MXPA00002242A - Sleeved filter for a breathing circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

A sleeved filter apparatus prevents germs from becoming resident on both the interior and exterior of a breathing device (10). The sleeved filter apparatus includes a filter member (12), and a sleeve member (14). The filter member (12) is composed of a first enclosure half, and a second enclosure half (60, 62)which are sealed on their interior ends (73, 80). The external ends of the two enclosure halves have connectors (36, 76) for connecting the sleeved filter apparatus to a breathing device and/or a patient airway component. A filter element (64) is disposed inside the filter member enclosure for preventing gases from flowing between the first connector, and the second connector of the filter member without passing through the filter element. This filter member prevents germs from passing between the patient, and the interior of the breathing device. The sleeve member (14) is made of a flexible material, and has a first open end (100), a second open end (102), and a middle portion (104) extending between the first open end (100) and the second open end (102). The first open end (100) of the sleeve member (14) is seal engaged to the filter member (12).

Description

FILTER COVERED FOR XW CIRCUIT D? BREATHING DESCRIPTION D? The invention The present invention relates to breathing circuits of the type used in anesthesia and respiratory devices more particularly, to a combination of tubular coating and filter for such breathing circuit. Breathing circuits have been used in the field of anesthesia for many years to provide a vehicle for transferring anesthesia gas from an anesthesia machine to a patient and to transfer the exhaled gas from the patient to the anesthesia machine. Currently, two main types of breathing circuits are used. The first type is known as a double limb circuit. Such a device includes an expiratory tube and an inspiratory tube which are usually connected to a Y connector. The Y connector is then coupled, at its end towards the patient, to an anesthesia mask or an endotracheal tube. The machine end of the inspiratory tube is coupled to the inspiratory port of an anesthesia machine or to a carbon dioxide absorber that is attached to an anesthesia machine. The machine end of the expiratory tube is attached to the anesthesia machine or to a carbon dioxide absorber attached to an anesthesia machine. An example of a dioxide absorber & - £. The carbon -t is known from Komesaroff's North American Patent No. 5,666,669, which was published on October 22, 1996. The other type of circuit is a circuit of a limb. An example of an extremity circuit is shown in the North American Patent of Leagre and Burrow No. 5,404,873 and in the North American Patent of Fukunaga No. 4,265,235. A breathing circuit of an extremity includes an expiratory tube and an inspiratory tube that are coupled in a coaxial relationship. Usually, the inspiratory tube is placed inside the expiratory tube. A patient end connector is provided for coupling the patient end of the breathing circuit to an extremity to an anesthesia mask in an endotracheal tube. The end-of-circuit machine of a limb contains a coupler that has an inspiratory coupler and a separate expiratory coupler. The inspiratory coupler is coupled to an inspiratory port of a carbon dioxide absorber or anesthesia machine and the expiratory coupler is coupled to the expiratory port of the anesthesia machine or carbon dioxide absorber. The inspiratory coupler handles the gas from the expiratory tube, and the expiratory coupler handles the gas from the expiratory coupler.

Both the inspiratory and expiratory tubes are similar in function. The anesthetic gas and oxygen are directed into the inspiratory tube, where the gases move from the machine end of the inspiratory tube to the end of the patient. The gases are then inhaled by the patient. When the patient exhales, their flow of expiratory gases flows into the expiratory tube, which transports the gases back to the carbon dioxide absorber. Within the carbon dioxide absorber, carbon dioxide is "separated" from the gases to remove it from the gas stream. The expiratory tube can then be directed into the respiratory tube for breathing by the patient. Of course, it is often advisable to add oxygen and / or anesthetic gas to the breathed expiratory gas, to increase the oxygen content and / or anesthesia of the recirculated gas that is inhaled by the patient. The devices that cover the outside of a breathing circuit are known. For example, US Patent No. 5,377,670 discloses a cover surrounding a breathing circuit tube to define a stale air gap between the breathing tube and the cover for temperature retention purposes.

