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 removable cassette within said housing, said removable cassette including a plurality of compressed gas cartridges sealed therein, each of said plurality of compressed gas cartridges including a predetermined amount of a portion of said medical gas, patient supply means for providing said medical gas to said patient, said housing including an upper portion and a lower portion connectable to said upper portion in a configuration in which said housing is closed, said removable cassette being mounted in said lower portion of said housing, and a plurality of gas connection members corresponding to said plurality of compressed gas cartridges and mounted in said upper portion of said housing whereby when said upper portion of said housing is connected to said lower portion of said housing said plurality of gas connection members connect said upper portion of said housing with said corresponding plurality of compressed gas cartridges. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of compressed gas cartridges includes a sealing member for sealing said predetermined amount of said portion of said medical gas within said compressed gas cartridges. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein each of said plurality of gas connection members includes puncturing means for puncturing said corresponding plurality of sealing members. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said upper portion of said housing includes a plurality of gas input ports for receiving said portions of said medical gas from said corresponding plurality of puncturing means. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said upper portion of said housing includes a blending chamber for receiving said portions of said medical gas from said plurality of gas input ports. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said upper portion of said housing includes a common feed tube for feeding said medical gas to said blending chamber.