Abstract:
A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119(e), this application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/289,540, filed on May 7, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to apparatus for measuring respiratory pressure or flow and, more specifically, to respiratory pressure transducers. More particularly, the present invention relates to pressure transducers which may be positioned proximate to a respiratory conduit which is configured to communicate with the airway of an individual. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Respiratory flow measurement during the administration of anesthesia, in intensive care environments, and in monitoring the physical condition of athletes and other individuals prior to and during the course of training programs and other medical tests provides valuable information for assessment of cardiopulmonary function and breathing circuit integrity. Many different technologies have been applied to create a flow meter that attempts to meet the demanding requirements of these environments. 
     Although various other types of pressure measurement apparatus are known, differential pressure flow meters have conventionally been used to obtain respiratory flow measurements. While pressure monitoring is typically performed to measure delivered (i.e., inspired) and exhaled volume by monitoring respiratory mechanics parameters, such as airway pressures, flow rates, and breath volumes, clinicians can better provide quality health care to patients requiring breathing assistance. Additionally, pressure monitoring may be used in conjunction with respiratory gas measurements to assess other respiratory parameters, such as oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide elimination, and even cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow. 
     Differential pressure flow meters operate on the basis of Bernoulli&#39;s principle: the pressure drop across a restriction is proportional to the volumetric flow rate of the air. The relationship between flow and the pressure drop across a restriction or other resistance to flow is dependent upon the design of the resistance. In some differential pressure flow meters, which are commonly termed “pneumotachs”, the flow restriction has been designed to create a linear relationship between flow and a pressure differential. Such designs include the Fleisch pneumotach, in which the restriction is comprised of many small tubes or a fine screen to ensure laminar flow and a more linear response to flow. Another physical configuration is a flow restriction having an orifice that varies in relation to the flow. Such designs include the variable orifice, fixed orifice and venturi-type flow meters. Exemplary patents for variable orifice differential pressure flow sensors include U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,269, issued to Guillaume et al. on Feb. 19, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,621, issued to Stupecky on Aug. 13, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,792, issued to Kullik on Jun. 9, 1998, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,801, issued to Ciobanu on Oct. 26, 1999. Exemplary patents for fixed orifice differential pressure flow sensors include U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,650, issued to Kofoed et al. on Jan. 10, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,831, issued to Storsved on Jul. 20, 1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,502, issued to Hilgendorf on Mar. 20, 2001. 
     Many known differential pressure flow sensors suffer deficiencies when exposed to less than ideal gas and flow inlet conditions and, further, possess inherent design problems with respect to their ability to sense differential pressure in a meaningful, accurate, repeatable manner over a substantially dynamic flow range. This is particularly true when the flow sensor is needed to reliably and accurately measure low flow rates, such as the respiratory flow rates of infants. Proximal flow measured at the patient&#39;s airway can be substantially different from flow measured inside or at the ventilator. Many ventilators measure flow, not at the proximal airway, but close to the ventilator. Measurements of flow in this way may result in a substantial difference between the flow, pressure, and volume of gases that are delivered to or exhaled by the patient and that are reported by a pressure or flow sensor which is associated with the ventilator. At least a portion of this discrepancy is because of wasted compression volume, which distends and may elongate a length of respiratory conduit positioned between the patient&#39;s airway and the pressure or flow sensor, and humidification or dehumidification attributable to the length of the respiratory conduit between the patient&#39;s airway and the pressure or flow sensor. As the compliance of the respiratory conduit may be a known value, some ventilator manufacturers apply a correction for the wasted compression volume. Even when a correction is applied, precise estimation of the wasted and inhaled portions of the compression volume is difficult because of variations between individual respiratory conduits, the use of humidifiers, the use of heat-moisture exchangers, and other circuit components. Within a typical respiratory conduit, gas conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.) may vary considerably, depending upon the distance of the gases from the airway of the monitored individual. As gas conditions nearest the individual are most likely to reflect the corresponding conditions within the individual&#39;s airway, the preferred location for monitoring inspiratory and expiratory flows from a patient in the critical care environment is proximal (i.e., as close to the individual&#39;s airway as possible). 
     Routine clinical use of differential flow meters has increased significantly in the last few years with the development of more robust designs, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,650, issued to Kofoed et al. on Jan. 10, 1995 (hereinafter “the &#39;650 patent”), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. The differential flow meter described in the &#39;650 patent, which has overcome the majority of the problems that were previously encountered when prior differential pressure flow sensors were used, includes a tubular housing containing a diametrically oriented, longitudinally extending strut. The strut of the flow sensor disclosed in the &#39;650 patent includes first and second lumens with longitudinally spaced pressure ports that open into respective axially located notches formed at each end of the strut. 
     Despite such improvements in the performance of differential pressure flow meters, differential pressure flow meters continue to include a pneumotach positioned along a respiratory conduit, a typically remotely positioned pressure monitor, and tubing that operatively connects the pneumotach and the pressure monitor with one another. The tubing transmits pressure at each port of the pneumotach to one or more pressure sensors that are contained within the monitor. Typically, several feet of flexible, small bore, dual or triple lumen tubing are used to connect the pneumotach and the pressure monitor to one another. 
     The use of such small bore tubing is, however, somewhat undesirable from the standpoint that the pressure samples which are conveyed from the pneumotach may be damped or distorted as they travel through the tubing. Consequently, it is often necessary to screen the sensors and individually balance the internal pneumatics of the monitor to ensure accurate measurement of airway pressure and, thus, to provide an acceptable level of clinical performance under conditions such as those typically encountered with monitored patients (i.e., low ventilatory compliance). 
     Additionally, the use of flow sensors with tubing in clinical environments, such as critical and intensive care where high humidity is often the norm, leads to the condensation of moisture in the pressure transmission tubing, whether or not the pressure transmission tubing or any portion of the respiratory conduit is heated. One result of condensation is a damping and distortion of respiratory samples, or the pressure “signals”, that propagate down the pressure transmission tubes. Typically, pressure transmission tubes are periodically purged with air from a compressed gas source or a pump in order to reduce the adverse effects of condensate on pressure and flow measurements, which creates additional work for health care personnel and, therefore, is a somewhat undesirable practice. Additionally, accidental or intentional disconnection of the tubing from the monitor may cause condensate or even sputum to flow into the pressure transmission tubes and potentially contaminate the monitor. 
     Further, the lengthy tubing of conventional differential pressure flow sensors is typically discarded after use, resulting in a significant amount of plastic waste. Accordingly, employing such tubing as a single-use element of a differential pressure flow sensor is costly. 
     Reuse of pressure transmission tubing is also typically contrary to manufacturer recommendations due to the potential for contamination of the pressure transducer, as well as the potential (although not significant) extubation hazard posed thereby in the clinical environment. Nonetheless, such tubing is often reused, particularly outside of the United States, as a cost-saving measure. 
     The inventors are not aware of a differential pressure flow sensor that lacks pressure transmission tubes extending between the pneumotach and monitor thereof, or of a differential flow sensor that includes a transducer, that is configured to be carried upon a respiratory conduit that communicates with the airway of an individual. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a portable pressure transducer which is configured to be positioned on or proximate to a respiratory conduit that is, in turn, configured to communicate with the airway of an individual. The present invention also includes a pneumotach with which the portable pressure transducer may be coupled to facilitate communication between the individual&#39;s airway and the portable pressure transducer. When the portable pressure transducer and pneumotach are assembled with one another, respiratory gas samples may be transported from the respiratory conduit to the portable pressure transducer while maintaining a fluid-tight seal between the portable pressure transducer and the pneumotach. In addition, the present invention includes methods for obtaining measurements of respiratory pressures, flows, volumes, and other respiratory and blood gas parameters. 
     A pneumotach that incorporates teachings of the present invention maybe embodied as a so-called “airway adapter” and includes a primary conduit, which aligns with the primary pathway through a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula, that is configured to communicate with the airway of an individual. In addition to the primary conduit, the pneumotach includes two pressure ports that communicate with the primary conduit and that are positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction located along and partially blocking the primary conduit, as well as other components that are typically associated with pressure or flow sensing apparatus. The pressure ports are configured to communicate with sample conduits of a portable pressure transducer upon coupling of the portable pressure transducer to the pneumotach. The location of each pressure port to which the sample conduits couple may include a resealing material or a so-called “self-healing” material, which seals the pressure ports prior to coupling of the sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer thereto and reseals upon uncoupling of the sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer from the pressure ports of the pneumotach. 
     The pneumotach may optionally include additional functionality, such as for monitoring the amounts of one or more gases or vaporized substances in the respiration of an individual. By way of example only, the pneumotach may include one or more windows and be configured to have an optical transducer of an infrared sensor or a luminescence-quenching type sensor coupled thereto. 
     A portable pressure transducer according to the present invention is configured to be operatively coupled to a pneumotach of the invention and, thus, may be carried upon a respiratory conduit. Either the pressure ports of the pneumotach or those of the sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer are substantially larger than the other so as to facilitate the formation and maintenance of a fluid-tight (e.g., airtight) seal without requiring precise alignment between all (typically two) of the pressure ports and their corresponding sample conduits. By configuring the pneumotach in this manner, wide manufacturing tolerances may be used, which decreases the cost of the pneumotach, thereby making the pneumotach more amenable to single patient use (i.e., disposability). Further, configuring one of the pneumotach and the portable pressure transducer with relatively loose tolerances facilitates the relatively easy assembly of these two structures. In addition to sample conduits that align with the pressure ports of the pneumotach, the portable pressure transducer may include valves that direct the flow of an individual&#39;s respiration therethrough and also includes one or more pressure sensors by which an individual&#39;s respiratory pressure is measured. 
