Elastomer bed for heating and moisturizing respiratory gases
AssigneeElasTek, Inc.
InventorsAnthony J. DeGregoria, Thomas J. Kaminski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high performance, low cost, regenerator/heat enthalpy exchanger matrix or bed. The bed consist of a matrix of tensioned sheets with flow channels therethrough. The matrix is of the parallel plate type with high porosity, and narrow, uniform, unobstructed channels. The bed is ideal for near room temperature regenerator applications. The elastomer bed regenerative heat transfer structures are suitably used in heat and moisture exchangers which are used on humans to reduce moisture and heat loss during breathing.
Claims35
A heat and moisture exchange device comprising a housing and a regenerative heat and moisture exchanger bed disposed in said housing;
- said housing having an inlet port for communication to a first fluid source and an outlet port for communication to a second fluid source, and operatively associated with said bed for directing fluid flow through said bed;
- said bed including a matrix of flat tensioned parallel sheets spaced apart to define substantially parallel flow channels therebetween, said flow channels having an aspect ratio of at least 10 to 1;
- said tensioned parallel sheets remaining taut and substantially unflexed during said fluid flow or a pressure drop.
A heat and moisture exchange device for use in a medical artificial ventilation system comprising a housing and an elastomer regenerative heat and moisture exchanger bed disposed in said housing;
- said housing having an inlet port for communication to a ventilation circuit and an outlet port for communication to a patient's respiratory system, and operatively associated with said bed for directing fluid flow through said bed;
- said bed including a matrix of stretched elastomer and having flow channels therethrough;
- said stretched elastomer remaining taut and substantially unflexed during said fluid flow or a pressure drop.
A heat and moisture exchanger bed comprising:
- (a) parallel layers of flat stretched elastomer sheets, each said layer being generally rectangular and having a layer length dimension, each said sheet having an unstretched sheet length less than said layer length dimension;
- (b) spacers between said sheets defining substantially parallel fluid flow channels therebetween, each said channel having a first rectangular face adjacent a first layer and a second rectangular face adjacent a second opposite layer;
- (c) locking means for locking said sheets and spacers together;
- wherein, in use, an air stream containing water vapor is directed through said flow channels and over said sheets to effect a change in temperature and moisture content in the air stream;
- and
- wherein said stretched elastomer sheets remain taut and substantially unflexed in response to said air stream or to a pressure drop.
An elastomer regenerative heat exchange device comprising at least one elastomer member, said elastomer member comprising a water vapor-transmitting elastomeric matrix charged with a hygroscopic material, said elastomer member being capable of absorbing and desorbing moisture.
An elastomer regenerative heat exchange device comprising at least one elastomer member, said elastomer member comprising:
- (a) a base elastomer material;
- and
- (b) a hygroscopic, water vapor-transmitting material coated on said base elastomer material, said hygroscopic, water vapor-transmitting material elastomer material comprising a hygroscopic, water vapor transmitting elastomeric matrix charged with a hygroscopic material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.