Manometer CO2 detector combination

• US 6,709,403 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2003
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mercury Enterprises Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mercury Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Ratner, Jeffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/337,493
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 600/532-3, 600/538, 73/233, 422/84, 128/204.23
• US Class Current: 600/532
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)

Abstract

A top and bottom housing joined together have a patient port and ventilation port in axial alignment. The top housing contains dry indicator paper for changing color in response to the presence of CO₂. In addition, a shaft having a pointer on a top portion rotates in response to air in the housing to indicate pressure. A helical outer wall of the shaft engages a notch in a hollow stem attached to a membrane in the lower housing so the shaft rotates in response to air pressure on the membrane.

Claims

1. A self-contained diagnostic monitor for determining both air pressure and carbon dioxide (CO₂) content in a patient monitoring system, the monitor comprising:

a housing having a first and second port leading inside the housing, a CO₂ detector containing a calorimetric CO₂ detection material mounted within the housing and a manometer for indicating pressure to and from the patient mounted within the housing, the housing having a clear cover portion for viewing the CO₂ detection material and a pressure indicator on the manometer.

2. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 1 wherein the housing has a first and second housing component attached together to retain the CO₂ detector and manometer inside the housing.

3. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 2 wherein the first housing component is a top housing having the first port adapted to be connected to a ventilation system and the second housing component is a bottom housing having the second port adapted to be connected to a patient ventilation tube.

4. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 3 wherein the CO₂ detection material is mounted within the top housing on a support frame.

5. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 4 wherein the support frame has a central annular bore and openings for passage of air, a shaft with an outer helical configuration and a pointer at a top portion rotating with the shaft, the shaft passing through the central annular bore and a central hole in the CO₂ detection material supported on the support frame.

6. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 4 wherein a top surface of the CO₂ detection material is adhesively attached to a bottom surface of the clear cover and the clear cover has downwardly projecting legs engaged to an annular support frame.

7. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 3 wherein the bottom housing second port is axially aligned with the first port.

8. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 3 wherein the bottom housing has a receptacle at a portion distal from the second port, the receptacle containing a spring overlaid by a membrane, the membrane connected to a hollow stem directed upwardly from a central portion of the membrane, the hollow stem having a notch on an inside wall.

9. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 8 wherein the notch on an inside wall of the hollow stem receives a helical configuration from a shaft, a top portion of the shaft having a pointer, the pointer turning towards indicia along an outer edge of the clear cover when the membrane receives air to and from the patient.

10. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 9 wherein the bottom housing contains a first and second baffle and a filter therebetween, a central hole in the first and second baffle and filter permitting passage of the hollow stem.

11. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 1 wherein a surface of the CO₂ detection material exposed to exhaled air is covered with backing paper prior to operation of the monitor, the backing paper adapted to be removed prior to a first exposure to the exhaled air.

12. A self-contained diagnostic monitor for determining both air pressure and carbon dioxide content in a patient monitoring system, the monitor comprising:

top housing sealed to a bottom housing, the top housing having a first port adapted to be connfected to a ventilation system at a first end portion, a support frame supporting a CO₂ detector consisting of colorimetric impregnated paper, the support frame having a central annular bore and openings for passage of air, a shaft having an outer helical configuration and a pointer at a top portion rotating on the shaft, the pointer responsive to pressure flow variations, the shaft passing through the impregnated paper and the central annular bore and a visually clear cap sealed to the top housing over the shaft and support frame;

the bottom housing having a second port adapted to be connected to a patient ventilation tube, the first and second port axially aligned when the top housing is joined to the bottom housing;

the bottom housing having a receptacle at a portion distal from the second port, the receptacle containing a spring overlaid by a membrane, the membrane connected to a hollow stem directed upwardly from a central portion of the membrane, the hollow stem having a notch on an inside wall for receipt of the helical configuration from the solid shaft, a first baffle overlaying the membrane, a filter overlaying the first baffle and a second baffle overlaying the filter, the first and second baffles and filter having bores for passage of the hollow stem, so that when the top and bottom housings are joined together, air from a ventilation system or patient flows through the monitor and air pressure flow and CO₂ presence over CO₂, in ambient air are determined by visual inspection through the clear cap.

13. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 12 wherein the clear cap has an outer peripheral portion containing indicia to which the pointer is directed when the membrane receives exhaled air from the patient.

14. A self-contained diagnostic monitor for determining both air pressure and carbon dioxide content in a patient monitoring system, the monitor comprising:

a top housing having a first port adapted to be connected to a ventilation system and an adjacent support frame having an annular opening with multiple inwardly projecting flanges, a clear disc having downwardly descending legs engaged between the flanges, a top surface of a calorimetric CO₂ detector paper adhesively attached to a bottom surface of the clear disc, a shaft having an outer helical configuration and a pointer at a top portion rotating with the shaft, the pointer responsive to pressure flow variations, the shaft rotating under the CO₂ detector paper and the pointer projecting from under the CO₂ detector paper and pointing towards indicia on an outer annular portion of the clear disc;

a bottom housing having a second port adapted to be connected to a patient ventilation tube and the bottom housing attached to the top housing;

the bottom housing having a receptacle at a portion distal from the second port, the receptacle containing a spring overlaid by a membrane, the membrane having a hollow stem directed upwardly from a central portion of the membrane, the hollow stem having a notch on an inside wall for receipt of the helical configuration on an outside surface of the shaft, a first baffle overlaying the membrane, a filter overlaying the first baffle and a second baffle overlaying the filter, the first and second baffles and filter having bores for passage of the hollow stem, so that when the top and bottom housings are joined together, air from a ventilation system or patient flows through the monitor and air pressure and CO₂ presence over CO₂ in ambient air are determined by visual inspection through the clear disc.

15. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 14 wherein the clear disc is a polymer.

16. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 14 wherein the first and second port are axially aligned when the top and bottom housing are joined together.

17. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 14 wherein the calorimetric CO₂ detector paper has a backing paper adhesively attached to a bottom surface of the detector paper, the backing paper adapted to be removed through a slot in a side surface of the clear disc.

18. The diagnostic monitor according to claim 17 and wherein a sealing ring is positioned between the clear disc the support frame so that when the backing paper is removed, the slot in the side surface of the clear disc is covered.