Patent Description:
The present disclosure generally relates to medical devices having connections to external gas supplies, such as anesthesia machines and ventilators, for example. Anesthesia machines are medical devices known in the art used to deliver a mix of gases and anesthetic agents to a patient for the purposes of inducing and maintaining anesthesia. An exemplary anesthesia machine presently known in the art is the Aisys CS<NUM> by GE Healthcare ®. Similarly, a ventilator is a medical device that provides mechanical ventilation to move air in and out of the lungs of a patient, which may be used alone or in conjunction with the functions described above when incorporated with an anesthesia machine. An exemplary ventilator presently available in the market is the Carescape R860 Ventilator by GE Healthcare ®.

In each case, the medical device is typically connected to an incoming gas supply connection, which in the example of use in a hospital context may include medical-grade oxygen to be delivered to the patient. The oxygen may be mixed with other gases and/or anesthetic agents as needed.

One embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to a moisture management system for a medical device having a supply connection for receiving gas and a patient connection for supplying the gas to a patient, The system includes a water trap having an inlet, an outlet, a first reservoir, and a drain, the inlet receiving the gas from the supply connection and the outlet returning the gas to the patient connection, where the water trap is configured to remove moisture from the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and where the moisture removed is held in the first reservoir. The system further includes an evaporation chamber having an inlet, an exhaust, and a second reservoir, where the inlet is fluidly coupled to the drain of the water trap to receive the moisture from the first reservoir, where the moisture is subsequently held in the second reservoir, and where the evaporation chamber is configured such that the moisture evaporates from the second reservoir and exits as vapor via the exhaust. An evaporator increases a rate at which the moisture in the second reservoir evaporates via the exhaust.

In certain embodiments, the evaporator is a fan that blows air across the moisture in the second reservoir to increase the rate of evaporation from the evaporation chamber.

In certain embodiments, the evaporator is a wick positioned to draw the moisture upwardly from the second reservoir to increase the rate of evaporation from the evaporation chamber.

In certain embodiments, the evaporator is a heater positioned in the second reservoir such that the heater warms the moisture therein to increase the rate of evaporation from the evaporation chamber.

In certain embodiments, the heater is a PTC heater.

In certain embodiments, the heater is configured to remain at or below <NUM>° C.

In certain embodiments, the system further includes a first level sensor positioned to detect when the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds a first threshold, and a drain valve fluidly coupled between the drain of the water trap and the inlet of the evaporation chamber to control flow therebetween, where the drain valve is normally closed. The system further includes a control system coupled to the first level sensor and the drain valve, where the control system causes the drain valve to open while the first level sensor detects that the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds the first threshold.

In certain embodiments, the system further includes a bypass valve that bypasses the water trap to fluidly couple the supply connection and the patient connection, where the bypass valve is normally closed, and where the control system further causes the bypass valve to open while the first level sensor detects that the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds the first threshold.

In certain embodiments, the system further includes a first water trap valve fluidly coupled between the supply connection and one of the inlet and the outlet of the water trap to control flow therebetween, where the first water trap valve is normally open, and where the control system further causes the first water trap valve to close while the first level sensor detects that the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds the first threshold.

In certain embodiments, the first water trap valve is fluidly coupled between the supply connection and the inlet of the water trap, further including a second water trap valve fluidly coupled between the outlet of the water trap and the patient connection to control flow therebetween, where the second water trap valve is normally open, and wherein the control system further causes the second water trap valve to close while the first level sensor detects that the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds the first threshold.

In certain embodiments, the evaporator is a powered device, further including a second level sensor positioned to detect when the moisture in the second reservoir exceeds a second threshold, where the control system increases the power to the evaporator while the second level sensor detects that the moisture in the second reservoir exceeds the second threshold.

In certain embodiments, the system further includes a second level sensor positioned to detect when the moisture in the second reservoir exceeds a second threshold, and also a control system coupled to the second level sensor and the evaporator, where the evaporator is a powered device, and where the control system increases the power to the evaporator while the second level sensor detects that the moisture in the second reservoir exceeds the second threshold.

In certain embodiments, a UV light is positioned to irradiate the moisture within at least one of the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the first and second reservoirs is configured to be antibacterial.

In certain embodiments, the supply connection supplies the gas to the patient from an anesthesia machine and the patient connection receives the gas from the patient back to the anesthesia machine.

