DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING LEAKS OF A RESPIRATOR

Abstract

A method, system and device are provided for the determination of leaks in a respirator. An inspiration pressure pinsp is recorded during an inspiration time Tinsp with a measuring device. The inspiration pressure pinsp is varied during consecutive breaths I. Leaks are determined as to leak volumes VLi from the product of pinspi and Tinspi in accordance with the equation

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the construction of a respirator with features for practicing the invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example for a rectangular positive pressure respiration curve;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a first measurement curve for a leak;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a second measurement curve for a leak;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a third measurement curve for a leak.

Claims

1. A method for the determination of leaks in a device for supplying a patient with breathing gas, the method comprising the steps of: providing an analyzing unit and a measuring device for determining the respiratory tract pressure;recording an inspiration pressure pinsp during an inspiration time Tinsp with the measuring device;varying the inspiration pressure pinsp during consecutive breaths i;determining leak volumes VLi from the product of pinspi and Tinspi in accordance with the equation VLi=A×pinspiB×Iinspi

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of adding an additive term εi, which takes irregular breathing of the patient into consideration, to the equation for VLi.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of additionally taking into account the end expiratory pressure peep as another regressor and thus allowing variable expiratory pressures according to the equation VLi=A(pinspiB·Tinspi+peepiB·Texspi)+εi.

4. A device for the determination of leaks in a device for supplying a patient with breathing gas, the device comprising: a means for producing a respiratory pressure curve;a means for switching between an inspiration phase and an expiration phase;a measuring device for recording an inspiration pressure pinsp; anda means for describing leak volumes VLi from the product of pinspi and Tinspi in accordance with the equation VLi=A×pinspiB×Tinspi