초록

A method of making thin-walled permeable tubing using air blown extrusion, and of using the tubing in a device which enables a substantial humidification or drying of patient breathing gases in the breathing lines for patient monitoring or anesthesia results in cost savings and increased efficiency.

대표청구항 ▼

1. The method of manufacturing thin-walled permeable membrane tubing comprising the steps of: inserting water permeable material into a blown film extruder; forcing said material through concentric extruding heads in said extruder; blowing air through the center of said extruding head to create a th

1. The method of manufacturing thin-walled permeable membrane tubing comprising the steps of: inserting water permeable material into a blown film extruder; forcing said material through concentric extruding heads in said extruder; blowing air through the center of said extruding head to create a thin-walled tube in the form of a flat band, converting said thin-walled tube to the hydrogen ion form; drying said converted flat band; bathing said flat band in methanol to swell said flat band; and manipulating said swelled band into a tubular shape. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said material is in pelletized form when it is fed into said blown film extruder. 3. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of: inserting said tubular material an outer protective mesh; affixing end fittings to said tubular material by, at either end of said tubular material; exposing a portion of said tubular material by pushing back said outer protective mesh; soaking said portion in water to expand said portion; placing an end fitting inside said expanded portion; shrinking said expanded portion over said end fitting; and sealing said portion to said fitting. 4. The method claim 3 wherein the inside diameter of said outer mesh is larger than the outside diameter of the tubing. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein said expanded portion is sealed to said fitting by placing a plastic, adhesive-lined, heat shrinkable tube the outside of the tubing and end fitting assembly; and heat shrinking the tube over said end fitting assembly. 6. The method of claim 5 further including the steps of: placing an outer protective mesh over said tubing; placing adhesive-lined heat shrink material over said outer mesh; and heat shrinking said heat shrink material over said outer protective mesh.