HEAT AND MOISTURE EXCHANGE UNIT WITH RESISTANCE INDICATOR
First Claim
1. A heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit comprising:
- a housing forming a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section extending between the first and second ports, the intermediate section defining a first flow path fluidly connecting the first and second ports;
a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media) maintained within the intermediate section along the first flow path; and
a resistance indicator carried by the housing and fluidly connected to the first port, wherein a visual appearance of the resistance indicator changes as a function of pressure differential within the housing.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit including a housing, a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media), and a resistance indicator. The housing forms a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section. The intermediate section extends between the first and second ports, and defines a flow path fluidly connecting the first and second ports. The HM media is maintained within the intermediate section along the flow path. The resistance indicator is carried by the housing and is fluidly connected to the first port. In this regard, a visual appearance of the resistance indicator changes as a function of pressure within the housing to visually alert a caregiver as to possible existence of an excessive pressure differential condition within the HME unit.
24 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit comprising:
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a housing forming a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section extending between the first and second ports, the intermediate section defining a first flow path fluidly connecting the first and second ports; a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media) maintained within the intermediate section along the first flow path; and a resistance indicator carried by the housing and fluidly connected to the first port, wherein a visual appearance of the resistance indicator changes as a function of pressure differential within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of providing respiratory assistance to a patient, the method comprising:
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providing a heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit including; a housing forming a ventilator-side port, a patient-side port, and an intermediate section extending between the ports, the intermediate section defining a flow path fluidly connecting the ports, a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media) maintained within the intermediate section along the flow path, a resistance indicator carried by the housing and fluidly connected to the ventilator-side port, wherein a visual appearance of the resistance indicator changes as a function of differential pressure within the housing; connecting the ventilator-side port to a source of pressurized gas; connecting the patient-side port to a patient; operating the source of pressurized gas to delivery air flow to the HME unit; and alerting a caregiver, via the resistance indicator, to an excessive pressure differential condition in the HME unit. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of manufacturing a heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit comprising:
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providing a housing forming a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section; assembling a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media) within the housing along a flow path fluidly connecting the first and second ports; and assembling a resistance indicator to the housing such that the resistance indicator is fluidly connected to the first port; wherein the resistance indicator is configured to experience a change in visual appearance as a function of a pressure differential within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification