Breathing circuits having unconventional respiratory conduits and systems and methods for optimizing utilization of fresh gases
First Claim
1. A multilumen, unilimb breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits, each of said conduits having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said first conduit can be operatively connected to an inlet for respiratory gases and said second conduit can be operatively connected to an outlet for respiratory gases, and said distal ends of said first and second conduits can be operatively connected to a distal fitting for connection to a patient, and axial extension or contraction of said second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of said first conduit, wherein upon axial extension of said second conduit from a first compressed axial conformation to a second expanded axial conformation, or vice versa, said second conduit will retain said second conformation, and said first conduit will expand or contract in length with corresponding axial expansion or contraction of said second conduit, wherein said first and second conduits are proximal to the breathing circuit distal fitting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits, wherein at least one of the conduits is a non-conventional conduit. In an embodiment, a multilumen unilimb breathing circuit has first and second conduits, wherein when the proximal ends of said first and second conduits are each connected to an inlet and outlet fitting, respectively, axial extension or contraction of the second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of the first conduit. In an embodiment, at least one of said conduits is coiled. In another embodiment, a coiled conduit is contained within an outer flexible conduit that is axially extendable and compressible, forming a unilimb, multilumen respiratory circuit. The outer flexible conduit may be pleated to provide for non-rebounding axial extension and contraction. The multilumen respiratory circuit can provide a variable rebreathing volume. In an embodiment, at least one tube in a multilumen respiratory conduit is radially collapsible and radially expandable to a maximum radius for carrying respiratory gases to and from a patient. In an embodiment, first and second conduits are formed of accordion-like pleated tubing, wherein both conduits can be connected to a proximal fitting or proximal terminal at their proximal end; in an embodiment, the first and second accordion-like pleated tubes can also be connected to a common distal fitting. The methods and systems can be used to administer anesthesia and for other purposes.
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Citations
47 Claims
- 1. A multilumen, unilimb breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits, each of said conduits having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said first conduit can be operatively connected to an inlet for respiratory gases and said second conduit can be operatively connected to an outlet for respiratory gases, and said distal ends of said first and second conduits can be operatively connected to a distal fitting for connection to a patient, and axial extension or contraction of said second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of said first conduit, wherein upon axial extension of said second conduit from a first compressed axial conformation to a second expanded axial conformation, or vice versa, said second conduit will retain said second conformation, and said first conduit will expand or contract in length with corresponding axial expansion or contraction of said second conduit, wherein said first and second conduits are proximal to the breathing circuit distal fitting.
- 14. A multilumen breathing circuit comprising first and second tubes, each of said tubes having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said first tube can be connected to an inlet for respiratory gases and said proximal end of said second tube can be connected to an outlet for respiratory gases, wherein at least one of said tubes can radially collapse when not in use.
- 20. A multilumen, unilimb breathing circuit having a machine end and a patient end, comprising first and second conduits, and having a distal fitting at said patient end, each of said conduits having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said first conduit can be connected to a machine inlet for respiratory gases and said second conduit can be connected to a machine outlet for respiratory gases, wherein flows passing through said conduits will merge proximate to or in said distal fitting, and axial extension or contraction of said second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of said first conduit, wherein upon axial extension of said second conduit from a first compressed axial conformation to a second expanded axial conformation, or vice versa, said second conduit will retain said second conformation, and said first conduit will expand or contract in length with corresponding axial expansion or contraction of said second conduit, wherein the airflow resistance of said first and second conduits is sufficiently low to meet the requirements for at least one of the group consisting of spontaneous ventilation or assisted ventilation.
- 41. A multilumen, unilimb breathing circuit having a machine end and a patient end, comprising first and second conduits, a distal fitting at said patient end, and a proximal fitting at said machine end, each of said conduits having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said first conduit can be connected to a machine inlet for respiratory gases and said second conduit can be connected to a machine outlet for respiratory gases via said proximal fitting, said distal ends of said first and second conduits being operatively connected to each other, wherein flows passing through said conduits will merge proximate to or in said distal fitting, and axial extension or contraction of said second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of said first conduit, wherein upon axial extension of said second conduit from a first compressed axial conformation to a second expanded axial conformation, or vice versa, said second conduit will retain said second conformation, and said first conduit will expand or contract in length with corresponding axial expansion or contraction of said second conduit, wherein said first and second conduit comprise accordion-like pleated tubing, at least a portion of said first conduit is contained within said second conduit, and said proximal fitting is directly connected to the proximal ends of said first and second conduits.
- 44. A multilumen, unilimb breathing circuit having a machine end and a patient end, comprising first and second conduits, a distal fitting at said patient end, and a proximal terminal at said machine end, each of said conduits having a proximal and a distal end, wherein said proximal end of said first conduit can be connected to a machine inlet for respiratory gases and said second conduit can be connected to a machine outlet for respiratory gases via said proximal terminal, said distal ends of said first and second conduits being operatively connected to each other, wherein flows passing through said conduits will merge proximate to or in said distal fitting, and axial extension or contraction of said second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of said first conduit, wherein upon axial extension of said second conduit from a first compressed axial conformation to a second expanded axial conformation, or vice versa, said second conduit will retain said second conformation, and said first conduit will expand or contract in length with corresponding axial expansion or contraction of said second conduit, wherein said first and second conduit comprise accordion-like pleated tubing, at least a portion of said first conduit is contained within said second conduit, and said proximal terminal is directly connected to the proximal ends of said first and second conduits.
Specification