# US 10,863,922 B2 · Bi-functional filter device for a gas sampling line and system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,922 B2 - Document ID: US10863922B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/186,192 - Filed: 2018-11-09 - Published: 2019-05-09 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-09 - Assignees: Oridion Medical 1987 Ltd. - Applicants: Oridion Medical 1987 Ltd. - Inventors: Konstantin Goulitski; Michael Kertser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863922B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/082: {Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath (A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence)} - A61B 5/097: Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices - B01D 53/0415: {Beds in cartridges} - B01D 53/229: {Integrated processes (Diffusion and at least one other process, e.g. adsorption, absorption)} - B01D 53/261: {by adsorption} - B01D 53/268: {by diffusion} - B01D 2053/224: {with hollow fibres} - B01D 2253/106: Silica or silicates - B01D 2253/202: Polymeric adsorbents - B01D 2256/22: Carbon dioxide - B01D 2257/80: Water - B01D 2259/4533: for medical purposes - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A bi-functional filter device for removing liquid from a humid gas flowing through the filter device includes a filter body that includes an axial through-channel that passes lengthwise through the filter's body, through which gas (e.g., humid gas) can flow, and a dehumidifier sleeve that encloses the filter body. The filter body includes a capillary path that may absorb, and thus remove, liquids, for example laterally, radially or spirally (in spiral manner) from the through-channel of the filter body using capillary action, to thus clear the through-channel of the filter body from these liquids. The dehumidifier sleeve may evaporate liquid contained in (and arriving from) the filter body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bi-functional filter device for a gas sampling line, comprising: a filter body having a length and a longitudinal axis, the filter body comprising: an external surface; an inner wall defining a through-channel passing lengthwise through the filter body, and a capillary path passing, and providing a liquid flow path, from the through-channel to a space external to the filter body, wherein the capillary path is configured to absorb liquids from the through-channel of the filter body using capillary action; and a dehumidifier sleeve enclosing the filter body, the dehumidifier sleeve configured to evaporate liquid absorbed by the filter body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the capillary path comprises a plurality of separate capillary channels disposed in the filter body around the through-channel, between the external surface of the filter body and the inner wall of the filter body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bi-functional filter device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of separate capillary channels provide the liquid flow path in the filter body from the through-channel to the space external to the filter body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The bi-functional filter device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of separate capillary channels extends laterally or radially from the through-channel of the filter body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The bi-functional filter device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of separate capillary channels outwardly extends through the filter body from the inner wall to the external surface at an angle α=90±45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filter body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The bi-functional filter device of claim 2, wherein a diameter of the plurality of separate capillary channels is selected according to the liquids to be absorbed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The bi-functional filter device of claim 2, wherein a first portion of the plurality of separate capillary channels has a first diameter that is different from a second diameter of a second portion of the plurality of separate capillary channels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The bi-functional filter device of claim 2, wherein a density of the plurality of separate capillary channels changes longitudinally or angularly, or both, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the filter body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic material and a liquid absorbing material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymers, polyether block amide (PEBA), plastic material that is capable of absorbing a liquid, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier sleeve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic material and a liquid evaporating material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier sleeve comprises a liquid non-evaporating material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier sleeve comprises a material selected from a group consisting of: sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene based fluoropolymer-copolymers, polyether block amide (PEBA), plastic material that is capable of absorbing a liquid, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body is configured to absorb the liquid. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein a material of the filter body is selected according to the liquid to be absorbed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body and/or the dehumidifier sleeve comprises a material that changes color according to an amount of liquid that is absorbed by the filter body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The bi-functional filter device of claim 16, wherein the color, or color change, is correlated to an operational time and/or state of the filter device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body and the dehumidifier sleeve are concentric. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body and the dehumidifier sleeve are cylindrical. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body and the dehumidifier sleeve comprise polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the filter body is 1±0.5 millimeters, an outer diameter of the filter body is 3±1 millimeters, and an outer diameter of the dehumidifier sleeve is 5±2 millimeters. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the capillary path is helical. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body comprises a helically coiled flat strip, the helically coiled flat strip forming a helicoidal strip structure (HSS) including multiple contiguous helical coil turns. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The bi-functional filter device of claim 23, wherein the helically coiled flat strip forms the through-channel in the filter body and the capillary path between the external surface and the inner wall of the filter body. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The bi-functional filter device of claim 23, wherein the capillary path comprises a helical spacing spiraling between, or defined by, the helical coil turns of the helicoidal strip structure (HSS). ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The bi-functional filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter body is bi-directional with respect to a direction of a gas flowing in the through-channel. ### Claim 27 A bi-functional filter device for a gas sampling line, comprising: a filter body comprising: a through-channel passing lengthwise through the filter body; a capillary path providing a liquid flow path from the through-channel to a space external to the filter body, wherein the capillary path is configured to absorb liquids from the through-channel of the filter body by using capillary action; and a dehumidifier sleeve enclosing the filter body, wherein the dehumidifier sleeve is configured to evaporate liquid contained in the filter body. ### Claim 28 A gas sampling line for transferring gas from a gas source to a gas destination comprising: a tube; and a bi-functional filter device, the bi-functional filter device coupled to and in fluid communication with the tube, the bi-functional filter device comprising: a filter body comprising: an inner wall defining a through-channel that passes lengthwise through the filter body, and a capillary path providing a liquid flow path from the through-channel to a space external to the filter body; and a dehumidifier sleeve enclosing the filter body, wherein the dehumidifier sleeve is configured to evaporate liquid contained in the filter body.