Braided hose for use in sleep apnea treatment systems that decouples force
First Claim
1. A hose comprising:
- a braided matrix with an interior lumen, the matrix including;
filaments that intersect each other creating a braid;
a longitudinal axis that runs along the lumen and is intersected by the filaments at a braid angle,wherein the braid angle can be varied by compressing or expanding the matrix along the direction of the longitudinal axis;
a polymer coating applied to the matrix such that the matrix is substantially impermeable to air;
wherein the hose comprises two states;
(1) a relaxed state where the hose does not experience a force in the direction of the longitudinal axis;
(2) a stressed state where the hose experiences a force in the direction of the longitudinal axis;
wherein the braid angle is larger in the relaxed state as compared to the stressed state; and
wherein the braided matrix is heat treated in the relaxed state, such that the braided matrix comprises an elastic memory that elastically returns the hose from the stressed state to the relaxed state when the force in the direction of the longitudinal axis is removed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hose is described that includes a braided matrix with an interior lumen. The matrix also includes filaments that intersect each other creating a braid, a longitudinal axis that runs along the lumen and the filaments intersect the longitudinal axis at a braid angle. The braid angle can be varied by compressing or expanding the matrix along the direction of the longitudinal axis. A polymer coating is applied to the matrix such that the matrix is substantially impermeable to air. The hose has two states: (1) a relaxed state where the hose does not experience a force in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and (2) a stressed state where the hose experiences a force in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The braid angle is larger in the relaxed state as compared to the stressed state. A method of manufacture for the hose is also disclosed.
18 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A hose comprising:
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a braided matrix with an interior lumen, the matrix including; filaments that intersect each other creating a braid; a longitudinal axis that runs along the lumen and is intersected by the filaments at a braid angle, wherein the braid angle can be varied by compressing or expanding the matrix along the direction of the longitudinal axis; a polymer coating applied to the matrix such that the matrix is substantially impermeable to air; wherein the hose comprises two states;
(1) a relaxed state where the hose does not experience a force in the direction of the longitudinal axis;
(2) a stressed state where the hose experiences a force in the direction of the longitudinal axis;wherein the braid angle is larger in the relaxed state as compared to the stressed state; and wherein the braided matrix is heat treated in the relaxed state, such that the braided matrix comprises an elastic memory that elastically returns the hose from the stressed state to the relaxed state when the force in the direction of the longitudinal axis is removed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification