Respiratory measurement system with continuous air purge
First Claim
1. An analyzer module adapted for use with a patient respiratory system that includes a conduit through which the patient inhales and exhales a gas, the module comprising:
- a) a first tube adapted to be connected to the conduit;
b) a second tube adapted to be connected to the conduit and spaced from the first tube;
c) a third tube operably connected to the first and second tubes opposite the conduit;
d) a source of pressurized air connected to the third tube opposite the first and second tubes; and
e) a controller operably connected to the source of pressurized air, wherein the controller is used to control the flow of pressurized air in order to provide a constant purging airflow to the first and second tubes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a respiratory air flow measuring monitor, a subassembly for analyzing certain respiratory gases through infrared spectroscopy includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector, the amount of energy detected by the detector corresponding to the concentration of the gas selected for analysis. The subassembly includes a gas sample chamber that utilizes an elliptical reflecting surface for the infrared light source. The light source and detector are both oriented longitudinally along the axis of the ellipse and the light source and detector are each located at the two focal points of the ellipse in order to optimize the light absorption reading. The gas content analyzer subassembly additionally incorporates various compensatory features, allowing for automatic temperature and pressure compensation. Specifically, the analyzer includes a continuous air puree feature that inhibits moisture from collecting within the lumen tubes of the analyzer and interfering with the operation of the analyzer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An analyzer module adapted for use with a patient respiratory system that includes a conduit through which the patient inhales and exhales a gas, the module comprising:
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a) a first tube adapted to be connected to the conduit;
b) a second tube adapted to be connected to the conduit and spaced from the first tube;
c) a third tube operably connected to the first and second tubes opposite the conduit;
d) a source of pressurized air connected to the third tube opposite the first and second tubes; and
e) a controller operably connected to the source of pressurized air, wherein the controller is used to control the flow of pressurized air in order to provide a constant purging airflow to the first and second tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An analyzer module adapted for use with a patient respiratory system that includes a conduit through which the patient inhales and exhales a gas, the module comprising:
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a) a first tube adapted to be connected to the conduit;
b) a second tube adapted to be connected to the conduit and spaced from the first tube;
c) a pressure transducer connected to the first tube opposite the conduit;
d) a differential pressure transducer connected to the second tube opposite the conduit and to the first tube opposite the conduit;
e) a microprocessor operably connected to the pressure transducer and a differential pressure transducer, the microprocessor capable of calculating an airflow rate based on signals generated by the pressure transducer and the differential pressure transducer; and
f) a continuous purge mechanism connected to the analyzer module, the mechanism including a low pressure gas source, and a third tube connected between the gas source and the first tube and the second tube, the third tube including a pair of resistors between the gas source and the first and second tube. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of purging airflow lines of blockages in a patient respiratory system airflow analyzer, the method comprising the steps of:
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1) providing an analyzer including a connector adapted to be connected to a breathing conduit for the respiratory system, the connector having a first tube operably connected to a source of pressurized air, and a second tube spaced from the first tube and operably connected to the source of pressurized air, and 2) supplying a constant flow of pressurized air from the source through the first and second tube to purge the first and second tubes of any blockages. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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- 18. The method 15 wherein the source of pressurized air includes an air pump.
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20. In a respiratory measurement system, a pneumatic subassembly for purging with a continuous stream of low pressure and low volume air lumen tubing connecting an air flow rate sensor to an analyzer module, the lumen tubing including at least a first lumen tube and a second lumen tube, said pneumatic subassembly comprising:
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a) an air pump and an air reservoir for producing a volume of relatively high pressure air;
b) a first pneumatic resister pneumatically connected to the air pump and air reservoir and to the first lumen tube; and
c) a second pneumatic resister pneumatically connected to the air pump and air reservoir and to the second lumen tube;
whereby a small volume of air migrates from the volume of relatively high pressure air through the first and second resisters and into the lumen tubing.
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Specification