VENTILATOR ADAPTABLE FOR USE WITH EITHER A DUAL-LIMB CIRCUIT OR A SINGLE-LIMB CIRCUIT

摘要

A ventilator (32) of the present invention includes a housing (34), a gas flow generator (36) disposed in the housing (34), a gas outlet port (40) provided on an exterior surface of the housing (34), and a first conduit (42) coupling the gas flow generator (36) to the gas outlet port. A gas inlet port (48) is also provided on an exterior surface of the housing (34). A second conduit (52) couples the gas inlet port (48) to a first exhaust valve (50) in the housing (34) that regulates a flow of exhaust gas (54) from the second conduit (52). A second exhaust valve (58) in the housing (34) is coupled to the first conduit (42) and regulates a flow of exhaust gas from the first conduit (42). A controller (46) coupled to second exhaust valve (58) causes the second exhaust valve (58) to change a degree of flow restriction based on a respiratory phase of a patient coupled to the ventilator (32) when the ventilator (32) is operating in a single-limb ventilation configuration.