Process control for liquid ventilation and related procedures

摘要

A process is provided for controlling a ventilation procedure wherein a liquid ventilation system passes a breathing liquid through at least a portion of a patient's pulmonary pathways. In this process, desired ranges for certain process parameters associated with the liquid ventilation system are established. These desired ranges are input into a central processing unit. Initial settings for the liquid ventilation system are then made such that the actual conditions which will initially occur during the liquid ventilation procedure fall within their respective desired ranges. Thereafter, the liquid ventilation procedure is commenced. During the liquid ventilation procedure, conditions which relate to the established ranges are continually monitored by appropriate sensors. The monitored information is also input into the central processing unit. The central processing unit is designed to compare the actually-occurring monitored conditions to their respective desired ranges and determine if there is a difference. If there is a difference, the central processing unit generates signals which are designed to correct the discrepancy. These signals can be designed to trigger alarms which instruct an operator to make the appropriate adjustments and/or to activate a servo-controlled valving network.