Flexible connector

• US 20070277828A1
• Filed: 06/04/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Ho, Peter, Matula, Jerome, Busch, Lance, Andrews, Derrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,726,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.210
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0627 with sealing means on a part of the body other than the face, e.g. helmets, hoods or domes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

A flexible connector that couples a delivery conduit to a patient interface device and a pressure support system that includes such a flexible connector. The flexible connector of the present invention prevents disruption of the seal between the patient interface and the patient'"'"'s face. The flexible connector may have a bellows portion with a longitudinally directed portion, a narrowed neck portion, or a plurality of corrugations. The flexible connector may further have a swivel portion and/or an exhaust member, and/or a hinge member.

Claims

1. A connector structured to connect a delivery conduit to a patient interface device comprising:

a flexible coupling having a bellows portion; and

a swivel connector connected to the flexible coupling.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein a first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein a second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the delivery conduit, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the patient interface device.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein a first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein a second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the patient interface device, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the delivery conduit.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the bellows portion has a substantially S-shape cross-section.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the bellows portion has a narrowed neck portion.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the bellows portion has a plurality of corrugations.

7. The connector of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust member structured to allow an exhaust path for a patient'"'"'s exhaled breath.

8. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a hinge element structured to limit an amount of movement of the flexible coupling.

9. The connector of claim 1, further comprising an entrainment valve structured to supply a patient with ambient air should a flow of breathing gas being delivered to such patient be interrupted.

10. A connector structured to connect a delivery conduit to a patient interface device comprising:

a flexible coupling having a bellows portion with a longitudinally directed inward bellows.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the flexible coupling is structured to connect with at least one of the delivery conduit and the patient interface device.

12. The connector of claim 11, further comprising a swivel connector structured to connect with the flexible coupling.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein a first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein a second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the delivery conduit, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the patient interface device.

14. The connector of claim 12, wherein a first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein a second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the patient interface device, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the delivery conduit.

15. The connector of claim 12, further comprising an exhaust member structured to allow an exhaust path for the patient'"'"'s exhaled breath.

16. The connector of claim 10, wherein the bellows has a substantially S-shape cross-section.

17. The connector of claim 10, further comprising a hinge element structured to limit an amount of movement of the flexible coupling.

18. The connector of claim 10, further comprising an entrainment valve structured to supply a patient with ambient air should a flow of breathing gas being delivered to the patient be interrupted.

19. A system for delivering a pressurized breathing gas to a patient, comprising:

a patient interface device;

a gas flow generating device structure to produce a flow of gas;

a delivery conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the delivery conduit is structured to carry the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the system; and

a connector structured to connect the delivery conduit to the patient interface device, the connector comprising;

a flexible coupling having a bellows portion; and

a swivel connector connected to the flexible coupling.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein a first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein a second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the delivery conduit, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the patient interface device.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein a first end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with a first end of the swivel connector, wherein a second end of the flexible coupling is structured to connect with the patient interface device, and wherein a second end of the swivel connector is structured to connect with the delivery conduit.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the bellows portion has a substantially S-shape cross-section.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the bellows portion has a narrowed neck portion.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the bellows portion has a plurality of corrugations.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the connector further comprises an exhaust member structured to allow an exhaust path for the patient'"'"'s exhaled breath.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the connector further comprises a hinge element structured to limit an amount of movement of the flexible coupling.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the connector further comprises an entrainment valve structured to supply the patient with ambient air should the flow of gas be interrupted.