Sleeved filter for a breathing circuit
First Claim
1. A respiratory system comprising:
- a breathing device including an interior and an exterior, a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, a first end connector disposed at the first end for coupling the breathing device to one of a patient connector and a machine connector, a second end connector disposed at the second end for coupling the breathing device to the other of the patient connector and machine connector, the middle portion being generally tubular and extending between the first end connector and the second end connector, the middle portion having a diameter,a sleeved filter selectively connectable to the breathing device for preventing germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device, the sleeved filter comprising;
(a) a media container member, having a hollow interior, a first connector and a second connector, one of the first connector and the second connector being sized and shaped for connection to the first end connector,(b) a generally tubular sleeve member, having a first open end, a second open end, and a middle portion extending between the first open end and the second open end,the first open end of the sleeve member being sealingly engaged to the media container member, the middle portion and the second open end of the sleeve member having a diameter greater than the diameter of the breathing device to slidably interiorly receive the breathing device, and a length sized to extend along the breathing device substantially between the first end connector and the second end connector thereof, the middle portion and second end being unconnected to the breathing device whereby disconnection of the media container member from the breathing device allows the middle potion and second open end to slide over the breathing device to permit removal of both the media container member and the sleeve member from the breathing device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sleeved filter apparatus prevents germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device. The sleeved filter apparatus includes a filter member and a sleeve member. The filter member is composed of a first and second enclosure half which are sealed on their interior ends. The external ends of the two enclosure halves have connectors for connecting the sleeved filter apparatus to a breathing device and/or a patient airway component. A filter element is disposed inside the filter member enclosure for preventing gases from flowing between the first connector and the second connector of the filter member without passing through the filter element. This filter member prevents germs from passing between the patient and the interior of the breathing device. The sleeve member is made of a flexible material, and has a first open end, a second open end, and a middle portion extending between the first open end and the second open end. The first open end of the sleeve member is sealingly engaged to the filter member. The sleeve member has a diameter sized to surround the breathing circuit, and a length sufficient to extend along most or all of the entire length of the breathing circuit. The sleeve member prevents germs and bacteria from passing between the patient and the exterior of the breathing device. The sleeved filter apparatus is removable between procedures to permit reuse of the breathing circuit without substantial cross-contamination between patients.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A respiratory system comprising:
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a breathing device including an interior and an exterior, a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, a first end connector disposed at the first end for coupling the breathing device to one of a patient connector and a machine connector, a second end connector disposed at the second end for coupling the breathing device to the other of the patient connector and machine connector, the middle portion being generally tubular and extending between the first end connector and the second end connector, the middle portion having a diameter, a sleeved filter selectively connectable to the breathing device for preventing germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device, the sleeved filter comprising; (a) a media container member, having a hollow interior, a first connector and a second connector, one of the first connector and the second connector being sized and shaped for connection to the first end connector, (b) a generally tubular sleeve member, having a first open end, a second open end, and a middle portion extending between the first open end and the second open end, the first open end of the sleeve member being sealingly engaged to the media container member, the middle portion and the second open end of the sleeve member having a diameter greater than the diameter of the breathing device to slidably interiorly receive the breathing device, and a length sized to extend along the breathing device substantially between the first end connector and the second end connector thereof, the middle portion and second end being unconnected to the breathing device whereby disconnection of the media container member from the breathing device allows the middle potion and second open end to slide over the breathing device to permit removal of both the media container member and the sleeve member from the breathing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A respiratory device comprising:
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a breathing device comprising a tubular member having an exterior, and an interior through which gas can travel, the breathing device including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, a first end connector disposed at the first end for coupling the breathing device to one of a patient connector and a machine connector, a second end connector disposed at the second end for coupling the breathing device to the other of the patient connector and machine connector, the middle portion being generally tubular and extending between the first end connector and the second end connector, the middle portion having a diameter, a sleeved filter apparatus for preventing germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device, the sleeved filter apparatus comprising; (1) a filter member having; (a) a first enclosure half having an external end and an internal end, the external end including a first connector of the filter member, (b) a second enclosure half having an external end and an internal end, the external end including a second connector of the filter member, the internal end of the first enclosure half being sealingly connected to the internal end of the second enclosure half, the first connector of the filter member being connected to the first end connector of the breathing device, and the second connector of the filter member being connected to a patient breathing adaptor, and (c) a filter element disposed in the interior of the filter member for preventing gases from flowing between the first connector and the second connector of the filter member without passing through the filter element; and (2) a generally tubular sleeve member being composed of a flexible material, having a first open end, a second open end, and a middle portion extending between the first open end and the second open end, the first open end of the sleeve member being sealingly engaged to the filter member, the middle portion and the second open end of the sleeve member having a diameter greater than the diameter of the breathing device to slidably interiorly receive the breathing device, and a length sufficiently great enough to extend generally between the first end connector and the second end connector of the breathing device, the middle portion and second end being unconnected to the breathing device whereby disconnection of the filter member from the breathing device allows removal of both the filter member and the sleeve member from the breathing device, through the middle portion and second open end to sliding over the breathing device to permit the sleeved filter apparatus to be removed from the breathing device between procedures to permit reuse of the breathing device without substantial cross-contamination between patients. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification