WO2021214790A1

WO2021214790A1 - System for disinfecting exhaled air in ventilator

Info

Publication number: WO2021214790A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050395
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nikhil Kurele; Harshit Rathore; Tushar Agarwal
Original assignee: Noccarc Robotics Private Limited
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2021-04-21
Publication date: 2021-10-28

Abstract

A system (100) for disinfecting exhaled air of a ventilator (90) is disclosed. The system (100) comprises an exhale tube (10) coupled to a patient breathing interface of the ventilator, a disinfecting unit (20) coupled to the exhale tube, an exhaled air analyzer (30) for detecting operational parameters of the exhaled air, an air simulator assembly (40) coupled to an exhale port of the ventilator. The system further comprises a controller (50) configured to receive signals corresponding to the detected operational parameters of the exhaled air, determine flow conditions of the exhaled air based on the detected operational parameters, and control the air simulator assembly to simulate an airflow at an exhale port of the ventilator based on the determined flow conditions. The system is capable of disinfecting exhaled air and is controllable independently without requiring any change in the electronics or working of the existing ventilator units.

Description

“SYSTEM FOR DISINFECTING EXHALED AIR IN

VENTILATOR”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of biomedical devices. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to ventilators for providing respiratory assistance to patients. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a system for disinfecting air exhaled by the patient before discharging into the atmosphere.

BACKGROUND

[002] The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure. [003] In the area of healthcare, ventilators are commonly known for providing emergency life support to patients. Particularly, a ventilator provides mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs of a patient who is physically unable to breathe or is breathing insufficiently. A ventilator can be pressure controlled, volume controlled or hybrid of both. The ventilators generally are of two types, i.e., positive pressure ventilators where air (or another gas mix) is pushed into the lungs through the airways, and negative pressure ventilators where air is, in essence, sucked into the lungs by stimulating movement of the chest.

[004] The ventilators eject the exhaled air of the patient in the atmosphere. Currently most of the ventilators use filters to stop the bacteria and viruses to go out into the atmosphere along with the exhaled air. Some of the ventilators do not even have the option of attaching any filter to the ventilator, and therefore, release the exhaled air directly into the atmosphere without any filtration. Moreover, existing filters are not designed to stop all sizes of viruses and bacteria. Virus and bacteria of smaller size can pass through the filter and contaminate the atmosphere. Also, these filters are required to be replaced in regular intervals. The replacement of the filters is to be handled manually which also poses risk of infection to the medical staff assisting the patient. When disposed, most of these filters end up in landfills and waterbodies. This poses a huge risk of contamination and can also lead to spread of the viral or bacterial infection in masses. [005] Therefore, there remains a need for a system for disinfecting the exhaled air of the patient on ventilator support and that is adapted to overcome the one or more shortcomings associated with the prior art. Specifically, there is a need in the art for a system that is capable of disinfecting exhaled air, that is a standalone device which can be attached to or with existing ventilator units, and that is controllable independently without requiring any change in the electronics or working of the existing ventilator units.

SUMMARY

[006] The one or more shortcomings of the prior arts are overcome by an assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[007] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for disinfecting exhaled air in a ventilator. The system comprises an exhale tube coupled to a patient breathing interface of the ventilator. The system further comprises a disinfecting unit coupled to the exhale tube and configured to disinfect the exhaled air. The system furthermore comprises an exhaled air analyzer disposed upstream of the disinfecting unit, the exhaled air analyzer adapted to detect operational parameters of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube. Further, the system comprises an air simulator assembly coupled to an exhale port of the ventilator. Furthermore, the system comprises a controller configured with the exhaled gas analyzer and the air simulator assembly, the controller being configured to receive signals, corresponding to the detected operational parameters of the exhaled air, from the exhaled air analyzer, determine flow conditions of the exhaled air in the exhale tube based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled gas analyzer, and control the air simulator assembly to simulate an airflow at the exhale port of the ventilator based on the determined flow conditions.

[008] In an embodiment, the exhaled air analyzer comprises one or more sensors operably coupled to the controller, the one or more sensors being adapted to detect operational parameters of the exhaled air. [009] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors comprise a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of the exhaled air.

[010] In an embodiment, the one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the exhaled air.

[Oil] In an embodiment, the air simulator assembly comprises a flow generator operably coupled to the controller, the flow generator is adapted to simulate the airflow at the exhale port of the ventilator.

