Importance

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Abstract

A medical patient or other individual exhales air through a pressure control exhalation valve at a pressure which remains substantially constant during exhalation and corresponds to the residual pressure desired within the lungs. The pressure control exhalation valve incorporates a disc-like valve member which is biased towards a closed position by a spring having a low spring modulus, and the spring engages a back-up plunger which is adjustable according to the desired residual lung pressure. The pressure control valve may be connected in series with a flow control or retard valve which is adjustable to produce a biofeedback pressure within the valve for teaching the individual to breathe slower and with less effort. During inhalation, pressurized air may be supplied to the pressure control exhalation valve through a demand inhalation valve which is adjustable to a supply pressure corresponding to the preselected exhalation pressure in order to provide for continuous positive pressure breathing.

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First Claim