Electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus

• US 7,836,882 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vetland Medical Sales And Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vetland Medical Sales And Services, LLC
• Inventors: Lerman, Mark, Hoehler, Tom, Rumph, Brad
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O
• Application Number:
  US11/031,661
• Time in Patent Office: 2,146 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.12, 12820418-20518, 128/203.14, 604/65, 604/890.1, 345/173
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/009 Removing used or expired gases or anaesthetic vapours filtering, sterilising or disinfecting the exhaust air in drainage systems A61M1/784; bacterial filters in the expiratory path A61M16/1065
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0093 by adsorption, absorption or filtration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/01 specially adapted for anaesthetising A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1015 using a gas flush valve, e.g. oxygen flush valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/18 Vaporising devices for anaesthetic preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/209 Relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/22 Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices ; Other means for removing carbon dioxidecartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus having a chassis including a first anesthetic agent chamber and a second anesthetic agent chamber, each of the first and second chambers including an anesthetic agent therein. At least one electronically controlled valve is in fluid communication with each of the first agent chamber and the second agent chamber and an oxygen source. The oxygen source is in fluid communication with each of the at least one electronically controlled valves. A touchscreen graphic display having controls corresponding to each of the at least one electronically controlled valves for controlling flow rate and concentration of anesthesia.

Claims

1. An electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising at least one anesthetic vaporizer;

a carrier gas input port in flow communication with said at least one anesthetic vaporizer;

said vaporizer having an inlet in flow communication with said carrier gas input port, a precision orifice downstream of said inlet and an electronic control valve downstream of said precision orifice,

said at least one anesthetic vaporizer having a chamber wherein a liquid anesthetic agent is disposed, said chamber being downstream of said electronic control valve, a carrier gas conduit extending into said chamber beneath an upper level of said liquid anesthetic agent, said chamber having an outlet port disposed above said upper level of said liquid anesthetic agent, wherein a carrier gas passes through a porous diffusing portion at an end of said carrier gas conduit and bubbles through said liquid anesthetic agent forming an anesthetic gas in fluid communication with said outlet port of said chamber;

an electronic touchscreen display mounted to said chassis for controlling a carrier gas flow rate to said at least one anesthetic vaporizer and concentration of said anesthetic gas delivered to a patient;

a circuit board having an input/output portion, said electronic touchscreen display in electronic communication with said circuit board, a temperature signal received by said input/output portion indicating temperature of said anesthetic agent, said circuit board further in electronic communication with said electronic control valve to intermittently open and close the electronic control valve in automated fashion in order to vary said carrier gas flow rate through said chamber, said carrier gas flow rate being used in combination with said temperature signal to control a rate of vaporization and concentration of said anesthetic agent in said anesthetic gas;

a bleed valve in fluid communication with a re-breathing circuit, said valve having at least one closed position to open said re-breathing circuit and direct exhaled gas to an absorber which scrubs carbon dioxide and allows re-breathing of anesthetic, said valve having at least a second open position to close said re-breathing circuit and to direct said exhaled gas to atmosphere.

2. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 1, said electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus partially defining a breathing circuit.

3. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 2, said electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus and said patient defining a breathing circuit.

4. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a carrier gas source in fluid communication with said carrier gas input port of said anesthesia delivery apparatus.

5. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 4 further comprising electronically controlled valves selectively controlling flow of said carrier gas from said carrier gas source to a first and second chambers.

6. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first port in fluid communication with a first chamber and a second port in fluid communication with a second chamber.

7. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an absorber in fluid communication with a breathing circuit, said absorber scrubbing carbon dioxide from the gas directed therein.

8. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an input/output portion having at least one processor in electronic communication with said electronic touchscreen display.

9. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 8, further comprising first and second chambers each having a level sensor and a temperature sensor in electronic communication with an input/output portion.

10. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 8 further comprising electronically controlled valves in electronic communication with said input/output portion.