[012] In an embodiment, the air simulator assembly comprises one or more sensing units operably coupled to the controller, the one or more sensing units configured to detect a flow condition of the airflow simulated by the air simulator assembly at the exhale port of the ventilator.

[013] In an embodiment, the controller is configured to receive signals, corresponding to the flow conditions of the airflow, from the one or more sensing units, and control an operation of the air simulator assembly based on the flow conditions of the airflow detected by the one or more sensing units.

[014] In an embodiment, the disinfecting unit comprises an Ultraviolet radiation lamp for disinfecting the exhaled air with Ultraviolet radiations.

[015] In an embodiment, the disinfecting unit comprises at least one of photocatalytic oxidation unit, plasma cluster ion reduction/oxidation unit, microwave treatment unit, vapor H₂O₂ sterilization unit, desiccant rotor unit, ozone treatment unit, and nanotechnology purification unit for disinfecting the exhaled air.

[016] In an embodiment, the system comprises a patient breathing interface and an inhale tube configured to connect an inhale port of the ventilator with the patient breathing interface.

[017] In an embodiment, the system comprises an inlet valve mounted at an inlet port of the disinfecting unit, the inlet valve is operably coupled to the controller and actuatable by the controller based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled air analyzer.

[018] In an embodiment, the patient breathing interface comprises endotracheal (ET) tube, ventilator face mask, or nasal mask.

[019] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a disinfecting adapter assembly, the disinfecting adapter assembly mountable to a ventilator for disinfecting an exhaled air in the ventilator, the disinfecting adapter assembly comprising the system as discussed above.

[020] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a ventilator comprising the system as discussed above.

[021] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[022] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[023] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a system for disinfecting exhaled air in a ventilator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exhaled air analyzer of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an air simulator assembly of the system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[024] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[025] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[026] Before describing detailed embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in a system for disinfecting exhaled air in a ventilator. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art may be motivated from the present disclosure and modify the various constructions of the system for disinfecting exhaled air of a ventilator. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

[027] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

[028] The present disclosure provides a system for disinfecting exhaled air in a ventilator. The system comprises an exhale tube coupled to a patient breathing interface of the ventilator. The system further comprises a disinfecting unit coupled to the exhale tube and configured to disinfect the exhaled air. The system furthermore comprises an exhaled air analyzer disposed upstream of the disinfecting unit, the exhaled air analyzer adapted to detect operational parameters of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube. Further, the system comprises an air simulator assembly coupled to an exhale port of the ventilator. Furthermore, the system comprises a controller configured with the exhaled gas analyzer and the air simulator assembly, the controller being configured to receive signals, corresponding to the detected operational parameters of the exhaled air, from the exhaled air analyzer, determine flow conditions of the exhaled air in the exhale tube based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled gas analyzer, and control the air simulator assembly to simulate an airflow at the exhale port of the ventilator based on the determined flow conditions.

[029] Further, the exhaled air analyzer comprises one or more sensors operably coupled to the controller, the one or more sensors being adapted to detect operational parameters of the exhaled air. The one or more sensors comprise a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of the exhaled air. The one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the exhaled air.

[030] Furthermore, the air simulator assembly comprises a flow generator operably coupled to the controller, the flow generator is adapted to simulate the airflow at the exhale port of the ventilator. Also, the air simulator assembly comprises one or more sensing units operably coupled to the controller, the one or more sensing units configured to detect a flow condition of the airflow simulated by the air simulator assembly at the exhale port of the ventilator.

[031] Moreover, the controller is configured to receive signals, corresponding to the flow conditions of the airflow, from the one or more sensing units, and control an operation of the air simulator assembly based on the flow conditions of the airflow detected by the one or more sensing units.

[032] The disinfecting unit comprises an Ultraviolet radiation lamp for disinfecting the exhaled air with Ultraviolet radiations. Alternatively, the disinfecting unit comprises at least one of photocatalytic oxidation unit, plasma cluster ion reduction/oxidation unit, microwave treatment unit, vapor H2O2 sterilization unit, desiccant rotor unit, ozone treatment unit, and nanotechnology purification unit for disinfecting the exhaled air.

[033] The system further comprises a patient breathing interface and an inhale tube configured to connect an inhale port of the ventilator with the patient breathing interface. The patient breathing interface comprises endotracheal (ET) tube, ventilator face mask, or nasal mask.

