Ventilation method and control of a ventilator based on same

Abstract

The invention provides an improved ventilation method and method for controlling a ventilator apparatus in accordance with same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), monitoring expiratory gas flow, analyzing the expiratory gas flow over time (T) to establish an expiratory gas flow pattern, and setting and/or adjusting a low time (T 2 ) based on the expiratory gas flow pattern. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a ventilator apparatus comprising the steps of placing a ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), and setting a low airway pressure (P 2 ) of substantially zero cmH 2 O.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of weaning a patient from ventilation on a ventilator comprising the step of substantially contemporaneously adjusting a high airway pressure (P 1 ) and a high time (T 1 ) on the ventilator and weaning the patient from the ventilator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the adjusting step comprises successively decreasing high airway pressure (P 1 ) and increasing high time (T 1 ). 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein high airway pressure (P 1 ) is decreased at a rate of about 2 cmH 2 O per hour and high time (T 1 ) is increased by about 0.5 to 1.0 seconds substantially contemporaneously with each decrease in high airway pressure (P 1 ). 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein high airway pressure (P 1 ) is decreased in increments of about 4 cmH 2 O and high time (T 1 ) is increased in increments of about 2 seconds. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a step of transitioning ventilation from a preset continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) level mode with an intermittent release to a substantially continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising a step of transitioning ventilation from a preset continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) level mode with an intermittent release to a substantially continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode with automatic tube compensation (ATC). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) monitoring blood oxygen levels,   b) monitoring blood carbon dioxide levels,   c) determining a ratio of spontaneous minute ventilation to machine minute ventilation, and   d) determining a level of sedation.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising a step of substantially simultaneously decreasing machine minute ventilation and increasing spontaneous minute ventilation to transition from the CPAP mode to an unassisted breathing mode. 
     
     
         23 . A method of weaning a patient from ventilation on a ventilator comprising the steps of placing the ventilator in a mode capable of adjusting airway pressure (P) and time (T), substantially contemporaneously adjusting a high airway pressure (P 1 ) and a high time (T 1 ) on the ventilator, and weaning the patient from the ventilator. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the adjusting step comprises successively decreasing high airway pressure (P 1 ) and increasing high time (T 1 ). 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein high airway pressure (P 1 ) is decreased at a rate of about 2 cmH 2 O per hour and high time (T 1 ) is increased by about 0.5 to 1.0 seconds substantially contemporaneously with each decrease in high airway pressure (P 1 ). 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein high airway pressure (P 1 ) is decreased in increments of about 4 cmH 2 O and high time (T 1 ) is increased in increments of about 2 seconds. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising a step of transitioning ventilation from a preset continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) level mode with an intermittent release to a substantially continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising a step of transitioning ventilation from a preset continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) level mode with an intermittent release to a substantially continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode with automatic tube compensation (ATC). 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the steps of:
 a) monitoring blood oxygen levels,   b) monitoring blood carbon dioxide levels,   c) determining a ratio of spontaneous minute ventilation to machine minute ventilation, and   d) determining a level of sedation.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising a step of substantially simultaneously decreasing machine minute ventilation and increasing spontaneous minute ventilation to transition from the CPAP mode to an unassisted breathing mode.