Maintaining an exhalation valve sensor assembly

The disclosure describes an exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disclosure describes a novel exhalation valve sensor assembly that is configured for refurbishing. Accordingly, the disclosure further describes systems and methods for maintaining an exhalation valve assembly and describes a kit for refurbishing an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

INTRODUCTION

Medical ventilators are designed to control the delivery of respiratory gas to a patient to supplement the patient's breathing efforts or to cause the inflation and deflation of a non-breathing patient's lung. Ventilators are often used in conjunction with a dual-limb patient circuit that conveys respiratory gas to a patient through a first tube referred to as the inspiratory limb and return exhaled gas from the patient through a second tube referred to as the expiratory limb.

In order to accurately control the delivery of respiratory gas, pressure in the patient circuit may be controlled so that gas is released during an exhalation phase and, typically but not always, flow is completely blocked during an inhalation phase. However, the ventilator circuit, particularly the expiratory limb that handles the patient's exhaled gas, presents a challenging environment. Challenges include controlling pressure and flow rate in the expiratory limb, monitoring the pressure and flow rate of the system, and capturing potentially contagious material that may be exhaled by the patient.

Maintaining an Exhalation Valve Sensor Assembly

The disclosure describes an exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disclosure describes a novel exhalation valve sensor assembly that is configured for refurbishing. Accordingly, the disclosure further describes systems and methods for maintaining an exhalation valve assembly, and the disclosure describes a kit for refurbishing an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

In an embodiment of an exhalation valve sensor assembly, an exhalation valve sensor assembly includes an assembly base. The assembly based includes a bottom-side of the assembly base, a top-side of the assembly base, and a passageway. The passageway extends through the bottom-side of the assembly base to the top-side of the assembly base. Additionally, a filter opening is on the top-side of the assembly base. A cylindrical well extends from the top-side of the assembly base, and the base of the cylindrical well encircles a portion of an opening of the passageway. An exhalation exhaust is attached to the cylindrical well. A is sensor coupled to at least one of the group selected from the passageway, the filter opening, and the exhalation exhaust. Additionally, the valve sensor assembly includes a recessed portion of the bottom side of the assembly base. The recessed portion includes an annular seat. A circular diaphragm is located within the cylindrical well, and an expiratory filter seal is located within the annular seat. Furthermore, a pressure sensor filter is attached to a filter grommet, and the filter grommet is operatively coupled to the filter opening.

In embodiments of a reprocessing kit, a kit includes a circular diaphragm configured for placement in a cylindrical well of an exhalation valve sensor body. The kit also includes, a seal bead extending from an outer edge of the circular diaphragm. The seal bead is configured to nest within an outer annular groove of the cylindrical well. The circular diaphragm includes an interior cylindrical nipple that extends in a same direction as the seal bead with a valve seat surface for engaging a valve seat of the exhalation valve sensor body. The kit also includes a ring-shaped filter seal with a flat surface. The ring-shaped seal is configured for placement into an annular seat of a recessed portion of the exhalation valve sensor body. The flat surface faces outward away from the annular seat of the exhalation valve sensor body. The kit includes a pressure sensor filter including a disk shaped body having an assembly base side and opposite exterior side with an assembly base nozzle extending from the assembly base side and an exterior side nozzle extending from the exterior side. The assembly base nozzle has a larger diameter than the exterior side nozzle. The assembly base nozzle is configured to attach to a filter grommet of the exhalation valve sensor body via rotation of the pressure sensor filter until the exhalation valve sensor body is flush with the disk shaped body.

