# US 4,391,271 A · Respirator circuit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,391,271 A - Document ID: US4391271A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/251,358 - Filed: 1981-04-06 - Granted: 1983-07-05 - Earliest claimed: 1981-04-06 - Inventors: Albert Blanco - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4391271A ## CPC - A61M 16/0808: {Condensation traps} - A61M 16/0833: {T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece} - 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 The respirator circuit of which the present invention is a part includes a water cascade for humidification of the air, oxygen enriched air or pure oxygen from a conventional respirator. From the cascade a first conduit tube portion connects to a first branch of a Y fitting, a second branch thereof connects a second conduit tube portion to a spirometer, and the main Y fitting leg connects to a conventional endotracheal tube. The improvement that is the focus of this invention is a secondary suction tube or aspirator which is located in close relation to the lowermost main length of the circuit conduits and a plurality of perforations connect between and along the lengths of the main circuit and suction tubes. The suction tube connects to a wall suction inlet as conventionally provided in hospitals, and serves to continuously remove moisture which condenses on the interior wall of the main circuit tubing, either from the cascade, a nebulizer, when used in the circuit with a tracheotomy patient, or excretions from the patient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A respirator circuit comprising: first and second conduit tubes, the cross-section of which has opposed planar lower side portions that are angled oppositely downwardly and inwardly toward drainage means connected thereto, said first and second conduit tubes in open connection respectively to first and second branches of a generally Y-shaped conduit tube portion, including a leg portion for open connection to a conventional endotracheal tube; a respirator connected to an end of the first conduit tube through a water cascade to humidify air, oxygen enriched air or pure oxygen passing from the respirator into the first conduit tube; the drainage means disposed at a lowermost point of and extending longitudinally along the bottom portions of the first and second conduit tubes, said drainage means being in fluid communication with said first and second conduit tubes through a plurality of perforations opening into the drainage means from the first and second conduit tubes; and means to dispose of moisture passing through said perforations into the drainage means from the first and second conduit tubes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the means to dispose of moisture comprises, an extension from the drainage tube means for a connection to a suitable suction means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the drainage means are disposed respectively within the first and second conduit tubes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the plurality of perforations comprises a plurality of spaced apart perforations opening into each side of the drainage means, closely adjacent lowermost interior portions of the conduit tubes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the drainage means comprises a pair of interconnected drainage tubes disposed exteriorly of the bottom portions of the first and second conduit tubes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 1 including a spirometer connected to an end of the second conduit tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 6 including a manifold connected in the second conduit tube, adjacent the spirometer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The respirator as defined in claim 1 including a normally closed connection in the first conduit tube to accommodate a nebulizer for use with a tracheotomy patient. ### Claim 9 In an improved respirator circuit having first and second conduit tubes, in open connection respectively to first and second branches of a generally Y-shaped conduit tube portion including a leg portion for open connection to a conventional endotracheal tube, a respirator connected to an end of the first conduit tube, in which the improvement comprises: said first and second conduit tubes being of a cross-section having opposed planar lower side portions that are angled oppositely downwardly and inwardly toward drainage means connected thereto; the drainage means disposed at a lowermost point of and extending longitudinally along the bottom portions of the first and second conduit tubes, said drainage means being in fluid communication with said first and second conduit tubes through a plurality of perforations opening into the drainage means from the first and second conduit tubes; and means to dispose of moisture passing through said perforations into the drainage means from the first and second conduit tubes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 9 wherein the means to dispose of moisture comprises, an extension from the drainage tube means for a connection to a suitable suction means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 9 wherein the drainage tube means comprises a pair of interconnected drainage tube portions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 11 wherein the drainage tube portions are disposed respectively within the first and second tube portions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 12 wherein the plurality of perforations comprises a plurality of spaced apart perforations opening into each side of the drainage tube portions, closely adjacent lowermost interior portions of the conduit tube portions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 13 wherein opposed lower side portions of the first and second conduit tube portions are angled oppositely downwardly and inwardly toward the drainage tube means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 9 wherein the drainage means comprises a pair of interconnected drainage tubes disposed exteriorly of the bottom portions of the first and second conduit tubes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 9 including a spirometer connected to an end of the second conduit tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 16 including a manifold connected in the second conduit tube, adjacent the spirometer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The respirator as defined in claim 9 including a normally closed connection in the first conduit tube to accommodate a nebulizer for use with a tracheotomy patient. ### Claim 19 In an improved respirator circuit being first and second conduit tubes, in open connection respectively to first and second branches of a generally Y-shaped conduit tube portion including a leg portion for open connection to a conventional endotracheal tube, a respirator connected to an end of the first conduit tube, in which the improvement comprises: said first and second conduit tubes being of a cross-section having opposed planar lower side portions that are angled oppositely downwardly and inwardly toward drainage tubes connected thereto; said drainage tubes being interconnected and disposed within the first and second conduit tubes and being in fluid communication therewith through a plurality of perforations the drainage tubes from the first and second conduit tubes; and a means to dispose of moisture having an extension from the drainage tubes for connection to a suitable suction means. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 19 wherein the plurality of perforations comprises a plurality of spaced apart perforations opening into each side of the drainage tubes, closely adjacent lowermost interior portions of the conduit tubes. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 19 wherein the drainage tubes are defined respectively, exteriorly of the bottom portions of the first and second conduit tubes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 19 including a spirometer connected to an end of the second conduit tube. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The respirator circuit as defined in claim 22 including a manifold connected in the second conduit tube, adjacent the spirometer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The respirator as defined in claim 19 including a normally closed connection in the first conduit tube to accommodate a nebulizer for use with a tracheotomy patient.