Variable CPAP respiratory interface

• US 20080011305A1
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Salter Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mergenet Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Collazo, Louis, Hansen, Norman, Chandran, Sanjay
• Granted Patent: US 8,025,058 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• 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 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally connectors for interconnecting a conduit of a fluid pressure device to an interface configured to deliver a fluid of the fluid pressure device to a patient. A connector includes a body portion configured for fluid connection to the conduit of the fluid pressure device; and a first branch and a second branch each extending from and fluidly connected to the body portion, wherein each branch is configured for fluid connection to the interface. A concavity is formed at an interface between each of the body portions, the first branch and the second branch.

Claims

1. A connector for interconnecting a conduit of a fluid pressure device to an interface configured to deliver a fluid of the fluid pressure device to a patient, the connector comprising:

a body portion configured for fluid connection to the conduit of the fluid pressure device; and

a first branch and a second branch each extending from and fluidly connected to the body portion, each branch being configured for fluid connection to the interface;

wherein at least one concavity is formed in at least one of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first branch and the second branch is pivotable with respect to the body portion.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector is fabricated from a resilient, elastomeric material.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch has a substantially circular transverse cross-sectional profile, and wherein each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch defines a longitudinal axis.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of each of the first and second branches is angled with respect to at least one of each other and with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body portion.

6. The connector according to claim 4, wherein an angle between the longitudinal axes of each of the first and second branches is variable.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the connector is fabricated from a resilient, elastomeric material.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch has a respective wall thickness, and wherein each concavity has a wall thickness which is less that the wall thickness of each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch.

9. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising a swivel joint connected to the body portion, and a stem extending from the swivel joint.

10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one concavity is a thin-walled region.

11. A respiratory device configured for delivering fluid to a patient from a fluid source, the respiratory device comprising:

a connector for connection to a fluid conduit extending of the fluid source, the connector including;

a body portion configured for fluid connection to the fluid conduit; and

a first branch and a second branch each extending from and fluidly connected to the body portion;

wherein at least one concavity is formed in at least one of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch;

a fluid delivery element extending from each of the first branch and the second branch of the connector; and

a ventilation interface fluidly connected to each of fluid delivery element, the ventilation interface including;

a cannula body defining a cavity;

at least one vent formed in the cannula body and defining a passage into the cavity of the cannula body; and

at least one engaging element supported on the cannula body and being in fluid communication with the cavity of the cannula body;

wherein each fluid delivery element is pivotally connected to the cannula body.

12. The respiratory device according to claim 11, wherein the ventilation interface includes a coupling element configured to pivotally interconnect each fluid delivery element to the cannula body.

13. The respiratory device according to claim 12, wherein each coupling element of the ventilation interface is an elbow joint.

14. The respiratory device according to claim 12, wherein each coupling element of the ventilation interface is pivotally connected to the cannula body and each fluid delivery element is pivotally connected to a respective coupling element.

15. The respiratory device according to claim 11, wherein each engaging element of the ventilation interface is a nasal pillow.

16. The respiratory device according to claim 15, wherein each nasal pillow is tethered to one another.

17. The respiratory device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first branch and the second branch of the connector is pivotable with respect to the body portion thereof.

18. The respiratory device according to claim 17, wherein the connector is fabricated from a resilient, elastomeric material.

19. The respiratory device according to claim 17, wherein each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch of the connector has a substantially circular transverse cross-sectional profile, and wherein each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch of the connector defines a longitudinal axis.

20. The respiratory device according to claim 19, wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the first branch and the second branch of the connector is angled with respect to at least one of each other and with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

21. The respiratory device according to claim 17, wherein an angle between a longitudinal axis of each of the first branch and the second branch of the connector is variable.

22. The respiratory device according to claim 21, wherein the connector is fabricated from a resilient, elastomeric material.

23. The respiratory device according to claim 17, wherein each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch of the connector has a respective wall thickness, and wherein each concavity has a wall thickness which is less that the wall thickness of each of the body portion, the first branch and the second branch.

24. The respiratory device according to claim 17, wherein the connector further comprises a swivel joint connected to the body portion, and a stem extending from the swivel joint.

25. The respiratory device according to claim 17, wherein at least one concavity of the connector is a thin-walled region.