Method and system of sensing airflow and delivering therapeutic gas to a patient

A system comprising:

• a control system;
• first and second sensors coupled to the control system;
• a first valve coupled to the control system and the first sensor, wherein in one valve position the first valve fluidly couples a source of therapeutic gas to a common port of the first valve, and in a second valve position the first valve fluidly couples the first sensor to the common port of the first valve, and wherein the common port of the first valve configured to fluidly couple to a first breathing orifice of a patient;
• a second valve coupled to the control system and the second sensor, wherein in one valve position the second valve fluidly couples a source of therapeutic gas to a common port of the second valve, and in a second valve position the second valve fluidly couples the second sensor to the common port of the second valve, and wherein the common port of the second valve configured to fluidly couple to a second breathing orifice of the patient;
• and
• wherein the control system determines a first and second sensed parameter indicative of airflow of the first and second breathing orifices using the first and second sensors, wherein the control system commands the first valve to supply therapeutic gas to the common port of the first valve only if the first sensed parameter indicates the presence of airflow, and wherein the control system commands the second valve to supply therapeutic gas to the common port of the second valve only if the first sensed parameter indicates the presence of airflow.

A method comprising:

• sensing airflow of a patient's first and second naris individually;
• delivering therapeutic gas to the first naris in proportion to the airflow of the first naris;
• and
• delivering therapeutic gas to the second naris in proportion to the airflow of the second naris.

A therapeutic gas delivery system comprising:

• a gas port adapted to coupled to a source of therapeutic gas;
• a first narial port adapted to couple to a first naris of a patient;
• a second narial port adapted to couple to a second naris of the patient;
• and
• wherein the therapeutic gas delivery system fluidly couples the gas port to the first narial port if airflow through the first naris is sensed, and wherein the therapeutic gas deliver system further fluidly couples the gas port to the second narial port if airflow through the second naris is sensed.

A therapeutic gas delivery system comprising:

• a first sensor and first valve coupled to a first narial port, the first narial port configured to couple to a first naris of a patient;
• a second sensor and second valve coupled to a second narial port, the second narial port configured to couple to a second naris of the patient;
• and
• wherein the first sensor senses airflow of the first naris with the first valve in one position, and with the first valve in another position the first valve couples therapeutic gas to the first narial port;
• wherein the second sensor senses airflow of the second naris with the second valve in one position, and with the second valve in another position the second valve couples therapeutic gas to the second narial port;
• wherein the therapeutic gas delivery system only delivers therapeutic gas to the first naris if airflow is sensed in the first naris, and only delivers therapeutic gas to the second naris if airflow is sensed in the second naris.

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• a first sensor having an output signal line coupled to the processor;
• a second sensor having an output signal line coupled to the processor;
• a first valve having a control input signal line coupled to the processor, wherein in one valve position the first valve fluidly couples a source of therapeutic gas to a common port of the first valve, and in a second valve position the first valve fluidly couples the first sensor to the common port of the first valve, and wherein the common port of the first valve configured to fluidly couple to a first breathing orifice of a patient;
• a second valve having a control input signal line coupled to the processor, wherein in one valve position the second valve fluidly couples a source of therapeutic gas to a common port of the second valve, and in a second valve position the second valve fluidly couples the second sensor to the common port of the second valve, and wherein the common port of the second valve configured to fluidly couple to a second breathing orifice of the patient;
• and
• wherein the processor is programmed to read the output signal lines of the first and second sensors to determine a first and second values indicative of airflow of the first and second breathing orifices respectively, wherein the processor is further programmed to assert the control input signal line to the first valve to supply therapeutic gas to the common port of the first valve only if the first value indicates the presence of airflow, and wherein the processor is further programmed to assert the control input signal line to the second valve to supply therapeutic gas to the common port of the second valve only if the second value indicates the presence of airflow.