Apparatus for supplying atmospheric air and at least one additional gas to a respirating subject

An apparatus for supplying atmospheric air to a respirating subject, comprising:

• a container having a first end open to ambient atmosphere for receiving atmospheric air into said container, and having a second end;
• means for generating a flow of atmospheric air from said second end of said container;
• a tubing system connected to said means for generating a flow and adapted for connection to a respirating subject;
• a feedback connection between said tubing system and said container;
• and
• a flow divider for diverting a flow of atmospheric air to a respirating subject each inspiration phase and for diverting a flow of atmospheric air to said feedback connection during each expiration phase.

An apparatus for supplying atmospheric air and at least one additional gas to a respirating subject, comprising:

• a container having a first end open to ambient atmosphere for receiving atmospheric air into said container, and having a second end;
• means for generating a flow of mixed atmospheric air and said additional gas from said second end of said container;
• a tubing system connected to said second end of said container and adapted for connection to a respirating subject;
• a source of additional gas connected at a point of entry via a supply line for said additional gas for mixing said additional gas with atmospheric air for supply to a respirating subject via said tubing system;
• a metering unit for controlling supply of said additional gas from said source of additional gas to said point of entry for producing a predetermined concentration of said additional gas before each inspiration phase of a respirating subject;
• a feedback connection between said tubing system and said supply line;
• and
• a flow divider for diverting a flow of atmospheric air to a respirating subject each inspiration phase and for diverting a flow of atmospheric air to said feedback connection during each expiration phase.

An apparatus for supplying atmospheric air and at least one additional gas to a respirating subject, comprising:

• a container having a first end open to ambient atmosphere for receiving atmospheric air into said container, and having a second end;
• means for generating a flow of mixed atmospheric air and said additional gas from said second end of said container;
• a tubing system connected to said second end of said container and adapted for connection to a respirating subject;
• a source of additional gas connected at a point of entry via a supply line for said additional gas for mixing said additional gas with atmospheric air for supply to a respirating subject via said tubing system;
• a metering unit for controlling supply of said additional gas from said source of additional gas to said point of entry for producing a predetermined concentration of said additional gas before each inspiration phase of a respirating subject;
• a feedback connection between said tubing system and said supply line;
• and
• a flow divider for diverting a flow of atmospheric air and said additional gas to a respirating subject each inspiration phase and for diverting a flow of atmospheric air and said additional gas to said feedback connection during each expiration phase.