Additionally, an embodiment of a method maintaining an exhalation valve sensor assembly includes. Disassembling an installed exhalation valve sensor assembly to form a disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disassembly includes removing an installed diaphragm from a well of the used exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disassembly includes removing an installed exhalation valve filter seal from an annular seat of a recessed portion of the used exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disassembly includes removing an installed pressure sensor filter from the used exhalation valve sensor assembly. The method includes disinfecting the disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly to form a disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disinfecting includes pre-soaking the disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly in an enzymatic solution to form a pre-soaked exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disinfecting includes rinsing the pre-soaked exhalation valve sensor assembly to form a rinsed exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disinfecting includes disinfecting the rinsed exhalation valve sensor assembly in a disinfectant solution to form a sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disinfecting includes rinsing the sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly. The disinfecting includes immersing the sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly in a drying agent. The method includes drying the disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly. The method includes after the drying step, reassembling the disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly. The reassembling includes inserting an uncontaminated pressure sensor filter into the disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly. The reassembling includes inserting an uncontaminated exhalation valve filter seal into the annular seat of the recessed portion. The reassembling includes inserting an uncontaminated exhalation valve diaphragm into the well.

These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the systems and methods described herein will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. Additional features are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the technology. The benefits and features of the technology will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the kits, apparatuses, systems, and methods discussed in detail below may be implemented for a variety of medical devices, the present disclosure will discuss these apparatuses, systems, and methods in the context of a medical ventilator for use in providing ventilation support to a human patient. The reader will understand that the technology described in the context of a medical ventilator for human patients could be adapted for use with other systems such as ventilators for non-human patients. Additionally, the technology may be used in conjunction with a general gas transport system where there is a desire to direct, monitor, and/or control the effluent flow of gas from the system.

An exhalation valve sensor assembly monitors the pressure, temperature, and/or flow of exhalation gases. However, the exhalation valve sensor assembly is directly exposed exhaled gases of a patient. The exhaled gas contains water vapor or humidity which may clog the flow paths within the exhalation valve sensor assembly. Further, the exhalation gas may contain contagious materials depending upon the patient that could contaminate the exhalation flow sensor assembly. Accordingly, there is a desire to perform maintenance on one or more elements of an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

Accordingly, this disclosure describes embodiments of exhalation valve sensor assembly that is configured to be refurbished. Additionally, the disclosure describes systems and methods for maintaining the exhalation valve sensor assembly. Further, this disclosure describes kits that include replaceable parts that aid in the maintenance of the exhalation valve sensor assembly. The refurbishable exhalation valve sensor assembly, the maintaining systems and methods, and/or the kits prevent contamination between patients. Further, the refurbishable exhalation valve sensor assembly, the maintaining systems and methods, and/or the kits may extend the life of the exhalation valve sensor assembly when compared to exhalation valve sensor assemblies that are not refurbishable.

FIGS. 1-3illustrate embodiments of an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

FIG. 1illustrates an exhalation valve sensor assembly100that includes an assembly base102. The assembly base102has a bottom-side104, a top-side106, and a passageway108that extends through the base and provides a flow path from the bottom-side104to the top-side106. The well112is attached to and extends from a top-side106of an assembly base102. The well112includes an exhalation exhaust114. A top-side106also has a filter opening110. A bottom-side104has a recessed portion. A device having an assembly base102, a well112, and an exhalation exhaust114may be referred to as an exhalation valve sensor body. Further, an exhalation valve sensor assembly100may include a pressure sensor filter116, a diaphragm118, and an expiratory filter seal120.

In embodiments, both the top-side106and the bottom-side104of the assembly base102have substantially flat surfaces. Additionally, either or both the top-side106and the bottom-side104may have a recessed portion. A recessed portion need not contain further recesses, but the recessed portion may contain further recessed portions. Further, the top-side106B, which is opposite the bottom-side104, may be oriented such that the top-side and bottom-side are substantially parallel to each other.

In embodiments, a passageway108may allow gas to flow from a bottom-side104to a top-side106. In some embodiments, the passageway108has a cylindrical or tubular shape. Additionally, a passageway108may be axially oriented perpendicular to the planes of a top-side106and a bottom-side104. Such an embodiment may form a direct bore from the top-side106to a bottom-side104. Additionally, a top-side opening of the passageway108may extend beyond a top-side106. The extension may be substantially cylindrical or tubular in shape. The extension may extend to a height lower than that of a wall of a cylindrical well112. Further, a passageway108may have a design that can engage the surface of a diaphragm. In some embodiments, the passageway108houses one or more temperature, pressure and/or flow sensors. In other embodiments, the passageway108does not include any sensors.

In embodiments, the top-side opening of the passageway108may be encompassed by a well112. The well112may be cylindrical in shape. A cylindrical well112has a single wall. In embodiments where a passageway108has an opening that extends past a top-side106, the height of the wall of the cylindrical well112may be higher than that of the height of the extended passageway108. In embodiments, a passageway108allows exhaled air to flow into a well112. Flow of exhaled air continues from well112out to exhalation exhaust114. A well112may be attached to a base102. Alternatively, a single piece of molded plastic may form the top-side106and the well112.

A well112may include an exhalation exhaust114. An exhalation exhaust114is any device, shape, or opening that is adapted to allow flow of gas to travel out of a well112. For example, an exhalation exhaust114may extend out away from the well112. Alternatively, the exhalation exhaust114may be a port. An extended exhalation exhaust114may have any suitable shape such as tubular, cylindrical, or parallelepiped shape. Additionally, the extended exhalation exhaust114may be a combination of any such shapes to form a unique 3-dimensional shape. In embodiments, an extended exhalation exhaust114will be adapted to allow gas to flow from the well112to the exhalation exhaust114.

The exhalation exhaust114may direct effluent flow of gas, such as exhaled air from a user of a medical ventilator, to an open environment. This directing may be accomplished by angling an extended exhalation exhaust114in some direction. This direction may be a direction away from an exhalation valve sensor assembly100. The open environment may be the environment external to a ventilator, such as the space in a room in which a person using a medical ventilator is located. Alternatively, the exhalation exhaust114may be coupled to another device that may further process or filter the exhaled air.

In embodiments, a filter opening110may be an opening to a pathway designed to allow air or another fluid to pass to a sensor device, such as flow sensor device. A pathway may be cylindrical in nature, and the filter opening110may be circular in shape. A filter opening110may be fitted with a grommet. The filter grommet may be adapted to receive a pressure sensor filter116.

An exhalation valve sensor body including an assembly base102, a well112, and an exhalation exhaust114may be made from a rigid plastic material. For example, the rigid plastic material may be PVC. Other suitable materials may also be used to make the exhalation exhaust114.

A pressure sensor filter116may filter air or other gasses for use in combination with a flow sensor. The pressure sensor filter116may have a disked shaped body. The disk may have two nozzles that protrude axially through the center of the disk. One nozzle may be adapted for insertion into the filter opening110located on the top-side106of the assembly base102. In embodiments, this nozzle is known as the assembly base nozzle. The opposite side nozzle may extend outward away from the assembly base102. In embodiments, this nozzle is known as an exterior side nozzle. Additionally, in embodiments, the side of the disk shaped body from which the assembly base nozzle extends from is known as the assembly base side. The side opposite the assembly base side from which the exterior side nozzle extends from the disk shaped body is known as the exterior base side.

The pressure sensor filter116may be designed to operatively couple to a filter opening110. Operative coupling may be accomplished through the use of a filter grommet. For example, a filter grommet may contain threads that correspond to threads located on an assembly base nozzle of a pressure sensor filter116. In embodiments, inserting and twisting a pressure sensor filter116into a filter opening110containing a threaded filter grommet may screw the pressure sensor filter116into the filter opening110. Other mechanism such as a catch may also be used. Embodiments of a pressure sensor filter are described further with reference toFIG. 4.

A diaphragm118may be used in an exhalation valve sensor assembly100. In embodiments, a diaphragm118may be circular and may have a seal bead that extends from an outer edge. A circular diaphragm118may additionally have a cylindrical nipple that extends outward from the center of the circular diaphragm118. A cylindrical nipple may have a flat side that is adapted to sit on a valve seat of a passageway108. Embodiments of a diaphragm are described further with reference toFIG. 5.

