(12) United States Patent
`US 8,291,904 B2
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Bathe et al.
`
`(45) Date of Patent: *Oct. 23, 2012
`
`USOO8291904B2
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`GAS DELIVERY DEVICE AND SYSTEM
`
`Inventors: Duncan P. Bathe, Fitchburg, WI (US);
`John Klaus, Cottage Grove, WI (US);
`David Christensen, Cambridge, WI
`(1J3)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`INO Therapeutics LLC, Hampton, NJ
`(1J3)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. N0.: 13/493,493
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 11, 2012
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/2000 Bathe et a1.
`6,089,229 A *
`8/2000 Bathe
`6,109,260 A
`10/2000 Bathe et a1.
`6,125,846 A
`12/2000 Bathe et a1.
`6,164,276 A
`6/2003 Bathe et a1.
`6,581,592 B1
`4/2002 Reeder et a1.
`2002/0044059 A1 *
`8/2005 Blaise et a1.
`2005/0172966 A1
`2009/0266358 A1* 10/2009 Rock et a1.
`2011/0041849 A1*
`2/2011 Chen et a1.
`2011/0240019 A1* 10/2011 Fine et a1.
`
`.............. 128/20421
`
`.............. 340/5731
`
`............... 128/203.26
`
`..
`...... 128/20423
`................ 128/202.26
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/
`US2011/020319”,Jan. 31, 2012, 19 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Kristen Matter
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Diehl Servilla LLC
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`US 2012/0240927 A1
`
`Sep. 27, 2012
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 13/509,873, filed as
`application No. PCT/US2011/020319 on Jan. 6, 2011.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`A61M15/00
`(2006.01)
`F16K 31/02
`(2006.01)
`A62B 9/02
`US. Cl.
`.......... 128/205.24; 128/203.14; 128/204.22
`Field of Classification Search ............. 128/204.18,
`128/204.217204.23, 205.24, 203.12, 203.14,
`128/200.24, 205.11, 205.23
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`A gas delivery system including a gas delivery device, a
`control module and a gas delivery mechanism is described.
`An exemplary gas delivery device includes a valve assembly
`with a valve and circuit including a memory, a processor and
`a transceiver in communication with the memory. The
`memory may include gas data such as gas identification, gas
`expiration and gas concentration. The transceiver on the cir-
`cuit of the valve assembly may send wireless optical line-of-
`sight signals to communicate the gas data to a control module.
`Exemplary gas delivery mechanisms include a ventilator and
`a breathing circuit. Methods of administering gas are also
`described.
`
`16 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`
`\
`
`
`
`150
`
`PRAXAIR 1001
`
`001
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 132
`
`333
`
`450
`
`
`|L__________________
`ELECTRONIC E I = =2 3
`
`SAMPLE GAS I=I
`
`002
`
`002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`
`
`003
`
`003
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`150
`
`004
`
`004
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 132
`
`FIG. 4
`
`134
`
`
`12B
`
`OPEN/CLOSE
`SENSOR
`
`VALVE
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`128
`
`RESET
`
`134
`
`MEMORY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`132
`
`150
`
`\
`
`
`
`
`
`120
`
`130
`
`POWER
`SOURCE
`
`VALVE
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`VALVE
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`005
`
`005
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`
`START
`
`
`
`
`
`LINK IS INVALID
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT ATTENTION
`SIGNAL AT LOmS
`INTERVAL
`
`
`
`
`
`LINK IS INVALID
`
`
`
`LINK IS VALID
`
`LINK MAINTENANCE -
`ONE SECOND INOmeter
`SYNCHRONOUS MESSAGE
`EXCHANGE
`
`
`
`
` WINDOW
`SYNCHRONIZATION.
`
`
`
`
`LINK CPU
`LINK CPU
`INTERVAL
`INTERVAL
`
`INCREASED
`DECREASED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LINK
`MESSAGE 0K
`MESSAGE FAIL
`
`MESSAGE
`
`
`FAILURE?
