초록 ▼

A sleeved filter apparatus prevents germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device. The sleeved filter apparatus includes a filter member and a sleeve member. The filter member is composed of a first and second enclosure half which are sealed on their interior e

A sleeved filter apparatus prevents germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device. The sleeved filter apparatus includes a filter member and a sleeve member. The filter member is composed of a first and second enclosure half which are sealed on their interior ends. The external ends of the two enclosure halves have connectors for connecting the sleeved filter apparatus to a breathing device and/or a patient airway component. A filter element is disposed inside the filter member enclosure for preventing gases from flowing between the first connector and the second connector of the filter member without passing through the filter element. This filter member prevents germs from passing between the patient and the interior of the breathing device. The sleeve member is made of a flexible material, and has a first open end, a second open end, and a middle portion extending between the first open end and the second open end. The first open end of the sleeve member is sealingly engaged to the filter member. The sleeve member has a diameter sized to surround the breathing circuit, and a length sufficient to extend along most or all of the entire length of the breathing circuit. The sleeve member prevents germs and bacteria from passing between the patient and the exterior of the breathing device. The sleeved filter apparatus is removable between procedures to permit reuse of the breathing circuit without substantial cross-contamination between patients.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A sleeved breathing filter apparatus for preventing contamination of both the interior and exterior of a breathing device, the sleeved filter breathing apparatus comprising:a filter container member having a hollow interior, a first connector, a second connector and a fil

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A sleeved breathing filter apparatus for preventing contamination of both the interior and exterior of a breathing device, the sleeved filter breathing apparatus comprising:a filter container member having a hollow interior, a first connector, a second connector and a filter element disposed within the hollow interior such that gases passing between the first connector and the second connector must pass through the filter element, the first connector capable of being connected to and disconnected from the breathing device by the user at the site of use; anda tubular sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the first end being sealingly engaged to the filter container member, the tubular sleeve member and the second end thereof capable of being expanded by the user at the site of use to loosely surround a portion of the breathing device;whereby, when a contamination source is operably connected to the second connector and the breathing device is operably connected to the first connector, contaminants passing through the second connector are substantially prevented from contacting the interior of the breathing device by the filter element and contaminants passing around the second connector are substantially prevented from contacting the exterior of the breathing device by the sleeve member.