Variable pressure and flow control for a pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and at least one source of a pressurized gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible fluid communication with the at least one source of a pressurized gas and said supply valve;
• and
• a control device, said control device including flow control means for controlling flow of pressurized gas from the at least one source of a pressurized gas to said supply valve and flow of pressurized gas from the at least one source of a pressurized gas to said regulator mechanism.

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and at least one source of a pressurized gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible fluid communication with the at least one source of a pressurized gas and said supply valve;
• and
• a control device, said control device including flow control means for controlling flow of pressurized gas from the at least one source of a pressurized gas to said supply valve, said control device further comprising pressure control means for controlling the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by said regulator mechanism.

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and at least one source of a pressurized gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible fluid communication with the at least one source of a pressurized gas and said supply valve;
• and
• a control device, said control device including flow control means for controlling flow of pressurized gas from the at least one source of a pressurized gas to said regulator mechanism, said control device further comprising pressure control means for controlling the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by said regulator mechanism.

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and at least one source of a pressurized gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible fluid communication with the at least one source of a pressurized gas and said supply valve;
• cam-operated flow control means for controlling flow of pressurized gas from the at least one source of a pressurized gas to said supply valve and from the at least one source of a pressurized gas to said regulator mechanism;
• and
• cam-operated pressure control means for controlling the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by said regulator mechanism.

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and at least one source of a pressurized gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible fluid communication with the at least one source of a pressurized gas and said supply valve;
• and
• cam-operated flow control means for controlling flow of pressurized gas from the at least one source of a pressurized gas to said regulator mechanism.

A pneumatically-operated gas demand apparatus coupled in interruptible fluid communication between a recipient and at least one source of a pressurized gas and adapted for controlling delivery of the pressurized gas to the recipient as the recipient inhales and exhales, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible fluid communication with the at least one source of a pressurized gas and said supply valve;
• and
• cam-operated pressure control means for controlling the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by said regulator mechanism.

In combination with a nebulizer for producing a medicament-containing aerosol and a source of pressurized gas, an intermittent gas delivery device disposed between and in intermittent fluid communication with the nebulizer and the source of pressurized gas, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible communication with the pressurized gas source and said supply valve;
• and
• a control device, said control device comprising flow control means for controlling flow of pressurized gas from said pressurized gas source to said supply valve and from said pressurized gas source to said regulator mechanism, said control device further comprising pressure control means for controlling the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by said regulator mechanism.

In combination with a nebulizer for producing a medicament-containing aerosol and a source of pressurized gas, an intermittent gas delivery device disposed between and in intermittent fluid communication with the nebulizer and the source of pressurized gas, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible communication with the pressurized gas source and said supply valve;
• and
• cam-operated flow control means for controlling flow of pressurized gas from said pressurized gas source to said regulator mechanism.

In combination with a nebulizer for producing a medicament-containing aerosol and a source of pressurized gas, an intermittent gas delivery device disposed between and in intermittent fluid communication with the nebulizer and the source of pressurized gas, comprising:

• a supply valve and a sensing valve cooperable to intermittently deliver pressurized gas to the recipient responsive to the recipient's inhalation and exhalation;
• a regulator mechanism including at least one regulator disposed between and in interruptible communication with the pressurized gas source and said supply valve;
• and
• cam-operated pressure control means for controlling the pressure of pressurized gas discharged by said regulator mechanism.