Patent ID: 6962153
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An interlock/exclusion system for use with an gas administration apparatus having at least a first, second and third gas flow units removably secured thereto, each of the gas flow units being arranged to be opened to enable the apparatus to provide a gas to a patient, said interlock/exclusion system being arranged when any one of the gas flow units is opened to prevent the opening of the others of the gas flow units, said interlock/exclusion system comprising a first pivotable bar, a second pivotable bar, a first pivotable coupling, a first pin associated with said first bar and with the first gas flow unit, a second pin associated with said first and second bars and said second gas flow unit, a third pin associated with said second bar and said third gas flow unit, said first pivotable bar having a first end to which said first pin is coupled and a second end to which said second pin is coupled, said second pivotable bar having a first end to which said second pin is coupled and a second end to which said third pin is coupled, said first coupling having a first portion arranged to engage said second end of said first pivotable bar and a second portion arranged to engage said first end of said second pivotable bar, said first gas flow unit being arranged when opened to cause said first pin to pivot said first pivotable bar, whereupon said second end of said first pivotable bar causes said second pin to prevent the opening of said second gas flow unit and causes said first coupling to pivot to cause said second pivotable bar to pivot, whereupon said second end of said second pivotable bar causes said third pin to prevent the opening of said third gas flow unit, said second gas flow unit being arranged when opened to cause said second pin to pivot said first and second pivotable bars, whereupon said first end of said first pivotable bar causes said first pin to prevent the opening of said first gas flow unit and said second end of said second pivotable bar causes said third pin to prevent the opening of said third gas flow unit, said third gas flow unit being arranged when opened to cause said third pin to pivot said second pivotable bar, whereupon said first end of said second pivotable bar causes said second pin to prevent the opening of said second gas flow unit and causes said first coupling to pivot to cause said first pivotable bar to pivot, whereupon said first end of said first pivotable bar causes said first pin to prevent the opening of said first gas flow unit.