Ventilator with integrated cough-assist

A ventilator operable in a ventilation mode that provides a breath having an inspiration phase and an exhalation phase, and a cough-assist mode that provides a cough having an insufflation phase and an exsufflation phase, the ventilator comprising:

• one or more ventilator connections to which a patient circuit is connectable for fluid communication therewith;
• a blower having an inlet and an outlet, the blower being configured to move gases from the inlet to the outlet;
• a cough-assist feature coupled to the blower, the cough-assist feature being configured to move between (a) a first position that fluidically connects the outlet of the blower to at least one of the one or more ventilator connections, and (b) a second position that fluidically connects the inlet of the blower to at least one of the one or more ventilator connections;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• control a position of the cough-assist feature such that the cough-assist feature is in the first position during the inspiration phase of the breath and the second position during the exsufflation phase of the cough, and
• control a speed of the blower to provide a desired pressure and/or flow during the inspiration phase and the exhalation phase of the breath and the insufflation phase and the exsufflation phase of the cough.