FAN ASSEMBLY FOR A REBREATHE SYSTEM

• US 20110288428A1
• Filed: 05/19/2010
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vyaire Medical 207 Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CareFusion 207, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Valentine, Earl
• Granted Patent: US 8,985,104 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0045 Means for re-breathing exhaled gases, e.g. for hyperventilation treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• 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 16/0891 Closed circuit, e.g. for anaesthesia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/22 Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices ; Other means for removing carbon dioxidecartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/11 with means for preventing cross-contamination when used for multiple patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/43 Composition of exhalation

Abstract

A circulation system for use in a rebreathe system includes a base and a fan assembly coupled to the base. The base includes a motor and a rotatable drive shaft coupled to the motor. The fan assembly includes a housing with an inlet and outlet. The fan assembly further includes a fan coupled to the drive shaft to rotate therewith and is fluidly isolated from the drive shaft.

Claims

1. A circulation system for a rebreathe system, comprising:

a base enclosing a motor and a rotatable drive shaft coupled to the motor; and

a fan assembly coupled to the base and including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the fan assembly further including a fan coupled to the drive shaft to rotate therewith to circulate gas from the inlet to the outlet as the fan rotates, the fan being fluidly isolated from the drive shaft.

2. The circulation system of claim 1, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan.

3. The circulation system of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly includes a first magnetic coupling plate coupled to the fan and the base includes a second magnetic coupling plate coupled to the motor such that, upon operation of the motor, the fan, the first magnetic plate and the second magnetic coupling plate rotate.

4. The circulation system of claim 3, wherein a bottom of the housing is positioned between the first magnetic coupling plate and the second magnetic coupling plate.

5. The circulation system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a top plate defining an opening configured to accommodate the second magnetic coupling plate, the bottom covering the opening.

6. The circulation system of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly further includes a central shaft, the fan being rotatable about the central shaft.

7. The circulation system of claim 6, wherein the fan assembly further includes at least one bearing coupled to the housing and the central shaft such that the central shaft rotates within the bearing.

8. A rebreathe system, comprising:

a breathing valve assembly configured to be fluidly coupled to a patient;

a reservoir configured to receive exhaled gas from the breathing valve assembly;

a carbon dioxide absorber; and

a circulation system, comprising;

a base enclosing a motor and a rotatable drive shaft coupled to the motor; and

a fan assembly coupled to the base and including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the fan assembly further including a fan coupled to the drive shaft to rotate therewith to circulate gas from the inlet to the outlet as the fan rotates, the fan being fluidly isolated from the drive shaft.

9. The rebreathe system of claim 8, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan.

10. The rebreathe system of claim 8, wherein the fan assembly includes a first magnetic coupling plate coupled to the fan and the base includes a second magnetic coupling plate coupled to the motor such that, upon operation of the motor, the fan, the first magnetic plate and the second magnetic coupling plate rotate.

11. The rebreathe system of claim 10, wherein a bottom of the housing is positioned between the first magnetic coupling plate and the second magnetic coupling plate.

12. The rebreathe system of claim 10, wherein the base includes a top plate defining an opening configured to accommodate the second magnetic coupling plate, the bottom covering the opening.

13. The rebreathe system of claim 8, wherein the fan assembly further includes a central shaft, the fan being rotatable about the central shaft.

14. The rebreathe system of claim 13, wherein the fan assembly further includes at least one bearing coupled to the housing and the central shaft such that the central shaft rotates within the bearing.

15. A method of performing a pulmonary function test, comprising:

receiving exhaled gas from a patient; and

operating a circulation system to move exhaled gas through a carbon dioxide absorber, the circulation system including a motor with a drive shaft coupled to a fan of a fan assembly such that the fan rotates with the drive shaft and is fluidly isolated from the drive shaft.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the fan assembly includes a first magnetic coupling plate coupled to the fan and wherein the circulation system further includes a base having a second magnetic coupling plate coupled to the motor such that, upon operation of the motor, the fan, the first magnetic plate and the second magnetic coupling plate rotate.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a bottom of the housing is positioned between the first magnetic coupling plate and the second magnetic coupling plate.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the base includes a top plate defining an opening configured to accommodate the second magnetic coupling plate, the bottom covering the opening.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the fan assembly further includes a central shaft, the fan being rotatable about the central shaft.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the fan assembly further includes at least one bearing coupled to the housing and the central shaft such that the central shaft rotates within the bearing.