Breathing apparatus detection and purging

摘要

Described are methods for safer nitric oxide delivery, as well as apparatuses for performing these methods. The methods may include detecting the presence or absence of a nasal cannula, and stopping the delivery of nitric oxide or providing an alert if the cannula is disconnected. The methods may also include purging the nasal cannula if it is reconnected after a disconnection or if it is replaced by a new cannula. Other methods pertain to automatic purging of the delivery conduit if the elapsed time between successive deliveries of therapeutic gas exceeds a predetermined period of time.

主权项

1. A method of administering therapeutic gas containing nitric oxide to a patient, the method comprising:
detecting the presence or absence of a nasal cannula breathing apparatus at a connection port of a nitric oxide delivery apparatus; flowing therapeutic gas containing nitric oxide to at least one of a nasal cannula and one or more nares of the breathing apparatus if the breathing apparatus is determined to be connected to the nitric oxide delivery apparatus and not flowing therapeutic gas containing nitric oxide to at least one of the nasal cannula and the one or more nares of the breathing apparatus if the breathing apparatus is determined not to be connected to the nitric oxide delivery apparatus; and purging the nasal cannula breathing apparatus with a purge volume greater than a volume of the one or more nares of the breathing apparatus and less than a total internal volume of the nasal cannula.