11. An electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising a first anesthetic agent vaporizer chamber and a second anesthetic agent vaporizer chamber, each of said first and second vaporizer chambers comprising an anesthetic agent therein;

at least one electronically controlled valve in fluid communication with each of said first agent vaporizer chamber and said second agent vaporizer chamber and a carrier gas source, said at least one electronically controlled valve being automatically intermittently actuated to vary flow rate of a carrier gas through each of said first anesthetic agent vaporizer chamber and said second anesthetic agent vaporizer chamber;

said carrier gas source in fluid communication with each of said at least one electronically controlled valves;

a precision orifice in flow communication with said carrier gas source and said at least one electronically controlled valve;

each of said first and second agent vaporizer chambers containing a liquid anesthetic agent therein and an inlet conduit extending into said liquid anesthetic agent and having a porous diffusing portion at an end of said inlet conduit, said carrier gas passing from said carrier gas source through said conduit and said porous diffusing portion and diffusing through said liquid anesthetic agent to vaporize said liquid anesthetic agent forming anesthesia of desired concentration by the automated intermittent actuation of said at least one electronically controlled valve, said chamber having an outlet port above an uppermost liquid level and in fluid communication with said anesthesia;

a touchscreen graphic display comprising controls corresponding to each of said at least one electronically controlled valves for controlling flow rate and concentration of anesthesia;

a breathing circuit having a valve, said valve having at least one position to open said breathing circuit between said electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus and a patient wherein exhaled gas from said patient is diffused to atmosphere, and at least a second position to close said breathing circuit between said electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus and said patient wherein gas exhaled from said patient is scrubbed and anesthesia is re-breathed; and

,

a circuit board having an input/output portion, said touchscreen graphic display in electronic communication with said circuit board, a temperature signal indicating temperature of said anesthetic agent, said temperature signal received by said input/output portion, said circuit board further in communication with said at least one electronically controlled valve to vary the intermittent actuation and said carrier gas flow rate so that said at least one electronically controlled valve is used in combination with said temperature signal to control a rate of vaporization and concentration of said anesthetic agent in said anesthesia.

12. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 11, said at least one electronically controlled valve in electrical communication with an input/output portion and said touchscreen graphic display.

13. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 12, said touchscreen graphic display being utilized to start and stop said anesthesia delivery apparatus.

14. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 11, said touchscreen graphic display indicating a concentration setting for each of said first anesthetic agent and said second anesthetic agent.

15. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 11, said touchscreen graphic display indicating a carrier gas flow rate through said anesthesia delivery apparatus.

16. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 11, said touchscreen graphic display comprising an agent level indicator for each of said first and second agent vaporizer chambers.

17. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 11, said touchscreen graphic display comprising a plurality of controls and gauges for said electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus.

18. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 11, said first and second agent vaporizer chambers being bubbling diffusers.

19. An electronically controlled multiple anesthesia delivery apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising first and second anesthetic agent chambers;

a carrier gas supply in fluid communication with said first and second chambers;

a precision orifice in flow communication with said carrier gas supply and said first and second chambers;

a touchscreen graphic display comprising a virtual carrier gas flow_rate indicator which is utilized to increase or decrease carrier gas flow_rate;

a virtual concentration indicator displayed on said touchscreen graphic display;

virtual controls for controlling concentration of said anesthesia on said touchscreen graphics display;

said first and second anesthetic agent chambers having a first and second liquid anesthetic agent therein respectively, an inlet tube having a porous diffusing portion at a lowermost end of said inlet tube at bottoms of said first and second agent chambers and in fluid communication with said carrier gas supply, said inlet tube and said porous diffusing portion disposed beneath an uppermost level of said liquid anesthetic agent allowing bubbling of said carrier gas through said first and second anesthetic agents, respectively to create first and second anesthesias, an outlet port within each of said first and second agent chambers above said uppermost level of said liquid anesthetic agents, said outlet port in fluid communication with said anesthesia;

a circuit board having an input/output portion, said touchscreen graphic display in electronic communication with said circuit board, a temperature signal indicating temperature of said anesthetic agent received by said input/output portion, said circuit board further in communication with an electronically controlled valve which controls said carrier gas flow rate by automated intermittent actuation of said electronically controlled valve by said circuit board, said carrier gas flow rate being used in combination with said temperature signal to control a rate of vaporization and concentration of said anesthetic agent in said anesthetic gas; and

,

a re-breathing circuit having a valve, said valve having at least at least a first position to allow re-breathing of exhaled gas including at least one of said first and second anesthetic agents and a second position to allow diffusion of said at least one of said first and second anesthetic agents to atmosphere.

