Bacteria filters with transparent housings

Claim 1

A bacteria filter for use in anesthesiology and respiratory air systems to filter fluid flow at a desired point in a system comprising: an enlarged electrically non-conductive, transparent tubular housing having a passageway therethrough and having at one end a reduced tip; an electrically conductive connector mounted to the reduced tip; an electrically conductive end cap affixed to the end of the housing distal from the reduced tip; the end cap having an opening therethrough terminating in a projecting end cap connector; a filter element mounted in the housing; an electrically conductive portion extending between the end cap and the electrically conductive connector to provide an electrically conductive pathway from end to end of the filter including the space occupied by the transparent housing; the connector and the projecting end cap connector being adapted to be mounted within a fluid flow system to permit fluid communication with the interior of the housing so that fluid flowing through the system passes in one end of the housing, through the filter element and out of the other end; the connector, the housing and the end cap being arranged in a series relationship with means between the connector and the projecting end cap providing a fluid flow from said system through one end of the housing, through the filter element and out of the other end and the electrically conductive portion being a conductive strip extending from end to end of the series relationship and being mounted entirely on the interconnected housing, connector, and end cap independent of external supporting structure; the electrically conductive portion extending between the end cap and the electrically conductive connector being an elongated post having stop means on each end; a web extending inwardly from the end cap and a similar web extending inwardly on the electrically conductive connector with each web positioned for resiliently removable reception of the stop means to thereby provide a snap-in interengagement between the stop means on the post and web and the webs and post being electrically conductive to provide the continuous electrical path from end to end of the filter; and the post having a conductive laterally extending wall intermediate its ends to engage with one end of a filter element and cooperate with the end cap in retaining the filter element in position.