Patent Application
20230191306
The invention relates to breathing tube filters, and more particularly, breathing tube filters for use with ultrasonic spirometers.
A spirometer is an apparatus for measuring the volume of air inspired and expired by the lungs of a patient. A spirometer measures ventilation, i.e., the movement of air into and out of the lungs. The spirogram identifies two different types of abnormal ventilation patterns: obstructive and restrictive. There are various types of spirometers that use a number of different methods for measurement (e.g., pressure transducers, ultrasonic, water gauge).
A spirometer is the main piece of equipment used for basic Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs). Lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema may be ruled out from the results of the PFTs. In addition, a spirometer often is used for finding the cause of shortness of breath, assessing the effect of contaminants on lung function, the effect of medication, and evaluating progress for disease treatment.
In operation, a medical professional instructs a test subject/patient to exhale forcefully into the breathing tube. The expired gases are directed across the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver system in the spirometer. This system is designed to measure the flow by transit times with the flow and against the flow. By forcefully blowing into the breathing tube there exists a possibility of expelling harmful pathogens into the test area environment. Prior art has no mechanism to prevent this potentially very dangerous occurrence.
Spirometers use disposable mouthpieces to eliminate cross-contamination of test subjects. Many of the mouthpieces contain viral/bacterial filters that offer an extra layer of protection for the patient and the test administrator. Spirometry involves exhaling forcefully into the device. Unless a filter is used, any viruses or bacteria from the patient are blown into the test environment. This can be very unsafe for the medical professional(s) treating the patient and any others in the surrounding area.
One model of spirometer is made in Switzerland by Ndd Medizintechnik, AG. This spirometer uses a “breathing tube” as the mouthpiece and is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,786,178, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The shape of the breathing tube disclosed in the ′178 Patent is intended to only allow correct insertion of the breathing tube into the spirometer. This is accomplished by utilizing a “polygonal transversal cross section along the longitudinal axis of the breathing tube” which can only be used in the correct orientation. The breathing tube of the ′178 Patent also has at least a pair of beveled outer sides opposing on another and extending longitudinal axis.
The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In one aspect of the innovation, a filter assembly comprises a first portion including an exhaust end configured to removably engage an exhaust end of a flow tube of a spirometer, a middle section configured to removably engage a mouthpiece of the spirometer flow tube, and a sealing ring; and a second portion configured to cooperatively engage the first portion and including a mouthpiece.
In another aspect of the innovation, a filter assembly comprises a first portion including an exhaust end configured to removably engage an exhaust end of a flow tube of a spirometer; a second portion configured to cooperatively engage the first portion and including a mouthpiece; and filter media, wherein the filter media is removably securable between the first and second portions.
In yet another aspect of the innovation, a filter assembly comprises a first portion including an exhaust end configured to removably engage an exhaust end of a flow tube of a spirometer, a middle section configured to removably engage a mouthpiece of the spirometer flow tube, a sealing ring and a first filter surface opposite the exhaust end; a second portion configured to cooperatively engage the first portion and including a mouthpiece and a complimentary-shaped second filter surface opposite the mouthpiece; and filter media, wherein the filter media is removably securable between the first filter surface and the second filter surface.
Embodiments of the invention are further described but are in no way limited by the following illustrations.
For clarity and convenience, the meaning of some terms and phrases used in the specification, examples, and appended claims, are provided below. Unless stated otherwise, or implicit from context, the following terms and phrases include the meanings provided below. The definitions are provided to aid in describing particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the claimed invention, because the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. If there is an apparent discrepancy between the usage of a term in the art and its definition provided herein, the definition provided within the specification shall prevail.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “approximately” or “about” in reference to a value or parameter are generally taken to include numbers that fall within a range of 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% in either direction (greater than or less than) of the number unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would be less than 0% or exceed 100% of a possible value).
As used herein, reference to “approximately” or “about” a value or parameter includes (and describes) embodiments that are directed to that value or parameter. For example, description referring to “about X” includes description of “X”.
As used herein, the term “or” means “and/or.” The term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” herein is intended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone). Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C” is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
As used herein, the term “comprising” means that other elements can also be present in addition to the defined elements presented. The use of “comprising” indicates inclusion rather than limitation.
The term “consisting of” refers to compositions, methods, and respective components thereof as described herein, which are exclusive of any element not recited in that description of the embodiment.
Disclosed herein is a pulmonary function test filter and filter assembly for use with a breathing tube of a spirometer.
An embodiment of the pulmonary function filter and filter assembly of the present invention is illustrated in
The first portion 12 includes an exhaust end 18 that is configured (e.g., dimensioned) to fit on an exhaust end of a flow tube of a spirometer (e.g., an NDD spirometer flow tube (not shown)), a middle section 20 that is configured (e.g., dimensioned) to fit into the mouthpiece of the NDD spirometer flow tube, and a sealing ring 22 to ensure a leak-free juncture with the NDD spirometer flow tube. The second portion 14 includes an oval mouthpiece 24.
The pleated electrostatic filter media 16 is securable between the first and second portions 12, 14. As shown in
As explained above and illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In various embodiments, the filter assembly 10 can be formed from various suitable materials. Such materials include, but are limited to, injection molded polypropylene.
In general, any combination of disclosed features, components and methods described herein is possible. Steps of a method can be performed in any order that is physically possible.
Although embodiments have been disclosed, the invention is not limited thereby.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/293,001, filed Dec. 22, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63293001 | Dec 2021 | US |
