Smart connections

Abstract

Systems and methods for smart connections are described herein. An example system for determining continuity of a portion of a patient breathing circuit includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector may include a first end of an electrical lead. The electrical lead may be configured for enabling a continuity check of the first connector. The second connector may include a second end of an electrical lead. The electrical lead may be configured for enabling a continuity check of the second connector. Another example system for patient ventilation includes a breathing circuit including a machine readable identifier and a ventilator configured to read the machine readable identifier. An example method is described for checking continuity of a breathing circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determining continuity of a portion of a patient breathing circuit comprising:
 a first connector comprising:
 a first end of an electrical lead, said electrical lead configured for enabling a continuity check of said first connector; and 
   a second connector comprising:
 a second end of an electrical lead, said electrical lead also configured for enabling a continuity check of said second connector. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said continuity check of said first connector and said continuity check of said second connector enable a continuity check of said portion of said breathing circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said electrical lead is configured to alert of an inadvertent disconnect at said first or second connector. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a ventilator electrically coupled with said electrical lead. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said ventilator is configured to perform said continuity check of said first connector. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said ventilator is configured to perform said continuity check of said second connector. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said ventilator is configured to perform said continuity check of said breathing circuit. 
     
     
         8 . A system for patient ventilation comprising:
 a breathing circuit comprising a machine readable identifier; and   a ventilator configured to read said machine readable identifier.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said machine readable identifier can be used to determine patient information. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said machine readable identifier can be used to determine proper configuration of said breathing circuit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said breathing circuit comprises an RFID. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said machine readable identifier is a barcode. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said machine readable identifier is on an exterior surface of said breathing circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said machine readable identifier is disposed within the material forming said breathing circuit. 
     
     
         15 . A method for checking continuity of a breathing circuit comprising:
 providing a signal at a first end of an electrical lead of a breathing circuit;   transmitting said signal to a second end of said electrical lead of said breathing circuit;   receiving said signal at said second end of said electrical lead of said breathing circuit; and   determining said breathing circuit is continuous based on said signal transmission.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 not receiving said signal at said second end of said electrical lead of said breathing circuit; and 
 determining said breathing circuit is not continuous based on said signal. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 alerting said breathing circuit is non-continuous.