Methods and systems for ventilation with unknown exhalation flow and exhalation pressure

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9492629
  • Patent Number
    9,492,629
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, February 14, 2013
    11 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 15, 2016
    7 years ago
Abstract
This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing novel back-up ventilation. Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods for delivering ventilation when exhalation pressure and/or exhalation flow are unknown or unreliable by the ventilator.
Description
INTRODUCTION

Medical ventilator systems have long been used to provide ventilatory and supplemental oxygen support to patients. These ventilators typically comprise a source of pressurized oxygen which is fluidly connected to the patient through a conduit or tubing. As each patient may require a different ventilation strategy, modern ventilators can be customized for the particular needs of an individual patient. For example, several different ventilator modes or settings have been created to provide better ventilation for patients in various different scenarios, such as mandatory ventilation modes and assist control ventilation modes.


Ventilation with Unknown Exhalation Flow and Exhalation Pressure

This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing novel enhanced back-up ventilation. Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods for delivering ventilation when exhalation flow and/or exhalation pressure is unknown or unreliable by the ventilator.


In part, this disclosure describes a method for ventilating a patient with a ventilator. The method includes:


a) monitoring inspiratory flow, inspiratory pressure, expiratory flow, and expiratory pressure during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator;


b) delivering a ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure;


c) determining a malfunction that makes at least one of the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure unreliable; and


d) in response to the malfunction, ceasing delivering ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure and delivering ventilation based on at least one of the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure.


Yet another aspect of this disclosure describes a ventilator system that includes: a pressure generating system; a ventilation tubing system; an exhalation valve; a plurality of sensors; a main driver; a backup driver; and a controller. The pressure generating system is adapted to generate a flow of breathing gas. The ventilation tubing system includes a patient interface for connecting the pressure generating system to a patient. The exhalation valve is connected to the ventilation tubing system. The plurality of sensors are operatively coupled to at least one of the pressure generating system, the patient, and the ventilation tubing system for monitoring inspiratory pressure, inspiratory flow, exhalation pressure, and exhalation flow. The main driver controls the exhalation valve during ventilation to deliver a pressure to a patient based at least on the exhalation pressure and the exhalation flow monitored by the plurality of sensors. The backup driver controls the exhalation valve to deliver the pressure to the patient during ventilation based on the inhalation pressure and the inhalation flow monitored by the plurality of sensors. The controller determines a malfunction that makes the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure unreliable and switches from the main driver to the backup driver.


The disclosure further describes a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for ventilating a patient with a ventilator. The method includes:


a) repeatedly monitoring inspiratory flow, inspiratory pressure, expiratory flow, and expiratory pressure during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator;


b) repeatedly delivering a ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure;


c) determining a malfunction that makes at least one of the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure unreliable; and


d) in response to the malfunction, ceasing delivering ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure and delivering ventilation based on at least one of the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure.


These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the systems and methods described herein will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. Additional features are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the technology. The benefits and features of the technology will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.


It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of embodiments of systems and methods described below and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any manner, which scope shall be based on the claims.



FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a ventilator.



FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of the ventilator shown in FIG. 1A.



FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a method for ventilation of a patient on a ventilator.



FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for delivering a pressure based breath during the method illustrated in FIG. 2.



FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method for delivering a pressure based breath during the method illustrated in FIG. 2.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the techniques introduced above and discussed in detail below may be implemented for a variety of medical devices, the present disclosure will discuss the implementation of these techniques in the context of a medical ventilator for use in providing ventilation support to a human patient. A person of skill in the art will understand that the technology described in the context of a medical ventilator for human patients could be adapted for use with other systems such as ventilators for non-human patients and general gas transport systems.


Medical ventilators are used to provide a breathing gas to a patient who may otherwise be unable to breathe sufficiently. In modern medical facilities, pressurized air and oxygen sources are often available from wall outlets. Accordingly, ventilators may provide pressure regulating valves connected to centralized sources of pressurized air and pressurized oxygen. The regulating valves function to regulate flow so that respiratory gas having a desired concentration of oxygen is supplied to the patient at desired pressures and rates. Ventilators capable of operating independently of external sources of pressurized air are also available.


As each patient may require a different ventilation strategy, modern ventilators can be customized for the particular needs of an individual patient. For example, several different ventilator modes or settings have been created to provide better ventilation for patients in various different scenarios, such as mandatory ventilation modes and assist/control ventilation modes. Assist control modes allow a spontaneously breathing patient to trigger inspiration during ventilation.


In the event of malfunctions and/or system failures in ventilators, most ventilators sound an alarm and stop ventilation or potentially enter a passive state. Ventilators stop ventilation because the necessary devices or systems for delivering the desired ventilation are unreliable or undeterminable based on the malfunction.


For example, the ventilator utilizes several systems and/or components to control the pressure of gas delivered to the patient, such as the source of gas, the inspiratory conduit and valve, the inspiratory module, expiratory conduit and valve, and an expiratory module. The expiratory module utilizes measured expiratory flow and/or expiratory pressure to control the exhalation valve to deliver the desired amount of flow and/or pressure during inspiration and exhalation. For example, the exhalation module controls the exhalation valve to establish pressure during the inhalation phase and to create the Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) during the exhalation phase. If expiratory flow and/or expiratory pressure are unavailable, the ventilator is unable to determine the pressure level to apply to the patient and therefore ceases ventilation.


However, it is desirable to provide ventilation to a patient whose ability to breathe on his or her own is impaired. Accordingly, the systems and methods disclosed herein provide ventilation in the event that exhalation pressure and/or exhalation flow are undeterminable or unreliable. The terms unreliable and undeterminable as used herein, while having different meanings, are utilized interchangeably in this disclosure. Accordingly, the term “unreliable” encompasses the term “undeterminable” and the term “undeterminable” encompasses “unreliable.” Under fault conditions or during a malfunction of the expiratory system, the expiratory flow sensor, the expiratory pressure sensor, and control of the valve are unreliable. Therefore, expiratory flow, expiratory pressure, valve position, valve current, valve current command, and valve dampening command are unreliable. When exhalation flow and/or exhalation pressure are undeterminable, a desired pressure may be established by the ventilator by deriving parameters and/or signals from the inspiratory flow and/or inspiratory pressure.


An example of a fault condition is presented by the Exhalation Back-Up Ventilation (EBUV) mode under which the data measurement and acquisition subsystem on the exhalation side of the ventilator is deactivated because of a malfunction. As discussed above, conventional ventilators declare an alarm and terminate ventilation. However, the EBUV mode allows a ventilator to continue ventilating the patient under such conditions until an appropriate substitute device is made available.


Accordingly, the systems and methods described herein provide the desired amount of pressure to a patient during ventilation by controlling an exhalation valve based on monitored inspiratory pressure and inspiratory flow. In some embodiments, the exhalation valve is controlled by a backup driver separate from a main driver. In further embodiments, the backup driver is on a circuit isolated from the main driver.



FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary ventilator 100. The exemplary ventilator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A is connected to a human patient 150. Ventilator 100 includes a pneumatic system 102 (also referred to as a pressure generating system 102) for circulating breathing gases to and from patient 150 via the ventilation tubing system 130, which couples the patient 150 to the pneumatic system 102 via an invasive (e.g., endotracheal tube, as shown) or a non-invasive (e.g., nasal mask) patient interface 180. The pneumatic system 102 delivers ventilation to the patient 150 according to predetermined or selected modes (spontaneous, assist, mandatory, etc.) and breath types (pressure control, pressure support, pressure assist, volume control, volume support, volume-controlled-pressure-targeted, etc.).


Ventilation tubing system 130 (or patient circuit 130) may be a two-limb (shown) or a one-limb circuit for carrying gases to and from the patient 150. In a two-limb embodiment, a fitting, typically referred to as a “wye-fitting” 170, may be provided to couple the patient interface 180 (shown as an endotracheal tube in FIG. 1A and as a nasal mask in FIG. 1B) to an inspiratory limb 132 and an exhalation limb 134 of the ventilation tubing system 130.


Pneumatic system 102 may be configured in a variety of ways. In the present example, pneumatic system 102 includes an exhalation module 108 coupled with the exhalation limb 134 and an inspiratory module 104 coupled with the inspiratory limb 132. Compressor 106, accumulator 115 (as illustrated in FIG. 1B) and/or other source(s) of pressurized gases (e.g., air, oxygen, and/or helium) is coupled with inspiratory module 104 and the exhalation module 108 to provide a gas source for ventilatory support via inspiratory limb 132.


