Portable pressure transducer, pneumotach for use therewith, and associated methods
First Claim
1. A respiratory pressure sensing system, comprising:
- (a) a pneumotach configured to be positioned along a respiratory conduit, the pneumotach comprising;
(1) a pneumotach housing, (2) a primary conduit defined in the pneumotach housing, (3) a first pressure port and a second port, wherein the first pressure port and the second pressure port are defined in the pneumotach housing in fluid communication with the primary conduit, and (4) a pressure transducer coupling portion disposed on the pneumotach housing; and
(b) a pressure transducer configured to be removably coupled with the pneumotach, the pressure transducer comprising;
(1) a pressure transducer housing, (2) a pneumotach coupling portion disposed on the pressure transducer housing and configured to selectively and removably engage the pressure transducer coupling portion to attach the pressure transducer housing to the pneumotach housing, (3) a first pressure sensor disposed in the housing, and (4) a first sample conduit and a second sample conduit, wherein the first sample conduit and the second sample conduit each includes a first portion disposed in the housing and coupled to the first pressure sensor, and a second portion adapted to cooperate with an associated pressure port of the pneumotach so as to communicate a respiratory sample from the primary conduit of the pneumotach to the first pressure sensor responsive to the pressure transducer housing being coupled to the pneumotach housing.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.
37 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A respiratory pressure sensing system, comprising:
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(a) a pneumotach configured to be positioned along a respiratory conduit, the pneumotach comprising;
(1) a pneumotach housing, (2) a primary conduit defined in the pneumotach housing, (3) a first pressure port and a second port, wherein the first pressure port and the second pressure port are defined in the pneumotach housing in fluid communication with the primary conduit, and (4) a pressure transducer coupling portion disposed on the pneumotach housing; and
(b) a pressure transducer configured to be removably coupled with the pneumotach, the pressure transducer comprising;
(1) a pressure transducer housing, (2) a pneumotach coupling portion disposed on the pressure transducer housing and configured to selectively and removably engage the pressure transducer coupling portion to attach the pressure transducer housing to the pneumotach housing, (3) a first pressure sensor disposed in the housing, and (4) a first sample conduit and a second sample conduit, wherein the first sample conduit and the second sample conduit each includes a first portion disposed in the housing and coupled to the first pressure sensor, and a second portion adapted to cooperate with an associated pressure port of the pneumotach so as to communicate a respiratory sample from the primary conduit of the pneumotach to the first pressure sensor responsive to the pressure transducer housing being coupled to the pneumotach housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for monitoring a parameter associated with respiration of a patient, comprising:
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(a) providing a respiratory circuit in fluid communication with an airway of a patient;
(b) providing a pneumotach at a first location along the respiratory conduit, the pneumotach comprising;
(1) a pneumotach housing, (2) a primary conduit defined in the pneumotach housing, (3) a first pressure port and a second port, wherein the first pressure port and the second pressure port are defined in the pneumotach housing in fluid communication with the primary conduit, and (4) a pressure transducer coupling portion disposed on the pneumotach housing; and
(c) providing a pressure transducer comprising;
(1) a pressure transducer housing, (2) a pneumotach coupling portion disposed on the pressure transducer housing and configured to selectively and removably engage the pressure transducer coupling portion to attach the pressure transducer housing to the pneumotach housing, (3) a first pressure sensor disposed in the housing, and (4) a first sample conduit and a second sample conduit, wherein the first sample conduit and the second sample conduit each includes a first portion disposed in the housing and coupled to the first pressure sensor, and a second portion adapted to cooperate with an associated pressure port of the pneumotach so as to communicate a respiratory sample from the primary conduit of the pneumotach to the first pressure sensor responsive to the pressure transducer housing being coupled to the pneumotach housing; and
(d) attaching the pressure transducer to the pneumotach by engaging the pneumotach coupling portion with the pressure transducer coupling portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification