|Publication number||US8061355 B2|
|Application number||US 12/503,196|
|Publication date||Nov 22, 2011|
|Priority date||May 25, 2001|
|Also published as||CA2448445A1, CA2448445C, DE60238836D1, EP1392215A2, EP1392215A4, EP1392215B1, EP2263635A1, EP2263635B1, US6851425, US7568482, US20030005931, US20050126573, US20090272380, WO2002096342A2, WO2002096342A3|
|Publication number||12503196, 503196, US 8061355 B2, US 8061355B2, US-B2-8061355, US8061355 B2, US8061355B2|
|Inventors||Marcel Douglas Jaffre, Zachary Dean Paul, Winslow K. Duff, Michael Bobeck, Lance Ranard Busch|
|Original Assignee||Ric Investments, Llc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (51), Non-Patent Citations (7), Referenced by (7), Classifications (19), Legal Events (1)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application is a Continuation under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent patent application Ser. No. 11/051,800, filed Feb. 4, 2005, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/119,673, filed Apr. 10, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,425, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/293,735, filed May 25, 2001.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an exhaust port assembly for use in a single-limb pressure support system, and, in particular, to an exhaust port assembly with enhanced noise reduction and gas diffusion capabilities, while also minimizing size. The present invention also pertains to a pressure support system using such an exhaust port assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known to treat a patient with a non-invasive positive pressure support therapy, in which a flow of breathing gas is delivered to the airway of a patient at a pressure greater than the ambient atmospheric pressure. For example, it is known to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to supply a constant positive pressure to the airway of a patient throughout the patient's respiratory cycle to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as well as other cardio-pulmonary disorders, such at congestive heart failure (CHF) and cheynes-stokes respiration (CSR). An example of such a CPAP device is the REMstar® and Solo® family of CPAP devices manufactured by Respironics, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa.
It is also known to provide a non-invasive positive pressure therapy, in which the pressure of gas delivered to the patient varies with the patient's breathing cycle. For example, a “bi-level” pressure support system provides an inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) that is greater than an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), which is the pressure is delivered during the patient's expiratory phase. Such a bi-level mode of pressure support is provided by the BiPAP® family of devices manufactured and distributed by Respironics, Inc. and is taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,802 to Sanders et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,937 to Zdrojkowski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,193 to Sanders et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,269 to Zdrojkowski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,065 to Zdrojkowski et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,664 to Zdrojkowski et al., the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference into the present invention.
It is further known to provide an auto-titration positive pressure therapy, in which the pressure of the flow of breathing gas provided to the patient changes based on the detected conditions of the patient, such as whether the patient is snoring or experiencing an apnea, hypopnea or upper airway resistance. An example of a device that adjusts the pressure delivered to the patient based on whether or not the patient is snoring is the Virtuoso® CPAP family of devices manufactured and distributed by Respironics, Inc. This auto-titration pressure support mode is taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,203,343; 5,458,137 and 6,087,747 all to Axe et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A further example of an auto-titration pressure support device that actively tests the patient's airway to determine whether obstruction, complete or partial, could occur and adjusts the pressure output to avoid this result is the Tranquility® Auto CPAP device, also manufactured by Respironics, Inc. This auto-titration pressure support mode is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,053 to Remmers et al., the content of which is also incorporated herein by reference.
Other modes of providing positive pressure support to a patient are known. For example, a proportional assist ventilation (PAV®) mode of pressure support provides a positive pressure therapy in which the pressure of gas delivered to the patient varies with the patient's breathing effort to increase the comfort to the patient. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,044,362 and 5,107,830 both to Younes, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, teach a pressure support device capable of operating in a PAV mode. Proportional positive airway pressure (PPAP) devices deliver breathing gas to the patient based on the flow generated by the patient. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,738; 5,794,615; and 6,105,573 all to Estes et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, teach a pressure support device capable of operating in a PPAP mode.
For purposes of the present invention, the phase “pressure support system”, “pressure support device,” or “positive pressure support” includes any medical device or method that delivers a flow of breathing gas to the airway of a patient, including a ventilator, CPAP, bi-level, PAV, PPAP, or bi-level pressure support system.
