Patent attributes
The present invention is directed to an improved anesthesia manifold and an improved induction valve mechanism. A plurality of induction valve elements may be joined or “ganged” together in order to define a manifold. In the preferred embodiment of the induction manifold, at least two individual valve elements are combined to form the manifold. Each of the plurality of valve elements includes the following components: (1) a valve body; (2) a first inlet port carried by the valve body and defining at least in part a central fluid communication flow path for supplying intravenous fluid to patient; and (3) a second inlet port carried said valve body and at least in part defining an anesthesia drug inlet. Each of the plurality of valve components: (1) an induction valve mechanism which maintains said second inlet port in a closed condition until a predetermined amount of pressure is applied thereto; (2) a back flow valve mechanism which maintains said induction valve components in open condition to permit at least one of the following operations: (a) aspiration; (b) back flow; (c) purging; and (d) sampling.