The exhalation valve sensor assembly100may include an expiratory filter seal120. The expiratory filter seal120may be ring shaped. Additionally, a ring-shaped expiratory filter seal120may have a flat surface and an opposite surface. An expiratory filter seal120may fit in a seat of a recessed portion of a bottom side104of an assembly base. The flat surface of a expiratory filter seal120may face away from a valve sensor body. Embodiments of a filter seal are described further with reference toFIG. 6.

With reference toFIG. 2,FIG. 2illustrates a top view of an exhalation valve sensor body200. In embodiments, an exhalation valve sensor body200may include a passageway108, a filter opening110, a well112, an exhalation exhaust114, and a sensor222.

In embodiments, devices such as a diaphragm or a one way valve may be used to intermittently block a passageway108. The blockage may correspond to an inhalation phase of a medical ventilator. For example, during inspiration, the passageway108may be blocked to prevent gas from flowing from the well112into the passageway108. During exhalation, the blockage created by the diaphragm may be moved to allow airflow from the passageway108to an exhalation exhaust114.

In embodiments, intermittently blocking an air pathway from a passageway108is accomplished by use of a diaphragm. For example, the passageway108has a valve seat226that can engage a diaphragm. In an embodiment, the diaphragm is circular, and the diaphragm has an interior cylindrical nipple. The cylindrical nipple may have a flat surface. In an embodiment, the flat surface of the cylindrical nipple is such that that when the flat surface is flush with a valve seat226, an airtight or substantially airtight seal is formed. When a diaphragm is in a resting state and inserted into a well112, air cannot flow from the passageway108into the well112. The force of air traveling from a passageway108may be sufficient to cause the cylindrical nipple to separate from the valve seat226. This separation may allow air to flow from the passageway108to the well112.

In embodiments a sensor222may be affixed to areas of an exhalation valve sensor body200. For example, the sensor may be affixed to an inner wall of the passageway208. A sensor222may be a hot wire anemometer flow meter. There may be a desire to use a hot-wire anemometers sensor222because of its small size. Hot wire anemometer-based sensors are known in the art, and such sensors measure flow based on the cooling of a heated wire, or based on the current required to maintain a wire at a fixed temperature when the wire is exposed to the flow of gas. Although a hot wire anemometer-based sensor is described, any suitable sensor now known or later developed may be used.

For example, a sensor222may be a differential pressure meter. A sensor222in the form of a differential pressure meter includes a pressure sensor connected to two pressure taps providing access to different points in a flow path. The flow path may be a pathway through the passageway108, into the well112, and out through the exhalation exhaust114. A filter opening110may provide access to atmospheric pressure for a flow sensor222. A pressure sensor filter may filter air or other gases to service a flow sensor222. As is known in the art, flow can be determined by measuring the differential pressure across a known flow restriction under known conditions of temperature and gas characteristics. In embodiments, one or more sensors222may be used in combination with other sensors222, and each sensor222used may be of a different type than other sensors222. The sensor222may be placed in a number of locations about an exhalation valve sensor body200. For example, sensors222may be placed in a filter opening, an exhalation exhaust, a passageway, and/or a well.

A well112includes at least one wall220, and the well112may have a seal bead lip228. In embodiments, a well112has a cylindrical wall220. A cylindrical well112may be configured to receive a circular diaphragm. For example, an annular grove230may be formed by a portion of a wall220attached to a seal bead lip228. The annular groove230may be configured to allow a seal bead from a circular diaphragm to be removable inserted into an annular grove230.

In other embodiments, the edge of the well112may have one or more retainers such as lips, grooves, or ridges so that a diaphragm may be removably attached. When attached to the cylindrical well112, a circular diaphragm may form a substantially airtight seal so gas may only flow from a passageway108to exhalation exhaust114.

