Patent · US Expired

Gas flow monitor for anesthetic machines

US3952740A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
6References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 12, 1975
Grant dateApr 27, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 12, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M16/021
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a gas flow monitor for an anesthetic machine which will alert the operator in the event of either a fall in oxygen pressure or any other event leading to an inadequate oxygen flow while other gases are being supplied. The monitor comprises a fluidic OR/NOR logic gate which receives a gaseous anesthetic under pressure as its power stream input. A respiratory gas such as oxygen, is fed to one control stream of the gate and, when an adequate flow thereof exists, a mixture of oxygen and gaseous anesthetic flows through the OR outlet port and is supplied to the breathing circuit. If an insufficient diverting flow of oxygen is present in the control stream, the gaseous anesthetic will be switched by the fluidic gate to flow through the NOR outlet which is connected to activate a pressure electric switch to sound an alarm.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.