Positive expiratory pressure device with bypass

摘要

An oscillatory positive expiratory pressure respiratory therapy device which may be incorporated into the expiratory limb of a ventilator circuit. Accordingly, this device allows a patient on a ventilator to be subjected to positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy combined with airway oscillation and intermittent air flow acceleration while allowing the oscillatory PEP respiratory therapy treatment to be bypassed without interrupting the integrity of the ventilating circuit once the device has been installed in the ventilator circuit. In this manner, all expiratory air in the ventilator circuit is accounted for, the expiratory air volume may be accurately monitored and the ventilator circuit does not have to be broken for insertion or removal of the device.