Resuscitator device and methods for using same

Abstract

Methods for using a manually actuated, self-inflating resuscitator device provides users with a positive pressure ventilation device that reliably provides a proper tidal volume to the patient and controls the rate of ventilation of the patient. The resuscitator device is lightweight, compact, durable, and quickly deployable in the field. The resuscitator device is preferably operable with one hand and can be configured for use in low-light environments.

1 . A method of providing assisted breathing to a patient, the method comprising:
 placing a mask on the patient, the mask being in fluid communication with a resuscitator bag;   moving the resuscitator bag to a compressed configuration to provide the patient with air; and   releasing the resuscitator bag and waiting for the resuscitator bag to give an indication that it has been sufficiently inflated and is ready to be compressed before moving the resuscitator bag to the compressed configuration again.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting a biasing member depending on the patient's size and connecting the biasing member to the resuscitator bag. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein waiting for the resuscitator bag to reach an expanded configuration comprises observing an indicator for notification that the resuscitator bag has reached the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resuscitator bag includes a bellows, wherein a valve assembly is in fluid communication with the resuscitator bag and a regulator is operably associated with the valve assembly, and wherein the method further comprises adjusting an inflation rate of the bellows. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising controlling a fill time of the resuscitator bag, wherein the fill time controlling step is performed by the regulator. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising inspecting the bellows and the valve assembly for contamination during ventilation to make sure that the operation of the resuscitator bag is not hindered. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resuscitator bag includes a bellows, and wherein the method further comprises manipulating an adjustable valve assembly to control a flow rate of environment air through an inlet port of the resuscitator bag, wherein the adjustable valve assembly controls a fill time of the bellows. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustable valve assembly is adjustable from an exterior of the resuscitator bag without opening the bellows. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the manipulating step is performed before the mask placing step. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising connecting at least one inlet port in fluid communication with the resuscitator bag to an oxygen reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising opening at least one inlet port in fluid communication with the resuscitator bag to deliver ambient air. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resuscitator bag includes a compression indicator, and wherein the method further comprises observing the compression indicator to determine the rate at which the resuscitator bag is to be depressed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resuscitator bag moving step is performed with one hand of a user. 
     
     
         14 . A method of providing assisted breathing to a patient, the method comprising:
 placing a mask on the patient, the mask being in fluid communication with a resuscitator bag that includes a compression indicator;   moving the resuscitator bag to a compressed configuration to provide the patient with air;   releasing the resuscitator bag;   observing the compression indicator to determine whether the resuscitator bag has been sufficiently inflated; and   moving the resuscitator bag to the compressed configuration again once the resuscitator bag has been sufficiently inflated.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of selecting a biasing member depending on the patient's size and connecting the biasing member to the resuscitator bag. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the resuscitator bag includes a bellows, wherein a valve assembly is in fluid communication with the resuscitator bag and a regulator is operably associated with the valve assembly, and wherein the method further comprises adjusting an inflation rate of the bellows. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising controlling a fill time of the resuscitator bag, wherein the fill time controlling step is performed by the regulator. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the resuscitator bag includes a bellows, and wherein the method further comprises manipulating an adjustable valve assembly to control a flow rate of environment air through an inlet port of the resuscitator bag, wherein the adjustable valve assembly controls a fill time of the bellows. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustable valve assembly is adjustable from an exterior of the resuscitator bag without opening the bellows. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the manipulating step is performed before the mask placing step.