Airway adapter

Abstract

To solve the problem that passage of exhaled air containing moisture from within the body of a subject and humidified inhaled air through a measurement flow channel of an airway adapter causes dew condensation in the measurement flow channel or in the vicinity thereof when temperature drops, and accumulation of the dew condensation in the measurement flow channel makes it difficult to make accurate measurement due to refraction and the like of infrared light by water caused by the dew condensation.SOLUTION: An airway adapter disclosed herein has a measurement flow channel for allowing at least either of exhalation or inhalation of a subject to pass, and includes a water absorbing member provided at the bottom of the measurement flow channel when installed, the water absorbing member being exposed to the outside to enable discharging of water to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor capable of detecting a predetermined respiratory gas (carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrous oxide, volatile anesthetic gas, etc.) contained in the respiratory air of a living body, and an airway adapter that is removably attached to the sensor and has a passage through which the respiratory air of the living body can pass.

Background Art

[0002] A measurement flow path through which the respiratory air of a subject can pass is formed in the airway adapter, and a predetermined respiratory gas contained in the respiratory air is measured. For example, in an airway adapter that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide, the optical axis connecting the light emitting part and the light receiving part provided in the sensor is arranged so as to cross this measurement flow path. The infrared light emitted from the light emitting part is received by the light receiving part, and a signal corresponding to the received light intensity is output from the sensor. The higher the carbon dioxide concentration in the respiratory air, the stronger the infrared light is absorbed, and the received light intensity decreases. Therefore, by monitoring the signal intensity output from the sensor, the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the respiratory air of the subject can be measured. Examples of such an airway adapter and sensor are disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the measurement flow path of the airway adapter, exhaled breath containing moisture from the subject's body or humidified inhaled air passes through, but dew condensation occurs due to a decrease in temperature in the measurement flow path and its vicinity. When dew condensation stays in the measurement flow path, accurate measurement becomes difficult because infrared light is refracted by the water generated by dew condensation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An airway adapter in one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by having a measurement channel through which at least one of the subject's exhaled or inhaled breath passes, having a water-absorbing member at the bottom of the measurement channel when installed, and the water-absorbing member being exposed to the outside and capable of discharging water to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] Water condensed in and near the measurement channel is absorbed by the water-absorbing component and discharged to the outside of the airway adapter. As a result, water does not accumulate in the measurement channel of the airway adapter, enabling accurate measurement of respiratory air. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Artificial respiration using an airway adapter. [Figure 2] Side view of a conventional airway adapter. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of a conventional airway adapter. [Figure 4] Side view of the airway adapter of Example 1. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the airway adapter of Example 1. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the airway adapter of Example 1 before the opening was sealed. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the airway adapter in the first modified example of Example 1. [Figure 8] A side view of the airway adapter in a second modified example of Example 1. [Figure 9] Side view of the airway adapter of Example 2. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of the airway adapter in Example 2. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the airway adapter in a modified example of Example 2. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view of the airway adapter in another modification of Example 2. [Figure 13]Side view of the airway adapter of Example 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 is used in common with both the conventional example and each embodiment. Figure 1 schematically shows a situation in which a ventilator V is attached to a patient P lying on a bed B. This ventilator V delivers oxygen-rich inhaled gas to patient P and expels patient P's exhaled air. An inspiratory circuit 1 is connected to the inspiratory connection part v1 of the ventilator V, and an expiratory circuit 2 is connected to the expiratory connection part v2. In the inspiratory circuit 1, a tubing 1a is connected to the inspiratory connection part v1 of the ventilator V, and a humidifier 1b is connected to the tubing 1a. Then, a tubing 1c is connected to the humidifier 1b, and the tubing 1c is connected to a Y-piece 3a. In the expiratory circuit 2, a tubing 2a is connected to the expiratory connection part v2 of the ventilator V, and a water trap 2b is connected to the tubing 2a. Then, a bellows tube 2c is connected to the water trap 2b, and a Y-piece 3a is connected to the bellows tube 2c. Bellows tubes 1c and 2c are connected to the Y-piece 3a, and a flexible tube 3b is connected to the remaining connection point. Then, via an airway adapter 4, etc., the connecting tube 3c is connected to the intubation tube 3d. The intubation tube 3d is inserted from the patient P's mouth into the trachea.

[0009] An optical sensor 5, a type of sensor, is attached to the airway adapter 4, etc., to optically measure the respiratory gas passing through the airway adapter 4, etc. The optical sensor 5 obtains the value of infrared light received through the airway adapter 4, etc., and the carbon dioxide concentration is calculated from the value of the received light sent to the patient monitor M via wiring 51, and the measured value is monitored.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the inhaled air supplied from the ventilator V is humidified by the humidifier 1b. Additionally, the exhaled air from patient P also contains water vapor. Therefore, condensation occurs around the airway adapter 4 and other components that are exposed to temperatures lower than body temperature.

[0011] Figures 2 and 3 show a conventional airway adapter 4. Figure 2 is a side view of the airway adapter 4. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of plane AA in Figure 2, showing the view from the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. The airway adapter 4 comprises an adapter body 42 and a window portion 43. As shown in Figure 3, the adapter body 42 has sensor holding portions 423 protruding on both sides and locking projections 424 protruding upward. The sensor holding portion 423 is formed in a U shape to hold the optical sensor 5 inside. The sensor holding portion 423 and the locking projections 424 are used to removably fix the optical sensor 5 to the airway adapter 4.

[0012] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a measurement channel 41 is formed inside the airway adapter 4 through which the respiratory air passes. The measurement channel 41 penetrates the adapter body 42 shown in Figure 2 from the equipment-side connection port 421 to the subject-side connection port 422, passing between opposing window portions 43. The adapter body 42 has openings on both sides of the measurement channel 41, and these openings are covered with a sheet-like infrared light-transmitting resin, which is a material that transmits infrared light, to form the window portions 43. The infrared light for measurement sent from the optical sensor 5 fixed inside the sensor holding portion 423 passes across the measurement channel 41 from one window portion 43 to the other window portion 43, as shown in Figure 3. Since the infrared light is absorbed by carbon dioxide in the measurement channel 41, the optical sensor 5 obtains a light reception amount corresponding to the carbon dioxide concentration in the respiratory air passing through the measurement channel 41.

[0013] The airway adapter 4 is elongated in the direction of the measurement channel 41. The flexible tube 3b shown in Figure 1 is connected to the equipment-side connection port 421, and the intubation tube 3d is attached to the subject-side connection port 422 via the connecting tube 3c. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the sensor holding section 423 expands below the adapter body 42, making it difficult for the airway adapter 4 to be oriented sideways. Due to these configurations, the airway adapter 4 is generally placed on the bed B in the vertical direction as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0014] Water generated by condensation inside and around the airway adapter 4 accumulates below the measurement flow path 41 shown in FIG. 3 inside the airway adapter 4. Then, when the airway adapter 4 rotates horizontally and becomes inclined, or when water scatters due to breathing in the measurement flow path 41, water may enter between the window portions 43. If water enters between the window portions 43, there is a risk that the infrared light for measurement is refracted by the water and the received light amount decreases. When the infrared light is refracted by water and the received light amount decreases, it is difficult to accurately measure the carbon dioxide concentration.

Embodiment

[0015] FIGS. 4 to 6 show the airway adapter 6 of Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a side view of the airway adapter 6 of Embodiment 1. FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along the line A-A in FIG. 4 and show the state as viewed from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the airway adapter 6 with the optical sensor 5 attached, and FIG. 6 shows the airway adapter 6 before closing the opening 625. The airway adapter 6 is generally in the vertical direction shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 during installation and is placed and installed on the bed B. The airway adapter 6 of Embodiment 1 is also used by being connected as shown in FIG. 1, similar to the conventional airway adapter 4.

[0016] The airway adapter 6 of Embodiment 1 includes an adapter body 62, window portions 63, and a water absorption member 64 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The adapter body 62 is formed of resin. The window portions 63 are formed of resin through which infrared light passes and are provided on both sides of the measurement flow path 61 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, U-shaped sensor holding portions 623 project from both sides of the adapter body 62, and locking projections 624 project upward.

[0017] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a measurement channel 61 is formed inside the airway adapter 6 through which respiratory air passes. The measurement channel 61 penetrates the adapter body 62 from the equipment-side connection port 621 to the subject-side connection port 622, passing between opposing window portions 63. The adapter body 62 has openings on both sides of the measurement channel 61, and these openings are covered with a sheet-like infrared light-transmitting resin, which is a material that transmits infrared light, to form the window portions 63.

[0018] The optical sensor 5 shown in Figure 5 is connected to the patient monitor M via wiring 51, as shown in Figure 1. In Figure 5, the optical sensor 5 conceptually shows its internal components, the light-emitting unit 52 and the light-receiving unit 53. The optical sensor 5 is held inside the U-shaped sensor holder 623, straddling the measurement channel 61. The upper part of the optical sensor 5 is locked by two locking protrusions 624 and is detachably fixed to the airway adapter 6.

[0019] In the optical sensor 5 attached to the airway adapter 6, the light-emitting unit 52 and the light-receiving unit 53 are positioned across the two windows 63 of the airway adapter 6. The infrared light for measurement emitted from the light-emitting unit 52 crosses the measurement channel 61 from one window 63 to the other window 63 of the airway adapter 6 and is received by the light-receiving unit 53. Since the infrared light is absorbed by carbon dioxide in the measurement channel 61, the light-receiving unit 53 obtains a light-receiving amount corresponding to the carbon dioxide concentration in the breath passing through the measurement channel 61. The light-receiving amount data is sent to the patient monitor M via wiring 51, where the carbon dioxide concentration is calculated and the measured value is monitored.

[0020] Unlike the conventional airway adapter 4, the airway adapter 6 of Embodiment 1 has an opening 625 at the bottom of the measurement channel 61 when installed. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the airway adapter 6 before the opening 625 is closed. A water-absorbing member 64 is shown below the opening 625. The water-absorbing member 64 is exposed to the outside and can discharge water to the outside. The water-absorbing member 64 is made of a porous material that has fine spaces through which water can permeate. Water can permeate and pass through this material, but gases such as breath air can hardly pass through.

[0021] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, a groove-shaped storage section 641 with a tapered structure having a tapered surface T is provided on the upper surface of the water-absorbing member 64. The storage section 641 is provided as a groove along the extending direction of the measuring channel 61. The storage section 641 stores water generated by condensation, and the stored water permeates into the water-absorbing member 64.

[0022] As shown by the arrow in Figure 6, the opening 625 is blocked by the water-absorbing member 64. In Embodiment 1, the water-absorbing member 64 is fixed to the vicinity of the opening 625 by adhesive, and as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the opening 625 is blocked by the water-absorbing member 64. Figure 5 shows the state in which water W has accumulated in the storage section 641. Water that the water-absorbing member 64 cannot immediately absorb accumulates in the storage section 641. The water-absorbing member 64 has a storage section 641 and a tapered structure, which allows the water-absorbing surface to be enlarged.

[0023] Water that condenses in the measurement channel 61 of the airway adapter 6 or in the pipes near it permeates into the water-absorbing member 64 at the bottom of the measurement channel 61 during installation. Part of the water-absorbing member 64 is exposed to the outside of the airway adapter 6, and the permeated water is discharged to the outside from the water-absorbing member 64. If a large amount of water is discharged, the water can be absorbed and evaporated by placing gauze or the like under the water-absorbing member 64. Alternatively, if there is little condensation, the airway adapter 6 can be installed suspended above the bed B, allowing the water to evaporate directly from the outside of the water-absorbing member 64.

[0024] <First variation> Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the airway adapter 7 in the first modified example of Embodiment 1. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in a plane corresponding to plane AA of Embodiment 1, which is perpendicular to the extending direction of the measuring channel 71. In the first modified example, the water-absorbing member 74 attached to the lower part of the adapter body 72 has an uneven surface on its exterior. As shown in Figure 7, grooves 742 are formed on the bottom and side surfaces of the water-absorbing member 74 along the extending direction of the measuring channel 71. The rest of the configuration is the same as in Embodiment 1. The water-absorbing member 74 is exposed to the outside and can discharge water to the outside.

[0025] The uneven surface of the water-absorbing member 74 provides a large surface area, resulting in a large evaporation rate from the water-absorbing member 74. The uneven surface may consist not only of grooves along the direction of extension of the measuring channel 71, but also of grooves perpendicular to the direction of extension of the measuring channel 71, grooves that intersect at an angle, or even dot-shaped irregularities.

[0026] <Second variation> Figure 8 shows a side view of the airway adapter 8 in a second modification of Embodiment 1. The airway adapter 8 in the second modification has multiple openings, each of which is sealed by a water-absorbing member 84. The adapter body 82 has a window portion 83 and four openings below the sensor holding portion 823. The water-absorbing members 84 are fixed by adhesive to the four openings below the sensor holding portion 823. The water-absorbing members 84 are exposed to the outside and can discharge water to the outside. In the second modification, the four openings and the water-absorbing members 84 are arranged in the axial direction of the airway adapter 8, but they may be arranged in other configurations. For example, they may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axis, or they may be arranged in a polka-dot pattern along the axis of the adapter body 82 and in a direction perpendicular to the axis. [Examples]

[0027] Figures 9 and 10 show the airway adapter 9 of Example 2. Figure 9 is a side view of the airway adapter 9 of Example 2. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of plane AA in Figure 9, showing the view from the direction of the arrow in Figure 9. When installed, the airway adapter 9 is placed on the bed B in the vertical direction as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The airway adapter 9 of Example 2 is used by connecting it as shown in Figure 1, similar to the conventional airway adapter 4 and the airway adapter 6 of Example 1.

[0028] The airway adapter 9 of Embodiment 2 comprises an adapter body 92 and a window portion 93, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. As shown in Figure 10, sensor holding portions 923 protrude from both sides of the adapter body 92, and a measurement channel 91 through which respiratory air passes is formed inside the airway adapter 9. The measurement channel 91 penetrates the adapter body 92 from the equipment-side connection port 921 to the subject-side connection port 922. Window portions 93 are provided on both sides of the measurement channel 91. The adapter body 92 has openings on both sides of the measurement channel 91, and these openings are covered with a sheet-like infrared light-transmitting resin, which is a material that transmits infrared light, to form the window portion 93. In addition, an opening 925 is provided at the bottom of the measurement channel 91 and is covered with a water-absorbing member 94. The water-absorbing member 94 is exposed to the outside and can discharge water to the outside. The above points are the same as those of the airway adapter 6 of Embodiment 1.

[0029] Figure 10 shows a state in which water W is accumulated in a storage section 941 having a tapered surface T. The water W is absorbed from the storage section 941 to the water-absorbing member 94. The absorbed water is discharged from the externally exposed side surface of the water-absorbing member 94 and evaporates.

[0030] On the other hand, unlike the airway adapter 6 of Example 1, the airway adapter 9 of Example 2 is provided with a cover portion 926 at the bottom. As shown in Figure 9, the cover portion 926 has legs 926b at two locations at the bottom of the adapter body 92, and the lower part is connected by a plate-like portion 926a to form a U-shape. There is a gap between the cover portion 926 and the opening 925 provided below the measuring channel 91, and the water-absorbing member 94 is fitted into the gap from the side and fixed in a detachable manner. Therefore, the water-absorbing member 94 can be easily fixed to the bottom of the airway adapter 9 without using adhesive.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, in the airway adapter 9 of Example 2, the width of the cover portion 926 is greater than the width of the water-absorbing member 94. The cover portion 926 covers the entire lower surface of the water-absorbing member 94 with the plate-shaped portion 926a at the bottom of the water-absorbing member 94. In the airway adapter 9 of Example 2, water is discharged by evaporation from the sides of the water-absorbing member 94. Because the width of the cover portion 926 is greater than the width of the water-absorbing member 94, the fitted water-absorbing member 94 does not come into direct contact with the bed B or sheets, etc., even without placing gauze or the like underneath. By using the airway adapter 9 of Example 2 when there is little internal condensation, the bed B, etc., can be made less likely to get wet even without placing gauze or the like underneath.

[0032] <Third variation> Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the airway adapter 10 in a third modified example, which is a modified example of Embodiment 2. In the airway adapter 10 of the third modified example, the plate-shaped portion 1026a of the cover portion 1026 is spaced apart from the opening 1025 provided below the measuring channel 101, and the water-absorbing member 104 is fitted in from the side. Also, similar to Embodiment 2, the cover portion 1026 has legs (not shown) at two locations on the lower part of the adapter body 102, and the lower part is connected by the plate-shaped portion 1026a to form a U-shape. The water-absorbing member 104 is exposed to the outside and can discharge water to the outside.

[0033] Figure 11 shows a state in which water W is accumulated in the storage section 1041 having a tapered surface T. The water is absorbed from the storage section 1041 to the water-absorbing member 104. The absorbed water is discharged from the externally exposed surfaces on the sides and bottom of the water-absorbing member 104, and is either evaporated or absorbed by gauze or the like placed under the airway adapter 10.

[0034] In the third modified example, the width of the cover portion 1026 is smaller than the width of the water-absorbing member 104. The cover portion 1026 covers a portion of the lower surface of the water-absorbing member 104 with the plate-like portion 1026a at the bottom of the water-absorbing member 104. Other aspects are the same as in the second example. In the third modified example, the externally exposed surface of the water-absorbing member 104 is large, making it easy to discharge water to the outside and easy to attach and detach the water-absorbing member 104.

[0035] <Fourth variation> Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the airway adapter 11 in a fourth modified example, which is another modification of Embodiment 2. In the airway adapter 11 of the fourth modified example, the cover portion 1126 has a plate-shaped portion 1126a spaced apart from the opening 1125 provided below the measuring channel 111, and the water-absorbing member 114 is fitted in from the side. Also, similar to Embodiment 2, the cover portion 1126 has legs (not shown) at two locations on the lower part of the adapter body 112, and the lower part is connected by the plate-shaped portion 1126a to form a U-shape. The water-absorbing member 114 is exposed to the outside and can discharge water to the outside.

[0036] The fourth modification involves connecting the water-absorbing member 114 to a replaceable evaporation sheet 115. The evaporation sheet 115 is made of filter paper and is absorbent. A rectangular hole is provided near the center of the evaporation sheet 115 for fitting the water-absorbing member 114. The water-absorbing member 114 of the third modification is a modified version of the water-absorbing member 104 in the third modification airway adapter 10 shown in Figure 11, with a smaller upper width, and has the shape shown in Figure 12. The evaporation sheet 115 with holes is placed over the water-absorbing member 114 from below, and the water-absorbing member 114 is passed through the holes and connected as shown in Figure 12. Because the water-absorbing member 114 is in contact with the evaporation sheet 115, water absorbed by the water-absorbing member 114 inside the airway adapter 11 permeates into the evaporation sheet 115. The permeated water then evaporates on the surface of the evaporation sheet 115, which has a large surface area. [Examples]

[0037] Figure 13 shows a side view of the airway adapter 12 of Example 3. The airway adapter 12 of Example 3 is used by connecting it as shown in Figure 1, similar to the conventional airway adapter 4, the airway adapters 6 and 9 of Examples 1 and 2, and the modified airway adapters 7, 8, 10, and 11.

[0038] In Example 3, the airway adapter 12 has an adapter body 122 made of calcined diatomaceous earth, which is a porous material. A plastic sensor mounting portion 124 is fixed to the adapter body 122. The sensor mounting portion 124 has a sensor holding portion 1241 that extends laterally and two locking protrusions 1242 provided on the top, allowing the optical sensor 5 to be attached and detached. Inside the airway adapter 12, as in the other embodiments, a measurement channel (not shown) is formed from the equipment side connection port 1221 to the subject side connection port 1222. The adapter body 122, which is a water-absorbing material, has openings on both sides of the measurement channel, and the openings are covered with a sheet-like infrared light-transmitting resin, which is a material that transmits infrared light, to form a window portion 123.

[0039] The adapter body 122 is made of calcined diatomaceous earth, which is a porous material, and therefore acts as a water-absorbing material as a whole. The measurement channel is located inside this water-absorbing material. Condensation water from the measurement channel inside the airway adapter 12 permeates into the adapter body 122, and the water evaporates from the entire outer surface of the adapter body 122, thereby discharging the water from the measurement channel. The water-absorbing material formed as the adapter body 122 is exposed to the outside, allowing water to be discharged to the outside.

[0040] In Example 3, a plastic sensor mounting portion 124 is fixed to the water-absorbing adapter body 122, and the area around the window portion 123 and the sensor mounting portion 124 are made of plastic. However, some or all of these may be integrated with the adapter body 122 as water-absorbing material.

