Mechanical ventilation based on alveolar ventilation

A method for controlling a pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to a subject with a mechanical ventilator system based on alveolar ventilation of the subject, the mechanical ventilator system comprising a pressure generator, one or more sensors, and one or more hardware processors, the method comprising:

• generating, with the pressure generator, the pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to the subject;
• controlling, with the pressure generator, one or more ventilation parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas according to a prescribed mechanical ventilation therapy regime, wherein the one or more ventilation parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas comprise one or more of breath rate, flow rate, pressure support positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), minute volume, or I:E ratio;
• generating, with the one or more sensors, output signals conveying information related to the alveolar ventilation of the subject, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a flow rate sensor configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the flow rate of the pressurized flow of breathable gas, and a capnography sensor configured to generate output signals conveying information related to a concentration of CO2 in the pressurized flow of breathable gas;
• synchronizing, with the one or more hardware processors, the flow rate information and the CO2 concentration information;
• determining, with the one or more hardware processors, multiple times per inhalation and/or exhalation, the alveolar ventilation of the subject based on the synchronized flow rate and CO2 concentration information;
• and
• causing, with the one or more hardware processors, the pressure generator to adjust the one or more ventilation parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas including one or more of the breath rate, the flow rate, the PEEP, the minute volume, or the I:E ratio based on the determined alveolar ventilation.

A mechanical ventilator system configured to control a pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to a subject based on alveolar ventilation of the subject, the mechanical ventilator system comprising:

• means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas for delivery to the subject, the means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas configured to control one or more ventilation parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas according to a prescribed mechanical ventilation therapy regime, wherein the one or more ventilation parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas comprise one or more of breath rate, flow rate, pressure support positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), minute volume, or I:E ratio;
• means for generating output signals conveying information related to the alveolar ventilation of the subject, wherein the means for generating output signals comprise a flow rate sensor configuration to generate output signals conveying information related to a flow rate of the pressurized flow of breathable gas, and a capnography sensor configured to generate output signals conveying information related to a concentration of CO2 in the pressurized flow of breathable gas;
• means for synchronizing the flow rate information and the CO2 concentration information;
• means for determining the alveolar ventilation of the subject multiple times per inhalation and/or exhalation based on the synchronized flow rate and CO2 concentration information;
• and
• means for causing the means for generating the pressurized flow of breathable gas to adjust the one or more ventilation parameters of the pressurized flow of breathable gas including one or more of the breath rate, the flow rate, the PEEP, the minute volume, or the I:E ratio based on the determined alveolar ventilation.