Apparatus and method for humidification of inspired gases

Abstract

An apparatus and method for humidification of inspired gases, wherein the present invention utilizes moisture from condensed expiratory gases deposited within the outer expiratory tube of a conventional unilimb breathing circuit to humidify oxygen gas (or any other inspiratory gas) for subsequent patient inhalation, and wherein the oxygen gas may be directed through the outer expiratory tube via a novel reverse flow adapter coupled to an oxygen gas source. The present invention preferably functions to effectively eliminate prior art methods of oxygen gas humidification that depend upon the wasteful utilization of bottles of sterile water, corrugated tubing, nebulizer adapters and excess consumption of oxygen gas; thus, effectuating a cost savings for the patient and contributing to overall environmental conservation efforts.

1 . A reverse flow adapter for coupling to a unilimb breathing circuit and delivering an inspiratory gas therethrough, the unilimb breathing circuit having an outer tube coaxially disposed about an inner tube, the outer tube having moisture condensed from gases of prior patient exhalations deposited and accumulated therewithin, said reverse flow adapter comprising: 
 an inlet, said inlet cooperatively-engageable to the outer tube of the unilimb breathing circuit; and,    a venting aperture, said venting aperture cooperatively-engageable to the inner tube of the unilimb breathing circuit,    wherein inspiratory gas delivered through said reverse flow adapter travels through the outer tube of the unilimb breathing circuit, and interacts with, and is humidified by, the moisture accumulated therewithin.    
   
   
       2 . The reverse flow adapter of  claim 1 , wherein said reverse flow adapter is cooperatively-engageable to an inspiratory gas source.  
   
   
       3 . The reverse flow adapter of  claim 2 , wherein inspiratory gas flows from the inspiratory gas source, through said reverse flow adapter, through the outer tube, and subsequently interacts with, and is humidified by, the moisture condensed within the outer tube, thereby creating a humidified inspiratory gas for patient inhalation.  
   
   
       4 . The reverse flow adapter of  claim 1 , wherein patient exhaled gas flows through the inner tube of the unilimb breathing circuit, through said reverse flow adapter, and exits from said venting aperture of said reverse flow adapter.  
   
   
       5 . The reverse flow adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow diluter coupled to said reverse flow adapter.  
   
   
       6 . The reverse flow adapter of  claim 5 , wherein said flow diluter comprises a rotatable sleeve disposed over an aperture formed through said flow diluter, wherein rotation of said sleeve to expose said aperture enables ambient room air to enter therethrough, intermix with the inspiratory gas delivered therethrough and, thus, dilute the inspiratory gas flowing through said reverse flow adapter.  
   
   
       7 . The reverse flow adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate adapter cooperatively engageable to said inlet of said reverse flow adapter, said intermediate adapter comprising a nipple, said nipple comprising a passageway formed therethrough for the exit of inspiratory gases therefrom, wherein said nipple is cooperatively engageable to a connector formed on a nasal cannula assembly or a simple facemask assembly.  
   
   
       8 . A device for coupling to a unilimb breathing circuit and delivering an inspiratory gas therethrough, the unilimb breathing circuit having an outer tube coaxially disposed about an inner tube, the outer tube having moisture condensed from gases of prior patient exhalations deposited and accumulated therewithin, said device comprising: 
 an inlet, wherein said inlet is cooperatively engageable to the outer tube of the breathing circuit, and wherein said inlet comprises a recessed area from which extends a protuberance, said protuberance cooperatively engageable to the inner tube of the breathing circuit.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said protuberance shunts the inner tube of the breathing circuit.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said protuberance comprises a venting aperture formed therethrough.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said inlet further comprises a flow aperture, wherein said flow aperture enables the inspiratory gas flowing from an inspiratory gas source to flow therethrough and pass through said inlet.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein cooperative engagement of said inlet to the outer tube of the unilimb breathing circuit results in said flow aperture being in fluid communication with an inner space of the outer tube, and wherein said venting aperture is in fluid communication with an inner space of the inner tube of the unilimb breathing circuit.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the inspiratory gas flowing from the inspiratory gas source flows through said flow aperture of said reverse flow adapter, through said inlet of said reverse flow adapter, and through the inner space of the outer tube.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the inspiratory gas flowing through the outer tube interacts with, and is humidified by, the moisture disposed therewithin, thereby creating a humidified inspiratory gas for subsequent patient inhalation.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein patient exhaled gas flows through the inner tube of the unilimb breathing circuit and exits from said venting aperture of said protuberance of said reverse flow adapter.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for delivering and humidifying inspiratory gas, said apparatus comprising: 
 a reverse flow adapter, said reverse flow adapter coupled to a breathing circuit, wherein the inspiratory gas flows through said breathing circuit for interaction with, and humidification by, moisture disposed therewithin, thereby providing a humidified inspiratory gas.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said moisture disposed within said breathing circuit is moisture condensed from gases of prior patient exhalations.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein following inhalation of humidified inspiratory gas, subsequent patient expired gases flow through said breathing circuit and exit through an aperture formed in said reverse flow adapter.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a filter disposed between, and in fluid communication with, said reverse flow adapter and said breathing circuit.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for coupling to a unilimb breathing circuit and delivering an inspiratory gas therethrough, the unilimb breathing circuit having an outer tube coaxially disposed about an inner tube, the outer tube having moisture condensed from gases of prior patient exhalations deposited and accumulated therewithin, said apparatus comprising: 
 a reverse flow adapter, said reverse flow adapter adapted to be coupled to the unilimb breathing circuit, wherein the inspiratory gas flows through the outer tube of the unilimb breathing circuit for interaction with, and humidification by, the moisture disposed therewithin, and wherein subsequent patient expired gases flow through the inner tube of the unilimb breathing circuit and exit through an aperture formed in said reverse flow adapter.