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 compressed gas cartridge mountable within said housing containing a predetermined amount of said medical gas, and gas delivery means for delivering said medical gas from said compressed gas cartridge to said patient, said gas delivery means including a gas sensor for sensing a predetermined property of said medical gas, a blender chamber for receiving said medical gas from said compressed gas cartridge, a first valve for controlling the flow of said medical gas from said blender chamber to said patient and a second valve for controlling the flow of air into said housing for delivery to said patient, whereby said sensed value of said predetermined property of said medical gas controls said first and second valves for delivering either said medical gas or said air to said patient. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said gas sensor comprises an oxygen sensor for sensing the oxygen content of said medical gas. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including alarm means for advising said patient if said gas sensor does not sense said predetermined property of said medical gas. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a patient output gas port for delivering said medical gas from said housing to said patient. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a demand valve for delivering said medical gas from said housing to said patient based upon the inhalation pressure created by said patient. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  including a face mask for sealing said gas delivery means directly to said patient's face.