US3592191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of anesthetic agents
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-01-17
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1989-01-17
Abstract
Abstract In a system for administering a volatile inhalation anesthetic agent to a patient at a flow rate that is in excess of the patient''s uptake rate and wherein a portion of the excess anesthetic agent is exhausted from the system, a method and apparatus for recovering the exhausted anesthetic agent. Recovery is effected by collecting the exhausted gas and removing the water vapor either by condensation or with a hygroscopic material. The anesthetic agent is then extracted from the dried gas by a cryogenic process in which the vapors in the anesthetic agent are condensed to a liquid phase or by an absorbent material which is processed later to remove the agent. When employing the condensing process, the anesthetic condensate is collected and may be readmitted directly into the anesthetic system.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/0087; A61M16/009; A61M16/0093; A61M16/22; A61M16/08; A61M16/0808; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/02; A61M2202/0208; A61M2202/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
In a method for administering, to a patient, a gaseous mixture which includes a component of inhalation anesthetic, said gaseous mixture being supplied continuously to the patient along a circular path and at a flow rate that is in excess of the patient''s rate of uptake and wherein a portion of said gaseous mixture which is not taken up by the patient normally is exhausted from said circular path to the atmosphere, a method of recovering the anesthetic agent from said exhausted gaseous mixture comprising: collecting said exhausted portion of said gaseous mixture externally of said circular path; extracting said anesthetic agent from said collected gas externally of said circular path; and, readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent into said circular path to recombine said anesthetic agent with said gaseous mixture that is being supplied to the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a method for administering, to a patient, a gaseous mixture which includes a component of inhalation anesthetic, said gaseous mixture being supplied continuously to the patient along a circular path and at a flow rate that is in excess of the patient''s rate of uptake and wherein a portion of said gaseous mixture which is not taken up by the patient normally is exhausted from said circular path to the atmosphere, a method of recovering the anesthetic agent from said exhausted gaseous mixture comprising: collecting said exhausted portion of said gaseous mixture externally of said circular path; extracting said anesthetic agent from said collected gas externally of said circular path; and, readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent into said circular path to recombine said anesthetic agent with said gaseous mixture that is being supplied to the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of extracting said anesthetic agent is preceded by the step of extracting water vapor from said collected gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of extracting said water vapor from said collected gas comprises: cooling said collected gas to a temperature wherein the water vapor in said gas condenses to the liquid phase.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of cooling said gas to condense said water vapoR comprises: passing said collected gas through a condenser; and maintaining said condenser at a temperature that approximates 0* C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of extracting water vapor from said selected gas comprises: passing said gas through a scrubber having a relatively high affinity for water vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein said scrubber is formed from silica-gel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a method for supplying a gaseous mixture to an uptake station, said gaseous mixture including an inhalation anesthetic agent, the improvement comprising, in combination: supplying a carrier gas to a vaporization station; combining the vaporized phase of said anesthetic agent with said carrier gas at said vaporization station thereby to form a mixture of said carrier gas and anesthetic agent; conducting said gaseous mixture along a first path to said uptake station thereby to enable a patient to inspire a portion of said gaseous mixture as it flows past said uptake station; conducting the uninspired portion of said gaseous mixture and the gases expired by the patient away from said uptake station along a second path; extracting said anesthetic agent from said gas conducted along said second path; and readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent to said vaporization station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
In a method for supplying a gaseous mixture to an uptake station, said gaseous mixture including an inhalation anesthetic agent, the improvement comprising, in combination: supplying a carrier gas to a vaporization station; combining the vaporized phase of said anesthetic agent with said carrier gas at said vaporization station thereby to form a mixture of said carrier gas and anesthetic agent; conducting said gaseous mixture along a first path to said uptake station thereby to enable a patient to inspire a portion of said gaseous mixture as it flows past said uptake station; conducting the uninspired portion of said gaseous mixture and the gases expired by the patient away from said uptake station along a second path; extracting said anesthetic agent from said gas conducted along said second path; and readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent to said vaporization station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a method of supplying a gaseous mixture including a component anesthetic agent by providing a circular path for conducting substantially unidirectional gaseous flow past an induction station at which gases may be inspired from or expired into said circular path and in which a portion of the gaseous mixture expired into said circular path is exhausted from said circular path, the improvement comprising, in combination: supplying a carrier gas to a vaporization chamber which is in communication with said circular path; vaporizing said anesthetic agent at said vaporization station and combining said vaporized anesthetic with said carrier gas thereby to form an anesthetic bearing carrier gas; conducting said gaseous mixture from said vaporization station to said circular path to enable said anesthetic agent to flow to said induction station; collecting that portion of said gaseous mixture which is exhausted from said circular path; extracting the anesthetic agent from said collect gaseous mixture; and readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent into said circular path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a method of supplying a gaseous mixture including a component anesthetic agent by providing a circular path for conducting substantially unidirectional gaseous flow past an induction station at which gases may be inspired from or expired into said circular path and in which a portion of the gaseous mixture expired into said circular path is exhausted from said circular path, the improvement comprising, in combination: supplying a carrier gas to a vaporization chamber which is in communication with said circular path; vaporizing said anesthetic agent at said vaporization station and combining said vaporized anesthetic with said carrier gas thereby to form an anesthetic bearing carrier gas; conducting said gaseous mixture from said vaporization station to said circular path to enable said anesthetic agent to flow to said induction station; collecting that portion of said gaseous mixture which is exhausted from said circular path; extracting the anesthetic agent from said collect gaseous mixture; and readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent into said circular path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined in claim 8 wherein said extracted agent is readmitted at said vaporization station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as defined in claim 8 wherein the step of extracting the anesthetic agent from said collected gaseous mixture is preceded by the step of extracting water vapor from said collected portion of said gaseous mixture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 8 wherein the gas expired into said circular path at said induction station includes a component of carbon dioxide and wherein said method further comprises: eliminating said carbon dioxide from said gas flowing through said circular path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as defined in claim 8 wherein said step of readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent into said circular path comprises: conducting said extracted anesthetic agent to a secondary vaporization station; supplying a carrier gas to said secondary vaporization station; vaporizing said extracted anesthetic agent within said secondary vaporization station thereby to form a secondary mixture of carrier gas and anesthetic agent; and conducting said secondary mixture from said secondary vaporization station into said circular path.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for delivering an inhalation anesthetic agent comprising: circular gas flow conduction means; gaseous exchange means interposed along said circular conduction means for enabling gas to be inspired from and expired into said circular conduction means; means for vaporizing said anesthetic agent and for combining said vaPorized anesthetic agent with a carrier gas, thereby to form a first gaseous mixture; means communicating said vaporizing means with said circular conduction means to enable said first gaseous mixture to flow into and through said circular conduction means; means for effecting substantially unidirectional flow of gas within said circular conduction means in a direction that will cause said first gaseous mixture to flow from said vaporizing means to said gaseous exchange means; means interposed along said circular conduction means downstream of said gaseous exchange means, for exhausting from said circular conduction means a portion of a second gaseous mixture flowing from said exchange means; means for collecting said exhausted second gaseous mixture externally of said circular conduction means; and means for extracting the component of anesthetic agent from said collected, second gaseous mixture while said second gaseous mixture is external of said circular conduction means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
193 words
An apparatus for delivering an inhalation anesthetic agent comprising: circular gas flow conduction means; gaseous exchange means interposed along said circular conduction means for enabling gas to be inspired from and expired into said circular conduction means; means for vaporizing said anesthetic agent and for combining said vaPorized anesthetic agent with a carrier gas, thereby to form a first gaseous mixture; means communicating said vaporizing means with said circular conduction means to enable said first gaseous mixture to flow into and through said circular conduction means; means for effecting substantially unidirectional flow of gas within said circular conduction means in a direction that will cause said first gaseous mixture to flow from said vaporizing means to said gaseous exchange means; means interposed along said circular conduction means downstream of said gaseous exchange means, for exhausting from said circular conduction means a portion of a second gaseous mixture flowing from said exchange means; means for collecting said exhausted second gaseous mixture externally of said circular conduction means; and means for extracting the component of anesthetic agent from said collected, second gaseous mixture while said second gaseous mixture is external of said circular conduction means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13 further comprising: means for readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent into said circular conduction means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent into said circular conduction means comprises: means communicating said anesthetic extracting means with said vaporizing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 13 further comprising: means for extracting water vapor contained within said second gaseous mixture before said anesthetic agent is extracted therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for extracting said water vapor and said anesthetic agent comprises: means for cooling said second gaseous mixture to a temperature wherein substantially all of the water vapor present therein is condensed to the liquid phase; and means for thereafter cooling the remaining components of said second gaseous mixture to a degree wherein said anesthetic agent is condensed into a liquid phase.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for extracting said water vapor from said gaseous mixture comprises a silica-gel scrubber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for extracting said anesthetic agent from said second gaseous mixture comprises: means for cooling said second gaseous mixture to a temperature wherein said anesthetic agent is condensed to its liquid phase.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19 further comprising: means for extracting water vapor contained within said second gaseous mixture before said anesthetic agent is extracted therefrom.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said means for extracting said water vapor comprises: means for cooling said second gaseous mixture to a temperature wherein substantially all of the water vapor present therein is condensed to the liquid phase.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said means for extracting said water vapor from said gaseous mixture comprises a hydroscopic material through which said second gaseous mixture is passed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said means for readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent to said circular conduction means comprises: secondary anesthetic vaporizing means; means for delivery said extracted anesthetic agent to said secondary vaporizing means; means communicating a secondary carrier gas to said secondary vaporizing means, thereby to form a third gaseous mixture; means communicating said third gaseous mixture from said secondary vaporizing means to said circular conduction means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for extracting the component of anesthetic agent from said collected, second gaseous mixture further comprises: means for extracting water vapor contained within said second gaseous mixture at substantially the same time as said extraction of said anesthetIc agent therefrom.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said means for extracting said water vapor and said anesthetic agent at substantially the same time comprises: a condensing chamber; means for communicating said second gaseous mixture to said condensing chamber; means maintaining said chamber at a reduced temperature level at which the water vapor in said second gaseous mixture will freeze immediately into minute ice particles and wherein the anesthetic agent in said second gaseous mixture will condense to the liquid phase; and means for separating said ice particles from said condensed anesthetic agent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said means for separating said ice particles and said condensed anesthetic agent comprises: a filter disposed within and at the bottom of said chamber said filter being adapted to block said ice particles but to enable said anesthetic agent to pass therethrough; and means enabling said filtered anesthetic agent to be collected.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
In apparatus as defined in claim 25 further comprising: means for readmitting said extracted anesthetic agent to said circular conduction means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising: extracting the water vapor from said collected gas at substantially the same time as said extraction of said anesthetic agent therefrom.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as defined in claim 28 wherein said step of extracting said anesthetic agent and said water vapor from said collected gas at substantially the same time comprises: subjecting said collected gas to rapid temperature drop to a degree wherein said water vapor condenses into fine ice particles and wherein said anesthetic agent is condensed to the liquid phase; and separating said solidified ice particles from said condensed anesthetic agent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |