Inventors:
Michael Paul Hoague - New Market MD
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN
International Classification:
A61M 1600
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a filter assembly (124) which includes a filter element (128) and a memory device (402). The memory device (402) allows for a record of the filter element's usage to be available at all times even if the filter assembly (124) is moved from one filtering system to another one. In another embodiment of the invention, the filter assembly (124) interacts with a filtering device such as air unit (130) which periodically updates the memory device (402) while the air unit (130) is operational. The air unit (130) also periodically checks to see if the filter assembly (124) has reached the end of its useful life. If so, the air unit provides an audible and/or visual alarm.