Breathable gas supply apparatus
First Claim
1. A breathable gas supply apparatus for treatment of respiratory disorders comprising:
- a flow generator with an air inlet on a rear wall, the air inlet configured to provide a supply of ambient air to a blower of the flow generator, the flow generator being configured to generate a supply of pressurized air;
a water container to receive pressurized air from the flow generator, the water container having a first air opening, a second air opening, a top portion, a side surface having the second air opening therein and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a heat conducting surface;
a base with a heater, the base being configured to receive the water container;
a humidifier lid pivotably attached to the base via a hinged connection, the humidifier lid being pivotable between an open position and a closed position;
a catch for the humidifier lid, the catch securing the water container in the base when the humidifier lid is in the closed position, the catch providing an audible “
click”
sound when the humidifier lid is moved to the closed position;
a lid seal positioned between and engaged with both the humidifier lid and the top portion of the water container when the humidifier lid is pivoted to the closed position and secured by the catch, the lid seal engaging with a horizontal surface of the top portion of the water container;
an outlet pipe for connection with an air delivery tube in use;
a first gas flow port aligned with and in a facing arrangement with the first air opening;
a second gas flow port in a facing arrangement with the second air opening; and
a peripheral seal between the second gas flow port and the second air opening, the second air opening being surrounded by a substantially planar and substantially rectangular sealing surface that aligns with the peripheral seal when the water container is received in the base to create a substantially sealed air path between the peripheral seal and the second air opening, without requiring a user to establish tubular interconnection between the base and the water container,wherein the water container and the base include complementary configurations that facilitate alignment of the water container with respect to the base to ensure alignment between the first air opening and the first gas flow port,wherein when the humidifier lid is closed and secured by the catch, downwards pressure is maintained on the water container via the lid seal to maintain heat-transfer contact between the bottom portion of the water container and the heater of the base,wherein the water container is removable from the base and then refillable with water without requiring disengagement of the air delivery tube from the outlet pipe, andwherein the first air opening, the second air opening, the first gas flow port and the second gas flow port are part of a flow path between the flow generator and the outlet pipe.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A CPAP device for delivering pressurized, humidified breathable gas for a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas. The flow generator includes an air outlet and a removable water container configured to humidify the pressurized breathable gas received from the flow generator. The water container includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The CPAP device further includes a first elastomeric face seal configured to sealingly abut against a substantially flat portion of the water container surrounding the water container air inlet, the first elastomeric face seal being located at an intermediate position between the flow generator air outlet and the water container air inlet when the water container is placed into position to pneumatically communicate with the flow generator. In addition, the CPAP device includes a second elastomeric face seal, a portion of which is configured to sealingly abut against a substantially flat external surface portion of the water container surrounding the water container air outlet.
245 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A breathable gas supply apparatus for treatment of respiratory disorders comprising:
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a flow generator with an air inlet on a rear wall, the air inlet configured to provide a supply of ambient air to a blower of the flow generator, the flow generator being configured to generate a supply of pressurized air; a water container to receive pressurized air from the flow generator, the water container having a first air opening, a second air opening, a top portion, a side surface having the second air opening therein and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a heat conducting surface; a base with a heater, the base being configured to receive the water container; a humidifier lid pivotably attached to the base via a hinged connection, the humidifier lid being pivotable between an open position and a closed position; a catch for the humidifier lid, the catch securing the water container in the base when the humidifier lid is in the closed position, the catch providing an audible “
click”
sound when the humidifier lid is moved to the closed position;a lid seal positioned between and engaged with both the humidifier lid and the top portion of the water container when the humidifier lid is pivoted to the closed position and secured by the catch, the lid seal engaging with a horizontal surface of the top portion of the water container; an outlet pipe for connection with an air delivery tube in use; a first gas flow port aligned with and in a facing arrangement with the first air opening; a second gas flow port in a facing arrangement with the second air opening; and a peripheral seal between the second gas flow port and the second air opening, the second air opening being surrounded by a substantially planar and substantially rectangular sealing surface that aligns with the peripheral seal when the water container is received in the base to create a substantially sealed air path between the peripheral seal and the second air opening, without requiring a user to establish tubular interconnection between the base and the water container, wherein the water container and the base include complementary configurations that facilitate alignment of the water container with respect to the base to ensure alignment between the first air opening and the first gas flow port, wherein when the humidifier lid is closed and secured by the catch, downwards pressure is maintained on the water container via the lid seal to maintain heat-transfer contact between the bottom portion of the water container and the heater of the base, wherein the water container is removable from the base and then refillable with water without requiring disengagement of the air delivery tube from the outlet pipe, and wherein the first air opening, the second air opening, the first gas flow port and the second gas flow port are part of a flow path between the flow generator and the outlet pipe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A breathable gas supply apparatus for treatment of respiratory disorders comprising:
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a flow generator with an air inlet on a rear wall, the air inlet configured to provide a supply of ambient air to a blower of the flow generator; a water container with a first air opening, a second air opening, a top portion, a side surface having the second air opening therein and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a heat conducting surface, wherein the water container includes a tub to contain water and a tub lid pivotably moveable relative to the tub, the first and second air openings being located on the tub lid, and the water container includes a tub seal between the tub and the tub lid, wherein the tub lid has a sloped surface to direct the airflow downward towards the bottom portion of the water container; a base with a heater, the base being configured to receive the water container; a humidifier lid pivotably attached to the base, the humidifier lid having a locking mechanism to secure the water container; a lid seal between the humidifier lid and the tub lid; an outlet pipe for connection with an air delivery tube in use; a first gas flow port aligned with and in a facing arrangement with the first air opening; a second gas flow port in a facing arrangement with the second air opening when the water container is received in the base; and a peripheral seal between the second gas flow port and the second air opening, the second air opening being surrounded by a substantially planar and substantially rectangular sealing surface that aligns with a substantially rectangular sealing surface of the peripheral seal when the water container is dropped into the base to create a substantially sealed air path between the peripheral seal and the second air opening without the need to establish tubular interconnection between the base and the water container, wherein the water container and the base include complementary configurations that facilitate alignment of the water container with respect to the base to ensure alignment between the first air opening and the first gas flow port, wherein the water container is removable from the base and then refillable with water without requiring disengagement of the air delivery tube from the outlet pipe, wherein the first air opening, the second air opening, the first gas flow port and the second gas flow port are part of a flow path between the flow generator and the outlet pipe, and wherein the lid seal comprises a channel which mates with a rim on the humidifier lid. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A breathable gas supply apparatus for treatment of respiratory disorders comprising:
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a flow generator with an air inlet, the air inlet configured to provide a supply of ambient air to a blower of the flow generator, the flow generator being configured to generate a supply of pressurized air; a water container to receive pressurized air from the flow generator, the water container having a first air opening, a second air opening, a top portion, a side surface having the second air opening therein and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a heat conducting surface; a base with a heater, the base being configured to receive the water container; a catch for securing the water container in the base, the catch providing an audible “
click”
sound when the water container is secured;an outlet pipe for connection with an air delivery tube in use; a first gas flow port aligned with and in a facing arrangement with the first air opening; a second gas flow port in a facing arrangement with the second air opening; and a peripheral seal between the second gas flow port and the second air opening, the second air opening being surrounded by a substantially planar sealing surface that aligns with the peripheral seal when the water container is received in the base to create a substantially sealed air path between the peripheral seal and the second air opening, without requiring a user to establish tubular interconnection between the base and the water container, wherein the water container and the base include complementary configurations that facilitate alignment of the water container with respect to the base to ensure alignment between the first air opening and the first gas flow port, wherein due to the water containers being secured by the catch, a compressive downward force is maintained on the water container to maintain heat-transfer contact between the bottom portion of the water container and the heater of the base, wherein the water container is removable from the base and then refillable with water without requiring disengagement of the air delivery tube from the outlet pipe, and wherein the first air opening, the second air opening, the first gas flow port and the second gas flow port are part of a flow path between the flow generator and the outlet pipe, wherein the water container is configured to hinder water from flowing into the flow generator, wherein the water container comprises a flow passage with an enclosed cross-section, the flow passage extending away from the second air opening and towards an interior region of the water container, wherein the flow passage runs along a top side of the water container, wherein the water container includes a tub to contain water and a tub lid pivotably moveable relative to the tub, the first and second air openings being located on the tub lid, and the water container includes a tub seal between the tub and the tub lid, wherein the heater is not spring-loaded, wherein air flowing between the first air opening and the second air opening flows through at least one intermediate aperture and at least one turn, wherein the second air opening and the second gas flow port are configured to align and seal when the water container is inserted into the base, wherein the heat conducting surface of the water container is horizontal, and the heat conducting surface is a bottom surface of the water container, and the heat conducting surface is metal, and wherein the catch comprises a notch and a tab that are engageable with one another, and wherein one of the notch and the tab is located on the base.
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30. A breathable gas supply apparatus for treatment of respiratory disorders comprising:
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a flow generator with an air inlet, the air inlet configured to provide a supply of ambient air to a blower of the flow generator, the flow generator being configured to generate a supply of pressurized air; a water container to receive pressurized air from the flow generator, the water container having a first air opening, a second air opening, a top portion, a side surface having the second air opening therein and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a heat conducting surface; a base with a heater, the base being configured to receive the water container; a catch for securing the water container in the base, the catch providing an audible “
click”
sound when the water container is secured;a first seal configured and arranged to apply a resilient downward force on a portion of the water container due to being secured via the catch, to ensure heat-transfer contact between the heat conducting surface of the water container and the heater of the base, wherein the heater is not spring-loaded, an outlet pipe for connection with an air delivery tube in use; a first gas flow port aligned with and in a facing arrangement with the first air opening; a second gas flow port in a facing arrangement with the second air opening; and a second seal between the second gas flow port and the second air opening, the second air opening being surrounded by a substantially planar sealing surface that aligns with the second seal when the water container is received in the base to create a substantially sealed air path between the second seal and the second air opening, without requiring a user to establish tubular interconnection between the base and the water container, wherein the water container and the base include complementary configurations that facilitate alignment of the water container with respect to the base to ensure alignment between the first air opening and the first gas flow port, wherein the water container is removable from the base and then refillable with water without requiring disengagement of the air delivery tube from the outlet pipe, wherein the first air opening, the second air opening, the first gas flow port and the second gas flow port are part of a flow path between the flow generator and the outlet pipe, wherein the water container is configured to hinder water from flowing into the flow generator, wherein the water container comprises a flow passage with an enclosed cross-section, the flow passage extending away from the second air opening and towards an interior region of the water container, wherein the flow passage runs along a top side of the water container, wherein the water container includes a tub to contain water and a tub lid pivotably moveable relative to the tub, and the first and second air openings are located on the tub lid, wherein air flowing between the first air opening and the second air opening flows through at least one intermediate aperture and at least one turn, wherein the second air opening and the second gas flow port are configured to align and seal when the water container is inserted into the base, wherein the heat conducting surface of the water container is horizontal, and the heat conducting surface is a bottom surface of the water container, and the heat conducting surface is metal, and wherein the catch comprises a notch and a tab that are engageable with one another, and wherein one of the notch and the tab is located on the base.
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Specification