Another embodiment generally relates to a method for managing moisture for a medical device having a supply connection for receiving gas and a patient connection for supplying the gas to a patient. The method includes fluidly coupling a water trap to the primary conduct, the water trap having an inlet, an outlet, a first reservoir, and a drain, the inlet receiving the gas from the supply connection and the outlet returning the gas to the patient connection, where the water trap is configured to remove moisture from the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and where the moisture removed is held in the first reservoir. The method includes fluidly coupling an evaporation chamber to the drain of the water trap, the evaporation chamber having an inlet, an exhaust, and a second reservoir, where the inlet is fluidly coupled to the drain of the water trap to receive the moisture from the first reservoir, where the moisture is subsequently held in the second reservoir, and where the evaporation chamber is configured such that the moisture evaporates from the second reservoir and exits as vapor via the exhaust. The method further includes positioning an evaporator in proximity to the second reservoir such that the evaporator acts on the moisture within the second reservoir to increase a rate at which the moisture evaporates therefrom via the exhaust.

In certain embodiments, the method further includes positioning a first level sensor to detect when the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds a first threshold, fluidly coupling a drain valve between the drain of the water trap and the inlet of the evaporation chamber to control flow therebetween, where the drain valve is normally closed, and coupling a control system to the first level sensor and the drain valve and configuring the control system to cause the drain valve to open while the first level sensor detects that the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds the first threshold.

In certain embodiments, the method further includes fluidly coupling a bypass valve that bypasses the water trap to fluidly couple the supply connection and the patient connection, where the bypass valve is normally closed, fluidly coupling a first water trap valve between the supply connection and one of the inlet and the outlet of the water trap to control flow therebetween, wherein the first water trap valve is normally open, and configuring the control system to further cause the bypass valve to open and the first water trap valve to close while the first level sensor detects that the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds the first threshold.

In certain embodiments, the evaporator is a powered device, further comprising positioning a second level sensor to detect when the moisture in the second reservoir exceeds a second threshold, and further comprising configuring the control system to increase the power to the evaporator while the second level sensor detects that the moisture in the second reservoir exceeds the second threshold.

Another embodiment generally relates to a moisture management system for a medical device having a supply connection for receiving gas and a patient connection for supplying the gas to a patient. The system includes a water trap having an inlet, an outlet, a first reservoir, and a drain, the inlet being coupled via a first water trap valve to the supply connection for receiving the gas therefrom, the outlet being coupled via a second water trap valve to the patient connection for supplying the gas thereto, where the first and second water trap valves are normally open, where the water trap is configured to remove moisture from the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and where the moisture removed is held in the first reservoir. The system includes an evaporation chamber having an inlet, an exhaust, and a second reservoir, where the inlet is fluidly coupled via a drain valve to the drain of the water trap to receive the moisture from the first reservoir, where the drain valve is normally closed, where the moisture is subsequently held in the second reservoir, and where the evaporation chamber is configured such that the moisture evaporates from the second reservoir and exits as vapor via the exhaust. A bypass valve bypasses the water trap to fluidly couple the supply connection and the patient connection, where the bypass valve is normally closed. First and second level sensors are positioned to detect when the moisture in the first and second reservoirs exceeds first and second thresholds, respectively. A fan blows air across the moisture in the second reservoir to increase a rate of evaporation of the moisture from the evaporation chamber. A heater is positioned in the second reservoir such that the heater warms the moisture therein to increase the rate of evaporation from the evaporation chamber. A control system is coupled to the first and second level sensors, the bypass valve, the first and second water trap valves, and the drain valve, where the control system causes the bypass valve to open, the first and second water trap valves to close, and the drain valve to open while the first level sensor detects that the moisture in the first reservoir exceeds the first threshold, and where the control system increases the power to the evaporator while the second level sensor detects that the moisture in the second reservoir exceeds the second threshold.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the disclosure will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

The present disclosure is described with reference to the following drawings.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for managing moisture in medical devices. Through experimentation and development, the inventors have recognized problems with respect to moisture management for medical devices presently known in the art, including but not limited to medical device having a supply connection connected to a gas supply that subsequently supply a gas mixture to a patient. Exemplary gases include oxygen, nitrogen, anesthetic agents, other atmospheric gases, and/or other mixtures thereof as presently known in the art. In particular, the inventors have recognized problems with moisture management for anesthesia devices and ventilators, which in a clinical setting are connected at their respective supply connections to wall gas at a hospital or clinic (providing oxygen or other gases), whereby the patient is then connected via hoses to a patient connection to receive a desired anesthetic mix of gases, ventilation support, or both.

