Anesthetic vaporizer filling system

A system for the delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to a sump of an anesthetic vaporizer includes a filler assembly rotatable about a pivot point. The filler assembly further includes a sump valve that controls fluid communication between the filler assembly and the sump. An adapter is coupled with the filler spout and includes a sealing surface that forms a seal against fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle and the adapter. The filler assembly, the filler spout, and the adapter are rotated about the pivot point along the rail. The rotation of the filler assembly, the filler spout, and the adapter about the pivot point opens the sump valve and the seal between the adapter and the anesthetic bottle.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a system for transferring a liquid anesthetic agent from an anesthetic bottle to an anesthetic vaporizer. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an anesthetic vaporizer, an adapter for an anesthetic bottle, and anesthetic vaporizer filling system.

Anesthetic agents are typically volatile substances with relatively low boiling points and high vapor pressures. Anesthetic agents can be flammable and explosive in both the liquid and vapor states. Further, inhalation of vapor by healthcare personnel in an area near where the anesthetic agent is being used can cause drowsiness, reduced attentiveness, and/or reduced reaction time. An anesthetic agent is administered to a patient during anesthesia through the use of an anesthetic vaporizer. The anesthetic agent is supplied to the patient as a vapor from a reservoir of anesthetic liquid stored in an internal sump within a vaporizer. The anesthetic agent is typically mixed with oxygen and/or nitrous oxide prior to its delivery to the patient for improved inhalation and/or absorption of the anesthetic agent by the patient's body.

Therefore, it is desirable to maintain the anesthetic agent in the sump sealed against the leakage of any of the anesthetic liquid, or vapor, except for desired release controlled by the vaporizer. Leakage of anesthetic liquids or vapors from the sump may result in exposing the personnel around the vaporizer to the risks indicated above, but may also contribute to waste or loss of the anesthetic agent itself, or the introduction of contaminants to the anesthetic agent stored in the sump.

Presently, many types of anesthetic agents are available for use during anesthesia and delivered by a vaporizer. These anesthetic agents include, but are not limited to: Enflurane (2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoromethyl), Halothane (1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2,-trifluoroethane), Isoflurane (1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether), Sevoflurane (fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoror-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl ether), and Desflurane (2-(difluoromethoxy)-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane).

Each of these anesthetic agents have different properties and vaporizers are designed to deliver each anesthetic agent differently depending upon the properties of the specific anesthetic agent. Therefore, it is important that the correct type of anesthetic agent is delivered to the vaporizer sump. Various conventions and/or standards, such as those defined by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) help to ensure that the correct anesthetic agent is delivered into a proper sump of the vaporizer. These conventions and standards include the use of various colors to indicate components directed towards the use of specific anesthetic agents. Additionally, the anesthetic bottle and the connection for the anesthetic bottle to the vaporizer are indexed such as through projections, keys, and/or bottle dimensions to ensure that only the proper anesthetic bottle fits the designated vaporizer components designed for that type of anesthetic. This greatly reduces the probability of inadvertently using the wrong type of anesthetic agent within the vaporizer.

BRIEF DISCLOSURE

A system for delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to a sump of an anesthetic vaporizer is disclosed herein. Embodiments of the system include a filler assembly rotatable above a pivot point, the filler assembly comprising a sump valve controlling a fluid connection between the sump and the filler assembly. A filler spout is connected in fluid communication with the filler assembly. An adapter is coaxial to a bottle cap which is suitable for connection to an anesthetic bottle containing a liquid anesthetic agent, the adapter has a sealing surface that engages the bottle cap to form a seal against fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle and the adapter. The adapter couples with the filler spout to form a fluid seal between the filler spout and the adapter. A rail is affixed to the anesthetic vaporizer, the rail has a cam surface. A rib of the adapter contacts the rail and the bottle cap contacts the rail. Rotation of the bottle cap and the adapter about the pivot point causes the cam surface of the rail to disengage the sealing surface of the adapter from the bottle cap and open the adapter to fluid communication with the anesthetic bottle.

