Apparatus and method for providing high frequency variable pressure to a patient

A high frequency pressure oscillation device comprising:

• conduit means for communicating a source of breathing gas with an airway of a patient;
• valve means for alternatively communicating such a source of breathing gas with an airway of a patient via the conduit means responsive to the valve means being in a first position within the conduit means and for at least partially restricting communication of such a source of breathing gas with an airway of a patient responsive to the valve means being in a second position within the conduit means;
• means for rotating the valve means in a first direction such that the valve means is alternatively disposed in the first position and in the second position within the conduit means;
• a first blower having an inlet and outlet as the source of breathing gas;
• and
• a second blower having an inlet communicating with ambient atmosphere and an outlet, wherein the valve means is adapted to communicate the outlet of the first blower with an airway of a patient and communicates the inlet of the first blower to the outlet of the second blower responsive to the valve means being in the first position, and wherein the valve means is adapted to communicate the inlet of the first blower with an airway of a patient and communicates the outlet of the first blower to the outlet of the second blower responsive to the valve means being in the second position.

A method of providing high frequency pressure oscillation comprising:

• providing a patient circuit that communicates a source of breathing gas with an airway of a patient;
• communicating such a source of breathing gas with an airway of a patient responsive to a valve in the patient circuit being in a first position within the patient circuit;
• at least partially restricting communication of such a source of breathing gas with an airway of a patient responsive to the valve being in a second position within the patient circuit;
• rotating the valve in a first direction such that the valve is alternatively disposed in the first position and in the second position within the patient circuit;
• providing a first blower having an inlet and an outlet as such a source of breathing gas;
• providing a second blower having an inlet communicating with ambient atmosphere and an outlet, wherein the communicating step includes communicating the outlet of the first blower with an airway of a patient and communicating the inlet of the first blower to the outlet of the second blower responsive to the valve being in the first position;
• and
• communicating the inlet of the first blower with an airway of a patient and communicating the outlet of the first blower to the outlet of the second blower responsive to the valve being in the second position in place of the step of at least partially restricting communication between such a source of breathing gas and an airway of a patient responsive to the valve being in the second position.