Patent ID: 9713438
Date: 2017-07-25
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61M,G01F

Claim:
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, 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.