An adapter apparatus for connection between an anesthetic bottle and an anesthetic vaporizer is further disclosed herein. An embodiment of the adapter includes a bottle cap configured at one end for connection to an anesthetic bottle. The bottle cap includes an open interior. An adapter includes a bottle end and vaporizer end, the bottle end terminates in a sealing surface that couples with the bottle cap to form a fluid seal. The vaporizer end of the adapter is configured to couple with the anesthetic vaporizer and further includes a rib that extends radially outward from the adapter. An expansive force applied between the bottle cap and the rib of the adapter increases the distance between the bottle cap and the rib of the adapter and separates the sealing surface of the adapter from the bottle cap, thereby opening fluid communication between the bottle cap and the adapter.

An anesthetic vaporizer is further disclosed herein. An embodiment of the anesthetic vaporizer includes a sump that to receives and stores liquid anesthetic agent. A filler assembly is connected to the sump through a sump valve. The sump valve is actuated by the rotation of the filler assembly about a pivot point of the filler assembly. A filler spout is connected to the filler assembly and extends radially away from the pivot point of the filler assembly. The filler spout has a hollow interior for fluid communication therethrough and is configured to establish fluid communication with an anesthetic bottle. A filler valve positioned between the filler assembly and the filler spout is movable between a sealing position wherein the filler valve blocks fluid communication between the filler spout and the filler assembly and an open position wherein the fluid passes the filler valve between the filler spout and the filler assembly. The anesthetic vaporizer further includes a rail having a cam surface at a varying distance from the pivot point of the filler assembly.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a system10for the delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to a sump of an anesthetic vaporizer. The system10includes a vaporizer filling system12that connects with the rest of a vaporizer (not depicted). The vaporizer filling system12includes a sump14(internal) within which the liquid anesthetic agent is stored.

The system10further includes an anesthetic bottle16that holds a liquid anesthetic agent for delivery into the sump14of the vaporizer filling system12. A bottle cap18is attached to the anesthetic bottle16. The bottle cap18may be connected to the anesthetic bottle16by a variety of known implementations for attaching a cap, such as, but not limited to, screw fitting to mate with a thread inside the bottle, pressure fitting, or by a crimped flange of the bottle cap18mating with the lip of the anesthetic bottle16.

The bottle cap18is further connected to an adapter20that facilitates the connection between the anesthetic bottle16and the vaporizer filling system12. The adapter20engages a filler spout (not depicted) of the vaporizer filling system12such as to connect the anesthetic bottle16in fluid communication with the vaporizer filling system12.

In practice, prior to the use of the vaporizer to delivery anesthesia to the patient, a clinician obtains an amount of a specific anesthetic agent as stored in the anesthetic bottle16. The clinician uses the adapter20coupled with the anesthetic bottle16to create a fluid tight seal between the bottle16and the filler spout22. Once a fluid tight seal has been established between the anesthetic bottle16and the vaporizing filling system12, the liquid anesthetic agent may be delivered from the anesthetic bottle16to the sump14of the vaporizer filing system12.

FIGS. 2A-Cdepict an embodiment50of the system for delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to an anesthetic vaporizer. It should be noted that in the figures like numerals are used to reference similar components common among the embodiments disclosed herein.

Referring toFIG. 2A, the system50includes the vaporizer filling system12of the vaporizer (not depicted). The vaporizer filling system12includes a sump14and a filler spout22. The filler spout22is connected to the sump14through a filler assembly24. The filler assembly24includes a pivot point26, about which the filler assembly24is able to rotate.

The filler assembly24further includes a sump valve28. The sump valve28controls the fluid communication between the sump14and the filler assembly24. In an embodiment, the filler valve28operates as a ball valve such that rotation of the filler assembly24about the pivot point26moves the filler valve28from a sealing position wherein fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14is prevented and an open position in which fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14is allowed.

The filler assembly24is separated from the filler spout22by a filler valve30. The filler valve30, similar to the sump valve28, operates between a sealing position wherein fluid communication between the filler spout22and the filler assembly24is prevented and an open position wherein fluid communication between the filler spout22and the filler assembly24is allowed.

The filler valve30forms a seal32between the filler assembly24and the filler spout22. In an embodiment, the seal32is created by mating sealing surfaces on the filler assembly24and the filler spout22. These surfaces may be treated with a material, such as an elastomeric material, that promotes the creation of the seal32when the filler valve30engages the filler spout22.

The filler valve30further includes a spring34that extends between the filler valve30and the filler assembly24. In an embodiment, the spring34extends between the filler valve30and the pivot point26. The spring34exerts a biasing force on the filler valve30such as to bias the filler valve30into the sealing position, preventing fluid communication between the filler spout22and the filler assembly24. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the spring34may be replaced by alternative devices suitable for performing the biasing function of the spring34as disclosed herein. The filler valve30further includes a projection36that extends into the filler spout22in a direction away from the filler assembly24.

The system50further includes the anesthetic bottle16that holds liquid anesthetic agent38. The bottle16, containing the liquid anesthetic agent38, is capped by a bottle cap18. The bottle cap18, as depicted, is attached to the bottle16by a flange40that extends from the cap18around a lip42of the bottle16and terminates in a crimped end44, securing the bottle cap18to the anesthetic bottle16. Alternatively, it should be noted that the bottle cap18may be attached to the anesthetic bottle16in a variety of other ways, including, but not limited to, pressure fitting and a threaded engagement between threads on the bottle cap18and the bottle16.

An adapter20is disposed within a hollow interior of the bottle cap18and is coaxial to the bottle cap18. The adapter20terminates in a bottle end48within the bottle cap18. The other end of the adapter20extends outside of the bottle cap18and extends away from the bottle cap18, terminating in a vaporizer end52.

The bottle end48of the adapter20includes a sealing surface54. The sealing surface54engages the bottle cap18at a sealing seat56. The sealing seat56may be an annular seat extending around the interior of the bottle cap18. The sealing surface54of the adapter20may similarly be annular in shape such as to mate with the sealing seat56in order to form a seal against fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20.

A bottle valve58formed of the sealing surface54of the bottle end48of the adapter20and the sealing seat56of the bottle cap18operates between a sealing position wherein fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20is prevented in an open position wherein fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20is allowed. The bottle valve58further includes a spring60within the bottle cap18that extends between an end inner surface62of a shoulder64of the bottle cap18and a flange66on the bottle end48of the adapter20. The spring60applies a biasing force against the flange66such as to bias the adapter20and the bottle cap18to hold the bottle valve58in the sealing position, whereby fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20is prevented. The bottle valve58is moved to the open position by a force in the direction away from the anesthetic bottle16that overcomes the biasing force of the spring60in the opposite direction.

In alternative embodiments, the bottle valve58may be formed of the sealing surface54of the adapter and the bottle cap18in a variety of valve configurations. These alternative configurations of the bottle valve58may be different from the disclosed sealing surface54and the sealing seat56. These alternative configurations may include a ball valve or a spool valve, but is not to be limited solely to these disclosed variations.

The adapter20further includes a rib68that extends radially outward from the adapter20on a portion of the adapter20that extends beyond the bottle cap18.

The adapter20is moved in the direction of arrow70so that the adapter20coaxially engages the filler spout22. The adapter20may engage the filler spout22in a variety of known ways of engagement. This may include, but is not limited to, pressure fitting and keyed engagements. The filler spout22includes an annular ring72such as to create a sealing surface on the filler spout22. Alternatively, a radially inward surface of the filler spout22may be treated with a material, such as an elastomeric material that engages with the adapter20to form a seal. Additionally, the adapter20may include a sealing surface, such as with an elastomeric material on a radially outward surface of the adapter20. Therefore, when the adapter20and the filler spout22engage, a seal is created against fluid communication outside of the adapter20and the filler spout22. In an alternative embodiment, the adapter20may be sized in order to fit radially outward of the filler spout22, such that a radially inward surface of the adapter20engages a radially outward surface of the filler spout22. While it is herein described that the adapter20engages the filler spout22, it is to be understood that the adapter20may alternatively be coupled with the filler spout22which includes both direct and indirect connections between the adapter20and the filler spout22.

