Ventilator exhalation system
First Claim
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1. An exhalation system for connection in the exhalation path of a ventilator for use in assisting a patient'"'"'s breathing, the system comprising:
- a housing having a first end and a second end, an inlet at the first end and an outlet at the second end;
means for connecting the housing inlet to the exhalation side of the breathing circuit of the ventilator;
a bacteria filter mounted in the housing and having an inlet and an outlet, means for connecting the filter inlet to the housing inlet;
first passageway means in the housing for connecting the bacteria filter outlet to the housing outlet;
second passageway means for connecting the housing outlet to a respiration monitoring device;
first heating means for heating the bacteria filter to heat gas passing through it to a temperature high enough to substantially avoid condensation; and
second heating means for heating said first passageway means along at least part of its length to a temperature high enough to maintain gas passing through it at a high enough temperature to substantially avoid condensation in said second passageway means.
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Abstract
An exhalation system for connection in the exhalation path of a ventilator for assisting a patient'"'"'s breathing includes a heated bacteria filter for heating exhaled gas passing through it to a temperature high enough to substantially avoid condensation in the filter. A connecting passageway on the downstream side of the filter for connection to a monitoring device is also heated along at least part of its length to add additional heat to the gas passing through it so that condensation in the connecting passageway and monitoring device is substantially avoided.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An exhalation system for connection in the exhalation path of a ventilator for use in assisting a patient'"'"'s breathing, the system comprising:
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a housing having a first end and a second end, an inlet at the first end and an outlet at the second end; means for connecting the housing inlet to the exhalation side of the breathing circuit of the ventilator; a bacteria filter mounted in the housing and having an inlet and an outlet, means for connecting the filter inlet to the housing inlet; first passageway means in the housing for connecting the bacteria filter outlet to the housing outlet; second passageway means for connecting the housing outlet to a respiration monitoring device; first heating means for heating the bacteria filter to heat gas passing through it to a temperature high enough to substantially avoid condensation; and second heating means for heating said first passageway means along at least part of its length to a temperature high enough to maintain gas passing through it at a high enough temperature to substantially avoid condensation in said second passageway means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification