Inexuflator

Abstract

An inexuflator including a patient interface unit, a source of negative fluid pressure, a source of positive fluid pressure, and a manual valve connected to the source of positive fluid pressure and the source of negative fluid pressure, the valve being adapted to selectively connect the patient interface unit with the source of positive fluid pressure and the source of negative fluid pressure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An inexuflator comprising: 
 a patient interface unit;    a source of negative fluid pressure;    a source of positive fluid pressure; and    a manual valve connected to said source of positive fluid pressure and said source of negative fluid pressure, said valve being adapted to selectively connect said patient interface unit with said source of positive fluid pressure and said source of negative fluid pressure.    
     
     
         2 . The inexuflator according to  claim 1  wherein said manual valve is adapted to substantially seal fluid flow from said source of positive fluid pressure to said patient interface unit while generally simultaneously opening fluid flow from said source of negative fluid pressure to said patient interface unit.  
     
     
         3 . The inexuflator according to  claim 1  wherein said inexuflator comprises a working cycle that comprises providing positive fluid pressure from said source of positive fluid pressure via said manual valve to said patient interface unit, and, within a predetermined period of time, substantially sealing fluid flow from said source of positive fluid pressure to said patient interface unit while generally simultaneously providing negative fluid pressure from said source of negative fluid pressure via said manual valve to said patient interface unit.  
     
     
         4 . The inexuflator according to  claim 1  and further comprising at least one pressure sensor adapted to sense at least one of said positive fluid pressure and said negative fluid pressure.  
     
     
         5 . The inexuflator according to  claim 1  wherein said manual valve comprises a sliding element.  
     
     
         6 . The inexuflator according to  claim 5  wherein said sliding element comprises a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein in said first orientation said sliding element permits fluid flow from said source of positive fluid pressure to said patient interface unit, but substantially seals fluid flow from said source of negative fluid pressure to said patient interface unit, and in said second orientation said sliding element substantially seals fluid flow from said source of positive fluid pressure to said patient interface unit but permits fluid flow from said source of negative fluid pressure to said patient interface unit.  
     
     
         7 . The inexuflator according to  claim 5  wherein said sliding element comprises a piston that slides in a housing between said first and second orientations.  
     
     
         8 . The inexuflator according to  claim 7  wherein said piston has an aperture formed therein adapted to be selectively in fluid communication with an opening formed in said housing.  
     
     
         9 . The inexuflator according to  claim 7  wherein said sliding element comprises a sealing element that is in selectively sealed engagement with said piston.  
     
     
         10 . The inexuflator according to any of the preceding claims wherein said patient interface unit comprises at least one of a facemask and a tube connector.  
     
     
         11 . The inexuflator according to  claim 1  wherein said source of positive fluid pressure comprises at least one of a manual resuscitator and a mechanical ventilator.  
     
     
         12 . The inexuflator according to  claim 1  wherein said source of negative fluid pressure comprises a vacuum cleaner.