CA2806056A1

CA2806056A1 - Universal medical gas delivery system

Info

Publication number: CA2806056A1
Application number: CA2806056A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Darren Rubin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Medline Industries LP
Priority date: 2010-08-04
Filing date: 2011-01-31
Publication date: 2012-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-31
Also published as: WO2012018362A1; US8707950B1; CA2806056C

Abstract

A first source of medical gas (20) has a generally cylindrical male outlet (22) with a cylindrical bore (26) and a threaded outer cylindrical surface (28). A flexible cylindrical elastomeric medical gas tubing (30) has an input end (36) with a bushing (40) making a flush abutment with the male outlet at the output orifice. An output end (38) attaches to any of a plurality of medical gas utilizing devices (42), but preferably with a dampening disperser held in position in the space in the vicinity of a patient's nose and mouth. An annular flange (44) of the input end bushing resides within a central cylindrical bored out region (60) extending through the first end (54) and nearly to the second end (58) of a rotatable connector (50) forming an interior surface (62) of a connector with threads (64) coupling with the threads (28) of the male outlet (22). The second end is an annular abutment (48) against the annular flange (44) holding the input end tubing bushing (40) against the outlet source (22) and providing an airtight coupling. A gripping means (70) is on the exterior surface of the connector.

Description

2 PCT/US2011/000177

3 Background of the Invention:

4 Oxygen is perhaps the most common form of medical gas used by hospitals, clinics, doctor offices, nursing homes, 6 and in homecare. Other types of medical gas include 7 compressed air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, 8 nitrogen, helium, and cyclopropane. U.S. Pat. No.
9 6,581,593 is limited to sources of oxygen gas and oxygen tubing; whereas, the present invention provides a 11 universal medical gas delivery system to be used with all 12 types of medical gas. Furthermore, the present invention 13 also includes numerous other uses and improvements.
14 Over the years, numerous injuries and deaths have been reported as the result of medical gas mix-ups, which 16 occur when a patient's tubing is connected to the wrong 17 medical gas source and the patient consequently received 18 the wrong type of medical gas. For instance, a patient's 19 oxygen supply tubing may be mistakenly connected to a nitrogen source outlet. Color-coded fittings on both the 21 medical gas tubing and the medical gas source (flow meter) 22 outlet can avoid such errors. Sources and vessels of 23 medical gas may be color-coded as follows: air, yellow;
24 oxygen, green; carbon dioxide, gray; nitrous oxide, blue;
nitrogen, black; helium, brown; and cyclopropane, orange.
26 One purpose of this invention is to include color-coded 27 tubing and fittings, such as the rotating nut, 28 corresponding to the type of medical gas prescribed.
29 However, some caregivers and patients may be color blind. It is another aim of this invention to provide 31 tubing and/or fittings that are labeled for the type of 32 medical gas prescribed. Additionally, the labeling may 33 include raised lettering, indicia, and/or Braille for 34 people with blindness or visual impairment. The tubing 1 and/or connector may also be made from glow-in-the-dark or 2 translucent materials to improve visualization in dark-lit 3 rooms. The tubing may also be illuminated by a light 4 source, such as LEDs, and light may also be transmitted by fiber optic threads incorporated into the tubing, to aid 6 visualization of the tubing system in dark-lit rooms, 7 which provides an advantage over U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,318 8 and 2010/0020529 that describes a hook apparatus for 9 lighting oxygen tubing.
Medical gas tubing, such as oxygen tubing, that do 11 not come in contact with bodily fluids, are generally 12 disposed of in regular garbage. As a result, each year, 13 millions of units of medical gas supply tubing ends up in 14 both landfills and incineration plants. An additional aim of this invention is to produce medical gas supply tubing 16 from non-toxic materials or polymers that do not release 17 toxins into the air or ground water. A further intention 18 of the current invention is to produce medical gas supply 19 tubing that is more readily degradable in the environment, and may include biodegradable materials and/or additives 21 and/or swelling agents. Said materials may also dissolve 22 with certain solvents. Such design should reduce the 23 environmental impact of disposable tubing supplies.
24 Oxygen tubing is generally packaged as non-sterile tubing. A further aim of this invention is to manufacture 26 medical gas supply tubing that is composed of radiation 27 resistant materials such that it can be sterilized by 28 radiation, such as by gamma radiation, as disclosed in 29 U.S. Pat. No. 7,622,523. Heat resistant materials may also be employed so that tubing can be autoclaved for 31 sterilization, especially if reused in conjunction with a 32 respiratory machine, such as an anesthesia machine or 33 mechanical ventilator. Furthermore, poor developing 34 nations may need to reuse medical gas tubing supplies as availability of such supplies may be limited. Such sterilizaLIon udn L3 J1upu1 La11L LyL Lcuuk¨Liiy 2 cross-contamination in immunocompromised patients. The 3 medical gas tubing and/or connector may also be composed 4 of, or coated with, anti-microbial materials to reduce subsequent contamination, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6 7,608,581.
7 The present invention also reduces contamination and 8 cross-contamination to patient users, since it bypasses 9 the need for supply tubing adapters, many of which are reused between patients stays in the hospital, and become 11 dirty and contaminated when transported in coat pockets 12 and dropped on the floor. With infectious bacteria 13 becoming ever more antibiotic resistance, such as 14 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), any means of limiting patient contamination is desirable. The 16 present invention fulfills this need.
17 It is a further aim of this invention to prevent 18 patients and/or caregivers from tripping over long medical 19 gas supply tubing. One way to reduce slack is with self-coiling oxygen tubing, comprised of a series of 21 helical coils or loops able to stretch and extend when 22 pulled, and able to retract again when no force is 23 applied, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,456. If 24 tubing is not self-coiling, then a tubing reel may be used to wind and unwind this tubing to reduce excess tubing 26 length when needed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
27 5,392,808; 6,591,858; 7,104,491; and 7,487,791 and 28 2006/0243282.
29 A swivel element and/or swivel adapter may also be employed to release tension from twisted tubing, as 31 disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,284,134; 5,573,280; and 32 5,797,627. A clip may also be employed to help hold the 33 medical gas tubing onto a patient's clothing, bed, 34 wheelchair, or chair, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No.
c 12A (=1 meuiucti LUk)L11 L.alipLvv_Luc mcw_s-au. ya,D Lk.) a 2 variety of different medical gas utilizing devices. Most 3 often medical gas tubing includes a nasal cannula or a 4 face mask for delivery of gases directly to, or in the vicinity of, the nose and/or mouth. Sometimes the medical 6 gas will dry the patient's airways, and so, a humidifier 7 jar, such as described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,552 may be 8 used to humidify the gas. When there is too much 9 humidification, a condensation trap may also be placed in the supply tubing line to capture this excess moisture.
11 For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,505 describes a 12 basic nasal cannula held on the head with over-the-ear 13 tubing, while 2004/0035431 describes a nasal cannula with 14 molded ear fittings for a better hold. Nasal cannulas may contain additional sampling tubes for monitoring patient 16 breathing via an electronic detector, such as U.S. Pat.
17 Nos. 7,640,932 and 7,383,839, the latter of which also 18 contains an oral scoop. U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,282 describes 19 an oxygen distributor with both mouth and nose delivery ports and a whirler to provide helical flow of gas.
21 An alternative to nasal cannulas, which enter the 22 patient's nostrils, are face masks. Face masks come in all 23 shapes and sizes. Some nasal masks only cover the nose, 24 such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,651,663; 6,729,333; 6,959,710;
D493,523; D502,261; 2002/0148472; 2004/0094158; and 26 2006/0027236, which describe a triangular nasal mask with 27 headgear attachment.
28 Other masks are larger and cover both the nose and 29 mouth of the patient. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,004,168 and 2003/0047188 describe a face mask for oral and nasal 31 delivery and gas sampling. Face masks can be held in place 32 with elastic straps, or can be held in place with a 33 headgear, which sometimes resembles a phone headset, and 34 often contains arms and joints, which may be adjustable

5 PCT/US2011/000177 liKe -c.ne Md6K usuLiveu oy u.. rau. 1VU. /,U041 anu 2 D515,697.
3 Because masks rest on the face, patients often 4 complain of discomfort. Some have tried to invent masks that are more comfortable. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,895,965;

