Portable pressure transducer, pneumotach for use therewith, and associated methods

• US 20070261498A1
• Filed: 02/12/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Orr, Joseph, Durst, Kevin, Kofoed, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/753
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 13/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring differences of two or more fluid pressure values

Abstract

A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A respiratory pressure sensing system, comprising:

a pneumotach configured to be positioned along a respiratory conduit; and

a pressure transducer configured to be removably coupled with said pneumotach, said pressure transducer including at least one pressure sensor for receiving a respiratory sample when said pressure transducer and said pneumotach are coupled with one another and said pneumotach is positioned along the respiratory conduit.