# US 8,540,653 B2 · Apparatus for mechanically ventilating a patient > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,653 B2 - Document ID: US8540653B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/597,844 - Filed: 2005-05-27 - Published: 2008-07-10 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2005-05-27 - Assignees: Baldy by Design, LLC. - Applicants: Mary Baldauf; Thomas Baldauf - Inventors: Mary Baldauf; Thomas Baldauf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540653B2 ## CPC - A61H 31/02: Iron lungs - A61H 2201/5071: Pressure sensors - A61H 2203/0456: Supine - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract An apparatus for mechanically ventilating a patient is provided to have two separate components movably arranged with respect to one another within a flexible, air-tight covering fit about the torso of a patient. When the components move away from one another within the air-tight covering, negative pressure is generated which causes the patient to draw air into the lungs. Conversely, when the components stop moving away from one another within the air-tight covering, the patient's natural exhalation recoil takes over to allow the patient to expel the air from within the patient's lungs. A ventilator for helping a patient such as a premature infant breathe when placed in a chamber, is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ventilator, comprising a platform, a cover structured and arranged to be detachably coupled to said platform, a chamber defined by said cover and platform when coupled together and structured and arranged to encompass and aid breathing of a patient, tubing mounted about a lower edge of said cover, brackets mounted upon said platform and each comprising an opening, and pins structured and arranged to extend through said respective openings of said brackets and into ends of said tubing to thereby detachably couple said cover and platform together. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ventilator of claim 1, which is transparent on all sides. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ventilator of claim 1, comprising means for generating a vacuum within the chamber by a torque-conversion system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ventilator of claim 3, wherein said means include a wheel-and-belt configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The ventilator of claim 3, wherein said cover comprises a panel situated between sections of said tubing and having a substantially U-shaped portal extending therethrough. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ventilator of claim 5, additionally comprising a separate flexible shield having a portal of smaller dimension than said portal through said panel, and said separate shield arranged to be removably attachable to said panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The ventilator of claim 6, additionally comprising hook-and-loop fasteners on said panel and separate shield for removably attaching the same to one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The ventilator of claim 3, additionally comprising a portal extending through a top surface of said cover for coupling to said vacuum-generating means. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ventilator of claim 1, comprising a door mounted to said chamber by a double-hinge mechanism. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the brackets are mounted on a top surface of said platform and each substantially L-shaped with an opening through each leg of said substantially L-shaped bracket, and said tubing is mounted upon said lower edge of said cover such that when said cover is placed and rests upon said platform, said tubing is situated between respective brackets affixed to the top surface of said platform. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The ventilator of claim 1, comprising four right-angled brackets mounted upon the top surface of said platform, with two brackets each mounted along a respective edge of the top surface of said platform and positioned such that sections of said tubing are each situated between said respective two brackets when said cover is placed and rests upon said platform. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ventilator of claim 11, wherein said tubing is mounted upon an outer surface of the lower edge of said cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The ventilator of claim 12, additionally comprising braces wrapping around the outer and a top surface of said cover and securing the sections of said tubing to said cover. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The ventilator of claim 13, wherein said cover comprises a panel situated between the sections of said tubing and having a substantially U-shaped portal extending therethrough. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The ventilator of claim 14, additionally comprising a separate flexible shield having a portal of smaller dimension than said portal through said panel, and said separate shield arranged to be removably attachable to said panel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The ventilator of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises a panel situated between sections of said tubing and having a substantially U-shaped portal extending therethrough. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The ventilator of claim 16, additionally comprising a separate flexible shield having a portal of smaller dimension than said portal through said panel, and said separate shield arranged to be removably attachable to said panel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The ventilator of claim 17, additionally comprising hook-and-loop fasteners on said panel and separate shield for removably attaching the same to one another. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The ventilator of claim 1, wherein said platform is formed by a transparent panel secured to beams on all sides thereof and on which said brackets are mounted. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The ventilator of claim 19, wherein said cover is substantially rectangular-parallelepiped in shape with curved upper corners and an open bottom.