With respect toFIG. 3,FIG. 3represents a bottom view of an exhalation valve sensor body300. In embodiments, an exhalation valve sensor body300has a passageway108, a filter opening110, an exhalation exhaust114, a recessed portion332, and an annular seat336.

In embodiments, an annular seat336may be present. The annular seat336may be configured to receive an expiratory filter seal. Such a seal may form a substantially airtight seal with an attached device, such as a filter trap module of a medical ventilator. This substantially airtight seal may allow air to flow from an attached device through a passageway108to out to an exhalation exhaust114.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7are illustrations of embodiments of a kit. Kits contain one or more replaceable parts of an exhalation valve sensor assembly. Kits may additionally contain instructions.

With reference toFIG. 4,FIG. 4represents an embodiment of kit containing a pressure sensor filter400. A pressure sensor filter400is an embodiment of a kit for replacing an installed pressure filter in an exhalation valve sensor assembly. As shown, the pressure sensor filter400may have a disk shaped body402. The disk shaped body402has an exterior side404and an assembly base side406. In embodiments, an exterior side nozzle408protrudes from the exterior side404of the disk shaped body. Additionally, an assembly base nozzle410protrudes from an assembly base side406. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the assembly base nozzle410and the exterior side nozzle408have a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the opening of the assembly base nozzle410may be greater than that of the diameter of the opening of the exterior side nozzle408. A passageway exists such that air can flow through an exterior side nozzle408, into the disk shaped body402, and through an assembly base nozzle410. A pressure sensor filter400may employ a variety of filtering techniques and filter media. A pressure sensor filter400may be used to replace an installed pressure sensor filter during the refurbishing an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

Turning now toFIG. 5,FIG. 5illustrates an embodiment of a kit containing a diaphragm500. As shown, diaphragm500is a circular diaphragm500. A diaphragm500is an embodiment of a kit for replacing an installed diaphragm of an exhalation valve sensor assembly. The diaphragm500has a flexible protrusion that extends outward from the center of a circular diaphragm500. This protrusion is known as cylindrical nipple502. In embodiments, the cylindrical nipple502may have a flat surface504that is adapted to fit a valve seat of a passageway. Additionally, the diaphragm500has a seal bead506adapted to fit or nest within an annular grove of an exhalation valve body assembly. Further, a diaphragm may have a ring-shaped seal mounting hump508. The diaphragm500is used to replace an inserted diaphragm during the refurbishing of an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

In embodiments, a kit may contain a diaphragm and an expiratory filter seal. In these embodiments, the diaphragm and the expiratory filter seal may be contained in a single package. In some embodiments, when a kit containing a diaphragm and the expiratory filter seal may utilize a ring-shaped seal mounting hump508to removably couple to a ring-shaped expiratory filter seal600to a diaphragm500in order to reduce packaging space. Such a coupling may be a loose coupling. For example, a ring-shaped seal602may be placed on a ring-shaped seal mounting hump508. Doing so may reduce the amount of movement a ring-shaped seal600may experience in relationship to the diaphragm500when packaged during, for example, transport of a ring-shape seal602. The ring-shaped seal may be similar or the same as the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6.

In other embodiments, a kit may contain a diaphragm and a pressure sensor filter contained in one package. In other embodiments, the kit may contain a diaphragm, a pressure sensor filter, and an expiratory filter seal. Indeed, a kit may contain a combination of one or more types of reusable parts. Additionally, each there may be multiple reusable parts of a single type in a kit. The cylindrical nipple502may be configured such that one side of a pressure sensor filter nests in the cylindrical nipple502when packaged. The nesting may allow for a condensed packaging arrangement. For example a pressure sensor filter400may have an exterior side nozzle408that nests within the cylindrical nipple502. Additionally, a pressure sensor filter400may have an assembly base nozzle410that nests within the cylindrical nipple502.

In embodiments, diaphragm500is constructed from a unitary construction of molded, flexible material such as silicon rubber. The material may be one that resists wear and degradation. Other materials may be used such as VITON rubber, elastomers or other suitable materials.

