US6155252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for directing air flow within an intubated patient
Assignee: The University of Texas System
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Filing: 1998-06-15
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Granted: 2000-12-05
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Expires: 2018-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A novel method and apparatus for directing air flow and for removing internal secretions within an intubated patient is disclosed. In broad respects, the invention disclosed is an air conduit assembly positionable within a patient having an inhalation gas pathway and a separate exhalation gas pathway, so that with each successive burst of exhalation gasses forces secretions progressively out of the patient through the separate exhalation gas pathway. The air conduit may be a variety of air conduits positionable within a patient, including an endotracheal tube and a tracheostomy tube. Also disclosed is a novel apparatus and methods for performing partial liquid ventilation of an intubated patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Davidson Warters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/20; A61M16/208; A61M1/00; A61M1/69; A61M16/04; A61M16/0402; A61M16/042; A61M16/0465; A61M16/0468; A61M16/201; A61M16/0475; A61M16/0477; A61M16/0484; A61M16/08; A61M16/0808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An air flow assembly for directing air flow within a patient to facilitate partial liquid ventilation and removal of secretions from within the patient without aspiration, said assembly comprising: an air conduit positionable within a patient and configured to deliver an oxygen exchange fluid, the air conduit having an inspiratory pathway and an expiratory pathway formed within said air conduit; a conduit coupling assembly including a housing having an upper and a lower port; and air flow control means disposed within said housing for directing inhalation gasses through said inspiratory pathway and for allowing exhalation gasses to pass through said expiratory pathway to force secretions out of said patient through said expiratory pathway without aspiration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An air flow assembly for directing air flow within a patient to facilitate partial liquid ventilation and removal of secretions from within the patient without aspiration, said assembly comprising: an air conduit positionable within a patient and configured to deliver an oxygen exchange fluid, the air conduit having an inspiratory pathway and an expiratory pathway formed within said air conduit; a conduit coupling assembly including a housing having an upper and a lower port; and air flow control means disposed within said housing for directing inhalation gasses through said inspiratory pathway and for allowing exhalation gasses to pass through said expiratory pathway to force secretions out of said patient through said expiratory pathway without aspiration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The air flow assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inspiratory inlet tube coupled to said inspiratory pathway and an expiratory outlet tube coupled to the expiratory pathway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The air flow assembly of claim 2, wherein the inspiratory inlet tube is integrally formed with the inspiratory pathway and the expiratory outlet tube is integrally formed with the expiratory pathway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air flow assembly of claim 1, wherein the inspiratory pathway and the expiratory pathway are formed by a longitudinal partition positioned to divide the air conduit into separate portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The air flow assembly of claim 4, wherein the partition divides the air conduit into substantially equal separate portions, forming the inspiratory pathway and the expiratory pathway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The air flow assembly of claim 4, wherein the partition is a flexible partition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The air flow assembly of claim 4, wherein the partition is a rigid partition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The air flow assembly of claim 1, wherein said air conduit is tracheostomy tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The air flow assembly of claim 1, wherein the inspiratory pathway and the expiratory pathway are formed by separate tubes within the air conduit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for performing partial liquid ventilation of a patient and for removing secretions from lungs of the patient, comprising: intubating a patient with an air conduit having an inspiratory pathway and a separate expiratory pathway; filling at least a portion of the patient's lungs with an oxygen exchange fluid; directing a gas down said inspiratory pathway under flow conditions sufficient to allow gas exchange with the oxygen exchange fluid; allowing exchanged gas to exit the patient's lungs through said expiratory pathway and to move secretions within the lungs up the expiratory pathway; and separating the secretions from the exchanged gas at a proximal end of the expiratory pathway.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for performing partial liquid ventilation of a patient and for removing secretions from lungs of the patient, comprising: intubating a patient with an air conduit having an inspiratory pathway and a separate expiratory pathway; filling at least a portion of the patient's lungs with an oxygen exchange fluid; directing a gas down said inspiratory pathway under flow conditions sufficient to allow gas exchange with the oxygen exchange fluid; allowing exchanged gas to exit the patient's lungs through said expiratory pathway and to move secretions within the lungs up the expiratory pathway; and separating the secretions from the exchanged gas at a proximal end of the expiratory pathway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said intubating step comprises: inserting an air conduit within said patient; and inserting an insertable flow control assembly within said air conduit to define with said air conduit said inspiratory pathway and said separate expiratory pathway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the oxygen exchange fluid is a perfluorocarbon fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said air conduit is tracheostomy tube.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for performing partial liquid ventilation of a patient and for removing secretions from lungs of the patient, comprising: intubating a patient with an air flow assembly having a separate inspiratory pathway and a separate expiratory pathway, the air flow assembly comprising an air conduit positionable within a patient, the air conduit having the inspiratory pathway and the expiratory pathway formed within the air conduit by a longitudinal partition positioned to divide the air conduit into separate portions with an inspiratory inlet tube coupled to said inspiratory pathway and an expiratory outlet tube coupled to the expiratory pathway; filling at least a portion of the patient's lungs with an oxygen exchange fluid; directing a gas down said inspiratory pathway under flow conditions sufficient to allow gas exchange with the oxygen exchange fluid; allowing exchanged gas to exit the patient's lungs through said expiratory pathway and to move secretions within the lungs up the expiratory pathway; and separating the secretions from the exchanged gas at a proximal end of the expiratory pathway.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
172 words
A method for performing partial liquid ventilation of a patient and for removing secretions from lungs of the patient, comprising: intubating a patient with an air flow assembly having a separate inspiratory pathway and a separate expiratory pathway, the air flow assembly comprising an air conduit positionable within a patient, the air conduit having the inspiratory pathway and the expiratory pathway formed within the air conduit by a longitudinal partition positioned to divide the air conduit into separate portions with an inspiratory inlet tube coupled to said inspiratory pathway and an expiratory outlet tube coupled to the expiratory pathway; filling at least a portion of the patient's lungs with an oxygen exchange fluid; directing a gas down said inspiratory pathway under flow conditions sufficient to allow gas exchange with the oxygen exchange fluid; allowing exchanged gas to exit the patient's lungs through said expiratory pathway and to move secretions within the lungs up the expiratory pathway; and separating the secretions from the exchanged gas at a proximal end of the expiratory pathway.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the oxygen exchange fluid is a perfluorocarbon fluid.
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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) | 2003-12-05 | 2004-06-05 | 2004-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-05 | 2008-06-05 | 2008-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-05 | 2012-06-05 | 2012-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |