JP2017522156A - Fluid inlet adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter for supplying fluid from a fluid supply to the device is described. The adapter has a housing with an inlet that extends through the housing to connect a fluid source to the device. The adapter also includes a latching component that secures the adapter to the device. The adapter further includes a tab having an embedded magnet of a particular magnet configuration. The device has a sensor that can detect a particular magnet configuration. The device can be connected to other adapters and identifies the fluid supply based on the adapter's magnet configuration.

Description

  This application is a continuation-in-part of US Patent Application No. 13/931396, filed June 28, 2013, entitled "FLUID INLEET ADAPTER", and filed on June 28, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Is incorporated herein by reference.

  The present disclosure relates generally to fluid inlet ports, and specifically to a configurable adapter that can receive fluid from either of two sources having different connectors.

  Patients suffering from respiratory injuries such as chronic respiratory failure are provided with a ventilator or ventilator to assist the patient's breathing or, in severe cases, to replace the entire respiratory function There is. Ventilators are usually supplied with pressurized air or other breathing gas during the inhalation interval and pressurized air so that air in the patient's lungs is naturally vented during subsequent exhalation intervals. Is bypassed.

  Prior art ventilators are adapted to receive one or more respiratory gases from an external source, such as “pure oxygen” or “Heliox 80/20” (80% helium, 20% oxygen mixture). May be configured. It is important to configure the ventilator to match the gas being supplied, e.g. oxygen enriched air to the patient as compared to a connection to a source of pure heliox provided to the patient without dilution. To supply, it is connected to a source of pure oxygen and mixed with pressurized air. Prior art ventilators involve the risk that the user may not be able to correctly identify the gas that is actually being supplied because it may be necessary to manually identify the gas that is supplied.

  The fluid inlet adapter of the present disclosure can be configured to receive only one of the two possible fluids simultaneously and can provide a machine-readable indication as to which fluid is currently being received Provide an entrance.

  In certain embodiments, an adapter for supplying fluid to a device from a fluid source is disclosed. The adapter includes a housing and an inlet extending through the housing for connecting a fluid supply to the device. The inlet includes a first end for connecting to a fluid source and a second end for connecting to the device. The adapter includes a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device and a machine readable indicator for identifying a fluid source. The machine readable indicator extends away from the first end of the inlet and beyond the second end of the inlet.

  In certain embodiments, a ventilator is disclosed. The ventilator includes a ventilator housing, a flow control device within the ventilator housing, and a first removable adapter. The first removable adapter includes a first adapter housing and a first inlet extending through the first adapter housing. The first inlet includes 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 includes a first latching component configured to secure the first adapter to the flow control device, and a first machine readable to identify a first external connection. With a simple indicator. The first machine readable indicator extends beyond the first connector end of the first inlet in a direction away from the first adapter end of the first inlet.

  In certain embodiments, an adapter for supplying fluid to the device is disclosed. The adapter includes a housing and an inlet extending through the housing to connect a fluid source to the device. The inlet comprises a first end for connecting to a fluid supply and a second end for connecting to the device. The adapter further includes a tab having a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device and one or more embedded magnets disposed in the magnet configuration.

  In certain embodiments, an adapter is disclosed for selectively supplying fluid to a device from one of a plurality of fluid sources. The adapter includes a body, a first inlet for connecting a first one of the plurality of fluid sources to the device, and a second for connecting a second one of the plurality of fluid sources to the device. Includes two inlets. The first and second inlets are each coupled to the body. The adapter also includes a handle that is movably coupled to the body and includes an access control element. The handle is configured to secure the body to the device when the adapter is in either the first position or the second position rotated 180 ° relative to the first configuration. When the adapter is secured to the device in the first position, the access control element prevents access to the second inlet, and when the adapter is secured to the device in the second position, the access control element is Prevent access to the first inlet.

  In certain embodiments, a ventilator is disclosed having a housing with a fluid pathway and an adapter, the adapter including a body, a first inlet for connecting a first one of the plurality of fluid sources to the device, and A second inlet is included for connecting a second one of the plurality of fluid sources to the apparatus. The first and second inlets are each coupled to the body. The adapter also includes a handle that is movably coupled to the body and includes an access control element. The handle is configured to secure the body to the device when the adapter is in either the first position or the second position rotated 180 ° relative to the first configuration. When the adapter is secured to the device in the first position, the access control element prevents access to the second inlet, and when the adapter is secured to the device in the second position, the access control element is Prevent access to the first inlet.

  In certain embodiments, a method is disclosed, the method comprising a first configuration when it is desirable to configure the ventilator to receive a first gas mixture, or the ventilator receives a second gas mixture. It is disclosed to direct the adapter relative to the ventilator housing in any of the second configurations rotated 180 ° relative to the first configuration when it is desirable to do so. The method also includes a second inlet when the adapter is oriented in the second configuration, such that the first inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid path of the housing when the adapter is oriented in the first configuration. Engaging the adapter with the ventilator docking location so that the fluid path is in fluid communication with the fluid path of the housing. The method also includes activating the handle to secure the adapter to the housing, the handle comprising an access control element, the access control element being a second when the adapter is secured to the housing in the first configuration. Access to the inlet is prevented and access to the first inlet is prevented when the adapter is secured to the housing in the second configuration. The method also includes automatically detecting the location of the machine-detectable indicator with a ventilator sensor, the indicator being first with respect to the housing when the adapter is secured to the housing in the first configuration. When the adapter is fixed to the housing in the second configuration, it is disposed at a second location different from the first location.

  The accompanying drawings, which are included to facilitate a better understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments and Together, the disclosed embodiments are illustrated.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter and apparatus according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of the example fluid inlet adapter of FIG. 3A mated to a docking location on a housing, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates the position of the handle in an exemplary unlatched position according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates the position of the handle in an exemplary latched position in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates an example inlet adapter configured to receive fluid from two different sources, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates an example inlet adapter configured to receive fluid from two different sources, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary connector configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary connector configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary connector configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary connector configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates an adapter having one inlet according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates an adapter having various machine readable indicators and flow control devices in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates an adapter coupled to a flow control device in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a front view of an adapter and connector in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a front view of an adapter and flow control device in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

  It would be advantageous to provide a fluid inlet that can be configured to receive only one of two possible fluids simultaneously and provide a machine readable indication of which fluid is currently being received. .

  In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some of the specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques are not shown in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. In the referenced drawings, elements with similar reference signs are the same or substantially similar.

  Although the discussion herein is directed to supplying oxygen and heliox to the ventilator in a medical environment, the application of the methods and concepts disclosed herein is not limited to this application or field. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inlet adapter of the present invention may be utilized in other fields and applications that use multiple types of fluids as inputs, such as chemical processing.

  1 and 2 are front and back perspective views of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter 100 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. The fluid inlet adapter 100 of FIG. 1 is also referred to herein as “adapter 100” and has two inlets 120, 130 configured to mate with connectors 20, 30 respectively connected to two different fluid sources. A main body 110 having In certain embodiments, the two connectors 20 and 30 may have different configurations, which include attributes such as the presence or absence of screws, keys, etc., and shape. 7 to 10 show examples of connector configurations. A handle 140 is movably coupled to the body 110 and includes an access control element 142. In certain embodiments, the access control element 142 is a divider that extends from the shaft 141, which in this example is perpendicular to the body 110. In FIG. 1, the handle 140 is shown in the latched position, with the access control element 142 in front of the inlet 130, thereby preventing the user from connecting the connector 30 to the inlet 130. In certain embodiments, the access control element 142 is placed in front of the inlet 130. In certain embodiments, the access control element 142 is positioned proximate to the inlet 130, such as adjacent to the side of the inlet 130, preventing attachment of the connector 30 to the inlet 130, and the adapter 100 is shown in FIG. Substantially preventing connection to the inlet 130 when in position. When the adapter 100 is in this position, the inlet 120 is fully accessible and the user can connect the connector 20 to the inlet 120. The body 110 may include one or more fixation holes 111 that engage the pins, struts, or other fixation mechanisms (not shown in FIG. 1A) of the connectors 20, 30.

