US5156159A — CO2 diagnostic monitor with rupturable container

Claim 1

Independent Claim 149 words

A self-contained diagnostic monitor for screening the CO 2 content of a gas exiting a patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation comprising: a plurality of portions of compositions having an initial pH in solution above about 3.8 and which substantially change color in solution in response to exposure to CO 2 , each of said composition portions being within a reservoir constructed substantially of a substantially transparent material for exteriorly viewing said color change; an opening adapted for communication only with said gas exiting and entering said patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation; and a plurality of semipermeable membrane portions which are permeable to CO 2 , each membrane portion separating at least one composition portion from said exiting and entering gases, and wherein said plurality of composition portions require a different time of exposure of CO 2 to effect said change in pH thereby causing said color change.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 149 words

A self-contained diagnostic monitor for screening the CO 2 content of a gas exiting a patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation comprising: a plurality of portions of compositions having an initial pH in solution above about 3.8 and which substantially change color in solution in response to exposure to CO 2 , each of said composition portions being within a reservoir constructed substantially of a substantially transparent material for exteriorly viewing said color change; an opening adapted for communication only with said gas exiting and entering said patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation; and a plurality of semipermeable membrane portions which are permeable to CO 2 , each membrane portion separating at least one composition portion from said exiting and entering gases, and wherein said plurality of composition portions require a different time of exposure of CO 2 to effect said change in pH thereby causing said color change.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 46 words

The monitor of claim 1 further comprising a solid inert substrate for each composition portion having a construction which enhances the viewing of said color change, each substrate maintaining the dimensions of a corresponding one composition portion substantially constant irrespective of the orientation of said monitor.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The monitor of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of composition portions has a different initial pH.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 35 words

The monitor of claim 1 wherein each composition portion is a liquid and is sealed in a fluid tight, removable wrapper to prevent dessication of each composition portion prior to use thereof in said intubation.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The monitor of claim 1 wherein at least one composition portion is non-liquid and further comprising means for introducing a liquid solvent to said composition prior to or during said intubation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The monitor of claim 1 wherein said at least one composition is a buffered solution of bromothymol blue and phenolphthalein.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The monitor of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of composition portions is separated from said exiting gas by semipermeable membranes having differing thicknesses.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

The monitor of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of composition portions is separated from said exiting gas by semipermeable membranes having differing CO 2 permeabilities.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The monitor of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of composition portions is separated from said exiting gas by semipermeable membranes having differing surface areas.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 172 words

In an endotracheal or esophageal intubation system containing means through which gases exit the patient during said intubation, the improvement comprising a self-contained diagnostic monitor for screening the CO 2 content of a gas exiting said patient during said intubation comprising: a plurality of portions of a composition having an initial pH in solution above about 3.8 and which substantially change color in solution in response to exposure to CO 2 , each of said composition portions being within a reservoir constructed substantially of a substantially transparent material for exteriorly viewing said color change in said at least one composition; an opening adapted for communication only with said gases exiting and entering during said intubation; and a plurality of semipermeable membrane portions which are permeable to CO 2 , each membrane portion separating said at least one composition portion from said exiting and entering gases, and wherein said plurality of composition portions require a different time of exposure to CO 2 to effect said change in pH thereby causing said color change.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 172 words

In an endotracheal or esophageal intubation system containing means through which gases exit the patient during said intubation, the improvement comprising a self-contained diagnostic monitor for screening the CO 2 content of a gas exiting said patient during said intubation comprising: a plurality of portions of a composition having an initial pH in solution above about 3.8 and which substantially change color in solution in response to exposure to CO 2 , each of said composition portions being within a reservoir constructed substantially of a substantially transparent material for exteriorly viewing said color change in said at least one composition; an opening adapted for communication only with said gases exiting and entering during said intubation; and a plurality of semipermeable membrane portions which are permeable to CO 2 , each membrane portion separating said at least one composition portion from said exiting and entering gases, and wherein said plurality of composition portions require a different time of exposure to CO 2 to effect said change in pH thereby causing said color change.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 46 words

The system of claim 10 further comprising a solid inert substrate for each composition portion having a construction which enhances the viewing of said color change, each substrate maintaining the dimensions of a corresponding one composition portion substantially constant irrespective of the orientation of said monitor.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of compositions has a different initial pH.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 10 wherein each composition portion is a liquid and said monitor is sealed in a fluid tight, removable wrapper to prevent dessication of each composition portion prior to use thereof in said intubation.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 31 words

