Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of attaching an adaptor for a respiration system accessory to a respiration system, said respiration system including a manifold having an accessory access port which includes a normally closed valve therein, and a locking mechanism, said method including the steps of: inserting the adaptor into the accessory access port of the manifold of the respiration system, forcing the normally closed valve in the accessory access port open with the adaptor as the adaptor is inserted into the accessory access port, and locking the adaptor to the manifold by operation of the locking mechanism which allows locking of the adaptor to the manifold in only a single relative orientation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of attaching an adaptor for a respiration system accessory to a respiration system, said respiration system including a manifold having an accessory access port which includes a normally closed valve therein, and a locking mechanism, said method including the steps of: inserting the adaptor into the accessory access port of the manifold of the respiration system, forcing the normally closed valve in the accessory access port open with the adaptor as the adaptor is inserted into the accessory access port, and locking the adaptor to the manifold by operation of the locking mechanism which allows locking of the adaptor to the manifold in only a single relative orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the normally closed valve further includes at least one sealing surface and said step of inserting the adaptor into the accessory access port of the manifold includes positioning at least a portion of the adaptor against the at least one sealing surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the normally closed valve further includes a plurality of sealing surfaces and said step of inserting the adaptor into the accessory access port includes positioning at least a portion of the adaptor against the plurality of sealing surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the step of: attaching the adaptor to a respiration system accessory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 4 in which the adaptor includes a generally hollow tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, said step of attaching the adaptor to a respiration system accessory further includes attaching the distal end of the adaptor to the respiration system accessory, and said step of forcing the normally closed valve in the accessory access port open with the adaptor includes forcing the normally closed valve open with the proximal end of the adaptor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the respiration system accessory is a metered dose inhaler, and said step of attaching a respiration system accessory to the adaptor includes attaching the metered dose inhaler to the adaptor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the respiration system accessory is a mechanical resuscitation bag, and said step of attaching a respiration system accessory to the adaptor includes attaching the mechanical resuscitation bag to the adaptor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 4 further including the step of: passing at least a portion of the respiration system accessory through the adaptor into the manifold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the adaptor further includes a seal through which at least a portion of the respiration system accessory may pass, and said step of passing at least a portion of the respiration system accessory through the adaptor further includes passing a portion of the respiration system accessory through the seal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the respiration system accessory is a suction catheter system which includes a suction catheter, and said step of passing a portion of the respiration system accessory through the seal includes passing a portion of the suction catheter through the seal into the manifold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the adaptor further includes a fluid inlet port adjacent a proximal end thereof and the method further includes the step of: injecting fluid into the adaptor to clean the adaptor and at least a portion of the respiration system accessory attached to the adaptor, and suctioning the injected fluid from the adaptor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the respiration system accessory is a suction catheter system which includes a suction catheter and said step of injecting fluid into the adaptor to clean the adaptor and at least a portion of the respiration system accessory attached to the adaptor further includes injecting fluid into the adaptor to clean at least a portion of a suction catheter.