General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems Information Technologies Gmbh

Douglas Kirk Bottom

John Klaus

Steven Alan Jandl

Clifford G Kersey

A medical vaporizer is provided. In one embodiment, dual-purpose sensors are employed, such as in a configuration in which one is positioned in the mixed gas flow channel and one is positioned in the main gas flow channel. The sensors provide measurements that may be used to determine both gas flow and gas concentration in the mixed and main gas channels, even when the identity and/or properties of the gas in the main gas channel are unknown. The measurements derived from the dual-purpose sensors may be used to measure and report the total anesthetic being delivered at the vaporizer output and/or improve vaporizer accuracy.

Medical vaporizer with carrier gas characterization, measurement, and/or compensation

A system for pressurizing liquid is described herein. The system may include a liquid reservoir and a pump coupled to the liquid reservoir, the pump to draw liquid from the liquid reservoir. A compliant volume coupled to the pump receives liquid from pump. The compliant volume is composed of an elastic material to increase pressure of the liquid. A valve coupled to the compliant volume receives pressurized liquid from the compliant volume.

Anesthesia compliant volume system and method

A medical gas mixer is provided. In one embodiment, dual-purpose sensors are employed, such as in a configuration in which one is positioned in the mixed gas flow channel and one is positioned in the main gas flow channel. The sensors provide measurements that may be used to determine both gas flow and gas concentration in the mixed and main gas channels, even when the identity and/or properties of the gas in the main gas channel are unknown.

Gas mixer incorporating sensors for measuring flow and concentration

The present application includes an independent and redundant measurement of anesthetic concentration, based on acoustic time-of-flight measurements, added to an anesthetic vaporizer. The redundant anesthetic concentration measurement is used to make the vaporizer inherently safe by design and monitor true vaporizer empty. Further, using an acoustic wave splitting technique and the time-of-flight measurements, the flows at the vaporizer inlet and outlet are computed. The flow measurements are used to monitor carrier gas loss, anesthetic consumption, and anesthetic delivery time remaining and provide such information to the vaporizer operator.

Medical vaporizer and method of monitoring of a medical vaporizer

An anesthetic vaporizer and a method of control thereof includes measuring a composition of the carrier gas with a first sensor and measuring a composition of a combined gas with a second sensor, and using these values with a controller to operate a flow valve for the regulation of the flow of an anesthetic agent into the combined gas.

Medical vaporizer and method of control of a medical vaporizer

A cassette for vaporization of anesthetic agent for delivery to a patient is arranged to be received by an anesthesia machine which has control mechanisms for controlling vaporization of the agent. In a preferred arrangement, the cassette includes a housing for receiving, containing and emitting anesthetic agent. A sensor, such as a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is embedded in the housing for obtaining a value of the agent contained in the reservoir. The sensor is operatively connected to the reservoir to obtain an accurate value of the agent. A communication link is provided between the sensor and the control mechanisms of the anesthesia machine when the cassette is received by the anesthesia machine. The cassette thus provides a simplified arrangement that efficiently and accurately provides values of the anesthetic agent being vaporized in the reservoir.

Anesthetic agent cassette for an anesthesia machine

An anesthetic agent cassette is provided for selectively communicating with an anesthesia machine using either analog or digital communication techniques. The anesthetic agent cassette includes an input contact that receives an input signal from an anesthesia machine. Based upon the input signal, the control circuit in the anesthetic agent cassette determines whether the anesthetic agent cassette is coupled to an anesthesia machine that utilizes either digital communication or analog communication. The anesthetic agent cassette includes an output circuit that selectively connects either a digital output line or an analog output line to a single output contact.

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Watertown, WI, United States of America

Douglas Kirk Bottom