Apparatus and method for filtering liquid particles from inspiratory gas flow of a patient breathing circuit affiliated with a ventilator and/or nitric oxide delivery system
Inventors
Biba, Scott I. • Falligant, John
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11918742-B2
Publication Date
2024-03-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a filter apparatus for filtering liquid from a gas, the apparatus having a first housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a first filter media disposed in the first housing; a second filter media disposed in the housing; and a second housing forming a first collection basin disposed in the flow path between the first filter media and the second filter media, so that a path is defined for the gas flowing from the inlet, through the first filter media, past the collection basin, through the second filter media, and to the outlet. The present disclosure also relates to a method of passing a gas through a coalescing filter media and through a hydrophobic filter media.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a two-stage filter trap for filtering liquid from a gas using a first housing with a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A first filter media and a hydrophobic second filter media are arranged along a flow path in the first housing so that gas flows from the gas inlet, through the first filter media, past a collection basin, through the second filter media, and to the gas outlet.
A second housing forms a first collection basin disposed in the flow path between the first filter media and the second filter media. Liquid removed by the first filter media is collected in the collection basin, and the gas then proceeds to the hydrophobic second filter media to remove remaining liquid.
The filter apparatus includes sealing rings and an overmolded outer structural support. A first sealing ring mounts the first filter media to the first housing and a second sealing ring mounts the second filter media to the first housing, while an overmolded outer structural support attached to the first housing holds the first and second sealing rings.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers 4 inventive features in a filter apparatus with two filter media arranged in flow from a gas inlet to a gas outlet, including a hydrophobic second filter media, a collection basin disposed between the media, peripherally mounted media with respective sealing rings, and an overmolded outer structural support holding the sealing rings.
Two-stage hydrophobic filter media in a defined flow path
A first filter media disposed in the first housing and mounted at its periphery to the first housing, wherein the second filter media is a hydrophobic media, and a flow path defined for gas flowing from the gas inlet, through the first filter media, past the collection basin, through the second filter media, and to the gas outlet.
Collection basin between first and second filter media
A second housing forming a first collection basin disposed in a flow path between the first filter media and the second filter media.
Peripherally mounted filter media with sealing rings
A first sealing ring configured to mount the first filter media to the first housing and a second sealing ring configured to mount the second filter media to the first housing.
Overmolded outer structural support holding seals
An overmolded outer structural support attached to the first housing configured to hold the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring.
Overall, the claim set covers a gas-liquid filter apparatus that uses a hydrophobic second filter media together with an intermediate collection basin between the first and second filter media, and secures the media using sealing rings held in place by an overmolded outer structural support.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?