The inventors have recognized that the incoming gas provided at the supply connection often introduces moisture into the medical device, which may be condensed water, oil from various compressors or facility equipment, or other contaminants in addition to the intended gas being supplied. This moisture can cause damage to many different components within the medical device, including from an electrical, mechanical, and/or chemical basis, for example. This moisture also introduces the opportunity for contamination in terms of pathogenic growth inside the medical device, which can then be transferred to the patient.

The inventors have recognized that a similar phenomenon occurs at the patient connector side of the medical device, whereby moisture is introduced into the medical device by virtue of the patient being connected to the patient connection via hoses. For example, moisture is introduced into the medical device via condensation of the patient's warm exhalation gases. As previously discussed, this can cause damage to the internal components of the medical device, and/or may introduce pathogens into the medical device. Unintended moisture also causes problems with seals becoming dirty, which over time impacts the performance thereof.

Certain medical devices presently known in the art provide water traps in an effort to collect this unintended moisture. This may include moisture entering the system from the supply connection, as well as moisture introduced from the patient. However, as is discussed further below, the inventors have found these presently known system to be woefully inadequate in preventing the damage and pathogenic risks described above, with most systems providing no preventative measure at all. <CIT> describes a water removal system from a breathing circuit by suction.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary medical device <NUM> incorporating a moisture management system <NUM> according to the present disclosure. Other than the addition of the moisture management system presently disclosed, the medical device <NUM> may be similar to the Aisys CS<NUM> anesthesia delivery system by GE Healthcare ®. The medical device <NUM> is controlled via user interface devices <NUM> to operate the main hardware <NUM> in a manner known in the art. Incoming gas is supplied to the medical device <NUM> via a supply connection <NUM>, which may receive oxygen from the wall gas of a hospital, for example.

The medical device <NUM> includes a breathing system <NUM>, which in certain examples includes a manual breathing bag <NUM>. The breathing system <NUM> provides a flow of gas to the patient via a patient connection <NUM>. As also shown in <FIG>, the patient connection <NUM> provides gas to the patient via a patient hose <NUM>, which in the present example has an inhalation side <NUM> coupled to the patient connection <NUM> for delivering the gas to the patient <NUM>, as well as an exhalation side <NUM> for returning gas from the patient <NUM> back to the medical device <NUM>, particularly to a return connection <NUM> (<FIG>). The patient hose <NUM> of <FIG> is connected to the patient <NUM> at a distal end, presently shown as connecting to an intubation tube <NUM>, but may otherwise be a patient mask, for example.

In certain examples, as shown in <FIG>, an auxiliary line <NUM> is provided an alternative route for communicating gas from the patient <NUM> to the medical device <NUM>, as discussed further below. The depiction of <FIG> also includes a moisture trap <NUM> that in some examples is connected between the patient <NUM> and the medical device <NUM> as a means for preventing moisture from transferring therebetween.

<FIG> and <FIG> depict exemplary systems presently known in the art for preventing moisture from entering the medical device <NUM> from the patient <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a cartridge system <NUM> insertable into the side of a medical device <NUM>, similar to that shown in <FIG>, which includes a water trap system <NUM>. A similar cartridge system <NUM> is also in <FIG>, with its water trap system <NUM> removed therefrom in <FIG>. The cartridge systems <NUM> are typically add-on items that provided additional functionality to the medical device <NUM>, such as additional gas analysis. In each example of cartridge system <NUM> shown, the water trap system <NUM> includes an inlet <NUM> that receives gas from the patient, for example via the auxiliary line <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The water trap system <NUM> further includes a reservoir <NUM> that in the present example is threadedly removable from a base <NUM>. In the examples shown, a zig-zag pattern is defined within the water trap system <NUM> (as known in the art) such that moisture introduced via the inlet <NUM> condenses and is directed to the reservoir <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> must then be periodically, manually dumped out by a clinician as it fills to prevent an overflow in which the moisture damages the cartridge system <NUM>.

A similar zig-zag pattern may also be defined within the medical device <NUM> itself (i.e., to protect the medical device <NUM> in a similar manner as the cartridge system <NUM>), typically just downstream of the supply connection <NUM>. For medical devices presently known in the art that include such a zig-zag pattern, the condensed moisture is either lead to a tray within the inside of the medical device, or onto the floor of the room. These solutions either lead to a puddle on the floor, or another need for manual draining of the tray before overflowing, leading to the problems discussed above. Namely, manual intervention to drain various trays or traps is problematic in that a failure to do such manual draining results in moisture entering the medical device and/or breathing circuits, damaging equipment and/or introducing pathogens for the patient. Similarly, the drain system creates risks when overflowing, leading to water on the floor, for example.