One difficulty encountered with all breathing circuits is that viruses, bacteria and other germs remain resident in the breathing circuit during use by a patient. To avoid cross infection, the breathing circuit should not be used by a second patient without sterilization between uses. To help eliminate this risk of cross-infection, the breathing circuit may be designed to make a "one-time" breathing circuit that is discarded after a single use. An alternate way to avoid a cross-infection is to sterilize and autoclave the "re-usable" breathing circuit after each use. Both methods have disadvantages. The autoclave of a breathing circuit after each use can result in substantial work and processing costs. Although the elimination of the breathing circuit after a single use is very effective in avoiding cross-infection, single-use circuits can result in additional costs for hospitals. Another method to deal with cross infection is to place a filter on the breathing circuit to filter the bacteria and viruses, thus preventing them from remaining resident within the breathing circuit. Such filters typically act to prevent such bacteria and viruses from remaining resident within the breathing circuit. The filter itself, on which bacteria and viruses have been resident, can be eliminated after a single use of the patient. Through this procedure, the breathing circuit can be reused, although the filter must be discarded or re-sterilized. Although such respiration filters have proven to be effective in preventing bacteria and viruses from remaining resident in the interior of the inspiratory and expiratory tubes of the breathing circuits, typical filters do not prevent bacteria and viruses from remaining resident in the respiratory tract. outside of the breathing circuit. Pre-or peri-operatively, blood and other body fluids are frequently discharged or transferred (through the hands of practitioners) from the patient being operated on, to medical equipment and personnel within the operating room. These body fluids contain a wide variety of bacteria and viruses that are not visible to the naked eye. If the bodily fluids, and therefore the viruses and bacteria, make contact with the outside of the breathing circuit, they will remain resident on the breathing circuit, and therefore have the potential to cross-infect another person. As a goal of modern surgical practice is to provide an environment substantially "free of * - "- ''. ^ ág ß germs ", the presence of such bacteria and viruses on the outside of the breathing circuit is undesirable and hinders the ability of the circuit to be reused without sterilization, by preventing bacteria and viruses from residing on the inside and outside of the tubes. Breathing circuit, a breathing circuit would be allowed to have the potential to be re-used by several patients, without incurring a substantial risk of cross-infection between patients.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for assisting prevent bacteria and viruses from residing on the interior and exterior surfaces of the anesthesia breathing circuit In accordance with the present invention, a coated filter apparatus is provided to prevent germs from residing on the interior and exterior of a Breathing device The coated filter apparatus comprises a filter member which e has a hollow interior, a first connector and a second connector. A sleeve member has a first open end, a second open end and a second intermediate portion extending between the first open end and the second open end. The first open end of the sleeve member is sealingly coupled to the filter member.

Preferably, the filter member is designed to be connected to a breathing device which may comprise a tubular breathing circuit having a patient end connector and a mesh end connector. The first connector of the filter member is preferably formed and sized to be coupled to the end connector of the patient and / or the machine end connector of the breathing circuit. The sleeve member is comprised preferably of a flexible material, and has a diameter that is dimensioned to loosely enclose and contain the tube or tubes of the breathing circuit. Although a cladding for use with a limb circuit must have a generally constant diameter through full length, a cladding designed for use, with double-limbed breathing circuits should have an expansion diameter across its length. The filter member is connected to the breathing device which can be a breathing circuit, using one of the filter member connectors. The other filter member connector may be attached to an anesthesia mask or an endotracheal tube. Preferably, the tubular sleeve extends along the entire length of the breathing circuit, or at least minus one length that is likely to come in contact with SS sa 'ft¿e »? ɧE 5.V_ bodily fluids. The first end of the tubular sleeve is preferably attached to form a seal with the filter, and is made to be permanently connected to the filter member. To attach the filter / coating device to an anesthesia breathing circuit, the breathing port of the filter member is coupled to the patient end connector of the anesthesia breathing circuit. The tubular sleeve is extracted over the length of the breathing circuit. After an operation or procedure with a particular patient, the filter can be removed, disconnecting it from the patient's end of the anesthesia breathing circuit. As the tubular liner is connected to the filter, by removing the filter out of the coupling with the breathing circuit, and away from the breathing circuit, the tubular liner is also removed from the breathing circuit. The filter and tubular liner can be removed, and a new filter with liner inserted over the anesthesia breathing circuit for use with the next patient. A feature of the present invention is that the filter helps to prevent bacteria and viruses from remaining resident on the inside of the breathing circuit and the tubular coating helps prevent bacteria and «-'v *]? G viruses remain resident on the outside of the breathing circuit. By removing the filter and the tubular coating from the breathing circuit after a procedure, the bacteria and viruses, which remain resident mainly within the filter and on the outer surface of the tubular coating, can be eliminated by discarding the tubular coating and the filter. This leaves the breathing circuit in a condition substantially free of viruses and bacteria to allow reuse of the breathing circuit by another patient. Another feature of the present invention is that the coated filter apparatus of the present invention can be made relatively inexpensively, as compared to the costs of other components that typically comprise a complete breathing assembly. The complete breathing assemblies consist of several components, many of which are not economically viable either for disposal or sterilization after use. The coated filter device will filter the bacteria and viruses that are transported in the patient's breath, thereby preventing bacteria and viruses from remaining resident on the inside of the components of the breathing device. The liner, which can be sized to accommodate various types of breathing devices, will intercept bodily fluids and other -. - contaminants that would otherwise make contact with the exterior of the components of the breathing device. As the coated filter can be made relatively inexpensively it can be discarded after each use in a cost effective manner, while allowing the relatively more expensive components of the breathing device to be reused, and still protecting the patients of cross contamination. Another feature of the present invention is that it will help to reduce the disorder caused by the breathing devices. Many breathing devices have several limbs that move between the patient and the breathing device. The sleeve member of the present invention will encircle all those limbs and effectively create a limb that travels between the patient and the breathing device, reducing clutter and space requirements. These and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the detailed description presented below in conjunction with the drawings. BREV? DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an elevation view of a limb type breathing circuit to which a coated filter of the present invention is attached; Figure 2 is an elevation view of a filter and coating, wherein the coating is compressed to facilitate placement of the coating on the breathing circuit; Figure 3 is an alternative embodiment of the coated filter of the present invention especially adaptable for use with the double limb breathing circuits; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of a filter usable with the present invention. Figures 1 and 2 show a breathing circuit 10 having a media container member, such as a filter means 12 and a sleeve member 14 of the present invention attached thereto. The breathing circuit 10 shown in Figure 1 is generally identical to the breathing circuit shown in the North American Patent of Leagre and Burrow No. 5,404,873. The breathing circuit 10 includes an inspiratory tube 20 and an expiratory tube 22. Since the breathing circuit 10 is a circuit of the extremity type, the expiratory tube 22 and the inspiratory tube 20 are placed coaxially with each other, with the inspiratory tube 20 which is positioned within the interior of the expiratory tube 22. Preferably, each of the inspiratory tube 20 and the expiratory tube 22 include middle portions & Yl ¿, 3 = generally corrugated, which help to prevent the tubular portions of the expiratory tube 22 and the expiratory tube 20 from twisting when they are flexed or rotated. The breathing circuit 10 includes a patient end connector 24 and a machine end connector 26. The patient end connector 24 is provided to be coupled to the filter member 12. The machine end connector 26 is provided for connecting the breathing circuit 10 to an anesthesia machine (not shown), a ventilator (not shown), or a carbon dioxide absorber (not shown) that is attached to an anesthesia machine. The machine end connector 26 includes an inspiratory port connector 42 that can be coupled to the expiratory body of the anesthesia machine or the carbon dioxide separator. The inspiratory port connector 42 is directly coupled to the breathing tube 20. The machine end connector 26 also includes an expiratory port connector 44 that can be coupled to a flexable gas tube 46. The flexible tube 46 includes a 48 connector for coupling the flexible tube 46 to the expiratory port of an anesthesia machine or a carbon dioxide absorber. The flexible tube 46 and the expiratory port connector 44 are provided to conduct the expiratory gas from the interior of the expiratory tube 22. As best