Apparatus for separating a liquid component from exhalation air to be delivered to an analyzing unit

Claim 3

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said filter (20) is comprises of a fibrous material.

Claim 4

An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 characterized in that said filter (20) has a mean fiber diameter of at least 50 μm.

Claim 5

An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that said filter (20) is located adjacent to the gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall (11).

Claim 6

An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that said filter (20) and said gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall (11) are in contact with each other.

Claim 7

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that said filter allows both said first portion of the gas and the second portion of the gas to flow therethrough.

Claim 8

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said filter (20) is located adjacent to the gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall (11).

Claim 9

An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that said filter (20) and said gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall (11) are in contact with each other.

Claim 10

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said filter (20) is located in the first chamber means (10).

Claim 11

An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, characterized in that said filter (20) fills the first chamber means (10) in a cross-sectional direction of said first chamber means.

Claim 12

An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, characterized in that said filter (20) fills the first chamber means (10) entirely.

Claim 13

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the filter covers at least partially a surface of said gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall (11) facing said first chamber means (10).

Claim 14

An apparatus as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that a surface of said gas-impermeable, liquid-impermeable wall faces said first chamber means and the filter covers that portion of the surface of said gas-permeable wall (11) facing said first chamber means (10) that enables a sufficient amount of said second gas portion to be passed through said gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall.

Claim 15

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that an filter covers the entire surface of said wall (11), which faces said first chamber means (10).

Claim 16

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said filter (20) is electrically charged.

Claim 17

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the filter (20) is formed of a material that does not substantially absorb liquid.

Claim 18

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the material forming the filter contains a polymer.

Claim 19

An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, characterized in that the material forming the filter comprises polypropylene material.

Claim 20

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said wall (11) comprises a porous material, which is substantially impermeable to a liquid component but permeable to gas.

Claim 21

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including receiving means coupled to said first chamber means for receiving the first portion of the gas.

Claim 22

The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said receiving means includes a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall through which said first portion of said gas passes for discharge from said receiving means.

Claim 23

An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further defined as including at least one said analyzing unit coupled to said second chamber means to form patient monitoring apparatus.

Claim 24

Apparatus for separating an entrained liquid component from a gas comprising: first chamber means for receiving the gas having the liquid component entrained therein; second chamber means (12) downstream of said first chamber means in a gas flow path through said apparatus, said second chamber means delivered gas with the liquid component separated therefrom; a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall (11) separating said first and second chamber means and through which gas passes from said first chamber means to said second chamber means; means for dividing the gas received in said first chamber means into a first portion which is discharged from said first chamber means and a second portion which passes through said wall, said dividing means including means (6) for applying a vacuum to said first and second chamber means; a filter (20) upstream of said wall along the gas flow path of said apparatus through which liquid material entrained in the gas flows, said filter separating said entrained liquid material from the gas; and receiving means (15) coupled to said first chamber means for receiving the first portion of the gas discharged from said first chamber means and said entrained liquid material.

Claim 25

Apparatus for separating an entrained liquid component from a gas comprising: first chamber means for receiving the gas having the liquid component entrained therein; second chamber means (12) downstream of said first chamber means in a gas flow path through said apparatus, said second chamber means delivered gas with the liquid component separated therefrom; a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall (11) separating said first and second chamber means and through which gas passes from said first chamber means to said second chamber means; means for dividing the gas received in said first chamber means into a first portion which is discharged from said first chamber means and a second portion which passes through said wall, said dividing means including means (6) for applying a vacuum to said first and second chamber means; a filter (20) upstream of said wall along the gas flow path of said apparatus through which liquid material entrained in the gas flows, said filter separating said entrained liquid material from the gas; and receiving means (15) coupled to said first chamber means for receiving the first portion of the gas discharged from said first chamber means and said entrained liquid material.

Claim 26

The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said receiving means includes a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable wall through which said first portion of said gas passes for discharge from said receiving means.