Ventilator breath condensate sampler and method of collecting a breath condensate sample
First Claim
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1. A method of collecting a sample of breath condensate from a patient receiving mechanical ventilation via a mechanical ventilator, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a breath condensate sampler in fluid connection with an expiratory limb of the ventilator, the expiratory limb directing exhaled breath away from the patient;
activating the sampler to collect a sample of breath condensate from the exhaled breath;
cooling a condensate formation tube of the breath condensate sampler to a target temperature;
shunting the exhaled breath from the expiratory limb into the condensate formation tube;
condensing breath condensate from the exhaled breath as the exhaled breath passes through the condensate formation tube and back to the expiratory limb;
collecting a breath condensate sample;
ending the breath and condensate sample collection when the breath condensate sample reaches a threshold volume.
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Abstract
A breath condensate sampler for use with a mechanical ventilator, the breath condensate sampler includes an airflow valve, a condensate formation tube, a condensate trap, and a condensate collection receptacle. The airflow valve directs air from the expiratory limb into the condensate formation tube wherein the condensate portion of exhaled gases are separated from the gaseous portion of the exhaled gases. A method of collecting a breath condensate sample is also herein disclosed.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of collecting a sample of breath condensate from a patient receiving mechanical ventilation via a mechanical ventilator, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a breath condensate sampler in fluid connection with an expiratory limb of the ventilator, the expiratory limb directing exhaled breath away from the patient; activating the sampler to collect a sample of breath condensate from the exhaled breath; cooling a condensate formation tube of the breath condensate sampler to a target temperature; shunting the exhaled breath from the expiratory limb into the condensate formation tube; condensing breath condensate from the exhaled breath as the exhaled breath passes through the condensate formation tube and back to the expiratory limb; collecting a breath condensate sample; ending the breath and condensate sample collection when the breath condensate sample reaches a threshold volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A breath condensate sampler for use with a mechanical ventilator delivering respiratory support to a patient via a breathing circuit, the breath condensate sampler comprising:
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an air flow valve configured to couple with the breathing circuit and to receive exhaled gases therefrom through an inlet, the air flow valve being movable between a first position that allows exhaled gases to flow from the inlet through the air flow valve and a second position that directs exhaled gases from the inlet into the breath condensate sampler; a condensate formation tube connected to the air flow valve, the condensate formation tube separates a condensate portion of the exhaled gases from a gaseous portion of the exhaled gases and directs the gaseous portion out of the breath condensate sampler; a cooling sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the condensate formation tube; a cooling apparatus coupled to the cooling sleeve such as to cool the cooling sleeve and the condensate formation tube, wherein the condensate formation tube further comprises a thermally conductive material; a condensate trap connected to the condensate formation tube, the condensate trap collects the condensate portion from the condensate formation tube; and a condensate collection receptacle connected to the condensate trap, the condensate collection receptacle accumulates the condensate portion of the exhaled gases. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A breath condensate sampler for use with a mechanical ventilator delivering respiratory support to a patient via a breathing circuit, the breath condensate sampler comprising:
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an air flow valve configured to couple with the breathing circuit and to receive exhaled gases therefrom through an inlet, the air flow valve being movable between a first position that allows exhaled gases to flow from the inlet through the air flow valve and a second position that directs exhaled gases from the inlet into the breath condensate sampler; a condensate formation tube connected to the air flow valve, the condensate formation tube separates a condensate portion of the exhaled gases from a gaseous portion of the exhaled gases and directs the gaseous portion out of the breath condensate sampler; a condensate trap connected to the condensate formation tube, the condensate trap collects the condensate portion from the condensate formation tube; and a condensate collection receptacle connected to the condensate trap, the condensate collection receptacle accumulates the condensate portion of the exhaled gases; wherein the condensate formation tube further comprises a first condensate formation tube and a second condensate formation tube, the first and second condensate formation tubes being substantially vertical and connected to each other by the condensate trap, such that the exhaled gases are directed into the breath condensate sampler through the first condensate tube and out of the breath condensate sampler through the second condensate tube. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A respiratory support system for providing respiratory support to a patient comprising:
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an inspiratory limb connected to the patient that delivers fresh gas to the patient; an expiratory limb connected to the patient that directs expired gas away from the patient; an air flow valve connected in fluid communication with the expiratory limb, the air flow valve comprising an operational position that directs the expired gas into an inlet; a first condensate formation tube connected to the inlet, the first condensate formation tube comprising a plurality of tube components that increase the surface area inside the first condensate formation tube, a condensate portion of the exhaled gases condenses on the plurality of tube components as the expired gas passes through the first condensate formation tube; a condensate receptacle that accumulates the condensate portion; a condensate trap connected to the first condensate formation tube and the condensate receptacle, the condensate trap collects the condensate portion from the first condensate formation tube and directs the condensate portion into the condensate receptacle; and a second condensate formation tube connected to the condensate trap and comprising a plurality of tube components that increase the surface area inside the second condensate formation tube, the second condensate formation tube receiving the expired gases from the first condensate formation tube and directs the expired gas back to the expiratory limb, the condensate portion of the exhaled gas condenses on the plurality of tube components in the second condensate formation tube as the expired gas passes through the second condensate formation tube. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification