# US 11,298,498 B2 · Breathing system for anesthesia machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,498 B2 - Document ID: US11298498B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/407,869 - Filed: 2019-05-09 - Published: 2020-11-12 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-09 - Assignees: GE Precision Healthcare LLC - Applicants: GE Precision Healthcare LLC - Inventors: Timothy P. McCormick; James N. Mashak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298498B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/104: {specially adapted for anaesthetics (A61M16/18 takes precedence)} - A61M 16/0081: {Bag or bellow in a bottle} - A61M 16/01: specially adapted for anaesthetising {(A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence)} - A61M 16/08: Bellows; Connecting tubes {(having means for taking samples G01N1/22); Water traps; Patient circuits} - A61M 16/0891: {Closed circuit, e.g. for anaesthesia} - A61M 16/1045: {Devices for humidifying or heating the inspired gas by using recovered moisture or heat from the expired gas} - A61M 16/1055: {bacterial} - A61M 16/12: by mixing different gases - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/22: Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices {; Other means for removing carbon dioxide}(cartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00) - A61M 16/0078: {Breathing bags} - 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)} - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/18: Vaporising devices for anaesthetic preparations - A61M 16/201: {Controlled valves} - A61M 16/209: {Relief valves} - A61M 2016/0039: {in the inspiratory circuit} - A61M 2016/0042: {in the expiratory circuit} - A61M 2016/1025: {the O2 concentration} - A61M 2202/0208: Oxygen - A61M 2202/0283: Nitrous oxide (N2O) - A61M 2205/121: interface between cassette and base - A61M 2205/125: with incorporated filters - A61M 2205/7509: for virus - A61M 2205/7518: bacterial - A61M 2205/7545: for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An anesthesia machine includes a gas mixer providing gas for delivery to a ventilated patient and a breathing system. The breathing system includes a reusable ventilation portion and a disposable circle portion. The reusable ventilation portion includes a mechanical ventilation section, a manual ventilation section, a ventilation port, and switch configured to switch between connection of the mechanical ventilation section and the manual ventilation section to drive patient ventilation. The disposable circle portion includes a vent connector that connects to the ventilation port, an inspiratory channel, and a gas intake port providing anesthetic gas from the gas mixer to the inspiratory channel. The disposable circle portion further includes an expiratory channel, a CO2 absorber, and a filter positioned in a flow path between the expiratory port and the vent connector and between the CO2 absorber and the vent connector. The filter is configured to prevent moisture and bacteria from entering the reusable ventilation portion of the breathing system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An anesthesia machine comprising: a gas mixer that receives gas from at least two gas sources and provides an anesthetic gas for delivery to a ventilated patient; a breathing system comprising: a reusable ventilation portion including a mechanical ventilation section, a manual ventilation section, a ventilation port, and a switch configured to switch between connection of the mechanical ventilation section to drive patient ventilation through the ventilation port and connection of the manual ventilation section to drive the patient ventilation through the ventilation port; a disposable circle portion removably connected to the reusable ventilation portion, the disposable circle portion including: a vent connector that connects to the ventilation port; an inspiratory channel configured to conduct inspiratory gasses and terminating at an inspiratory port that connects to a patient connector and delivers the inspiratory gases thereto; a gas intake port providing anesthetic gas from the gas mixer to the inspiratory channel; an expiratory channel configured to conduct expiratory gasses and terminating at an expiratory port that connects to the patient connector and receives the expiratory gases therefrom; a CO2 absorber connecting between the expiratory channel and the inspiratory channel; and a filter positioned between the expiratory port and the vent connector and between the CO2 absorber and the vent connector, wherein the filter prevents moisture and bacteria from entering the reusable ventilation portion of the breathing system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The anesthesia machine of claim 1, further comprising a common channel connecting between the vent connector, the expiratory channel, and the CO2 absorber, wherein the filter is in the common channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein the filter is integrated into the vent connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein the filter includes a heat and moisture exchange filter (HMEF). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein the filter includes a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein the CO2 absorber is a disposable canister that is removably connected to the disposable circle portion such that the CO2 absorber can be removed and replaced without removal of the disposable circle portion from the breathing system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein the disposable circle portion is comprised of plastic and is configured for use with only a single patient. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The anesthesia machine of claim 1, wherein the breathing system is removable from and attachable to the anesthesia machine as a single piece. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The anesthesia machine of claim 8, wherein the disposable circle portion further comprises a first fitting configured to mate with a reciprocal fitting on the reusable ventilation portion so as to fasten the disposable circle portion of the breathing system to the reusable ventilation portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The anesthesia machine of claim 9, wherein the disposable circle portion is formed as a molded plastic configured for use with a single patient. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The anesthesia machine of claim 9, wherein the disposable circle portion further includes a one-way inspiratory valve and an inspiratory sensor in the inspiratory channel, and one-way expiratory valve and an expiratory sensor in the expiratory channel. ### Claim 12 A breathing system for an anesthesia machine comprising: a reusable ventilation portion including a mechanical ventilation section, a manual ventilation section, a ventilation port, and a switch configured to switch between connection of the mechanical ventilation section to drive patient ventilation through the ventilation port and connection of the manual ventilation section to drive the patient ventilation through the ventilation port; a disposable circle portion removably connected to the reusable ventilation portion, the disposable circle portion including: a vent connector that connects to the ventilation port; an inspiratory channel configured to conduct inspiratory gasses and terminating at an inspiratory port that connects to a patient connector and delivers the inspiratory gases thereto; a gas intake port providing anesthetic gas from a gas mixer to the inspiratory channel; an expiratory channel configured to conduct expiratory gasses and terminating at an expiratory port that connects to the patient connector and receives the expiratory gases therefrom; a CO2 absorber connecting between the expiratory channel and the inspiratory channel; and a filter positioned in a flow path of the expiratory gases between the expiratory port and the vent connector, wherein the filter prevents moisture and bacteria in the expiratory gases from entering the reusable ventilation portion of the breathing system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The breathing system of claim 12, wherein the filter is further positioned in a flow path between the CO2 absorber and the vent connector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The breathing system of claim 13, further comprising a common channel connecting between the vent connector, the expiratory channel, and the CO2 absorber, wherein the filter is in the common channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The breathing system of claim 13, wherein the filter is integrated into the vent connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The breathing system of claim 12, wherein the CO2 absorber is a disposable canister that is removably connected to the disposable circle portion such that the CO2 absorber can be removed and replaced without removal of the disposable circle portion from the breathing system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The breathing system of claim 12, wherein the filter includes at least one of a heat and moisture exchange filter (HMEF) and a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The breathing system of claim 12, wherein the disposable circle portion is comprised of molded plastic and is configured for use with only a single patient. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The breathing system of claim 12, wherein the disposable circle portion further includes a one-way inspiratory valve and an inspiratory sensor in the inspiratory channel, and one-way expiratory valve and an expiratory sensor in the expiratory channel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The breathing system of claim 19, wherein the disposable circle portion further includes an O2 sensor in the inspiratory channel.