System and method for preventing cross-contamination in flow generation systems

Abstract

A system for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators is described. In one embodiment, the system includes an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface by a gas flow circuit. A controller is electrically coupled to the airflow generator, and a cartridge is connected to the gas flow circuit between a first point downstream of the humidifier and a second point upstream of the patient interface. The cartridge includes a bacteria filter and the first check valve. A method for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators and a method for providing gaseous flow through a single-limb ventilator are also described.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A ventilator system comprising:
 an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, which is connected in line to a first check valve, which is connected in line to a patient interface connection by an inhalation flow circuit;   a controller electrically coupled to the airflow generator;   a second check valve connected in-line to a bacterial filter along an exhalation flow circuit, the exhalation flow circuit connected to the inhalation flow circuit between a first junction upstream of the humidifier and a second junction downstream of the first check valve, so as to prevent cross-contamination between the inhalation and exhalation flow circuits; and   an exhalation valve electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier.   
     
     
         3 . The ventilator system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a removable cartridge containing the bacterial filter and the first check valve; and   a housing comprising a cavity, the housing configured so that the first check valve is connected in-line with the inhalation flow circuit and the bacterial filter is connected in-line with the exhalation flow circuit when the cartridge is fully inserted into the cavity.   
     
     
         4 . The ventilator system of  claim 3 , wherein the removable cartridge houses the second junction. 
     
     
         5 . The ventilator system of  claim 2 , wherein the exhalation valve is one of a voice coil actuator, stepper motor valve, proportional solenoid valve and pneumatically piloted balloon valve. 
     
     
         6 . The ventilator system of  claim 2 , wherein the first check valve is configured to restrict an upstream flow of gas. 
     
     
         7 . The ventilator system of  claim 2 , wherein the second check valve is configured to restrict &downstream flow of gas. 
     
     
         8 . The ventilator system of  claim 2 , further comprising a flow sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
         9 . The ventilator system of  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilator system of  claim 2 , wherein the housing is connected to the air flow generator on one side and the humidifier on the other. 
     
     
         11 . The ventilator system of  claim 3 , wherein the housing and at least one of the airflow generator and humidifier are further contained in a single device housing. 
     
     
         12 . A gas flow system comprising:
 an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface connection by inhalation flow circuit;   a controller electrically coupled to the airflow generator; and   a second check valve connected in-line to a bacterial filter along an exhalation flow circuit, the exhalation flow circuit connected to the inhalation flow circuit between a first junction upstream of the humidifier and a second junction downstream of the first check valve, so as to prevent cross-contamination between the inhalation and exhalation flow circuits; and   an exhalation valve electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier.   
     
     
         13 . The gas flow system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a removable cartridge containing the bacterial filter and the first check valve; and   a housing comprising a cavity, the housing configured so that the first check valve is connected in-line with the inhalation flow circuit and the bacterial filter is connected in-line with the exhalation flow circuit when the cartridge is fully inserted into the cavity.   
     
     
         14 . The gas flow system of  claim 13 , wherein the removable cartridge houses the second junction. 
     
     
         15 . The gas flow system of  claim 12 , wherein the exhalation valve is one of a voice coil actuator, stepper motor valve, proportional solenoid valve and pneumatically piloted balloon valve. 
     
     
         16 . The gas flow system of  claim 12 , wherein the first check valve is configured to restrict an upstream flow of gas. 
     
     
         17 . The gas flow system of  claim 12 , wherein the second check valve is configured to restrict &downstream flow of gas. 
     
     
         18 . The gas flow system of  claim 12 , further comprising a flow sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
         19 . The gas flow of  claim 12 , further comprising a pressure sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
         20 . The gas flow system of  claim 12 , wherein the gas flow system is a ventilator system. 
     
     
         21 . The gas flow system of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is connected to the air flow generator on one side and the humidifier on the other. 
     
     
         22 . The gas flow system of  claim 21 , wherein the housing, and at least one of the airflow generator and humidifier are further contained in a single device housing.