Importance

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Abstract

A sensor for the detection of a very feeble effort to breathe on the part of a patient whose breathing needs are under the influence and control of a mechanical ventilator. A self-heated thermistor is mounted in a small diameter sensor tube. A diaphragm and chamber arrangement limits the volume of air that flows in the sensor tube past the self-heated thermistor. The self-heated thermistor is mounted in the center of the small diameter sensor tube so that a low volume flow rate of fluid will cause a relatively large amount of cooling. Thus a very small effort to breathe will draw a limited volume of fluid past the thermistor at a high velocity, causing rapid cooling. A voltage change resulting across the thermistor is utilized to signal a patient effort to breathe and to command the ventilator to furnish an assisted breath where appropriate.

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First Claim