6 20020100479; 20030019496; and 20060076018 describe a face

7 mask with a rotatable elbow, and mask seal with cushion,

8 the seal being formable and customizable to contour the

9 face. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,427 describes a fabric comfort ring for patient medical masks, while 2010/0018535 11 describes a gel cushion for a mask that forms to the face, 12 and 2005/0051171 describes a nose breathing mask with 13 silicone wax molded for comfort.
14 For caregiver access to the patient's nose and/or mouth, such as for a patient drinking through a straw or 16 for suctioning of patient fluids, some masks contain one 17 or more access ports or regions, including 2009/0084385;
18 2003/0024533; and 2008/0110463, the latter of which 19 attaches to a nebulizer to provide aerosol therapy. U.S.
Pat. No. 7,255,106 also describes an inhalation mask for 21 use with nebulizer, but unlike 2008/0110463, it does not 22 provide helical flow. Other face masks may contain an 23 exhaust filter, such as described by U.S. Pat. No.
24 7,503,326. Other masks may be adapted to contain gas supply tubing that extends through the patient's nose and 26 mouth for mechanical ventilation, such as U.S. Pat. No.
27 6,860,270 describes a face mask for mechanical ventilation 28 that consists of an oral tube and a nasal tube that 29 extends into the intubated patient.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,450,166; 6,595,207; 6,631,719;
31 6,675,796; and 6,837,238; and U.S. Pat. App. Nos.
32 20040094160; 20050150498; 20060081243; and 20060081248 33 describe a lightweight oxygen delivery system comprising a 34 baffle to diffuse oxygen which can be delivered to a space in thp uirinitv nf thp natipnt's nnsP and mnuth whPn hcald in posiLion py a ovum, uL a taL...e ouu uoilua_i_ii a 2 number of cumbersome plastic components, and its tubing, 3 in and of itself, does not have the ability of being 4 securely fastened to a source of oxygen, and so may pop off under high pressure or be pulled off inadvertently, 6 and may also be limited by delivery of only oxygen gas to 7 the patient.
8 However, many of these medical gas utilizing or 9 delivery devices are still cumbersome, uncomfortable, inconvenient, and potentially unsafe. The present 11 invention, along with its medical gas mask preferred 12 embodiment, provides uncompromised safety and comfort, is 13 easier to manufacture, and can replace many of the 14 existing face masks and cannulas with a single device, to reduce inventory and save hospitals money.
16 Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a 17 continuing need for a new and improved universal medical 18 gas delivery system which can be used for coupling any of 19 a plurality of different medical gas sources to a medical .
gas tube leading to any of a plurality of different 21 medical gas utilizing devices. In this regard, the present 22 invention substantially fulfills this need.

24 In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of medical gas delivery systems of known 26 designs and configurations now present in the prior art, 27 the present invention provides an improved universal 28 medical gas delivery system. As such, the general purpose 29 of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and 31 improved universal medical gas delivery system and method 32 which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of 33 the disadvantages.
34 To attain this, the present invention essentially rnmnrip,q A linivprsAl mpdiral (las delivery system for coupilny any 01 ci p_Luidiluy uL
2 sources to a medical gas tube leading to any of a 3 plurality of different medical gas utilizing devices.
4 First provided is a first source of medical gas. The first source comprises a generally cylindrical male outlet. The 6 male outlet has an output orifice and an inner bore 7 through which source medical gas is adapted to pass. The 8 male outlet also has an outer cylindrical surface with 9 threads.
Next provided is a flexible cylindrical elastomeric 11 medical gas tubing. The gas tubing is of an extended 12 length and has an inner diameter and outer diameter. The 13 gas tubing also has a first input end and a remote second 14 output end. The first input end further comprises a bushing that makes a flush abutment with the first outlet 16 source of medical gas at the output orifice. The second 17 output end is adapted to attach to any of a plurality of 18 medical gas utilizing devices. An annular flange of the 19 first input end bushing is adapted to reside within a bored out region of a connector thereby preventing the 21 tubing/bushing from being separated from the connector.
22 The connector is rotatable and has a first opening at 23 a first end and a second opening at a second end. The 24 bored out region of the connector is central and generally cylindrical and extends through the first end and nearly 26 to the second end forming an interior surface. The 27 interior surface of the connector has threads and is 28 adapted to couple with the threads of the male outlet 29 source of medical gas. The second end opening of the connector has a diameter less than the diameter of the 31 annular flange of the first input end tubing bushing. The 32 second 'end of the connector serves as an annular abutment 33 against the annular flange thereby holding the first input 34 end tubing bushing against the first outlet source of mealcal gas wnen Lne (301111ULUL ct_Ly 2 provides an airtight coupling.
3 Next provided is at least one user gripping means on 4 the exterior surface of the connector. The gripping means assists a user in the coupling/screwing of the connector 6 to the outlet source of medical gas. The gripping means is 7 chosen from physical gripping means including, but not 8 limited to, grooves, fingertip indentations, radially 9 protruding flanges, angled surfaces and edges, curved surfaces and edges, surface bumps and friction-causing 11 rough surfaces.
12 There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the 13 more important features of the invention in order that the 14 detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to 16 the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 17 additional features of the invention that will be 18 described hereinafter and which will form the subject 19 matter of the claims attached.
In this respect, before explaining at least one 21 embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be 22 understood that the invention is not limited in its 23 application to the details of construction and to the 24 arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention 26 is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and 27 carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 28 that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are 29 for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
31 As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate 32 that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, 33 may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of 34 other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the plrpi-1 niirnncpc nf thP nrPsPrit invention. It is i important, tnererore, znaL LI1 dUR U Lyd_Lcau ct 2 including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do 3 not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 4 invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to 6 provide a new and improved universal medical gas delivery 7 system which has all of the advantages of the prior art 8 medical gas delivery systems of known designs and 9 configurations and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to 11 provide a new and improved universal medical gas delivery 12 system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured 13 and marketed.
14 It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved universal medical gas delivery 16 system which is of durable and reliable constructions.
17 An even further object of the present invention is to 18 provide a new and improved universal medical gas delivery 19 system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which 21 accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to 22 the consuming public, thereby making such universal 23 medical gas delivery system economically available to the 24 buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is 26 to provide a universal medical gas delivery system for 27 coupling any of a plurality of different medical gas 28 sources to a medical gas tube leading to any of a 29 plurality of different medical gas utilizing devices.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to 31 provide a new and improved universal medical gas delivery 32 system. A first source of medical gas has a generally 33 cylindrical male outlet with a cylindrical bore and a 34 threaded outer cylindrical surface. A flexible cylindrical flAq tnhina has an innnt end with a

10 PCT/US2011/000177 ousn.lny mdicluy Ma1C lJUL.1cL- Cat-2 the output orifice. An output end attaches to any of a 3 plurality of medical gas utilizing devices, but preferably 4 with a dampening disperser held in position in the space in the vicinity of a patient's nose and mouth. An annular 6 flange of the input end bushing resides within a central 7 cylindrical bored out region extending through the first 8 end and nearly to the second end of a rotatable connector 9 forming an interior surface of a connector with threads coupling with the threads of the male outlet. The second

11 end is an annular abutment against the annular flange

12 holding the input end tubing bushing against the outlet

13 source and providing an airtight coupling. A gripping

14 means is on the exterior surface of the connector.
These together with other objects of the invention, 16 along with the various features of novelty which 17 characterize the invention, are pointed out with 18 particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part 19 of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific 21 objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to 22 the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which 23 there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the 24 invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
26 The invention will be better understood and objects 27 other than those set forth above will become apparent when 28 consideration is given to the following detailed 29 description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
31 FIG. 1 is an improved universal medical gas delivery 32 system consisting of medical gas tubing with rotatable 33 threaded connector and tubing bushing, at first input end, 34 that attaches to a source of medical gas (flow meter nntlatl. and is able to transfer medical aas to a respirduoLy yds uuiliz-Liiy au .L.MUL LUi1U uuLpuL
2 end, and in this figure, is shown with the third preferred 3 embodiment of a dampening disperser in partial face mask 4 housing, along with swivel elements.
FIG. 2 is the first preferred embodiment of the 6 threaded rotatable connector, with gripping means, and the 7 medical gas tubing bushing, with annular flange and 8 sliding-preventing (distance limiting) means; shown intact 9 (left) and cross-section (right).
FIG. 3 provides greater detail of the threaded 11 rotatable connector of the first preferred embodiment, 12 viewed from the top down (top left of figure), bottom up 13 (top right of figure), transparent three-dimensional view 14 (bottom left of figure), and cross-section (bottom right of figure).
16 FIG. 4 provides greater detail of the medical gas 17 tubing bushing in three-dimensions and cross-section, and 18 also reveals the annular groove/track that the second end 19 of the rotatable connector sits into to prevent the connector from sliding along the tubing.
21 FIG. 5 is another first preferred embodiment of the 22 threaded rotatable connector, with gripping means, and the 23 medical gas tubing bushing; shown intact (top) and 24 cross-section (bottom). In this embodiment, an elastomeric seal is provided at the bushing tip, and the connector is 26 able to slide a limited distance to expose some of the 27 bushing. The tubing is lumen tubing that contains 28 reinforced, parallel channels to prevent tubing from 29 kinking.
FIG. 6 is a second preferred embodiment of tubing 31 containing a Y-junction allowing for two input terminals, 32 each able to connect to a different source of medical gas, 33 which may be important for administering anesthesia. The 34 first outlet is a threaded, cylindrical male outlet "R5 pllowind the connector to screw on: while the second outlet is a Darea stem koL LiiaL L1 LULLL11 2 bushing can push onto. The rotatable and slidable 3 connector is also found on the output terminal of the 4 tubing, allowing it to connect to a respiratory gas utilizing device, such as a nebulizer (as shown).
6 FIG. 7 is a second preferred embodiment with 7 rotatable connectors on both ends of the tubing, thereby, 8 allowing tubing to be connected in series using an adapter 9 interface, such as to extend tubing length between the first source of medical gas and the respiratory gas 11 utilizing device.
12 FIG. 8 is another first preferred embodiment of the 13 threaded rotatable connector, with gripping means-, and the 14 medical gas tubing bushing shown cross-section (top). The second end of the rotatable connector has an annular 16 recess, comprised of four flanges (bottom), which allows 17 the connector to be pushed onto the bushing during 18 manufacture, but cannot be taken off. There are no means 19 of preventing the connector from sliding along the tubing, but these four flanges may catch on the tubing and reduce 21 sliding by friction. The bushing can be fully exposed in 22 this embodiment. An elastomeric washer comprises the 23 annular flange of the tubing bushing.
24 FIG. 9 is another second preferred embodiment that includes a condensation/water trap and a nasal cannula as 26 a respiratory gas utilizing device.
27 FIG. 10 is another second preferred embodiment that 28 helps patients and health care workers utilize the correct 29 gas source. The rotatable connector is color-coded, and includes raised Braille lettering to indicate which type 31 of gas source to be used with this system. The tubing also 32 includes glow-in-the-dark indicia that spells out the 33 correct gas type. Also shown are fiber optic threads that 34 provide tubing visibility at night, to prevent caregivers frnm trinnina nn thP tnhina_ II 1a a UCLa11CU 11111CL V_LeW Ul LUC uampenuAly 2 disperser and partial face mask housing of one of the 3 third preferred embodiments of the universal medical gas 4 delivery system. The disperser includes two gas outlet nozzles that release medical gas in somewhat counterposing 6 directions to reduce gas velocity and to generate 7 vortexing and mixing of gas with ambient air through gaps 8 in the partial face mask housing. Elastic straps comprise 9 the patient head interface in this figure. Cushioning elements and face mask rim are also shown.
11 FIG. 12 is a detailed inner view of a partial face 12 mask housing with an alternate dampening disperser, which 13 includes a gas nozzle and a non-stationary baffle 14 (impeller) that can reduce gas velocity and generate vortexing and mixing of gas with ambient air, as well as, 16 to indicate air flow when in use.
17 FIG. 13 is a detailed inner view of a partial face 18 mask housing with an alternate dampening disperser, which 19 includes two gas outlet nozzles positioned with two stationary (mushroom-like) baffles in its air flow 21 trajectory, to reduce gas velocity and generate vortexing 22 and mixing of gas with ambient air.
23 FIG. 14 is a side view of the universal medical gas 24 delivery system of FIG. 1 with its dampening disperser detach'ed from the partial face mask housing so as to show 26 gas flowing from the dampening disperser to the patient, 27 as well as, ambient air mixing in, and exhaled breath 28 mixing out, of the space in the vicinity of the patient's 29 nose and mouth. This figure also shows care giver access to the patient's nose and mouth through gaps/openings in 31 this partial face mask housing. Cushioning elements and 32 face mask rim are also shown.
33 FIG. 15 is the partial face mask housing and 34 dampening disperser as in FIG. 11, but with a boom that holds the damnenina disnerser in place. in the vicinity of tne patient's nose anu moutn, insreau O.L SLLcipb. NUL nown 2 is that the support boom is further attached to head gear 3 and/or neck gear as the patient interface. The boom can 4 further support a gas sampling line that can connect to a monitoring device to determine the concentration of gases 6 in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, such as 7 exhaled carbon dioxide.
8 FIG. 16 is the partial face mask housing and 9 dampening disperser as in FIG. 11, but further includes a nebulizer attached to an aerosol port for the 11 administration of nebulizer treatments of medicament. The 12 partial face mask housing directs the aerosol to a region 13 in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, without 14 directing aerosol toward the patient's eyes.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts 16 throughout the various Figures.

18 With reference now to the drawings, and in particular 19 to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved universal medical gas delivery system embodying 21 the principles and concepts of the present invention and 22 generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be 23 described.
24 The present invention, the universal medical gas delivery system 10 is comprised of a plurality of 26 components. Such components in their broadest context 27 include a source of medical gas, a flexible cylindrical 28 elastomeric medical gas tubing, a connector and a gripping 29 means. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the 31 desired objective.
32 The universal medical gas delivery system 10 is for 33 coupling any of a plurality of different medical gas 34 sources to a medical gas tube leading to any of a nf Hiffrpnt mpriiral aas utili7ina devices_

15 tirst proviaea Is a IlISL b(JULL. Ul MCUlUd/ yct 1.11 2 first source comprises a generally cylindrical male outlet 3 22. The male outlet has an output orifice 24 and an inner 4 bore 26 through which source medical gas is adapted to pass. The male outlet also has an outer cylindrical 6 surface with threads 28.
7 Next provided is a flexible cylindrical elastomeric 8 medical gas tubing 30. The gas tubing is of an extended 9 length and has an inner diameter 32 and outer diameter 34.
The gas tubing also has a first input end 36 and a remote 11 second output end 38. The first input end further 12 comprises a bushing 40 that makes a flush abutment with 13 the first outlet 22 source of medical gas at the output 14 orifice 24. The second output end 38 is adapted to attach to any of a plurality of medical gas utilizing devices 42.

16 In FIGS. 2 and 3, an annular flange 44 of the first input

17 end bushing 40 is adapted to reside within a bored out

18 region 60 of a connector 50 thereby preventing the

19 tubing/bushing from being separated from the connector.
The connector 50 is rotatable and has a first opening 21 52 at a first end 54 and a second opening 56 at a second 22 end 58. The bore out region 60 of the connector is central 23 and generally cylindrical 60 and extends through the first 24 end 54 and nearly to the second end 58 forming an interior surface 62. The interior surface of the connector has 26 threads 64 and is adapted to couple with the threads 28 of 27 the male outlet 22 source of medical gas 20. The second 28 end opening 56 of the connector has a diameter 66 less 29 than the diameter 68 of the annular flange 44 of the first input end 36 tubing bushing 40. The second end 58 of the 31 connector serves as an annular abutment 48 against the 32 annular flange 44 thereby holding the first input end 33 tubing bushing 40 against the first outlet 22 source of 34 medical gas when the connector 50 is screwed on and also 1,-,1-nN7iri,=e An Airtinht Next_ pLoviuu i. u 10 2 on the exterior surface of the connector. The gripping 3 means assists a user in the coupling/screwing of the 4 connector 50 to the outlet 22 source of medical gas 20.
The gripping means 70 is chosen from physical gripping 6 means including, but not limited to, grooves, fingertip 7 indentations, radially protruding flanges, angled surfaces 8 and edges, curved surfaces and edges, surface bumps and 9 friction-causing rough surfaces.
At least one component of the first input end tubing 11 bushing 40 is comprised of material chosen from the class 12 of materials including, but not limited to, rigid 13 materials, semi-rigid materials, semi-flexible materials, 14 flexible materials and combinations of such materials thereof. Such materials include, but are not limited to, 16 hard plastic, soft plastic, polymers, composites, 17 polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride/PVC, acrylonitrile 18 butadiene styrene/ABS, latex, silicone, metal and 19 combinations thereof.
At least one component of the rotatable connector 50 21 is comprised of material chosen from the class of 22 materials including, but not limited to, rigid materials, 23 semi-rigid materials, semi-flexible materials, flexible 24 materials and combinations of such materials thereof. Such materials include, but are not limited to, hard plastic, 26 soft plastic, polymers, composites, polyethylene, 27 polyvinyl chloride PVC, acrylonitrile butadiene 28 styrene/ABS, latex, silicone, metal and combinations 29 thereof.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the 31 connector 50 spins independently of the medical gas tubing 32 30 and screws onto the medical gas threaded male fitting 33 22 while the medical gas tubing 30 remains stationary. In 34 this manner unnecessary twisting of the tubing is nrp,uPntPri_ In preIerreu eiitvouiiitu yL
2 medical gas tubing 30 cannot be disconnected from the 3 medical gas threaded male fitting 22 once the threaded 4 female connector 50 has been securely screwed onto this fitting. In this manner, the medical gas tubing 30 cannot 6 be inadvertently pulled off and cannot be blown off as a 7 result of gas pressure once the connector is coupled to 8 this medical gas threaded male fitting 22.
9 In another preferred embodiment FIG. 4, the tubing end/bushing 40 further comprises an annular 11 groove/indentation/track 46 adapted to house/contain-at 12 least some of the second end 58 walls/structure, the 13 annular abutment 48 of the rotatable connector 50. The 14 grooved track 46 allows the rotatable connector 50 to spin but prevents the rotatable connector from sliding along 16 the axis 84 of the tubing to any appreciable extent. The 17 grooved track 46 serves the purpose of the annular flange 18 provided in other embodiments to prevent the connection 19 from leaking gas and from the connector coming off the .
bushing. The tubing end bushing 40 has a general shape 21 selected from the type of general shapes including, but 22 not limited to, a cylindrical shape, curved shape, ball 23 shape, semi-spherical shape, triangular shape, rectangular 24 shape, trapezoid shape, bowl shape and any combination shape thereof.
26 In another preferred embodiment of the invention 27 FIG. 5, at least one seal 72 is provided to prevent gas 28 leakage between the tubing connector 50 and the medical 29 gas threaded male fitting outlet or inlet 22. The seal 72 is a fluidic mechanical seal selected from the class of 31 mechanical seals including, but not limited to, washers, 32 0-rings, X-rings, Q-rings, square rings and gaskets and 33 further selected from mechanical seals that are removably 34 placed within the medical gas delivery system and mecnaniudi dJ Luau dL dll vL
2 medical gas delivery system and any combinations thereof.
3 In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention 4 FIG. 8, the medical gas tubing 30 has an end that includes at least one elastomeric washer 72 to aid in providing an 6 airtight seal between the connector 50 and the medical gas 7 threaded male fitting 22. The elastomeric washer 72 can be 8 integrally included as part of, in addition to, or instead 9 of the annular flange 44.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention 11 FIG. 6, the universal medical gas delivery system has a 12 second/alternate source of medical gas 80. The second 13 source of medical gas has an output end 82, nipple, nipple 14 and nut adapter, barbed outlet, tubular outlet, of a reduced diameter with an axial inner bore through which 16 source medical gas is adapted to pass. The reduced output 17 end 82 is adapted to couple within the first input end 36 18 of the medical gas tubing/bushing 40 and allow the medical 19 gas to pass from the source 80 to the tubing 30. The rotatable connector 50 is adapted to be used to help the 21 user grip and push/pull on the tubing end to force the 22 tubing first input end bushing 40 onto and over the nipple 23 outlet 82 more tightly.
24 In still another preferred embodiment FIG. 5, the rotatable connector 50 can be slid up and down, back and 26 forth, along the axis 84 of the tubing 30. In this manner 27 it is slid away to expose the tubing end bushing 40 during 28 coupling of the tubing end with a rigid tubular "nipple"
29 structure, such as the nipple of a second source of medical gas outlet 82 or the nipple of a respiratory 31 device 42. In this embodiment, means 86 can be provided 32 for limiting the distance that the rotatable connector can 33 travel from the tubing end, so as to not travel too far.
34 The means for limiting this sliding distance of the rntAtAhlp, c-nnnprtnr 50 alnna the tuhina can be chosen from sucn U1SLctilu limiu ny 1LLdi1 AIL-iuu.Lily, uuu 2 to, a barrier, such as an annular flange, washer, 0-ring, 3 dimple, bump, clasp, groove and wedge, on or as part of 4 the tubing and/or bushing and friction causing means including, but not limited to, rough surfaces, jagged or 6 disjointed edges and alternate embodiment flanges 88 of 7 the annular recess of the second end 58 of the rotatable 8 connector 50 that catches the tubing 30.
9 In another preferred embodiment FIG. 2, the rotatable connector 50 cannot be slid up and down back and forth 11 along the axis of the tubing. The means 86 provided for 12 preventing the rotatable connector from sliding along the 13 axis 84 of the tubing can be chosen from such distance 14 limiting means including, but not limited to, at least one barrier, such as an annular flange, washer, 0-ring, 16 dimple, bump, clasp and wedge, on or as part of the tubing 17 and/or first end bushing. Said barrier 86 is unable to 18 pass through the opening 56 of the second end 58 of the 19 rotatable connector 50.
In other preferred embodiments FIGS. 6 and 7, the 21 medical gas tubing 30 has at least one input terminal and 22 at least one output terminal and at least one rotatable 23 connector on the at least one input terminal and at least 24 one output terminal.
In still other preferred embodiments FIGS. 6 and 7, 26 the system is adapted to connect to at least one of a 27 plurality of medical gas utilizing devices 42, including 28 medical gas utilizing devices having a generally 29 cylindrical male inlet with an input orifice and an inner bore through which medical gas is adapted to pass and an 31 outer cylindrical surface having threads able to couple 32 with the threads of the female rotatable connector of the 33 medical tubing output end/terminal as the connector is 34 screwed on; and medical gas utilizing devices with a tiihnlar "ninnlp" inlpt nf a reduced diameter with an axial

20 PCT/US2011/000177 i pore wnicn mectical gas is auapLea Lo pass, LnaL du ouLpuL
2 end/terminal of the medical gas tubing can be pushed 3 onto/over.
4 In another preferred embodiment FIGS. 8, the rotatable connector 50 has an annular recess 92 of its 6 second end 58 comprised of at least one flange 88 which 7 allows the connector 50 to be pushed over the annular 8 flange 44 of the tubing first end/bushing 40 during 9 manufacture and assembly. The connector 50, however, cannot be pushed back over the annular flange 44 in the 11 opposite direction. In addition, the at least one flange 12 88 of the connector can be angled non-perpendicular to the 13 tubing and semi-flexible/bendable to achieve this 14 association with the tubing.
The tubing provided is crush-resistant and 16 kink-resistant as shown in FIG. 5. This type of tubing is 17 otherwise known as "lumen tubing". This tubing contains 18 one or more channels 94 along or within the tubing walls 19 for reinforcing the tubing.
In second preferred embodiments FIG. 7, illustrated