20. An electronically controlled multiple anesthesia delivery apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising first and second anesthetic agent vaporizer chambers;

said first and second agent vaporizer chambers in fluid communication with a plurality of electronically controlled valves;

a touchscreen graphics display in electronic communication with said electronically controlled valves;

said touchscreen graphics display comprising a plurality of controls for controlling said electronically controlled valves, said touchscreen graphics display further indicating a carrier gas flow rate and concentrations of anesthesia;

a precision orifice in fluid communication with said first and second vaporizer chambers;

said vaporizer chambers having an inlet tube extending into first and second liquid anesthetic agents within said first and second vaporizer chambers respectively, said vaporizer chambers further comprising an outlet port disposed above said liquid anesthetic agents and in fluid communication with first and second anesthesias, said first and second inlet tubes having a porous diffusing portion at ends and within said first and second anesthetic agents for carrier gas to bubble through said first and second anesthetic agents, respectively to create said first and second anesthesias;

a circuit board having an input/output portion, said touchscreen graphic display in electronic communication with said circuit board, a temperature signal indicating temperature of said anesthetic agent received by said input/output portion, said circuit board further in communication with a receiver which controls said plurality of electronically controlled valves and said carrier gas flow rate, each of said electronically controlled valves in electronic communication with said circuit board wherein said circuit board automatically controls intermittent opening and closing of said electronically controlled valves to vary flow rate of said carrier gas through said vaporizer chambers, said carrier gas flow rate also being used in combination with said temperature signal to control a rate of vaporization and concentration of said anesthetic agent in said first and second anesthesias;

a breathing circuit and a re-breathing circuit in flow communication; and

,

a valve disposed between said breathing circuit and said re-breathing circuit, said valve having a first position to open said flow communication allowing scrubbing of exhaled gas and re-breathing of anesthesia, said valve having a second position to close said flow communication between said re-breathing circuit and allow diffusion of said exhaled gas to atmosphere.

21. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 20, said touchscreen graphics display and said electronically controlled valves controlling concentration and flowrate of at least one anesthesia.

22. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 20 further comprising an input/output portion in electronic communication with said touchscreen graphic display.

23. The electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus of claim 20, said first and second agent vaporizer chambers comprising bubbling diffusers for mixing a carrier gas and anesthetic agent.

24. An electronic anesthesia delivery apparatus, comprising:

a chassis comprising first and second vaporizing chambers;

said first and second vaporizing chambers diffusing a carrier gas through first and second anesthetic agents in liquid form;

a carrier gas source in flow communication with a precision orifice and said first and second vaporizing chambers, said first and second vaporizing chambers each having a tube extending into said first and second anesthetic agents and in fluid communication with said carrier gas source, said tubes each having porous diffusing portions at an end for bubbling said carrier gas through said first and second vaporizing chambers to form anesthesia, said first and second chambers further comprising an outlet port disposed above said first and second anesthetic agents and in fluid communication with said vaporized anesthesia;

an electronic touchscreen display mounted to said chassis for controlling a carrier gas flow rate to said at least one anesthetic vaporizer and concentration of anesthetic gas delivered to a patient;

a circuit board having an input/output portion, said input/output portion controlling at least one electronically controlled valve, said input/output portion controlling automatic intermittent actuation of said at least one electronically controlled valve in order to control said gas flow rate electronically, a temperature signal received by said input/output portion, said temperature signal utilized with said gas flow rate to vary concentration of anesthetic agent in anesthesia; and

,

a valve having at least an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing flow communication of a patient'"'"'s exhaled gas to atmospheric diffusion, said closed position opening a re-breathing circuit allowing said exhaled gas to pass through an absorber for re-breathing of said anesthesia.