The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 1997
Filed:
May. 30, 1995
John R Starr, Leechburg, PA (US);
Eric W Starr, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
William J Kaigler, N. Huntington, PA (US);
John Raymond Pujol, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Patrick DeVinney, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Andrew Serowski, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Respironics, Inc., Murrysville, PA (US);
Abstract
A self-regulating valve device adapted for use with respiratory equipment of a type which produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device affords automatic access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of respiratory equipment malfunction and includes a primary inlet, a secondary inlet and an outlet. The primary inlet is adapted for connection to a ported exhalation valve which, in turn, is connected to one end of an elongated flexible tube, the opposite end of which is connected to a gas flow generator. The outlet, in turn, is connected to the inlet of an oral, nasal or oral/nasal respiratory mask respectively adapted to cover the patient's mouth, nose or mouth and nose. The valve device further comprises a pressure-responsive valve element for regulating gas flow into the inlet of the respiratory mask. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the valve device may be used in conjunction with a tracheotomy tube or an endotracheal tube or similar patient interface means.