DEVICE FOR REGULATING POSITIVE END EXPIRATORY PRESSURE

• US 3,869,771 A
• Filed: 10/17/1973
• Issued: 03/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles W. Bollinger
• Original Assignee: Charles W. Bollinger
• Inventors: Bollinger, Charles W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Application Number:
  US05/407,140
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 128/188,186,187,194,185,142.3,145.8,145.5,2F,2.08,272 137/251-254 261/124 55/355 215/6
• US Class Current: 128/200.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/01 specially adapted for anaesthetising A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• 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 2205/3348 Pressure measurement using a water column
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function

Abstract

A device for regulating the positive end expiratory pressure of a patient under anesthesia is disclosed. The device is suitable for insertion into an anesthesia circuit and comprises an enclosed container separated into two chambers by a wall terminating below the top of the container. A liquid contained in the container is movable between the two chambers by passing over the wall when the container is tilted. The container top has two openings through which two tubes project. A long tube extends downwardly and terminates at the bottom of one chamber and a short tube terminates near the top of the container. Air exhausted by the patient passes downwardly through the long tube and bubbles upwardly through the liquid located in the associated chamber of the container. The air, after bubbling upwardly, exhausts through the short tube. The level of liquid through which the exhausted air bubbles creates a resistance which regulates positive end expiratory pressure.

Claims

1. A device for regulating positive end expiratory pressure comprising:

an enclosed container divided into two chambers by a wall, said wAll allowing a liquid housed in said container to be moved between said two chambers when said container is tilted in a predetermined manner from a normal upright position;

a liquid housed in said chambers of said container;

a first tube extending into one of said chambers, said first tube being attached to the bottom of said one of said chambers and including apertures located adjacent the end attached to the bottom of one of said chambers, said apertures communicating between the interior of said first tube and the interior of said one of said chambers; and

, a second tube extending into said container so as to have one end terminate above said liquid in said chambers.

2. A device for regulating positive end expiratory pressure as claimed in claim 1, including a connection means connected to the other ends of said tubes which prevents communication between the other ends of said tubes and is adapted for connecting the other ends of said tubes into an anesthesia circuit.

3. A device for regulating positive end expiratory pressure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said container is enclosed by a top and wherein said first and second tubes pass through apertures in said top.

4. A device for regulating positive end expiratory pressure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said wall terminates below the top of said container so as to provide an aperture between the top of said container and the top of said wall.

5. A device for regulating positive end expiratory pressure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said container is translucent and including graduations associated with said one of said chambers whereby said liquid level in said one of said chambers can be easily determined.

6. A device for regulating positive end expiratory pressure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said attachment means is a split-T having an input end, an output end and two legs, one leg being associated with said input end and the other being associated with said output end, the leg associated with said input end being connected to said first tube and the leg associated with said output end being connected to said second tube, said split-T including a wall separating said ends from one another.

7. A device for regulating positive end expiratory pressure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall terminates below the top of said container so as to provide an aperture between the top of said container and the top of said wall.