Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a ventilator treatment system configured to sterilize and/or disinfect a fluid pathway through a ventilator by providing a forced flow of treatment gas to the ventilator. Ventilators are frequently contaminated with bacteria and viruses during normal use. When a ventilator is moved from one patient to the next, there is a risk of contaminating the new patient with a pathogen from the previous patient. The application of treatment gas is especially practical for sanitizing hard to access surfaces such as those found in the cavities and conduits (the fluid pathway) of a ventilator. A treatment gas such as, for example, ozone, converts back to oxygen and has a short half life, which can be further reduced with humidity, heat, or inexpensive destruct catalysts.

Abstract: A valve (30) for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve having a conduit, first valve portion having an inlet, a first humidifier interface, and a first conduit opening to the conduit. The first valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the inlet and either the first humidifier interface or the first conduit opening. A second valve portion has an outlet, a second humidifier interface, and a second conduit opening to the conduit. The second valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the outlet and either the second humidifier interface or the second conduit opening. Responsive to the first and/or second humidifier interfaces being connected to a humidifier chamber, the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet through the humidifier chamber, and responsive to the first and second humidifier interfaces being disconnected from the humidifier chamber, the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet through the conduit.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a ventilator treatment system configured to sterilize and/or disinfect a fluid pathway through a ventilator by providing a forced flow of treatment gas to the ventilator. Ventilators are frequently contaminated with bacteria and viruses during normal use. When a ventilator is moved from one patient to the next, there is a risk of contaminating the new patient with a pathogen from the previous patient. The application of treatment gas is especially practical for sanitizing hard to access surfaces such as those found in the cavities and conduits (the fluid pathway) of a ventilator. A treatment gas such as, for example, ozone, converts back to oxygen and has a short half life, which can be further reduced with humidity, heat, or inexpensive destruct catalysts.

Abstract: A valve (30) for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve having a conduit, first valve portion having an inlet, a first humidifier interface, and a first conduit opening to the conduit. The first valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the inlet and either the first humidifier interface or the first conduit opening. A second valve portion has an outlet, a second humidifier interface, and a second conduit opening to the conduit. The second valve portion defines a switchable flow path between the outlet and either the second humidifier interface or the second conduit opening. Responsive to the first and/or second humidifier interfaces being connected to a humidifier chamber, the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet through the humidifier chamber, and responsive to the first and second humidifier interfaces being disconnected from the humidifier chamber, the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet through the conduit.