Accordingly, the systems and methods presently disclosed solve the unmet needs of not only provide for collecting moisture from incoming supply lines and/or as introduced from the patient, but also eliminate the requirement for the manually draining this collected moisture. As is discussed further below, the systems and methods presently disclosed generally provide for collecting this moisture from the various sources, then vaporizing it to be harmlessly returned to the room automatically and as needed.

<FIG> depicts a first moisture management system <NUM> for a medical device <NUM> according to the present disclosure. A supply connection <NUM> is configured for receiving gas within the medical device <NUM>, for example connected to the wall gas of a hospital room. Likewise, a patient connection <NUM> is provided for supplying gas from the medical device <NUM> to the patient in the manner previously discussed. As such, the remaining elements of the moisture management system <NUM> presently shown may be contained within the medical device <NUM> so as to not in typical use be viewable by the physicians or patient. However, it should be recognized that the present disclosure also contemplates moisture management systems <NUM> that are in whole or part external to the medical device <NUM> for accessibility, ease of retrofitting into existing medical devices, and/or the like.

The moisture management system <NUM> includes a water trap <NUM> that extends between a top <NUM> and bottom <NUM>. In the example shown, an inlet <NUM> and outlet <NUM> for communicating gas to and from the water trap <NUM>, respectively, are each provided within the top <NUM> of the water trap <NUM>. However, it should be recognized that the positioning of the inlet <NUM> and/or outlet <NUM> may be in alternate positions, for example on one of the sides of the water trap <NUM> between the top <NUM> and bottom <NUM>. Conduits C1-C12 (see <FIG>) connect the inlet <NUM> and outlet <NUM> to the supply connection <NUM> and patient connection <NUM>, which may be made of flexible tubing, rigid plastic, metal, or other materials known in the art for communicating gases and liquids (being configured to withstand all types of gases and anesthetic agents to flow therethrough).

With continued reference to <FIG>, the water trap <NUM> includes a first reservoir <NUM> by which moisture <NUM> is condensed from the gas flowing between the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>, for example via methods known in the art, including zig-zag patterns therein. Unlike systems presently known in the art, this first reservoir <NUM> will be automatically drained via a drain <NUM> as needed, which is discussed further below. In this example, the drain <NUM> is provided in the side <NUM> of the water trap <NUM> just above a fill level <NUM> in which it would be desirable to begin draining the moisture <NUM> within the water trap <NUM>. However, it should be recognized that the present disclosure contemplates other locations for positioning the drain <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). In this manner, the water trap <NUM> is configured to remove the moisture from the gas flowing from the inlet <NUM> to the outlet <NUM>, wherein this moisture <NUM> is retained within the first reservoir <NUM>, presently shown at a fill level <NUM>.

The moisture management system <NUM> further includes an evaporation chamber <NUM> that extends between a top <NUM> and bottom <NUM>. An inlet <NUM> is provided in the top <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM>, which is fluidly coupled to the drain <NUM> of the first reservoir <NUM> in the water trap <NUM> (e.g., using the conduit C9 as discussed above). The evaporation chamber <NUM> also includes an exhaust <NUM>. A second reservoir <NUM> is fluidly coupled to both the inlet <NUM> and the exhaust <NUM>. As such, the moisture received from the water trap <NUM> via the inlet <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM> is retained within the second reservoir <NUM>, shown as the moisture <NUM> having a fill level <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the evaporation chamber <NUM> is configured such that the moisture <NUM> retained within the second reservoir <NUM> evaporates from the second reservoir <NUM> (for example into the room in which the medical device <NUM> is positioned) to exit as vapor via the exhaust <NUM>. This evaporation process is expedited by the inclusion of one or more evaporators <NUM> that act upon the moisture <NUM> within the second reservoir <NUM> to increase the rate at which this moisture <NUM> evaporates via the exhaust <NUM> relative to a system in which no evaporator <NUM> is present.

In the example shown in <FIG>, two evaporators <NUM> are provided. A first evaporator <NUM> is a wick <NUM> that extends between a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM>. With the fill level <NUM> of the moisture <NUM> as presently shown, the bottom <NUM> of the wick <NUM> is fully submerged within the moisture <NUM>, whereas the top <NUM> extends at least in part above the fill level <NUM> such that the wick <NUM> may draw the moisture <NUM> upwardly to encourage evaporation from the second reservoir <NUM>. The wick <NUM> may be made of solid or interwoven materials known in the art to soak up liquids, for example plastics with tuned porosity (e.g., Delrin), cotton fiber, wool, sintered metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel), ceramic, nylon, or acrylic, to name a few. In this example, a second evaporator <NUM> is also provided, which here is a power device <NUM>, and specifically a fan <NUM>. As shown, the fan <NUM> directs air across the surface of the moisture <NUM> within the second reservoir <NUM>, encouraging evaporation therefrom, as well as across the wick <NUM> to improve the performance of the wick <NUM> in evaporating moisture therefrom. In this manner, the fan <NUM> expedites the rate at which the moisture <NUM> is evaporated from the second reservoir <NUM> via the exhaust <NUM>. In the example shown, the fan <NUM> may draw room air, for example from the back of the medical device <NUM>, in one side of the evaporation chamber <NUM>, with the exhaust <NUM> being positioned on an opposite side of the second reservoir <NUM> to optimize the air flow therebetween. The fan <NUM> may be an AC or DC electric fan as presently known in the art.

In certain embodiments, an air funnel <NUM> is also provided within the evaporation chamber <NUM> to assist in concentrating the flow of air provided by the fan <NUM> through the exhaust <NUM>. The air funnel <NUM> is comprised of a first wall <NUM> extending downwardly from the top <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM>, a second wall <NUM> substantially parallel to the top <NUM>, and a third wall <NUM> connecting to the second wall <NUM> and also the top <NUM>. In the configuration of <FIG>, the air funnel <NUM> effectively divides the second reservoir <NUM> into a first chamber <NUM> before the air funnel <NUM>, a second chamber <NUM> below the air funnel <NUM>, and a third chamber <NUM> downstream of the air funnel <NUM>. This configuration is intended to direct the flow of air from the fan <NUM> downwardly towards the moisture <NUM> retained in the second reservoir <NUM>, thereby increasing the flow across the surface and thus increasing the effectiveness in expediting evaporation. In the example shown, the first wall <NUM> in particular of the air funnel <NUM> directs this air movement towards the wick <NUM>, also enhancing the effectiveness thereof.

In the configuration of <FIG>, after the concentrated airflow within the second chamber <NUM> of the second reservoir <NUM>, the third chamber <NUM> then opens up again to the full height of the evaporation chamber <NUM> up to the top <NUM> to encourage evaporation of the moisture <NUM> from the second reservoir <NUM> to exit. The fan <NUM> again assists in this movement of the air now containing the evaporated moisture, which exits via the exhaust <NUM> into the room.

As shown in <FIG>, other examples of evaporators <NUM> may also or alternatively be incorporated, such as a heater <NUM> provided as an additional power device <NUM>. In this example, the moisture <NUM> within the second reservoir <NUM> is heated by the heater <NUM> to again encourage evaporation therefrom. The heater <NUM> may work alone or in conjunction with other evaporators <NUM>, in this example with a fan <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the heater <NUM> is a PTC heater configured to heat the moisture <NUM> to a pre-configured temperature without the need for a dedicated control system. In certain embodiments, the PTC heater is pre-configured to not exceed <NUM>. The present inventors have recognized that by configuring the PTC heater in this manner is advantageous in eliminating a risk of burning a user or patient if accidental contact were made with the heater <NUM>, and/or moisture <NUM> contained within the second reservoir <NUM>. The inventors have recognized that this is further advantageous in avoiding costly shielding or mitigating features to prevent this accidental burning, offering a cost-saving measure and simplified design for retrofitting medical devices presently known in the art. However, it should be recognized that other temperatures of the heater <NUM> are also contemplated by the present disclosure, including those in which the heater <NUM> is configured to boil the moisture <NUM> to thereby create steam for evaporation.

The embodiment of <FIG> also depicts various other features distinct from the moisture management system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Among other things, the moisture management system <NUM> of <FIG> includes a series of valves and sensors that provide further safeguards and intelligence to the draining and evaporation process. It should be recognized that further hybrids are anticipated between the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, for example including differing numbers of valves and in differing locations, as well as differing sensors, for example. In the embodiment shown, a bypass valve <NUM> is coupled between the supply connection <NUM> and patient connection <NUM>. The bypass valve <NUM> is normally closed, but may be actuated to fluidly couple the supply connection <NUM> and the patient connection <NUM> to thus bypass the water trap <NUM>. Likewise, a first water trap valve <NUM> and second water trap valve <NUM> are provided between the supply connection <NUM> and inlet <NUM> of the water trap <NUM>, and between the outlet <NUM> of the water trap <NUM> and the patient connection <NUM>, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the first and second water trap valves <NUM>, <NUM> are normally open, providing for the water trap <NUM> to withdraw moisture from the gas being exchanged between the supply connection <NUM> and patient connection <NUM> in a manner known in the art. It should be recognized that this path is most effective when the bypass valve <NUM> is closed, whereby the bypass valve <NUM> would otherwise provide a path of least resistance directly between the supply connection <NUM> and patient connection <NUM>.

