Importance

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Abstract

A pressure control apparatus (10) for CPAP treatment or assisted respiration. The apparatus (10) includes an inlet chamber (20) for connection to a primary supply of air or other breathable gas at a pressure at or above a maximum treatment pressure, an outlet chamber (30) for communication with a mask (14) or the like, a diaphragm (32) for communication with a portion of the outlet chamber (30), means (22) to provide a predetermined force to the diaphragm (32), a first valve means (36) operable to open a flow path between the outlet chamber (30) and the inlet chamber (20) in response to deflection of the diaphragm (32) in a first direction and a second valve means (40) operable to provide an exhaust path from the outlet chamber (30) to atmosphere in response to deflection of the diaphragm (32) in a second direction opposite to the first direction. When the pressure of gas in the outlet chamber (30) produces a force on the diaphragm (32) below the predetermined force the force differential on the diaphragm (32) causes it to deflect in the first direction and cause the first valve means (36) to open and to cause an equilibrating flow of gas from the inlet chamber (20). When the pressure of gas in the outlet chamber (30) produces a force on the diaphragm (32) above the predetermined force the force differential on the diaphragm (32) causes it to deflect in the second direction and cause the second valve means (40) to open.

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First Claim