METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ASSISTING CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION

摘要

This invention is methods and devices for impeding airflow into a patient's lungs during cardiopulmonary resuscitation to enhance the extent and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during decompression of the patient's chest. In one embodiment, impeding the airflow into the patient's lungs is accomplished by placing a ventilation tube (36) in the patient's airway. The ventilation tube contains either a flow restrictive orifice (50) disposed within or connected in series with a lumen of the ventilation tube, or a pressure responsive valve (44) within a lumen of the tube to impede the inflow of air. In a preferred embodiment, the patient's mouth and nose are covered with a facial mask (52) which can impede air flow into the patient's airway.