Anesthesia spirometer absorber circuit cleaner and method

A method for cleaning an anesthesia spirometry absorber circuit where the absorber circuit includes an inhalation valve, an exhalation valve, a spirometry valve and a means for receiving removable absorbent canisters located beneath the spirometry valve, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing:
• a shunt for establishing a fluid path from the exhalation valve of the absorber circuit to the inhalation valve thereof, the connector comprising a first end connectable to the spigot end of the exhalation valve and a second end connectable to the spigot end of the inhalation valve;
• an adapter for introducing a fluid into the exhalation valve of the absorber circuit, the adapter comprising an upper orifice, a lower orifice adapted for connection to the exhalation valve of the absorber circuit, and a conical-shaped body therebetween;
• a proportionating disk insertable within the exhalation valve body for splitting a fluid stream entering the exhalation valve body from the adapter, the proportionating disk splitting the fluid stream into a first path exiting the exhalation valve body and entering the absorber circuit spirometry valve and a second path exiting the spigot end of the exhalation valve;
• and
• a collector for collecting a liquid exiting from the absorber circuit spirometry valve, the collector being insertable into the absorber circuit in place of the removable absorbent canisters thereof, the collector having a separator and a side portion, the separator and side portion defining a liquid collecting chamber, the side portion defining an orifice so positioned as to receive liquid exiting from the absorber circuit spirometry valve while providing a path for air to escape between the side portion and the top cap of the absorber circuit;
• connecting the shunt between the spigot ends of the exhalation and inhalation valves;
• removing the exhalation valve dome, removing the exhalation valve disk from the exhalation valve, inserting the proportionating disk in place thereof, and securing the adapter lower end to the exhalation valve upper orifice;
• removing the absorbent canisters from the absorber circuit and inserting the collector in place thereof;
• and
• introducing a cleaning liquid into the adapter and allowing the liquid to flow through the absorber circuit.

A circuit cleaning apparatus for cleaning and drying an anesthesia spirometry absorber circuit where the absorber circuit includes an inhalation valve, an exhalation valve including a body and spigot end, and a spirometry valve positioned beneath the inhalation valve body, the circuit cleaning apparatus comprising:

• a shunt for establishing a fluid path from the spigot end of the exhalation valve of the absorber circuit into the inhalation valve thereof;
• an adapter, capable of fluid-tight coupling to the exhalation valve, for introducing a fluid therein;
• a proportionating disk, insertable within the exhalation valve, for splitting a fluid stream entering the exhalation valve body from the adapter, the proportionating disk being capable, when so inserted, of splitting the fluid stream into a first path exiting the exhalation valve body and entering the absorber circuit spirometry valve and a second path exiting the spigot end of the exhalation valve;
• and
• a collector for collecting a liquid exiting from the absorber circuit spirometry valve, the collector being capable of receiving the liquid stream exiting the spirometry valve under gravity,
• whereby both the inhalation and exhalation circuits of the absorber circuit are cleanable without immersion of the absorber circuit.