Condensation collector for respiration system

Claim 1

A condensation collector for removing condensate of predetermined density from the inhalation and exhalation conduits of a respiratory support system comprising: a ventilator/humidifier apparatus having a fresh air make-up inlet, a return inlet, and an outlet, an inhalation conduit for connecting the ventilator/humidifier outlet to a patient, an exhalation conduit for connecting the patient back to the ventilator/humidifier return inlet, and a condensate discharge connection connected to each of the conduits, the condensation collector comprising: a condensate container having an inlet adjacent the top of the container; a collection chamber having an inlet and a bottom outlet connected to the condensate container inlet; a valve housing in fluid communication with said collection chamber inlet having two inlets and a pressure actuated valve operatively positioned within said valve housing providing means to selectively permit discharge from said discharge connections of said conduits; two condensate conduits each having two ends the first of said ends being respectively connected to one said condesate discharge connections and the second of Said respective ends each attached to an inlet of said valve housing; a buoyant valve closure member, having a density less than said predetermined density, disposed within the collection chamber for movement between a closed position in which the closure member closes the bottom outlet of the collection chamber and an open position in which the closure member floats on accumulated condensate above the bottom outlet.