Apparatus for measuring the parameters of respiratory gases

• US 5,503,151 A
• Filed: 09/06/1994
• Issued: 04/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medizintechnik AG
• Original Assignee: NDD Medizintechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Guggenbuhl, Walter, Schlegelmilch, Rolf M., Buess, Christian, Harnoncourt, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): JAWORSKI, FRANCIS J
• Application Number:
  US08/301,252
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 128/719, 128/725, 128/724, 128/721, 128/660.01, 128/660.02, 128/661.07
• US Class Current: 600/438
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/662 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/667 Arrangements of transducers for ultrasonic flowmeters; Circuits for operating ultrasonic flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02809 Concentration of a compound, e.g. measured by a surface mass change
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02836 Flow rate, liquid level

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the parameters of respiratory gases comprising a respiratory tube, ultrasonic sensors and pre-amplifier electronic circuitry arranged in a separate housing. In order to prevent dangerous cross infections between patients following repeated utilization of the such measuring apparatus the ultrasonic sensors are permanently integrated in the respiratory tube so that they constitute a single part therewith and in that at least the respiratory tube together with the integrated ultrasonic sensors is designed in the form of an interchangeable part for use once only.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simultaneously measuring respiratory gas parameters comprising a respiratory tube and ultrasonic sensors and preamplifier electronic circuitry which is arranged in a housing separate from the respiratory tube, said ultrasonic sensors are embedded within tubular heads formed on the respiratory tube so that they constitute a single part therewith and wherein at least the respiratory tube with the embedded ultrasonic sensors is designed to form a disposable part for use only once;

said apparatus further comprising a pressure sensor integrated in the respiratory tube, wherein the pressure sensor is cast in the respiratory tube.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an infrared light source and opposite thereto an optical sensor wherein the infrared light source and the optical sensor are integrated with the respiratory tube.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the respiratory tube is manufactured from a material transparent to light.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the respiratory tube is manufactured from a light transmitting medicinal quality polymer.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the infrared light source and the optical sensor are cast in a wall of the respiratory tube.

6. The apparatus as claims in claim 2, wherein the infrared light source and the optical sensor are installed adjacent to the ultrasonic sensors transversely along the respiratory tube such that connecting lines between the ultrasonic sensors and connecting lines between the infrared light source and the optical sensor intersect with each other.

7. The apparatus as claims in claim 2, wherein the infrared light source and the optical sensor are adapted to be mounted in position on the respiratory tube using a plug-on holder.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the infrared light source and the optical sensor are arranged adjacent to each other, and wherein a wall opposite to the optical sensor is given a mirror finish and is so configured that light emitted from the infrared light source is reflected and is received by the optical sensor.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light source installed in an electronic circuitry housing to emit suitable light such that light passes through a wall of the respiratory tube and impinges on a suitable fluorescent dye applied thereon and in that adjacent to the light source in the electronic circuitry housing an optical pickup is arranged which is adapted to determine oxygen concentration by luminescence or fluorescence measurements.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing for the pre-amplifier electronic circuitry is adapted to be flange mounted on the respiratory tube, the conduction of a power supply and of signals to sensors integrated in the respiratory tube and in a reverse direction taking place via an encoded plug-in board.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising connections in the housing of the pre-amplifier electronic circuitry for data lines for data representing readings from a separately connected O₂ analyzer.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-amplifier electronic circuitry is directly cast in a floor of the respiratory tube.

13. An apparatus for simultaneously measuring respiratory gas parameters comprising a respiratory tube and ultrasonic sensors and preamplifier electronic circuitry which is arranged in a housing separate from the respiratory tube, said ultrasonic sensors are embedded within tubular heads formed on the respiratory tube so that they constitute a single part therewith, said apparatus further comprising an infrared light source and opposite thereto an optical sensor wherein said infrared light source and optical sensor are integrated with the respiratory tube, and wherein at least the respiratory tube with the embedded ultrasonic sensors is designed to form a disposable part for use only once;

said apparatus further comprising an infrared light source and opposite thereto an optical sensor wherein the infrared light source and the optical sensor are integrated with the respiratory tube, wherein the infrared light source and the optical sensor are cast in a wall of the respiratory tube.