FIG. 2Bshows the system50after the adapter20has been fully inserted into the filler spout22. The adapter20therefore engages the filler spout22such as to establish fluid communication between the adapter20and the filler spout22, while forming a fluid impervious seal between the adapter20, the filler spout22, and the ambient atmosphere.

As the adapter20is inserted into the filler spout22, the vaporizer end52of the adapter20engages the projection36extending from the filler valve30into the filler spout22. As the adapter20is inserted further into the filler adapter22, the vaporizer end52of the adapter20pushes on the projection36in the direction of arrow74which is towards the pivot point26of the filler assembly24. The force in the direction of arrow74overcomes the biasing force created by the spring34such that the filler valve30is moved from the sealing position, into an open position thereby opening fluid communication between the adapter20, filler spout22, and the filler assembly24.

As noted previously, it is desirable for the liquid anesthetic agent38to be transferred to the sump14of the vaporizer without any of the anesthetic agent leaking to the ambient atmosphere in liquid or gas form. Therefore, as seen inFIG. 2B, the two reservoirs of anesthetic agent, namely the anesthetic bottle16and the sump14, are sealed by the respective sump valve28and the bottle valve58while the internal filler valve30is opened, prior to communication of the liquid anesthetic agent38to the sump14.

FIG. 2Cfurther depicts the operation of the system50. The vaporizer filling system12further includes a rail76with an outer cam surface78. The outer cam surface78diverges radially outward from the pivot point26. From the position depicted inFIG. 2B, the filler assembly24, filler spout22, adapter20, and anesthetic bottle16are rotated about the pivot point26of the filler assembly24. As these components are rotated about the pivot point26, a top surface82of the bottle cap18engages the cam surface78of the rail76. The rib68on the adapter20contacts an inner surface80of the rail76.

As the filler assembly24, filler spout22, adapter20, and anesthetic bottle16are further rotated about the pivot point26along the rail76, the rail76and the cam surface78apply an expansive force in the direction of arrow84against the top surface82of the bottle cap18. The rib68, contacting the inner surface80of the rail78, maintains the adapter20at a fixed radial distance from the pivot point26. The force in the direction of arrow84forces the bottle valve58to move from a sealing position, to an open position, thereby opening the bottle valve58to fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20. More specifically, the force in the direction of arrow84overcomes the bias force of the spring60and separates the sealing surface54of the adapter20from the sealing seat56of the bottle cap18.

In an alternative embodiment, the rib68of the adapter20does not contact the inner surface80of the rail76. Rather, the adapter20may be maintained in a fixed radial distance from the pivot point26, or captured, in an alternative fashion. One such alternative may include the engagement or coupling between the adapter20and the filler spout22. However, this is not intended to be limiting on the scope of the ways in which the adapter20may be captured.

In a further alternative embodiment, the rail76includes a cam surface on the inner surface80of the rail76. The cam surface on the inner surface80diverges radially inward towards the pivot point26. The outer surface78of the rail76does not include a cam surface and contacts the bottle cap18and maintains the bottle cap18at the same radial distance from the pivot point26as the bottle cap18is moved along the rail76in the direction of arrow83. The cam of the inner surface80applies the expansive force against the rib68of the adapter20. This forces the vaporizer end52of the adapter20further into the filler spout22. This displacement overcomes the biasing force placed on the bottle end48of the adapter by the spring60and separates the sealing surface54of the adapter from the sealing seat56of the bottle cap18. This opens the adapter to fluid communication from the bottle16.