[034] The system also comprises an inlet valve mounted at an inlet port of the disinfecting unit, the inlet valve is operably coupled to the controller and actuatable by the controller based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled air analyzer. [035] Also, the present disclosure relates to a disinfecting adapter assembly mountable to a ventilator, and a ventilator comprising the system as discussed above.

[036] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts.

[037] Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[038] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a system (100) for disinfecting exhaled air in a ventilator (90) is disclosed. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the term “exhaled air” can be understood as the air expelled by a patient supported on the ventilator. Also, in an embodiment, the ventilator (90) is a positive pressure ventilator, in which air (or another gas mix) is pushed into the lungs through the airways. In another embodiment, the ventilator (90) is a negative pressure ventilator, in which air is, in essence, sucked into the lungs by stimulating movement of the chest. The system (100) comprises an exhale tube (10), a disinfecting unit (20), an exhaled air analyzer (30), an air simulator assembly (40) and a controller (50) coupled to each other and adapted to disinfect an air exhaled by a patient on ventilator support. In accordance with the present disclosure, the system (100) is capable of disinfecting exhaled air of a patient on support of the ventilator (90), is a standalone device which can be attached to or with the existing ventilator units, and is controllable independently without requiring any change in the electronics or working of the existing ventilator units.

[039] A person skilled in the art can readily understand that the ventilator (90) is a machine that is configured to move breathable air into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe or breathing insufficiently. The ventilator comprises an inhale port (92) for supplying a fresh air to the patient and an exhale port (94) adapted to receive the exhaled air from the patient. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the ventilator (90) may be a positive pressure ventilation device where air (or another gas mix) is pushed into the lungs through the airways, or a negative pressure ventilation device where air is sucked into the lungs by stimulating movement of the chest.

[040] The ventilator (90) may further comprise an inspiration pump (not shown) connected to the inhale port (92) of the ventilator (90). The inspiration pump may be adapted to assist in inspiration of fresh air. The term ‘fresh air’ may refer to ambient air or oxygenated medicated air or oxygen received by the inspiration pump. In accordance with the present disclosure, the inspiration pump may be adapted to receive fresh air directly from the atmosphere. Also, an inlet of the inspiration pump may be connected with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter for receiving filtered air from atmosphere. A multiport valve may be disposed for regulating the flow of fresh air from the atmosphere and/or oxygen supply source and the medicated air supply source to the inlet of the inspiration pump. The ventilator (90) may furthermore comprise one or more sensors, for example flow rate sensor, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, etc., for detecting flow parameters, such as flow rate, pressure, temperature, etc. of the fresh air supplied through the inhale port (92) and air received at the exhale port (94). The ventilator (90) may also comprise a monitoring unit including a microprocessor and a display unit. The microprocessor may facilitate controlling flow parameters of the fresh air supplied by the ventilator and the values corresponding to the flow parameters may be read from the display.

[041] In accordance with the present disclosure, the system (100) for disinfecting exhale air comprises an inhale tube (60) for supplying the fresh air to the patient during an inhalation cycle of the ventilator (90). The inhale tube (60) may be coupled to the inhale port (92) of the ventilator at one end and to a patient breathing interface (70) at the other end. The inhale tube (60) is accordingly adapted to provide a channel for flow of fresh air from the inhale port (92) of the ventilator (90) to the patient breathing interface (70). Without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, the patient breathing interface (70) may comprise, but not limited to, endotracheal (ET) tube, ventilator face mask, or nasal mask, or any other suitable device adapted to be worn by the patient or coupled to the respiratory system of the patient. In an embodiment, a flow valve, a pressure relieve valve and a Heat and Moisture Exchanger (HME) may be disposed in the inhale tube (60), i.e., between inhale port (92) of the ventilator (90) and the patient breathing interface (70) for determining flow rate, pressure, temperature and moisture, respectively, of the fresh air flowing within the inhale tube (60).

[042] The system (100) for disinfecting the exhaled air further comprises the exhale tube (10) for providing a flow path for the exhaled air to pass therethrough. The exhale tube (10) is coupled to the patient breathing interface (70) at one end and to the disinfecting unit (20) at the other end for coupling the patient breathing interface (70) to the disinfecting unit (20) and allow the exhaled air to pass from the patient breathing interface (70) to the disinfecting unit (20). It is pertinent to note that the exhale tube (10) may be sealingly coupled to the patient breathing interface (70) and the disinfecting unit (20) to prevent leakage of the exhaled air of the patient into the ambient air.

