US Patent 12133956 Fluid flowback prevention in a wye-piece connector

Connectors for respiratory assistance systems are disclosed that are configured to at least decrease the proportion of condensate that drains into an inspiratory conduit. The connectors include a setup that causes the portion of a wye-piece connected to an expiratory conduit to be positioned below the portion of the wye-piece connected to the inspiratory conduit. The connector can alternatively, or additionally, include a wye-piece that includes a ball attached to the wye-piece adjacent the inspiratory conduit port such that when the ball is connected to a medical stand, the expiratory conduit port is positioned below the inspiratory conduit port. The connector can alternatively or additionally include a circuit hanger that includes a cradles for both conduits and a ball attached to the circuit hanger adjacent the inspiratory conduit cradle such that when the ball is connected to a medical stand, the expiratory conduit cradle is positioned below the inspiratory conduit cradle. The connector can alternatively or additionally include a coaxial wye-piece that includes an inspiratory branch, an expiratory branch, and a patient end. The tip of the inspiratory branch that is internal to the coaxial wye-piece may have a lip and a narrowed diameter, features which obstruct or reduce condensate from entering the inspiratory branch and the inspiratory conduit regardless of the coaxial wye-piece orientation or position.