Fluid drying mechanism

Abstract

There is provided an exhaled breath moisture reduction system including a dryer mechanism and a connector adapted to connect the dryer mechanism proximate to a respiratory output device. There is also provided an exhaled breath sampling assembly including an airway adaptor and a moisture reduction sleeve comprising a material adapted to reduce moisture and a connector adapted to connect said sleeve substantially adjacent to a breath sampling inlet within the adaptor. Also provided, a method of sampling breath which includes attaching an exhaled breath moisture reduction sleeve substantially adjacent to a breath sampling inlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A gas sampling assembly, comprising:
 a dryer tube comprising:
 a first material adapted to absorb moisture from exhaled breath; 
 a second material adapted to pass moisture, present in exhaled breath, out of said dryer tube, the second material comprising a polymer, the second material being impermeable to gases; 
 a breath sampling inlet adapted to receive exhaled breath; 
 an outlet; and 
 an interior surface defining a channel through the dryer tube from the breath sampling inlet to the outlet; and 
   a connector coupled to the outlet of the dryer tube, the connector comprising a male coupler that allows connection of the sampling assembly to a capnograph.   
     
     
         12 . The gas sampling assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the breath sampling inlet comprises an opening. 
     
     
         13 . The gas sampling assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the breath sampling inlet comprises a cannula. 
     
     
         14 . The gas sampling assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the breath sampling inlet comprises an airway tube. 
     
     
         15 . The gas sampling assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the breath sampling inlet comprises a sampling tube. 
     
     
         16 . The gas sampling assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the breath sampling inlet comprises an opening adapted to receive a sampling tube. 
     
     
         17 . The gas sampling assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sampling tube is connected to a second connector. 
     
     
         18 . The gas sampling assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the breath sampling inlet is adapted to connect to a respiratory output device.