Patent attributes
The apparatus includes a cylinder for containing a pressurized therapeutic oxygen gas, a nasal cannula, adapted to be introduced into a nasal passage of a patient, and a conduit extending between the cylinder and the nasal cannula for directing the therapeutic oxygen gas to the nasal cannula from the cylinder. A pressure sensor is provided on the conduit for detecting the pressure in the conduit. A valve is provided, in the conduit, which allows and blocks the fluid communication between the cylinder and the nasal cannula. A controller controls the operation of the valve in synchronization with the respiration of a patient, based on the changes in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. The volume of the oxygen therapeutic gas passing through the valve for each respiration is increased, compared with a normal respiration condition, when the respiratory frequency increases.