The embodiment of <FIG> further includes a drain valve <NUM>, as well as a one-way valve <NUM>, which together provide a fluid connection between the drain <NUM> of the water trap <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the drain valve <NUM> is normally closed, but operable to open and thereby drain the water trap <NUM> under circumstances such as described below.

<FIG> further depicts a moisture management system <NUM> that includes a first sensor <NUM> configured to detect the fill level <NUM> of moisture <NUM> within the first reservoir <NUM> of the water trap <NUM>, as well as a second level sensor <NUM> that detects the fill level <NUM> of moisture <NUM> within the second reservoir <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM>. It will be recognized that the first level sensor <NUM> and/or second level sensor <NUM> may be configured to measure the levels within the first reservoir <NUM> and second reservoir <NUM> on a continuous basis, or may be configured as a go, no-go detector, such as a float within a sump pump or toilet tank.

An exemplary method <NUM> for operating the configuration of <FIG> is provided in <FIG>. In the method <NUM> shown, step <NUM> provides for closing the bypass valve <NUM>, which as previously stated is configured as a normally closed valve of a type presently known in the art. Similarly, step <NUM> provides for opening the first water trap valve <NUM>, which in certain embodiments such as that shown in <FIG> also provides for opening a second water trap valve <NUM>, which as previously discussed are normally open and of a type of valve presently known in the art. Step <NUM> then provides for measuring with the first level sensor a fill level in the first reservoir. If it is then determined in step <NUM> that the fill level in the first reservoir is measured to exceed a first threshold, the process continues with steps <NUM> through <NUM>, whereas in the alternate the process returns with step <NUM>.

When the fill level does exceed a first threshold as determined in step <NUM>, step <NUM> provides for opening the bypass and drain valves <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby enabling the moisture <NUM> within the first reservoir <NUM> of the water trap <NUM> to drain via the drain <NUM> and thereby enter the evaporation chamber <NUM>. At the same time, step <NUM> provides for closing the first water trap valve <NUM> (and in the example of <FIG> the second water trap valve <NUM>) to prevent any communication between the water trap <NUM> and the supply connection <NUM> and/or the patient connection <NUM> while the draining of the water shaft <NUM> is in progress. It should be recognized that this closing of the first and second water trap valves <NUM>, <NUM> is not necessary in all embodiments; however, the inventors have found it advantageous in certain configurations to limit the movement of moisture <NUM> from the water trap <NUM> other than in the intended direction, namely only permitting this moisture <NUM> to exit the water trap <NUM> via the drain <NUM>.

In embodiments in which a powered device <NUM> is provided, this powered device (e.g., a fan <NUM> and heater <NUM>) are turned on in step <NUM>. It should be recognized that in certain embodiments, one or more of the powered devices <NUM> may remain operational at all times, and/or in these cases step <NUM> may provide for one or more of the powered devices <NUM> operating at a different power level. For example, the powered devices <NUM> may be controlled to increase a flow rate of the fan <NUM> and/or increase the heat produced by the heater <NUM> as the moisture is introduced from the water trap <NUM> to the evaporation chamber <NUM>, and/or as a function of the fill level <NUM> as discussed below, for example.

Step <NUM> then provides for measuring with a second level sensor <NUM> the fill level <NUM> within the second reservoir <NUM> for the evaporation chamber <NUM>. If it is determined in step <NUM> that the fill level <NUM> in the second reservoir <NUM> exceeds a second threshold, the process continues from steps <NUM> through <NUM>. In the alternate, if the fill level is not determined to exceed the second threshold in step <NUM>, the process returns to step <NUM>.

When the fill level <NUM> in the second reservoir <NUM> exceeds the second threshold as determined in step <NUM>, step <NUM> provides for opening the first water trap valve <NUM> (and in the embodiment of <FIG> also the second water trap valve <NUM>), and step <NUM> provides for closing the drain valve <NUM>.

