Patrick W Truitt

US Patent:

6431170, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/479136

Inventors:

Patrick W. Truitt - Pittsburgh PA
Michael Bobeck - Sarver PA

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Murrysville PA

International Classification:

A61M 1500

US Classification:

12820312, 12820524, 12820712, 12820716, 137 3

Abstract:

A fluid mixing apparatus and method in a fluid supply system that mixes a secondary fluid flow with a primary fluid flow in such a manner so as to minimize disruption of the fluid flow profile for the primary fluid flow downstream of the mixing point as the secondary fluid flow is introduced to the primary fluid flow. This is accomplished by providing a second conduit carrying the secondary fluid flow that is coupled to a first side of a first conduit carrying the primary fluid flow such that the secondary fluid flow travels around at least a portion of the first conduit. An inlet port arrangement is defined in the first conduit and is arranged such that a size of the inlet port arrangement that introduces the secondary gas flow from the second conduit into the first conduit increases as a distance around the first conduit from the first side increases.

US Patent:

6581596, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Sep 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/665280

Inventors:

Patrick W. Truitt - Pittsburgh PA
William A. Truschel - Monroeville PA
Bernie F. Hete - Trafford PA
Michael Bobeck - Sarver PA
Michael W. Haas - Trafford PA

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Murrysville PA

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820421, 12820418, 12820419, 12820423, 12820524

Abstract:

A high frequency pressure oscillation device that selective restricts the flow of breathing gas to or from a patient to produce pressure spikes in the patients airway that facilitate clearing secretions from the patients airway. The device includes a patient circuit that defines a closed path between a source of breathing gas and the patients airway. A valve is disposed in the patient circuit such that in an open position the path between the source of breathing gas and the airway of the patient is substantially unobstructed. When the valve is in a closed position, the path between the source of breathing gas and the patients airway is at least partially obstructed to create the pressure spikes. An actuating system associated with the valve alternatively places the valve in the open position and in the closed position at a predetermined oscillation rate that is independent of patient effort.

US Patent:

6622724, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

Jun 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/883035

Inventors:

Patrick W. Truitt - Pittsburgh PA
Kay Herbert - Winthrop MA

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Murrysville PA

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820418

Abstract:

An impeller, a pressure generator using such an impeller, and a pressure support system and method using such a pressure generator to deliver a flow of breathing gas to a patient is disclosed. The impeller enables a pressure of a flow of breathing gas delivered by a pressure support system to a patient to remain substantially constant despite variations of the output flow rate. The impeller includes a plurality of impeller blades disposed on a face of the impeller body with an inlet area between each pair of adjacent blades being substantially equal a corresponding outlet area for each pair of adjacent blades.

US Patent:

6644311, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Dec 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027487

Inventors:

Patrick W. Truitt - Pittsburgh PA
Winslow K. Duff - Export PA

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Murrysville PA

International Classification:

A61M 1600

US Classification:

12820422, 12820418, 12820421

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to a pressure support system in which a flow or volume of gas is measured without using a dedicated flow element used in a conventional flow meter. Instead, the present invention provides a tortuous gas flow path in which a pressure differential is created between two points in the tortuous path. This pressure differential created by the gas flow path provides the necessary pressure drop for measuring the gas flow and/or gas volume passing through the pressure support system.

US Patent:

6915705, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Mar 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/401435

Inventors:

Patrick W. Truitt - Pittsburgh PA, US
Michael Bobeck - Sarver PA, US

Assignee:

RIC Investments, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01F001/37

US Classification:

7386152

Abstract:

A flow sensor is disclosed that measures a flow of fluid passing through a conduit and a flow resistive element for use in such a flow sensor. The flow sensor includes a housing having a main channel defined therethrough. A flow resistive element is disposed in the housing across the main channel. The flow resistive element includes a rigid body member having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of unobstructed, wedge-shaped, openings are defined in the body member and extend through the rigid body member. In addition, a plurality of spokes extend from a central portion of the body member to its perimeter so that each spoke separates adjacent wedge-shaped openings from one another.

US Patent:

6968842, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

Mar 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/402541

Inventors:

William A. Truschel - Monroeville PA, US
Patrick W. Truitt - Pittsburgh PA, US
Winslow K. Duff - Export PA, US

Assignee:

RIC Investments, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A61M016/00

US Classification:

12820418, 12820421, 12820423

Abstract:

A pressure support system has a motor, a switching element that supplies power to motor windings, and a blower coupled to the motor. Rotation of the blower elevates a pressure of fluid in a patient circuit coupled to an outlet of the blower. A rotational speed controller maintains the motor at a set rotational speed corresponding to a selected pressure for the fluid in the patient circuit. The rotational speed of the motor is maintained by a switching signal provided by a rotational speed controller to the switching element to control the actuation of the switching element. A fluid parameter monitoring portion monitors a parameter associated with the flow of fluid in the patient circuit, such as the magnitude, direction, or volume, based on a characteristic, such as duty cycle, of the switching signal, or based on a characteristic of a control signal that is used to generate the switching signal.

US Patent:

7134434, Nov 14, 2006

Filed:

Aug 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/647497

Inventors:

Patrick W Truitt - Murrysville PA, US
Richard J Lordo - Pittsburgh PA, US
Joseph J Gesner - Trafford PA, US

Assignee:

RIC Investments, LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A61M 16/00
A62B 7/00

US Classification:

12820418, 12820421, 12820423, 12820424, 12820525, 12820128, 12820615, 12820024, 12820422, 12820712, 12820716, 12820419, 12820524, 137498, 13762565, 251905

Abstract:

A pressure support system having enhanced noise reduction and a valve assembly for use in pressure support system. The pressure support system includes a pressure generator having an inlet and an outlet. A first conduit defining a tortuous path is coupled between a gas source and the inlet of the pressure generator. A second conduit coupled to the outlet of the pressure generator delivers the flow of gas from the pressure generator to a patient. A valve assembly communicates gas from the second conduit to the first conduit to control the pressure or a rate of the flow of gas in the second conduit. By communicating gas from the second conduit to the first conduit, the noise associated with exhausting gas from the second conduit is muffled by the tortuous path of the first conduit.

US Patent:

7165547, Jan 23, 2007

Filed:

May 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/435807

Inventors:

Patrick W. Truitt - Pittsburgh PA, US
William A. Truschel - Monroeville PA, US
Bernie F. Hete - Trafford PA, US
Michael Bobeck - Sarver PA, US
Michael W. Haas - Trafford PA, US

Assignee:

RIC Investments, LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A61M 16/00

US Classification:

12820421, 12820419, 12820423, 12820524

Abstract:

A high frequency pressure oscillation device that selective restricts the flow of breathing gas to or from a patient to produce pressure spikes in the patient's airway that facilitate clearing secretions from the patient's airway. The device includes a patient circuit that defines a closed path between a source of breathing gas and the patient's airway. A valve is disposed in the patient circuit such that in an open position the path between the source of breathing gas and the airway of the patient is substantially unobstructed. When the valve is in a closed position, the path between the source of breathing gas and the patient's airway is at least partially obstructed to create the pressure spikes. An actuating system associated with the valve alternatively places the valve in the open position and in the closed position at a predetermined oscillation rate that is independent of patient effort.