`
`
`
`CMJG
`
`006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`101
`
`
`
`
`
`007
`
`007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`
`
`008
`
`008
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`
`
`
`im
`J!L|’;JIII
`
` _H"'I
`In“J”7'K
`
`100
`
`50
`
`—T
`
`009
`
`009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`N©
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`O10
`
`010
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`FIG.11
`
`O11
`
`011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`FIG. 12
`
`START
`
`‘—_-__-——--__—__-___-_.I
`
`INVALID
`
`READ CYLINDER
`CONCENTRATION C
`EXPIRATION
`IFORMATION
`
`CYLINDER NOT
`RECOGNIZED
`(DISPLAY ICON
`NOT PRESENT)
`
`
`
`
`
`
` CYLINDER
`VALID FOR
`USE?
`
`INVALID
`
`CYLINDER IS
`RECOGNIZED
`(NORMAL CYLINDER
`ICON 0N DISPLAY)
`
`CYLINDER IS
`RECOGNIZED
`(FLASHING CYLINDER
`ICON ON DISPLAY)
`
`
`
`INVALID
`
`()12
`
`012
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2012
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 8,291,904 132
`
`FIG. 13
`
`800
`
`ALARM
`EMITTED
`
`780
`
`
`
` GAS DATA
`MATCH PATIENT
`
`
`INFORMATION?
`
`
`YES
`
`N0
`
`GAS ADMINSTERED
`TO PATIENT
`
`730
`
`700
`
`71°
`
`FILL GAS SOURCE WITH GAS
`
`ATTACH VALVE ASSEMBLY TO
`GAS SOURCE TO ASSEMBLE
`GAS OELIVERV OEVICE
`
`72°
`
`ENTER GAS DATA INTO MEMORV
`
`730
`
`TRANSPORT THE GAS DELIVERY
`DEVICE TO A FACILITY
`
`74°
`
`75°
`
`75“
`
`77°
`
`POSITION GAS OELIVERV
`DEVICE IN A CART WITH
`CONTROL MODULE
`
`ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION
`BETWEEN VALVE TRANSCEIVER
`AND CPU TRANSCEIVER
`
`COMMUNICATE GAS OATA TO
`CONTROL MODULE
`
`COMPARE GAS DATA TO PATIENT
`INFORMATION ENTERED INTO
`CPU MEMORY
`
`O13
`
`013
`
`

`

`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`1
`GAS DELIVERY DEVICE AND SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation application of US.
`patent application Ser. No. 13/509,873 filed on May 15, 2012,
`which is the National Phase entry of PCT/US2011/020319,
`filed Jan. 6, 201 1, the entire content ofwhich are incorporated
`herein by reference in their entirety.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`Embodiments ofthe present invention relate to gas delivery
`device for use in a gas delivery system for administering
`therapy gas and methods of administering therapy gas.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Certain medical treatments include the use of gases that are
`inhaled by the patient. Gas delivery devices are often utilized
`by hospitals to deliver the necessary gas to patients in need. It
`is important when administering gas therapy to these patients
`to verify the correct type of gas and the correct concentration
`are being used. It is also important to verify dosage informa-
`tion and administration.
`
`Known gas delivery devices may include a computerized
`system for tracking patient information, including informa-
`tion regarding the type of gas therapy, concentration of gas to
`be administered and dosage information for a particular
`patient. However, these computerized systems often do not
`communicate with other components of gas delivery devices,
`for example, the valve that controls the flow of the gas to the
`computerized system and/or ventilator for administration to
`the patient. In addition, in known systems, the amount of gas
`utilized by a single patient is often difficult or impossible to
`discern, leading to possible overbilling for usage.
`There is a need for a gas delivery device that integrates a
`computerized system to ensure that patient information con-
`tained within the computerized system matches the gas that is
`to be delivered by the gas delivery device. There is also a need
`for such an integrated device that does not rely on repeated
`manual set-ups or connections and which can also track indi-
`vidual patient usage accurately and simply.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Aspects of the present invention pertain to a gas delivery
`device that may be utilized with a gas delivery system and
`methods for administering therapy gas to a patient. The
`therapy gas may comprise nitric oxide (NO). One or more
`embodiments of the gas delivery devices described herein
`may include a valve and a circuit with a valve memory in
`communication with a valve processor and a valve trans-
`ceiver. One or more embodiments ofthe gas delivery systems
`described herein incorporate the gas delivery devices
`described herein with a control module including a control
`processing unit
`(CPU)
`in communication with a CPU
`memory and CPU transceiver. As will be described herein, the
`valve transceiver and the CPU transceiver may be in commu-
`nication such that information or data from the valve memory
`and the CPU memory may be communicated to one another.
`The information communicated between the valve memory
`and the CPU memory may be utilized for selecting a therapy
`for delivery to a patient and controlling delivery of the
`selected therapy to the patient. The gas delivery devices and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
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`
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`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`systems described herein may be utilized with medical
`devices such as ventilators and the like to delivery gas to a
`patient.
`A first aspect of the present invention pertains to a gas
`delivery device. In one or more embodiments, the gas deliv-
`ery device administers therapy gas from a gas source contain-
`ing NO under the control of a control module. In one variant,
`the gas delivery device may include a valve attachable to the
`gas source and a circuit. The valve may include an inlet and an
`outlet in fluid communication and a valve actuator to open
`and close the valve to allow the gas to flow through the valve
`to a control module. The circuit of one or more embodiments
`
`includes a memory, a processor and a transceiver in commu-
`nication with the memory to send wireless optical line-of-
`sight signals to communicate information stored or retained
`within the memory to the control module that controls gas
`delivery to a subject. In one or more alternative embodiments,
`the signals to communicate information stored or retained
`within the memory to the control module that controls gas
`delivery to a subject may be communicated via a wire.
`Examples of such wired signals may incorporate or utilize an
`optical cable, wired pair and/or coaxial cable. The circuit may
`include a memory to store gas data, which may include one or
`more of gas identification, gas expiration date and gas con-
`centration. The transceiver may communicate to send the gas
`data to the control module via wireless optical line-of—sight
`signals.
`In one or more embodiments, the valve may include a data
`input in communication with said memory, to permit a user to
`enter the gas data into the memory. The gas data may be
`provided in a bar code that may be disposed on the gas source.
`In such embodiments, the gas data may be entered into the
`data input of the valve for storage in the memory by a user-
`operated scanning device in communication with the data
`input. Specifically, the user may scan the bar code to commu-
`nicate the gas data stored therein to the valve memory via the
`data input.
`In one or more embodiments, the valve may include a
`power source. In such embodiments, the power source may
`include a battery or other portable power source. In one or
`more embodiments, the valve transceiver may periodically
`send the wireless optical line-of—sight signals to the control
`module, wherein the signals are interrupted by a duration of
`time at which no signal is sent. In one or more specific
`embodiments, the duration of time at which no signal is sent
`comprises about 10 seconds.
`A second aspect of the present invention pertains to a gas
`delivery device, as described herein, and a control module in
`fluid communication with the outlet of the valve of the gas
`delivery device and with a gas delivery mechanism, such as a
`ventilator. In one or more embodiments, the control module
`may include a CPU transceiver to receive line-of—sight signals
`from the transceiver and a CPU in communication with the
`CPU transceiver. The CPU carries out the instructions of a
`
`computer program or algorithm. As used herein the phrase
`“wireless optical line-of—sight signal” includes infrared signal
`and other signals that require a transmitter and receiver or two
`transceivers to be in aligned such that the signal may be
`transmitted in a straight line. The CPU may include a CPU
`memory that stores the gas data that is communicated by the
`valve transceiver of the gas delivery device to the CPU trans-
`ceiver.
`
`In one or more embodiments, the gas delivery system may
`incorporate a valve with a timer including a calendar timer
`and an event timer for determining or marking the date and
`time that the valve is opened and closed and the duration of
`time the valve is opened. In such embodiments, the valve
`
`014
`
`014
`
`

`

`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`3
`memory stores the date and time ofopening and closing ofthe
`valve and the duration of time that the valve is open and the
`valve transceiver communicates the date and time of opening
`and closing of the valve to the CPU transceiver for storage in
`the CPU memory.
