| abstract |
According to the invention, methods and devices for increasing cardiopulmonary circulation induced by chest compression and decompression when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation are provided. According to one method, a pressure responsive inflow valve (24) is coupled to a patient's airway. Chest compressions and chest decompressions are performed. During chest decompression the inflow valve (24) prevents respiratory gases from entering the lungs until a certain negative intrathoracic pressure level is exceeded at which time the inflow valve (24) opens. In this way, the inflow valve (24) assists in increasing the magnitude and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during decompression to enhance the amount of blood flow into the heart and lungs. Further, the patient is supplied with a pressurized respiratory gas through the inflow valve (24) when the inflow valve (24) opens to ventilate the patient. |