A method of controlling a flow rate of gases supplied to a patient by a respiratory assistance device includes controlling the supply gases flow rate so as to deliver gases to the patient according to a predetermined gases pressure/flow rate profile for at least a portion of the breathing cycle. A profile may be achieved that provides the patient with a particular benefit or therapy.

Systems and methods for non-invasive ventilation are provided. The systems may include a gas source that provides breathing gases to a patient through one or more of a primary flow path (PFP) and a flushing flow path (FFP). The system may include a control assembly configured to open and restrict gas flow through the PFP. When the PFP is open, a significant portion of the gas flows through the PFP while the remaining gas flows through the FFP. When the PFP is restricted, a significant portion of the gas flows through the FFP. Increased flow through the FFP may have a high velocity (especially relative to the flow through the PFP). Gas delivered through the FFP may be used to flush dead space. One or both flow paths may contribute to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP), expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), and/or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

A valve for use with a compressed breathable gas source having a valve adapted to: (a) be disposed upstream of a patient delivery device and (b) control at least a portion of a breathable gas source upstream of the patient delivery device and the source including both: (i) a compressed breathable gas source and (ii) a second gas source. The valve includes a first rotatable body. The first rotatable body adjusts, upon rotation thereof a cross-sectional area for gas flow through one or more first apertures from the compressed breathable gas source, second gas source, or both. The valve further includes a gear rotatable simultaneously in response to rotation of the first rotatable body and upon rotation of the gear adjusts a second cross-sectional area for flow through one or more second apertures of gas from the compressed breathable gas source, said second gas source, or both.

A system and method for conserving oxygen and other gases supplied to a recipient. A supply conduit supplies gas from a source to a reservoir of lightweight, flexible film retaining a volume of gas at ambient pressure. A conduit supplies gas from the reservoir to the recipient. An inflation detection system, which may include plural distance sensors, detects when the reservoir is below a state of minimum inflation and when the reservoir is inflated to a maximum state of inflation. A valve system prevents gas from flowing from the source and into the reservoir when the reservoir reaches the predetermined maximum state of inflation, and the valve system permits gas to flow from the source into the reservoir when the reservoir reaches the predetermined minimum state of inflation whereby gas within the reservoir can be continually replenished without pressurization above ambient pressure.

In one embodiment, a hybrid oxygen delivery system includes, but is not limited to, a pressurized oxygen vessel configured to store a first source of oxygen under pressure; an oxygen concentrator configured to generate a second source of oxygen from ambient air; a flow control valve configured to combine the first source of oxygen with the second source of oxygen for delivery to one or more stations; plumbing that fluidly connects the pressurized oxygen vessel and the oxygen concentrator to the flow control valve; and a processor configured to actuate the flow control valve based on one or more parameters to deliver oxygen to one or more stations.

Systems and methods are provided for detecting unacceptable accelerations by an anesthetic vaporizer, such as due to drops and mishandling. In one embodiment, a method for an anesthetic vaporizer comprises determining a quantitative acceleration of the anesthetic vaporizer based on acceleration vectors measured by an accelerometer coupled within the anesthetic vaporizer, and outputting an alert responsive to the quantitative acceleration exceeding an acceleration threshold. In this way, drop-related degradation may be identified in a timely fashion.

Systems and methods for non-invasive ventilation are provided. The systems may include a gas source that provides breathing gases to a patient through one or more of a primary flow path (PFP) and a flushing flow path (FFP). The system may include a control assembly configured to open and restrict gas flow through the PFP. When the PFP is open, a significant portion of the gas flows through the PFP while the remaining gas flows through the FFP. When the PFP is restricted, a significant portion of the gas flows through the FFP. Increased flow through the FFP may have a high velocity (especially relative to the flow through the PFP). Gas delivered through the FFP may be used to flush dead space. One or both flow paths may contribute to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP), expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), and/or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

A valve for use with a compressed breathable gas source having a valve adapted to: (a) be disposed upstream of a patient delivery device and (b) control at least a portion of a breathable gas source upstream of the patient delivery device and the source including both: (i) a compressed breathable gas source and (ii) a second gas source. The valve includes a first rotatable body. The first rotatable body adjusts, upon rotation thereof a cross-sectional area for gas flow through one or more first apertures from the compressed breathable gas source, second gas source, or both. The valve further includes a gear rotatable simultaneously in response to rotation of the first rotatable body and upon rotation of the gear adjusts a second cross-sectional area for flow through one or more second apertures of gas from the compressed breathable gas source, said second gas source, or both.

Systems and methods for non-invasive ventilation are provided. The systems may include a gas source that provides breathing gases to a patient through one or more of a primary flow path (PFP) and a flushing flow path (FFP). The system may include a control assembly configured to open and restrict gas flow through the PFP. When the PFP is open, a significant portion of the gas flows through the PFP while the remaining gas flows through the FFP. When the PFP is restricted, a significant portion of the gas flows through the FFP. Increased flow through the FFP may have a high velocity (especially relative to the flow through the PFP). Gas delivered through the FFP may be used to flush dead space. One or both flow paths may contribute to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP), expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), and/or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).