PRESSURE RELEASE SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS

• US 20100282253A1
• Filed: 02/04/2010
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Babicore LLC
• Original Assignee: Wet Nose Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Newman, Lionel Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,783,247 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/085 Gas sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/209 Relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/183 the sound being generated pneumatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/584 having a color code

Abstract

A respiratory circuit apparatus and circuit are provided. The circuit includes: an adapter having a plurality of connectors of two or more different internal or outer diameters; and a pressure release valve configured to emanate sound if a pressure of a gas received at the pressure release valve is greater than or equal to an activation pressure of the pressure release valve. The pressure release valve can have a first end of a body portion coupled with one of the plurality of connectors of the adapter. The pressure release valve can be coupled inline in the respiratory circuit via the adapter and in close proximity to a patient location.

Claims

1. A respiratory circuit, comprising:

an adapter having a plurality of connectors of two or more different internal or outer diameters; and

a pressure release valve configured to emanate sound if a pressure of a gas received at the pressure release valve is greater than or equal to an activation pressure of the pressure release valve, the pressure release valve also being formed with a body portion configured and having a first end of the body portion coupled to one of the plurality of connectors of the adapter, wherein the pressure release valve is coupled inline in the respiratory circuit via the adapter and in close proximity to a patient location.

2. The respiratory circuit of claim 1, further comprising a gas source and an inspiratory tube, the inspiratory tube having a first end coupled to the gas source and a second end coupled to the adapter and wherein the pressure release valve is configured to emanate the sound when the inspiratory tube is more than 1.5 feet long.

3. The respiratory circuit of claim 1, wherein the pressure release valve is one inch or less in height.

4. The respiratory circuit of claim 1, wherein the respiratory circuit is a continuous positive airway pressure respiratory circuit or a high flow respiratory circuit.

5. The respiratory circuit of claim 1, wherein the pressure release valve is coupled on an inspiratory side of the respiratory circuit.

6. The respiratory circuit of claim 1, wherein close proximity to the patient location is a distance from the patient location that is 13-20 inches or less.

7. The respiratory circuit of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of connectors of the adapter to which the body portion is coupled is approximately 7.5 mm in diameter.

8. The respiratory circuit of claim 3, wherein the pressure release valve is a weight less than or equal to 10 grams.

9. A respiratory circuit apparatus, comprising:

a pressure release valve configured to emanate sound if a pressure of a gas received at the pressure release valve is greater than or equal to an activation pressure of the pressure release valve, the pressure release valve also being formed with a body portion configured and having a first end of the body portion coupleable to one of a plurality of connectors of an adapter configured to be positioned inline in a respiratory circuit.

10. The respiratory circuit apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pressure release valve comprises an audible apparatus coupled to a second end of the body portion, wherein the audible apparatus is configured to emanate the sound.

11. The respiratory circuit of claim 9, wherein the pressure release valve comprises an audible portion, wherein the audible portion and the body portion are molded together as a single pressure release valve comprised of a single component and the audible portion is configured to emanate the sound.

12. The respiratory circuit of claim 11, wherein the audible portion is encompassed within an interior region of the body portion.

13. The respiratory circuit apparatus of claim 9, wherein the sound is a whistle or horn.

14. The respiratory circuit apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pressure release valve is configured to emanate the whistle or horn if the pressure of a gas received at the pressure release valve is greater than or equal to the activation pressure of the pressure release valve, and a flow rate of the gas is less than eight liters per minute.

15. The respiratory circuit apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pressure release valve is a fixed pressure valve including a magnet disposed in a magnetic force in the body portion, and wherein the magnet is configured to open the pressure release valve to allow the gas to enter the body portion and to cause the sound to emanate from the pressure release valve.

16. The respiratory circuit apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pressure release valve is one inch or less in height and 10 grams or less in weight.

17. The respiratory circuit apparatus of claim 9, wherein the body portion is dimensioned to telescopically couple to the adapter.

18. The respiratory circuit apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one of the plurality of connectors of the adapter to which the body portion is telescopically coupled is a temperature probe connector.

19. A respiratory circuit pressure release system, comprising:

a respiratory circuit adaptable pressure release valve configured with at least one port dimensioned to be coupled to an adapter having a plurality of adapter ports for coupling the adapter and one or more mounted devices to the respiratory circuit, wherein the respiratory circuit adaptable pressure release valve is coupleable in series in the respiratory circuit via the adapter, and wherein the respiratory circuit adaptable pressure release valve is configured to whistle if a pressure of a gas received at the respiratory circuit adaptable pressure release valve is greater than or equal to an activation pressure of the respiratory circuit adaptable pressure release valve.

20. The respiratory circuit pressure release system of claim 19, further comprising the adapter.