Carefusion 207, Inc.

Bear Medical Systems, Inc.

Finn Sveen

Dan Graboi

John Garriott

Harold U Bartels

Raymond A Ellestad

A constant temperature anemometer is disclosed. The anemometer includes electrically conductive pins including a first set of pins and a second set of pins. A conductor is coupled to the electrically coupled pins. A current source is configured to provide a current through the conductor between the first set of pins. A voltage sensor is configured to measure the voltage across the conductor between the second set of pins. The current source and voltage sensor are configured to maintain a constant resistance of the conductor between the first set of pins.

Constant temperature anemometer

A constant temperature hot-conductor anemometer includes a set of electrically conductive pins including a pair of inner pins and a pair of outer pins. A conductor is electrically and mechanically coupled to the pins. A current source is coupled to the inner pins. The current source is configured to provide a current through the conductor between the inner pins. A voltage sensor is coupled to the outer pins and configured to measure a voltage across the conductor between the outer pins. The current source and voltage sensor are configured to maintain a constant resistance of the conductor between the inner pins. In an example, a second set of pins, a second conductor and a second circuit are also used to measure dynamic temperature of a fluid and also to calibrate resistances at a known ambient temperature.

Constant temperature hot-conductor anemometer

A humidifier system including a humidifier chamber and heater assembly, microprocessor based control circuitry, and a housing for the control circuitry. The humidifier system is adapted to provide air at nearly 100 percent relative humidity and at a predetermined temperature (e.g. 35.degree. C.) to a medical (e.g. critical care) patient. The humidifier chamber includes a continuous spiral heat exchange path which extends between a vapor storage chamber and an outlet of the humidifier chamber at which an air heating tube is connected, so that outgoing air can be delivered to the patient. The vapor storage chamber is interfaced with a ventilator source of incoming air and a relatively small reservoir in which a supply of water is boiled by the heater assembly for providing vapor saturated air from the vapor storage chamber to the heat exchange path. The control circuitry includes a pair of sensors which are responsive to the temperature of the outgoing humidified air at the humidifier chamber outlet and at the patient end of the heating tube. The temperatures sensed are used to control the energization of both the heater assembly and a heating element of the heating tube, so that humidified air can be delivered to the patient at the predetermined temperature and with minimal condensate rainout.

Humidifier system

A directional sensor for the detection of a very feeble effort to breathe on the part of a patient whose breathing needs are under the influence and control of a mechanical ventilator. A self-heated thermistor assembly is mounted in a small diameter sensor tube. A diaphragm and chamber arrangement provides a low volume flow of air in the sensor tube past the thermistor assembly at a high velocity, so that a very small effort to breathe will draw a limited volume of air past the thermistor assembly at a high velocity, causing rapid cooling. The air will flow past the thermistor assembly in a first direction in response to an inhalation effort, and in a second direction in response to an exhalation effort. A heating element is arranged in the tube so that a first temperature-related voltage change is produced across the thermistor assembly when air flow is in the first direction, and a second such temperature-related voltage change is produced when air flow is in the second direction. The first voltage change resulting across the thermistor assembly is utilized to signal a patient effort to inhale and to command the ventilator to furnish an appropriate response, while the second voltage change, signaling an exhalation effort, is used to block such a response.

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Redlands, CA, United States of America

Finn Sveen