Patent US5228436A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5228436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proximal fluid trap
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-08-12
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2012-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for trapping condensation such as condensed water vapor and moisture from a gas directing tube in a single piece unit is disclosed. The device is particularly useful with respiratory therapy machines. The present invention allows condensation to travel in only one direction and includes at least one inlet pipe and at least one outlet pipe connected to the gas directing tube. A fluid reservoir is formed between the interior wall of the inlet pipe or pipes and the exterior wall of the extended internal portion of the outlet pipe or pipes. The external and internal portions of the device may be altered in shape and size for use in different applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel C. Parkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/08; A61M16/0808; A61M16/0816; A61M16/0833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A device in the form of a single piece unit for trapping condensation such as condensed water vapor and moisture from a gas directing tube to prevent the condensation from moving in one direction but allowing said condensation to freely move in the opposite direction, comprising: a housing defining a chamber having exterior side walls; at least one inlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber; and at least one outlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber, said outlet pipe having an inner extension which intersects said exterior side walls of the chamber and projects inwardly into said chamber to an inner end, with said inwardly projecting, inner extension having a wall which is continuous and fluid tight from said inner end to its intersection with the exterior side walls of the chamber, thereby forming a fluid reservoir between the exterior side walls of the chamber and the inner extension of the outlet pipe; said inner extension of the outlet pipe defining an airway having a smooth inner surface with no lip or other radially inwardly extending protrusion which would restrict the free flow of gas through said outlet pipe.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A device in the form of a single piece unit for trapping condensation such as condensed water vapor and moisture from a gas directing tube to prevent the condensation from moving in one direction but allowing said condensation to freely move in the opposite direction, comprising: a housing defining a chamber having exterior side walls; at least one inlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber; and at least one outlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber, said outlet pipe having an inner extension which intersects said exterior side walls of the chamber and projects inwardly into said chamber to an inner end, with said inwardly projecting, inner extension having a wall which is continuous and fluid tight from said inner end to its intersection with the exterior side walls of the chamber, thereby forming a fluid reservoir between the exterior side walls of the chamber and the inner extension of the outlet pipe; said inner extension of the outlet pipe defining an airway having a smooth inner surface with no lip or other radially inwardly extending protrusion which would restrict the free flow of gas through said outlet pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the inner extension of the outlet pipe has substantially the same diameter as the outlet pipe and wherein the inner extension is aligned with the inlet pipe so as to contribute to unrestricted air flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 having two inlet pipes in a U-shaped configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 having two inlet pipes in a Y-shaped configuration.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for trapping condensation from a gas directing tube between a patient and a respiratory machine connected by gas directing tube means to a patient tube proximal to a patient, said method comprising: (a) providing a housing defining a chamber having exterior side walls in the position of the patient tube proximal to the patient; (b) providing at least one inlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber; and (c) providing at least one outlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber, said outlet pipe having an inner extension which intersects said exterior side walls of the chamber and projects inwardly into said chamber to an inner end, with said inwardly projecting, inner extension having a wall which is continuous and fluid tight from said inner end to its intersection with the exterior side walls of the chamber, thereby forming a fluid reservoir between the exterior side walls of the chamber and the inner extension of the outlet pipe, said inner extension of the outlet pipe defining an airway having a smooth inner surface with no lip or other radially inwardly extending protrusion which would restrict the free flow of gas through said outlet pipe.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for trapping condensation from a gas directing tube between a patient and a respiratory machine connected by gas directing tube means to a patient tube proximal to a patient, said method comprising: (a) providing a housing defining a chamber having exterior side walls in the position of the patient tube proximal to the patient; (b) providing at least one inlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber; and (c) providing at least one outlet pipe in said housing opening to said chamber, said outlet pipe having an inner extension which intersects said exterior side walls of the chamber and projects inwardly into said chamber to an inner end, with said inwardly projecting, inner extension having a wall which is continuous and fluid tight from said inner end to its intersection with the exterior side walls of the chamber, thereby forming a fluid reservoir between the exterior side walls of the chamber and the inner extension of the outlet pipe, said inner extension of the outlet pipe defining an airway having a smooth inner surface with no lip or other radially inwardly extending protrusion which would restrict the free flow of gas through said outlet pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5 which further includes providing the inner extension of the outlet pipe with substantially the same diameter as the outlet pipe and wherein the inner extension is aligned with the inlet pipe so as to contribute to unrestricted air flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 which further includes providing two inlet pipes in a U-shaped configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 which further includes providing two inlet pipes in a Y-shaped configuration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |