Patent ID: 7178521

Claim:
A unilimb breathing circuit comprising a proximal end coupling member a distal end coupling member a pleated expiratory tube having a first end fixedly coupled to the proximal end coupling member, and a second end fixedly coupled to the distal end coupling member, the expiratory tube being expandable between a fully compressed rest position and a fully expanded rest position, and having a plurality of intermediate rest positions wherein the expiratory tube is capable of maintaining its rest length without the exertion of an external force, and a pleated inspiratory tube having a first end fixedly coupled to the proximal coupling member, and a second end fixedly coupled to the distal end coupling member, the inspiratory tube being expandable between a fully compressed position and a fully expanded position, and having a plurality of intermediate rest positions wherein the inspiratory tube is capable of maintaining its rest length without the exertion of an external force, wherein the length of the inspiratory tube is greater than the length of the expiratory tube.