Neo-natal oxygen delivery system

A system for controlling the flow rate of fluid from a fluid source for delivery to a patient, the system comprising:

• a conduit having an interior and an exterior separated by a substantially continuous sidewall, an inlet end in flow communication with an outlet end for flow of fluid from the fluid source through the conduit from the inlet end toward the outlet end, the inlet end being in flow communication with the source of fluid at a first flow rate and the outlet end being in flow communication with a fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to the patient at a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate;
• a first aperture extending through the sidewall for passage of fluid from the interior to atmospheric regions adjacent the exterior of the conduit and for reducing the flow rate of fluid within the conduit to a third flow rate that is less than the first flow rate and greater than or equal to the second rate;
• a second aperture downstream from the first aperture and extending through the sidewall and a substantially solid member movably positionable adjacent the second aperture for defining a variably dimensionable flow path for passage of fluid from the interior to atmosphere regions adjacent the exterior of the conduit, wherein variation of the dimension of the variably dimensionable flow path selectively enables escape of fluid from the interior of the conduit to provide the second flow rate of fluid to the patient.

A method of delivering fluid comprising flowing gas to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a source of fluid comprising flowing gas;
• providing a system for controlling the flow rate of fluid from the source of fluid for delivery to the patient and placing the system in flow communication with the source of fluid, the system comprising:
• a conduit having an interior and an exterior separated by a substantially continuous sidewall, an inlet end in flow communication with an outlet end for receiving flow of fluid from the fluid source through the conduit from the inlet end toward the outlet end, the inlet end being in flow communication with the source of fluid at a first flow rate and the outlet end being in flow communication with a fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to the patient at a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate,
• a first aperture extending through the sidewall for passage of fluid from the interior to atmospheric regions adjacent the exterior of the conduit and for reducing the flow rate of fluid within the conduit to a third flow rate that is less than the first flow rate and greater than or equal to the second flow rate,
• a second aperture downstream from the first aperture and extending through the sidewall and a substantially solid member movably positionable adjacent the second aperture for defining a variably dimensionable flow path for passage of fluid from the interior to atmosphere regions adjacent the exterior of the conduit, wherein variation of the dimension of the variably dimensionable flow path selectively enables escape of fluid from the interior of the conduit to provide a fourth flow rate of fluid within the conduit that is substantially equal to the second flow rate of fluid and less than or equal to the third flow rate of fluid;
• selectively positioning the substantially solid member relative to the second aperture to provide a desired flow rate of fluid to the patient.