shown in Figures 2 and 4, the breathing filter member 12 is preferably made from a three-piece construction that includes a first member generally frustoconical in part and generally cylindrical 60, a second member generally frustoconical in part and generally cylindrical 62 and a filter element generally in the form of a filter 64 which is placed inside the breathing filter member 12. In certain filters, a heat and moisture exchange medium (HE) 69 is also placed inside the interior of the filter member 12. The first member 60 includes a first connector 36 that is dimensioned and shaped to be received by the patient end connector 24 of the breathing circuit 10. The frustoconical portion 70 of the first member 60 terminates in the cylindrical portion 73. The cylindrical portion 73 terminates in a female rim 72. The first member 60 may also contain a Luer lock connector 61 having a removable lid 63. The connector 61 has a hollow interior to place the interior of the filter 12 in gas communication with a sampling line 67 (Figure 1) that can be attached to the filter (by means of the connector 61), for the purpose of monitoring the gases expired by the patient, and therefore monitor the patient's physical condition. A solid post 65 may also be provided to provide a support for the cover 63. When the gas line 67 is connected to the connector 61, the gas line is placed adjacent the exterior of the breathing circuit 20 along its length, although within the interior of the liner 14. The distal end of the gas line 67 includes a cover 87 having an opening through which the gas line 67 can pass. The cover 87 is provided for coupling with the distal end of the gas line 67 to the connection 61, and therefore to the interior of the filter 12. The gas line 67 must be at least as long as the length of the breathing circuit 20, so that the proximal end 89 of the gas line 67 can emerge from the inside of the lining adjacent the open end of the liner 14, which is adjacent to the machine end of the breathing circuit, to thereby allow the proximal end 89 is coupled to a gas sampling apparatus. The second member 62 is generally similar to the first member 60 and includes a second connector 76; and a cylindrical portion 77; and a frusto-conical portion 78. The cylindrical portion 77 terminates in a male edge member 80 which is dimensioned to be received closely by the female edge 72.

The second connector 76 is provided for connection to a patient device, such as an anesthesia breathing mask (not shown), and an angled connector, an endotracheal tube (not shown) or any other artificial aerial device (not shown). The first and second member 60, 62 of the filter member 12 are attached so that the male and female edges 72, 80 couple tightly. In order to keep the edges 72, 80 in engagement, the edges may be soldiers sonically or united together. When the first and second member 60, 62 are joined in that manner, they define a generally hollow interior 84. The disc-shaped filter element 64 and the HME means 69 are positioned to extend radially inside the member 84 of the member. filter 12, adjacent the coupled edges 72, 80. As shown in Figure 4, the HME means 69 fills most of the interior 84 of the second member 62. The internal surface of the frusto-conical portion 70 of the second member includes a plurality of fins that extend axially 85 to maintaining the HME medium 84 in a separate relationship from the inner surface of the frusto-conical portion 70. The filter element 64 and the HME means 69 are dimensioned to fit closely against the edges 72, 80 so that any gases passing through of the interior 84 of the filter member 12, between the first i = L - 2? ¿J &3! ÍÍ ££. connector 36 and second connector 76, will pass through filter element 64 and HME means 69. The first element 64 selected to be of a type that is capable of trapping bacteria, viruses and other germs of interest therein. Preferably, member 12 should trap bacteria and viruses that flow in both directions. For example, bacteria and viruses that are resident in the patient must be trapped on the side of the filter element 64 adjacent the second connector 76, to thereby prevent the patient's bacteria and virus from flowing into the inspiratory tube 20 and finally (in a rebreathing application) within the expiratory tube 22. Similarly, any bacteria or viruses that are resident inside the inspiratory tube 20 or the expiratory tube 22 must be trapped on the surface of the filter element 64 adjacent the first connector 36. , to prevent such bacteria or viruses from reaching the patient (not shown). Through this entrapment of bacteria and viruses, it will be appreciated that the filter member 12 and in particular the filter element 64 will prevent the transfer of many viruses and bacteria between the patient and the breathing circuit 10. By preventing the transfer of such virus and bacteria, the breathing circuit 10 will help reduce the transfer of bacteria and viruses between patients, if the breathing circuit 10 is used in several patients, in : * M5 so much that the filter member 12 is replaced for each new patient. An example of a filter that will work with the present invention is the Virobac II model filter that is manufactured by King Systems, the assignee of the present application. The HME medium 69 preferably selected to be capable of holding and retaining moisture. An example of an HME medium 69 that will function in the present invention is the Edith AME product manufactured by Datex-Engstron of Bromma, Sweden. The sleeve member L4 has a first end 100 which is effectively closed through its junction to the outer surface of the filter member 12, adjacent the edges 72, 80 of the filter member 12. The sleeve member 14 includes also a second open end 102 which when attached to a breathing circuit 10, is positioned adjacent the machine end connector 26 of the breathing circuit 10. A middle portion 104 of the sleeve member 14 extends between the first end 100 and the second 102. The tubular liner 14 includes an exterior wall surface 108 and an interior wall surface 110 that defines the liner 14. Preferably, the sleeve member 14 is constructed of a transparent flexible material to allow the medical practitioner to observe the expiratory and inspiratory tubes 20, 22 and easily handle the entire circuit 10. Additionally, the sleeve member 14 must be constructed of a relatively material non-expensive and light weight, to help minimize the production costs of the sleeve member 14. It has been found by the applicant that a polyethylene film of the transparent extruded type or of propylene, or of poly-methyl has a thickness generally similar to a heavy-duty plastic food storage bag that will give superior performance in this performance as a sleeve member 14. The first end 100 of the sleeve member 14 is preferably attached to the outer surface of the adjacent filter member 12 at the edges 72, 80. The diameter of the sleeve member 14 adjacent the first end 100 should be r dimensioned to receive the filter member 12 in narrow form. Preferably, the first end 100 is attached to the filter element 12 by glue, tape or bond of some kind. Alternatively, the first end 100 may be sized to be received between the male and female edges 72,80 of the filter element 12, so that the first end 100 is interleaved between the edges 72, 80 to help maintain the position of the first end 100 of the sleeve member 14 on the -49 filter element 12. After the edges 72, 80 and the first end 100 are interleaved together, they can be joined, by ion welding, glue or friction coupling. Alternatively, mechanical bonding techniques, such as adhesive tape, or engageable projections and openings formed in the respective male 80 and female edges 72 can be used to join the edges 72, 80 and the first end 100. In any case, the goal is to ensuring that the first end 100 is securely attached to the filter element 12, in a manner that prevents the first end 100 from being uncoupled from the filter element 12. As indicated above, the material from which the coating is made 14 should be a material that will provide a germ barrier, to prevent viruses and bacteria from passing through the exterior wall surface 108, within the interior of the liner 14, and likewise to prevent bacteria and viruses from passing through. from the interior wall surface 110 to the exterior of the liner 14. The plastic materials described above will generally perform this function. The purpose of the exterior wall surface 108 is to trap any viruses or bacteria that may fall therein to prevent these viruses and bacteria from contacting the exterior wall 111 of the expiratory tube exposed relatively externally 22. In this regard, It will be appreciated that a barrier is not present to prevent bacteria or viruses from falling on the outer surface of the inspiratory tube 20, since the expiratory tube 22 performs this function. The tubular liner 14 which is intended for use with the limb type circuit has a generally constant diameter DD throughout its entire length, except perhaps in that portion of the length adjacent to the end 100, where it may be slightly more elongated or have a reduced diameter to fit tightly over the filter member 12. Preferably, the diameter DD must be large enough to allow the liner 14 to fit relatively loosely around the expiratory tube 22, to allow the sleeve 14 it is slid on the expiratory tube 22 although not as loose as before. As such, the diameter DD of the liner 14 must somehow be between 0.25 inches and about 2 inches greater than the diameter of the expiratory tube 22. Since the filter member 12 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the expiratory tube 22, a Liner 14 having a diameter generally similar to the diameter of the widest part (adjacent edges 72,80) of filter member 12 will function well according to the diameter DD of all the length of sleeve member 14. Sleeve member 14 also has a length extending between its first end 100 and its second end 102. The length must be selected to cover most (if not all) of the length of the breathing circuit 10, to the expiratory port connector 44, on the which the sleeve member 14 can generally not pass. Due to the relatively thin flexible nature of the sleeve member 14, its length may be greater than the length of the breathing circuit 10, with the excess being grouped adjacent the expiratory connector 44. Preferably, the coating 14 has a length of between approximately 40 inches and 120 inches, corresponding to a length equal to or slightly greater than the standard relaxed lengths of breathing circuits of a limb. Returning now to Figure 2, it will now be noted that the sleeve member 14 is somehow grouped. This is the position that the sleeve member 14 will preferably be before it is attached to the breathing circuit 10. To place the filter member 12 and the sleeve member 14 on a breathing circuit 10, the sleeve member 14 is grouped as shown in Figure 2. The open end 102 is slid over the '& patient end connector 24 of the breathing circuit 10. Returning now to Figure 1, the filter member 12 is positioned towards the end connector of the patient 24, as the sleeve member 14 is withdrawn 5 over the breathing circuit. , to a point where the first connector 36 of the filter member 12 can be coupled to the patient end connector 24 of the breathing circuit 10. The second end 102 is then pulled along the breathing circuit 10, until the member 14 is extended to its full length, or the second end 102 makes contact with the expiratory connector 44. To remove the device, the filter member 12 can be held in a position adjacent the first end 100 of the liner and pull the limb member. filter 12 away from the patient end connector 24 to separate the first connector 36 from the filter member 12 from the end connector of the patient 24. When the disconnection is achieved, the filter member 12 can be pulled in a direction away from the connector of the patient. end of the patient 24. Since the filter member 12 is coupled to the first end 100 of the sleeve member 14, pulling the filter member 12 away from the end connector of the patient 24, will pull the middle portion 104 and the second end 102 of the sleeve member 14 of the circuit Breathing 10, to effect the removal of the combination of filter member 12 / sleeve member 14 from the breathing circuit 10. During use, the outer wall surface 108 of the sleeve member 14 is positioned on the outer surface of the tube expiratory 22 in a manner that allows to stop any virus or bacteria contained in body fluids (or other viruses or bacteria containing the materials) from reaching the outer surface 108, thereby preventing such fluids or other materials from contacting the outer surface of the expiratory tube 22, thereby helping to maintain the outer surface of the expiratory tube 22, and therefore the operating circuit 10, in a relatively germ-free state. Additionally, viruses and bacteria are already resident on the outer surface of the expiratory tube, the placement of the sleeve member 14 on the expiratory tube 22 helps to prevent such viruses or bacteria from being transferred through the operating room (or the room). of the patient), to help in this way such viruses or bacteria are resident on the outside of the respiratory tube 22 to come in contact with the patient or medical personnel and not impact their health. An alternative embodiment of the filter member 240 and coating device 248 is shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the filter member 240 is generally similar to the filter member 12 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, although the sleeve member 248 is configured in some different manner, to accommodate a double-limb breathing circuit 200. The dual-limb breathing circuit 5 contains an inspiratory tube 210 having a patient end connector 212, an end connector 214. The inspiratory tube 210 includes a lumen tube portion 215 that is positioned between the end connector of patient 212 and machine end connector 214. The double-limb breathing circuit 200 also includes an expiratory tube 216 having a patient end connector 218 and a machine end connector 220, with a portion of tubing of individual lumen 219 cjue it extends between the patient end connector 218 and the machine end connector 220. The double ended breathing circuits of the type described above are well known in the prior art, and antecedent to the breathing circuits. of a limb of the type described in Figures 1 and 2. A Y-component 230 is provided for connecting the connectors of the patient end 212, 218 of the expiratory tube 210 and the expiratory tube 216 to the filter 240. The Y-tube 230 include a first 232 connector for coupling on the end of patient 212 of inspiratory tube 210 and a second on the end of the patient 21. The Y-tube also includes a connector 236 for coupling onto the first connector A4142 of the filter member 2 ^ p ^ As described above, the filter member 240 of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 can be identical to the member filter 12 of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2. The filter member 240 also includes a second connector 244 and a filter element and possibly the HME medium (e.g., HME medium 69 in Figure 4), which is placed inside the filter member 240. The sleeve member 248 includes a relatively small diameter first end 250 which is preferably sealed to the filter member 240 in a manner similar to that in which the first end 100 of the filter member 240 Liner 14 is sealingly coupled to the filter member 12 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. The sleeve member 248 also includes a second open end 252, and a middle portion 249 that is extends between the first end 250 and the second end 252. The sleeve member 248 can be made from a material generally identical to the material described above in relation to the sleeve member 14 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. cuff member 248 has an exterior wall surface 249 and a wall surface t? |? S? 5? 