Importance

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Abstract

Method and apparatus for intermittent administration of supplemental oxygen to patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. The apparatus is programmable for the specific oxygen requirements of the patient and is responsive to changes in requirements with increased patient activity. Patient's arterial blood oxygen level is measured while supplying oxygen to determine the number of respiratory cycles required to reach a first desired arterial blood oxygen level and it is again measured without supplemental oxygen to determine the number of respiratory cycles required to diminish to a second, lower particular level. These two cycle numbers are applied as a program to apparatus having respiratory cycle sensing and counting and control valve means to provide a regulated flow of supplemental oxygen to a nasal cannula for a predetermined number of on respiratory cycles and to shut off the flow for a preset number of off respiratory cycles sequentially and repetitively. The oxygen conservation properties are further enhanced by turning off the oxygen flow during the exhalation phase of each respiratory cycle throughout the on respiratory cycles. As the respiratory rate increases with activity, the duration of the on and off periods thereby changes accordingly. Performance may be further enhanced by means changing the programmed cycle numbers and ON/OFF intervals in response to changes in the respiratory rate.

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First Claim