     Respiratory measurements obtained with a respiratory monitoring system that includes a pneumotach and a portable pressure transducer according to the present invention may be used, as known in the art, to determine various pressure and flow parameters relating to the respiration of an individual, as well as other respiratory profile parameters that are based in part on the pressure or flow of the individual&#39;s respiration. Accordingly, methods of using the pneumotach and portable pressure transducer of the present invention are also within the scope thereof. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, which depict various aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a respiratory conduit that communicates with an airway of an individual and which has a pneumotach and portable pressure transducer of the present invention operatively coupled thereto; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional representation of an exemplary embodiment of a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, that incorporates teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional representation of a variation of the pneumotach depicted in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional representation of an exemplary embodiment of a portable pressure transducer according to the present invention, which is configured to be assembled with the pneumotach shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional assembly view of the pneumotach of FIG. 2 assembled with the portable pressure transducer of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional assembly view of another embodiment of pneumotach and complementary portable pressure transducer according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional assembly view of another exemplary embodiment of portable pressure transducer and complementary airway adapter-type pneumotach according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective assembly view of an exemplary embodiment of a multi-function airway adapter, including a pressure sensing component, an infrared sensing component, and a complementary infrared-sensing type transducer that incorporate teachings of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective assembly view of another exemplary embodiment of a multifunction airway adapter according to the present invention, which includes a pressure sensing component, a luminescence-quenching type sensing component, and a complementarily configured transducer of a luminescence-quenching type sensor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to FIG. 1, a respiratory conduit  10  is depicted. Respiratory conduit  10  may comprise a breathing circuit which includes an endotracheal tube, a nasal canula, or any other conduit that is configured to communicate with the airway A of an individual I. As depicted, one end  12  of respiratory conduit  10  is placed in communication with airway A, while the other end  14  of respiratory conduit  10  opens to the atmosphere, a source of gas to be inhaled by individual I, or a ventilator, as known in the art. Positioned along its length, respiratory conduit  10  includes at least one airway adapter, in this case a pneumotach  20 , which is a component of a type of pressure sensor. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a portable pressure transducer  50  coupled with and in flow communication with pneumotach  20 . Portable pressure transducer  50  may, in turn, communicate electronically with a computer, such as a pressure or flow monitor  100 , as known in the art. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, the various features of pneumotach  20  may be configured as known in the art, for example, like the corresponding features of the differential flow sensors that are described in the &#39;650 patent. Among other things, pneumotach  20  includes a primary conduit  22  and two pressure ports  24  and  34  that are in flow communication with primary conduit  22  through apertures  23  and  33 . Also, pneumotach  20  includes an obstruction  21  to block a portion of the flow of respiration or other gases or gas mixtures along the path of primary conduit  22  and positioned at least partially between pressure port  24  and pressure port  34  to create a pressure differential in the gas flow therebetween. Pneumotach  20  may be formed from an inexpensive, readily mass-producible material, such as an injection moldable plastic, so that pneumotach  20  may be marketed as a disposable unit. 
     Pneumotach  20  is different from the pneumotachs described in the &#39;650 patent in that, rather than being configured to be coupled to elongate, flexible conduits, or pressure transmission tubes that transport respiratory samples to a remotely located pressure transducer for evaluation, pressure ports  24  and  34  are configured to be coupled directly to corresponding sample ports  54  and  64  (FIG. 4) (not shown in FIG.  5 ), respectively, of a complementarily configured pressure transducer  50  (FIGS.  4  and  5 ). 
     As an example, each pressure port  24 ,  34  may have a sealing element  30 ,  40  covering an opening  25 ,  35  of that pressure port  24 ,  34 . As an example and not to limit the scope of the present invention, each sealing element  30 ,  40  may comprise a film formed from a material, such as latex, silicone, or the like, that may be pierced by a member (e.g., a needle) and maintain a seal at a pressure of up to about 150 cm H 2 O around the piercing member. Also, the material of each sealing element  30 ,  40  may be formulated to reseal following the removal of a piercing member therefrom. 
