Method and apparatus for self-contained anesthetic gas reclamation
US7644594B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/3606
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering and separating anesthetic gas components from waste anesthetic gases to be purged from a healthcare facility. With minimal reliance on the utility infrastructure and supplies of a healthcare facility, the method and apparatus needs only electrical or mechanical power, a source of waste anesthetic gases, and an atmospheric vent in order to operate. A heat exchanger/condenser, which uses a dedicated heat transfer fluid as a refrigerant, is employed to condense anesthetic gas components from the waste anesthetic gases as either liquid condensates or solid frosts. The warmed heat transfer fluid is cooled in a separate refrigeration unit and recycled back to the heat exchanger/condenser. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a self-contained, packaged unit which can be easily accommodated in a physician's office, small animal clinic, dental office or other healthcare facility requiring effective waste anesthetic gas management.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.