260 which defines a generally hollow floor 256 to receive the inspiratory and expiratory tubes 210, 216 respectively. Because the mspiratono and expiratopo tubes 210, 216 of the double limb circuit are not collinear, as they are in the limb circuit 10 of Figure 1, the diameter DD of the liner must be larger to accommodate the relatively larger volume of the double limb breathing circuit 200. The sleeve member 248 has a length L which is defined as the length between the first end 250 of the liner 248 and the second end 252 of the sleeve member 248. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the sleeve member 248 has a generally constant diameter across most of its length, except in those locations adjacent the first end 250 of the sleeve member 248 having a relatively small diameter. Alternatively, the sleeve member 248 may be designed to have a diameter that increases as it moves from the first end 250 to the second end. 252, thus allowing the sleeve member 248 a generally A-shaped configuration or frustoconical configuration. For example, the first end 250 of the sleeve member 248 may have a diameter of between about 2 and 3 inches, which expands outwardly along the length of the sheath 248, so that the second end 252 of the sleeve member. 248 has a diameter between approximately 5 and 8 inches. Preferably the sleeve member 248 has a length of between about 40 and 120 inches corresponding to a length similar or slightly greater than the standard relaxed lengths of the expiratory and inspiratory tubes 210, 216. However, it will be appreciated that a function that can to be served by the sleeve member 248 is to maintain the inspiratory tube 210 and the expiratory tube 216 in close proximity to the majority of its length. By maintaining the inspiratory tube 210 and the expiratory tube 216 in close proximity, the sleeve member 248 can help reduce the disorder in the operating room of the type that normally occurs when a double limb circuit is used. From a virus and bacteria detection point of view, the sleeve member 248 executes its function in a manner generally similar to that in which the sleeve member 14 of Figures 1 and 2 performs its function. In addition, the sleeve member 248 and the filter member 240 can be joined and separated from the double-ended breathing circuit 200, in a manner generally similar to that described in relation to the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be appreciated that there are some modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. £ 9
2. REIVN ICONS 1. A breathing filter apparatus with coating to prevent contamination of the inside and outside of the breathing device, the breathing apparatus 5 coated breathing is characterized in that it comprises: a filter container member having a hollow interior, a first connector, a second connector and a filter element positioned inside the hollow interior
3. So that the gases passing between the first connector and the second connector must pass through the filter element, the first connector capable of being connected to and disconnected from the breathing device by the user at the site of use; and a tubular sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the first end which is sealingly coupled to the filter container member, the tubular sleeve member and the second end thereof which are capable of being expanded. by the user in 20 the site of use to loosely encircle a portion of the breathing device; so, when a contamination source is operably connected to the second connector and the breathing device is operably connected to the first 25 connector, the contaminants that pass through the second í * r «aA '?? 3 &S, '* connector are substantially stopped from coming into contact with the interior of the breathing device by the filter element and contaminants passing around the second connector are substantially retained from entering into contact with the exterior of the breathing device by the sleeve member. The breathing filter apparatus with coating according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter container member 10 includes a first enclosure half having an external end and an internal end, the external end including the first connector of the filter deposit member; a second enclosure half having an external end 15 and an internal end, the external end including the second connector of the filter reservoir member; the inner end of the first enclosure half which is sealedly connected to the internal end of the second enclosure half. 3. The breathing filter apparatus with coating according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner end of the first enclosure half has a female edge having a larger diameter than the outer end of the first enclosure half, The inner end of the second enclosure half has a male edge having a larger diameter than the outer end of the second enclosure half, the inner end of the first enclosure half being sealed connected to the inner end of the second enclosure half. half of the enclosure by coupling the female edge of the first enclosure half with the male edge of the second enclosure half, the filter element extending radially inward of the filter reservoir member, and the filter element that is dimensioned to fit tightly inside the filter reservoir member and positioned adjacent to the area where the first half of enclosure is c Sealed in sealed form to the second half of the enclosure.
4. 4. The coated breathing filter apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the first end of the sleeve member is sealedly coupled to the filter reservoir member by intercalating the first end of the sleeve member between the female edge. of the first half of the enclosure of the filter reservoir member and the male edge of the second half of the enclosure of the filter reservoir member.
5. 5. The device d? breathing filter with coating according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve member has a generally constant coating diameter.
6. 6. The coated breathing filter apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the filter reservoir member includes a first enclosure half having an external end and an internal end, the external end including the first connector of the enclosure. filter deposit member; a second half of enclosure having an outer end and an inner end, the outer end having the second connector of the filter reservoir member; the inner end of the first half of the enclosure that is sealedly connected to the inner end of the second enclosure half. The coated breathing filter apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the inner end of the first enclosure half has a female edge and the inner end of the second enclosure half has a male edge, the inner end of the first half of the enclosure that is sealedly connected to the inner end of the second enclosure half by coupling the female edge of the first enclosure half with the male edge of the second enclosure half, and the first end of the enclosure of sleeve which is sealingly coupled to the filter reservoir member by intercalation of the first end of the sleeve member between the female edge of the first enclosure half and the male edge of the second enclosure half. 8. The coated breathing filter apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve member has a sufficient length between the first end and the second end so that the sleeve member can extend substantially along the entire length of the sleeve. the length of the breathing device. The coated breathing filter apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve member has a first section adjacent to the first end and a second section adjacent to the second end; the first section having a growing diameter that increases as the first section proceeds from the first end, the second section and the second end having a generally constant diameter equal to the maximum diameter of the first section, whereby, when a circuit of multiple limb breathing is connected to the first connector, the generally tubular sleeve member and the second end thereof loosely encircle the multiple limb breathing circuit. The coated breathing filter apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the filter reservoir member includes a first enclosure half having an external end and an internal end, the external end including the first connector of the enclosure. filtre tank member - a second half of enclosure having an outer end and an inner end, the external end including the second connector of the filter reservoir member; the inner end of the first enclosure half that is sealedly connected to the internal end of the second enclosure half. The coated breathing filter apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner end of the first enclosure half has a female edge and the inner end of the second enclosure half has a male edge, the inner end of the first half of the enclosure that is sealedly connected to the inner end of the second enclosure half by coupling the female edge of the first enclosure half with the male edge of the second enclosure half, and the first end of the enclosure of sleeve which is sealedly coupled with the member of Said filter deposit by intercalating the first end of the sleeve member between the female edge of the first enclosure half and the male edge of the second enclosure view. 12. The breathing filter apparatus with coating according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end of the sleeve member has a first diameter and the second end of the sleeve member has a second diameter, the second diameter which is greater than the first diameter. -xm "SYMMEN A lined filter apparatus that prevents germs from residing inside and outside a breathing device 10. The coated filter apparatus includes a filter member (12) and a sleeve member. (14) The filter member (12) is composed of a first enclosure half and a second enclosure half (60, 62) which are sealed at their inner ends (73, 80). The enclosure has connectors (36, 76) for connecting the coated filter apparatus to a breathing device and / or a patient airway component. (64) is positioned within the filter member enclosure to prevent gases flowing between the first connector and the second connector of the filter member without passing through the filter element. The filter member prevents germs from passing between the patient and the interior of the breathing device. The sleeve member (14) is made of a flexible material and has a first open end (100), a second open end (102) and a middle portion (104) extending between the first open end (100) and the second open end (102). The first open end (100) of the sleeve member (14) is a seal coupled to the filter member (12).