Abstract:
A fluid trap is disclosed herein. The fluid trap has a tube connector defining a first interior passageway and a second interior passageway. The tube connector is adapted for connection with a dual lumen tube such that the first interior passageway is in fluid communication with one of the dual lumen and the second interior passageway is in fluid communication with the other of the dual lumen. The fluid trap also includes a reservoir operatively connected to the tube connector. The reservoir is in fluid communication with only one of the interior passageways, and is configured to retain fluid from that passageway.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Anesthetic and respirator breathing devices commonly include a breathing circuit to direct gas flow to and away from the patient. The breathing circuit may include breathing circuit tubes, connectors and a patient interface. One category of breathing circuit tubes comprises dual lumen tubes. Dual lumen tubing refers generally to a single tubular apparatus with a partition separating the tube interior into two distinct lumens or channels. The two lumens may be implemented to separately accommodate a patient&#39;s inspiratory flow and expiratory flow within a single apparatus. 
         [0002]    One problem with conventional dual lumen breathing circuit tubing is that condensation in the expiratory gas may accumulate in one of the lumen, and accumulated fluid can cause an occlusion. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification. 
         [0004]    In an embodiment a fluid trap includes a tube connector defining a first interior passageway and a second interior passageway. The tube connector is adapted for connection with a dual lumen tube such that the first interior passageway is in fluid communication with one of the dual lumen and the second interior passageway is in fluid communication with the other of the dual lumen. The fluid trap also includes a reservoir operatively connected to the tube connector. The reservoir is in fluid communication with only one of the interior passageways, and is configured to retain fluid from that passageway. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a fluid trap includes a tube connector. The tube connector comprises a first connector portion adapted for connection with a first lumen of a dual lumen tube. The first connector portion defines a first interior passageway. The tube connector also comprises a second connector portion adapted for connection with a second lumen of a dual lumen tube. The second connector portion defines a second interior passageway that is discrete from the first interior passageway. The fluid trap also includes a reservoir operatively connected to the tube connector. The reservoir is in fluid communication with only one of the interior passageways, and is configured to retain fluid from that passageway. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a fluid trap includes a tube connector. The tube connector comprises a first D-shaped connector portion adapted for insertion into a first lumen of a dual lumen tube. The first D-shaped connector portion defines a first interior passageway. The tube connector also comprises a second D-shaped connector portion adapted for insertion into a second lumen of a dual lumen tube. The second D-shaped connector portion defines a second interior passageway that is discrete from the first interior passageway. The fluid trap also includes a first reservoir in fluid communication with only one of the interior passageways. The fluid trap also includes a second reservoir in fluid communication with the other interior passageway. 
         [0007]    Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dual lumen tube in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fluid trap in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a tube connector from  FIG. 2  accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fluid trap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a tube connector from  FIG. 4  in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fluid trap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a fluid trap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the fluid trap in  FIG. 7  in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a tube  10  is shown tube in accordance with an embodiment. The tube  10  will be described as a breathing circuit tube for use with healthcare devices such respiratory or anesthesia machines, however alternate applications may be envisioned. According to one embodiment the tube  10  may be implemented to deliver inspiratory gas from an anesthesia machine to a patient (not shown), and to transfer expiratory gas from the patient to a scavenging system (not shown). Scavenging systems may be implemented to recycle exhaled anesthetic agent and are well known by those skilled in the art. 
         [0018]    The tube  10  comprises a first terminal end portion  12 , a second terminal end portion  14 , a body  16  defined between the end portions  12 ,  14 , and a partition or septum  18 . The tube  10  is generally hollow defining an interior surface  20  and a channel  22 . The terminal end portions  12 ,  14  are cylindrical with a smooth exterior surface adapted to facilitate an airtight coupling when connected to another device. 
         [0019]    According to one embodiment, the body  16  may define a plurality of corrugations  24 . The corrugations  24  provide flexibility thereby allowing for optimal placement and routing of the tube  10  in a potentially restricted environment. The partition  18  may be secured to the interior surface  20  of the tube  10 . The partition  18  may define a flat geometry extending from a first portion of the interior surface  20  to a second generally opposite portion of the interior surface  20 . In the manner described, the partition  18  bisects the channel  22  defining a dual lumen configuration comprising a first lumen  26  and a second lumen  28 . 
         [0020]    The dual lumen configuration can facilitate the transfer of inspiratory gasses to a patient and expiratory gasses from a patient with a single apparatus. For illustrative purposes, the tube  10  will hereinafter be described as being connected such that inspiratory gas is transferred from an anesthesia machine to a patient (not shown) via the first lumen  26 , and expiratory gas is transferred from the patient to a scavenging system (not shown) via the second lumen  28 . 
         [0021]    Fluid from condensation can accumulate within the tube  10 . As condensation is generally present only in expiratory gas, fluid only accumulates in lumen  28 . It is preferable to transfer this fluid into a retainer or trap to avoid an occlusion. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a fluid trap  30  is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The fluid trap  30  comprises a tube connector  32 , a reservoir interface  34  and a reservoir  36 . The tube connector  32  comprises a first end  38  and a second end  40 . The connector ends  38 ,  40  will hereinafter be described in accordance with the depicted embodiment as being adapted for insertion into separate dual lumen tubes, however alternate connections can be envisioned. When inserted in this manner, the coupled components functionally form a single dual lumen apparatus with an integral fluid trap. 
         [0023]    The reservoir interface  34  is hollow defining an interior conduit  42  in fluid communication with the reservoir  36 . The reservoir  36  is designed to retain fluid from the tube  10 . When the reservoir  36  becomes full of fluid it can be drained or replaced with minimal breathing circuit interference. 
         [0024]    The connector ends  38 ,  40  define a generally cylindrical exterior formed by two back-to-back, outward facing D-shaped portions  44 ,  46  with a gap  48  therebetween. The D-shaped portions  44 ,  46  are hollow and respectively define interior passages  50 ,  52  extending through the entire length of the tube connector  32 . The interior passages  50 ,  52  are discrete in order to maintain separation between transferred gases. The gap  48  is adapted to accommodate the tube partition  18  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The two D-shaped portions  44 ,  46  are adapted for insertion into a dual lumen tube such that one of the D-shaped portions is inserted into a first lumen, and the other of the D-shaped portions is inserted into the second lumen. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a sectional view of the tube connector  32  through section  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The interior passage  52  is in fluid communication with an aperture  54  located approximately half-way between connector end  38  and connector end  40 . The aperture  54  is in fluid communication with the reservoir interface conduit  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). When the D-shaped portion  46  is inserted into or otherwise coupled with the lumen  28 , the reservoir  36  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is preferably oriented downward. Gravity directs fluid from expiratory gas in the lumen  28  through the aperture  54 , through the reservoir interface conduit  42 , and into the reservoir  36 . 
         [0026]    As the interior passage  50  is adapted to accommodate inspiratory gas, and inspiratory gas does not comprise fluid, there is no need to couple the interior passage  50  with the reservoir  36  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, the interior passage  50  merely forms a pass through connection. The fluid trap  30  is unidirectional meaning that D-shaped portion  46  must be coupled with the expiratory lumen  28 , and D-shaped portion  44  must be coupled with the inspiratory lumen  26 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a dual reservoir fluid trap  60  is shown in accordance with another embodiment. The fluid trap  60  comprises a tube connector  62 , a first and second reservoir interface  64 ,  66 , and a first and second reservoir  68 ,  70 . The tube connector  62  comprises a first end  72  and a second end  74 . The connector ends  72 ,  74  will hereinafter be described in accordance with the depicted embodiment as being adapted for insertion into separate dual lumen tubes, however alternate connections can be envisioned. 
         [0028]    The reservoir interfaces  64 ,  66  are both hollow, respectively defining interior conduits  76 ,  78 . The interior conduit  76  is in fluid communication with the reservoir  68 , and the interior conduit  78  is in fluid communication with the reservoir  70 . 
         [0029]    The connector ends  72 ,  74  define a generally cylindrical exterior formed by two back-to-back, outward facing D-shaped portions  80 ,  82  with a gap  84  therebetween. The D-shaped portions  80 ,  82  are hollow and respectively define interior passages  86 ,  88  extending through the entire length of the tube connector  62 . The interior passages  86 ,  88  are discrete in order to maintain separation between transferred gases. The D-shaped portions  86 ,  88  and gap  84  are adapted for connection with a dual lumen tube in a manner similar to that previously described with respect to the fluid trap  30  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a sectional view of the tube connector  62  through section  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The interior passages  86 ,  88  are respectively in fluid communication with apertures  90 ,  92  located approximately half-way between connector end  72  and connector end  74 . The apertures  90 ,  92  are each in fluid communication with one of the reservoir interface conduits  76 ,  78 . When the D-shaped portions  80 ,  82  are inserted into or otherwise coupled with the lumen  26 ,  28 , the reservoirs  68 ,  70  are preferably oriented downward. Gravity directs fluid in the lumen  26 ,  28  through one of the apertures  90 ,  92 , through a respective reservoir interface conduit  76 ,  78 , and into a respective reservoir  68 ,  70 . 
         [0031]    Because fluid only accumulates from expiratory gas, only one of the reservoirs  68 ,  70  is intended to collect fluid while the other remains empty. An advantage of the dual reservoir design of the fluid trap  60  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) is that it is bidirectional meaning that D-shaped portions  80 ,  82  can each be coupled with either an inspiratory or expiratory lumen. The bidirectional design simplifies the process of connecting the fluid trap  60  and reduces the likelihood of user error. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a dual-reservoir fluid trap  100  is shown in accordance with another embodiment. The fluid trap  100  comprises a first and second tube connector  102 ,  104 , a first and second reservoir interface channel  106 ,  108 , and a first and second reservoir  110 ,  112 . The first and second tube connectors  102 ,  104  will hereinafter be described in accordance with the depicted embodiment as being adapted for insertion into separate dual lumen tubes, however alternate connections can be envisioned. 
         [0033]    The tube connectors  102 ,  104  respectively comprise connector ends  114 ,  116 . The connector ends  114 ,  116  each define a generally cylindrical exterior formed by two back-to-back, outward facing D-shaped portions  118 ,  120  with a gap  122  therebetween. The D-shaped portions  118 ,  120  are hollow and respectively define interior passages  124 ,  126 . The interior passages  124 ,  126  are discrete in order to maintain separation between transferred gases. The interior passages  124 ,  126  are each in fluid communication with one of the reservoir interface channels  106 ,  108 . Gravity directs fluid from the lumen  26 ,  28  through one of the interior passages  124 ,  126 , through a respective interface channel  106 ,  108 , and into a respective reservoir  110 ,  112 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a dual-reservoir fluid trap  130  is shown in accordance with another embodiment. The fluid trap  130  comprises a tube connector  132 , and a reservoir housing  134 . The tube connector  132  comprises a first end  136  and a second end  138 . The connector ends  136 ,  138  will hereinafter be described in accordance with the depicted embodiment as being adapted for insertion into separate dual lumen tubes, however alternate connections can be envisioned. The reservoir housing  134  may comprise a generally hollow cylindrical design. 
         [0035]    The connector ends  136 ,  138  define a generally cylindrical exterior formed by two back-to-back, outward facing D-shaped portions  140 ,  142  with a gap  144  therebetween. The D-shaped portions  140 ,  142  are hollow and respectively define interior passages  146 ,  148 . The interior passages  146 ,  148  are discrete in order to maintain separation between transferred gases. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a sectional view of the fluid trap  130  through section  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7  is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The interior passage  146  is in fluid communication with an aperture  150 , and the interior passage  148  is in fluid communication with an aperture  152 . The reservoir housing  134  comprises an interior partition  154  providing separate reservoirs  156  and  158 . Aperture  150  is in fluid communication with reservoir  156 , and aperture  152  is in fluid communication with reservoir  158 . Gravity directs fluid from the lumen  26 ,  28 , through one of the interior passages  146 ,  148 , through a respective aperture  150 ,  152 , and into a respective reservoir  156 ,  158 . 
         [0037]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples 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 structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.