`In one or more variants, the gas delivery system may incor-
`porate a control module that further includes an input means
`to enter patient information into the CPU memory. The con-
`trol module may also have a real time clock built into the CPU
`module such that the control module knows what the current
`
`time and date is and can compare that to the expiration date
`stored in the gas delivery device. If the expiration date is
`passed the current date then the control module can cause an
`alarm and not deliver drug to the patient. When the term
`“patient information” is used, it is meant to include both
`patient information entered by the user and information that is
`set during manufacturing, such as the gas identification and
`the gas concentration that the control module is setup to
`deliver. The control module may also include a display. In one
`or more embodiments,
`the display incorporates an input
`means for entering patient information into the CPU memory.
`In one or more embodiments, the CPU of the control module
`compares the patient
`information entered into the CPU
`memory via the input means and the gas data from the trans-
`ceiver. The CPU or control module may include comprises an
`alarm that is triggered when the patient information entered
`into the CPU memory and the gas data from the transceiver do
`not match or conflict. As used herein the phrase “do not
`match,” includes the phrase “are not identical,” “are not sub-
`stantially identical,” “do conflict” and/or “do substantially
`conflict.” The CPU determines whether the patient informa-
`tion and additional data, or other data set matches by perform-
`ing a matching algorithm which includes criteria for estab-
`lishing whether one set of data (i.e. patient information) and
`another set of data match. The algorithm may be configured to
`determine a match where every parameter of the data sets
`match or selected parameters of the data sets match. The
`algorithm may be configured to include a margin of error. For
`example, where the patient information require a gas concen-
`tration of 800 ppm, and the additional data includes a gas
`concentration of 805 ppm, the algorithm may be configured to
`include a margin of error of :5 ppm such it determines that the
`patient information and the additional data match. It will be
`understood that determining whether the patient information
`and additional data match will vary depending on the circum-
`stances, such as variables in measuring gas concentration due
`to temperature and pressure considerations.
`A third aspect of the present invention pertains to a control
`module memory comprising instructions that cause a control
`module processor to receive gas data from a valve via a
`wireless optical line-of—sight signal. The valve may be con-
`nected to a gas source containing NO and may include a
`memory for storing the gas data. The control module memory
`may include instructions that cause the control module pro-
`cessor to compare the gas data with user-inputted patient
`information. The user-inputted patient information may be
`stored within the control module memory. Gas data may be
`selected from one or more of gas identification, gas expiration
`date and gas concentration. In one or more embodiments, the
`control module memory may include instructions to cause the
`control module processor to coordinate delivery oftherapy to
`the patient with a medical device, such as a ventilator and the
`like for delivering gas to a patient, via the wireless optical
`line-of—sight signal. The control module memory may also
`include instructions to cause the control module processor to
`
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`
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`
`4
`
`select a therapy for delivery to a patient based on the received
`patient
`information and control delivery of the selected
`therapy to the patient.
`In one or more embodiments, the memory may include
`instructions to cause the processor to detect the presence of
`more than one valve and whether more than one valve is open
`at the same time. In accordance with one or more specific
`embodiments, the memory includes instructions to cause the
`processor to receive a first valve status selected from a first
`open position and a first closed position from a first valve via
`a first wireless optical line-of—sight signal with the first valve
`connected to a first gas source, receive a second valve status
`selected from a second open position and a second closed
`position from a second valve via a second wireless optical
`line-of-sight signal with the second valve connected to a
`second gas source, compare the first valve status and the
`second valve status, and emit an alarm if the first valve status
`comprises the first open position and the second valve status
`comprises the second open position. In one or more altema-
`tive embodiments, the first valve status and the second valve
`status may be communicated to the processor via a single
`wireless optical line-of-sight signal, instead of separate wire-
`less optical line-of—sight signals. In a more specific embodi-
`ment, the memory of one or more embodiments may include
`instructions to cause the processor to terminate delivery of
`therapy if the first valve status comprises the first open posi-
`tion and the second valve status comprises the second open
`position.
`In one or more embodiments, the memory may include
`instructions to cause the processor to emit an alarm when a
`desired dose has been delivered through a valve. In such
`embodiments, the processor may include a memory to store
`the desired dose or dosage information. In such embodi-
`ments, the memory may include instructions to cause the
`processor to receive gas delivery information or information
`regarding the amount of gas delivered and compare the gas
`delivery information to the dosage information and emit an
`alarm when the gas delivery information and the do sage infor-
`mation match. As used herein, the term “do sage information”
`may be expressed in units of parts per million (ppm), milli-
`grams of the drug per kilograms of the patient (mg/kg), mil-
`limeters per breath, and other units known for measuring and
`administering a dose. In one or more embodiments, the dos-
`age information may include various dosage regimes which
`may include administering a standard or constant concentra-
`tion of gas to the patient, administering a gas using a pulsed
`method. Such pulsing methods includes a method of admin-
`istering a therapy gas to a patient during an inspiratory cycle
`of the patient, where the gas is administered over a single
`breath or over a plurality of breaths and is delivery indepen-
`dent of the respiratory pattern of the patient.
`A fourth aspect of the present invention pertains to a
`method for administering a therapy gas to a patient. The
`therapy gas may comprise NO. In one or more embodiments,
`the method includes establishing communication between
`the patient and a gas delivery device via a transceiver, wherein
`the gas delivery device comprises a first memory including
`gas data, comparing the gas data with patient information
`stored within a second memory. The second memory may be
`included within a control module in communication with the
`
`gas delivery device. After comparing the gas data and the
`patient information, the method may further include coordi-
`nating delivery of therapy to a patient with the gas delivery
`device via a wireless optical line-of—sight signal, selecting a
`therapy for delivery to the patient based on the comparison of
`the gas data and the patient information and controlling deliv-
`ery of the selected therapy to the patient. In one or more
`
`015
`
`015
`
`

`

`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`5
`specific embodiments, the method may include entering the
`gas data into the first memory of the gas delivery device
`and/or entering the patient
`information into the second
`memory. In embodiments in which the method includes
`entering the patient information into the second memory, the
`control module may include input means by which patient
`information may be entered into the second memory. In one
`or more variants, the method includes ceasing delivery of the
`selected therapy to the patient based on the comparison of the
`gas data and the patient information. The method may include
`emitting an alert based on the comparison of the gas data and
`the patient information.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of a gas delivery system including a gas
`delivery device, a gas source, a control module and a gas
`delivery mechanism, according to one or more embodiments;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a valve assembly of the gas delivery
`device according to one or more embodiments attached to a
`gas source;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a disassembled view of the valve assem-
`
`bly shown in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit supported in the valve
`assembly shown in FIG. 2, according to one or more embodi-
`ments;
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary gas source for use with the
`valve assembly shown in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 6 is an operational flow diagram of the communica-
`tion between the circuit of the gas delivery device shown in
`FIG. 1 with a control module regarding the establishment of
`communication between the circuit and the control module
`
`FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of an exemplary gas delivery
`system;
`FIG. 8 illustrates a back view of the gas delivery system
`shown in FIG. 7;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a partial side view of the gas delivery
`system shown in FIG. 7;
`FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a control module accord-
`
`ing to one or more embodiments;
`FIG. 11 illustrates a back view ofthe control module shown
`in FIG. 10;
`FIG. 12 is an operational flow diagram of the communica-
`tion between the circuit of the gas delivery device and the
`control module shown in FIG. 1 regarding the gas contained
`within a gas source; and
`FIG. 13 is an operational flow diagram ofthe preparation of
`a gas delivery device and use within the gas delivery system
`according to one or more embodiments.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Before describing several exemplary embodiments of the
`invention,
`it is to be understood that the invention is not
`limited to the details of construction or process steps set forth
`in the following description. The invention is capable of other
`embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in
`various ways.
`A system for the administration oftherapy gas is described.
`A first aspect of the present invention pertains to a gas deliv-
`ery device. The gas delivery device may include a valve
`assembly including at least one valve with a circuit. The gas
`delivery system may include the gas delivery device (e.g.
`valve assembly, including a valve and a circuit) in communi-
`cation with a control module to control the delivery of gas
`from a gas source to a ventilator or other device used to
`introduce the gas into the patient, for example, a nasal can-
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`nula, endotracheal tube, face mask or the like. Gas source, as
`used herein, may include a gas source, gas tank or other
`pressured vessel used to store gases at above atmospheric
`pressure. The gas delivery system 10 is shown in FIG. 1. In
`FIG. 1, the valve assembly 100, including a valve 107 or valve
`actuator and a circuit 150, is in communication with a control
`module 200 via a wireless line-of-sight connection 300. In
`one or more alternative embodiments, communication
`between the valve assembly 100 and the control module 200
`may be established via a wired signal. The gas delivery sys-
`tem 10 also includes a gas source 50 including a gas attached
`to the valve assembly 100 and a gas delivery mechanism,
`which includes a ventilator 400 and a breathing circuit 410, in
`communication with the control module 200.
`
`FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the components of the valve assembly
`100. The valve assembly 100 includes a valve 107 and a
`circuit 150 supported in the valve assembly. FIG. 3 illustrates
`a disassembled view of the valve assembly 100, showing
`components of the physical circuit 150 and the valve 107. As
`shown in FIG. 4, which will be described in more detail
`below, the circuit 150 of the gas delivery device includes a
`valve transceiver 120 for establishing communication with
`the control module 200, which will also be discussed in
`greater detail below.
`Referring to FIG. 2, the valve 107 includes an attachment
`portion 102 for attaching the valve assembly 100 to the gas
`source 50, an inlet 104 and an outlet 106 in fluid communi-
`cation with the inlet 104, as more clearly shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a disassembled view of the valve assem-
`
`bly 100 and illustrates an actuator 114 is disposed on the valve
`107 and is rotatable around the valve 107 for opening and
`closing the valve 107. The actuator 114 includes a cap 112
`mounted thereto. As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit 150 may
`include a data input 108 disposed on the actuator 114. The
`data input 108 may be disposed at other locations on the valve
`107. In one or more variants, the data input may include a port
`such as a USB port, a receiver for receiving electronic signals
`from a transmitted or other known input means known in the
`art for entering information or data into a memory.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the circuit 150. The
`circuit 150 shown in FIG. 4 includes a valve processor 122, a
`valve memory 134, a reset 128, a valve transceiver 120 and a
`power source 130. The circuit 150 may also include support
`circuits a timer 124, a sensor 126 and/or other sensors. Refer-
`ring to FIG. 3, the circuit 150 is supported within the valve
`assembly 100, with the physical components of the circuit
`150 specifically disposed between actuator 114 and the cap
`112. As shown in FIG. 3, the valve display 132 and the valve
`transceiver 120 are disposed adjacent to the cap 112, such that
`the valve display 132 is visible through a window 113. The
`sensor 126 and the valve processor 122 are disposed beneath
`the valve display 132 and the valve transceiver 120, within the
`actuator 114.
`
`The valve processor 122 may be one of any form of com-
`puter processor that can be used in an industrial setting for
`controlling various actions and sub-processors. The valve
`memory 134, or computer-readable medium, may be one or
`more of readily available memory such as electrically eras-
`able programmable read only memory (EEPROM), random
`access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), floppy
`disk, hard disk, or any other form of digital storage, local or
`remote, and is typically coupled to the valve processor 122.
`The support circuits may be coupled to the valve processor
`122 for supporting the circuit 150 in a conventional manner.
`These circuits include cache, power supplies, clock circuits,
`input/output circuitry, subsystems, and the like.
`
`016
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`016
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`

`

`US 8,291,904 B2
`
`7
`In the embodiment shown, the valve memory 134 commu-
`nicates with a data input 108 disposed on the side of the
`actuator 114. The data input 108 shown in FIGS. 3-4 is used
`to transfer data from the valve memory 134 to other devices or
`to input data into the valve memory 134. For example, gas
`data, which includes information regarding the gas contained
`within the gas source, may be entered into the valve memory
`134 via the data input 108. In one or more alternative embodi-
`ments, the gas data may be programmed or directly entered
`into the valve memory 134 by the gas supplier. In one or more
`embodiments, the gas data may be provided in the form of a
`bar code 610 that is disposed on a label 600 that is affixed on
`a to the side of the gas source, as shown in FIG. 5. The bar
`code 610 may be disposed directly on the gas source. An
`external scanning device in communication with the elec-
`tronic data input 108 may be provided and may be used to
`scan the bar code 61 0 and convey the information from the bar
`code 610 to the valve memory 134. Gas data may include
`information regarding the gas composition (e. g., NO, 02,
`N02, CO, etc.), concentration, expiration date, batch and lot
`number, date of manufacturing and other information. Gas
`data may be configured to include one or more types of
`information. The valve processor 122 may include instruc-
`tions to convey all or a pre-determined portion of the gas data
`via the valve transceiver 120 to another transceiver.
`
`In embodiments that utilize a timer 124, the timer 124 may
`include two sub-timers, one of which is a calendar timer and
`the other of which is an event timer. The reset 128 may be
`located inside the actuator 114 and may be depressed to reset
`the event timer. The cap 112 also includes a window 113 that
`allows the user to see the valve display 132 disposed within
`the cap 112 that displays information regarding whether the
`actuator 114 is opened or closed and the duration the valve
`107 was opened or closed. In one or more embodiments, the
`valve display 132 may alternate flashing of two different
`numbers, a first number may be accumulated open time, and
`the second number may be the time at which the valve 107
`was opened for the current event. The time at which the valve
`107 was opened for a current event may be preceded by other
`indicators.
`
`The sensor 126 disposed within the actuator 114 may
`include a proximity switch model MK20-B-100-W manufac-
`tured by Meder Inc. The sensor 126 utilized in one or more
`embodiments may cooperate with a magnet (not shown) to
`sense whether the actuator 114 is turned on or turned off. Such
`sensors are described in US. Pat. No. 7,114,510, which is
`incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`For example, the sensor 126 and a corresponding magnet
`(not shown) may be disposed on a stationary portion of the
`valve 107. When the actuator 114 is rotated to the closed
`
`position, the sensor 126 is adjacent to the magnet that is in a
`fixed position on the valve 107. When the sensor 126 is
`adjacent to the magnet, it sends no signal to the valve proces-
`sor 122, thereby indicating that the actuator 114 is in the
`“closed” position or has a valve status that includes an open
`position or a closed position. When the actuator 114 is rotated
`to open the valve 107, the sensor 126 senses that it has been
`moved away from the magnet and sends a signal to the valve
`processor 122, indicating an “open” position. The valve pro-
`cessor 122 instructs the valve memory 134 to record the event
`ofopening the valve 1 07 and to record the time and date ofthe
`event as indicated by the calendar timer. The valve processor
`122 instructs the valve memory 134 to continue checking the
`position of the valve 107 as long as the valve 107 is open.
`When the valve 107 is closed, the valve processor 122 uses the
`logged open and close times to calculate the amount of time
`the valve 107 was open and instructs the valve memory 134 to
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`record that duration and the accumulated open time duration.
`Thus, every time the valve 107 is opened, the time and date of
`the event is recorded, the closing time and date is recorded,
`the duration of time during which the valve 107 is open is
`calculated and recorded, and the accumulated open time is
`calculated and recorded.
`
`In one or more embodiments in which the power source
`130 includes a battery, the valve transceiver 120 may be
`configured to communicate with the CPU transceiver 220 to
`preserve the life of the battery. In this embodiment the valve
`transceiver 120 is only turned on to receive a signal from the
`Control Module CPU transceiver 220 for 20 msec every sec-
`ond. The control module CPU transceiver 220 sends out a
`
`short transmit signal continuously and ifthe valve transceiver
`120 is present it responds in the 20 msec interval. This con-
`serves battery power as the valve transceiver 120 is only
`powered on for 20 msec every second. When the valve trans-
`ceiver 120 responds it includes in its signal information
`regarding whether the communication from the control mod-
`ule CPU transceiver 220 was early or late within this 20 msec
`window. This ensures that once communications has been
`
`established it is synchronized with the 20 msec window that
`the valve transceiver 120 is powered on and able to receive
`communications. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the valve
`transceiver 120 sends a wireless optical line-of-sight signal
`during a pre-determined interval in response to a signal from
`the control module CPU transceiver 220. The wireless optical
`line-of-sight signals sent by the valve transceiver 120 are a
`series of on off cycles where the transmitter is