Endotracheal tube connector with integral pneumotach transducer

• US 5,287,851 A
• Filed: 09/11/1991
• Issued: 02/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Respiratory Support Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Anthony V. Beran, Gordon Y. Shigezawa
• Inventors: Beran, Anthony V., Shigezawa, Gordon Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fisher, J. Reed
• Assistant Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/757,731
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.18, 128/204.22, 128/204.23, 128/205.23, 128/207.14, 128/207.16, 128/911, 128/912, 128/DIG. 26, 128/719, 128/724, 128/722, 128/725 , 128/204.25, 73/23.27, 73/23.29, 73/23.4, 73/29.03, 73/30.02, 73/31.04, 73/31.06, 73/861.42, 73/861.44, 73/861.45, 73/861.52, 73/861.61 , 73/715, 73/720, 73/716, 73/861.63
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• 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 16/08 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 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0866 Passive resistors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/363 with electrical or electro-mechanical indication G01F1/37 and G01F1/38 take precedence

Abstract

A pneumotach gas flow transducer having strain gauge pressure transducers disposed therein for disposition in a selected element or component of a ventilatory circuit. A differential pressure is communicated from the upstream and downstream sides of a flow restrictor in the element'"'"'s passageway to the transducers via a barrier medium which fills holes in the element and contacts the transducer elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in combination with an endotracheal tube for insertion into a patient and a ventilator device for providing a ventilatory gas flow to the patient, the apparatus located between the endotracheal tube and the ventilator device, the apparatus comprising:

a ventilator circuit element having a passageway for gas flow between the endotracheal tube and the ventilator tube;

flow restrictor means in said passageway for developing a differential pressure;

first and second openings in said element on either side of said flow restrictor means communicating with said passageway;

pressure transducer means integral to the circuit element and located opposite at least one of said first and second openings; and

means filling said openings for communicating said differential pressure to said pressure transducer means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filling means comprises a gel-like substance filling said openings and contacting said transducer means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transducer means comprises a pair of strain gauges.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said gauges each have a curved side and a flat side, each said curved side being disposed opposite said openings.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each gauge in said pair is mounted on a different substrate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure transducer means comprises a single semiconductor strain gauge in a differential mode.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ventilator circuit element comprises an in-line element having means at a first end for connecting to a ventilator circuit "Y" piece and means at an opposite end for connecting to an endotracheal tube connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ventilator circuit element includes means for connecting it between an endotracheal tube connector and said endotracheal tube.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ventilator circuit element comprises an elbow pneumotach.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ventilator circuit element comprises a "Y"-piece pneumotach.

11. An endotracheal tube connector for use in combination with an endotracheal tube for insertion into a patient and a ventilator device for providing a ventilatory gas flow to the patient, the endotracheal tube connector located between the endotracheal tube and the ventilator device, the endotracheal tube connector comprising:

a connector body having a lumen for gas flow between the endotracheal tube and the ventilator device;

flow restrictor means in said lumen for developing a differential pressure;

first and second openings in said body on either side of said flow restrictor means communicating with said lumen; and

semiconductor pressure transducer means integral to the connector body and operationally connected to said openings for developing an electrical signal representative of said differential pressure.

12. An endotracheal tube connector for use in combination with an endotracheal tube for insertion into a patient and a ventilator device for providing a ventilatory gas flow to the patient, the endotracheal tube connector located between the endotracheal tube and the ventilator device, the endotracheal tube connector comprising:

a connector body having a lumen for gas flow between the endotracheal tube and the ventilator device;

flow restrictor means in said lumen for developing a differential pressure;

first and second openings in said body on either side of said flow restrictor means communicating with said lumen;

pressure transducer means integral to the connector body and operationally connected to said openings; and

means filling said openings for communicating said differential pressure to said pressure transducer means.

13. The endotracheal tube connector of claim 12 wherein said filling means comprises a gel-like substance filling said openings and contacting said transducer means.

14. The endotracheal tube connector of claim 13 wherein said pressure transducer means comprises a pair of strain gauges.

15. The endotracheal tube connector of claim 14 wherein said gauges each have a curved side and a flat side, each said curved side being disposed opposite said openings and in contact with said gel.

16. The endotracheal tube connector of claim 15 wherein said pressure transducer means comprises a single semiconductor strain gauge in a differential mode.