The system of claim 10 wherein at least one composition portion is non-liquid and further comprising means for introducing a liquid solvent to said composition prior to or during said intubation.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

The monitor of claim 10 wherein said at least one composition is a buffered solution of bromothymol blue and phenolphthalein.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of composition portions is separated from said exiting gas by semipermeable membranes having the same or differing thicknesses.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of composition portions is separated from said exiting gas by semipermeable membranes having the same or differing CO 2 permeabilities.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of composition portions is separated from said exiting gas by semipermeable membranes having the same or differing surface areas.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 10 having a magnifying lens positioned thereon to enhance viewing of said color change.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 10 having a condensing lens positioned thereon to enhance viewing of said color change.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 159 words

In a method for monitoring the CO 2 content of gases exiting a patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation, the improvement comprising contacting said exiting gases with a self-contained CO 2 diagnostic monitor integral with a breathing circuit piece, said monitor comprising: 1) a reservoir for containing at least one composition which substantially changes color in solution in response to CO 2 , said reservoir having an opening adapted for communication only with said entering and exiting gases during said intubation; and 2) a semipermeable membrane which is permeable to CO 2 , said membrane separating said at least one composition from said entering and exiting gases; upon or immediately prior to contacting said exiting gases with the monitor, rupturing a container part of said monitor by connecting said breathing circuit piece to another breathing circuit piece such that a liquid will flow to adjacent said semipermeable membrane to activate the monitor; and viewing said at least one composition.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 159 words

In a method for monitoring the CO 2 content of gases exiting a patient during endotracheal or esophageal intubation, the improvement comprising contacting said exiting gases with a self-contained CO 2 diagnostic monitor integral with a breathing circuit piece, said monitor comprising: 1) a reservoir for containing at least one composition which substantially changes color in solution in response to CO 2 , said reservoir having an opening adapted for communication only with said entering and exiting gases during said intubation; and 2) a semipermeable membrane which is permeable to CO 2 , said membrane separating said at least one composition from said entering and exiting gases; upon or immediately prior to contacting said exiting gases with the monitor, rupturing a container part of said monitor by connecting said breathing circuit piece to another breathing circuit piece such that a liquid will flow to adjacent said semipermeable membrane to activate the monitor; and viewing said at least one composition.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 180 words

In an endotracheal or esophageal intubation system containing a breathing circuit with means through which gases exit the patient during said intubation, the improvement comprising a self-contained diagnostic monitor for screening the CO 2 content of a gas exiting said patient during said intubation comprising: 1) a reservoir containing at least one portion of a composition which substantially changes color in solution in response to exposure to CO 2 , said reservoir having an opening adapted for communication only with said gases exiting and entering during said intubation; and 2) a semipermeable membrane which is permeable to CO 2 , said membrane separating said at least one composition from said exiting and entering gases, and wherein said monitor is integral with a breathing circuit piece and includes a container part which is rupturable to allow a liquid within the container part to flow to adjacent said semipermeable membrane to activate the monitor; said container part projecting from said breathing circuit piece such that said container part ruptures automatically when said breathing circuit piece is connected to another breathing circuit piece.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 180 words

In an endotracheal or esophageal intubation system containing a breathing circuit with means through which gases exit the patient during said intubation, the improvement comprising a self-contained diagnostic monitor for screening the CO 2 content of a gas exiting said patient during said intubation comprising: 1) a reservoir containing at least one portion of a composition which substantially changes color in solution in response to exposure to CO 2 , said reservoir having an opening adapted for communication only with said gases exiting and entering during said intubation; and 2) a semipermeable membrane which is permeable to CO 2 , said membrane separating said at least one composition from said exiting and entering gases, and wherein said monitor is integral with a breathing circuit piece and includes a container part which is rupturable to allow a liquid within the container part to flow to adjacent said semipermeable membrane to activate the monitor; said container part projecting from said breathing circuit piece such that said container part ruptures automatically when said breathing circuit piece is connected to another breathing circuit piece.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 22 wherein said liquid is a solvent which activates a dry indicator disposed adjacent to said semipermeable membrane.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 22 wherein said container part is integral with the adapter for an intubation tube.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 24 wherein said container part is on an outer periphery of said adapter.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-10-20	1996-04-20	1996-10-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-10-20	2000-04-20	2000-10-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-10-20	2004-04-20	2004-10-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

CO2 diagnostic monitor with rupturable container

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