Gas-treatment devices

• US 20050133028A1
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Group plc (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Group plc (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Pagan, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,363,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/201.130
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0427 with removable and re-insertable liner tubes, e.g. for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/047 Masks, filters, surgical pads, devices for absorbing secretions, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1045 Devices for humidifying or heating the inspired gas by using recovered moisture or heat from the expired gas

Abstract

An HME for a tracheostomy tube has a flexible outer housing of a gas-permeable material containing an HME element of discrete particles, granules or the like of a hygroscopic material. The particles are contained between the outer housing and an inner wall of a foam. The inner wall has a ciliated surface facing the end of the tube, which acts to distribute gas over the surface of the HME element. The HME is attached to a flange on an inner cannula by means of a removable adhesive. The HME may include a suction port through a self-closing aperture, which makes a wiping seal with a suction catheter inserted in the tube.

Claims

1. A gas-treatment device comprising a housing, a gas-treatment element and an inlet for connection to a machine end of a patient breathing tube, wherein said device is conformable:

2. A gas-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is flexible and wherein said housing contains a gas-treatment element that substantially conforms to the shape of the housing.

3. A gas-treatment device according to claim 2, wherein said housing is of a gas-permeable material.

4. A gas-treatment device according to claim 3, wherein said housing is of a fabric.

5. A gas-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein said gas-treatment element is an HME element.

6. A gas-treatment device according to claim 5, wherein said HME element includes a discrete material.

7. A gas-treatment device according to claim 6, wherein said discrete material is in the form of particles, granules or small balls.

8. A gas-treatment device according to claim 5, wherein said HME element includes a zeolite.

9. A gas-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is flexible, wherein said gas-treatment element is conformable, and wherein said housing contains a gas-disperser arranged to disperse gas over said gas-treatment element.

10. A gas-treatment device according to claim 9, wherein said gas-disperser includes a ciliated surface.

11. A gas-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein said patient breathing tube is a tracheostomy tube.

12. A gas-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein said tube has a flange at its machine end, and wherein said gas-treatment device is supported on said flange.

13. A gas-treatment device according to claim 12, wherein said gas-treatment device is removably attached with said flange.

14. A gas-treatment device according to claim 12, wherein said gas-treatment device is attached with said flange by means of an adhesive.

15. A gas-treatment device according to claim 1, wherein said breathing tube has a coupling extending within said gas-treatment device, and wherein said coupling has at least one side port.

16. A gas-treatment device according to claim 1, including a self-sealing port arranged to be aligned with a machine end of said breathing tube such as to enable an elongate member to be inserted through said port and said device, into said tube.

17. A gas-treatment device according to claim 16, wherein said port is arranged to make a wiping seal with said elongate member.

18. A gas-treatment device comprising an outer wall of a gas-permeable material, a gas-treatment element within said outer wall, and a port for connection to a patient breathing tube such that gas passes to and from said patient breathing tube via said port, said gas-treatment element and through said outer wall.

19. A gas-treatment device according to claim 18, wherein said wall is of a fabric.

20. A gas-treatment device according to claim 18, wherein said gas-treatment element is an HME element.

21. A gas-treatment device according to claim 20, wherein said HME element includes a discrete material.

22. A gas-treatment device according to claim 21, wherein said discrete material is in the form of particles, granules or small balls.

23. An assembly comprising:

a breathing tube having a patient end and a machine end, and a gas-treatment device connected at said machine end of said breathing tube, wherein said gas-treatment device is conformable.

24. An assembly according to claim 23, wherein said breathing tube includes an outer tube and a removable inner cannula inserted within said outer tube, and wherein said gas-treatment device is mounted at a machine end of said inner cannula.

25. An HME comprising:

an outer flexible wall of gas-permeable material;

an inner porous wall within the outer flexible wall;

an HME element of a discrete material between said outer and inner walls that conforms to the shape of said walls;

a inner cavity divided from said HME element by said porous wall; and

an opening into said cavity by which gas can be supplied to and from said cavity and through said inner wall, said HME element and said outer wall.

26. An assembly comprising:

a breathing tube having a patient end and a machine end;

a gas-treatment device comprising an outer wall of a gas-permeable material, a gas-treatment element within said outer wall, and a port connected to a patient breathing tube such that gas passes to and from said patient breathing tube via said port, said gas-treatment element and through said outer wall.

27. An assembly according to claim 26, wherein said gas-treatment device is an HME.

28. An assembly comprising:

a breathing tube having a patient end and a machine end;

a flange at said machine end; and

a gas-treatment device mounted on said flange and presenting a conformable external surface.

29. An assembly according to claim 28, wherein said gas-treatment device is an HME.