Ntc Technology, Inc.

Cascadia Technology Corporation

Physio-control, Inc.

Ric Investments, Inc.

Trimed, Inc.

Novametrix Medical Systems, Inc.

Lawrence L Labuda

Leslie E Mace

Daniel Ward Knodle

Jerry R Apperson

Walter A Cooke

Perry R Blazewicz

James T Russell

David R Rich

Gary M Bang

Gerald R Apperson

Paul K Graham

Joseph Allen Orr

John C Daynes

Michael Brian Jaffe

Scott A Kofoed

Paul W Jones

Gregory A Linstad

Joseph O Sams

Philip F Nuzzo

Apparatus or systems which employ luminescence quenching to produce an oxygen concentration indicative signal. Components of such systems include: (1) an airway adapter, sampling cell, or the like having a sensor which is excited into luminescence with the luminescence decaying in a manner reflecting the concentration of oxygen in gases flowing through the airway adapter or other flow device; (2) a transducer which has a light source for exciting a luminescable composition in the sensor into luminescence and a light sensitive detector for converting energy emitted from the luminescing composition as that composition is quenched into an electrical-signal indicative of oxygen concentration in the gases being monitored; and (3) subsystems for maintaining the sensor temperature constant and for processing the signal generated by the light sensitive detector. Sensors for systems of the character just described, methods of fabricating those sensors, and methods for installing the sensors in the flow device.

Oxygen monitoring apparatus

An integrated airway adapter capable of monitoring any combination of respiratory flow, Oconcentration, and concentrations of one or more of CO, NO, 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 CO, NO, and anesthetic agents.

Multiple function airway adapter

Apparatus or systems which employ luminescence quenching to produce a signal indicative of oxygen concentration. Components of such systems include: an airway adapter, sampling cell, or the like, having a sensor which is excited into luminescence with the luminescence decaying in a manner reflecting the concentration of oxygen in gases flowing through the airway adapter or other flow device; a transducer which has a light source for exciting a luminescable composition in the sensor into luminescence and a light sensitive detector for converting energy emitted from the luminescing composition as that composition is quenched into an electrical signal indicative of oxygen concentration in the gases being monitored; and subsystems for maintaining the sensor temperature constant and for processing the signal generated by the light sensitive detector. Sensors for systems of the character just described, methods of fabricating those sensors, and methods for installing the sensors in the flow device are also described.

Apparatus or systems which employ luminescence quenching to produce an oxygen concentration indicative signal. Components of such systems include: (1) an airway adapter, sampling cell, or the like having a sensor which is excited into luminescence with the luminescence decaying in a manner reflecting the concentration of oxygen in gases flowing through the airway adapter or other flow device; (2) a transducer which has a light source for exciting a luminescable composition in the sensor into luminescence and a light sensitive detector for converting energy emitted from the luminescing composition as that composition is quenched into an electrical signal indicative of oxygen concentration in the gases being monitored; and (3) subsystems for maintaining the sensor temperature constant and for processing the signal generated by the light sensitive detector. Sensors for systems of the character just described, methods of fabricating those sensors, and methods for installing the sensors in the flow device.

Oxygen monitoring and apparatus

A transducer for nondispersive infrared radiation (NDIR) gas analysis and a passive device for verifying the calibration of the transducer. The calibration verification device can be mounted on a cable by which the transducer is attached to an associated signal processing-control-display unit (SPCDU) or monitor. Calibration parameters for the transducer are stored in a plug at the monitor end of the cable. The transducer includes an integrated subassembly of an infrared radiation source unit, an infrared radiation detector unit, and a flex connector and may be employed with an airway adapter preferably maintained by a thick film heating element at an above-dewpoint temperature to ascertain the concentration of a specie potentially present in gases flowing through the adapter. The transducer may also be employed for other purposes.

Infrared radiation detector units and methods of assembling transducers

Gas analyzer systems which include: (1) a transducer for outputting a signal indicative of the concentration of a specified gas in a sample which may contain that gas, and (2) an airway adapter or cuvette with a flow passage for confining the sample to a particular path traversing the transducer. The cuvettes feature radiant energy transmitting windows which are flush mounted in apertures on opposite sides of the cuvette flow passage and are fabricated from a polymer such as biaxially oriented polypropylene which is malleable, yet resistant to wrinkling, warping, and other forms of distortion. Retainer rings keep the windows flat and distortion free with an accurately reproducible spacing between the windows.

Gas analyzer cuvettes

Infrared radiation emitter units for gas analyzers and other applications. The emitter has a substrate with a film of electrically resistive, emissive material on one of its surfaces. The emitter is so mounted on an emitter unit base that it can freely expand as the emitter heats up. A lead frame commutator, employed to electrically connect the emitter to an external power source, also facilitates the assembly of the unit. A component with a plated, parabolic surface collimates and focuses into an appropriate beam the energy generated by the emitter.

Infrared source

A method of and device for calibrating infrared radiation transducers. A concentration factor representing the ratio of a data signal to a reference signal for a known concentration of a designated gas in a sample containing that gas is generated. The concentration factor is stored and used during subsequent calibration procedures. The calibration device has a zero cell and a span cell with windows for transmitting infrared radiation and radiation reflecting or absorbing material in the span cell. The span cell therefore provides a known and consistent level of radiation absorption.

Calibrators for infrared-type gas analyzers

A detector unit which is capable of outputting electrical signals proportional in magnitude to the intensity of that energy in a beam thereof which lies in two different wavelength bands. A beam splitter directs energy in those bands from the entire compass of the beam to a data detector and a reference detector, and bandpass filters and optical traps in front of those detectors ensure that only energy in the selected bands and from the beam reach them. The detectors are mounted in precisely aligned relationship with each other and the beam splitter on, and are electrically isolated from, a monolithic, conductive, isothermal support which allows them to be maintained at the same, selected temperature by a system including data and reference detector heaters and a temperature responsive controller.

Temperature controlled detectors for infrared-type gas analyzers

A transducer for nondispersive infrared gas analysis has heaters for the data and reference detectors to maintain the detectors at a selected temperature. A heater is also provided to heat the casing of an airway adapter associated with the transducer to a temperature high enough to keep condensation from forming. The detector unit is surrounded and electrostatically shielded by a boxlike component with barndoor extensions which are closed to shield the installed detector unit at that end of the shield through which the detector unit is installed. The detector unit, electrostatic shield, and a circuit board which carries power supply and preamplifier circuits are installed in the transducer housing which has separate end closures sealed thereto with a through fastener and internal guides for locating the shielded detector unit in the housing.

Gas analysis transducers with electromagnetic energy detector units

Sampling attachments or systems for infrared gas analyzers of the non-dispersive type. Major components of the system include a sampling device or cuvette, a vacuum pump for effecting a flow of the gases to be analyzed through the cuvette, a microprocessor based pump control, and a switch which is closed and allows the pump to be turned on only if an appropriate sampling cuvette is connected up to the pump. The sampling attachments are designed for medical applications--to provide readings of tidal carbon dioxide, for example. They have a minimally invasive nasal cannula for collecting the gases which are to be subjected to analysis; viz., those exhaled by a patient. These gases are conducted to the cuvette through a line which is gastight but allows moisture to escape, thereby keeping moisture mixed with the gases being analyzed from corrupting the readings outputted by the gas analyzer. The attachment can be easily and quickly disassembled and the components disposed of or sterilized and recycled if they become contaminated. Provision is made for collecting the gases after they have been discharged from the cuvette so that they will not be discharged into and perhaps contaminate the ambient surroundings.

Gas analyzer

Gas analyzers of the non-dispersive infrared radiation type which are designed to measure the concentration of one gas in a mixture of gases containing that gas. An infrared radiation emitter is employed to emit energy at a frequency of 40-100 Hz with a system which includes a source driver and a timer; and a detector is used to intercept the attenuated beam after it has passed through the mixture being analyzed and output a signal indicative of the concentration of the selected gas. Also, a second detector is preferably provided so that a ratioed, error eliminating output signal can be supplied to the failsafe, signal processing circuitry of the analyzer. The detectors are electrically biased by way of flyback transformer based circuitry to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, and the signal processing circuitry can be adjusted to compensate for drift. The detectors are mounted on a thermally conductive substrate along with appropriate filters, a filter frame, and a cover. The signal processing circuitry and an analog-to-digital convertor supply information to a microcomputer which: turns the infrared radiation emitter on and off and controls a heater which keeps the infrared radiation detectors at a constant, precise temperature. The microcomputer also supplies temperature, barometric pressure, and other compensation factors. Typically, a disposable airway adapter with an elongated, flanged casing will be included in the gas analyzer to confine the gases being analyzed to a path having a transverse dimension of precise and specific length and to provide an optical path across that stream of gases between the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared radiation detectors. The emitter and detectors are incorporated in a transducer head which has a U-shaped recess and can be detachably fixed to the airway adapter with a detent arrangement.

Gas analyzers

Gas analyzers of the non-dispersive infrared radiation type which are designed to measure the concentration of one gas in a mixture of gases containing that gas. A novel, electrically modulated, stable, thick film infrared radiation emitter is employed to emit a beam of collimated, focused energy; and two electrically biased detectors are preferably used so that a ratioed, error eliminating output signal can be supplied to the failsafe, signal processing circuitry of the analyzer. The latter, and a conventional analog-to-digital convertor, supply information to a microcomputer which: (1) turns the infrared radiation emitter on and off; (2) controls a heater which keeps the infrared radiation detectors at a constant, precise temperature; and (3) controls displays of a variety of information concerning the gas being measured and the status of the gas analyzer. The microcomputer also accepts ambient temperature, barometric pressure, and other compensation factors. Typically, a disposable airway adapter will be included in the gas analyzer to confine the mixture of gases being analyzed to a path having a transverse dimension of precise and specific length and to provide an optical path across that stream of gases between the infrared radiation emitter and the infrared radiation detectors. The emitter and detectors are incorporated in a transducer head which can be detachably fixed to the airway adapter.

A patient's airway adapter is fitted into a patient's airway, which is a combined breathing air supply and exhaust gas fluid flow passageway. The housing of this patient's airway adapter connects directly to a standard tapered tracheostomy or endotracheal tube connection or standard tapered portions of other fittings, and in turn provides a standard tapered connection to a patient's airway. The main air and gas stream, respectively, going to and from a patient, continues to flow directly through the patient's airway adapter. Samples of the patient's gas are withdrawn through a smaller diameter sampling exhaust port in the housing. The sampled patient's gas, immediately upon leaving the main air and gas stream, passes from the interior of a hollow cylindrical hydrophobic liquid baffle, through the baffle, and then into the sampling cannula enroute to a monitor. This hydrophobic baffle is held in a sealed position within the surrounding housing. Any mucus, sputum, and/or condensed water is kept from entering the smaller diameter sampling exhaust port, and therefore from entering the sampling cannula, as it collects on the inside of a cylindrical hydrophobic liquid baffle. The hydrophobic baffle material is a hydrophobic, hollow cylindrical baffle, having an unobstructed internal diameter in all embodiments.

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Issaquah, WA, United States of America

Lawrence L Labuda