  FIG. 2 shows the back of the adapter 100. A central plane 101 is defined relative to the body 110 and bisects the body 110. An alignment mechanism 112 extends from the body 110 centered on the central surface 101. Two ports 116 having the same shape are coupled to the main body 110 and are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the central surface 101. The adapter 100 has a first position shown in FIG. 2 and a second position rotated from the first position by 180 ° with respect to the mirror plane. The position of the adapter 100 will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS. The adapter 100 also includes first and second coupling ports 116 placed symmetrically on opposite sides of the central surface 101 on the back of the body 110. The first and second coupling ports 116 are in fluid communication with the first and second inlets 120, 130, respectively. In certain embodiments, the coupling port 116 may be aligned with the first and second inlets 120, 130, respectively. In certain embodiments, the coupling port 116 may be offset from the first and second inlets 120, 130, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the handle 140 includes a latch pin 144 disposed within a securing mechanism, such as a pore 114 formed in the alignment mechanism 112. The latch pin 144 extends outwardly from the portion of the shaft 141 that extends beyond the bottom of the body 110 in this example. The function of the pin latch 144 and how the handle 140 secures the adapter 100 to a device such as a ventilator (not shown) will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

  FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary fluid inlet adapter 100 and apparatus 10 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus 10 has a housing 52 that has a docking station 50 having an alignment pore 66 that is configured to receive the alignment mechanism 112 in this example. In this example, adjacent to the alignment pore 66 is a recess 62 configured to receive the end of the handle 140. Latch pore 64 extends laterally from recess 62 and pin 144 is rotated when handle 140 is rotated so that the pin extends from alignment mechanism 112, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Is configured to engage.

  The housing 52 includes a fluid passage 80 configured to receive a fluid flow. In certain embodiments, device 10 is a ventilator, fluid passage 80 connects to a blower (not shown), and the blower injects fluid from fluid passage 80 to the patient, the manner generally known to those skilled in the art. And will not be described repeatedly here. The fluid passages 80 are aligned pores 66 such that one of the coupling ports 116 is at least partially disposed within the fluid passage 80 when the adapter 100 is secured to the device 10 in the first or second position. Located against. FIG. 3A shows an example adapter 100 secured to the docking station 50 in a first position, and a coupling port 116 in fluid communication with the inlet 120 is also located at least partially within the fluid passageway 80, And in fluid communication therewith. In the second position (not shown in FIG. 3A), the adapter 100 is upside down from the position shown in FIG. 3A, and the coupling port 116 in fluid communication with the inlet 130 is also at least partly in the fluid passage 80. And is in fluid communication with it. In certain embodiments, the coupling port 116 may have a sealing mechanism 118 that is detachable and configured to mate with the fluid passage 80 in a sealing manner, such as an O-ring. The housing also includes a blind hole 54 that receives an unused connection port 116. The docking location 50 may have a recess 56 configured to receive the body 110 such that the front surface of the body 110 is flush with the housing 52. In certain embodiments, the docking location 50 may also have a recess 70 located below the fixation hole 111. The recess 70 may provide clearance for the keying mechanism of the mating connector or may provide a retention function.

  FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of the example adapter 100 mated to the docking location 50 of the housing 52 of FIG. 3A in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. Lower coupling port 116 is partially disposed in fluid passage 80 and upper coupling port 116 is partially disposed in blind hole 54.

  4A and 4B illustrate the position of the handle 140 in an exemplary unlatched and latched position according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4A shows the position of the handle 140 when in the “unlatched” position, which is a suitable position for inserting the alignment mechanism 112 into the alignment pore 66 of the docking station 50. The pins 144 are entirely within the pores 114 so that they do not interfere with the alignment pores 66. When the adapter 100 is fully installed in the docking station 50, the handle 140 can be turned to the position shown in FIG. 4B.

  FIG. 4B shows the “latched” position where the handle 140 has been rotated to engage the pin 144 with the latch aperture 64. When the handle 140 is in this position, the access control element 142 is placed in front of the inlet 130, thereby preventing access to the inlet 130 so that the connector 30 cannot be connected to the inlet 130, while the adapter 100. Is fixed to the device 10 at this position.

  5 and 6 illustrate an exemplary inlet adapter 100 configured to receive fluid from two different sources 20, 30 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows the adapter 100 configured to prevent connection to the inlet 130 while allowing the inlet 120 to accept the connector 20 (not shown in FIG. 5). It can be seen that the machine-detectable indicator 150 is located in a first position, for example, in front of the alignment mechanism 112.

  FIG. 6 shows the adapter 100 with its direction reversed and configured to prevent connection to the inlet 120 while allowing the inlet 130 to receive the connector 30 (not shown in FIG. 6). When the adapter 100 is placed in this position opposite to that of FIG. 5, the machine-detectable indicator 150 is located in a second position, eg, beyond the alignment mechanism 112, which is also in FIG. Is the opposite.

  With respect to the position of the machine detectable indicator 150 of FIGS. 5 and 6, the apparatus 50 includes a first sensor (not shown in FIG. 5) positioned to detect the presence of the sensor at the position of FIG. There may be a second sensor positioned to detect the presence of the sensor at position 6. The use of two sensors can provide an active indication of the position of the adapter 100 and thus an active indication of which gas is being supplied.

  7-10 are diagrams illustrating exemplary connector configurations in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. The adapter 100 may include an inlet configured to receive one of these types of connectors. FIG. 7 shows an “Ohmeda” gas connection 200 where the gas specific connector configuration is made by one or more notches 220 on the exit face 210 and pins 230 on the adapter. The position and / or size of notch 220 and pin 230 may vary based on the gas required.

  FIG. 8 shows a “Chemtron” type gas connection 300 where the connector configuration specific to the gas is the location and shape of the alignment holes 330 that fit into the latch holes 320 and the recesses 340 on the exit surface. Is done by. The position and shape of the latch hole 320 will vary based on the required gas.

  FIG. 9 shows a “diameter-based safety system (DISS)” gas connection 400 where the configuration of the gas-specific connector is made by a gas-specific screw located on the barrel 410. The screw diameter and adapter nipple size may vary based on the gas required.

  FIG. 10 shows a “Schrader” gas connection 500 where the configuration of the connector specific to the gas is done by geometric indexing. That is, the shape and size of the barrel 510 is unique for each gas.

  It can be seen that the disclosed inlet adapter embodiments provide a reliable way of configuring a device such as a ventilator to receive only one of the various possible types of gas. While the disclosed adapter embodiment has two inlets and receives gas from one inlet and closes the other inlet, other embodiments of the adapter may have more than two inlets. It may be configured to receive gas from two or more of the three or more inlets. In addition, the machine-detectable indicator disclosed herein as a magnet may be any machine-readable element, for example, in a position that is read by a camera or scanner when the adapter is configured in a fixed position. It may be a barcode or a two-dimensional matrix.

  FIGS. 11-15 show an adapter implementation with one inlet. FIG. 11 shows the adapter 1100. The adapter 1100 includes a housing 1105, an inlet 1101 extending through the housing 1105, a machine-detectable or machine-readable indicator 1120, and a latching component 1110. The inlet 1101 has a first end 1102 for connection to a particular fluid source and a connector 1103 for connection to a flow control device 1200 (see FIG. 12), the fluid control device being a flow cassette or Other valve systems may be used. The latching component 1110 may be a threaded nut that can be tightened by hand and is configured to contact the threaded connector 1210 of the flow control device 1200. Latch component 1110 includes a groove 1112. Machine readable indicator 1120 may be a tab that includes magnet positions 1122A, 1122B, 1122C, and 1122D, which may hold one or more magnets in magnet configuration 1125. In some embodiments, one or more magnet positions 1122A, 1122B, 1122C, and 1122D may not hold a magnet. Magnet positions 1122A-D are linearly arranged, but other arrangements may be used in other implementations.

  FIG. 12 shows another adapter 1300. The adapter 1101 has a magnet configuration 1126 in which there may be magnets at magnet locations 1122B and 1122C. The magnet may be embedded in a machine readable indicator 1120. As also shown in FIG. 12, the adapter 1400 has a magnet configuration 1127, in which there may be magnets at magnet locations 1122B and 1122D.

  The magnet configuration may be detected by the sensor 1220 of the flow control device 1200. Sensor 1220 may include magnet sensors 1222A, 1222B, 1222C, and 1222D, which may correspond to magnet positions 1122A-D. FIG. 13 shows the adapter 1100 connected to the flow controller 1200 and may be secured by tightening the latch component 1110. Sensor 1220 is aligned with machine readable indicator 1120. Sensor 1220 is configured to detect the magnet configuration of the adapter. The magnet configuration corresponds to a particular fluid source. For example, magnet configuration 1126 may correspond to heliox and magnet configuration 1127 may correspond to oxygen. Inlet 1101 may be configured for connection to a corresponding fluid source. By detecting the magnet configuration, the flow control device 1200 can identify the fluid passing through the flow control device 1200.

  FIG. 14 shows the adapter 1100 without the latching component 1110. The housing 1105 includes a first protrusion 1106 and a second protrusion 1107. The housing 1105 also includes a first pin 1116 and a second pin 1118. The first and second pins 1116 and 1118 are configured to contact the groove 1112 of the latch component 1110 to allow the latch component 1110 to rotate freely without leaving the housing 1105. The threaded connector 1210 includes a first notch 1212 and a second notch 1214.

  FIG. 15 further shows the adapter 1100 and the flow control device 1200. The first width 1108 of the first protrusion 1106 corresponds to the first width 1213 of the first notch 1212. The second width 1109 of the second protrusion 1107 corresponds to the second width 1215 of the second notch 1214. The first protrusion 1106 is configured to fit into the first notch 1212, and the second protrusion 1107 is configured to fit into the second notch 1214. Because the first and second widths are different, the adapter 1100 can fit into the threaded connector 1210 in only one direction, reducing misinsertion. In addition, the distance 1104 between the inlet 1101 and the machine readable indicator 1120 corresponds to the distance 1221 between the threaded connector 1210 and the sensor 1220 so that the sensor 1220 can detect the machine readable indicator 1120. To do. When the latching component 1110 is fully tightened, the machine readable indicator 1120 may be properly aligned with the sensor 1220. An alarm condition occurs when the machine readable indicator 1120 is not properly detected by the sensor 1220, or when the magnet configuration is not known (eg, the magnet is missing or in the wrong magnet position). May be. In addition, when the adapter 1100 is not properly or fully connected, the pressurized gas may leak and generate a notification sound to the operator.

  For example, the length of the connector 1103 may be configured to be in fluid communication with the flow controller 1200 at an intermediate point along the path of the threaded connector 1210 when the connector 1103 is connected. The length of the connector 1103 is such that fluid communication can exist even when the latching component 1110 is not fully engaged. If adapter 1100 is removed, for example by releasing latching component 1110, a hissing noise will occur and the supply must be stopped and / or improper removal procedure with adapter 1100 completely removed from the source The operator may be notified that problems related to the should be limited.

  By using multiple adapters 1100, it is possible to connect a single flow controller 1200 to various fluid sources rather than having a flow controller for each possible fluid source. . By reducing the number of flow controllers, the size of the ventilator can be reduced. Multiple adapters may be moored to the ventilator to prevent adapter misplacement.

  The previous description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to implement various aspects described herein. While the foregoing has described what is considered the best mode and / or other examples, various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are defined herein. It should be understood that the general principles can be applied to other aspects. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to only the aspects shown herein, but are given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, where elements are referenced in the singular. That is not intended to mean “one” unless stated otherwise, and is intended to mean “one or more”. Unless otherwise stated, the terms “a set” and “several” mean one or more. Male pronouns (eg, his) also include female and neutral sex (eg, her and its), and vice versa. To the extent that terms such as “including”, “having”, etc. are used in the description or in the claims, such terms are used to mean “comprising” when “comprising” is used as a bridging word in a claim. Similar to the interpretation of, it is intended to be non-exclusive.

  It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed describes exemplary techniques. It should be understood that a specific order or hierarchy of steps within the process can be reconfigured based on design preferences. Several of the steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

  Terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front” and “back” as used in this disclosure do not refer to a normal gravitational frame of reference, but any reference system Should be understood as a reference. Accordingly, the top surface, the bottom surface, the front surface, and the rear surface may extend upward, downward, diagonally, or horizontally in the gravity reference system.

  Phrases such as “aspect” do not imply that these aspects are necessary for the subject technology or that these aspects apply to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to one aspect may apply to all configurations or to one or more configurations. The phrase “one aspect” may mean one or more aspects and vice versa. Phrases such as "examples" do not imply that these examples are required for the subject technology or that these examples apply to all configurations of the subject technology. . The disclosure relating to one embodiment may apply to all embodiments or to one or more embodiments. The phrase “one embodiment” may mean one or more embodiments and vice versa.

  The word “exemplary” as used herein means “acting as an example or illustration”. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

  Nothing disclosed in this specification is intended to be given to the public regardless of whether the disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. Any claim unless the element is explicitly stated using the phrase "means for" or in the case of a method claim, unless the element is stated using the phrase "step for" Is not interpreted in accordance with the provisions of 35 USC Article 112, sixth paragraph.

  All structural and functional equivalents of the various elements described throughout this disclosure that are known or later known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are It is intended to be encompassed by the claims.

  This specification describes embodiments of the subject technology, and may include at least the following concepts.

  Concept 1. An adapter for supplying fluid from a fluid source to the device, the housing and an inlet extending through the housing for connecting the fluid source to the device, for connecting to the fluid source An inlet with a first end and a second end for connection to the device, a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device, and a machine readable to identify a fluid source And an indicator extending beyond the second end of the inlet in a direction away from the first end of the inlet.

  Concept 2. The adapter of concept 1, wherein the machine readable indicator comprises a tab with a magnet and the position of the magnet on the tab indicates the fluid source.

  Concept 3. Concept 2 adapter with tabs extending parallel to the entrance.

  Concept 4. Concept 2 adapter with magnets embedded in the tabs.

  Concept 5. The adapter of concept 1, wherein the latching component comprises a threaded nut.

  Concept 6. The adapter of concept 5, wherein the housing comprises at least one pin for holding the threaded nut.

  Concept 7. The adapter of concept 5, wherein the threaded nut comprises a groove and is configured such that at least one pin contacts the groove.

  Concept 8. The housing includes a first protrusion having a first width and a second protrusion having a second width, wherein the first width is different from the second width and the adapter connects to the device in one direction. Thus, the adapter of concept 1, wherein the first protrusion is configured to mate with a corresponding first notch of the device and the second protrusion is configured to mate with a corresponding second notch of the device.

  Concept 9. A ventilator comprising a ventilator housing, a flow control device within the ventilator housing, and a first removable adapter, the first removable adapter being a first adapter housing, A first inlet extending through one adapter housing, the first adapter end for a first external connection, and a first inlet configured to removably connect to the flow control device A first inlet comprising a connector end; a first latching component configured to secure the first adapter to the flow control device; and a first machine for identifying a first external connection A readable indicator, wherein the first machine reading extends beyond the first connector end of the first inlet in a direction away from the first adapter end of the first inlet. And a capacity indicator, the ventilator.

  Concept 10. The ventilator of concept 9, wherein the first removable adapter is moored to the ventilator housing.

  Concept 11. The ventilator of concept 9, wherein the machine readable indicator comprises a first tab having a first magnet, and the position of the first magnet on the first tab identifies the first external connection.

  Concept 12. The ventilator of concept 11, wherein the flow control device comprises a sensor configured to detect the position of the magnet.

  Concept 13. The ventilator of concept 9, wherein the first latching component comprises a first threaded nut.

  Concept 14. The ventilator of concept 13, wherein the flow control device comprises a threaded connector configured to contact a first threaded nut.

  Concept 15. The ventilator of concept 13, wherein the first adapter housing comprises at least one pin for holding the first threaded nut.

  Concept 16. 14. The ventilator of concept 13, wherein the threaded nut comprises a groove and is configured such that at least one pin contacts the groove.

  Concept 17. The first adapter housing comprises a first protrusion having a first width and a second protrusion having a second width, and the threaded connector has a first notch having a first width. And a second notch having a second width so that the first protrusion fits into the first notch and the second protrusion fits into the second notch in one direction of the adapter. And the ventilator of concept 14, wherein the first width is different from the second width.

Concept 18. A second removable adapter, wherein the second removable adapter is a second adapter housing, a second inlet extending through the second adapter housing, and a second exterior A second inlet comprising a second adapter end for connection and a second connector end configured to removably connect to the flow control device;
A second latching component configured to secure the second adapter to the flow controller and a second machine readable indicator for identifying a second external connection, the second inlet The ventilator of Concept 9, comprising a second mechanically readable indicator extending beyond the second connector end of the second inlet in a direction away from the second adapter end of the second inlet.

  Concept 19. The first machine readable indicator comprises a first tab having one or more magnets of a first magnet configuration, and the second machine readable indicator is different from the first magnet configuration. 19. The ventilator of concept 18, comprising a second tab having one or more magnets of the following magnet configuration.

  Concept 20. An adapter for supplying fluid to the device, the housing and an inlet extending through the housing for connecting the fluid source to the device, the first end for connecting to the fluid source And an inlet with a second end for connecting to the device, a latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device, and one or more embedded magnets arranged in a magnet configuration An adapter comprising a tab having

Claims (20)

An adapter for supplying fluid from a fluid source to the device,
A housing;
An inlet extending through the housing for connecting the fluid source to the device, a first end for connecting to the fluid source, and a second for connecting to the device An inlet with an end of
A latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device;
A machine readable indicator for identifying the fluid supply, the machine readable extension extending beyond the second end of the inlet in a direction away from the first end of the inlet. An adapter with a simple indicator.   The adapter of claim 1, wherein the machine readable indicator comprises a tab that includes a magnet, and the position of the magnet on the tab indicates the fluid source.   The adapter of claim 2, wherein the tab extends parallel to the inlet.   The adapter of claim 2, wherein the magnet is embedded in the tab.   The adapter of claim 1, wherein the latching component comprises a threaded nut.   The adapter of claim 5, wherein the housing comprises at least one pin for holding the threaded nut.   The adapter of claim 5, wherein the threaded nut comprises a groove, and wherein the at least one pin is configured to contact the groove.   The housing includes a first protrusion having a first width and a second protrusion having a second width, wherein the first width is different from the second width, and the adapter is in one direction. The first protrusion is configured to fit into a corresponding first notch of the device so as to connect to the device, and the second protrusion is connected to a corresponding second notch of the device. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to mate. A ventilator housing;
A flow control device in the ventilator housing;
A ventilator comprising a first removable adapter,
The first removable adapter comprises:
A first adapter housing;
A first inlet extending through the first adapter housing and configured to removably connect to a first adapter end for a first external connection and the flow control device; A first inlet comprising a first connector end;
A first latching component configured to secure the first removable adapter to the flow control device;
A first machine readable indicator for identifying the first external connection, the first inlet of the first inlet in a direction away from the first adapter end of the first inlet; And a first machine readable indicator extending beyond the connector end of the ventilator.   The ventilator of claim 9, wherein the first removable adapter is anchored to the ventilator housing.   10. The machine readable indicator comprises a first tab that includes a first magnet, and the position of the first magnet on the first tab identifies the first external connection. Ventilator.   The ventilator of claim 11, wherein the flow control device comprises a sensor configured to detect a position of a magnet.   The ventilator of claim 9, wherein the first latch component comprises a first threaded nut.   The ventilator of claim 13, wherein the flow controller comprises a threaded connector configured to contact the first threaded nut.   The ventilator of claim 13, wherein the first adapter housing comprises at least one pin to hold the first threaded nut.   The ventilator of claim 13, wherein the first threaded nut comprises a groove and the at least one pin is configured to contact the groove.   The first adapter housing comprises a first protrusion having a first width and a second protrusion having a second width, and the threaded connector has a first width. A second notch having a notch and the second width, wherein the first protrusion fits into the first notch in one direction of the adapter, and the second protrusion is the second. The ventilator of claim 14, wherein the first width is different from the second width to fit in a notch. Further comprising a second removable adapter;
The second removable adapter comprises:
A second adapter housing;
A second inlet extending through the second adapter housing and configured to removably connect to a second adapter end for a second external connection and the flow control device; A second inlet comprising a second connector end;
A second latching component configured to secure the second removable adapter to the flow control device;
A second machine readable indicator for identifying the second external connection, wherein the second inlet second end in a direction away from the second adapter end of the second inlet. 10. A ventilator according to claim 9, comprising a second machine readable indicator extending beyond the connector end of the first machine.   The first machine readable indicator comprises a first tab that includes one or more magnets of a first magnet configuration, and the second machine readable indicator comprises the first magnet configuration and The ventilator of claim 18, comprising a second tab comprising one or more magnets of different second magnet configurations. An adapter for supplying fluid to the device,
A housing;
An inlet extending through the housing for connecting a fluid source to the device, a first end for connecting to the fluid source, and a second for connecting to the device An inlet with an end;
A latching component configured to secure the adapter to the device;
An adapter comprising one or more embedded magnets arranged in a magnet configuration.