     Sealing elements  30  and  40  may also hold filters  29  and  39  within respective pressure ports  24  and  34  of pneumotach  20 . Filters  29  and  39  maybe positioned within their respective pressure ports  24  and  34  in such a way as to avoid disruption (e.g., piercing, tearing, etc.) thereof when a complementarily configured pressure or flow transducer (e.g., portable pressure transducer  50  shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) having the aforementioned piercing members is coupled to pneumotach  20 . Filters  29  and  39  may prevent contamination (e.g., by particulates, moisture, microorganisms, etc.) of a pressure or flow transducer upon coupling of the same to pneumotach  20 . By preventing contamination of the pressure or flow transducer, filters  29  and  39  facilitate reuse of the pressure or flow transducer without requiring substantial cleaning or sterilization thereof between uses. Accordingly, a pressure or flow transducer that is complementary to pneumotach  20  may be used with multiple patients. Filters  29  and  39  may comprise any suitable filter medium that will facilitate accurate transmission of a pressure waveform from pressure ports  24  and  34  into a complementary pressure transducer. Suitable media for filters  29  and  39  include, without limitation, hydrophobic, antimicrobial filter materials, such as those typically employed in respiratory conduits, which may be in the form of felt, particles, or otherwise, as known in the art. While it is desirable that filters  29  and  39  not substantially restrict the flow of sampled respiratory gases through pressure ports  24  and  34 , some resistance to airflow is allowable, so long as a sufficient differential pressure signal may be communicated from pressure ports  24  and  34  of pneumotach  20  to a complementarily configured pressure or flow transducer. 
     Sealing elements  30  and  40  may be secured to their corresponding pressure ports  24  and  34 , respectively, by any suitable retention means. By way of example only, an adhesive material which is compatible with the materials from which both sealing elements  30  and  40  and pressure ports  24  and  34  are formed may be placed in appropriate locations to sealingly secure sealing elements  30  and  40  to their corresponding pressure ports  24  and  34 . 
     Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 3, mechanical retention means, such as the illustrated rings  32  and  42 , may be used to secure sealing elements  30  and  40  to their corresponding pressure ports  24  and  34 . Each ring  32 ,  42  is configured to be positioned peripherally (or, as illustrated, circumferentially) around its corresponding pressure port  24 ,  34 . When positioned around a corresponding portion of a pressure port  24 ,  34 , little or no clearance exists between each ring  32 ,  42  and an adjacent outer surface  26 ,  36  of the corresponding pressure port  24 ,  34 . Once sealing elements  30  and  40  are appropriately positioned over their respective openings  25  and  35  of pressure ports  24  and  34 , respectively, a ring  32 ,  42  (which may be formed from heat-shrinkable material) or other mechanical retention means may be positioned around its corresponding pressure port  24 ,  34  and a peripheral portion  31 ,  41  of the corresponding sealing element  30 ,  40  thereon. In this fashion, rings  32  and  42  hold peripheral portions  31  and  41  of the respective sealing members  30  and  40  in place. As depicted, an outer surface  26 ,  36  of each pressure port  24 ,  34  may include a peripheral groove  28 ,  38  formed therein, which is configured to receive at least a portion of a corresponding ring  32 ,  42 , as well as a peripheral portion  31 ,  41  of a sealing element  30 ,  40  positioned between the ring  32 ,  42  and outer surface  26 ,  36  of pressure port  24 ,  34 . 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a portable pressure transducer  50  that incorporates teachings of the present invention is illustrated. Portable pressure transducer  50  is configured to be at least temporarily coupled to a complementarily configured airway adapter that senses respiratory pressure or flow, such as pneumotach  20 . 
     Portable pressure transducer  50  includes sample ports  54  and  64 , which are positioned in laterally adjacent, spaced-apart relation to one another. The distance at which sample ports  54  and  64  are spaced apart from one another, as well as their relative orientations, may facilitate communication with corresponding pressure ports  24  and  34  of pneumotach  20  when portable pressure transducer  50  and pneumotach  20  are assembled with one another. As depicted, sample ports  54  and  64  are each formed at respective coupling ends  56  and  66  of sample conduits  55  and  65  of portable pressure transducer  50 . Coupling ends  56  and  66  of sample conduits  55  and  65  protrude from an outer surface  51  of a housing  52  of portable pressure transducer  50 , while internal portions  58  and  68  of sample conduits  55  and  65 , respectively, are located within housing  52 . 
     In the illustrated example, which in no way limits the scope of the present invention, each coupling end  56 ,  66  of a sample conduit  55 ,  65  comprises a hollow needle, such as an 18, 20, or 25 gauge injunction-type needle. When a needle is employed as coupling end  56 ,  66 , a smaller circumference (i.e., higher gauge number) may cause less damage to a sealing element  30 ,  40  through which an end of the needle is inserted, which may better facilitate healing or resealing of sealing element  30 ,  40  following removal of the needle of coupling end  56 ,  66  therefrom. Additionally, if the outer diameter of each coupling end  56 ,  66  is smaller than the inner diameter of its corresponding pressure port  24 ,  34 , precise alignment of coupling ends  56  and  66  with their corresponding pressure ports  24  and  34  may not be required. The needle of each coupling end  56 ,  66  is sealingly coupled to a corresponding internal portion  58 ,  68  of sample conduit  55 ,  65  in such a way as to withstand, without substantially leaking, the pressures to which differential pressure transducer  50  will be exposed (e.g., pressures of up to about 150 mm Hg). 
     Housing  52  of portable pressure transducer SO may include protective sleeves  57  and  67  that may extend therefrom and circumferentially surround coupling ends  56  and  66 , respectively, of sample conduits  55  and  65  along substantially their entire external lengths. Protective sleeves  57  and  67  may also extend beyond their respective coupling ends  56  and  66  of sample conduits  55  and  65 , respectively, so as to prevent coupling ends  56  and  66  from contacting and, when needles are used, from scratching or puncturing other structures, the individual being monitored, or health care personnel working with or near portable pressure transducer  50 . Protective sleeves  57  and  67  are also configured to receive at least a portion of pressure ports  24  and  34  that correspond to sample ports  54  and  64 , respectively. 
     Internal portions  58  and  68  of sample conduits  55  and  65  independently communicate respiratory gases to a differential pressure sensor  80  located within housing  52  of portable pressure transducer  50 . Differential pressure sensor  80  senses a pressure differential across at least a portion of obstruction  21  and transmitted from the airway A of an individual I (FIG. 1) by pressure ports  24  and  34  and their corresponding sample conduits  55  and  65 , respectively. As differential pressure sensor  80  is in communication with both sample conduits  55  and  65 , it is capable of measuring a pressure drop across an element, such as obstruction  21  positioned in the path of primary conduit  22  of pneumotach  20  and between pressure ports  24  and  34  with which sample conduits  55  and  65  respectively communicate. As portable pressure transducer  50  is to be coupled with a pneumotach  20  which is, in turn, configured to be secured to a respiratory conduit  10  (FIG.  1 ), it may be desirable for a differential pressure sensor  80  thereof to be of a design insensitive to tilting, vibration, movement, or any combination thereof. It may also be desirable for differential pressure sensor  80  to be insensitive to, or capable of, compensating for common mode pressure variations within the respiratory conduit. By way of example and not to limit the scope of the present invention, differential pressure sensor  80  may be configured to measure pressure differences of up to about 4 in. H 2 O (i.e., about 10 cm H 2 O), although a differential pressure sensor  80  of portable pressure transducer  50  of the present invention may be of a type capable of measuring pressure differences of up to about 10 in. H 2 O (i.e., about 25 cm H 2 O). By way of example only, a dual-chip pressure transducer, which includes a bridge circuit array of resistors and which is capable of monitoring both airway and differential pressure, may be used as differential pressure sensor  80  of portable pressure transducer  50 . An example of such a dual-chip pressure transducer is the XCX Series transducer manufactured by AllSensors Corporation of San Jose, Calif. 
     Differential pressure sensor  80  may communicate signals that are representative of the measured difference in pressure between air or gases within sample conduit  55  and air or gases within sample conduit  65  to a processor  102  of a pressure or flow monitor  100 , as known in the art (e.g., along a computer communication cable, by wireless transmission, such as infrared transmission, etc.). Processor  102 , under control of one or more programs in the form of software or firmware, may then, based on the signals received thereby, employ known principles and algorithms to calculate respiratory flow. Signal conditioning electronics  81  of a type known in the art, such as an instrumentation amplifier, may be associated with differential pressure sensor  80 , as known in the art, to amplify the signals that are generated and transmitted thereby as well as reduce or eliminate noise and other signal artifacts. Processor  102  may also quantify airway pressure at different points or portions of the monitored individual&#39;s respiration, also by known processes. 
     Sample conduit  55  also communicates with a gauge or ambient pressure sensor  90 , which is also in flow communication with the atmosphere external to portable pressure transducer  50 . Gauge pressure sensor  90  may be positioned proximally, in reference to the location of the monitored individual, relative to differential pressure sensor  80 . In the illustrated example, gauge pressure sensor  90  communicates with the atmosphere by way of a conduit  92  that extends through housing  52  of portable pressure transducer  50  and that opens to the atmosphere. As gauge pressure sensor  90  communicates with both the atmosphere (e.g., by way of conduit  92 ) and the airway A (FIG. 1) of an individual I (by way of sample conduit  55 , as well as other conduits and ports), gauge pressure sensor  90 , which may also comprise a differential pressure sensor, may sense differences between atmospheric pressure and airway pressure. Gauge pressure sensor  90  may be of a type insensitive to one or more of tilt, vibration, movement, or any combination thereof. It may also be desirable for gauge pressure sensor  90  to be insensitive to, or capable of, compensating for common mode pressure variations within the respiratory conduit. As an example and not by way of limitation, gauge pressure sensor  90  may be capable of sensing pressure differences of up to about 120 mm Hg. By way of example only, an XCX Series, dual-chip differential pressure sensor available from AllSensors may be used as gauge pressure sensor  90 . 
     Gauge pressure sensor  90  generates signals representative of such measured pressure and communicates the same to processor  102 , which may be programmed, as known in the art, to consider the differences between atmospheric and airway pressure in quantifying the pressure at one or more particular points or portions of the monitored individual&#39;s respiration, as well as in calculating respiratory flow. These signals may be amplified or otherwise modified by signal conditioning electronics  91 , such as an instrumentation amplifier, which is associated with gauge pressure sensor  90  in a manner known in the art. 
     Portable pressure transducer  50  may also include a valve  60 ,  70  positioned along each sample conduit  55 ,  65 , between coupling end  56 ,  66  thereof and differential pressure sensor  80  and/or gauge pressure sensor  90  (i.e., upstream from sensors  80  and/or  90 ). Each valve  60 ,  70  controls (i.e., permits or restricts) the flow of respiratory gases through its corresponding sample conduit  55 ,  65 . For example, when valves  60  and  70  are both in open positions, respiratory gases may flow therethrough and, thus, along their respective sample conduits  55  and  65 . Conversely, when valves  60  and  70  are closed, respiratory gases are restricted from flowing completely through sample conduits  55  and  65 . Exemplary valves that may be used in portable pressure transducer  50  include the three-way solenoid valves marketed under the trade name X-VALVE® by the Pneutronics Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation, which is located in Hollis, N.H., or titanium nickel valves manufactured by TiNi Alloy Company of San Leandro, Calif. Valves  60  and  70  may be configured to communicate with a control device, such as processor  102  of monitor  100  or a processor of a separate computer (not shown) associated with monitor  100 , which is programmed to actuate valves  60  and  70  and, thus, to control the flow of respiratory gases through sample conduits  55  and  65 . Such communication may be effected wirelessly (e.g., by infrared signals or other known, suitable wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation) or via wires or cables. 
     Valves  60  and  70  may be closed, or placed in a “zeroing” position, to facilitate the measurement of atmospheric pressure only and, thus, permit gauge pressure sensor  90  and differential pressure sensor  80  to generate so-called “baseline” pressure signals. Accordingly, by periodically reestablishing baseline pressure, any susceptibility that differential pressure sensor  80  or gauge pressure sensor  90  may exhibit to experiencing “baseline drift” may be counteracted. 
     Alternately, when valves  60  and  70  are both in open, or “measuring,” positions, respiratory samples may flow through sample conduits  55  and  65  and to differential pressure sensor  80  and gauge pressure sensor  90 , thereby facilitating measurement of airway pressure. The pressure measurements that are obtained with valves  55  and  65  in open positions may be corrected by considering the baseline pressure measured by each of differential pressure sensor  80  and gauge pressure sensor  90 . For example, the baseline pressure of each sensor  80 ,  90  may be subtracted from the pressure measurement subsequently obtained by that sensor  80 ,  90 . 
     Portable pressure transducer  50  may also include a power provision element  75 , such as an interconnection (e.g., a wire or cable) to a remote power source or an internal power source (e.g., a battery) for supplying power to valves  60  and  70 , differential pressure sensor  80 , gauge pressure sensor  90 , and other power-consuming elements of portable pressure transducer  50 . 
     Housing  52  of portable pressure transducer  50  may be configured to prevent moisture-sensitive components thereof, such as differential pressure sensor  80  and gauge pressure sensor  90 , from being exposed to moisture (e.g., from humidity, sources of fluid, etc.). In addition, filters  29  and  39  of pneumotach  20  may prevent moisture from coming into contact with these moisture-sensitive components of portable pressure transducer  50 . A similar, optional filter  94  may likewise be positioned along conduit  92  to prevent exposure of gauge pressure sensor  90  to moisture from the environment external to housing  52 . 
