PORTABLE MEDICAL VENTILATOR SYSTEM USING PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS
A portable medical ventilator using pulse flow from an oxygen concentrator to gain higher oxygen concentration includes a positive pressure source to deliver pressurized air to the patient and a negative pressure source to trigger the oxygen concentrator. A patient circuit attached to a patient interface mask connects the ventilator to the patient. The ventilator includes a controller module that is configured to generate a signal to the negative pressure device to trigger the concentrator to initiate one or more pulses of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator. The oxygen pulses are delivered to the patient interface directly through multi-tube or a multi lumen patient circuit. The oxygen does not mix with air in the ventilator or in the patient circuit and bypasses the leaks in the patient circuit and/or patient interface.
1 - 19 . (canceled)
20 . A method of delivering inhalation gas and supplemental oxygen to a patient using a ventilator and a supplemental oxygen source, the method comprising:
directing, using a positive pressure source positioned within the ventilator, the inhalation gas to a patient circuit for delivery to the patient;
generating, using a negative pressure source positioned within the ventilator, a negative pressure;
applying the negative pressure against the supplemental oxygen source, wherein applying the negative pressure against the supplemental oxygen source triggers the supplemental oxygen source to release the supplemental oxygen; and
routing the supplemental oxygen to the patient circuit for delivery to the patient.
21 . The method of claim 20 wherein routing the supplemental oxygen to the patient circuit includes routing the supplemental oxygen from the supplemental oxygen source to the patient circuit via the ventilator.
22 . The method of claim 20 wherein the inhalation gas and the supplemental oxygen are routed through different lumens in the patient circuit for delivery to the patient.
23 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising mixing the inhalation gas and the supplemental oxygen at a patient interface positioned between the patient circuit and the patient.
24 . The method of claim 20 wherein the supplemental oxygen is delivered to the patient as a single pulse during an inhalation phase of a breath of the patient.
25 . The method of claim 20 wherein the supplemental oxygen is delivered to the patient as multiple pulses during an inhalation phase of a breath of the patient.
26 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
sensing, at the ventilator, an inspiratory effort by the patient; and
in response to sensing the inspiratory effort by the patient, generating the negative pressure and applying the negative pressure against the supplemental oxygen source.
27 . The method of claim 20 wherein the ventilator is positioned within a first housing, and wherein the supplemental oxygen source is positioned in a second housing different than the first housing.
28 . The method of claim 20 wherein the supplemental oxygen source is a portable oxygen concentrator.
29 . The method of claim 20 wherein the positive pressure source is a blower.
30 . The method of claim 20 wherein the negative pressure source is a an electromechanical negative pressure device.
31 . A method of delivering a first gas and a second gas to a patient using a ventilator and a supplemental gas source, the method comprising:
directing, using a positive pressure source positioned within the ventilator, the first gas to a patient circuit for delivery to the patient;
generating, using a negative pressure source positioned within the ventilator, a negative pressure;
applying the negative pressure against the supplemental gas source, wherein applying the negative pressure against the supplemental gas source triggers the supplemental gas source to release the second gas; and
routing the second gas to the patient circuit for delivery to the patient.
32 . The method of claim 31 wherein routing the second gas to the patient circuit includes routing the second gas from the supplemental gas source to the patient circuit via the ventilator.
33 . The method of claim 31 wherein the first gas and the second gas are routed through different lumens in the patient circuit for delivery to the patient.
34 . The method of claim 31 wherein the second gas source is positioned in different housing than the ventilator.
35 . A method of delivering supplemental oxygen to a patient using a ventilator and a supplemental oxygen source, the method comprising:
generating, using a negative pressure source positioned within the ventilator, a negative pressure;
applying the negative pressure against the supplemental oxygen source, wherein applying the negative pressure against the supplemental oxygen source triggers the supplemental oxygen source to release the supplemental oxygen; and
routing the supplemental oxygen to a patient circuit for delivery to the patient.
36 . The method of claim 35 wherein routing the supplemental oxygen to the patient circuit includes routing the supplemental oxygen from the supplemental oxygen source to the patient circuit via the ventilator.
37 . The method of claim 35 wherein the supplemental oxygen is delivered to the patient as one or more pulses during an inhalation phase of a breath of the patient.
38 . The method of claim 35 wherein the ventilator is positioned within a first housing, and wherein the supplemental oxygen source is positioned in a second housing different than the first housing.
39 . The method of claim 35 wherein the supplemental oxygen source is a portable oxygen concentrator.