The inspiratory module 104 is configured to deliver gases to the patient 150 and/or through the inspiratory limb 132 according to prescribed ventilatory settings. The inspiratory module 104 is associated with and/or controls an inspiratory delivery valve 101 for controlling gas delivery to the patient 150 and/or gas delivery through the inspiratory limb 132 as illustrated in FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, inspiratory module 104 is configured to provide ventilation according to various ventilator modes, such as mandatory and assist modes.


The exhalation module 108 is configured to release gases from the patient's lungs and/or exhalation circuit according to prescribed ventilatory settings. Accordingly, the exhalation module 108 also controls gas delivery through the inspiratory limb 132 and the exhalation limb 134. The exhalation module 108 controls an exhalation valve 113 which regulates the flow of gases from the patient's lungs and/or exhalation circuit according to prescribed ventilatory settings.


As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the exhalation module 108 includes a main driver 103 for controlling the exhalation valve 113. The main driver 103 controls the exhalation valve 113 to establish pressure during inhalation to the desired inspiration pressure. Further, the main driver 103 controls the exhalation valve 113 to establish the desired PEEP during exhalation. The main driver 103 utilizes a control algorithm that is computed by utilizing monitored exhalation pressure and monitored exhalation flow. The monitored exhalation flow and/or pressure are determined by one or more sensors 107, which are discussed in further detail below.


In some embodiments, the main driver 103 is a differential driver. In other embodiments, the main driver 103 is pulse width modulation driver. The above listed drivers are not meant to be limiting. Any suitable driver for controlling an exhalation module 108 in a ventilator may be utilized by the ventilator 100.


Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the exhalation module 108 includes a backup driver 105 for controlling the exhalation valve 113. The exhalation module 108 utilizes a backup driver 105 when a malfunction in the expiratory system is detected by the controller 110. The detected malfunction may include a malfunction of the main driver 103. The malfunction prevents the expiratory flow and/or expiratory pressure from being determined.


The backup driver 105 controls the exhalation valve 113 to establish pressure during inhalation to the desired inspiration pressure. Further, the backup driver 105 controls the exhalation valve 113 to establish the desired PEEP during exhalation. Because the expiratory pressure is not determinable, the amount of PEEP delivered is determined based on the monitored inspiration pressure and monitored inspiration flow during a malfunction. The backup driver 105 utilizes an inspiration control algorithm to deliver the desired inspiration pressure that is computed by utilizing monitored inspiration pressure and monitored inspiration flow. The backup driver 105 utilizes an exhalation control algorithm to deliver the PEEP that is computed by utilizing monitored inspiration pressure and monitored inspiration flow. In some embodiments, the exhalation control algorithm subtracts the measured inspiration pressure from the desired PEEP. The monitored exhalation flow and/or pressure are determined by one or more sensors 107, which are discussed in further detail below.


In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1B the backup driver 105 is on a backup circuit 105a that is separated from or isolated from the main driver 103 and the main driver circuit 103a. The main driver circuit 103a of the main driver 103 is connected to the exhalation valve 113 and one or more expiratory sensors, such as an expiratory flow sensor 111a and an expiratory pressure sensor 111b as illustrated in FIG. 1B. In this embodiment, the backup driver 105 is on a separate backup circuit 105a that connects the backup driver 105 to the exhalation valve 113 and is separated/isolated from an exhalation sensor (exhalation pressure sensor 111b and/or exhalation flow sensor 111a) and/or the main driver 103. A separate backup driver 105 and an isolated backup circuit 105a for the backup driver 105 allow the backup driver 105 to function regardless of a malfunctioning exhalation sensor and/or a malfunctioning main driver 103.


In some embodiments, the backup driver 103 is a pulse modulated driver. In other embodiments, the backup driver 105 is pulse width modulation driver. The above listed drivers are not meant to be limiting. Any suitable driver for controlling an exhalation module 108 in a ventilator may be utilized by the ventilator 100.


The ventilator 100 also includes a plurality of sensors 107 communicatively coupled to ventilator 100. The sensors 107 may be located in the pneumatic system 102, ventilation tubing system 130, and/or on the patient 150. The embodiment of FIG. 1A illustrates a plurality of sensors 107 in pneumatic system 102.


Sensors 107 may communicate with various components of ventilator 100, e.g., pneumatic system 102, other sensors 107, exhalation module 108, inspiratory module 104, processor 116, controller 110, and any other suitable components and/or modules. In one embodiment, sensors 107 generate output and send this output to pneumatic system 102, other sensors 107, exhalation module 108, inspiratory module 104, processor 116, controller 110, and any other suitable components and/or modules.


Sensors 107 may employ any suitable sensory or derivative technique for monitoring one or more patient parameters or ventilator parameters associated with the ventilation of a patient 150. Sensors 107 may detect changes in patient parameters indicative of patient inspiratory or exhalation triggering effort, for example. Sensors 107 may be placed in any suitable location, e.g., within the ventilatory circuitry or other devices communicatively coupled to the ventilator 100. Further, sensors 107 may be placed in any suitable internal location, such as, within the ventilatory circuitry or within components or modules of ventilator 100. For example, sensors 107 may be coupled to the inspiratory and/or exhalation modules 104, 108 for detecting changes in, for example, inspiratory flow, inspiratory pressure, expiratory pressure, and expiratory flow. In other examples, sensors 107 may be affixed to the ventilatory tubing or may be embedded in the tubing itself. According to some embodiments, sensors 107 may be provided at or near the lungs (or diaphragm) for detecting a pressure in the lungs. Additionally or alternatively, sensors 107 may be affixed or embedded in or near wye-fitting 170 and/or patient interface 180. Any sensory device useful for monitoring changes in measurable parameters during ventilatory treatment may be employed in accordance with embodiments described herein.


For example, in some embodiments, the one or more sensors 107 of the ventilator 100 include an inspiratory flow sensor 109a and an exhalation flow sensor 111a as illustrated in FIG. 1B. In one embodiment, the inspiratory flow sensor 109a is located in the inspiratory limb 132 and is controlled by the inspiratory module 104. However, the inspiratory flow sensor 109a may be located in any suitable position for monitoring inspiratory flow and may be monitored by any suitable ventilator component, such as a pressure generating system 102. In one embodiment, the exhalation flow sensor 111a is located in the exhalation limb 134 and is monitored by the exhalation module 108. However, the exhalation flow sensor 111a may be located in any suitable position for monitoring exhalation flow and may be monitored by any suitable ventilator component, such as a pressure generating system 102.


Further, in some embodiments, the one or more sensors 107 of the ventilator 100 also include an inspiratory pressure sensor 109b and/or an exhalation pressure sensor 111b as illustrated in FIG. 1B. In one embodiment, the inspiratory pressure sensor 109b is located in the inspiratory limb 132 and is controlled by the inspiratory module 104. However, the inspiratory pressure sensor 109b may be located in any suitable position for monitoring inspiratory pressure and may be monitored by any suitable ventilator component, such as a pressure generating system 102. In one embodiment, the exhalation pressure sensor 111b is located in the exhalation limb 134 and is monitored by the exhalation module 108. However, the exhalation pressure sensor 111b may be located in any suitable position for monitoring exhalation pressure and may be monitored by any suitable ventilator component, such as a pressure generating system 102.


As should be appreciated, with reference to the Equation of Motion, ventilatory parameters are highly interrelated and, according to embodiments, may be either directly or indirectly monitored. That is, parameters may be directly monitored by one or more sensors 107, as described above, or may be indirectly monitored or estimated by derivation according to the Equation of Motion or other known relationships. For example, in some embodiments, inspiration flow is derived from measured inspiration pressure and vice versa. In another example, exhalation pressure is derived from exhalation flow and vice versa.


The pneumatic system 102 may include a variety of other components, including mixing modules, valves, tubing, accumulators 115, filters, etc. For example, FIG. 1B illustrates the use of an accumulator 115.


In one embodiment, the operator interface 120 of the ventilator 100 includes a display 122 communicatively coupled to ventilator 100. Display 122 provides various input screens, for receiving clinician input, and various display screens, for presenting useful information to the clinician. In one embodiment, the display 122 is configured to include a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be an interactive display, e.g., a touch-sensitive screen or otherwise, and may provide various windows and elements for receiving input and interface command operations. Alternatively, other suitable means of communication with the ventilator 100 may be provided, for instance by a wheel, keyboard, mouse, or other suitable interactive device. Thus, operator interface 120 may accept commands and input through display 122.


Display 122 may also provide useful information in the form of various ventilatory data regarding the physical condition of a patient 150. The useful information may be derived by the ventilator 100, based on data collected by a processor 116, and the useful information may be displayed to the clinician in the form of graphs, wave representations, pie graphs, text, or other suitable forms of graphic display. For example, patient data may be displayed on the GUI and/or display 122. Additionally or alternatively, patient data may be communicated to a remote monitoring system coupled via any suitable means to the ventilator 100. In some embodiments, the display 122 may illustrate the use of EBUV mode during a malfunction and/or any other information known, received, or stored by the ventilator 100.


