Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
  • A61M16/08—Bellows; Connecting tubes ; Water traps; Patient circuits
  • A61M16/0816—Joints or connectors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M39/1011—Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/22—Valves or arrangement of valves
  • A61M39/223—Multiway valves
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
  • A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
  • A61M2016/003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure with a flowmeter
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M2039/1005—Detection of disconnection
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M2039/1033—Swivel nut connectors, e.g. threaded connectors, bayonet-connectors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M2039/1077—Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M39/00—Tubes, tube connectors, tube couplings, valves, access sites or the like, specially adapted for medical use
  • A61M39/10—Tube connectors; Tube couplings
  • A61M2039/1083—Tube connectors; Tube couplings having a plurality of female connectors, e.g. Luer connectors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
  • A61M2202/02—Gases
  • A61M2202/0208—Oxygen
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
  • A61M2205/14—Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
  • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
  • A61M2205/3317—Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
  • A61M2205/60—General characteristics of the apparatus with identification means
  • A61M2205/6054—Magnetic identification systems
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
  • A61M2205/60—General characteristics of the apparatus with identification means
  • A61M2205/6063—Optical identification systems
  • A61M2205/6072—Bar codes
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
  • F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
  • F16L37/10—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members using a rotary external sleeve or ring on one part
  • F16L37/113—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members using a rotary external sleeve or ring on one part the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating into the corresponding slots provided in the female part
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
  • F16L37/56—Couplings of the quick-acting type for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/598—With repair, tapping, assembly, or disassembly means

Definitions

• the present disclosure generally relates to fluid inlet ports and, in particular, a configurable adapter that can accept a fluid from either of two sources having different connectors.
• Respirators typically provide a flow of air, or other breathing gases, at an elevated pressure during an inhalation interval, followed by an exhalation interval where the pressurized air is diverted so that the air within the patient's lungs can be naturally expelled.
• Conventional respirators may be configured to accept one or more breathing gases, for example "pure oxygen” or "heliox 80/20” (a mixture of 80% helium with 20% oxygen) from external sources. It is important to configure the respirator according to the gas provided, for example connecting to a source of pure oxygen to be mixed with compressed air to provide an oxygen-enriched air to a patient as compared to connecting to a source of pure heliox that is to be provided undiluted to the patient.
• Conventional respirators may require manual identification of the gas being provided and carries a risk that a user may not correctly identify the gas that is actually being provided.
• the disclosed fluid inlet adapter provides a fluid inlet that can be configured to accept only one of two possible fluids at a time and provide a machine-readable indication as to which fluid is currently being accepted.
• an adapter for providing fluid from a fluid source to a device comprises a housing and an inlet extending through the housing for connecting the fluid source to the device.
• the inlet comprises a first end for connecting to the fluid source and a second end for connecting to the device.
• the adapter further comprises a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device, and a machine-readable indicator for identifying the fluid source.
• the machine-readable indicator extends away from the first end of the inlet and beyond the second end of the inlet.
• a ventilator comprising a ventilator housing, a flow control device within the ventilator housing, and a first removable adapter.
• the first removable adapter comprises a first adapter housing, and a first inlet extending through the first adapter housing.
• the first inlet comprises a first adapter end for a first external connection and a first connector end for removably connecting to the flow control device.
• the first removable adapter further comprises a first latching component configured to secure the first adapter to the flow control device, and a first machine-readable indicator for identifying the first external connection.
• the first machine-readable indicator extends away from the first adapter end of the first inlet and beyond the first connector end of the first inlet.
• an adapter for providing fluid to a device comprises a housing and an inlet extending through the housing for connecting the fluid source to the device.
• the inlet comprises a first end for connecting to the fluid source and a second end for connecting to the device.
• the adapter further comprises a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device, and a tab comprising one or more embedded magnets positioned in a magnet configuration.
• an adapter for selectively providing fluid to a device from one of multiple fluid sources.
• the adapter includes a body, a first inlet for connecting a first one of the multiple fluid sources to the device, and a second inlet for connecting a second one of the multiple fluid sources to the device.
• Each of the first and second inlets are coupled to the body.
• the adapter also includes a handle movably coupled to the body and comprising an access control element.
• the handle is configured to secure the body to a device when the adapter is in either of a first position or a second position that is rotated 180° relative to the first configuration.
• the access control element obstructs access to the second inlet when the adapter is secured to the device in the first position and the access control element obstructs access to the first inlet when the adapter is secured to the device in the second position.
• a ventilator has a housing comprising a fluid passage and an adapter that includes a body, a first inlet for connecting a first one of the multiple fluid sources to the device, and a second inlet for connecting a second one of the multiple fluid sources to the device.
• the adapter also includes a handle movably coupled to the body and comprising an access control element.
• the handle is configured to secure the body to a device when the adapter is in either of a first position or a second position that is rotated 1 80° relative to the first configuration.
• the access control element obstructs access to the second inlet when the adapter is secured to the device in the first position and the access control element obstructs access to the first inlet when the adapter is secured to the device in the second position.
• a method in certain embodiments, includes the step of orienting an adapter relative to a housing of a ventilator in either a first configuration when it is desired to configure the ventilator to accept a first gas mixture in a second configuration that is rotated 1 80° relative to the first configuration when it is desired to configure the ventilator to accept a second gas mixture.
• the method also includes the step of engaging the adapter with a docking location of the ventilator such that a first inlet is in fluid communication with a fluid passage of the housing when the adapter is oriented in the first configuration and a second inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid passage of the housing when the adapter is oriented in the second configuration.
• the method also includes the step of activating a handle to secure the adapter to the housing, wherein the handle comprises an access control element that obstructs access to the second inlet when the adapter is secured to the housing in the first configuration and obstructs access to the first inlet when the adapter is secured to the housing in the second configuration.
• the method also includes the step of sensing automatically with a sensor of the ventilator the location of a machine-detectable indicator that is disposed in a first location relative to the housing when the adapter is secured to the housing in the first configuration and disposed in a second location that is different from the first location when the adapter is secured to the housing in the second configuration.
• FIGS. 1 -2 are front and back perspective views of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter and a device according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary fluid inlet adapter of FIG. 3 A mated with the docking location of the housing according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIGS. 4A-4B depict the position of the handle in exemplary unlatched and latched positions according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 depict an exemplary inlet adapter configured to accept fluid from two different sources according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIGS. 7-10 depict example connector configurations according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 1 1 depicts an adapter with one inlet according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 12 depicts adapters with different machine-readable indicators and a flow control device according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 13 depicts an adapter coupled to a flow control device according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 14 depicts frontal views of an adapter and a connector according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 1 5 depicts front views of an adapter and a flow control device according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIGS. 1 -2 are front and back perspective views of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter 100 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• the fluid inlet adapter 100 also referred to herein as "the adapter 100," comprises a body 1 10 with two inlets 120, 130 that are configured to respectively mate with connectors 20, 30 that are connected to two different fluid sources.
• the two connectors 20 and 30 may comprise different configurations comprising attributes such as shape, the presence or absence of thread, keys, etc.
• Example connector configurations are shown in FIGS. 7- 10.
• a handle 140 is movably coupled to the body 1 10 and comprising an access control element 142.
• the access control element 142 is a paddle extending from a shaft 141 that is, in this example, perpendicular to the body 1 10.
• the handle 140 is shown in FIG. 1 in a latched position, wherein the access control element 142 is positioned in front of inlet 130, thereby preventing a user from connecting a connector 30 to the inlet 130.
• the access control element 142 is disposed in front of the inlet 130.
• the access control element 142 is disposed proximate to the inlet 130, e.g.
• the inlet 120 is fully accessible in this position of the adapter 100 and a user may connect a connector 20 to the inlet 120.
• the body 1 10 may include one or more keying holes 1 1 1 that engage pins, posts, or other keying features (not shown in FIG. 1 A) of the connectors 20, 30.
• FIG. 2 depicts the back of the adapter 100.
• a center plane 101 is defined relative to the body 1 10 and bisects the body 1 10.
• the adapter 100 has a first position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a second position that is rotated 1 80°from the first position with respect to the plane of symmetry. Positions of the adapter 100 are discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.
• the adapter 100 also comprises first and second coupling ports 1 16 that are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the center plane 101 on a back side of the body 1 1 0.
• the first and second coupling ports 1 16 are in respective fluid communication with the first and second inlets 120, 130.
• the coupling ports 1 16 may be respectively aligned with the first and second inlets 120, 130.
• the coupling ports 1 16 may be respectively offset from the first and second inlets 120, 130.
• the handle 140 comprises a latching pin 144 that is disposed within a securing feature, for example slot 1 14 formed in the alignment feature 1 12.
• the latching pin 144 in this example, extends outward from the portion of the shaft 141 that extends beyond the bottom of the body 1 10.
• the function of the pin latching 144 and the method by which the handle 140 secures the adapter 100 to a device, for example a ventilator (not shown), is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 4A-4B.
• FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary fluid inlet adapter 100 and a device 10 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• the device 10 has a housing 52 with, in this example, a docking station 50 having an alignment slot 66 that is configured to accept the alignment feature 1 12.
• a recess 62 adjacent to the alignment slot 66 that is configured to accept an end of the handle 140.
• a latching slot 64 extends laterally from the recess 62 and is configured to engage the pin 144 when the handle 140 is rotated such that the pin extends from the alignment feature 1 12, as is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 4A-4B.
• the housing 52 comprises a fluid passage 80 is configured to accept a flow of a fluid.
• the device 10 is a ventilator and the fluid passage 80 connects to a blower (not shown) that pumps the fluid from fluid passage 80 to a patient as is generally known to those of skill in the art and not repeated herein.
• the fluid passage 80 is positioned relative to the alignment slot 66 such that one of the coupling ports 1 16 will be at least partially disposed within the fluid passage 80 when the adapter 100 is secured to the device 10 in either a first or second position.
• FIG. 3 A depicts the example adapter 100 secured to the docking station 50 in the first position, wherein the coupling port 1 16 that is in fluid communication with inlet 120 is also at least partially disposed within and in fluid communication with the fluid passage 80.
• the adapter 100 In the second position (not shown in FIG. 3 A), the adapter 100 is upside down from the position shown in FIG. 3 A such that the coupling port 1 16 that is in fluid communication with inlet 130 is also at least partially disposed within and in fluid communication with the fluid passage 80.
• the coupling ports 1 16 may have a sealing feature 1 1 8, for example an O-ring, which is configured to detachably and sealingly mate with the fluid passage 80.
• the housing also comprises a blind recess 54 that accepts the un-used coupling port 1 16.
• the docking location 50 may have a recess 56 configured to accept the body 1 10 such that the front of the body 1 10 is flush with the surface of the housing 52.
• the docking location 50 may also have a recess 70 position under a keying hole 1 1 1.
• the recess 70 may provide clearance for a keying feature of a mating connector or may provide a retention function.
• FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary adapter 100 of FIG. 3 A mated with the docking location 50 of the housing 52 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. It can be seen that the lower coupling port 1 16 is partially disposed within the fluid passage 80 and the upper coupling port 1 16 is partially disposed within the blind recess 54.
• FIGS. 4A-4B depict the position of the handle 140 in exemplary unlatched and latched positions according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 4A depicts the position of the handle 140 while in an "unlatched" position suitable for insertion of the alignment feature 1 12 into the alignment slot 66 of the docking station 50.
• the pin 144 is positioned completely within the slot 1 14 so as not to interfere with the alignment slot 66.
• FIG. 4B depicts a "latched" position with handle 140 rotated so as to engage pin 144 in latching slot 64.
• the access control element 142 is disposed in front of the inlet 130 thereby obstructing access to the inlet 130 so as to discourage connection of a connector 30 to the inlet 130 while the adapter 100 is secured to the device 10 in this position.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 depict an exemplary inlet adapter 100 configured to accept fluid from two different sources 20, 30 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• FIG. 5 depicts the adapter 100 configured to enable inlet 120 to allow a connector 20 (not shown in FIG. 5) while blocking connection to the inlet 130. It can be seen that the machine-detectable indicator 150 is positioned in a first position, e.g. on the near side of alignment feature 1 12.
• FIG. 6 depicts the adapter 100 reversed in orientation and configured to allow inlet 130 to accept a connector 30 (not shown in FIG. 6) while blocking connection to the inlet 120. It can be seen that when the adapter 100 is disposed in this position, which is the reverse of the position of FIG. 5, that the machine-detectable indicator 1 50 is positioned in a second position, e.g. on the far side of alignment feature 1 12, that is also the reverse of FIG. 5.
• the device 50 may have a first sensor (not shown in FIG. 5) positioned so as to detect the presence of the sensor in the position of FIG. 5 and a second sensor positioned so as to detect the presence of the sensor in the position of FIG. 6.
• the use of two sensors may provide a positive indication of the position of the adapter 100 and, therefore, a positive indication of which gas is being provided.
• FIGS. 7-10 depict example connector configurations according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.
• the adapter 100 may comprise inlets that are configured to accept one of these types of connectors.
• FIG. 7 depicts an "Ohmeda style" gas connection 200 wherein the gas-specific configuration of the connector is accomplished by one or more notches 220 on the outlet face 210 and a pin 230 on the adaptor.
• the notches 220 and pins 230 may vary in position and/or size based on the gas required.
• FIG. 8 depicts a "Chemetron style" gas connection 300 wherein the gas-specific configuration of the connector is accomplished by the position and shape of the latching hole 320 on the outlet face and alignment tabs 330 that mate with recesses 340.
• the latching hole 320 will vary in position and shape based on the gas required.
• FIG. 9 depicts a "Diameter Index Safety System (DISS) style" gas connection 400 wherein the gas-specific configuration of the connector is accomplished by gas-specific threads disposed on a barrel 410.
• the thread diameter and adaptor nipple size may vary based on the gas required.
• FIG. 10 depicts a "Schrader style" gas connection 500 wherein the gas-specific configuration of the connector is accomplished by geometric indexing, i.e. each gas has a unique shape and size of the barrel 510.
• the disclosed embodiments of the inlet adapter provide a reliable means of configuring a device, such as a ventilator, to accept only one of a possible variety of gases. While the disclosed embodiment of the adapter has two inlets and accepts gas through one inlet while blocking the other inlet, other embodiments of the adapter may have three or more inlets and may be configured to accept gas through more than one of the three or more inlets.
• the machine-detectable indicator that is disclosed as a magnet herein may be any machine-readable element, for example a barcode or 2D matrix positioned to be read by a camera or scanner when the adapter is configured in a certain position.
• FIGS. 1 1 -15 show implementations of adapters having one inlet.
• FIG. 1 1 shows an adapter 1 100.
• the adapter 1 100 has a housing 1 105, an inlet 1 101 extending through the housing 1 105, a machine-detectable or machine-readable indicator 1 120, and a latching component 1 1 10.
• the inlet 1 101 has a first end 1 102 for connecting to a particular fluid source, and a connector 1 103 for connecting to a flow control device 1200 (see in FIG. 12), which may be a flow cassette or other valve system.
• the latching component 1 1 10 which may be a threaded nut that can be screwed by hand, is configured to interface with a threaded connector 1210 of the flow control device 1200.
• the latching component 1 1 10 includes a groove 1 1 12.
• the machine-readable indicator 1 120 may be a tab which includes magnet positions 1 122A, 1 122B, 1 122C, and 1 122D, which may hold one or more magnets in a magnet configuration 125. In some embodiments, one or more magnet positions 1 122 A, 1 122B, 1 122C, and 1 122D may not hold any magnet. Although the magnet positions 1 122A-D may be in a linear arrangement, in other implementations, other arrangements may be used.
• FIG. 12 shows another adapter 1300.
• the adapter 1 101 has a magnet configuration 1 126, which may have magnets in magnet positions 1 122B and 1 122C.
• the magnets may be embedded within the machine-readable indicator 1 120.
• an adapter 1400 has a magnet configuration 1 127, which may have magnets in magnet positions 1 122B and 1 122D.
• the magnet configurations may be detected by a sensor 1220 of the flow control device 1200.
• the sensor 1220 may include magnet sensors 1222A, 1222B, 1222C, and 1222D, which may correspond to the magnet positions 1 122A-D.
• FIG. 13 shows the adapter 1 100 connected to the flow control device 1200, which may be secured by tightening the latching component 1 1 10.
• the sensor 1220 aligns with the machine-readable indicator 1 120.
• the sensor 1220 is configured to detect the magnet configurations of adapters.
• the magnet configurations correspond to specific fluid sources.
• the magnet configuration 1 126 may correspond to heliox
• the magnet configuration 1 127 may correspond to oxygen.
• the inlet 1 101 may be configured for connection to the corresponding fluid source.
• FIG. 14 shows the adapter 1 100 without the latching component 1 1 10.
• the housing 1 105 includes a first protrusion 1 106, and a second protrusion 1 107.
• the housing 1 105 also includes a first pin 1 1 16, and a second pin 1 1 1 8.
• the first and second pins 1 1 16 and 1 1 1 8 are configured to interface with the groove 1 1 12 of the latching component 1 1 10, allowing the latching component 1 1 10 to rotate freely without being separated from the housing 1 105.
• the threaded connector 1210 includes a first notch 1212 and a second notch 1214.
• FIG. 15 further shows the adapter 1 100 and the flow control device 1200.
• a first width 1 108 of the first protrusion 1 106 corresponds to a first width 1213 of the first notch 1212.
• a second width 1 109 of the second protrusion 1 107 corresponds to a second width 1215 of the second notch 1214.
• the first protrusion 1 106 is configured to fit into the first notch 1212, and the second protrusion 1 107 is configured to fit into the second notch 1214. Because the first and second widths are different, the adapter 1 1 00 can only fit into the threaded connector 1210 in one orientation, to mitigate incorrect insertions.
• a distance 1 104 between the inlet 1 101 and the machine-readable indicator 1 120 corresponds to a distance 1221 between the threaded connector 1210 and the sensor 1220 such that the sensor 1220 can detect the machine-readable indicator 1 120.
• the machine-readable indicator 1 120 may be properly aligned with the sensor 1220 when the latching component 1 1 10 is fully tightened.
• an alarm condition may occur.
• pressurized gas may leak, causing an audible notification to the operator.
• the connector 1 103 may be configured to have a length such that the connector 1 103 provides fluid communication with the flow control device 1200 at an intermediate portion along the threaded connector 1210's path when being connected.
• the length of the connector 1 103 extends such that there may be fluid communication even when the latching component 1 1 10 is not fully engaged.
• an audible hissing sound may inform the operator that the supply must be turned off and/or that the adapter 1 100 should be fully removed from the source to limit complications associated with improper removal procedures.
• multiple adapters 1 100 allow a single flow control device 1200 to connect to various fluid sources, rather than having a flow control device for each possible fluid source. Reducing the number of flow control devices may reduce the size of the ventilator.
• the multiple adapters may be tethered to the ventilator in order to prevent misplacement of the adapters.
• top should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference.
• a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference.
• a phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology.
• a disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations.
• a phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa.
• a phrase such as an "embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology.
• a disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments.
• a phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa.
• An adapter for providing fluid from a fluid source to a device comprising: a housing; an inlet extending through the housing for connecting the fluid source to the device, the inlet comprising a first end for connecting to the fluid source and a second end for connecting to the device; a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device; and a machine-readable indicator for identifying the fluid source, the machine-readable indicator extending away from the first end of the inlet and beyond the second end of the inlet.
• the machine-readable indicator comprises a tab comprising a magnet, and wherein a position of the magnet on the tab indicates the fluid source.
• a ventilator comprising: a ventilator housing; a flow control device within the ventilator housing; and a first removable adapter comprising: a first adapter housing; a first inlet extending through the first adapter housing , the first inlet comprising a first adapter end for a first external connection and a first connector end configured to removably connect to the flow control device; a first latching component configured to secure the first adapter to the flow control device; and a first machine-readable indicator for identifying the first external connection, the first machine-readable indicator extending away from the first adapter end of the first inlet and beyond the first connector end of the first inlet.
• first machine-readable indicator comprises a first tab comprising one or more magnets in a first magnet configuration and the second machine-readable indicator comprises a second tab comprising one or more magnets in a second magnet configuration, different than the first magnet configuration.
• An adapter for providing fluid to a device comprising: a housing; an inlet extending through the housing for connecting the fluid source to the device, the inlet comprising a first end for connecting to the fluid source and a second end for connecting to the device; a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device; and a tab comprising one or more embedded magnets positioned in a magnet configuration.

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• 2015
  • 2015-06-26 CA CA2951144A patent/CA2951144A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2015-06-26 WO PCT/US2015/038155 patent/WO2015200877A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-06-26 JP JP2017520763A patent/JP2017522156A/ja active Pending
  • 2015-06-26 MX MX2016015945A patent/MX2016015945A/es unknown
  • 2015-06-26 EP EP15741680.1A patent/EP3160564A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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