Condensation collector for respiration system
First Claim
1. A condensation collector for removing condensate of predetermined density from the inhalation and exhalation conduits of a respiratory support system comprising:
- a ventilator/humidifier apparatus having a fresh air make-up inlet, a return inlet, and an outlet, an inhalation conduit for connecting the ventilator/humidifier outlet to a patient, an exhalation conduit for connecting the patient back to the ventilator/humidifier return inlet, and a condensate discharge connection connected to each of the conduits, the condensation collector comprising;
a condensate container having an inlet adjacent the top of the container;
a collection chamber having an inlet and a bottom outlet connected to the condensate container inlet;
a valve housing in fluid communication with said collection chamber inlet having two inlets and a pressure actuated valve operatively positioned within said valve housing providing means to selectively permit discharge from said discharge connections of said conduits;
two condensate conduits each having two ends the first of said ends being respectively connected to one said condesate discharge connections and the second of Said respective ends each attached to an inlet of said valve housing;
a buoyant valve closure member, having a density less than said predetermined density, disposed within the collection chamber for movement between a closed position in which the closure member closes the bottom outlet of the collection chamber and an open position in which the closure member floats on accumulated condensate above the bottom outlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A condensation collector for inhalation and exhalation conduits as used for anesthesia or other respiratory support purposes, comprises a container having a top inlet, a condensate collection chamber having a bottom outlet constituting a valve seat which bottom outlet is connected to the container inlet, and a buoyant ball or other valve closure member disposed in the collection chamber and movable between a closed position sealing the valve seat and an open position floating on accumulated condensate above the valve seat. The condensate collection chamber is above the valve closure member in fluid communication with either the inhalation or the exhalation conduits.
79 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A condensation collector for removing condensate of predetermined density from the inhalation and exhalation conduits of a respiratory support system comprising:
- a ventilator/humidifier apparatus having a fresh air make-up inlet, a return inlet, and an outlet, an inhalation conduit for connecting the ventilator/humidifier outlet to a patient, an exhalation conduit for connecting the patient back to the ventilator/humidifier return inlet, and a condensate discharge connection connected to each of the conduits, the condensation collector comprising;
a condensate container having an inlet adjacent the top of the container; a collection chamber having an inlet and a bottom outlet connected to the condensate container inlet; a valve housing in fluid communication with said collection chamber inlet having two inlets and a pressure actuated valve operatively positioned within said valve housing providing means to selectively permit discharge from said discharge connections of said conduits; two condensate conduits each having two ends the first of said ends being respectively connected to one said condesate discharge connections and the second of Said respective ends each attached to an inlet of said valve housing; a buoyant valve closure member, having a density less than said predetermined density, disposed within the collection chamber for movement between a closed position in which the closure member closes the bottom outlet of the collection chamber and an open position in which the closure member floats on accumulated condensate above the bottom outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- a ventilator/humidifier apparatus having a fresh air make-up inlet, a return inlet, and an outlet, an inhalation conduit for connecting the ventilator/humidifier outlet to a patient, an exhalation conduit for connecting the patient back to the ventilator/humidifier return inlet, and a condensate discharge connection connected to each of the conduits, the condensation collector comprising;
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7. A respiratory support system comprising:
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ventilator/humidifier apparatus having an inlet, a return, and an outlet; an inhalation conduit, comprising a corrugated hose, for connecting the ventilator/humidifier outlet to a patient; an exhalation conduit, comprising a corrugated hose, for connecting the patient back to the ventilator/humidifier return; at least one condensate discharge connection connected to a low point in one of the inhalation or exhalation conduits, said conduit discharge connection comprising a probe defining means for inserting Said condensate discharge connection a predetermined distance into one of said inhalation or exhalation conduits during operation of said respiratory support system; a condensate container having an inlet adjacent the top of the container; a collection chamber having a bottom outlet connected to the condensate container inlet; a buoyant valve closure member, having a density less than said predetermined density, disposed within the collection chamber for movement between a closed position in which the closure member closes the bottom outlet of the collection chamber and an open position in which the closure member floats on accumulated condensate above the bottom outlet; and a condensate conduit for connecting said condensate discharge connection to the collection chamber, above the valve closure member. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification