Ventilator condensation trap
OwnerJoseph P. Schultzinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Condensation traps are disclosed herein for the purpose of trapping and removing water condensed from the humidified air present within respiratory ventilatory systems and tubing. Traps disclosed herein can be positioned inline with the tubing, and therefore allow the trap to be positioned very near the patient interface, and minimize dead space between the trap and the patient interface. Minimizing the dead space in this manner prevents water from condensing prior to entering the trap. Respiratory ventilator systems incorporating condensation traps and methods of mechanical ventilation relying on condensation traps are also disclosed herein.
Claims18
A ventilator condensation trap comprising:
- a first connector configured to connect directly to a first segment of ventilator tubing;
- a stem extending distally from the first connector;
- an internal channel extending through the first connector and the stem;
- a reservoir wall surrounding at least a portion of the stem and forming a fluid reservoir between an external surface of the stem and an internal surface of the reservoir wall;
- and
- a drain connected with the fluid reservoir, wherein the drain is a needleless access valve in a closed position.
A respiratory ventilator system comprising:
- a respiratory ventilator;
- a patient interface;
- an expiratory tubing and an inspiratory tubing, each forming a connection between the patient interface and the respiratory ventilator;
- a ventilator condensation trap comprising:
- a first connector configured to connect directly to a first segment of ventilator tubing;
- a stem extending distally from the first connector;
- an internal channel extending through the first connector and the stem;
- and
- a reservoir wall surrounding at least a portion of the stem and forming a fluid reservoir between an external surface of the stem and an internal surface of the reservoir wall;
- wherein the ventilator condensation trap is connected to the inspiratory tubing or the expiratory tubing in a position such that the first connector is proximal to the patient interface;
- and
- wherein the ventilator condensation trap is positioned such that the first connector is within 12″ of the patient interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.