DEVICE FOR DETECTING A DANGEROUS RESISTANCE TO FLOW IN A FLOW OF GAS THROUGH A FILTER EQUIPPED, IN CASE, WITH AN HME

• US 20090133694A1
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Solci, Massimiliano, Tralli, Stefano, Pizzo, Samuele
• Application Number:
  US12/270,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20090133694A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.220
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1045 Devices for humidifying or heating the inspired gas by using recovered moisture or heat from the expired gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/707 Testing of filters for clogging

Abstract

A device (10) for detecting and showing a dangerous resistance to flow in a gaseous fluid through a filter (102). The device (10) is characterized:

by the fact that it comprises a body (11);

by the fact that the body (11) is divided into two chambers (CH1, CH2) by an elastic membrane (MBN); a preferably calibrated hole (13) connects the first chamber (CH1) with the patient end (A); the second chamber (CH2) being in communication, instead, with the ventilator end (B), by means of a pressure-relief channel (14), which traverses the filter (102); and

by the fact that it is provided with elements for detecting and showing a dangerous resistance to flow in a flow (FL) of gas that traverses the filter (102); the detection elements comprising the membrane (MBN).

Claims

1. A device, housed in a filtering apparatus, for detecting and showing an excessive resistance to flow in a gaseous fluid through a filter;

said filter dividing said filtering apparatus into a patient room and a ventilator room; and

wherein said device is designed to detect and to show the difference in pressure existing between said ventilator room and said patient room.

2. Device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device includes an element that undergoes deformation as a result of the difference in pressure existing between said ventilator room and said patient room.

3. Device, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said element is a membrane.

4. Device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a danger symbol is visible from outside a central container.

5. Device, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said danger symbol is associated to the membrane, which, by deflecting, adheres to a window that can be observed from outside.

6. Device, as claimed in claim 1;

said device being housed in a seat made on a wall of a central container of a filtering apparatus at the patient end, said filtering apparatus including said filter;

wherein said device includes a body closed to the outside world by a window, the body divided into two chambers by an elastic membrane;

an end wall of the body being provided with a calibrated hole, which connects the first chamber with the patient room;

the second chamber being in communication with the ventilator room by means of a pressure-relief channel; and

wherein the device is provided with means for detecting and showing a dangerous resistance to flow in a flow of gas that traverses the filter.

7. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a danger symbol is visible from outside the central container, said danger symbol configured to be displayed gradually as the pressure of the gas in the first chamber increases with respect to the pressure present in the second chamber, thus indicating different degrees of danger.

8. Device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said pressure-relief channel is made, at least partially, on at least one of the walls of the central container.

9. Device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is located on the walls of the patient room.

10. Device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is located on the walls of the ventilator room.

11. A filtering apparatus, comprising at least one device as claimed in claim 1.

12. A ventilation system for intensive care units, comprising at least one filtering apparatus as claimed in claim 11.