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The invention includes a partial gas separator, which may include a housing and a movable divider in the housing. A method according to the invention may provide a partial gas separator and gas may be moved to or from the housing. While moving gas to or from the housing, the movable divider may be a

The invention includes a partial gas separator, which may include a housing and a movable divider in the housing. A method according to the invention may provide a partial gas separator and gas may be moved to or from the housing. While moving gas to or from the housing, the movable divider may be allowed to move with the flow of gas.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A gas separator, comprising: a housing, having an inner surface, a first orifice in pneumatic communication with a rebreathing device, and a second orifice in pneumatic communication with a supply of fresh gas; a movable divider in the housing, the movable divider having a fi

What is claimed is: 1. A gas separator, comprising: a housing, having an inner surface, a first orifice in pneumatic communication with a rebreathing device, and a second orifice in pneumatic communication with a supply of fresh gas; a movable divider in the housing, the movable divider having a first side, a second side and an edge between the first and second sides, the edge being positioned proximate to the inner surface of the housing to limit, but not prevent, the movement of gas from one of the sides to the other side; a guide in the housing, the guide being associated with the movable divider so as to allow the edge to move toward the first orifice during inhalation and toward the second orifice during exhalation, and being associated with the movable divider so as to keep the edge proximate to, and substantially the same distance from, the inner surface of the housing during movement of the edge; and a stationary divider extending from the inner surface and located between the first orifice and the second orifice. 2. The separator of claim 1, wherein the guide is a post which is hingedly associated with the movable divider and the stationary divider. 3. The separator of claim 1, wherein the guide is a post which is hingedly associated with the movable divider. 4. The separator of claim 1, further comprising a bumper in the housing, the bumper being positioned to limit motion of the divider and require gas from the first orifice to pass between the edge and the housing before reaching the second orifice. 5. The separator of claim 1, further comprising a bumper in the housing, the bumper being positioned to limit motion of the divider and require gas from the second orifice to pass between the edge and the housing before reaching the first orifice. 6. The separator of claim 1, wherein at least part of the inner surface is arcuate. 7. The separator of claim 6, wherein the inner surface is cylindrical. 8. The separator of claim 6, wherein the movable divider is rectangular. 9. The separator of claim 1, further comprising a bypass line with a first end and a second end, the ends of the bypass line being connected to the housing so that when the edge of the movable divider is between the first and second ends, gas is allowed to pass through the bypass line. 10. The separator of claim 9, further comprising a check valve in the bypass line. 11. The separator of claim 1, further comprising a bypass line with a first end and a second end, the ends of the bypass line being connected to the housing so that when the edge of the movable divider is aligned with one of the ends of the bypass line, gas is allowed to pass through the bypass line. 12. The separator of claim 11, further comprising a check valve in the bypass line. 13. A gas separator, comprising: a housing, having an inner surface, a first orifice in pneumatic communication with a rebreathing device, and a second orifice in pneumatic communication with a supply of fresh gas; and a movable divider in the housing, the movable divider having an edge surface positioned proximate to the inner surface of the housing during movement of the edge surface to limit, but not prevent, the movement of gas past the movable divider, and the movable divider is sized relative to the inner surface so as to allow the edge surface to move toward the first orifice during inhalation and toward the second orifice during exhalation wherein the distance from the edge surface to the inner surface of the housing is substantially the same throughout the movement of the edge surface. 14. The separator of claim 13, further comprising a bumper in the housing, the bumper being positioned to limit motion of the divider and require gas from the first orifice to pass between the edge surface and the housing before reaching the second orifice. 15. The separator of claim 13, further comprising a bumper in the housing, the bumper being positioned to limit motion of the divider and require gas from the second orifice to pass between the edge surface and the housing before reaching the first orifice. 16. A method of partially separating gas, comprising: providing a housing, having an inner surface, a first orifice in pneumatic communication with a rebreathing device, and a second orifice in pneumatic communication with a supply of fresh gas; providing a movable divider in the housing, the movable divider having a first side, a second side and an edge between the first and second sides, the edge being positioned proximate to the inner surface of the housing during movement of the edge to limit, but not prevent, the movement of gas from one of the sides to the other side, and wherein the distance from the edge to the inner surface of the housing is substantially the same throughout the movement of the edge; and moving gas from the housing, and allowing the edge to travel toward the first orifice, and allowing some gas to move from the second side to the first side. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising moving gas into the housing, and allowing the movable divider to travel toward the second orifice, and allowing some gas to move from the first side to the second side. 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a therapeutic agent in pneumatic communication with the patient. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first orifice is in pneumatic communication with a supply of fresh gas.