AUTOMATIC SCAVENGER SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20080190431A1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Bellefeuille, Paul David
• Granted Patent: US 8,757,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0063 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/009 Removing used or expired gases or anaesthetic vapours filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air in drainage systems A61M1/784; bacterial filters in the expiratory path A61M16/1065
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0093 by adsorption, absorption or filtration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/01 specially adapted for anaesthetising A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/104 specially adapted for anaesthetics A61M16/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/18 Vaporising devices for anaesthetic preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/203 Proportional
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0283 Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Abstract

An anesthesia machine having an automatic scavenger system is disclosed herein. The anesthesia machine includes a scavenger hose configured to direct the transfer of an exhaled anesthetic agent from a patient, and a valve operatively connected to the scavenger hose. The valve is configured to selectively control the transmission of the exhaled anesthetic agent through the scavenger hose. The anesthesia machine also includes a switch operatively connected to the valve and to a controller. The switch is configured to link an operational status of the anesthesia machine with a position of the valve.

Claims

1. An anesthesia machine comprising:

a scavenger hose configured to direct the transfer of an exhaled anesthetic agent from a patient;

a valve operatively connected to the scavenger hose, said valve configured to selectively control the transmission of the exhaled anesthetic agent through the scavenger hose; and

a switch operatively connected to the valve and to a controller, said switch being configured to link an operational status of the anesthesia machine with a position of the valve.

2. The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein said scavenger hose is coupled with a compressor.

3. The anesthesia machine of claim 2, wherein said compressor is coupled with an exhaust line configured to direct the exhaled anesthetic agent to an exhaust vent.

4. The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein said valve is a pneumatically actuated closed-bias valve.

5. The anesthesia machine of claim 1, further comprising a scavenger assembly operatively connected to the scavenger hose.

6. The anesthesia machine of claim 5, further comprising an absorber operatively connected to the scavenger assembly, said absorber configured to collect the exhaled anesthetic agent from-the patient.

7. The anesthesia machine of claim 5, further comprising a variably adjustable valve operatively connected to the scavenger assembly.

8. The anesthesia machine of claim 7, wherein the variably adjustable valve can be opened by a selectable amount to control the rate at which the exhaled anesthetic agent is transferable through the scavenger assembly.

9. An anesthesia system comprising:

an anesthesia machine comprising;

a scavenger assembly;

a scavenger hose connected to the scavenger assembly;

a valve operatively connected to the scavenger hose, said valve having a first position wherein the scavenger hose is at least partially open and a second position wherein the scavenger hose is generally occluded; and

a switch operatively connected to the valve, said switch being configured to link the status of the anesthesia machine with the position of the valve such that the scavenger assembly is automatically activated when the anesthesia machine is turned on and the scavenger assembly is automatically deactivated when the anesthesia machine is turned off;

a compressor operatively connected to the scavenger hose; and

an exhaust line operatively connected to the compressor, said exhaust line configured to direct an exhaled anesthetic agent to an exhaust vent.

10. The anesthesia system of claim 9, wherein said valve is a pneumatically actuated closed-bias valve.

11. The anesthesia system of claim 9, further comprising an absorber operatively connected to the scavenger assembly.

12. The anesthesia system of claim 9, further comprising a variably adjustable valve operatively connected to the scavenger assembly.

13. The anesthesia system of claim 12, wherein said variably adjustable valve can be opened by a selectable amount to control the rate at which the exhaled anesthetic agent is transferable through the scavenger assembly.

14. A method for implementing an anesthesia machine having an automatic scavenger system comprising:

connecting a scavenger hose to a compressor;

providing a valve operatively connected to the scavenger hose, said valve having a first position wherein the scavenger hose is at least partially open and a second position wherein the scavenger hose is generally occluded;

providing a switch operatively connected to the valve, said switch configured to link the operational status of the anesthesia machine with the position of the valve; and

implementing the switch to select an operational status of the anesthesia machine such that the valve is automatically set to a corresponding valve position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said providing a valve includes providing a pneumatically actuated closed-bias valve.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a scavenger assembly operatively connected to the scavenger hose.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a variably adjustable valve operatively connected to the scavenger assembly.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising setting the variably adjustable valve to an at least partially open position before said implementing the switch.