Dual membrane bacterial viral filter and method of operation thereof

A medical device that provides a gas to a patient, the medical device comprising:

• a gas filter device including:
• first and second gas filter elements that are each configured to be at least one of a viral and a bacterial filter element wherein the first and second gas filter elements each have a corresponding width and length;
• a body defining a cavity configured to receive the first and second gas filter elements in series with, and spaced apart from, each other;
• a first end wall situated at one end of the cavity;
• a second end wall situated at another end of the cavity opposite to the first end wall such that the cavity is situated between the first end wall and the second end wall;
• first and second peripheral seals;
• a first coupler extending from the first end wall;
• and
• a second coupler extending from the second end wall;
• a third coupler attached to the medical device and configured to releasably couple to the first coupler;
• and
• tubing configured to releasably couple to the second coupler at a first end and to provide the gas to the patient at a second end opposite to the first end,
• wherein the first coupler and the second coupler define a flow channel in communication with the cavity, wherein the first gas filter element is sealed to an interior surface of the body by the first seal extending circumferentially around the width of the first gas filter element and extending tangentially to the circumferential extension along the length of the first gas filter element, and wherein the second gas filter element is sealed to an interior surface of the body by the second seal extending circumferentially around the width of the second gas filter element and extending tangentially to the circumferentially extension along the length of the second gas filter element such that a gas flow between the first and second couplers passes through the first and second gas filter elements.

A gas filter device for a medical device that provides a gas to a patient, the filter device comprising:

• first and second gas filter elements that are each configured to be at least one of a viral and a bacterial filter element;
• a body defining a cavity configured to receive the first and second gas filter elements in series with, and spaced apart from, each other;
• a first end wall (162, 1162) situated at one end of the cavity;
• a second end wall situated at another end of the cavity opposite to the first end wall such that the cavity is situated between the first end wall and the second end wall;
• a first coupler extending from the first end wall;
• a second coupler extending from the second end wall;
• wherein the first coupler and the second coupler define a flow channel in communication with the cavity, and wherein the first and second gas filter elements are sealed to an interior surface of the body such that a gas flow between the first and second couplers passes through the first and second gas filter elements;
• and
• a shaft sealed to the first and second gas filter elements, wherein the shaft positions the first and second gas filter elements relative to each other and within the cavity.