Home-based heliox system with carbon dioxide removal

Abstract

A closed-circuit heliox delivery system and methods for alleviating symptoms of COPD and related disorders are provided. The system is self-monitoring and can be used outside of a hospital environment. The system contains a gas supply fluidly connected to a breathing circuit. The breathing circuit contains an upper airway device, such as a mask. The system contains a sensor(s) and controller. The sensors measure parameters in the system, the ambient environment, or related to the physiological state of the user. The controller can adjust the system to maintain parameters within the device, i.e. pressure, temperature, humidity, within predetermined ranges. The controller can adjust the system to maintain a target physiological state of the user, i.e. target blood oxygen levels or Work of Breathing (WOB).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A closed-loop breathing system, comprising:
 a. at least one regulator operatively coupled to one or more gas supplies;   b. a breathing bag, wherein the breathing bag is configured to prevent a pressure circuit from decreasing to less than 0 cm H 2 O, wherein the breathing bag is in fluid communication with the one or more gas supplies,   c. an inspiratory conduit, wherein the inspiratory conduit is in fluid communication with the breathing bag and the one or more gas supplies,   d. an expiratory conduit, wherein the expiratory conduit is configured to receive expired gases from a patient;
 i. wherein the one or more regulators are configured to control a rate of gas flowing out of the gas supply and direct the gas from the gas supply into the breathing bag and/or into the inspiratory conduit, so that while the patient is breathing, a total air pressure of the breathing bag is less than 4 cm H 2 O, and 
 ii. wherein while the user inhales, the total air pressure of the breathing bag does not decrease below 0 cm H 2 O. 
   
     
     
         33 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , further comprising a valve that opens, wherein the opening of the valve exposes the inspiratory conduit and/or expiratory conduit to the external atmosphere. 
     
     
         34 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , further comprising a humidifier and/or dehumidifier, the humidifier and/or dehumidifier being operatively coupled to the breathing bag. 
     
     
         35 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , further comprising a release valve, the release valve being operatively coupled to the inspiratory conduit and/or expiratory conduit. 
     
     
         36 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more gas supplies comprise an oxygen gas supply. 
     
     
         37 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more gas supplies comprise a helium gas supply. 
     
     
         38 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , wherein the one or more gas supplies comprise a heliox gas supply. 
     
     
         39 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , wherein the system further comprises a valve configured to open and close to prevent over-pressurization of the system. 
     
     
         40 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , further comprising an upper airway device coupled to the inspiratory conduit and expiratory conduit to enable a patient to breath through the breathing system. 
     
     
         41 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 40 , wherein the upper airway device comprises a mask to be worn by the patient. 
     
     
         42 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 41 , wherein the mask includes a face seal to provide a seal of the mask against a face of the patient. 
     
     
         43 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 40 , wherein the upper airway device comprises an endotracheal tube to be inserted into the trachea of the patient. 
     
     
         44 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , further comprising a carbon dioxide removal system, wherein the carbon dioxide removal system is configured to receive the expired gases exiting the expiratory conduit and is in fluid communication with the breathing bag and/or the inspiratory conduit. 
     
     
         45 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 44 , wherein the carbon dioxide removal system is configured to remove greater than 80% of carbon dioxide in expired gases from the patient. 
     
     
         46 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , further comprising a gas cooling device to cool the one or more gas supplies prior to inspiration by the patient. 
     
     
         47 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 46 , wherein the gas cooling device also to cool expired gases from the patient. 
     
     
         48 . The closed-loop breathing system of  claim 32 , further comprising a pop-off safety valve operable coupled to the breathing bag and the inspiratory conduit, the pop-off safety valve configured to open if pressure with the system exceeds 5 cm H2O.