further comprising monitoring the venting and selectively controlling delivered air to establish a minimum air flow sufficient for CPAP therapy.