[043] Referring to FIG. 2, the system (100) further comprises the exhaled air analyzer (30) disposed on the exhale tube (10) of the system (100), upstream of the disinfecting unit (20). The exhaled air analyzer (30) is adapted to detect one or more operational parameters of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube (10). The one or more operational parameters of the exhaled air comprise a flow rate of the exhaled air, a pressure of the exhaled air within the exhale tube (10), a temperature of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube (10), and the like. In accordance with the present disclosure, the exhaled air analyzer (30) comprises one or more sensors for detecting the operational parameters of the exhaled air. The one or more sensors may be operably coupled to the controller (50) and the one or more sensors may be adapted to transmit signals, corresponding to the detected operational parameters of the exhaled air, to the controller (50). The one or more sensors may comprise a flow rate sensor (32) for detecting a flow rate of the exhaled air within the exhale tube (10). The one or more sensors may further comprise a pressure sensor (34) for detecting a pressure of the exhaled air within the exhale tube (10). In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more sensors may also comprise a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the exhaled air.

[044] In accordance with the present disclosure, the exhaled air analyzer (30) comprise an exhale air manifold (36) for receiving the exhaled air from the exhale tube (10). The exhale air manifold (36) comprises an exhale air inlet port (38) and an exhale air outlet port (39) for allowing the exhaled air to enter into the exhale air manifold (36) and exit from the exhale air manifold (36), respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. In said arrangement, the pressure sensor (34) of the exhaled air analyzer (30) may be coupled to the exhale air manifold (36) for detecting a pressure of the exhaled air in the exhale air manifold (36). Also, the flow rate sensor (32) of the exhaled air analyzer (30) may be disposed downstream of the exhale air manifold (36) for the exhaled air to pass through the flow rate sensor (32) for detecting a flow rate of the exhaled air in the exhaled air analyzer (30). Each of the pressure sensor (34) and the flow rate sensor (32) is operably coupled to the controller (50) for transmitting signals, corresponding to the detected pressure and flow rate, to the controller (50).

[045] Referring again to FIG. 1, the system further comprises the disinfecting unit (20) for disinfecting the exhaled air of the patient. As discussed above, the disinfecting unit (20) is adapted to receive the exhaled air from the patient breathing interface (70) through the exhale tube (10) and/or the exhaled air analyzer (30). The disinfecting unit (20) comprises a disinfecting chamber (22) in which the exhaled air is received and disinfected. The disinfecting unit further comprises an inlet valve (24) and an outlet valve (26). The inlet valve (24) is mounted to an inlet port of the disinfecting chamber (22) and the outlet valve (26) is mounted to an outlet port of the disinfecting chamber (22). Within the scope of the present disclosure, the inlet valve (24) and the outlet (26) are operably coupled to the controller (50) of the system (100). The controller (50) is adapted to actuate the inlet valve (24) and the outlet valve (26) for opening and closing the inlet and outlet valves (24, 26), thereby controlling ingress of the exhaled air into the disinfecting chamber (22) and egress of the disinfected air from the disinfecting chamber (22) into the atmosphere. The controller (50) is adapted to actuate the inlet valve (24) and the outlet valve (26) of the disinfecting chamber (22) on basis the signals, corresponding to the operational parameters of the exhaled air, received from the exhaled air analyzer (30).

[046] In accordance with the present disclosure, the disinfecting unit (20) comprises an Ultraviolet (UV) radiation lamp (not shown in figure) mounted within the disinfecting chamber (22). The Ultraviolet radiation lamp is adapted to generate Ultraviolet radiations for disinfecting the exhaled air received within the disinfecting chamber (22), before releasing the exhaled air into the atmosphere. In an embodiment, the Ultraviolet lamp is coaxially disposed within the disinfecting chamber (22) or located centrally within the disinfecting chamber (22) such that a complete interior of the disinfecting chamber (22) is exposed to Ultraviolet radiations for effective disinfection of the exhaled air. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a volume of the disinfecting chamber (22) is higher than the maximum tidal volume of the ventilator (90) to ensure no leakage of contaminants/bacteria/virus during the exchange of air in the disinfecting chamber (22).

[047] Without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure, the disinfecting unit (20) may comprise any other suitable arrangement disposed within the disinfecting chamber (22) or coupled with the disinfecting chamber (22) for disinfecting the exhaled air before releasing the disinfected exhaled air into the atmosphere. Such suitable arrangement may comprise, but not limited to, photocatalytic oxidation unit, plasma cluster ion reduction/oxidation unit, microwave treatment unit, vapor H202 sterilization unit, desiccant rotor unit, ozone treatment unit, nanotechnology purification unit, and the like.

[048] Within the scope of the present disclosure, during an inspiration or inhalation cycle of the ventilator, the air collected in the disinfecting chamber (22) is disinfected. As an exhalation or expiration cycle starts, the controller (50) provides signals to actuate the inlet valve (24) of the disinfecting chamber to let the exhaled air flow inside the disinfecting chamber (22) and to actuate the outlet valve (26) allowing the disinfected air to be released into the atmosphere. Accordingly, the exhaled air replaces the disinfected air in the disinfecting chamber (22).

[049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the system (100) for disinfecting exhaled air further comprises the air simulator assembly (40). The air simulator assembly (40) is coupled to the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90). The air simulator assembly (40) is adapted to supply an airflow into the ventilator (90). In an embodiment, the air simulator assembly (40) is adapted to supply the airflow into the ventilator (90) corresponding to the operational parameters of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube (10) and/or the exhaled air analyzer (30). The air simulator assembly (40) is configured to simulate operational parameters of the airflow, such as flow rate and pressure of the airflow. [050] In accordance with the present disclosure, the air simulator assembly (40) comprises a flow generator (42), for example a turbine, to simulate and supply the airflow, from the ambient air, into the ventilator (90), through the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90). The air simulator assembly (40) further comprise an air inlet port (43) in communication with the ambient air and an air outlet port (44) in communication with the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90). The air simulator assembly (40) is configured to ingress the ambient air into the flow generator (42), via the air inlet port (43), simulate the ingressed ambient air by the flow generator (42), and supply the simulated airflow to the ventilator (90), via the air outlet port (44) of the air simulator assembly (40) and the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90). In accordance with the present disclosure, the air simulator assembly (40) is operably coupled to the controller (50). The controller (50) is configured to control the air simulator assembly (40) to simulate the airflow at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90) based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled air analyzer (30).

[051] The air simulator assembly (40) comprises an air manifold (46) disposed downstream of the flow generator (42). The air manifold (46) is adapted to receive the airflow simulated by the flow generator (42). The air simulator assembly (40) further comprises one or more sensing units mounted to the air manifold (46) and operably coupled to the controller (50). The one or more sensing units may be configured to detect a flow condition of the airflow simulated by the air simulator assembly (40). The one or more sensing units may comprise a flow rate sensor (48) for detecting a flow rate of the airflow. The one or more sensing units may further comprise a pressure sensor (49) for detecting a pressure of the airflow. In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more sensing units may also comprise a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the airflow. The one or more sensing units may be adapted to transmit signals, corresponding to the detected flow condition of the airflow, to the controller (50). The controller (50) may be configured to receive signals, corresponding to the flow conditions of the airflow, from the one or more sensing units and control an operation of the air simulator assembly (40) based on the flow conditions of the airflow detected by the one or more sensing units. It can accordingly be contemplated that the one or more sensing units of the air simulator assembly (40) facilitates a feedback mechanism for the controller (50) to review and determine if the flow condition of the simulated air at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90) corresponds to the operational parameters of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube (10). In instances, when the controller (50) determines that the flow condition of the simulated air at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90) does not correspond to the operational parameters of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube (10), the controller (50) may control an operation of the air simulator assembly (40) and/or the flow generator (42) to regulate the flow conditions of the airflow. The air simulator assembly (40) may additionally comprise a pressure transducer and/or a heater for regulating the flow conditions of the airflow.

[052] Referring again to FIG. 1, the system (100) for disinfecting exhaled air of the ventilator comprises the controller (50) operably coupled to the exhaled gas analyzer (30) and the air simulator assembly (40). Specifically, the controller (50) may be operably coupled to the one or more sensors of the exhaled gas analyzer (30) and the one or more sensing units of the air simulator assembly (40). In accordance with the present disclosure, the controller (50) is configured to receive signals, corresponding to the detected operational parameters of the exhaled air, from the exhaled air analyzer (30). Further, the controller (50) is configured to determine flow conditions of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube (10) based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled gas analyzer (30). Furthermore, the controller (50) is configured to control the air simulator assembly (40) to simulate the airflow at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90) based on the determined flow conditions. Accordingly, the controller (50) is configured to simulate the air simulator assembly (40) for supplying an airflow having flow conditions similar to the flow conditions of the exhaled air in the exhale tube (10), at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90), thereby completing a ventilation cycle.

[053] As discussed above, the controller (50) is also configured to receive signals, corresponding to the flow conditions of the airflow, from the one or more sensing units and control an operation of the air simulator assembly (40) based on the flow conditions of the airflow detected by the one or more sensing units, thereby providing a feedback of the flow conditions in the air simulator assembly (40) to the controller (50). Accordingly, the system (100) is capable of disinfecting exhaled air of the patient on support of the ventilator (90) and is controllable independently without requiring any change in the electronics or working of the existing ventilator units.

[054] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system (100) for disinfecting exhaled air is configured in the form of a disinfecting adapter mountable to an existing ventilator for disinfecting an exhaled air of the ventilator. Accordingly, the system (100) is capable of being used as a standalone device which can be attached to or with the existing ventilator units. [055] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the system (100) for disinfecting exhaled air forms a part of a ventilator for disinfecting an exhaled air of the ventilator.

[056] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

REFERAL NUMERICALS

EQUIVALENTS:

[057] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[058] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

[059] Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[060] The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

[061] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. [062] The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

Claims

The Claims:

1. A system (100) for disinfecting exhaled air in a ventilator (90), the system (100) comprising; an exhale tube (10) coupled to a patient breathing interface (70) of the ventilator (90); a disinfecting unit (20) coupled to the exhale tube (10) and configured to disinfect the exhaled air; an exhaled air analyzer (30) disposed upstream of the disinfecting unit (20), the exhaled air analyzer (30) adapted to detect operational parameters of the exhaled air flowing within the exhale tube (10); an air simulator assembly (40) coupled to an exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90); and a controller (50) configured with the exhaled gas analyzer (30) and the air simulator assembly (40), the controller (50) being configured to: receive signals, corresponding to the detected operational parameters of the exhaled air, from the exhaled air analyzer (30), determine flow conditions of the exhaled air in the exhale tube (10) based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled gas analyzer (30), and control the air simulator assembly (40) to simulate an airflow at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90) based on the determined flow conditions.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaled air analyzer (30) comprises one or more sensors operably coupled to the controller (50), the one or more sensors being adapted to detect operational parameters of the exhaled air.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a flow rate sensor (32) for detecting a flow rate of the exhaled air.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensor (34) for detecting a pressure of the exhaled air.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air simulator assembly (40) comprises a flow generator (42) operably coupled to the controller (50), the flow generator (42) is adapted to simulate the airflow at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air simulator assembly (40) comprises one or more sensing units operably coupled to the controller (50), the one or more sensing units configured to detect a flow condition of the airflow simulated by the air simulator assembly (40) at the exhale port (94) of the ventilator (90).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller (50) is configured to receive signals, corresponding to the flow conditions of the airflow, from the one or more sensing units, and control an operation of the air simulator assembly (40) based on the flow conditions of the airflow detected by the one or more sensing units.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disinfecting unit (20) comprises an Ultraviolet radiation lamp for disinfecting the exhaled air with Ultraviolet radiations.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disinfecting unit (20) comprises at least one of photocatalytic oxidation unit, plasma cluster ion reduction/oxidation unit, microwave treatment unit, vapor H2O2 sterilization unit, desiccant rotor unit, ozone treatment unit, and nanotechnology purification unit for disinfecting the exhaled air.

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a patient breathing interface (70) and an inhale tube (60) configured to connect an inhale port (92) of the ventilator (90) with the patient breathing interface (70). 11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising an inlet valve (24) mounted at an inlet port of the disinfecting unit (20), the inlet valve (24) is operably coupled to the controller (50) and actuatable by the controller (50) based on the operational parameters detected by the exhaled air analyzer (30). 12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the patient breathing interface

(70) comprises endotracheal (ET) tube, ventilator face mask, or nasal mask.

13. A disinfecting adapter assembly, the disinfecting adapter assembly mountable to a ventilator for disinfecting an exhaled air in the ventilator, the disinfecting adapter assembly comprising the system (100) as claimed in any one of claims

1 to 12.

14. A ventilator comprising the system (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to

12.