Resuscitator bag exhaust port with CO.sub.2 indicator

• US 6,058,933 A
• Filed: 04/03/1998
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Colburn, Joel, Good, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SRIVASTAVA, VIRENDRA KUMAR
• Application Number:
  US09/055,093
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.13, 128/205.23, 128/205.28, 128/202.28, 128/204.18, 128/205.27, 128/203.11, 128/205.24
• US Class Current: 128/205.13
• 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 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/209 Relief valves
• 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 carbon dioxide indicator in an exhaust port of a resuscitator assembly. The carbon dioxide indicator is preferably in a removable insert for ease of maintenance and replacement. Breath-to-breath indications are provided by either exposing the indicator to the ambient air at the exhaust port, or diverting a portion of the fresh air or gases provided to the patient.

Claims

1. A resuscitator device for supplying gas to a patient, comprising:

a regulator providing a main passageway to said patient;

an exhaust housing in fluid communication with said regulator, said housing having an exhaust port end and a regulator end, said regulator end adjacent said regulator, said exhaust port exhausting into ambient air, said exhaust port including at least a portion which is transparent; and

a carbon dioxide indicator mounted in said exhaust port at a position viewable through said transparent portion where said indicator leaves an unimpeded pathway for gas through said exhaust port.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said exhaust port includes a PEEP port, said carbon dioxide indicator being mounted in said PEEP port.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said carbon dioxide indicator is embedded on paper.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said regulator is configured to isolate said exhaust port from fresh gases from said regulator, and further comprising a diverting passageway between said regulator and said exhaust port to divert a fraction of said fresh gases to said exhaust port to clear said carbon dioxide indicator.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said fraction of fresh gases diverted is 50% or less.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said diverting passageway comprises a hole in a wall of said main passageway.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a one-way valve mounted in said exhaust port.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said one-way valve comprises a flexible flap fastened to the center of a frame mounted in said exhaust port.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cylindrical desiccant mounted along a center axis of said exhaust housing.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said exhaust housing comprises a PEEP port.

11. A method for providing a breath-to-breath indication of carbon dioxide detection in a resuscitator, comprising the steps of:

providing a regulator, and an exhaust port housing in fluid communication with said regulator, said housing having an exhaust port end and a regulator end, said regulator end adjacent said regulator, said exhaust port exhausting into ambient air;

inserting a carbon dioxide indicator into said exhaust port where said indicator leaves an unimpeded pathway for gas through said exhaust port; and

sealing said carbon dioxide indicator from ambient light and moisture.