Controller 110 is operatively coupled with pneumatic system 102, signal measurement and acquisition systems, and an operator interface 120 that may enable an operator to interact with the ventilator 100 (e.g., change ventilator settings, select operational modes, view monitored parameters, etc.).


In some embodiments, controller 110 includes memory 112, one or more processors 116, storage 114, and/or other components of the type commonly found in command and control computing devices, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In alternative embodiments, the controller 110 is separate component from the operator interface 120 and pneumatic system 102. In other embodiments, the controller 110 is located in other components of the ventilator 100, such as in the pressure generating system 102 (also known as the pneumatic system 102).


The memory 112 includes non-transitory, computer-readable storage media that stores software that is executed by the processor 116 and which controls the operation of the ventilator 100. In an embodiment, the memory 112 includes one or more solid-state storage devices such as flash memory chips. In an alternative embodiment, the memory 112 may be mass storage connected to the processor 116 through a mass storage controller (not shown) and a communications bus (not shown). Although the description of computer-readable media contained herein refers to a solid-state storage, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by the processor 116. That is, computer-readable storage media includes non-transitory, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. For example, computer-readable storage media includes RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer.


Further, controller 110 determines if there is a malfunction that makes exhalation flow and/or exhalation pressure undeterminable. Accordingly, the controller 110 determines if the exhalation flow sensor 111a, exhalation pressure sensor 111b, and/or the valve command (i.e., the main driver 103) are unreliable. If the exhalation flow sensor 111a, exhalation pressure sensor 111b, and/or the valve command are determined to be unreliable by the controller 110, then the monitored expiratory flow, monitored expiratory pressure, valve position, valve current, valve current command, valve dampening command, and etc. may all be unreliable.


Several different systems and method are currently utilized and known in the art for determining a malfunction in the exhalation module 108 and components of the exhalation module (e.g., the exhalation flow sensor 111a, exhalation pressure sensor 111b, and/or the valve command (i.e., the main driver 103)). The controller 110 detects a malfunction utilizing any of these known systems or methods. For example, malfunctions may be detected based on changes in voltages, temperatures, wattages, coefficients, humidity, and/or overcurrent for various components (e.g., exhalation flow sensor 111a, exhalation valve 113, and/or main driver 103) of the exhalation module 108.


If the controller 110 detects a malfunction, the controller 110 communicates with the exhalation module 108 and instructs the exhalation module 108 to switch to a backup driver 105. Further, the controller 110 instructs the pneumatic system 102 to enter EBUV mode of ventilation. The EBUV mode is a pressure targeted mandatory mode of ventilation. The pressure to be administered to a patient 150 during inspiration and exhalation of the mandatory breath is determined by the ventilator 100. Further, the inspiratory time, and respiratory rate for a patient 150 are also predetermined by the ventilator 100. These variables determine the breath profile to be delivered to the patient 150 during each mandatory breath inspiration and expiration. The mandatory breaths are administered according to the predetermined respiratory rate. For the EBUV mode, when the inspiratory time is equal to the prescribed inspiratory time, the ventilator 100 initiates exhalation. Exhalation lasts from the end of inspiration until the next inspiration. Upon the end of exhalation, another mandatory breath is given to the patient 150.


During an EBUV mode, the ventilator 100 delivers a repeating pressure waveform, regardless of variations in lung or airway characteristics, e.g., respiratory compliance and/or respiratory resistance. However, the volume and flow waveforms may fluctuate based on lung and airway characteristics. In some embodiments, the ventilator 100 determines the set pressure (including the inspiratory pressure and the PEEP), the inspiratory time, and respiration rate based on known ventilator parameters that have not been corrupted by the determined malfunction, such as weight, height, sex, age, and disease state. In other embodiments, the set pressure (including the inspiratory pressure and the PEEP), the inspiratory time, and the respiration rate are predetermined by the ventilator 100 upon the detection of a malfunction and are the same for any patient 150 being ventilated by the ventilator 100.


If the controller 110 does not determine a malfunction, the controller 110 does not send instructions to the exhalation module 108 and the exhalation module 108 continues to control the exhalation valve 113 utilizing a main driver 103. In some embodiments, the controller 110 is part of the exhalation module 108. In some embodiments, the controller 110 is part of the pneumatic system 102.


Additionally, controller 110 determines if the ventilator 100 is in an inspiratory phase (delivering inspiration) or an expiratory phase (delivering exhalation) of breath during ventilation based on the mandatory mode of ventilation after a malfunction is determined. The ventilator 100 delivers inspiration and exhalation automatically based on the set breath rate. Accordingly, the ventilator 100 determines the inspiration and exhalation phases. If the controller 110 determines that the ventilator 100 is in the inspiration phase of the breath, the pressure delivered to the patient 150 is a set inspiration pressure. If the controller 110 determines that the ventilator 100 is in the exhalation phase of the breath, the pressure delivered to the patient 150 is a set PEEP.



FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a method 200 for ventilating a patient with a ventilator. Further, method 200 provides ventilation after a malfunction is detected that prevents the exhalation pressure and/or exhalation flow from being monitored. The ventilation provided after a malfunction is referred to herein as an exhalation backup-ventilation mode (EBUV). Method 200 begins at the start of ventilation.


As illustrated, method 200 includes a monitoring operation 202. During the monitoring operation 202, the ventilator monitors inspiratory flow, inspiratory pressure, expiratory flow, and expiratory pressure during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator. In some embodiments, the ventilator during the monitoring operation 202 monitors numerous ventilator parameters. As used herein ventilator parameters include any parameter that may be monitored by the ventilator. Sensors suitable for this detection may include any suitable sensing device as known by a person of skill in the art for a ventilator, such as an exhalation flow sensor, expiratory pressure sensor, an inspiratory flow sensor, and an inspiratory pressure sensor.


Further, method 200 also includes a first delivering operation 204. During the first delivering operation 204, the ventilator delivers ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and/or the expiratory pressure. In some embodiments, the ventilator during the first delivering operation 204 delivers pressure based on the expiratory flow, expiratory pressure, and at least one of inspiratory flow and inspiratory pressure. In some embodiments, the pressure delivered is a pressure limited breath. The pressure delivered during ventilation in based on a breath type and mode of ventilation. In some embodiments, the breath type and/or mode are selected by the clinician. In other embodiments, the mode and/or breath type are determined by the ventilator. Based on the breath type and mode, the ventilator during the first delivering operation 204 may deliver a set pressure or a variable pressure. Further, based on the breath type and mode, the ventilator during first delivering operation 204 may deliver a different pressure during exhalation than delivered during inspiration. For example, the ventilator during first delivering operation 204 may deliver a variable inspiration pressure and set PEEP during exhalation.


Next, method 200 includes a malfunction decision operation 206. During the malfunction decision operation 206, the ventilator determines a malfunction that makes the expiratory flow and/or the expiratory pressure undeterminable. The ventilator during malfunction decision operation 206 determines a malfunction by determining if the exhalation flow sensor, exhalation pressure sensor, and/or the valve command (i.e., a main driver) are unreliable. If the exhalation flow sensor, exhalation pressure sensor, and/or the valve command are determined to be unreliable by the ventilator during malfunction decision operation 206, then the monitored expiratory flow, monitored expiratory pressure, valve position, valve current, valve current command, valve dampening command, and/or etc. may all be unreliable.


The ventilator during malfunction decision operation 206 detects a malfunction. Several different systems and method are currently utilized and known in the art for determining a malfunction in the exhalation module and components of the exhalation module (e.g., the exhalation flow sensor, exhalation pressure sensor, and/or the valve command (i.e., the main driver)). The ventilator during malfunction decision operation 206 may detect malfunction utilizing any of these known systems or methods. For example, malfunctions may be detected based on changes in voltages, temperatures, wattages, coefficients, humidity, and/or overcurrent for various components (e.g., exhalation flow sensor, exhalation valve, and/or main driver) of the exhalation module.


If the ventilator during malfunction decision operation 206 determines a malfunction, the ventilator selects to perform a second delivering operation 210. The performance of the delivering operation 210 ceases the ventilation delivered based at least on the expiratory flow and/or expiratory pressure during first delivery operation 204. In some embodiments, if the ventilator during malfunction decision operation 206 determines a malfunction, the ventilator selects to perform a display operation 208 prior to performing the second delivering operation 210. If the ventilator during malfunction decision operation 206 does not determine a malfunction, the ventilator selects to perform the monitoring operation 202.


Method 200 includes a second delivering operation 210. The ventilator during second delivering operation 210 delivers the ventilation based on at least on the monitored inspiratory flow and the monitored inspiratory pressure. It is understood by a person of skill in the art, that the pressure delivered by the ventilator during the second delivering operation 210 may be based on parameters derived from the inspiratory pressure and inspiratory flow. The ventilation provided to the patient is based on an EBUV mode of ventilation. In some embodiments, the EBUV mode is a pressure targeted mandatory mode of ventilation. The pressure to be administered to a patient during inspiration and exhalation of the mandatory breath is determined by the ventilator during second delivering operation 210. Further, the inspiratory time, and respiratory rate for a patient are also determined by the ventilator during second delivering operation 210. These variables determine the pressure of the gas delivered to the patient during each mandatory breath inspiration and exhalation. The mandatory breaths are administered according to the set respiratory rate by the ventilator during second delivering operation 210. For the EBUV mode, when the inspiratory time is equal to the prescribed inspiratory time, the ventilator during second delivering operation 210 initiates exhalation. Exhalation lasts from the end of inspiration until the next inspiration. Upon the end of exhalation, another mandatory breath is given to the patient by the ventilator during second delivering operation 210.


In other embodiments, the EBUV mode is a volume-controlled-pressure-targeted (VC+) mandatory mode of ventilation during the second delivering operation 210. The VC+ breath type is a combination of volume and pressure control breath types that may be delivered to a patient as a mandatory breath. In particular, VC+ may provide the benefits associated with setting a target tidal volume, while also allowing for variable flow.


Unlike VC, when the set inspiratory time is reached, the ventilator may initiate exhalation. Exhalation lasts from the end of inspiration until the beginning of the next inspiration. The expiratory time (TE) is based on the respiratory rate set by the clinician. Upon the end of exhalation, another VC+ mandatory breath is given to the patient. By controlling target tidal volume and allowing for variable flow, VC+ allows a clinician to maintain the volume while allowing the flow and pressure targets to fluctuate.


In some embodiments, the pressure provided by the ventilator during second delivering operation 210 is determined by the phase of the breath. In these embodiments, the method 200 includes an inspiration decision operation 210A as illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for delivering a pressure based breath during the method illustrated in FIG. 2. The ventilator during the inspiration decision operation 210A determines if inspiration is being delivered. The ventilator delivers inspiration based on the set inspiratory time and respiration rate. Accordingly, the ventilator determines when inspiration is delivered based on the mandatory mode of ventilation. If the ventilator determines that inspiration is being delivered during inspiration decision operation 210A, the ventilator performs delivering set inspiration pressure 210B. If the ventilator determines that inspiration is not being delivered during inspiration decision operation 210A then exhalation is being delivered and the ventilator performs delivering set PEEP pressure operation 210C.



FIG. 4 illustrates and embodiment of a method 300 for delivering a pressure based breath during the method illustrated in FIG. 2. Method 300 includes a controlling pressure operation 212. The ventilator during controlling pressure operation 212 controls the pressure delivered during ventilation based at least on the control of an exhalation valve. The exhalation valve relieves the over pressure established during inhalation to obtain the desired inspiration pressure during controlling pressure operation 212. Further, the exhalation valve controls establishing the desired PEEP during exhalation during controlling pressure operation 212.


Method 300 further includes a first controlling exhalation valve operation 214. The ventilator during first controlling exhalation valve operation 214 controls the exhalation valve with a main driver. The main driver utilizes a control algorithm that is computed by utilizing monitored exhalation pressure and monitored exhalation flow. The monitored exhalation flow and/or pressure are determined by one or more sensors, such as an exhalation pressure sensor and/or an exhalation flow sensor.


However, during method 300 if a malfunction is detected by the malfunction decision operation 206 during method 200 as described above, the ventilator selects to perform second controlling exhalation valve operation 218. In contrast, during method 300 if a malfunction is not detected by the malfunction decision operation 206 during method 200 as described above, the ventilator selects to continue to perform second controlling exhalation valve operation 218.


As illustrated, method 300 includes a second controlling exhalation valve operation 218. The ventilator during second controlling exhalation valve operation 218 controls the exhalation valve with a backup driver. The malfunction prevents the expiratory flow and expiratory pressure from being determined. Accordingly, the backup driver may utilize a control algorithm that is computed by utilizing monitored inspiratory pressure and monitored inspiratory flow to control the exhalation valve. The monitored inspiratory flow and/or inspiratory pressure are determined by one or more sensors, such as an inspiratory pressure sensor and/or an inspiratory flow sensor. In some embodiments, the backup driver utilizes an inspiration control algorithm to establish the desired inspiration pressure that is computed by utilizing monitored inspiration pressure and monitored inspiration flow. In further, embodiments, the backup driver utilizes an exhalation control algorithm to establish the PEEP that is computed by utilizing monitored inspiration pressure and monitored inspiration flow. In some embodiments, the exhalation control algorithm subtracts the measured inspiration pressure from the desired PEEP. However, because the expiratory pressure is not determinable, the amount of PEEP delivered is determined based on the monitored inspiration pressure and monitored inspiration flow during a malfunction.


In some embodiments, method 200 includes a display operation 208. The ventilator during the display operation 208 displays any suitable information for display on a ventilator. In one embodiment, the ventilator during display operation 208 displays at least one of a detected malfunction, the use of an EBUV mode of ventilation, inspiration pressure, inspiration flow, exhalation pressure, exhalation pressure, delivered pressure, set inspiratory pressure, and/or set PEEP.


In some embodiments, a microprocessor-based ventilator that accesses a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of ventilating a patient with a medical ventilator is disclosed. This method includes repeatedly performing the steps disclosed in method 200 above and/or as illustrated in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, this method includes repeatedly performing the steps disclosed in method 200 and method 300 above and/or as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.


In further embodiments, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of ventilating a patient with a ventilator is disclosed. This method includes repeatedly monitoring inspiratory flow, inspiratory pressure, expiratory flow, and expiratory pressure during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator; repeatedly delivering a pressure during ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure; determining a malfunction that makes the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure undeterminable; and in response to the malfunction, repeatedly delivering the pressure during the ventilation based on the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure.


In some embodiments, the ventilator system includes: means for monitoring inspiratory flow, inspiratory pressure, expiratory flow, and expiratory pressure during ventilation of a patient with a ventilator; means for delivering a pressure during ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure; and means for determining a malfunction that makes the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure undeterminable; means for in response to the malfunction, delivering the pressure during the ventilation based on the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure.


Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems of the present disclosure may be implemented in many manners and as such are not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments and examples. In other words, functional elements being performed by a single or multiple components, in various combinations of hardware and software or firmware, and individual functions, can be distributed among software applications at either the client or server level or both. In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into single or multiple embodiments, and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known. Thus, myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations are possible in achieving the functions, features, interfaces and preferences described herein. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure covers conventionally known manners for carrying out the described features and functions and interfaces, and those variations and modifications that may be made to the hardware or software firmware components described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the art now and hereafter.


Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure and as defined in the appended claims. While various embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the present invention. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure and as defined in the claims.

Claims
  • 1. A method for ventilating a patient with a ventilator, comprising: monitoring inspiratory flow, expiratory flow, and expiratory pressure during ventilation of the patient with the ventilator;monitoring features associated with at least one of an expiratory flow sensor, an expiratory pressure sensor, and a main driver;delivering ventilation for any breath type during a predetermined or a selected mode of ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure,wherein the predetermined or the selected mode of ventilation includes a spontaneous mode, an assist mode, or a mandatory mode;determining, with the ventilator, a malfunction in at least one of the expiratory flow sensor, the expiratory pressure sensor, and the main driver that makes at least one of the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure unreliable based on the features associated with at least one of the expiratory flow sensor, the expiratory pressure sensor, and the main driver;in response to the malfunction, automatically ceasing the delivering of the predetermined or the selected mode of ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure and instead automatically delivering an exhalation backup ventilation mode based on at least one of the inspiratory flow and an inspiratory pressure by the ventilator;controlling pressure delivered during the ventilation based at least on controlling an exhalation valve;controlling the exhalation valve with the main driver;in response to the malfunction, controlling the exhalation valve with a backup driver includes:inputting the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure during inspiration into an inspiratory control algorithm; andinputting the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure during exhalation into an expiratory control algorithm.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the malfunction, determining an inspiratory phase;wherein the pressure delivered to the patient is a set inspiration pressure during the inspiratory phase.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the malfunction, determining an exhalation phase;wherein the pressure delivered to the patient is a set PEEP during the exhalation phase.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the main driver is malfunctioning.
  • 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the exhalation valve relieves an over pressure established during inhalation to obtain a desired inspiration pressure.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the expiratory control algorithm subtracts the inspiratory pressure from a set PEEP.
  • 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the malfunction,displaying use of the exhalation backup ventilation mode.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the features include changes in at least one of voltages, temperatures, wattages, coefficients, and humidity.
  • 9. A ventilator system comprising: a pressure generating system adapted to generate a flow of breathing gas;a ventilation tubing system including a patient interface for connecting the pressure generating system to a patient;an exhalation valve connected to the ventilation tubing system;a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to at least one of the pressure generating system, the patient, and the ventilation tubing system, wherein the plurality of sensors include an inspiratory pressure sensor for monitoring inspiratory pressure, an inspiratory flow sensor for monitoring inspiratory flow, an expiratory pressure sensor for monitoring exhalation pressure, and an expiratory flow sensor for monitoring expiratory flow;a main driver, the main driver controls the exhalation valve to deliver ventilation for any breath type during at least one of an assist mode, a spontaneous mode, and mandatory mode of ventilation to the patient based at least on at least one of the exhalation pressure and the expiratory flow monitored by the plurality of sensors;a backup driver, the backup driver controls the exhalation valve to deliver backup ventilation to the patient during an exhalation backup ventilation mode based on at least one of the inspiration pressure and the inspiration flow monitored by the plurality of sensors; anda controller, the controller determines a malfunction in at least one of the expiratory flow sensor, the expiratory pressure sensor, and the main driver making the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure unreliable based on features associated with at least one of the expiratory flow sensor, the expiratory pressure sensor, and the main driver and switches from the main driver to the backup driver in response to the malfunction;wherein the backup driver controls the exhalation valve during inspiration by utilizing an inspiratory control algorithm; andwherein the backup driver controls the exhalation valve during exhalation by utilizing an exhalation control algorithm.
  • 10. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein the backup driver is on a circuit isolated from the main driver.
  • 11. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein the main driver is a differential driver.
  • 12. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein the backup driver is a pulse modulated driver.
  • 13. The ventilator system of claim 9, further comprising: a display that displays utilization of the exhalation backup ventilation mode.
  • 14. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein in response to the malfunction, the controller determines delivery of inspiration and exhalation based on a set inspiratory time and respiration rate; wherein a pressure delivered to the patient is a set PEEP during exhalation, andwherein the pressure delivered to the patient is a set inspiration pressure during inspiration.
  • 15. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein the controller detects the malfunction in the main driver.
  • 16. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein the expiratory control algorithm subtracts the inspiratory pressure from a set PEEP.
  • 17. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein the features include changes in at least one of voltages, temperatures, wattages, coefficients, and humidity.
  • 18. The ventilator system of claim 9, wherein the exhalation valve is controlled to relieve an over pressure established during inhalation to obtain a desired inspiration pressure.
  • 19. A ventilatory system, comprising: at least one processor; andat least one non-transitory memory, communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and containing instructions that cause the ventilatory system to: monitor inspiratory flow, inspiratory pressure, expiratory flow, and expiratory pressure during ventilation of a patient based on data from a plurality of sensors;monitor changes in at least one of voltages, temperatures, wattages, coefficients, and humidity in at least one component of the ventilatory system;deliver the ventilation for any breath type during at least one of a spontaneous mode, an assist mode, or a mandatory mode of ventilation based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure;determine a malfunction that makes at least one of the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure unreliable, wherein the malfunction is determined based on the changes;in response to the malfunction, switching the mode of ventilation from being based at least on the expiratory flow and the expiratory pressure to an exhalation backup ventilation mode that is based on at least one of the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure; andin response to the malfunction, displaying the malfunction;controlling a pressure delivered during the ventilation based at least on controlling an exhalation valve;controlling the exhalation valve with a main driver;in response to the malfunction, controlling the exhalation valve with a backup driver;wherein the step of controlling the exhalation valve with the backup driver includes:inputting the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure during inspiration into an inspiratory control algorithm; andinputting the inspiratory flow and the inspiratory pressure during exhalation into an expiratory control algorithm.
US Referenced Citations (713)
Number Name Date Kind
3827433 Shannon Aug 1974 A
3869771 Bollinger Mar 1975 A
3889670 Loveland et al. Jun 1975 A
3896800 Cibulka Jul 1975 A
3908987 Boehringer Sep 1975 A
3976065 Durkan Aug 1976 A
4020834 Bird May 1977 A
4050458 Friend Sep 1977 A
4057059 Reid, Jr. et al. Nov 1977 A
4082093 Fry et al. Apr 1978 A
4155357 Dahl May 1979 A
4197843 Bird Apr 1980 A
4206754 Cox et al. Jun 1980 A
4211221 Schwanbom et al. Jul 1980 A
4211239 Raemer et al. Jul 1980 A
4227523 Warnow et al. Oct 1980 A
4232666 Savelli et al. Nov 1980 A
4245633 Erceg Jan 1981 A
4265237 Schwanbom et al. May 1981 A
4267827 Racher et al. May 1981 A
4285340 Gezari et al. Aug 1981 A
4320754 Watson et al. Mar 1982 A
4323064 Hoenig et al. Apr 1982 A
4351328 Bodai Sep 1982 A
4351329 Ellestad et al. Sep 1982 A
4417573 De Vries Nov 1983 A
4436090 Darling Mar 1984 A
4457304 Molnar et al. Jul 1984 A
4459982 Fry Jul 1984 A
4459983 Beyreuther et al. Jul 1984 A
4462397 Suzuki Jul 1984 A
4502481 Christian Mar 1985 A
4527557 DeVries et al. Jul 1985 A
4596246 Lyall Jun 1986 A
4598706 Darowski et al. Jul 1986 A
4611591 Inui et al. Sep 1986 A
4622976 Timpe et al. Nov 1986 A
4651731 Vicenzi et al. Mar 1987 A
4752089 Carter Jun 1988 A
4813409 Ismach Mar 1989 A
4821709 Jensen Apr 1989 A
4877023 Zalkin Oct 1989 A
4921642 LaTorraca May 1990 A
4924862 Levinson May 1990 A
4954799 Kumar Sep 1990 A
5002050 McGinnis Mar 1991 A
5007420 Bird Apr 1991 A
5057822 Hoffman Oct 1991 A
5063925 Frank et al. Nov 1991 A
5065746 Steen Nov 1991 A
5067487 Bauman Nov 1991 A
5072737 Goulding Dec 1991 A
5150291 Cummings et al. Sep 1992 A
5158569 Strickland et al. Oct 1992 A
5161525 Kimm et al. Nov 1992 A
5165398 Bird Nov 1992 A
5222491 Thomas Jun 1993 A
5237987 Anderson et al. Aug 1993 A
5271389 Isaza et al. Dec 1993 A
5279549 Ranford Jan 1994 A
5299568 Forare et al. Apr 1994 A
5301667 McGrail et al. Apr 1994 A
5301921 Kumar Apr 1994 A
5303698 Tobia et al. Apr 1994 A
5315989 Tobia May 1994 A
5319540 Isaza et al. Jun 1994 A
5323772 Linden et al. Jun 1994 A
5325861 Goulding Jul 1994 A
5333606 Schneider et al. Aug 1994 A
5335651 Foster et al. Aug 1994 A
5339807 Carter Aug 1994 A
5343857 Schneider et al. Sep 1994 A
5351522 Lura Oct 1994 A
5357946 Kee et al. Oct 1994 A
5368019 LaTorraca Nov 1994 A
5373842 Olsson et al. Dec 1994 A
5383449 Forare et al. Jan 1995 A
5385142 Brady et al. Jan 1995 A
5390666 Kimm et al. Feb 1995 A
5401135 Stoen et al. Mar 1995 A
5402796 Packer et al. Apr 1995 A
5407174 Kumar Apr 1995 A
5413110 Cummings et al. May 1995 A
5433193 Sanders et al. Jul 1995 A
5438980 Phillips Aug 1995 A
5443075 Holscher Aug 1995 A
5487383 Levinson Jan 1996 A
5494028 DeVries et al. Feb 1996 A
5507282 Younes Apr 1996 A
5509406 Kock et al. Apr 1996 A
5513631 McWilliams May 1996 A
5517983 Deighan et al. May 1996 A
5520071 Jones May 1996 A
5524615 Power Jun 1996 A
5531221 Power et al. Jul 1996 A
5535738 Estes et al. Jul 1996 A
5540220 Gropper et al. Jul 1996 A
5542415 Brady Aug 1996 A
5544674 Kelly Aug 1996 A
5549106 Gruenke et al. Aug 1996 A
5551419 Froehlich et al. Sep 1996 A
5575283 Sjoestrand Nov 1996 A
5582163 Bonassa Dec 1996 A
5596984 O'Mahoney et al. Jan 1997 A
5606968 Mang Mar 1997 A
5615669 Olsson et al. Apr 1997 A
5630411 Holscher May 1997 A
5632269 Zdrojkowski May 1997 A
5632270 O'Mahony et al. May 1997 A
5645048 Brodsky et al. Jul 1997 A
5647345 Saul Jul 1997 A
5647351 Weismann et al. Jul 1997 A
5651360 Tobia Jul 1997 A
5660171 Kimm et al. Aug 1997 A
5664560 Merrick et al. Sep 1997 A
5664562 Bourdon Sep 1997 A
5671767 Kelly Sep 1997 A
5672041 Ringdahl et al. Sep 1997 A
5673689 Power Oct 1997 A
5694926 DeVries et al. Dec 1997 A
5715812 Deighan et al. Feb 1998 A
5730122 Lurie Mar 1998 A
5735267 Tobia Apr 1998 A
5740796 Skog Apr 1998 A
5752509 Lachmann et al. May 1998 A
5762480 Adahan Jun 1998 A
5769072 Olsson et al. Jun 1998 A
5771884 Yarnall et al. Jun 1998 A
5791339 Winter Aug 1998 A
5794615 Estes Aug 1998 A
5794986 Gansel et al. Aug 1998 A
5813399 Isaza et al. Sep 1998 A
5826575 Lall Oct 1998 A
5829441 Kidd et al. Nov 1998 A
5864938 Gansel et al. Feb 1999 A
5865168 Isaza Feb 1999 A
5865173 Froehlich Feb 1999 A
5868133 DeVries et al. Feb 1999 A
5881717 Isaza Mar 1999 A
5881723 Wallace et al. Mar 1999 A
5884623 Winter Mar 1999 A
5906204 Beran et al. May 1999 A
5909731 O'Mahony et al. Jun 1999 A
5915379 Wallace et al. Jun 1999 A
5915380 Wallace et al. Jun 1999 A
5915381 Nord Jun 1999 A
5915382 Power Jun 1999 A
5918597 Jones et al. Jul 1999 A
5921238 Bourdon Jul 1999 A
5927274 Servidio et al. Jul 1999 A
5934274 Merrick et al. Aug 1999 A
5970975 Estes et al. Oct 1999 A
5975081 Hood et al. Nov 1999 A
5983891 Fukunaga Nov 1999 A
6000396 Melker et al. Dec 1999 A
6003513 Readey et al. Dec 1999 A
6010459 Silkoff et al. Jan 2000 A
6024089 Wallace et al. Feb 2000 A
6029664 Zdrojkowski et al. Feb 2000 A
6029667 Lurie Feb 2000 A
6041780 Richard et al. Mar 2000 A
6042550 Haryadi et al. Mar 2000 A
6047860 Sanders Apr 2000 A
6067984 Piper May 2000 A
6076523 Jones et al. Jun 2000 A
6095139 Psaros Aug 2000 A
6095140 Poon et al. Aug 2000 A
6102038 DeVries Aug 2000 A
6105575 Estes et al. Aug 2000 A
6116240 Merrick et al. Sep 2000 A
6116464 Sanders Sep 2000 A
6123073 Schlawin et al. Sep 2000 A
6123674 Rich Sep 2000 A
6135106 Dirks et al. Oct 2000 A
6142150 O'Mahoney Nov 2000 A
6148814 Clemmer et al. Nov 2000 A
6152132 Psaros Nov 2000 A
6158432 Biondi et al. Dec 2000 A
6161539 Winter Dec 2000 A
6192885 Jalde Feb 2001 B1
6200271 Kuck et al. Mar 2001 B1
6210342 Kuck et al. Apr 2001 B1
6213119 Brydon et al. Apr 2001 B1
6217524 Orr et al. Apr 2001 B1
6220244 McLaughlin Apr 2001 B1
6220245 Takabayashi et al. Apr 2001 B1
6238351 Orr et al. May 2001 B1
6241681 Haryadi et al. Jun 2001 B1
6258038 Haryadi et al. Jul 2001 B1
6269812 Wallace et al. Aug 2001 B1
6273444 Power Aug 2001 B1
6283119 Bourdon Sep 2001 B1
6305373 Wallace et al. Oct 2001 B1
6305374 Zdrojkowski et al. Oct 2001 B1
6306098 Orr et al. Oct 2001 B1
6321748 O'Mahoney Nov 2001 B1
6325785 Babkes et al. Dec 2001 B1
6357438 Hansen Mar 2002 B1
6360745 Wallace et al. Mar 2002 B1
6369838 Wallace et al. Apr 2002 B1
6412483 Jones et al. Jul 2002 B1
6427692 Hoglund Aug 2002 B1
6439229 Du et al. Aug 2002 B1
6443154 Jalde et al. Sep 2002 B1
6450968 Wallen et al. Sep 2002 B1
6467477 Frank et al. Oct 2002 B1
6467478 Merrick et al. Oct 2002 B1
6510846 O'Rourke Jan 2003 B1
6512938 Claure et al. Jan 2003 B2
6526970 DeVries et al. Mar 2003 B2
6532957 Berthon-Jones Mar 2003 B2
6532960 Yurko Mar 2003 B1
6539940 Zdrojkowski et al. Apr 2003 B2
6546930 Emerson et al. Apr 2003 B1
6553991 Isaza Apr 2003 B1
6557553 Borrello May 2003 B1
6560991 Kotliar May 2003 B1
6564798 Jalde May 2003 B1
6568387 Davenport et al. May 2003 B2
6571795 Bourdon Jun 2003 B2
6584973 Biondi et al. Jul 2003 B1
6588422 Berthon-Jones et al. Jul 2003 B1
6609517 Estes et al. Aug 2003 B1
6626175 Jafari et al. Sep 2003 B2
6640806 Yurko Nov 2003 B2
6644310 Delache et al. Nov 2003 B1
6659100 O'Rourke Dec 2003 B2
6662032 Gavish et al. Dec 2003 B1
6668824 Isaza et al. Dec 2003 B1
6675801 Wallace et al. Jan 2004 B2
6679258 Strom Jan 2004 B1
6688307 Berthon-Jones Feb 2004 B2
6705314 O'Dea Mar 2004 B1
6718974 Moberg Apr 2004 B1
6725447 Gilman et al. Apr 2004 B1
6739337 Isaza May 2004 B2
6752151 Hill Jun 2004 B2
6758216 Berthon-Jones et al. Jul 2004 B1
6761167 Nadjafizadeh et al. Jul 2004 B1
6761168 Nadjafizadeh et al. Jul 2004 B1
6776159 Pelerossi et al. Aug 2004 B2
6782888 Friberg et al. Aug 2004 B1
6786216 O'Rourke Sep 2004 B2
6810876 Berthon-Jones Nov 2004 B2
6814074 Nadjafizadeh et al. Nov 2004 B1
6823866 Jafari et al. Nov 2004 B2
6848444 Smith et al. Feb 2005 B2
6854462 Berthon-Jones et al. Feb 2005 B2
6866040 Bourdon Mar 2005 B1
6877511 DeVries et al. Apr 2005 B2
6899103 Hood et al. May 2005 B1
6915803 Berthon-Jones et al. Jul 2005 B2
6920878 Sinderby et al. Jul 2005 B2
6932084 Estes et al. Aug 2005 B2
6948497 Zdrojkowski et al. Sep 2005 B2
6960854 Nadjafizadeh et al. Nov 2005 B2
6962155 Sinderby Nov 2005 B1
6986347 Hickle Jan 2006 B2
6986349 Lurie Jan 2006 B2
6990980 Richey, II Jan 2006 B2
7000612 Jafari et al. Feb 2006 B2
7032589 Kerechanin, II et al. Apr 2006 B2
7036504 Wallace et al. May 2006 B2
7040318 Däscher et al. May 2006 B2
7056334 Lennox Jun 2006 B2
7066177 Pittaway et al. Jun 2006 B2
7077131 Hansen Jul 2006 B2
7080646 Wiesmann et al. Jul 2006 B2
RE39225 Isaza et al. Aug 2006 E
7096866 Be'eri et al. Aug 2006 B2
7117438 Wallace et al. Oct 2006 B2
7121277 Ström Oct 2006 B2
7122010 Böhm et al. Oct 2006 B2
7128069 Farrugia et al. Oct 2006 B2
7137389 Berthon-Jones Nov 2006 B2
7152598 Morris et al. Dec 2006 B2
7156095 Melker et al. Jan 2007 B2
7204251 Lurie Apr 2007 B2
7219666 Friberg et al. May 2007 B2
7246618 Habashi Jul 2007 B2
7255103 Bassin Aug 2007 B2
7267122 Hill Sep 2007 B2
7267652 Coyle et al. Sep 2007 B2
7270126 Wallace et al. Sep 2007 B2
7270128 Berthon-Jones et al. Sep 2007 B2
7278962 Lönneker-Lammers Oct 2007 B2
7290544 Särelä et al. Nov 2007 B1
7296573 Estes et al. Nov 2007 B2
7308894 Hickle Dec 2007 B2
7320321 Pranger et al. Jan 2008 B2
7353824 Forsyth et al. Apr 2008 B1
7369757 Farbarik May 2008 B2
7370650 Nadjafizadeh et al. May 2008 B2
7428902 Du et al. Sep 2008 B2
7460959 Jafari Dec 2008 B2
7465275 Stenqvist Dec 2008 B2
7472702 Beck et al. Jan 2009 B2
7478634 Jam Jan 2009 B2
7481222 Reissmann Jan 2009 B2
7487773 Li Feb 2009 B2
7487778 Freitag Feb 2009 B2
7527058 Wright et al. May 2009 B2
RE40814 Van Brunt et al. Jun 2009 E
7556041 Madsen Jul 2009 B2
7562657 Blanch et al. Jul 2009 B2
7574368 Pawlikowski et al. Aug 2009 B2
7581708 Newkirk Sep 2009 B2
7588033 Wondka Sep 2009 B2
7617824 Doyle Nov 2009 B2
7621270 Morris et al. Nov 2009 B2
7628151 Bassin Dec 2009 B2
7644713 Berthon-Jones Jan 2010 B2
7654802 Crawford, Jr. et al. Feb 2010 B2
7672720 Heath Mar 2010 B2
7686019 Weiss et al. Mar 2010 B2
7694677 Tang Apr 2010 B2
7708015 Seeger et al. May 2010 B2
7717113 Andrieux May 2010 B2
7717858 Massad May 2010 B2
7721736 Urias et al. May 2010 B2
D618356 Ross Jun 2010 S
7730884 Sato et al. Jun 2010 B2
7735492 Doshi et al. Jun 2010 B2
7784461 Figueiredo et al. Aug 2010 B2
7793656 Johnson Sep 2010 B2
7798148 Doshi et al. Sep 2010 B2
7802571 Tehrani Sep 2010 B2
7806120 Loomas et al. Oct 2010 B2
7810496 Estes et al. Oct 2010 B2
7810497 Pittman et al. Oct 2010 B2
7823588 Hansen Nov 2010 B2
7841347 Sonnenschein et al. Nov 2010 B2
7849854 DeVries et al. Dec 2010 B2
7855716 McCreary et al. Dec 2010 B2
D632796 Ross et al. Feb 2011 S
D632797 Ross et al. Feb 2011 S
7886739 Soliman et al. Feb 2011 B2
7891354 Farbarik Feb 2011 B2
7893560 Carter Feb 2011 B2
7909034 Sinderby et al. Mar 2011 B2
D638852 Skidmore et al. May 2011 S
7938114 Matthews et al. May 2011 B2
7971589 Mashak et al. Jul 2011 B2
7984714 Hausmann et al. Jul 2011 B2
D643535 Ross et al. Aug 2011 S
7992557 Nadjafizadeh et al. Aug 2011 B2
7992564 Doshi et al. Aug 2011 B2
8001967 Wallace et al. Aug 2011 B2
D645158 Sanchez et al. Sep 2011 S
8011363 Johnson Sep 2011 B2
8011364 Johnson Sep 2011 B2
8011366 Knepper Sep 2011 B2
8015974 Christopher et al. Sep 2011 B2
8020558 Christopher et al. Sep 2011 B2
8021310 Sanborn et al. Sep 2011 B2
D649157 Skidmore et al. Nov 2011 S
D652521 Ross et al. Jan 2012 S
D652936 Ross et al. Jan 2012 S
D653749 Winter et al. Feb 2012 S
8113062 Graboi et al. Feb 2012 B2
D655405 Winter et al. Mar 2012 S
D655809 Winter et al. Mar 2012 S
D656237 Sanchez et al. Mar 2012 S
8181648 Perine et al. May 2012 B2
8210173 Vandine Jul 2012 B2
8210174 Farbarik Jul 2012 B2
8240684 Ross et al. Aug 2012 B2
8267085 Jafari et al. Sep 2012 B2
8272379 Jafari et al. Sep 2012 B2
8272380 Jafari et al. Sep 2012 B2
8302600 Andrieux et al. Nov 2012 B2
8302602 Andrieux et al. Nov 2012 B2
8457706 Baker, Jr. Jun 2013 B2
D692556 Winter Oct 2013 S
D693001 Winter Nov 2013 S
D701601 Winter Mar 2014 S
8792949 Baker, Jr. Jul 2014 B2
8844526 Jafari et al. Sep 2014 B2
D731048 Winter Jun 2015 S
D731049 Winter Jun 2015 S
D731065 Winter Jun 2015 S
D736905 Winter Aug 2015 S
D744095 Winter Nov 2015 S
20020017301 Lundin Feb 2002 A1
20020026941 Biondi et al. Mar 2002 A1
20020117173 Lynn et al. Aug 2002 A1
20020144681 Cewers et al. Oct 2002 A1
20030029453 Smith et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030140925 Sapienza et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030168066 Sallvin Sep 2003 A1
20030172929 Muellner Sep 2003 A1
20030225339 Orr et al. Dec 2003 A1
20050034724 O'Dea Feb 2005 A1
20050034727 Shusterman et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050039748 Andrieux Feb 2005 A1
20050113668 Srinivasan May 2005 A1
20050139212 Bourdon Jun 2005 A1
20050166928 Jiang Aug 2005 A1
20050247311 Vacchiano et al. Nov 2005 A1
20060249153 DeVries et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060264762 Starr Nov 2006 A1
20060272637 Johnson Dec 2006 A1
20060283451 Albertelli Dec 2006 A1
20070017515 Wallace et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070017518 Farrugia et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070017522 Be-Eri et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070017523 Be-Eri et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070056588 Hayek Mar 2007 A1
20070062532 Choncholas Mar 2007 A1
20070062533 Choncholas et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070068528 Bohm et al. Mar 2007 A1
20070077200 Baker Apr 2007 A1
20070089741 Bohm et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070125377 Heinonen et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070227537 Bemister et al. Oct 2007 A1
20070272241 Sanborn et al. Nov 2007 A1
20070283958 Naghavi Dec 2007 A1
20070284361 Nadjafizadeh et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080000475 Hill Jan 2008 A1
20080011296 Schatzl Jan 2008 A1
20080021379 Hickle Jan 2008 A1
20080041383 Matthews et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080045845 Pfeiffer et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080053441 Gottlib et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080060656 Isaza Mar 2008 A1
20080072896 Setzer et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080072901 Habashi Mar 2008 A1
20080072902 Setzer et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080072904 Becker et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080078390 Milne et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080078395 Ho et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080083644 Janbakhsh et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080091117 Choncholas et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080092894 Nicolazzi et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080097234 Nicolazzi et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080110460 Elaz et al. May 2008 A1
20080110461 Mulqueeny et al. May 2008 A1
20080135044 Freitag et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080168990 Cooke et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080178874 Doshi et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080183057 Taube Jul 2008 A1
20080196720 Kollmeyer et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080200775 Lynn Aug 2008 A1
20080202528 Carter et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080221470 Sather et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080223361 Nieuwstad Sep 2008 A1
20080230061 Tham Sep 2008 A1
20080230062 Tham Sep 2008 A1
20080236582 Tehrani Oct 2008 A1
20080312519 Maschke Dec 2008 A1
20080314385 Brunner et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090007914 Bateman Jan 2009 A1
20090020119 Eger et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090071478 Kalfon Mar 2009 A1
20090090359 Daviet et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090099621 Lin et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090107982 McGhin et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090114223 Bonassa May 2009 A1
20090137919 Bar-Lavie et al. May 2009 A1
20090145441 Doshi et al. Jun 2009 A1
20090159082 Eger Jun 2009 A1
20090165795 Nadjafizadeh et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090165798 Cong Jul 2009 A1
20090171176 Andersohn Jul 2009 A1
20090183739 Wondka Jul 2009 A1
20090194109 Doshi et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090205661 Stephenson et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090205663 Vandine et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090210032 Beiski et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090241952 Nicolazzi et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090241953 Vandine et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090241956 Baker, Jr. et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090241957 Baker, Jr. et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090241958 Baker, Jr. Oct 2009 A1
20090241962 Jafari et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090247849 McCutcheon et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090247853 Debreczeny Oct 2009 A1
20090247891 Wood Oct 2009 A1
20090250058 Lastow et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090260625 Wondka Oct 2009 A1
20090266360 Acker et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090272381 Dellaca et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090277448 Ahlmén et al. Nov 2009 A1
20090293872 Bocke Dec 2009 A1
20090293877 Blanch et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090299155 Yang et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090301486 Masic Dec 2009 A1
20090301487 Masic Dec 2009 A1
20090301490 Masic Dec 2009 A1
20090301491 Masic et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090301492 Wysocki et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090308394 Levi Dec 2009 A1
20090308398 Ferdinand et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090314297 Mathews Dec 2009 A1
20100011307 Desfossez et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100016694 Martin et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100018531 Bassin Jan 2010 A1
20100024818 Stenzler et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100024820 Bourdon Feb 2010 A1
20100031443 Georgiev et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100051026 Graboi Mar 2010 A1
20100051029 Jafari et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100069761 Karst et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100071689 Thiessen Mar 2010 A1
20100071692 Porges Mar 2010 A1
20100071695 Thiessen Mar 2010 A1
20100071696 Jafari Mar 2010 A1
20100071697 Jafari et al. Mar 2010 A1
20100078017 Andrieux et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100078018 Heinonen et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100078024 Andrieux Apr 2010 A1
20100078026 Andrieux et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100081119 Jafari et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100081955 Wood, Jr. et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100094366 McCarthy Apr 2010 A1
20100101575 Fedorko et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100108066 Martin et al. May 2010 A1
20100108070 Kwok May 2010 A1
20100114218 Heath May 2010 A1
20100116270 Edwards et al. May 2010 A1
20100125227 Bird May 2010 A1
20100139660 Adahan Jun 2010 A1
20100147302 Selvarajan et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100147303 Jafari et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100148458 Ross et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100175695 Jamison Jul 2010 A1
20100186744 Andrieux Jul 2010 A1
20100218765 Jafari et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100218766 Milne Sep 2010 A1
20100218767 Jafari et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100236555 Jafari et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100241159 Li Sep 2010 A1
20100242961 Mougel et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100249549 Baker, Jr. et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100252037 Wondka et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100252040 Kapust et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100252041 Kapust et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100252042 Kapust et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100252046 Dahlström et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100275920 Tham et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100275921 Schindhelm et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100282259 Figueiredo et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100288283 Campbell et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100300445 Chatburn et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100300446 Nicolazzi et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100307507 Li et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100319691 Lurie et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100326442 Hamilton et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100326447 Loomas et al. Dec 2010 A1
20100331877 Li et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110005530 Doshi et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110009762 Eichler et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110011400 Gentner et al. Jan 2011 A1
20110023875 Ledwith Feb 2011 A1
20110023878 Thiessen Feb 2011 A1
20110023879 Vandine et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110023880 Thiessen Feb 2011 A1
20110023881 Thiessen Feb 2011 A1
20110029910 Thiessen Feb 2011 A1
20110036352 Estes et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110041849 Chen et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110041850 Vandine et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110061650 Heesch Mar 2011 A1
20110073112 DiBlasi et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110088697 DeVries et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110100365 Wedler et al. May 2011 A1
20110108041 Sather et al. May 2011 A1
20110126829 Carter et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110126832 Winter et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110126834 Winter et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110126835 Winter et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110126836 Winter et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110126837 Winter et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110128008 Carter Jun 2011 A1
20110132361 Sanchez Jun 2011 A1
20110132362 Sanchez Jun 2011 A1
20110132364 Ogilvie et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132365 Patel et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132366 Ogilvie et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132367 Patel Jun 2011 A1
20110132368 Sanchez et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110132369 Sanchez Jun 2011 A1
20110132371 Sanchez et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110133936 Sanchez et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110138308 Palmer et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110138309 Skidmore et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110138311 Palmer Jun 2011 A1
20110138315 Vandine et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110138323 Skidmore et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110146681 Jafari et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110146683 Jafari et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110154241 Skidmore et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110175728 Baker, Jr. Jul 2011 A1
20110196251 Jourdain et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110197884 Duff et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110197886 Guttmann et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110197892 Koledin Aug 2011 A1
20110203598 Favet et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110209702 Vuong et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110209704 Jafari et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110209706 Truschel et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110209707 Terhark Sep 2011 A1
20110213215 Doyle et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110226248 Duff et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110230780 Sanborn et al. Sep 2011 A1
20110249006 Wallace et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110259330 Jafari et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110259332 Sanchez et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110259333 Sanchez et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110265024 Leone et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110271960 Milne et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110273299 Milne et al. Nov 2011 A1
20120000467 Milne et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120000468 Milne et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120000469 Milne et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120000470 Milne et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120029317 Doyle et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120030611 Skidmore Feb 2012 A1
20120060841 Crawford, Jr. et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120071729 Doyle et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120090611 Graboi et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120096381 Milne et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120133519 Milne et al. May 2012 A1
20120136222 Doyle et al. May 2012 A1
20120137249 Milne et al. May 2012 A1
20120137250 Milne et al. May 2012 A1
20120167885 Masic et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120185792 Kimm et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120197578 Vig et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120197580 Vij et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120211008 Perine et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120216809 Milne et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120216810 Jafari et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120216811 Kimm et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120226444 Milne et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120247471 Masic et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120272960 Milne Nov 2012 A1
20120272961 Masic et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120272962 Doyle et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120277616 Sanborn et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120279501 Wallace et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120304995 Kauc Dec 2012 A1
20120304997 Jafari et al. Dec 2012 A1
20130000644 Thiessen Jan 2013 A1
20130006133 Doyle et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130006134 Doyle et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130008443 Thiessen Jan 2013 A1
20130025596 Jafari et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130025597 Doyle et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130032151 Adahan Feb 2013 A1
20130042869 Andrieux et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130047983 Andrieux et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130047989 Vandine et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130053717 Vandine et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130074844 Kimm et al. Mar 2013 A1
20130081536 Crawford, Jr. et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130104896 Kimm et al. May 2013 A1
20130146055 Jafari et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130152923 Andrieux et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130158370 Doyle et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130159912 Baker, Jr. Jun 2013 A1
20130167842 Jafari et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130167843 Kimm et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130186397 Patel Jul 2013 A1
20130186400 Jafari et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130186401 Jafari et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130192599 Nakai et al. Aug 2013 A1
20130220324 Jafari et al. Aug 2013 A1
20130233314 Jafari et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130233319 Winter et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130239038 Skidmore et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130239967 Jafari et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130255682 Jafari et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130255685 Jafari et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130276788 Masic Oct 2013 A1
20130283197 Skidmore Oct 2013 A1
20130284172 Doyle et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130284173 Masic et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130284177 Li et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130327331 Bourdon Dec 2013 A1
20130333697 Carter et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130333703 Wallace et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130338514 Karst et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130345532 Doyle et al. Dec 2013 A1
20140000606 Doyle et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140012150 Milne et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140034054 Angelico et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140034056 Leone et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140041656 Jourdain et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140048071 Milne et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140048072 Angelico et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140121553 Milne et al. May 2014 A1
20140123979 Doyle et al. May 2014 A1
20140130798 Milne et al. May 2014 A1
20140182590 Platt et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140251328 Graboi et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140261409 Dong et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140261410 Sanchez et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140261424 Doyle et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140276176 Winter Sep 2014 A1
20140290657 Vandine et al. Oct 2014 A1
20140309507 Baker, Jr. Oct 2014 A1
20140345616 Masic Nov 2014 A1
20140360497 Jafari et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140366879 Kimm et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140373845 Dong Dec 2014 A1
20150034082 Kimm et al. Feb 2015 A1
20150045687 Nakai et al. Feb 2015 A1
20150090258 Milne et al. Apr 2015 A1
20150090264 Dong Apr 2015 A1
20150107584 Jafari et al. Apr 2015 A1
20160045694 Esmaeil-zadeh-azar Feb 2016 A1
20160114115 Glenn et al. Apr 2016 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number Date Country
03055552 Jul 2003 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (5)
Entry
Hari (Flow Sensor Fault Causing Ventilator Malfunction, Anaesthesia, 2005, 60, pp. 1042-2052; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2044.2005.04396.x/pdf; Accessed Jan. 16, 2015).
7200 Series Ventilator, Options, and Accessories: Operator's Manual. Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Part No. 22300 A, Sep. 1990, pp. 1-196.
7200 Ventilatory System: Addendum/Errata. Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Part No. 4-023576-00, Rev. A, Apr. 1998, pp. 1-32.
800 Operator's and Technical Reference Manual. Series Ventilator System, Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Part No. 4-070088-00, Rev. L, Aug. 2010, pp. 1-476.
840 Operator's and Technical Reference Manual. Ventilator System, Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Part No. 4-075609-00, Rev. G, Oct. 2006, pp. 1-424.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20140224250 A1 Aug 2014 US