Pressure support systems 30 and 30′ include a pressure generating system, generally indicated at 32 and 32′, that receives a supply of breathing gas from a breathing gas source, as indicated by arrow A, such as ambient atmosphere, and creates a flow of breathing gas at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure. The flow of breathing gas from pressure generator is indicated by arrow B. A pressure generator 34, such as a blower, impeller, drag compressor, fan, piston, or bellows, or other device that achieves this result, creates the flow of breathing gas at a pressure greater than the ambient atmospheric pressure. An exit conduit 36 communicates the flow of breathing gas from an outlet of pressure generator 34. Pressure generator 34 is a commonly a blower in which a fan or impeller is driven by a motor operating under the control of a controller 38, which is typically a microprocessor capable of executing stored algorithms.
A conventional pressure support system may also include at least one sensor capable of measuring a characteristic associated with the flow of breathing gas, the pressure of the breathing gas, a condition of a patient using the pressure support system, a condition of the pressure support system, or any combination thereof. For example,
It is known that the location and number of such sensors can be other than that shown in
Although sensors 42 and 44 are described above as being a flow and pressure sensor, respectively, it is to be understood that other types of sensors can be used in pressure support systems 30 and 30′. For example, a microphone can be provided to detect sounds produced by the patient, which can be used, for example, in an auto-titration pressure support system to control the pressure of the breathing gas delivered to the patient. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,203,343 and 5,458,137 both to Axe et al., the contents of which are again incorporated herein by reference.
Other sensors that can be used with the pressure support system include a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of gas anywhere in the breathing circuit, a current and/or voltage sensor for sensing the current/voltage of the signal provided to the motor in the pressure generator, and a tachometer that detects the rotational speed of the motor. These sensors are used, for example, to sense the condition of the patient, the flow or pressure of gas provided to the patient, or the operation of the pressure support system. Still other external sensors can include EMG electrodes provided on the patient, a respiratory belt or other motion sensor that measures movement of the chest and/or abdomen, and a motion sensor to detect patient movement, such as leg movement.
Conventional pressure support systems 30 or 30′ also typically includes an input/output device 48 for communicating information to the user and for communicating information or commands to controller 38. An example of input/output device 46 is an LCD or LED display and manually actuated buttons provided on a housing, which is indicated by dashed line 50, of pressure support systems 30 and 30′. Of course, other types of input/output devices, such as a keypad, voice activated input device, audio outputs, lights, switches, and knobs are known for use in communicating information between the user and the pressure support device. In addition, a computer or printer terminal coupled to controller 38 can also constitute input/output device 48.
In a conventional pressure support system, a flexible conduit 52 is coupled to exit conduit 36. The flexible conduit forms part of what is typically referred to as a “patient circuit” that carries the flow of breathing gas from the pressure generating system to patient interface device 46. Patient interface 46 connects the patient circuit with the airway of the patient so that the elevated pressure gas flow is delivered to the patient's airway. Examples of patient interface devices include a nasal mask, nasal and oral mask, full face mask, nasal cannula, oral mouthpiece, tracheal tube, endotracheal tube, or hood.
In a non-invasive pressure support system, i.e., a system that remains outside the patient, a single-limb patient circuit, as shown in
A variety of exhalation ports are known for venting gas from a single-limb patient circuit. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 35,339 to Rappoport discloses a CPAP pressure support system wherein a few exhaust ports are provided directly on the patient interface device, i.e., in the wall of the mask. However, these exhalation ports are relatively noisy due, for example, to the relatively turbulent passage of gas through the holes. In addition, this exhaust port configuration results in a relatively direct stream of exhaust gas being directed from the mask or patient circuit. Both noise and direct streaming of the flow of exhaust gas are undesirable, because a typical CPAP system is intended to be used while the patient is asleep. Sleep for the patient or the patient's bed partner is disturbed if there is excessive exhaust gas noise or if a stream of gas is directed at the patient or at the user's bed partner.
The exhaust port assembly described in published PCT application no. WO 98/34665 to Kwok attempts to minimize the noise associated with the leakage of exhaust gas. This is allegedly accomplished by providing an elastomeric ring around the perimeter of the exhaust vent. This exhaust port configuration, however, does not solve the problem of preventing a generally direct or concentrated stream of gas from being directed from the mask onto the user or the user's sleep partner.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,851 to Serowski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,745 to Lang, and published PCT application no. WO 00/78381 to Gunaratnam et al. all disclose exhalation ports for a positive pressure support system. Each of the exhalation ports taught by these references attempts to minimize noise by reducing the turbulence associated with the flow of exhaust gas through the exhalation vent. This is accomplished by providing a channel from the interior of the patient circuit to the ambient atmosphere that is specifically configured to baffle noise and/or reduce the turbulence in the exhaust flow. In addition, the exhalation ports taught by these references attempt to solve the problem of preventing a stream of gas from being directed onto the patient or onto the patient's bed partner by controlling the direction of the flow of exhaust gas. For example, each of these references teaches directing the flow of exhaust gas back along the patient circuit rather than directly outward away from the patient.
An exhaust vent entitled, “E-Vent N” and manufactured by Dräger Medizintechnik GmbH attempts to minimize noise by providing a large number of very small exhaust paths from the patient circuit to ambient atmosphere. More specifically, the E-Vent N exhaust port assembly includes several slits defined along the length of the patient circuit. Surrounding these slits are a number of rings that encircle the patient circuit and that are stacked one on top of the other. More specifically, each ring includes a series of grooves on its flat side, so that when the rings are stacked in this manner, the grooves in each ring form a very larger number of minutely sized exhaust paths to atmosphere, with the exhaust gas passing between adjacent rings. This configuration disperses the exhaust gas over a relatively large area due the large number of rings that are stacked on top of one another, so that the noise of the exhaust gas passing through the vent assembly is relatively low.
However, this exhaust port configuration is very complicated in that the stacked ring configuration is difficult to manufacture and maintain. Also, the minute exhaust paths defined between each ring are prone to clogging and cleaning is difficult. Finally, this design requires that the exhaust paths formed by the grooved rings occupy a relatively large area of the patient circuit to provide a sufficient flow of exhaust gas therefrom. This makes the exhaust port assembly bulky and heavy, and it does not minimize the amount of deadspace in the patient circuit.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust port assembly that overcomes the shortcomings of conventional exhaust vent devices. This object is achieved according to one embodiment of the present invention by providing an exhaust port assembly that includes a conduit having a first end and a second end for carrying a flow of gas and a venting means disposed between the first end and the second end of the conduit. The venting means has a fixed exhaust area for venting a flow of exhaust gas from within the conduit to ambient atmosphere. In addition, the venting means simultaneously minimizes noise associated with the flow of exhaust gas passing to atmosphere, diffuses the flow of exhaust gas passing to ambient atmosphere over a relatively large area, and minimizes the area occupied by the venting means on the conduit.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the venting means comprises a plurality of holes defined in the conduit. Each hole defines a direct path from the interior of the conduit to ambient atmosphere through the conduit. Preferably, the holes have a diameter in a range of 0.040 in. to 0.010 in. Within this range of diameters, the number of holes can vary depending on the specific exhaust rate to be achieved. For example, if the effective exhaust flow from the conduit is to be no greater than 67 liters per minute (1 pm) when the pressure within the conduit is at 40 cmH2O and at least 7.5 1 pm when the pressure within the conduit is at 1.5 cmH2O, there will be needed between 20 and 150 holes through the conduit over this range of sizes.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the venting means comprises an opening or slot defined in the conduit with a cap covering the slot, but spaced apart from the conduit, so that the cap and the conduit do not lie in the same plane. The cap and slot are sized and located relative to one another such that a gap is defined between the edge of the cap and the edge of the slot. This gap is defined on one or both sides of the cap and is preferably sized such that the distance from the edge of the cap and the edge of the slot is not greater than 0.020 in.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a pressure support system that does not suffer from the disadvantages associated with conventional systems using conventional exhaust port techniques. This object is achieved by providing a pressure support system that includes a pressure generator, a patient circuit, and an exhaust port assembly as described in the immediately preceding two paragraphs.
These and other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
Exhaust port assembly 62, as shown in greater detail in
The combination of vent member 64 and conduit coupling member 66 define a conduit having a first end 70 that is coupled to patient interface device 46 and a second end 72 that is coupled to patient circuit 52. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, first end 70 is rotateably and permanently attached to patient interface device 46 using any conventional technique. Second end 72 is preferably selectively attachable to patient circuit 52. However, the present invention alternatively contemplates permanently attaching second end 72 to patient circuit 52 so that the conduit formed by exhaust port assembly 62 essentially becomes part of the patient circuit.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, exhaust port assembly 62 includes a quick release assembly 74 provided on conduit coupling member 66, so that the conduit coupling member can be readily attached and detached from an end of patient circuit 52, thereby allowing the wearer to uncouple himself or herself from the pressure support system without having to remove the mask and mask headgear from his or her head. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, quick release assembly 74 includes a pair of flexible prongs 76 a and 76 b attached on opposite sides of conduit coupling member 66 and an adapter member 78 that attaches to the patient circuit. An end of each prong that engages the assembly to the patient circuit flexes outward, as indicated by arrow D, when a force is applied to the other end or the prong, as indicated by arrow E.
The end of patient circuit 52 is frictionally secured to adapter member 78, which is coupled to conduit coupling member 66 due to the engagement between the end of prongs 76 a. 76 b with an engagement member 80 provided on adapter member 78. In the illustrated embodiment, engagement member 80 is a ring. It is to be understood however, that other configurations for engagement member 80, as well as prongs 76 a, 76 b. are contemplated by the present invention, including providing the prongs on adapter member 78 and providing the engagement member on coupling member 66.
In addition, the present invention contemplates eliminating adapter member 78 in favor of providing the components of the quick release assembly directly on the end of the patient circuit. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates other techniques for providing a quick connect/release function for attaching second end 72 of exhaust port assembly 62 to patient circuit 52, including, but not limited to, a purely frictional attachment, a slot and key interconnection, or any other conventional technique for releaseably coupling two conduits to one another.
Exhaust port assembly 62 includes a venting structure, also referred to as a venting means, disposed between first end 70 and second end 72 of the conduit for venting a flow of exhaust gas from within the conduit to ambient atmosphere. According to the embodiment illustrated in
By providing a relatively large number of holes 82 as the exhaust ports, this embodiment of the present invention minimizes the noise associated with the flow of exhaust gas passing to atmosphere. More specifically, the relatively large number of holes allows the flow through any single hole to be relatively low, and the lower the flow through any one exhaust path, the less noise will be created by the gas passing through that exhaust path. In addition, this configuration for the exhaust port diffuses the flow F of exhaust gas passing to ambient atmosphere over a relatively large area, thereby avoiding the undesirable consequences associated with a relatively direct or concentrated flow of exhaust gas note above. Furthermore, by providing the plurality of holes in a relative compact area, namely on a planar surface 84 of vent member 64, the area occupied by the venting structure on the conduit is minimized. This is advantageous, as noted above, in it keeps the patient circuit relatively simple, light weight, and minimize deadspace, which is the space from the airway of the patient to the exhaust port where gas is not exhausted from the patient circuit or patient interface.
The present invention contemplates that the total exhaust area, i.e., the area of all of the exhaust paths defined by the holes combined, corresponds to that of conventional exhaust port assemblies. Of course, as with a conventional exhaust port, the total exhaust area can vary depending on the desired rate of exhaust flow. However, in normal operation as a pressure support device, such as a CPAP device, the maximum exhaust flow from the exhaust port assembly is preferably no more than 67 liters per minute (1 pm) when the pressure within the patient circuit, i.e., conduit defined by the components of the exhaust port assembly, is 40 cmH2O, which is a maximum pressure likely to be experienced during normal operation of a pressure support system. Similarly, the minimum exhaust flow should be at least 7.5 1 pm when the pressure within the assembly is at 1.5 cmH2O. Therefore, the number of holes and the size of the holes should be selected to achieve these flow rates.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each hole has a fixed diameter in a range of 0.040 in. to 0.010 in. Within this range of sizes, the number of holes can be selected so achieve a desired exhaust flow for a certain pressure within the conduit. For example, in one conventional pressure support system, the effective exhaust flow is selected to be between 67 1 pm and 7.5 1 pm, when the pressure within the conduit is 40 and 1.5 cmH2O, respectively. Over the above-identified hole dimensions, the number of holes needed to provided this exhaust flow will be between 20 and 150. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the holes are 0.025 in. in diameter and are no closer together than 0.025 in. It can be appreciated, however, that if higher exhaust flow rates are desired, this can be accomplished by increasing the number of holes, while keeping the diameter of the holes is in a range of 0.040 in. to 0.010 in.
As noted above, the number of holes can be increased or decreased.
However, if the rate of exhaust, i.e., the flow, is to remain unchanged, the diameter of each hole should also be decreased or increased, respectively, to provide substantially the same exhaust path area depending on the number of holes. Because holes 82 are defined directly through the conduit, manufacturing and machining tolerances would limit how small the diameter of each hole can be made. In addition, the number of holes should not be made too great, otherwise the size of the holes must be made so small that the holes become susceptible to occlusion, for example, due to water or fluid bridges spanning the holes. Furthermore, the number of holes should not be made too small, otherwise the size of the holes becomes too large and the gas diffusion properties are lost.
The present invention contemplates that each hole 82 is a generally straight path from the interior of the conduit to ambient atmosphere. The present invention further contemplates that each hole 82 has a relatively constant diameter over the length of the path. However, other configurations for holes 82 are contemplated, such as having a diameter that decreases from the interior of the conduit toward an exterior thereof. While holes 82 are shown as being generally circular in shape, the present invention contemplates that the holes can have other shapes, such as square, oval, triangular, etc. Moreover, holes 82 need not all have the same shape, size or diameter.
As noted above, holes 82 are provided on planar surface 84 so that the exhaust gas flow F is dispersed in a direction generally away from the patient wearing patient interface device 46. Also, planar surface 84 provides a surface in which it is relatively easy to form holes 82. Preferably, a protrusion 86 is provided near holes 82 to prevent them from becoming blocked. It should be noted that the spacing between the hole and the pattern by which the holes are defined in the conduit can also be different than that shown in the figures. However, it is preferably that the spacing between the holes is not less than the diameter of the holes to ensure that the gas diffusion characteristics, and, hence, noise reduction, are maximized.
It is to be understood that the present invention contemplates other techniques for providing a plurality exhaust paths from the interior of the patient circuit to ambient atmosphere for maximizing the dispersion of the exhaust flow, while ensuring that each path has a relatively of relative small area and that the plurality of exhaust paths are located on a relatively small area of the patient circuit. For example, the present invention contemplates providing a relatively large opening in the conduit, with a screen disposed over this opening. The screen consists of a mesh having a plurality of holes defined therein. The number of holes defined by in the screen mesh and the size of these holes is chosen, as discussed above with respect to the holes 82, to achieve the desired exhaust flow at the operating pressures of the pressure support system.
As noted above, the exhaust port assembly of the present invention is intended for use with a variety of different types of mask, including a full face mask, which is a patient interface device that covers the patient's nose and mouth. It is common when using a full face mask, to provide a valve in the patient circuit that automatically allows the patient access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of a failure of the pressure support system. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,981. which teaches the function of such a valve and describes several embodiments of such a valve.
To provide automatic access to the ambient atmosphere, exhaust port assembly 62 includes an auxiliary opening 88 defined in the conduit and having a relatively large diameter and valve member 68. During normal use, where the pressure support system is functioning properly, a cantilever member 90 of valve member 68 flexes, as shown to
If, however, the pressure of the gas in interior 92 is not greater than ambient atmosphere, cantilever member 90 returns to its normal, undeflected position shown in
It should be noted that the operation of valve member 68 to block and unblock auxiliary opening 88 and the patient circuit does not affect the operation of holes 82 in venting a continuous flow F of gas from the patient circuit. It is to be further understood, that a variety of configurations for auxiliary opening 88 and valve member 68 are contemplated by the present invention, so long as they function as discussed above. Furthermore, auxiliary opening 88 and valve member 68 can be eliminated if their function of providing automatic access to ambient atmosphere is not required; for example, if the patient interface device is a nasal mask only.
Exhaust port assembly 102, as shown in greater detail in
By having the cap fully cover the slot and by raising the cap above the conduit, gap 110 defined therebetween is not merely a slot in the conduit, as is known in conventional exhalation ports, where the hole or slot in the conduit tends to direct or concentrate the flow of gas from the conduit. Similarly, because the cap does not overlap the conduit, there again is not directing or concentrating of the flow back along the conduit, as in the case with the devices taught by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,937,851 and 6,112,745 to Lang, and published PCT application no. WO 00/78381.
Instead, this configuration of the present invention provides a relatively direct path from the interior of conduit 104 to the ambient atmosphere between the edges of the cap and the edge of the conduit defining the slot. As perhaps best shown in
The total exhaust area, which corresponds to the total size of gap 110, is a function of the size d of the gap, see
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the size d of gap 110 is not greater than 0.020 in. It has been determined that if gap size d exceeds this length, the gas dispersing properties of this embodiment for the exhaust port are not maximized. The lower limit for the size of gap d, however, is only limited by manufacturing tolerances. Over this range of sizes for gap d, the length of the gap can be selected so achieve a desired exhaust flow for a certain pressure within the conduit. For example, in one conventional pressure support system, the effective exhaust flow is selected to be between 67 1 pm and 7.5 1 pm, when the pressure within the conduit is 40 and 1.5 cmH2O, respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this exhaust flow over this range of pressures is achieved by providing two gaps, each having a distance of 0.0075 in. and each having a length of 1.266 in. It can be appreciated, that if higher exhaust flow rates are desired at these operating pressure, this can be accomplished by increasing the length of the gap, e.g., by increasing the number of gap, while keeping the gap distance d no more than 0.020 in.
It can be appreciated, for example, that the size d of gap 110 can be decreased or increased. However, if the rate of exhaust, i.e., the exhaust flow, is to remain unchanged, the length l of the gap should be correspondingly increased or decreased to provide substantially the same exhaust path area. It is preferable, however, that the size d of gap 110 not exceed 0.020 in., because beyond this size, the gas diffusing attribute of this exhaust path structure is no longer maximized.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the present invention, cap 108 selectively attaches to conduit 104 over slot 106 so that there are two gaps 110, one on each side of the cap. The present invention, however, contemplates attaching the cap or configuring the cap or conduit, so that only one gap is formed as the exhaust path, thereby effectively reducing the length l of the gap. Of course, this will reduce the exhaust flow unless the length l of the gap and/or the size d of the gap is increased. Similarly, the present invention contemplates providing multiple slots and caps to provide more than two gaps for the exhaust flow.
The number of slot and caps can be used to determine the overall exhaust area desired. Thus, this embodiment of the present invention provides the user with great degree of flexibility in adjusting the exhaust rate by providing a plurality of slots in the conduit, and either completely blocking one or more of the slots with a cap and leaving at least one other slot unblocked to define a gap 110 having the desired exhaust area. For example, the present invention contemplates providing three caps fixed over three slots defined in the conduit. If the user wants the maximum exhaust flow, cap 108 can be provided over each slot so that there are six gaps 110. The exhaust flow can then be reduced by replacing a cap with a larger cap that completely or partially blocks the underlying slot.
In the illustrated embodiment, cap 108 is attached to conduit 104 via a tongue-and-groove configuration. For example,
While the figures illustrate the cap and slot as being configured such that gap 110 has a strait, arcuate shape, it is to be understood that other configurations for gap 110 are contemplated by the present invention. For example, the slot and cap can be configured so that the gap formed therebetween is elliptical, wavy, zigzag or any other shape, so long as the size of the gap is selected so as to maintain the advantageous gas diffusing properties noted above.
The number, size, shape, and spacing of holes 136 are selected as discussed above with respect to the embodiment shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, holes 136 are formed in the side of conduit 132 that is opposite the side to which the patient interface device attaches. In addition, holes 136 are configured in a pattern around the conduit over a range of approximately 180°. It is to be understood, however, that other ranges of angles for the pattern of holes about the periphery of the conduit are contemplated by the present invention as well as other patterns. However, it is preferable that the holes are arranged so as to diffuse the gas exhausted from the conduit as much as possible while directing the gas away from the patient.
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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|U.S. Classification||128/205.24, 128/205.11, 128/207.12, 128/206.21, 128/204.18|
|International Classification||A61M16/00, A61M16/20, A61M16/08, A61M11/00, A61M16/06|
|Cooperative Classification||A61M2230/60, A61M2205/42, A61M16/06, A61M2230/63, A61M16/208, A61M16/0816, A61M16/08|
|European Classification||A61M16/08, A61M16/20B|