Gas conserving device

A gas conserving device adapted to control a flow of gas provided to a patient through a conduit from a gas source, the gas conserving device comprising:

• a breath sensor adapted to detect inhalation by a patient;
• a slave valve operatively coupled to a gas delivery conduit, wherein the slave valve having an open position for providing a flow of gas from a gas source to a patient, and a closed position for ceasing the flow of gas;
• a pilot valve communicating with the slave valve to control a position of the slave valve;
• and
• an energy source adapted to provide a first energy to the pilot valve subsequent to the breath sensor sensing detecting inhalation by such a patient, wherein the pilot valve is adapted to move the slave valve to the open position responsive to receiving the first energy from the energy source.

A gas conserving device comprising:

• a gas flow switch having a plurality of selectable settings, wherein a different quantity of gas to is delivered to a patient by the gas conserving device for each setting in the plurality of selectable settings;
• a valve housing adapted to be disposed between a gas source and a patient, wherein the valve includes a valve body and a valve seat disposed in the valve body;
• a valve element disposed within the valve body, wherein a portion of the valve element is adapted to seat against the valve seat responsive to the valve element being in a closed position, and wherein the portion of the valve element is spaced apart from the seat responsive to the valve element being in an open position;
• and
• an energy source adapted to move the valve element from the closed position to the open position, wherein the energy source provides substantially a same amount of energy to move the valve element independent of the setting of the gas flow switch.

A gas conserving device comprising:

• a valve housing adapted to be disposed between a gas source and a patient, wherein the valve includes a valve body and a valve seat disposed in the valve body;
• a valve element disposed within the valve body, wherein a portion of the valve element is adapted to seat against the valve seat responsive to the valve element being in a closed position thereby substantially disabling a flow of gas to such a patient, and wherein the portion of the valve element is spaced apart from the seat responsive to the valve element being in an open position thereby enabling the flow of gas to such a patient;
• and
• an energy source adapted to move the valve element from the closed position to the open position, the energy source providing a substantially same amount of energy to the valve element independent of an amount of time the valve element remains in the open position.