The closure of the drain valve <NUM> is to prevent additional moisture <NUM> from entering the evaporation chamber <NUM> until the fluid level <NUM> within the second reservoir <NUM> once again returns to a fill level <NUM> below the second threshold. In other words, the drain valve <NUM> prevents the evaporation chamber <NUM> from being overfilled. The closure of the drain valve <NUM> also prevents evaporation of the moisture <NUM> from the evaporation chamber <NUM> back towards the water trap <NUM>, particularly in embodiments that do not incorporate a one-way valve <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Once it is determined in step <NUM> that the fill level in the second reservoir <NUM> is at or below the second threshold, step <NUM> provides for turning off the power devices <NUM>, or as previously described intentionally modifying one or more of the powered devices <NUM> to operate at a reduced power level.

It will be recognized that the one or more powered devices <NUM> need not operate at simply a two-step process (for example on versus off, or low power versus high power), but may also operate at intermediate levels depending on the measurements of the first level sensor <NUM> and/or second level sensor <NUM>, for example.

In certain embodiments, the moisture management system <NUM> includes sanitization features for preventing bacterial, viral, fungal, or other deleterious growth or buildup within the system, for example, but not limited to within the water trap <NUM> and evaporation chamber <NUM>. For example, in the embodiment of <FIG>, an anti-bacterial coating <NUM> is applied to the interior of the second reservoir <NUM> to prevent growth therein. This sanitization may be provided as a coating such as that previously described, and/or through the selection of the materials comprising the elements themselves. In this manner, the moisture management system <NUM> serves as a failsafe for the medical device <NUM>, both to prevent moisture from reaching undesirable locations, and to prevent pathogenic growth (here providing redundancy via the sanitization and evaporators <NUM>).

<FIG> depict two additional embodiments for providing sanitization of the moisture management system <NUM> according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment of <FIG>, a UV light source <NUM> is provided at least in part within the first reservoir <NUM> of the water trap <NUM> (which may be in addition to, or in the alternative to providing one in the evaporation chamber <NUM>, for example). In the embodiment shown, the UV light source <NUM> extends into the first reservoir <NUM>, powered by a power unit <NUM> positioned outside the water trap <NUM>. The UV light source <NUM> is configured to irradiate the moisture <NUM> within the water trap <NUM> to kill pathogens therein, thereby preventing growth to contaminate the medical device <NUM> and/or to result in contaminated evaporated moisture from exiting the exhaust <NUM> of the evaporation chamber <NUM>.

In other embodiments, such as that shown in <FIG>, the UV light source <NUM> is provided outside of the water trap <NUM>, but positioned so as to emit UV light on the moisture <NUM> retained within the first reservoir <NUM>. In this example, the water trap <NUM> and particularly the first reservoir <NUM> may be comprised of a clear or otherwise UV-emissible material, such as polycarbonate. A reflector <NUM> is provided on an opposite side of the UV light source <NUM> from the water trap <NUM> so as to direct the light beams <NUM> from the UV light source <NUM> into the first reservoir <NUM>. This configuration again provides for the elimination of pathogens within the moisture <NUM> on the first reservoir <NUM>, that simplifies the design by not requiring the UV light source <NUM> to be provided in contact with the moisture <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary control system <NUM> for operating valves and/or powered devices <NUM> or other aspects of the moisture management systems <NUM> discussed above. The control system <NUM> may be dedicated for the moisture management system <NUM> (for example in the case of a retrofittable design), and/or modified versions of existing control systems that operate the medical devices <NUM>. Certain aspects of the present disclosure are described or depicted as functional and/or logical block components or processing steps, which may be performed by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, certain embodiments employ integrated circuit components, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, configured to carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more processors or other control devices. The connections between functional and logical block components are merely exemplary, which may be direct or indirect, and may follow alternate pathways.

In certain examples, the control system <NUM> communicates with each of the one or more components of the system <NUM> via a communication link CL, which can be any wired or wireless link. The control module <NUM> is capable of receiving information and/or controlling one or more operational characteristics of the system <NUM> and its various sub-systems by sending and receiving control signals via the communication links CL. In one example, the communication link CL is a controller area network (CAN) bus; however, other types of links could be used. It will be recognized that the extent of connections and the communication links CL may in fact be one or more shared connections, or links, among some or all of the components in the system <NUM>. Moreover, the communication link CL lines are meant only to demonstrate that the various control elements are capable of communicating with one another, and do not represent actual wiring connections between the various elements, nor do they represent the only paths of communication between the elements. Additionally, the system <NUM> may incorporate various types of communication devices and systems, and thus the illustrated communication links CL may in fact represent various different types of wireless and/or wired data communication systems.

The control system <NUM> may be a computing system that includes a processing system <NUM>, memory system <NUM>, and input/output (I/O) system <NUM> for communicating with other devices, such as input devices <NUM> (e.g., fill level sensors) and output devices <NUM> (e.g., powered devices <NUM> and/or valves), either of which may also or alternatively be stored in a cloud <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> loads and executes an executable program <NUM> from the memory system <NUM>, accesses data <NUM> stored within the memory system <NUM>, and directs the system <NUM> to operate as described in further detail below.

The processing system <NUM> may be implemented as a single microprocessor or other circuitry, or be distributed across multiple processing devices or sub-systems that cooperate to execute the executable program <NUM> from the memory system <NUM>. Non-limiting examples of the processing system include general purpose central processing units, application specific processors, and logic devices.

The memory system <NUM> may comprise any storage media readable by the processing system <NUM> and capable of storing the executable program <NUM> and/or data <NUM> (including thresholds for controlling the moisture management system, for example). The memory system <NUM> may be implemented as a single storage device, or be distributed across multiple storage devices or sub-systems that cooperate to store computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The memory system <NUM> may include volatile and/or non-volatile systems, and may include removable and/or non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information. The storage media may include non-transitory and/or transitory storage media, including random access memory, read only memory, magnetic discs, optical discs, flash memory, virtual memory, and non-virtual memory, magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store information and be accessed by an instruction execution system, for example.

Accordingly, the systems and methods described above eliminate the manual draining of water traps, while also providing for the collection of moisture within the medical device <NUM>, condensing the water back into the room to directly eliminate the risk of water on the floor and/or bacterial growth within the medical device <NUM>. This also prevents water from getting into the breathing system, including by the embodiment of <FIG> in which the first and second water trap valves <NUM>, <NUM> are closed and a bypass valve <NUM> opened during the draining process. This effectively creates a failsafe system in the event of a failure of one of the valves to the evaporation chamber <NUM>, and/or a failure of the evaporation system <NUM> in general.

In certain embodiments, moisture detectors <NUM>, <NUM> are also provided, as shown in <FIG>. The moisture detectors <NUM>, <NUM> may be of types presently known in the art. In this example, the moisture detector <NUM> serves as an indication that the incoming gas from the supply connection <NUM> may be outside specifications. This may provide a warning to the user (e. g, as an alarm or error message provided on the user interface device or a separate alarm) of poor quality, and/or an indication that the moisture management system <NUM> will likely not be able to keep up with the amount of moisture being introduced. Similarly, the moisture detector <NUM> may be provided between the water trap <NUM> and patient connection <NUM>, here determining that the moisture management system <NUM> is somehow not keeping up or has a failure and that excess moisture is being delivered to the patient. The user may again be warned via the user interface device <NUM> or a separate alarm. In certain embodiments, the measurement from the moisture detector <NUM> is an input for how the moisture management system <NUM> will operate, for example increasing the energy provided to the powered devices <NUM> therein.

The functional block diagrams, operational sequences, and flow diagrams provided in the Figures are representative of exemplary architectures, environments, and methodologies for performing novel aspects of the disclosure. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies included herein may be in the form of a functional diagram, operational sequence, or flow diagram, and may be described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology can alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustrated in a methodology may be required for a novel implementation.

Claim 1:
A moisture management system (<NUM>) for a medical device having a supply connection for receiving gas and a patient connection for supplying the gas to a patient, the system comprising:
a water trap (<NUM>) having an inlet (<NUM>), an outlet (<NUM>), a first reservoir (<NUM>), and a drain (<NUM>), the inlet receiving the gas from the supply connection and the outlet returning the gas to the patient connection, wherein the water trap (<NUM>) is configured to remove moisture from the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and wherein the moisture removed is held in the first reservoir;
characterised by an
evaporation chamber (<NUM>) having an inlet (<NUM>), an exhaust (<NUM>), and a second reservoir (<NUM>), wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled to the drain of the water trap to receive the moisture from the first reservoir, wherein the moisture is subsequently held in the second reservoir, and wherein the evaporation chamber is configured such that the moisture evaporates from the second reservoir and exits as vapor via the exhaust; and
an evaporator (<NUM>) that increases a rate at which the moisture in the second reservoir evaporates via the exhaust.