Claims for Patent: 5,617,906

Summary for Patent: 5,617,906

Title:	Container for anaesthetic agent
Abstract:	A container (2) for a liquid anaesthetic agent for supplying the agent to an anaesthetic vaporiser comprises a reservoir for the liquid agent, a valve (6) which, when closed, prevents the flow of the liquid agent from the reservoir, a tubular outlet (10) through which the liquid can leave the reservoir when the valve is open. An O-ring (20) at the free end of the conduit provides a sealing surface for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporiser to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. A flange (22) engages a guide on the vaporiser, to retain the container in contact with the vaporiser.
Inventor(s):	Braatz; Robert E. (Sun Prairie, WI), Gregory; Raymond S. (Bingley, GB3), Heaton; Robert A. (Skipton, GB3), Whitaker; Keith (Keighley, GB3), Sampson; David C. (Cowling, GB3)
Assignee:	The BOC Group plc (Windlesham, GB2)
Application Number:	08/451,352
Patent Claims:	1. An anaesthetic agent container for supplying a liquid anaesthetic agent to an anaesthetic vaporizer, the container comprising: (a) a reservoir containing a quantity of a volatile liquid anaesthetic agent; (b) a valve which, when closed, closes said reservoir and prevents the flow of said volatile liquid anesthetic agent and vapor agent from the reservoir; (c) a tubular outlet having one passageway through which said volatile liquid anesthetic agent can leave the reservoir and a second, separate passageway in said tubular outlet through which vapor can enter the reservoir when the valve is open; (d) a sealing surface provided towards the free end of the outlet extending around the perimeter thereof for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer to which said anaesthetic agent is to be supplied; and (e) a formation formed on the outer surface of the tubular outlet which presents a surface facing in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which agent passes out of the reservoir through the outlet for latching with a cooperating surface provided at the inlet to the vaporizer to which the anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. 2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the valve comprises a plate member and an aperture against which the plate member is forced to close the aperture against fluid flow through it, the plate member being forced away from the aperture when a seal is made between the container and the sump of a vaporiser to which anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. 3. A container as claimed in claim 2, which includes an insert extending from the plate member, through which force can be applied to the plate member to urge it away from the aperture to open the valve. 4. A container as claimed in claim 3, in which the insert defines a plurality of chambers in the tubular outlet, for flow of liquid anaesthetic agent from the reservoir, and for return flow of anaesthetic agent vapour into the reservoir, respectively. 5. A container is claimed in claim 4, in which the said chambers are coaxial. 6. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the outlet comprises a conduit which extends from the reservoir and which is rigid. 7. A container as claimed in claim 6, in which the sealing surface is provided on an outer surface of the conduit. 8. A container as claimed in claim 7, in which the sealing surface is provided by a deformable O-ring. 9. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which there is included a cap which can be applied to the outlet from the reservoir to close the outlet. 10. An anaesthetic agent container for supplying a liquid anaesthetic agent to the sump of an anaesthetic vaporizer, the container comprising: (a) a closed reservoir containing a quantity of a volatile liquid anaesthetic agent; (b) a valve which, when closed, prevents the flow of said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent and vapor agent from said reservoir, said valve comprising a plate member and an aperture against which said plate member is forced to close said aperture against the flow of said volatile liquid anaesthetic and vapor agent therethrough, said plate member being spring-biased to the closed position and being movable to the open position by a member extending from the anaesthetic vaporizer; (c) a tubular outlet through which said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent can leave the reservoir when the valve is open; (d) a sealing surface on the tubular outlet located towards the free end of the outlet for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer; and (e) an insert within the tubular outlet and extending from the plate member, said insert defining a plurality of separate chambers in the tubular outlet for flow of said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent from said reservoir, and for return flow of anaesthetic agent vapour into said reservoir, respectively. 11. A container as claimed in claim 10, in which the said chambers are coaxial. 12. An anaesthetic agent container as defined in claim 10 wherein said sealing surface forms a pressure tight seal with the corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer. 13. An anaesthetic agent container as defined in claim 10 wherein said insert extends from said plate in the direction in which liquid agent passes out of the reservoir through said tubular outlet. 14. An anaesthetic agent container for supplying a liquid anaesthetic agent to an anaesthetic vaporizer, the container comprising: (a) a closed reservoir containing a quantity of a volatile liquid anaesthetic agent; (b) a valve which, when closed, prevents the flow of said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent and vapor agent from said reservoir; (c) a tubular outlet through which said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent can leave said reservoir and vapor can enter said reservoir when said valve is open; (d) a sealing surface provided towards the free end of said tubular outlet extending around the perimeter thereof for forming a seal with a corresponding sealing surface provided at an inlet to a vaporizer to which said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent is to be supplied; and (e) means for forming a connection between said container and a vaporizer to retain said container on the vaporizer, said means comprising a formation formed on the outer surface of said tubular outlet which presents a surface facing in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent passes out of said reservoir through said outlet for latching with a cooperating surface provided at the inlet to the vaporizer to which said volatile liquid anaesthetic agent is to be supplied. 15. An anaesthetic agent container as claimed in claim 14 in which the formation comprises a flange which extends at least partially around the perimeter of the container.