Patent ID: 6851427
Filing Date: 2005-02-08
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A breathing circuit disconnect warning system connector for monitoring continuity within a breathing circuit comprising, in combination: an endotracheal tube having a tubular portion fabricated of flexible non-conductive material and a coupling portion with a leading edge, the coupling portion and leading edge being generally rigid in a cylindrical configuration with a first axis and having an exterior surface with a first exterior diameter; a breathing circuit connector functioning as a supply tube fabricated of an essentially rigid electrically non-conductive material having a tubular portion and a coupling portion with a leading edge, the coupling portion and leading edge being generally rigid in a cylindrical configuration with a second axis and having an interior surface with a first interior diameter, the interior surface of the coupling portion having a pair of spaced parallel electrically conductive strips extending around the entire circumference of the interior surface and adapted to be electrically coupled to a first circuit for detecting continuity of the first circuit; and an elbow functioning as a coupling tube fabricated of an essentially rigid electrically non-conductive material and having an output end in a cylindrical configuration with an axis positionable coextensive with the first axis of the endotracheal tube and having an interior surface with an interior diameter slightly greater than the exterior diameter of the endotracheal tube, the elbow also having an input end, with the interior surface of the elbow adjacent to the input end having a first electrically conductive element and a spaced second electrically conductive element and an adjacent electrically conductive finger, the finger formed with a fixed end pivotally coupled to the coupling tube and a free end resiliently biased away from the second electrically conductive element, the free end being positioned adjacent to the second electrically conductive element, the coupling tube also having an output end in a cylindrical configuration with an axis positionable coextensive with the axis of the supply tube perpendicular to the first axis of the endotrachial tube and having an exterior surface with an exterior diameter slightly less than the interior diameter of the supply tube, the exterior surface adjacent to the input end having a first electrically conductive ring and a second electrically conductive ring positionable in contact with the pair of spaced parallel electrically conductive strips of the supply tube, the electrically conductive elements and the finger constituting a switch, and electrical lines coupling the electrically conductive elements and the electrically conductive rings such that when the input end of the coupling tube is inserted into the supply tube and the endotracheal tube is inserted into the output end of the coupling tube, the switch will become closed and there is an electrical connection across the finger and between the electrically conductive elements and electrical lines and rings and strips.