With respect toFIG. 6,FIG. 6shows an embodiment of a kit containing an expiratory filter seal600. The expiratory filter seal600is used to replace an installed expiratory filter seal of an exhalation valve sensor assembly. This expiratory filter seal600may be a ring-shaped expiratory filter seal as illustrated. A ring-shaped filter seal may have a flat-side602specifically adapted to interface with another device within a ventilator system. For example, the ring-shaped filter seal may form a substantially air-tight seal with another device in a ventilator system. In some embodiments, the other device is a filter-trap module. A ring-shaped expiratory filter seal600is placed in an annular seat of a recessed portion of a valve sensor body. This may cause a substantially air-tight seal or air-tight seal to form when an exhalation valve sensor assembly is inserted into a ventilator system. Expiratory filter seal600may be made of the same or similar material as those materials described above with respect to diaphragm500.

Turning now toFIG. 7,FIG. 7illustrates an embodiment of a kit700. A kit700includes a container702, an expiratory filter seal704, a pressure sensor filter706, and diaphragm708.

As illustrated, container702has a lid and a bottom. In some embodiments, the bottom and the lid are pivotally connected to each other. In further embodiments, container702is made of a rigid plastic material. For example, the container702may be made of PVC. Additionally other suitable materials may be used to for the container. For example, materials for preventing contamination of the kit pieces may be used, such as rubber, flexible plastics, cardboard or other materials may be used.

Other container702configurations may be available. For example, a container702may be a flexible plastic. This flexible plastic container702may be designed for a single use. Opening the container may involve tearing open the single use container702along a pre-scored edge.

The bottom portion of a container702may be designed to receive one or more reusable parts. For example, certain containers702have bottom portions, and these bottom portions have an inner well710. An inner well710may be cylindrical in shape. The inner well710may be configured to receive an element of a reusable part. For example, a pressure sensor filter706may have one or more nozzles that may fit snuggly or nest into the inner well710of a container702.

Inner well710may have an outer circular wall that is sized to receive an expiratory filter seal704. For example, a ring-shaped expiratory filter seal704may have an inner-hole diameter such that the circular expiratory filter seal fits snugly around a wall of a cylindrical inner well710. Thus the raised wall may prevent the filter seal from moving freely about the packaging shell and/or reduce packaging space and materials.

In embodiments, the raised wall of a cylindrical inner well710may be such that a raised wall of the cylindrical inner well710is configured to secure a diaphragm708. In embodiments, a raised wall may be such that the raised wall extends into a hollow inner nipple of a diaphragm708. This may substantially prevent the diaphragm from moving about a package. In an embodiment, the flexible nature of the diaphragm708may be used to provide a restraining force on the other components when installed in the container so that none of the components can move when installed in the container702. This force may or may not require the diaphragm708to be stored in a deformed shape, depending on the implementation of the packaging.

It may be desirous for a container702to be substantially sterile. This may be achieved by manufacturing the packaging in a sterile environment. Other embodiments may cause a container702to become sterile, before or after installing the diaphragm708, filter seal704, and sensor filter706, by any suitable means known in the art such as heat or chemical sterilization agents.

Instructions may be provided with the reusable parts in a package scheme. For example, instructions712may be included in container702. In an alternative embodiment, the instructions may be attached to the container702or provided with the container702, such as in the packaging as shown inFIG. 12, below. These instructions may, for example, detail a method to refurbish an exhalation valve sensor assembly. This method may be similar to the method described below with reference toFIG. 8.

FIG. 12illustrates an embodiment of a package for holding multiple kits. Kit packing scheme900may contain a container902, a kit904, and a kit connector906.

Container902may be a box that can re-sealably open, such as the one illustrated inFIG. 12. A re-sealable container902may be a box with a lid that can reattach and/or reclose after being opened. Alternatively, the container may not be re-sealable and/or reclosable once opened. In some embodiments, a container902is a flexible plastic pack.

In embodiments, kit904may be a circular diaphragm, an expiratory filter seal, or a pressure sensor filter. In other embodiments, a kit904may contain one or more of the following: a circular diaphragm, an expiratory filter seal, and a pressure sensor filter. For example, the kit904may a kit as described with reference toFIG. 7. In a single reusable part kit packing scheme900, a kit is made up of only one reusable part. For example, a single reusable part kit packing scheme900may contain one or more circular diaphragms, but may not contain a circular diaphragm and an expiratory filter seal. However, other embodiments of packing schemes include containers that contain kits, where the kits are made up of multiple reusable parts.

A kit904may be affixed to another kit904in a packing scheme900. This may be accomplished by the use of a kit connector906. Kit connector906may be a rigid plastic affixed to a kit904. In other embodiments, multiple containers, such as multiple containers702are created from a single mold. These

Turning now toFIG. 8,FIG. 8provides a method800of refurbishing an exhalation valve sensor assembly. A patient may contaminate an exhalation valve sensor assembly. For example, expiratory gas contains humidity and biological debris. This may adhere to various parts and passageways of an exhalation valve sensor assembly. Method800provides a way to disinfect, clean, and/or extend the usable life of the non-disposable parts of a valve sensor assembly. Refurbishing method800, however, need not be in response to patient use. In some embodiments method800is performed where the fidelity of an exhalation valve sensor assembly is questionable.

In an embodiment, refurbish method800begins by removing of an installed exhalation valve sensor assembly operation802. In remove operation802an installed exhalation valve assembly is removed from a ventilation system. In embodiments, there may be a necessity to access an exhalation valve sensor assembly. Access may be obtained by opening a door.

Removal operation802may then proceed by inserting a thumb into a installed exhalation exhaust and placing four fingers into a recessed portion of the installed exhalation sensor valve assembly. Care may be taken to not place fingers into a passageway. This may ensure that any flow sensors within a passageway are not damaged.

Refurbish method800includes a disassemble operation804. The disassemble operation804disassembles an installed exhalation valve sensor assembly to form a disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly. As illustrated inFIG. 9, disassemble operation804includes a diaphragm removal operation804A, a seal removal operation804B, and a filter removal operation804C. During operation804A, an installed diaphragm is removed from a well of the used exhalation valve sensor assembly operation804A. In some embodiments operation804A includes lifting the installed diaphragm out of a well. Force may be needed to lift the installed diaphragm where an installed diaphragm has a seal bead inserted into an annular grove of a well of an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

During operation804B, an installed exhalation valve filter seal is removed from an annular seat of the used exhalation valve sensor assembly. In embodiments, operation804B includes removing an installed expiratory valve filter seal from a recessed portion of the used exhalation valve sensor assembly. This removal may be accomplished by pinching the installed expiratory filter seal between two fingers and lifting the expiratory filter seal out of an annular seat of a recessed portion of an exhalation valve sensor assembly.

During operation804C, an installed pressure sensor filter is removed from a used exhalation valve sensor assembly. In embodiments, operation804C includes removing the installed pressure sensor filter, which may be located in a filter grommet that is attached to a filter opening of a used exhalation valve sensor assembly. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the installed pressure sensor is removed by using a twisting motion during operation804C. In other embodiments, the installed pressure sensor filter is removed by lifting the pressure sensor filter out of a filter opening during operation804C.

Removal of the disposable parts including an installed diaphragm, an installed valve filter seal, and an installed pressure filter need not occur in any particular order during disassemble operation804. The term “installed” refers to a disposable part (such as a diaphragm, a pressure sensor filter, and an exhalation valve filter seal) that was installed in an exhalation valve sensor assembly. The exhalation valve sensor assembly containing the installed disposable part may or may not have been used in a medical ventilation device. The medical ventilator containing the installed disposable part may or may not have been used in the treatment of a patient. In some embodiments, the installed disposable part may be contaminated. The removal of the disposable parts creates a disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly.

The disposable parts may contain bio-contaminated waste. When bio-contamination is present, it is important to dispose of the disposable parts according to local governing ordinances regarding the disposal of potentially bio-contaminated waste.

Refurbish method800then proceeds to disinfect operation806. Disinfect operation806includes pre-soaking the disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly in an enzymatic solution to form a pre-soaked exhalation valve sensor assembly operation806A, rinsing the pre-soaked exhalation valve sensor assembly to form a rinsed exhalation valve sensor assembly operation806B, disinfecting the rinsed exhalation valve sensor assembly in a disinfectant solution to form a sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly operation806C, rinsing the sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly operation806D, and immersing the sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly in a drying agent operation806E. Completion of these steps forms a disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly. Disinfect valve sensor operation is illustrated inFIG. 10.

In embodiments, disinfect operation806includes pre-soaking a disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly in an enzymatic solution operation806A. Pre-soaking the disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly may break down any bio-film that may be present. Presoaking a disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly operation806A creates a pre-soaked exhalation sensor valve assembly.

In embodiments, disinfect operation806includes rinsing a disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly operation806B. The rinsing agent may be deionized water or other suitable rinsing agent. Rinsing operation806B forms a rinsed exhalation valve sensor assembly.

In embodiments, disinfect operation806includes disinfecting a disassembled exhalation valve sensor assembly by immersion in a disinfectant solution operation806C. Disinfecting operation806C may include preparing a suitable disinfectant.

In embodiments, disinfecting by immersion operation806C of a rinsed exhalation valve sensor assembly may include orienting the rinsed exhalation valve sensor assembly such that the exhalation exhaust is pointed toward the surface of the disinfectant. Next, one then immerses the disassembled exhalation valve sensor in the disinfectant. While immersed, one then rotates the rinsed exhalation valve sensor until all trapped air contained within the rinsed exhalation valve is removed. The immersion operation806C forms a sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly.

The next step in disinfect operation806is rinsing a sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly806D. This may help to remove any excess disinfectant. The rinsing agent may be deionized water or other suitable rinsing agent. In some embodiments of the method800, there is a necessity to perform this rinsing several times, including three times.

The next step in disinfect operation806is immersing the sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly in a drying agent operation806E. Operation806E the drying agent may be isopropyl alcohol or other suitable agent. One may immerse the sanitized exhalation valve sensor for approximately 15 seconds. Slowly swishing and rotating the sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly may remove air from air pockets. After this step, the sanitized exhalation valve sensor assembly may be referred to as a disinfected valve sensor assembly. After a disinfect operation806various parts of the disinfected valve sensor assembly may be described as disinfected. For example, after a disinfect operation806, the disinfected valve sensor assembly includes a disinfected well, a disinfected filter opening, and a disinfected annular seat.

Refurbish method800then proceeds to a drying operation808. Operation808includes drying a disinfected valve sensor assembly. Drying the disinfected valve sensor assembly may proceed in a low temperature warm air cabinet designed for such purposes. It may be desirable to ensure the temperature does not exceed 140 df.

After the drying step, refurbish method800may proceed to a reassemble operation810. Operation810includes reassembling a disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly, which is illustrated inFIG. 11. This includes inserting an uncontaminated pressure sensor filter into a disinfected filter opening of the disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly810A, inserting an uncontaminated exhalation valve filter seal into a disinfected annular seat of the disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly810B, and inserting an uncontaminated exhalation valve diaphragm into a disinfected well of the disinfected exhalation valve sensor assembly810C.

It will be clear that the systems and methods described herein are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems within this specification may be implemented in many manners and as such is not to be limited by the foregoing exemplified embodiments and examples. In other words, functional elements being performed by a single or multiple components and individual functions can be distributed among different components. In this regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described as possible.

While various embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made which are well within the scope of the disclosed methods. Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure.