Resuscitator regulator with carbon dioxide detector

• US 5,279,289 A
• Filed: 10/15/1991
• Issued: 01/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Gilbert M. Kirk
• Inventors: Kirk, Gilbert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fisher, J. Reed
• Assistant Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/776,615
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/202.22, 128/204.18, 128/205.12, 128/205.13, 128/205.23, 128/205.25, 128/205.28, 128/201.28, 128/202.27 , 128/202.28, 128/202.29, 128/203.11, 128/203.28, 128/203.29, 128/205.17, 128/205.24, 128/206.12, 128/206.15, 128/207.12 , 128/207.16, 128/719, 137/908
• US Class Current: 128/205.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0084 self-reinflatable by elasticity, e.g. resuscitation squeeze bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)

Abstract

A resuscitator regulator is provided with an integral carbon dioxide detector for indicating the presence of carbon dioxide in a patient. The carbon dioxide detector is a conventional pH sensitive chromogenic compound that is positioned in the breathing circuit to permit a rapid indication. Additionally, a unique plug is provided for sealing the indicator from the atmosphere while in storage to prevent contamination and degredation of the indicator compound.

Claims

1. A regulator for use with a resuscitator comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening, an inhalation port and an exhalation port;

a valve for controlling fresh gas flow from said inlet opening and through said inhalation port and for controlling exhaled gas glow from said inhalation port through said exhalation port;

a carbon dioxide detector having means to detect carbon dioxide in said exhaled gas and located adjacent to both said inhalation port and said valve to provide a region of low dead space; and

a plug for sealing said carbon dioxide detector from the atmosphere when not in use;

wherein said plug comprises scavenging means for absorbing carbon dioxide.

2. A regulator for use with a resuscitator comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening, an inhalation port and an exhalation port;

a valve for controlling fresh gas flow from said inlet opening and through said inhalation port and for controlling exhaled gas flow from said inhalation port through said exhalation port;

a carbon dioxide detector having means to detect carbon dioxide in said exhaled gas and located adjacent to both said inhalation port and said valve to provide a region of low dead space; and

a plug for sealing said carbon dioxide detector from the atmosphere when not in use;

wherein said plug comprises soda lime for absorbing carbon dioxide.

3. A regulator for use with a resuscitator comprising:

a housing having an inlet opening for introducing fresh gas into the regulator, an inhalation port for conveying fresh gas to a patient and for receiving exhaled gas from the patient and an exhalation port for removing exhaled gas from the regulator;

a valve for controlling the flow of gas through said regulator so that fresh gas is transmitted from the inlet opening to the patient through the inhalation port and exhaled gas flows from the patient through the inhalation port and out of the regulator through the exhalation port;

an inner frame affixed to the housing adjacent to said valve forming a portion of the inhalation port with low dead space and having apertures to permit the flow of gas through said inner frame;

a carbon dioxide indicator positioned on the outside of said inner frame and covering said apertures so that the indicator is exposed to the flowing gas; and

an outer frame for positioning and holding the indicator around the inner frame.

4. A regulator for use with a resuscitator comprising:

a housing having a first unidirectional port for introducing fresh gas into the regulator, a bidirectional port for conveying fresh gas to a patient and a second unidirectional port for removing exhaled gas from the regulator forming a circuit of gas flowing into said regulator through said first unidirectional port out of said regulator to a patient and back into said regulator through said bidirectional port and out of said regulator through said second unidirectional port;

a plurality of valves for directing the flow of gas through said circuit;

an inner frame, formed integrally with said bidirectional port, defining a region of low dead space adjacent to one of said valves and having openings for permitting gas to flow through said inner frame;

a carrier containing a carbon dioxide indicator communicating with said inner frame openings to expose said carrier to said flowing gas; and

an outer frame for positioning and holding said carrier adjacent to said inner frame openings.

5. The regulator of claim 4, wherein said inner frame has means for supporting filter means, said inner frame positioning said filter means to force said gas to flow through said filter before reaching said carrier.

6. A resuscitator regulator comprising:

an inhalation port for conveying fresh gas to a patient and for receiving exhaled gas from a patient;

an exhalation port for conveying exhaled gas from said inhalation port to the atmosphere; and

a low dead space chamber, located between said inhalation and exhalation ports, having an apertured inner frame surrounded by an outer frame and a carbon dioxide detector fixed between said inner and outer frames, said inner frame forming a wall of said inhalation port.

7. The resuscitator regulator of claim 6 further comprising:

a valve means adjacent said chamber for controlling the flow of gas in said regulator and located between said inhalation and exhalation ports.