21 by the system identified by reference numeral 100, the

22 universal medical gas delivery system is a plurality of

23 systems are connected in series 100. These second

24 preferred embodiments are for extending tubing length.
These embodiments use an adapter 102 chosen from adaptors 26 including, but not limited to, an adapter with at least 27 two threaded male plugs that tubing threaded female 28 connectors can screw onto, an adaptor with at least two 29 nipples that tubing can push onto, and an adaptor with at least one threaded male plug and at least one nipple.
31 At least one swivel element/swivel adaptor 104 is 32 provided FIG. 1 to release tension from twisted tubing as 33 the element can be rotated. The swivel element can be 34 chosen from the class of swivel elements including, but nnt tn hAll hnllnw rvlindrirAl nousings tnat contain bLLULULLI ut 2 smaller diameter inside of it and allowed to rotate within 3 it and cylindrical rod-like structures able to turn freely 4 within a support structure along with means are of preventing said swivel element from dissociating, chosen 6 from such means including, but not limited to nuts, 7 washers, pins and flanges.
8 In FIG. 9, further provided is a condensation trap 9 tubing such as a water trap 106. Such trap functions to entrain moisture and humidity in the tubing.
11 Next an adapter/junction FIG. 6, such as an "X" and 12 "Y" adapter and junction 108 is provided for connection to 13 multiple sources of medical gas and to multiple 14 respiratory devices/gas utilizing devices.
A quick disconnect element is next provided.
16 In second preferred embodiments, the medical gas 17 supply tubing that is provided is self-coiling and 18 comprised of a series of helical coils, loops able to 19 stretch and extend when pulled and able to retract again on its own, when not pulled.
21 In second preferred embodiments, a tubing reel is 22 provided to wind and unwind tubing to reduce excess tubing 23 length as needed. This tubing reel may be manual and 24 self-retracting.
In second preferred embodiments, a clip or swivel 26 clip is provided. The clip functions to hold the gas 27 tubing onto a patient's clothing, bed, wheelchair, or 28 chair.
29 Further, in second preferred embodiments, shown in FIG. 10, at least one component 110 that is color coded is 31 provided for safety. The color coded component helps 32 direct the user or care giver to the proper source of 33 medical gas to avoid errors. Alternatively, at least one 34 component is labeled to indicate the type of medical gas 11Ca,r1 LAhrmlinn mAW ns1 fnr nennle with visual ak 02806056 2013-01-18 lmpairmenL Inu_Luuing (01U1 111 (-cm 2 include raised lettering 112, indicia and/or Braille 114 .
3 to indicate the type of medical gas to be used. Also, 4 alternatively, at least one component may be made from a glow-in-the-dark and/or translucent material, such as to 6 aid visualization of the tubing system in dark-lit rooms.
7 The tubing may be illuminated by a light source, such as 8 LEDs and fiber optic threads 116 incorporated into the 9 tubing.
In second preferred embodiments, the medical gas 11 supply tubing and connector are comprised of and/or coated 12 with anti-microbial materials to reduce microbial growth 13 and contamination.
14 The at least one gas source is chosen from medical gas sources selected from the class of respiratory gas 16 sources including, but not limited to, gas tanks, air 17 compressors, oxygen concentrating devices, oxygen 18 concentrators and wall-mounted flow meters; and capable of 19 delivering medical gas chosen from the types of medical gases selected from the class of inhalable medical gases 21 including, but not limited to, compressed air, oxygen, 22 carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, nitrogen, helium, carbon 23 monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, cyclopropane, 24 other anesthesia gases and any combinations thereof.
The at least one respiratory apparatus is chosen from 26 medical gas utilizing apparatuses selected from the class 27 of respiratory gas utilizing devices including, but not 28 limited to, nasal cannulas 118 (FIG. 9), face masks, 29 venturi valves, venturi masks, mouthpieces, endotracheal catheters/endotracheal adapters, nebulizers/atomizers 120 31 (FIG. 6), aerosol masks, vaporizers, inhalers, aerosol 32 holding chambers/spacers, spirometers, humidifier jars, 33 humidifier devices, positive airway pressure devices, 34 positive expiratory pressure devices, resuscitation bags Alqnr111 rtifirial rpqnqritatnr rpanimatinn haa.

J. HELL) LI IJ d yclb ELLA_Lily Liev_Lt-c 1/430D
2 regulators, flow sensors, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, 3 incubators, mechanical ventilators, ventilator line oxygen 4 port adaptors, anesthesia machines/anesthesia ventilators, other respiratory line adapters and fittings and any 6 combinations thereof.
7 Third preferred embodiments of the present universal 8 medical gas delivery system invention (FIGS. 1, and 11 9 through 16) are comprised of a dampening disperser that reduces the velocity of medical gas flowing from the 11 source of medical gas to a space in the vicinity of the 12 patient's nose and mouth, such as between the upper lip 13 and the base of the nose, while generating vortices to mix 14 the gases in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth.
This allows for both nose breathing and mouth breathing of 16 these gases. The dampening disperser releases medical gas 17 in a way that causes at least some turbulence and negative 18 interference to slow the velocities of the gas streams, to 19 reduce full impact of gas flow with the patient's face.
The interference can also cause angular momentum and 21 circular motion to further enhance vortex formation and 22 gas mixing. Vortex formation and gas mixing are important 23 for clearing exhaled breath away from the patient and can 24 also allow for mixing of medical gas with ambient air in approximately this same space. The interior walls of the 26 dampening disperser, which contain at least one gas outlet 27 nozzle that dispenses gas within/into the interior region 28 of the dampening disperser, are concave cup-like in shape, 29 and these walls can be angled to help focus and direct gas vortices toward the patient, such as towards the patient's 31 mouth. The dampening disperser can be attached to a 32 variety of different supports in communication with the 33 patient's head to position the dampening disperser in the 34 vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth. Gas outlets of -15 the damnpnina disperser can meet at a lunction. The aampening aispeLer 16 U01111Lueu L.-kJ au _Lcaau 2 gas tube. The medical gas tubing can be connected to the 3 flow meter of at least one medical gas source, utilizing 4 the rotatable rigid connector described herein. The rotatable rigid connector described herein can provide a 6 safe and reliable connection to the medical gas source, 7 that cannot be inadvertently pulled off, or shot off by 8 pressure, such as when the flow meter is set to a high 9 flow rate above 15 liters per minute. Therefore, with the present invention, the flow meter of the at least one 11 source of medical gas can be safely adjusted from low flow 12 rates to high flow rates, so that the fraction of an 13 inspired medical gas, such as the fraction of inspired 14 oxygen (Fi02), can be adjusted accordingly to accommodate the full range of a gas concentration for a patient's 16 needs. For instance, the flow meter can be adjusted so 17 that the present device can deliver a Fi02 within and 18 beyond the range of 24% to 90%, with flow meter settings 19 within and beyond 1 liter per minute to 40 liters per minute.
21 Third preferred embodiments also allow access to the 22 patient's mouth and nose through at least one of these at 23 least one aperture, cutaway, or gap of the mask. The 24 lightweight and less cumbersome, open access feature of the preferred "open" face mask embodiment can prevent 26 pressure build-up in the system and can allow for: the 27 improved clearance of patient exhalation for 28 nonrebreathing of carbon dioxide; better mixing of medical 29 gas with ambient air; easier caregiver access to the patient's mouth, such as for suctioning, performing 31 spirometry, incentive spirometry, peak flow, and other 32 types of respiratory care and oral care; the ability for 33 the patient to speak with less hindrance during treatment;
34 the ability to drink through a straw during treatment; the nrnhAhilitv nf acniration: And thp accommodation

25 PCT/US2011/000177 1 or a nasogas 111LUUdL1U11 LUiJe 1UL teeu.Lily 2 administration.
3 Along this medical gas tubing is at least one swivel 4 element that is able to rotate freely to release twisting and tension on the medical gas tubing. Said swivel element 6 can be located in the vicinity of the dampening disperser.
7 In a third preferred embodiment FIG. 11, the medical 8 gas delivery system 10 includes at least one dampening 9 disperser 220, supported in a position in front of a patient's face. The disperser is comprised of at least two 11 gas outlets nozzles 222 that release medical gas within 12 the interior region 224 formed by the concave interior 13 walls 226 of the dampening disperser. The nozzles are in 14 at least partially counterposing directions to disperse and reduce the velocity/impact of the gas flow 230 16 directed at the patient and coming from the at least one 17 supply tubing 30 attached to an at least one medical gas 18 source 22/82. A turbulent plume of gases is generated that 19 mix with ambient air in the space 228 in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, such as between the upper 21 lip and the base of the nose. In this manner both nose 22 breathing and mouth breathing are allowed of these gases 23 the clearance of exhaled breath away from the patient is 24 aided so as to diminish the rebreathing of exhaled air.
Said dampening disperser can be attached to a variety of

26 different supports 232 in communication with the patient's

27 head to position the dampening disperser in the vicinity

28 of the patient's nose and mouth.

29 In another third preferred embodiment FIG. 12, the least one dampening disperser 220 is supported in a 31 position in front of a patient's face and is comprised of 32 at least one gas outlet nozzle 234 that releases medical 33 gas within the interior region 224 formed by the concave 34 interior walls 226 of the dampening disperser with at nnp nnn-qtatinnarv baffle 236 in the oath of this gas 'low to ai speLb dilU LeclUe uLdy. unib 1t(dJ111L L11 2 velocity/impact of the gas flow 230 is directed at the 3 patient and is coming from the at least one supply tubing 4 30 attached to an at least one medical gas source 22/82.
This non-stationary baffle can also create cyclonic motion 6 and vortices. A turbulent plume of gases is generated that 7 mixes with ambient air in the space 228 in the vicinity of 8 the patient's nose and mouth, such as between the upper 9 lip and the base of the nose. Again, in this manner, both nose breathing and mouth breathing of these gases is 11 allowed and the clearance of exhaled breath away from the 12 patient is aided so as to diminish the rebreathing of 13 exhaled air. Movement of said non-stationary baffle 236 14 may be visualized to indicate that the patient is receiving gas flow. The dampening disperser can be 16 attached to a variety of different supports 232 in 17 communication with the patient's head to position the 18 dampening disperser in the vicinity of the patient's nose 19 and mouth. Non-stationary baffles 236 can be chosen from the class of baffles selected from the type of 21 non-stationary baffles including, but not limited to, 22 flexible flaps, sails, parachutes, wings and blades and 23 rotating blades 238, such as that of a fan, impeller, and 24 windmill.
In another third preferred embodiment FIG. 13, the 26 least one dampening disperser 220 supported in a position 27 in front of a patient's face is comprised of at least one 28 gas outlet nozzle 240 that releases medical gas within the 29 interior region 224 formed by the concave interior walls 226 of the dampening disperser. At least two baffles 242 31 are in the path of this gas flow to disperse and reduce 32 the velocity/impact of the gas flow 230 directed at the 33 patient and coming from the at least one supply tubing 30 34 attached to an at least one medical gas source22/82. A
tnrhnlp,nt nlnmp nf (-Tqpc iq apnerated that mix with ampient air in tne spa ue 440 1ll 1_11 vic-Liiiuy 01 une 2 patient's nose and mouth, such as between the upper lip 3 and the base of the nose. In this manner, both nose 4 breathing and mouth breathing of these gases is allowed and the clearance of exhaled breath away from the patient 6 is aided so as to diminish the rebreathing of exhaled air.
7 The dampening disperser can be attached to a variety of 8 different supports 232 in communication with the patient's 9 head to position the dampening disperser in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth.
11 In the third preferred embodiments, as shown in 12 FIG. 14, at least one dampening disperser 220 is supported 13 and held in position by an at least partial face mask 14 housing 244 with at least one fastener 246 to hold the face mask 244 in place on the patient's face. The face 16 mask does not form an airtight seal between the mask and 17 the patient's face. In this manner, at least some ambient 18 air can enter and at least some dispensed gas and exhaled 19 breath can exit. The space 228 is in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth. The movement of airflow 248 to 21 and from the space in the vicinity of the patient's nose 22 and mouth can be accomplished by at least one aperture, 23 cutaway, or gap 250 of the mask, which can prevent 24 pressure build-up in the system and can allow access to the patient's mouth and nose, such as for suctioning, 26 performing spirometry, incentive spirometry, peak flow and 27 other types of respiratory care and oral care. The patient 28 is able to speak with less hindrance during treatment. The 29 patient is able to drink through a straw during treatment.
There is reduced probability of aspiration. A naso-gastric 31 intubation tubing may be accommodated for feeding and 32 medicinal administration. In this manner, the patient's 33 feeling of claustrophobia is abated patient comfort is 34 improved.

In LI1. uniiu c1.11-111dUe riko. 14, ctu 2 least one dampening disperser 220 is supported and held in 3 position by an at least partial face mask housing 244 with 4 at least one fastener 246 to hold the face mask 244 in place on the patient's face. The face mask housing 6 contains a rim 252 for at least some contact with the 7 patient's face so as to support the positioning of the 8 dampening disperser in the vicinity of the patient's nose 9 and mouth. The rim is further comprised of at least one cushioning element 254 for both patient comfort and also 11 to elevate the dampening disperser at least some distance 12 from the patient's face. The rim, or its cushioning, can 13 be chosen from cushioning elements including, but not 14 limited to, pads, thick elastomeric pads, fabric pads, gel containing pads, liquid containing pads, wax pads, 16 wax-filled pads, silicone-filled pads, air-filled pads, 17 balloons, air-filled skirts and any combination of one or 18 more of these cushioning elements. Note that the 19 air-filled skirts would utilize some of.the gas dispensed from at least one gas outlet nozzle to fill the skirt to 21 create a cushion of air which is ejected against the 22 surface of the patient's face to create an "air cushion,"
23 similar to that which lifts a hovercraft. Inflation of 24 this air cushion can indicate that medical gas is flowing through the system. The comfort pad may also be 26 formable/adjustable to contour to the face and to help 27 hold the mask in position. The streamlined face mask 28 design reduces feelings of claustrophobia that patients 29 often have with more cumbersome face masks.
In these third embodiments, at least one dampening 31 disperser 220 is supported and held in position by an at 32 least one support 232 chosen from the class of head 33 associated supports selected from medical gas delivery 34 supports including, but not limited to, fasteners, straps 24 (FTC- 111. hands. plastic hands. chin supports.

glasses-liKe supporLs, ulle ecti UppuLL, UVCL LUC CdL
2 elastic bands, over the ear tubing supports, arms, booms 3 256 (FIG. 15) and elbow-like supports, etc and can include 4 at least one swivel element 258, chosen from the class of swivel elements including, but not limited to, ball 6 joints, hollow cylindrical rod-like housings that contain 7 another rod-like structure of smaller diameter inside of 8 it and allowed to rotate within it and cylindrical 9 rod-like structures able to turn freely within a support structure, along with means of preventing said swivel 11 element from dissociating, chosen from such means 12 including, but not limited to nuts, washers, pins and 13 flanges.
14 Again, in these third alternate embodiments, at least one dampening disperser with a support that holds the 16 dampening disperser in place also includes an aerosol port 17 260 (FIG. 16) for attachment to a nebulizer 262. In this 18 manner, the patient may also receive a nebulizer treatment 19 while wearing the support of the dampening disperser. The airflow of the dampening disperser may direct aerosol flow 21 to the nose and mouth of the patient and away from the 22 patient's eyes, for a higher respirable dose of aerosol.
23 In these third alternate embodiments, at least one 24 dampening disperser with a support that holds the dampening disperser in place also includes a gas sampling 26 tubing line 264 (FIG. 15) with inlet positioned in a space 27 in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth and outlet 28 connected to a gas monitoring device/sensor. The 29 monitoring device monitors gas composition in this region, such as exhaled gases which may include determination of 31 the carbon dioxide concentration and ratio of carbon 32 dioxide to oxygen.
33 The medical gas delivery system can also include at 34 least one dampening disperser with a support that holds thp, Hamnpninn Hignprqpr in nlarP that also includes a .J. Lemovaiii buppoLL UdLL Liictu L1i LLii LJi uampcli.wy 2 disperser with an endotracheal tube for delivery of 3 medical gas to an intubated patient.
4 As to the manner of usage and operation of the 5 present invention, the same should be apparent from the 6 above description. Accordingly, no further discussion 7 relating to the manner of usage and operation will be 8 provided.
9 With respect to the above description then, it is to 10 be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for 11 the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, 12 materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, 13 assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious 14 to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent 15 relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and 16 described in the specification are intended to be 17 encompassed by the present invention.
18 Therefore, the foregoing is considered as 19 illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
20 Further, since numerous modifications and changes will 21 readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not 22 desired to limit the invention to the exact construction 23 and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all 24 suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, 25 falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A universal medical gas delivery system (10) for coupling any of a plurality of different medical gas sources to a medical gas tube leading to any of a plurality of different medical gas utilizing devices comprising, in combination;
a first source of medical gas (20) comprising a generally cylindrical male outlet (22) with an output orifice (24) and an inner bore (26) through which source medical gas is adapted to pass, and an outer cylindrical surface having threads (28);
a flexible cylindrical elastomeric medical gas tubing (30) of an extended length having an inner diameter (32) and outer diameter (34), a first input end (36) and a remote second output end (38), the first input end further comprising a bushing (40) that makes a flush abutment with the first outlet (22) source of medical gas at the output orifice (24), and the second output end (38) adapted to attach to any of a plurality of medical gas utilizing devices (42), and an annular flange (44) of the first input end bushing (40), the annular flange of the first input end bushing being adapted to reside within a bored out region (60) of a connector (50), thereby preventing the tubing/bushing from being separated from the connector;
a rotatable connector (50) having a first opening (52) at a first end (54), a second opening (56) at a second end (58), the connector having a central generally cylindrical bore (60) there through and extending through the first end (54) and nearly to the second end (58) forming an interior surface (62), the interior surface of the connector having threads (64) and being adapted to couple with the threads (28) of the male outlet (22) source of medical gas (20), the second end opening (~~) or the connector having a diameter (66) less than the diameter (68) of the annular flange (44) of the first input end (36) tubing bushing (40) so that the second end (58) of the connector serves as an annular abutment (48) against the annular flange (44), thereby holding the first input end tubing.bushing (40) against the first outlet (22) source of medical gas when the connector (50) is screwed on, and also to provide an airtight coupling; and at least one user gripping means (70) on the exterior surface of the connector to assist a user in the coupling/screwing of the connector (50) to the outlet (22) source of medical gas (20), the gripping means (70) is chosen from physical gripping means including, but not limited to, grooves, fingertip indentations, radially protruding flanges, angled surfaces and edges, curved surfaces and edges, surface bumps and friction-causing rough surfaces.

2. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one component of the first input end tubing bushing (40) is comprised of material chosen from the class of materials including, but not limited to, rigid materials, semi-rigid materials, semi-flexible materials, flexible materials and combinations of such materials thereof, selected from materials including, but not limited to, hard plastic, soft plastic, polymers, composites, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride/PVC, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/ABS, latex, silicone, metal and combinations thereof.

3. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one component of the rotatable connector (50) is comprised of material chosen from the class of materials including, but not limited to, rigid materials, semi-rigid materials, semi-flexible materials, flexible materials and combinations of such materials thereof, selected from materials including, but not limited to, hard plastic, soft plastic, polymers, composites, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride PVC, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/ABS, latex, silicone, metal and combinations thereof.

4. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including at least one seal (72) to prevent gas leakage between the tubing connector (50) and a medical gas threaded male fitting outlet or inlet (22), the seal (72) being a fluidic mechanical seal selected from the class of mechanical seals including, but not limited to, washers, 0-rings, X-rings, Q-rings, square rings and gaskets and further selected from mechanical seals that are removably placed within the medical gas delivery system and mechanical seals that are an integral component of the medical gas delivery system and any combinations thereof.

5. The universal medical gas delivery system (10) as set forth in claim 1 with medical gas tubing (30) having an end that includes at least one elastomeric washer (72) to aid in providing an airtight seal between the connector (50) and a medical gas threaded male fitting (22), said elastomeric washer (72) can be integrally included as part of/in addition to/instead of, the annular flange (44).

6. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the connector (50) spins independently of the medical gas tubing (30) and screws onto a medical gas threaded male fitting (22) while the medical gas tubing (30) remains stationary thereby to prevent unnecessary twisting of the tubing.

7. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim I wherein the medical gas tubing (30) cannot be inadvertently disconnected from a medical gas threaded'male fitting (22), once the threaded female connector (50) has been securely screwed onto this fitting, therefore, the medical gas tubing (30) cannot be inadvertently pulled off and cannot be blown off from gas pressure, once the connector is coupled to this medical gas threaded male fitting (22).

8. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 with a second/alternate source of medical gas (80) having an output end (82), nipple, nipple and nut adapter, barbed outlet, tubular outlet, of a reduced diameter with an axial inner bore through which source medical gas is adapted to pass, the reduced output end (82) being adapted to couple within the first input end (36) of the medical gas tubing/bushing (40) and allow the medical gas to pass from the source (80) to the tubing (30), the rotatable connector (50) adapted to be used to help the user grip and push/pull on the tubing end to force the tubing first input end bushing (40) onto and over the nipple outlet (82) more tightly.

9. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotatable connector (50) can be slid up and down, back and forth, along the axis (84) of the tubing (30), such as be slid away to expose the tubing end bushing (40) during coupling of the tubing end with a rigid tubular "nipple" structure, such as the nipple of a second source of medical gas outlet (82) or the nipple of a respiratory device (42), means (86) can be provided for limiting the distance that the rotatable connector can travel from the tubing end, so as to not travel too far, means for limiting this sliding distance of the rotatable connector (50) along the tubing can be chosen from such distance limiting means including, but not limited to, a barrier, such as an annular flange, washer, O-ring, dimple, bump, clasp, groove and wedge, on or as part of the tubing and/or bushing and friction causing means including, but not limited to, rough surfaces, jagged or disjointed edges and alternate embodiment flanges (88) of the annular recess of the second end (58) of the rotatable connector (50) that catches the tubing (30).

10. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotatable connector (50) cannot be slid up and down back and forth along the axis of the tubing, means (86) provided for preventing the rotatable connector from sliding along the axis (84) of the tubing can be chosen from such distance limiting means including, but not limited to, at least one barrier, such as an annular flange, washer, 0-ring, dimple, bump, clasp and wedge, on or as part of the tubing and/or first end bushing, said barrier (86) unable to pass through the opening (56) of the second end (58) of the rotatable connector (50).

11. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim I wherein the tubing end/bushing (40) further comprises an annular groove/indentation/track (46) adapted to house/contain at least some of the second end (58) walls/structure, the annular abutment (48), of the rotatable connector (50), said grooved track (46) allows the rotatable connector (50) to spin but prevents the rotatable connector from sliding along the axis (84) of the tubing to any appreciable extent, the groove (46) may serve the purpose of the annular flange in preventing the connection from reading gas and from the connector coming off the bushing.

12. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tubing end bushing (40) has a general shape selected from the type of general shapes including, but not limited to, a cylindrical shape, curved shape, ball shape, semi-spherical shape, triangular shape, rectangular shape, trapezoid shape, bowl shape and any combination shape thereof.

13. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the medical gas tubing (30) has at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal and at least one rotatable connector on the at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal.

14. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the system is adapted to connect to at least one of a plurality of medical gas utilizing devices (42), including medical gas utilizing devices having a generally cylindrical male inlet with an input orifice and an inner bore through which medical gas is adapted to pass and an outer cylindrical surface having threads able to couple with the threads of the female rotatable connector of the medical tubing output end/terminal as the connector is screwed on; and medical gas utilizing devices with a tubular "nipple" inlet of a reduced diameter with an axial bore which medical gas is adapted to pass, that an output end/terminal of the medical gas tubing can be pushed onto/over.

15. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotatable connector (50) has an annular recess (92) of its second end (58) comprised of at least one flange (88) that allows the connector (50) to be pushed over the annular flange (44) of the tubing first end/bushing (40), such as during manufacture and assembly, but the connector (50) cannot be pushed back over the annular flange (44) in the opposite direction, the at least one flange (88) of the connector can be angled non-perpendicular to the tubing and semi-flexible/bendable to achieve this association with the tubing.

16. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including medical supply tubing that is crush-resistant and kink-resistant, otherwise known as "lumen tubing," as it contains one or more channels (94) along or within the tubing walls, for reinforcing the tubing.

17. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1, and further including a plurality of such systems are connected in series (100), such as for extending tubing length, using an adapter (102) chosen from adaptors including, but not limited to, an adapter with at least two threaded male plugs that tubing threaded female connectors can screw onto, an adaptor with at least two nipples that tubing can push onto and an adaptor with at least one threaded male plug and at least one nipple.

18. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including at least one swivel element/swivel adaptor (104), to release tension from twisted tubing as the element can be rotated, whereby said swivel element can be chosen from the class of swivel elements including, but not limited to, ball joints, hollow cylindrical rod-like housings that contain another rod-like structure of smaller diameter inside of it and allowed to rotated within it and cylindrical rod-like structures able to turn freely within a support structure, along with means of preventing said swivel element from dissociating, chosen from such means including, but not limited to nuts, washers, pins and flanges.

19. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including a condensation trap tubing such as a water trap (106) to entrain moisture and humidity in the tubing.

20. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including an adapter/junction, such as an "X" and "Y" adapter and junction (108), for connection to multiple sources of medical gas and to multiple respiratory devices/gas utilizing devices.

21. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including a quick disconnect element.

22. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including medical gas supply tubing that is self-coiling and comprised of a series of helical coils, loops able to stretch and extend when pulled and able to retract again on its own, when not pulled.

23. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including a tubing reel to wind and unwind tubing to reduce excess tubing length as needed, this tubing reel may be manual and self-retracting.

growth and contamination.

24. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including a clip or swivel clip to hold the gas tubing onto a patient's clothing, bed, wheelchair, or chair.

25. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in claim 1 and further including at least one component (110) that is color coded for safety to help direct the user or caregiver to the proper source of medical gas, as to avoid errors.

26. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in as set forth in claim 1 and further including at least one component that is labeled to indicate the type of medical gas to be used, such as for people with color blindness, labeling can include raised lettering (112), indicia and/or Braille (114) to indicate the type of medical gas to be used, such as for people with visual impairment or blindness.

27. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in as set forth in claim 1 and further including at least one component that is made from a glow-in-the-dark and/or translucent materials, such as to aid visualization of the tubing system in dark-lit rooms, wherein the tubing is illuminated by a light source, such as LEDs and fiber optic threads (116) incorporated into the tubing, such as to aid visualization of the tubing system in dark-lit rooms.

28. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in as set forth in claim 1 wherein said medical gas supply tubing and connector are comprised of and/or coated with anti-microbial materials, such as to reduce microbial

29. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in as set forth in claim 1 and further including at least one gas source chosen from medical gas sources selected from the class of respiratory gas sources including, but not limited to, gas tanks, air compressors, oxygen concentrating devices, oxygen concentrators and wall-mounted flow meters; and capable of delivering medical gas chosen from the types of medical gases selected from the class of inhalable medical gases including, but not limited to, compressed air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, nitrogen, helium, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, cyclopropane, other anesthesia gases and any combinations thereof.

30. The universal medical gas delivery system as set forth in as set forth in claim 1 and further including at least one respiratory apparatus chosen from medical gas utilizing apparatuses selected from the class of respiratory gas utilizing devices including, but not limited to, nasal cannulas (118), face masks, venturi valves, venturi masks, mouthpieces, endotracheal catheters/endotracheal adapters, nebulizers/atomizers (120), aerosol masks, vaporizers, inhalers, aerosol holding chambers/spacers, spirometers, humidifier jars, humidifier devices, positive airway pressure devices, positive expiratory pressure devices, resuscitation bags also called artificial resuscitator, reanimation bag, "Ambu bag", gas mixing devices gas mixers, flow regulators, flow sensors, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, incubators, mechanical ventilators, ventilator line oxygen port adaptors, anesthesia machines/anesthesia ventilators, other respiratory line adapters and fittings and any combinations thereof.

31. A medical gas delivery system (10) that includes at least one dampening disperser (220), supported in a position in front of a patient's face, comprised of at least two gas outlets nozzles (222) that release medical gas within the interior region (224) formed by the concave interior walls (226) of the dampening disperser, in at least partially counterposing directions to disperse and reduce the velocity/impact of the gas flow (230) directed at the patient and coming from the at least one supply tubing (30) attached to an at least one medical gas source (22/82), while generating a turbulent plume of gases that mix with ambient air in the space (228) in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, such as between the upper lip and the base of the nose, to allow for both nose breathing and mouth breathing of these gases and to aid in the clearance of exhaled breath away from the patient so as to diminish the rebreathing of exhaled air and said dampening disperser can be attached to a variety of different supports (232) in communication with the patient's head to position the dampening disperser in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth.

32. A medical gas delivery system that includes at least one dampening disperser (220), supported in a position in front of a patient's face, comprised of at least one gas outlet nozzle (234) that releases medical gas within the interior region (224) formed by the concave interior walls (226) of the dampening disperser, with at least one non-stationary baffle (236) in the path of this gas flow to disperse and create drag, thereby reducing the velocity/impact of the gas flow (230) directed at the patient and coming from the at least one supply tubing (30) attached to an at least one medical gas source (22/82), while generating a turbulent plume of gases that mix with ambient air in the space (228) in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, such as between the upper lip and the base of the nose, to allow for both nose breathing and mouth breathing of these gases and to aid in the clearance of exhaled breath away from the patient so as to diminish the rebreathing of exhaled air, movement of said non-stationary baffle (236) may be visualized to indicate that the patient is receiving gas flow, the dampening disperser can be attached to a variety of different supports (232) in communication with the patient's head to position the dampening disperser in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, non-stationary baffles (236) can be chosen from the class of baffles selected from the type of non-stationary baffles including, but not limited to, flexible flaps, sails, parachutes, wings and blades and rotating blades (238), such as that of a fan, impeller, and windmill.

33. A medical gas delivery system that includes at least one dampening disperser (220), supported in a position in front of a patient's face, comprised of at least one gas outlet nozzle (240) that releases medical gas within the interior region (224) formed by the concave interior walls (226) of the dampening disperser, with at least two baffles (242) in the path of this gas flow to disperse and reduce the velocity/impact of the gas flow (230) directed at the patient and coming from the at least one supply tubing (30) attached to an at least one medical gas source (22/82), while generating a turbulent plume of gases that mix with ambient air in the space (228) in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, such as between the upper lip and the base of the nose, to allow for both nose breathing and mouth breathing of these gases and to aid in the clearance of exhaled breath away from the patient so as to diminish the rebreathing of exhaled air, the dampening disperser can be attached to a variety of different supports (232) in communication with the patient's head to position the dampening disperser in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth.

34. A medical gas delivery system (10 that includes at least one dampening disperser (220), supported and held in position by an at least partial face mask housing (244) with at least one fastener (246) to hold the face mask (244) in place on the patient's face, the face mask does not form an airtight seal between the mask and the patient's face, so that at least some ambient air can enter and so that at least some dispensed gas and exhaled breath can exit, the space (228) in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, the at least some movement of airflow (248) to and from the space in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth can be accomplished by at least one aperture, cutaway, or gap (250) of the mask, which can prevent pressure build-up in the system and can allow access to the patient's mouth and nose, such as for suctioning, performing spirometry, incentive spirometry, peak flow and other types of respiratory care and oral-care; the ability for the patient to speak with less hindrance during treatment; the ability to drink through a straw during treatment; the reduced probability of aspiration, the accommodation of a naso-gastric intubation tubing for feeding and medicinal administration; and helping to prevent claustrophobia and to improve patient comfort.

35. A medical gas delivery system that includes at least one dampening disperser (220), supported and held in position by an at least partial face mask housing (244) with at least one fastener (246) to hold the face mask (244) in place on the patient's face, the face mask housing contains a rim (252) for at least some contact with the patient's face so as to support the positioning of the dampening disperser in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth, the rim is further comprised of at least one cushioning element (254) for both patient comfort and also to elevate the dampening disperser at least some distance from the patient's face, the rim, or its cushioning thereof, can be chosen from cushioning elements including, but not limited to, pads, thick elastomeric pads, fabric pads, gel containing pads, liquid containing pads, wax pads, wax-filled pads, silicone-filled pads, air-filled pads, balloons, air-filled skirts and any combination of one or more of these cushioning elements, note that the air-filled skirts would utilize some of the gas dispensed from at least one gas outlet nozzle to fill the skirt to create a cushion of air which is ejected against the surface of the patient's face to create an "air cushion," similar to that of which lifts a hovercraft, inflation of this air cushion can indicate that medical gas is flowing through the system, the comfort pad may also be formable/adjustable to contour to the face and to help hold the mask in position.

36. A medical gas delivery system that includes at least one dampening disperser (220), supported and held in position by an at least one support (232) chosen from the class of head associated supports selected from medical gas delivery supports including, but not limited to fasteners, straps (246), bands, elastic bands, chin supports, glasses-like supports, over the ear supports, over the ear elastic bands, over the ear tubing supports, arms, booms (256) and elbow-like supports, etc and can include at least one swivel element (258), chosen from the class of swivel elements including, but not limited to, ball joints, hollow cylindrical rod-like housings that contain another rod-like structure of smaller diameter inside of it and allowed to rotate within it and 45 cylindrical rod-like structures able to turn freely within a support structure, along with means of preventing said swivel element from dissociating, chosen from such means including, but not limited to nuts, washers, pins and flanges.

37. A medical gas delivery system that includes at least one dampening disperser, with a support that holds the dampening disperser in place, that also includes an aerosol port (260), for attachment to a nebulizer (262), so that the patient may also receive a nebulizer treatment while wearing the support of the dampening disperser, the airflow of the dampening disperser may direct aerosol flow to the nose and mouth of the patient and away from the patient's eyes, for a higher respirable dose of aerosol.

38. A medical gas delivery system that includes at least one dampening disperser, with a support that holds the dampening disperser in place, that also includes a gas sampling tubing line (264), with inlet positioned in a space in the vicinity of the patient's nose and mouth and outlet connected to a gas monitoring device/sensor, to monitor gas composition in this region, such as to monitor exhaled gases, which may include determination of the carbon dioxide concentration and ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen.

39. A medical gas delivery system that includes at least one dampening disperser, with a support that holds the dampening disperser in place, that also includes a removable support adapter that can align the dampening disperser with an endotracheal tube for delivery of medical gas to an intubated patient.