Multiple function airway adapter

US7335164B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• NTC Technology, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Leslie E. Mace · Mercer Island, US
• Lawrence L. Labuda · Issaquah, US
• Perry R. Blazewicz · Tacoma, US
• David R. Rich · Glastonbury, US
• Michael B. Jaffe · Cheshire, US
• Joseph Orr · Park City, US
• Scott A. Kofoed · Salt Lake City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 24, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 26, 2008
• Expiry date: Feb 8, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2021/6432
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An integrated airway adapter capable of monitoring any combination of respiratory flow, O2 concentration, and concentrations of one or more of CO2, N2O, and an anesthetic agent in real time, breath by breath. Respiratory flow may be monitored with differential pressure flow meters under diverse inlet conditions through improved sensor configurations which minimize phase lag and dead space within the airway. Molecular oxygen concentration may be monitored by way of luminescence quenching techniques. Infrared absorption techniques may be used to monitor one or more of CO2, N2O, and anesthetic agents.