Inexsufflator

Abstract

A manual inexsufflator including a standard mechanical ventilator, a medical suction unit, and a piston-like sliding valve mechanism which connects a patient ventilation interface with either the ventilator or the suction unit. By sliding the valve mechanism in and out the user selectively connects the patient to either the ventilator, for purposes of insufflation, or the suction unit, for purposes of exsufflation. The ventilator may generate expiratory positive airway pressure between inexsufflation cycles.

1 . An inexsufflator for cough simulation to remove broncho-pulmonary secretions of a patient comprising: 
 a patient interface unit configured to permit fluid flow therethrough at a flow rate of at least 160 liters/minute;    a source of negative fluid pressure configured to generate the flow rate of at least 160 liters/minute; and    a valve connectable with the patient interface unit, a port of the source of negative fluid pressure, and a port of a ventilator, said valve configured to selectively connect said patient interface unit with one of said port of said ventilator and said port of said source of negative fluid pressure and to selectively seal fluid flow between said patient interface unit and one of said port of said ventilator and said port of said source of negative fluid pressure,    wherein actuation of the valve from a first position to a second position at or near lung capacity of the patient initiates exsufflation of the lung to simulate a cough.    
   
   
       2 . The inexsufflator according to  claim 1 , wherein said patient interface unit comprises one of the following: a facemask, a tracheostomy tube, or an endotracheal ventilation tube.  
   
   
       3 . The inexsufflator according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve comprises a manually actuated valve.  
   
   
       4 . The inexsufflator according to  claim 1  further comprising, a pressure sensor configured to sense one of a negative fluid pressure or a positive fluid pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The inexsufflator according to  claim 1 , wherein said source of negative fluid pressure comprises a medical suction unit.  
   
   
       6 . The inexsufflator according to  claim 1 , wherein said ventilator comprises one of the following: a volume-cycled ventilator, a flow cycled ventilator or a ventilator capable of generating a positive end expiratory pressure.