In an additional feature of an alternative embodiment, upon insertion of the adapter20into the filler spout22, the adapter20does not engage the filler valve30, or the projection36of the filler valve30. Alternatively, the adapter20may engage the filler valve30, but does not apply a force sufficient to move the filler valve30from the closed position into the open position. This may be due to an insufficient force applied by the adapter20to the filler valve30overcome the biasing force applied by the spring34against the filler valve30.

In this embodiment, the cam action of the cam on the inner surface80against the rib68of the adapter20not only applies an expansive force between the rib68of the adapter20and the bottle cap18such as to separate the sealing surface54from the sealing seat56in order to open the bottle valve58. The cam action of the inner surface80also forces the adapter20further into the filler spout22in the direction of the pivot point26. This causes the adapter20to engage the filler valve30, if the adapter20has not already engaged the filler valve30. The adapter20moves the filler valve30from the sealing position into the open position such as to open fluid communication between the adapter20and the filler spout22with the filler assembly24.

Additionally, as the filler assembly24rotates about the pivot point26, the sump valve28is rotated into a position aligned with the sump14, such that the sump valve28is opened from a sealing position into an open position and fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14is permitted.

Therefore, once the adapter20is fully inserted into the filler spout22, and the filler assembly24, filler spout22, adapter20, and anesthetic bottle16are rotated into position, the bottle valve58, filler valve30, and sump valve28are all opened to fluid communication. Liquid anesthetic agent38is therefore allowed to flow from the anesthetic bottle16into the sump14of the vaporizer filling system12.

In an alternative control of the bottle valve58, filler valve30, and sump valve28, the mechanisms for opening and closing these valves as disclosed herein are coordinated with specific positions of the rotation of the filler assembly24, filler spout22, adapter20, and bottle16along the rail76about the pivot point26. This coordination may be achieved by the positioning of the valves (28,30,58) themselves or the components that actuate these valves, or the biasing of these valves in the closed position, such as by spring34and spring60.

In an embodiment, the sump valve28, filler valve30, and bottle valve58may be coordinated to open in that order as the filler assembly24, filler spout22, adapter20, and bottle16are rotated along the rail76in the direction of arrow83. In this embodiment, the sump valve28opens first as the filler assembly24is rotated about the pivot point26. Then, the filler valve30is opened as the filler assembly24, the filler spout22, and the adapter20are rotated further about the pivot point26. Finally, the bottle valve58is opened as the adapter20, the bottle cap18, and the anesthetic bottle16are rotated about the pivot point26into the final vaporizer filling position.

An advantage of this coordination of the opening of the sump valve28, the filler valve30, and the bottle valve58allows for maximum guard against leakage of the anesthetic agent38, whether the anesthetic agent38is located in the sump14or the anesthetic bottle16. Hence, it is desirable to open the bottle valve58last when the sump valve28and the fill valve30have already been opened such that the anesthetic agent38has a clear path to fluid communication with the sump valve14. Similarly, it is desirable to close the bottle valve58first, such that any remaining anesthetic agent38in the anesthetic bottle16is sealed into the bottle16. This also allows for any remaining anesthetic agent within the adapter20or filler spout22to drain into the filler assembly24and the sump14before the filler valve30closes, closing the vaporizer filling system12. By closing the sump valve28last, any remaining anesthetic agent38in the filler assembly24is provided a maximum amount of time to drain into the sump14before the sump14is closed off to fluid communication from the filler assembly24.

However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, based upon practice or design considerations, the order in which the sump valve28, the filler valve30, and the bottle valve58are opened may be modified or reordered to address these other considerations.

In an embodiment, such as depicted inFIG. 2B, the adapter20is inserted into the filler spout22when the anesthetic bottle16is angled in an upwardly direction. This further provides the benefit of maintaining the anesthetic bottle16in a generally upright orientation, further decreasing any likelihood of a leak of the liquid anesthetic agent38while the adapter20engages the filler spout22. Then, the bottle16is rotated about the pivot point26such as to place the anesthetic bottle16in a generally upside down orientation, or depicted inFIG. 2C. This orientation further promotes the communication of the liquid anesthetic agent38from the anesthetic bottle16into the sump14. In an embodiment, the angle through which the anesthetic bottle16is rotated is 45°. However, it is to be understood that the specific angle of rotation of the anesthetic bottle16may be more or less than 45°, including up to or exceeding an angle of rotation of 120°.

FIGS. 3A-Cdepict a further embodiment100of the system for the delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to an anesthetic vaporizer. As noted previously, like components between the figures are numbered the same such as to maintain consistency between the embodiments.

The system100includes a vaporizer filling system86that includes the sump14, the filler assembly24, and the filler spout22. The vaporizer filling system86further includes an intermediate connection88that is disposed radially interior to the filler spout22. The intermediate connection88is also coaxial to the filler spout22. The filler spout22includes an annular ring90that forms a fluid impervious seal between the filler spout22and the intermediate connection88. Alternatively, the filler spout22and/or the intermediate connection88may comprise a sealing surface on the portions of the filler spout22and the intermediate connection88that engage each other. This sealing surface of the filler spout and/or the intermediate connection88may further create a fluid impervious seal when the intermediate connection88engages the filler spout22.

The intermediate connection88further includes a projection92that engages the projection36of the filler valve30. The projection92of the intermediate connection88engages the projection36of the filler valve30when the filler valve30is in the sealing position, such that fluid communication between the filler spout22and the filler assembly24is prevented. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, the intermediate connection88need not engage the filler assembly30when the filler valve30is in the sealing position.

The intermediate connection88further includes a flange94that projects radially outward from the intermediate connection88.

The adapter20includes a rib68that extends radially outward from the adapter20. The adapter20further includes a bottle end48that forms a bottle valve58with the bottle cap18. The bottle valve58includes a sealing surface54of the bottle end48of the adapter20which engages a sealing seat56of the bottle cap18. A spring60that engages the adapter20and the bottle cap18biases the bottle valve58in the closed position such that fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20is prevented.

The adapter20further includes a vaporizer end52. The vaporizer end52includes an annular ring96, or other sealing surface, that engages radially interior to the intermediate connection88. Interior surface98of the intermediate connection88may be further include a sealing surface, such as to promote engagement between the interior surface98of the intermediate connection88and the annular ring96of the adapter20. The adapter20is moved in the direction of arrow102such as to engage the intermediate connection88. Thus, when the adapter20is engaged with the intermediate connection88, the adapter20is coupled with the filler spout22through the intermediate connection88such that fluid communication between the adapter20and the filler spout22is established while fluid communication between the adapter20, the intermediate connection88, the filler spout22, and the ambient atmosphere is prevented.

The vaporizer filling system86further includes a rail104. The rail104includes an outer cam surface106and inner cam surface108. The outer cam surface106defines a camming surface that diverges in a direction radially outward from the pivot point26. The inner cam surface108defines a cam surface that diverges in a direction radially inward toward the pivot point26. The rail104further includes an interior void110that is intermediate to both the outer cam surface106and the inner cam surface108. The interior void110extends in a circumferential path equidistant from the pivot point26. The flange94of the intermediate connection88contacts the inner cam surface108of the rail104. The adapter20extends past the rail104such that the rib68of the adapter20is aligned in the inner void110of the rail104. The top surface82of the bottle cap18contacts the outer cam surface106.

In an alternative embodiment, the intermediate connection88is a component of the adapter20. Therefore, the intermediate connection88is coupled with the adapter20such that the intermediate connection88is inserted radially interior and coaxial with the filler spout22with the adapter20, rather than being a portion of the vaporizer filling system86and connected to the filler spout22. In that embodiment, the intermediate connection88and the adapter20are inserted into the filler spout22until the flange94of the intermediate connection88is in alignment with the inner cam surface108of the rail104.

Now referring toFIG. 3C, as the filler assembly24, filler spout22, intermediate connection88, adapter20, and anesthetic bottle16are rotated about the pivot point26, the adapter20, the intermediate connection88, and the bottle cap18are directed in their rotational position by the rail104. The rib68of the adapter20moves along the interior void110. The interior void110is equidistant along an arc from the pivot point26. Therefore, the rib64within the interior void110maintains the adapter20at the same radial distance from the pivot point26as the adapter20is moved along the rail104. The top surface82of the bottle cap18contacts the outer cam surface108, and therefore, as the bottle cap18is rotated about the pivot point along the rail104, the bottle cap18, and the anesthetic bottle16are moved in the direction of arrow112along a radial path that diverges outwardly from the pivot point26. The outer cam surface108applies an expansive force against the top surface82in the direction of arrow112. This expansive force between the rib68and the bottle cap18overcomes the biasing force of spring60, which maintains the bottle valve58in the sealing position and therefore separates the sealing surface54of the adapter20from the sealing seat56of the bottle cap18. This moves the bottle valve58into the open position, thereby opening fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20.

The flange94of the intermediate connection88contacts the inner cam surface108of the rail104. As the intermediate connection88is rotated about the pivot point26, the inner cam surface108applies an expansive force in the direction of arrow114between the rib68and the flange94. The expansive force in the direction of arrow114separates the flange94of the intermediate connection88from the rib68of the adapter20. This forces the intermediate connection88further into the filler spout22in the direction of arrow114. The projection92of the intermediate connection88engages the projection36of the filler valve30. The force of the intermediate connection88against the filler valve30overcomes the biasing force of the spring34that maintains the filler valve30in the sealing position. This moves the filler valve30from the sealing position into the open position and opens fluid communication between the filler spout22and the filler assembly24.

As described previously, the sump valve28operates as a ball valve on the filler assembly24such that as the filler assembly24rotates about the pivot point26, the sump valve28moves from the sealing position into the open position. This opens fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14.

Therefore, in the system100the rotating action of the filler assembly24, filler spout22, intermediate connection88, adapter20, bottle cap18, and anesthetic bottle16about the pivot point26moves all three of the valves that prevent fluid communication. Namely, the bottle valve58, the filler valve30, and the sump valve28are moved from the sealing positions into the open positions by the upward rotation of the filler assembly24, filler spout22, intermediate connection88, adapter20, bottle cap18, and anesthetic bottle16. As noted previously, the sump valve28, the filler valve30, and the bottle valve58may be coordinated to open at different positions of rotation about the pivot point26such as to coordinate the opening and closing sequence of these valves. This movement and control, therefore, only permits the communication of the liquid anesthetic agent38from the anesthetic bottle16to the sump14of the vaporizer filling system86once the anesthetic bottle16has been moved up into a filling position.

FIGS. 4A-Cdepict an embodiment150of the system for delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent to an anesthetic vaporizer. It should be noted that in the figures, like numerals are used to reference similar components common among the embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 4A, this embodiment of the system150includes a vaporizer filling system116with a sump14, a filler assembly24, and a filler spout22. Fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14is controlled by a sump valve28, which may be arranged as a ball-type valve that moves from a sealed position that prevents fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14and an open position that allows fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14as the filler assembly24is rotated about a pivot point26.

The filler assembly24further includes a filler valve118disposed between the filler assembly24and the filler spout22. The filler valve118is movable from a sealing position that prevents fluid communication between the filler spout22and the filler assembly24and an open position that allows fluid communication between the filler spout22and the filler assembly24. The filler valve118is connected to the filler assembly24at a pivot point120. The pivot point120may be a hinge or a pin about which the filler valve118is movable. The filler valve118further includes a linkage122that extends from the filler valve118and is attached to a location in the filler assembly24. In an embodiment, the linkage122is connected at a pivot point124that is located at a position behind the pivot point26with respect to the filler valve118. The pivot point124may similarly be a hinge or a pin such that the linkage122is movable about the pivot point124.

The adapter20includes a vaporizer end52and a bottle end48. The bottle end48of the adapter20terminates in a sealing surface54. The sealing surface54engages and mates with a sealing seat56of the bottle cap18. The bottle cap18is connected to the anesthetic bottle16. The sealing surface54and the sealing seat56form a bottle valve58that is biased in a sealing position by a spring60.

The adapter20is configured to be moved in the direction of arrow126for engagement with the filler spout22of the vaporizer filling system116. The adapter20includes a sealing surface128, which in an embodiment, may be an annular ring. Alternatively, the sealing surface128may be a material or coating on the radially interior side of the adapter20such as to facilitate engagement with the filler spout22to form a fluid impervious seal. The filler spout22may also include a sealing surface130on a radially outward surface of the filler spout22such as to further facilitate the engagement of the adapter20and the filler spout22in a fluid impervious seal.

FIG. 4Bdepicts the engaged adapter20and filler spout22. The adapter20engages the filler spout22in a radially exterior fashion. It is understood, however, that in alternative embodiments, the adapter20may engage the filler spout22in a radially interior fashion. When the adapter20is engaged with the filler spout22, the rib68of the adapter20contacts, or is in alignment to contact, an interior surface80of the rail76. Additionally, a top surface82of the bottle cap18contacts, or is in alignment to contact, the outer cam surface78of the rail76. However, in an alternative embodiment, the rib68of the adapter20does not contact the interior surface80, and the adapter20is held at a fixed radial distance from the pivot point26through its engagement with the filler spout22.

FIG. 4Cdepicts the system150after the filler assembly24, the filler spout22, the adapter20, and the anesthetic bottle16have been rotated about the pivot point26in the direction of arrow130as defined by the rail76. The outer cam surface78diverges in a direction radially outward from the pivot point26. This places an expansive force in the direction of arrow132between the rib68of the adapter20and the top surface82of the bottle cap18.

The expansive force in the direction of arrow132against the bottle cap18overcomes the bias force of the spring60that maintains the bottle valve58in the sealing position, and therefore separates the engagement of the sealing surface54from the sealing seat56. Therefore, this force opens the bottle valve58to allow fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the adapter20.

Looking now to the filler assembly24, as the filler assembly24is rotated about the pivot point26, the linkage122rotates about the pivot point124. As the pivot point124is behind the pivot point26, with respect to the filler valve118, as the filler assembly24rotates about the pivot point26, the distance between pivot point120and pivot point124increases, and therefore the linkage122pulls the filler valve118open from the sealing position, into the open position. This opens the filler valve118to allow fluid communication between the adapter20and filler spout22to the filler assembly24.

The rotation of the filler assembly24about the pivot point26rotates the sump valve28from a sealing position into an open position, thereby permitting fluid communication between the filler assembly24and the sump14.

Therefore, in the system150, the adapter20is engaged with the filler spout22, connecting the anesthetic bottle16to the vaporizer filling system116. The rotation of the filler assembly24, the filler spout22, the adapter20, and the anesthetic bottle16about the pivot point26in the direction of arrow130opens the bottle valve58, the filler valve118, and the sump valve28simultaneously, such as to open fluid communication between the anesthetic bottle16and the sump14all at once with the same mechanical motion of the anesthetic bottle16in the direction of arrow130. Alternatively, as disclosed previously herein, the actuation of the sump valve28, the filler valve118, and the bottle valve58may be coordinated to open and close in a predetermined sequence. This predetermined actuation sequence may allow for additional control of the fluid communication of the anesthetic agent38into the sump14. This may further facilitate the function of preventing leakage of anesthetic liquid or gas to the ambient atmosphere during the filling of the vaporizer with anesthetic agent.

This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use these embodiments. The patentable scope is defined by the claims may extend to include other examples not explicitly listed that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being with in the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present disclosure.