     As an alternative to the embodiments of pneumotach  20  and portable pressure transducer  50  shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 2-5, various features of the pressure ports of the pneumotach and of the coupling ends of the sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer may be reversed, as depicted in FIG.  5 A. As shown, a pneumotach  20 ′ may include pressure ports  24 ′ and  34 ′ with hollow needles  27 ′ and  37 ′ protruding therefrom. Needles  27 ′ and  37 ′ are configured to be coupled with coupling ends  56 ′ and  66 ′, respectively, of corresponding sample conduits  55 ′ and  65 ′ of a complementarily configured portable pressure transducer  50 ′. In particular, as the outer diameter of each needle  27 ′,  37 ′ is significantly smaller than the inner diameter of a coupling end  56 ′,  66 ′ of its corresponding sample conduit  55 ′,  65 ′ over which a protective sleeve  57 ′,  67 ′, or sealing element is positioned, each needle  27 ′,  37 ′ is configured to roughly align with and temporarily puncture a sealing element  57 ′,  67 ′ on a coupling end  56 ′,  66 ′ of its corresponding sample conduit  55 ′,  65 ′. Needles  27 ′ and  37 ′ may comprise any hollow, injection-type needle with a small circumference (e.g., an 18, 20, or 25 gauge needle) and a tip which will readily pierce sealing element  57 ′,  67 ′. Sealing elements  57 ′ and  67 ′ may be formed from any material that will form an adequate seal (e.g., a seal which may be maintained at pressures of up to about 150 mm Hg) around the outer surface of a needle  27 ′,  37 ′, while substantially resealing upon removal of a needle  27 ′,  37 ′ therefrom. Exemplary materials that may be used as sealing elements  57 ′ and  67 ′ include, without limitation, films of latex, silicon, and other relatively soft, resilient elastomeric materials. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of both a pneumotach and portable pressure transducer that incorporate teachings of the present invention, corresponding elements of these apparatus are configured to matingly engage one another upon assembly of the pneumotach and portable pressure transducer with one another. These embodiments of pneumotach  20 ″ and portable pressure transducer  50 ″, which are depicted in FIG. 6, require more precise, or finer, alignment between corresponding features than do the previously described embodiments. 
     Pneumotach  20 ″ differs from pneumotach  20  (FIGS. 2,  3 , and  5 ) in that pressure ports  24 ″ and  34 ″ thereof include coupling ends  27 ″ and  37 ″ (female members in the depicted example) that are configured to matingly engage (e.g., by way of an interference fit, complementary threaded joints (not shown), or otherwise) complementary coupling ends  56 ″ and  66 ″ (male members in the depicted example) of corresponding sample conduits  55 ″ and  65 ″, respectively, of portable pressure transducer  50 ″. A filter  29 ″,  39 ″ extends across each pressure port  24 ″,  34 ″ to prevent microorganisms, moisture, and other contaminants from passing therethrough and into sample conduits  55 ″ and  65 ″ of portable pressure transducer  50 ″. Sample conduits  55 ″ and  65 ″ may likewise have filters  59 ″ and  69 ″ extending thereacross to prevent contamination of the other elements of portable pressure transducer  50 ″. Filters  29 ″,  39 ″,  59 ″, and  69 ″ may each comprise any suitable filter medium that will facilitate accurate transmission of a pressure waveform from pressure ports  24 ″ and  34 ″ into corresponding sample conduits  55 ″ and  65 ″, respectively. Suitable media for filters  29 ″,  39 ″,  59 ″, and  69 ″ include, without limitation, hydrophobic, antimicrobial filter materials, such as those typically employed in respiratory conduits, which may be in the form of felt, particles, or otherwise, as known in the art. Other features of pneumotach  20 ″ and portable pressure transducer  50 ″ are substantially the same as those which are described above with respect to pneumotach  20 , in reference to FIGS. 2,  3 , and  5 , and portable pressure transducer  50 , in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     Optionally, an airway adapter and complementary transducer that incorporate teachings of the present invention may be configured for multiple diagnostic functions. By way of example only, in addition to functioning as a pneumotach, an airway adapter of the present invention may also include a material sensing element, such as one or both of an infrared sensor, as described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,859,858 and 4,859,859, both of which issued to Knodle et al. on Aug. 22, 1989 (hereinafter respectively “the &#39;858 patent” and “the &#39;859 patent”), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,436, issued to Apperson et al. on Oct. 6, 1992 (hereinafter “the &#39;436 patent”), the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by this reference in their entireties, and a luminescence quenching-type sensor, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,978, issued to Labuda et al. on Dec. 4, 2001 (hereinafter “the &#39;978 patent), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety. A complementary transducer would, of course, act as a pressure transducer and one or both of an infrared sensing-type transducer and luminescence excitation and detection transducer. 
