Biodegradable air tube and spirometer employing same
US5980466A · kind A · utility
28Cited by
22References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/42
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is an air tube for use in a spirometer. This air tube is disposable and is at least partially, preferably completely, biodegradable, so that is can be economically produced and discarded after use by a single spirometer user. Cross-patient contamination and expensive sterilization procedures are thus avoided. In addition, making this air tube biodegradable allows for the use of plentiful and inexpensive materials of construction, such as cardboard, paper, biodegradable polymers and the like, and reduces the environmental burden caused by disposing of this component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.