Method and devices for administration of therapeutic gases

Abstract

Methods for administering medical gases are disclosed including providing the medical gas in compressed gas cartridges containing an amount of the medical gas preferably corresponding substantially to a unit dose of the medical gas and providing a patient with means to access the medical gas from the gas cartridge upon need therefor. Apparatus for administering medical gases is also disclosed including a housing, a cassette associated with the housing containing at least one compressed gas cartridge preferably containing at least an amount of the medical gas substantially as required for a single dose and a patient supply interface to provide the medical gas to the patient.

1 . Apparatus for the administration of a medical gas to a patient comprising a housing, a cassette mountable within said housing, said cassette including at least one compressed gas cartridge sealed therein containing a predetermined amount of said medical gas, patient supply means for supplying said predetermined amount of said medical gas to said patient, and gas delivery means for delivering said medical gas from said cassette to said patient supply means. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said gas delivery means includes gas control means for controlling said delivery of said medical gas to said patient supply means. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said gas delivery means includes a blender chamber for receiving said medical gas from said at least one compressed gas cartridge at a predetermined pressure and flow rate. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said gas control means comprises a gas control sensor for sensing the content or pressure of said medical gas, and valve means for terminating said supply of said medical gas based on said sensed content or pressure of said medical gas. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said gas control means comprises an air inlet port for permitting air to enter said housing for delivery to said patient supply means and an air intake valve for controlling said entry of said air into said housing.