     FIG. 7 schematically depicts an example of an assembly including a multi-function airway adapter  120  and a transducer  150  of an infrared-type sensor that may be used therewith. Airway adapter  120  has the features of pneumotach  20  described previously herein with reference to FIGS. 2,  3 , and  5 , to which a complementarily configured portable pressure transducer  50  (FIGS. 4 and 5) may be secured. In addition, airway adapter  120  includes a pair of opposed windows  122 , only one of which is shown, which facilitates the transmission of infrared radiation through primary conduit  22  of airway adapter  120  and any gases or vaporized materials therein, as well as the detection of infrared radiation that has not been absorbed by windows  122  or gases or other materials within primary conduit  22 . Airway adapter  120  also includes a seating element  126 , which is configured to ensure that the complementarily configured transducer  150  seats properly, i.e., in the proper orientation, when airway adapter  120  and transducer  150  are assembled with one another. When properly positioned on airway adapter  120 , transducer  150  preferably does not interfere with the assembly of a portable pressure transducer  50  (FIGS. 4 and 5) with airway adapter  120 . Transducer  150  may include each of the elements of an infrared monitoring transducer, as described in the &#39;858, &#39;859, and &#39;436 patents. Among other things, an infrared source  152  and at least one infrared detector  154  may be positioned so as to respectively direct infrared radiation into one window  122  and detect infrared radiation through the other window (not shown). Operation of infrared source  152  and infrared detector  154  may be controlled and monitored, as known in the art, by a processor of a suitable monitoring apparatus (e.g., processor  102  of monitor  100  shown in FIG. 5) with which infrared source  152  and infrared detector  154  communicate electronically, as known in the art. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of multifunction airway adapter  120 ′ and complementary transducer  150 ′ of a luminescence-quenching type sensor are depicted. Airway adapter  120 ′ includes a pneumotach, such as pneumotach  20  described previously herein with reference to FIGS. 2,  3 , and  5 . Airway adapter  120 ′ also includes a luminescence-quenching portion  130 , which facilitates monitoring of one or more substances (e.g., oxygen) in respiratory gases by way of known luminescence quenching techniques, as described in the &#39;978 patent. 
     Luminescence-quenching portion  130  of airway adapter  120 ′ includes a quantity of luminescable material  132 , which may be carried by a support membrane  134 , within a primary conduit  22  of pneumotach  20 . The luminescence of luminescable material  132  is quenched to a degree indicative of an amount of an analyzed gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrous oxide, etc.) or vaporized material (e.g., one or more anesthetic agents) in a gas mixture (e.g., respiration of an individual) to which luminescable material  132  is exposed. Airway adapter  120 ′ also includes a window  122 ′ through which at least a portion of luminescable material  132  may be excited into a luminescent state and through which light or other electromagnetic radiation emitted from luminescable material  132  may be detected. Examples of luminescable materials  132  and support membranes  134 , as well as their positioning within airway adapter  120 ′ relative to a window  122 ′ thereof, and examples of materials from which window  122 ′ may be formed are more fully described in the &#39;978 patent. 
     Transducer  150 ′ includes at least a source  162  of electromagnetic radiation of one or more wavelengths that will excite luminescable material  132  into a luminescent state, as well as a detector  164  for sensing electromagnetic radiation emitted by luminescable material  132 . Source  162  and detector  164  are positioned and oriented within a housing  155 ′ of transducer  150 ′ in such a way that both source  162  and detector  164  are oriented toward window  122 ′ of airway adapter  120 ′ and luminescable material  132  within airway adapter  120 ′ when transducer  150 ′ and airway adapter  120 ′ are assembled with one another. The specifics of source  162 , detector  164 , and other elements of transducer  150 ′, including control and monitoring of their operation by a processor of a suitable monitoring apparatus (e.g., processor  102  of monitor  100  shown in FIG. 5) and transmission of signals from detector  164  to such a processor are more fully described in the &#39;978 patent. 
     Airway adapter  120 ′ may also include a seating element  126 , which, along with a complementary element or portion  156  of transducer  150 ′, is configured to ensure that appropriate elements of airway adapter  120 ′ and transducer  150 ′, such as window  122 ′ of airway adapter  120 ′ and source  162  and detector  164  of transducer  150 ′ are in adequate alignment with one another upon assembly of airway adapter  120 ′ and transducer  150 ′. When transducer  150 ′ is properly positioned on airway adapter  120 ′, transducer  150 ′ preferably does not interfere with the assembly or disassembly of portable pressure transducer  50  (FIGS. 4 and 5) with its respective luminescence-quenching portion  130  of airway adapter  120 ′. 
     In addition to the material sensing functions of transducers  150  and  150 ′ depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, transducers  150  and  150 ′ may be equipped with pressure sensing portions which include the features of a portable pressure transducer of the present invention (e.g., portable pressure transducer  50  depicted in FIGS.  4  and  5 ). 
     Once signals that correspond to pressure measurements obtained by use of a pneumotach (e.g., pneumotach  20  shown in FIG. 5) and complementary portable pressure transducer (e.g., portable pressure transducer  50  shown in FIG. 5) of the present invention have been transmitted to a processor of a pressure monitor (e.g., processor  102  of pressure monitor  100  shown in FIG.  5 ), known techniques and algorithms may be employed to calculate various flow, volume, respiratory mechanics, and other respiratory parameters, as well as measurements of blood flow and blood gases. 
     Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some exemplary embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions, and modifications to the invention, as disclosed herein, which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby.