| 摘要 |
New medical circuit components and methods for forming such components are disclosed. These components include microstructures for humidification and/or condensate management. The disclosed microstructures can be incorporated into a variety of components, including tubes (e.g., inspiratory breathing tubes and expiratory breathing tubes and other tubing between various elements of a breathing circuit, such as ventilators, humidifiers, filters, water traps, sample lines, connectors, gas analyzers, and the like), Y-connectors, catheter mounts, humidifiers, and patient interfaces (e.g., masks for covering the nose and face, nasal masks, cannulas, nasal pillows, etc.), floats, probes, and sensors in a variety of medical circuits. |
| 主权项 |
1. A component for use in a medical circuit comprising:
a first region that, in use, contacts liquid; a second region that is distinct from the first region; a microstructured surface in communication with the first region and the second region configured, in use, to wick liquid from the first region to the second region, wherein the microstructured surface comprises a substrate having an equilibrium contact angle less than about π/2 radians, wherein the microstructured surface comprises generally inverse-trapezoid-shaped structures, each including a first ridge and a second ridge having similar dimensions that project from the surface and defining a first channel therebetween. |