[0041] The detailed description of the invention above assumes that the airway adapter is used on a patient. However, the airway adapter may also be used on subjects other than patients. The window may be left open without being covered with an infrared light-transmitting material, as long as it can be sealed by an optical sensor to prevent air leakage. In addition, the airway adapter may be used to measure things other than carbon dioxide concentration.

[0042] In Examples 1 and 2 and their modifications, the grooves forming the reservoir 641, etc., above the water-absorbing member 64, etc., may extend across the entire width of the measuring channel or be formed only in a part of the width. The shape of the grooves may be a rectangular prism with trapezoidal sides, as in the reservoir 641, etc., or it may be a rectangle. Multiple grooves may also be formed. Instead of grooves like the reservoir 641, etc., multiple recesses may be formed in the water-absorbing member. The water-absorbing member may also be a rectangular prism with no grooves or other recesses on its upper surface.

[0043] Furthermore, the specific configurations are not limited to the examples and modifications, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. In addition, the above-described examples and modifications can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose and configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] P patient B Bed V Ventilator v1 Intake side connection v2 Exhalation side connection M Patient Monitor W water A axis T-shaped tapered surface 1. Intake circuit 1a Serpentine pipe 1b humidifier 1c snake pipe 2. Exhalation circuit 2a Serpentine pipe 2b Water trap 2c snake pipe 3a Y-piece 3b Flexible pipe 3c connecting tube 3D endotracheal tube 4 Airway Adapters 41 Measurement channel 42 Adapter body 421 Equipment side connection port 422 Subject-side connection port 423 Sensor holding part 424 Locking protrusion 43 Window section 5 Optical Sensors 51 Wiring 52 Light-emitting part 53 Light receiving section 6 Airway Adapters 61 Measurement channel 62 Adapter body 621 Equipment side connection port 622 Subject-side connection port 623 Sensor holding part 624 Locking protrusion 625 Opening 63 Window section 64 Water-absorbing material 641 Storage section 7 Airway Adapter 71 Measurement channel 72 Adapter body 74 Water-absorbing material 742 Groove 8 Airway Adapters 82 Adapter body 823 Sensor holding part 83 Window section 84 Water-absorbing material 923 Sensor holding part 924 Locking protrusion 925 Opening 926 Cover section 926a Plate-like part 926b Legs 93 Window section 94 Water-absorbing material 941 Storage section 10 Airway Adapters 101 Measurement channel 102 Adapter body 1025 Opening 1026 Cover section 1026a Plate-like part 104 Water-absorbing material 1041 Storage section 11 Airway Adapter 111 Measurement channel 112 Adapter body 1125 Opening 1126 Cover section 1126a Plate-like part 114 Water-absorbing material 1141 Storage section 115 Evaporation Sheet 12 Airway Adapters 122 Adapter body 1221 Equipment side connection port 1222 Subject-side connection port 123 Window section 124 Sensor mounting section 1241 Sensor holding part 1242 Locking protrusion

Claims

1. The device is equipped with a measurement channel through which at least one of the subject's exhaled or inhaled breath passes, The measuring channel has a water-absorbing member at its lower part during installation. The water-absorbing member is exposed to the outside and is characterized by being able to discharge water to the outside. Airway adapter.

2. An opening is provided at the bottom of the measuring channel during installation. The opening is sealed with the water-absorbing member, allowing water to be discharged to the outside. The airway adapter described in claim 1.

3. The water-absorbing member is characterized by having a groove-shaped storage section. The airway adapter described in claim 2.

4. The storage section is characterized by having a tapered structure. The airway adapter described in claim 3.

5. The lower surface of the water-absorbing member is characterized by having a cover portion that covers part or all of the water-absorbing member. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The water-absorbing member is characterized in that it is detachably attached to the opening. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. The water-absorbing member is characterized by being a porous member. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The water-absorbing member is characterized by having an uneven surface on its exterior. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The water-absorbing member is characterized by being connected to an evaporation sheet externally. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The evaporation sheet is characterized by being replaceable. The airway adapter described in claim 9.

11. The aforementioned openings are characterized by being provided in multiple locations. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

12. The aforementioned opening is characterized by being provided as a single unit. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

13. The measurement channel is characterized in that it is provided inside the water-absorbing member. The airway adapter described in claim 1.

14. The measurement channel is characterized by passing between the windows of opposing infrared light-transmitting members. An airway adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 13.

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