Method and apparatus for delivering a measured amount of a gas

摘要

The present invention uses a ventilator and a series of valves to deliver a special gas into a patient. The present invention finds use in the field of MRI imaging. Attached to the tube extending from the ventilator to the patient is attached a first valve. This valve alternately connects the patient to the ventilator then to a supply of the special gas. Between the first valve and the supply of gas is a second valve, which controls the pressure between the first valve and the second valve caused by the special gas. The supply of special gas is connected to the second valve. A flow regulator controls the rate at which the special gas enters the patient. A computer is also attached to the ventilator and valves to synchronize the opening and closing of the valves and the operation of the ventilator with the patient's respiratory cycles.