System and method for preventing cross-contamination in flow generation systems
AssigneeInvent Medical Corporation
InventorsSamuel M. Chang, Nhien M. Nguyen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators is described. In one embodiment, the system includes an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface by a gas flow circuit. A controller is electrically coupled to the airflow generator, and a cartridge is connected to the gas flow circuit between a first point downstream of the humidifier and a second point upstream of the patient interface. The cartridge includes a bacteria filter and the first check valve. A method for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators and a method for providing gaseous flow through a single-limb ventilator are also described.
Claims19
A ventilator system comprising:
- an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, which is connected in line to a first check valve, which is connected in line to a patient interface connection by an inhalation flow circuit;
- a controller electrically coupled to the airflow generator;
- a second check valve connected in-line to a bacterial filter along an exhalation flow circuit, the exhalation flow circuit connected to the inhalation flow circuit between a first junction upstream of the humidifier and a second junction downstream of the first check valve, so as to prevent cross-contamination between the inhalation flow circuit and the exhalation flow circuit;
- an exhalation valve electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier;
- a removable cartridge containing the bacterial filter and the first check valve;
- and
- a housing comprising a cavity, the housing configured so that the first check valve is connected in-line with the inhalation flow circuit and the bacterial filter is connected in-line with the exhalation flow circuit when the cartridge is fully inserted into the cavity.
A gas flow system comprising:
- an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface connection by an inhalation flow circuit;
- a controller electrically coupled to the airflow generator;
- a second check valve connected in-line to a bacterial filter along an exhalation flow circuit, the exhalation flow circuit connected to the inhalation flow circuit between a first junction upstream of the humidifier and a second junction downstream of the first check valve, so as to prevent cross-contamination between the inhalation flow circuit and the exhalation flow circuit;
- a removable cartridge containing the bacterial filter and the first check valve;
- and
- a housing comprising a cavity, the housing configured so that the first check valve is connected in-line with the inhalation flow circuit and the bacterial filter is connected in-line with the exhalation flow circuit when the cartridge is fully inserted into the cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.