Anti-microbial heat and moisture exchanger
AssigneeArthrex, Inc.
InventorsRobert M. Harrison, IV, Christopher Bare
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A heat and moisture exchanger device comprising a housing containing a microcurrent-generating filter capable of generating a low level microcurrent. A microcurrent-generating filter can reduce the number of living or active microbes.
Claims20
A heat and moisture exchanger device containing a microcurrent-generating filter capable of generating a low level microcurrent, wherein the microcurrent-generating filter comprises a first array comprising a pattern of microcells or dots formed from a first conductive material and a second array comprising a pattern of microcells or dots formed from a second conductive material, wherein the first array and second array are supported by a substrate, and wherein the microcurrent-generating filter comprises one or more slits or openings in the center of the microcurrent-generating filter.
A method of reducing a patient's exposure to pathogens comprising placing a heat and moisture exchanger device between a gas supply and the patient's nasal passages, trachea, larynx, or lungs, and delivering a gas to the patient, wherein the heat and moisture exchanger device comprises a housing containing a microcurrent-generating filter capable of generating a low level microcurrent, wherein the microcurrent-generating filter comprises a first array comprising a pattern of microcells or dots formed from a first conductive material and a second array comprising a pattern of microcells or dots formed from a second conductive material, wherein the first array and second array are supported by a substrate, whereby the patient's exposure to pathogens is reduced.
A method of providing heated, moisturized air to a patient comprising placing a heat and moisture exchanger device between a gas supply and the patient's nasal passages, trachea, larynx, or lungs, and delivering a gas to the patient, wherein the heat and moisture exchanger device comprises a housing containing a microcurrent-generating filter capable of generating a low level microcurrent, wherein the microcurrent-generating filter comprises a first array comprising a pattern of microcells or dots formed from a first conductive material and a second array comprising a pattern of microcells or dots formed from a second conductive material, wherein the first array and second array are supported by a substrate, whereby the patient's exposure to pathogens is reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.