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Abstract

This disclosure is of a mask-free device for supplying sufficient gas to a medical patient and for more accurately sampling the exhalation gas of the patient. The device includes a flexible body having lumens adapted to extend into the nares of a patient and adjacent the patient's mouth for collecting and transmitting a sampling of the patient's end tidal exhalation to a gas analyzer to analyze one or more component gases in that exhalation. The disclosure also discloses the transmittal of pressure from the nares of the patient to a pressure transducer for determining the respiratory phase of the patient and for controlling the volume of oxygen delivered to the patient. The body of the mask-free unit further includes conduits for delivering oxygen through diffuser orifices to positions adjacent the patient's nares and mouth. Finally, a controller is interconnected between the pressure transducer and the gas supply for increasing the delivery of gas during the inhalation phase of the patient's respiration and for decreasing said delivery upon the exhalation phase for the purpose of avoiding dilution of the exhalation sample.

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First Claim