SEAL FOR VARIABLE COMPRESSION INTERFACES

• US 20110226250A1
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SunMed Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: CareFusion 207, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Rustad, Andre M., LaBollita, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/02 with activated or ionised fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices; Ozone-inhalators with radioactive tagged particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• 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 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0233 Conductive materials, e.g. antistatic coatings for spark prevention
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/56 Heat recovery units

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to an example of a device configured to be in fluid communication with an article. The device includes an element configured to contact the article to form a variable compression interface between the element and the article. The device also includes a seal disposed on the element and at the variable compression interface. The seal is configured to reduce an amount of unwanted fluid leakage at the variable compression interface. An example seal includes a filter media configured to trap unwanted particles attempting to pass through the variable compression interface. In one example, the variable compression interface can be included within a heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit.

Claims

1. A device configured to be in fluid communication with an article, the device comprising:

an element configured to contact the article to form a variable compression interface between the element and the article; and

a seal disposed on the element and at the variable compression interface, the seal configured to reduce an amount of unwanted fluid leakage at the variable compression interface, wherein the seal comprises a filter media configured to trap unwanted particles attempting to pass through the variable compression interface.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the filter media is compressible.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the filter media is formed of a non-woven material.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the element is a valve mechanism having an obstruction unit and the article is a heat and moisture exchange unit element.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the seal is disposed on the obstruction unit.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the seal is affixed to the obstruction member with a medical-grade adhesive.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the element is a mask lip and the article is a portion of a face.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the fluid is air.

9. A heat and moisture exchange unit, comprising

a housing forming a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section extending between the first port and the second port, the intermediate section defining first and second flow paths fluidly connecting the first port and the second port;

a heat and moisture retaining media maintained within the intermediate section along the first flow path; and

a valve mechanism disposed within the intermediate section, the valve mechanism including an element forming an aperture, an obstruction member, and a seal, the obstruction member movably retained within the housing and transitionable between a first point of travel and a second point of travel;

wherein the obstruction member at the first point of travel forms a variable compression interface with the element and closes the second flow path to direct a fluid-flow through the first path;

wherein the obstruction member at the second point of travel permits the fluid-flow through the second flow path; and

wherein the seal comprises a filter media and is disposed on at least one of the obstruction member and the element at the variable compression interface.

10. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 9 wherein the heat and moisture retaining media includes a resilient foam treated with a hygroscopic salt.

11. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 10 wherein the heat and moisture retaining media includes a polyurethane foam treated with calcium chloride.

12. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 9 wherein the filter media includes non-woven fibers.

13. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 12 wherein the non-woven fibers include an electrostatic charge.

14. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 12 wherein the non-woven fibers include a polypropylene acrylic having an electrostatic charge,

15. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 12 where the fibers are bonded together into a sheet or web.

16. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 9 wherein the obstruction member is a gate valve.

17. The heat and moisture exchange unit of claim 9 wherein the obstruction member is biased against the element with a torsional spring.

18. A breathing circuit for use with a patient, the breathing circuit comprising:

a positive pressure fluid source;

a termination device configured to interface with the patient; and

a component fluidly coupling the positive pressure fluid source to the termination device, the component comprising,

a housing forming a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section extending between the first port and the second port, the intermediate section defining first and second flow paths fluidly connecting the first port and the second port;

a valve mechanism disposed within the intermediate section, the valve mechanism including an element forming an aperture, an obstruction member, and a seal, the obstruction member movably retained within the housing and transitionable between a first point of travel and a second point of travel;

wherein the obstruction member at the first point of travel forms a variable compression interface with the element and closes the second flow path to direct an airflow through the first path;

wherein the obstruction member at the second point of travel permits the airflow through the second flow path; and

wherein the seal comprises a filter media and is disposed on at least one of the obstruction member and the element at the variable compression interface.

19. The breathing circuit of claim 18 wherein the positive pressure fluid source includes a ventilator.

20. The breathing circuit of claim 18 wherein the termination device includes a mask.