Patent ID: 9375166
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: A61B,A61M,G01F

Claim Text:
1. A bi-directional flow sensor for sensing pressure of a flow passing therethrough, the flow sensor comprising: a hollow tubular member having a ventilator end and a patient end and defining a bore with a central axis, the bore including a throat section disposed between the ventilator end and the patient end; a flow restrictor bisecting the throat section and including a pair of pressure taps each defining a tap height, the pair of pressure taps configured to be fluidly connected to a pressure conversion device of the sensor for conversion of a pressure differential to a flow rate; a baffle disposed within the bore at the ventilator end and comprising a plurality of vanes, the baffle being sized and configured to limit non-axial flow at the pressure taps, wherein each of the plurality of vanes is radially oriented and includes a notch on a radially inward side proximal to the central axis such that the notches collectively define a pressure relief area within the bore; and a flow obstruction disposed at the patient end and being configured to promote uniform velocity across the bore at the pressure taps, wherein the tap height of the pressure tap disposed on the end of the flow restrictor facing the patient end has a height that is equal to or less than an obstruction height of the flow obstruction.