High flow therapy device utilizing a non-sealing respiratory interface and related methods

• US 20080142019A1
• Filed: 12/06/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mergenet Medical, Inc. (Mergenet Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lewis, Charles A., Landis, Robert M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,522,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 17/001 Baby-comforters
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0053 Syringes, pipettes or oral dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/049 Mouthpieces
• 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 16/0677 Gas-saving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/085 Gas sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 : with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 : in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1025 : the O2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/103 : the CO2 concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 : Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 : with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards

Abstract

A high flow therapy system including a microprocessor, a heating element a non-sealing respiratory interface and a sensor is disclosed. The heating element is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is capable of heating a liquid to create a gas. The non-sealing respiratory interface is configured to deliver the gas to a patient. The sensor is disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and is configured to measure pressure in an upper airway of the patient.

Claims

1. A connector for use with a system for delivery of respiratory gases, the connector comprising:

a gas lumen configured to link a gas outlet of a therapy device with a gas inlet of a delivery conduit; and

a conduit configured for engagement with at least one of a pressure port and a sensor of the therapy device and with at least one conduit of the delivery conduit.

2. The connector of claim 1, further including at least one temperature sensor contact configured for engagement with at least one temperature sensor contact of the therapy device and with at least one temperature sensor of the delivery conduit.

3. The connector of claim 1, further including an electrical contact configured for engagement with an electrical contact of the therapy device and with a heating element of the delivery conduit.

4. The connector of claim 2, further including an electrical contact configured for engagement with an electrical contact of the therapy device and with a heating element of the delivery conduit.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the conduit is coaxially disposed within the gas lumen.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the conduit is configured to convey at least one of pressure, gas, electricity and light.

7. A therapy system, comprising:

a delivery conduit configured to direct gas towards a patient interface, the delivery conduit including;

a gas inlet; and

at least one pressure conduit;

a therapy device configured to supply gas to the delivery conduit, the therapy device, including;

a gas outlet; and

a pressure port;

a connector configured to operatively connect the delivery conduit with the therapy device, the connector including;

a gas lumen configured to link the gas outlet of the therapy device with the gas inlet of the delivery conduit; and

a pressure conduit configured for engagement with the pressure port of the therapy device and with the at least one pressure conduit of the delivery conduit.

8. The therapy system of claim 7, further including at least one temperature sensor disposed at least partially within the delivery conduit, at least one temperature sensor contact disposed on the therapy device and a temperature sensor contact disposed on the connector, the temperature sensor contact of the connector configured for engagement with the at least one temperature sensor contact of the therapy device and with the at least one temperature sensor of the delivery conduit.

9. The therapy system of claim 7, further including a heating element disposed within delivery conduit, an electrical contact disposed on the therapy device and an electrical contact disposed on the connector, the electrical contact disposed on the connector configured for engagement with the electrical contact of the therapy device and with the heating element of the delivery conduit.

10. The therapy system of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the pressure conduit of the connector is coaxially disposed within the gas lumen of the connector.

11. The connector of claim 7, wherein the connector is configured to connect both the gas inlet of the delivery conduit with the gas outlet of the therapy device and the at least one pressure conduit of the delivery conduit with the pressure port of the therapy device in a single motion.

12. A connector for use with a therapy device, the connector comprising:

a conduit fitting including a gas lumen configured to direct gas from a therapy device towards a patient interface and a pressure lumen configured to convey pressure from a patient interface towards a pressure port of the therapy device; and

a cannula fitting configured for releasable engagement with the conduit fitting, the cannula fitting including at least one gas lumen and at least one pressure lumen, the at least one gas lumen being operatively engagable with the gas lumen of the conduit fitting and being configured to direct gas from the therapy device towards the patient interface, the at least one pressure lumen being operatively engagable with the pressure lumen of the conduit fitting and being configured to convey pressure from the patient interface towards the pressure port of the therapy device.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein a distal portion of the cannula fitting includes two gas lumens, wherein a proximal portion of the cannula fitting includes one gas lumen, and wherein the two gas lumens of the distal portion of the cannula fitting are in gaseous communication with the one gas lumen of the proximal portion of the cannula fitting.

14. The connector of claim 12, wherein a distal portion of the cannula fitting includes two pressure lumens, wherein a proximal portion of the cannula fitting includes one pressure lumen, and wherein the two pressure lumens of the distal portion of the cannula fitting are in gaseous communication with the one pressure lumen of the proximal portion of the cannula fitting.

15. The connector of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the cannula fitting and at least a portion of the conduit fitting configured for coaxial engagement with one another.

16. The connector of claim 12, further including at least one spoke connecting a wall of the conduit fitting and the pressure lumen of the conduit fitting, the at least one spoke configured to allow axial movement of the pressure lumen of the conduit fitting relative to the wall of the conduit fitting, thereby allowing a pressure seal to be created between the pressure lumen of the conduit fitting and the at least one pressure lumen of the cannula fitting prior to a gas seal being created between the gas lumen of the conduit fitting and the at least one gas lumen of the cannula fitting.

17. A humidity chamber for use with a therapy device, the humidity chamber comprising:

a heat transfer plate; and

a housing including a flange and a fixed barrier, the flange configured for engagement with a lip of the heat transfer plate, the fixed barrier extending along at least a portion of the flange and configured to shield an edge of the heat transfer plate.

18. The humidity chamber of claim 17, further including a plurality of ribs extending from at least one of a body of the housing and the flange.

19. The humidity chamber of claim 17, further including a bonding agent disposed between the lip of the heat transfer plate and the flange of the housing, the bonding agent configured to provide a substantially watertight seal between the heat transfer plate and the housing.

20. The humidity chamber of claim 17, wherein the housing includes a removable and resealable lid to facilitate cleaning.

21. A high flow therapy system, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a heating element disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a humidity chamber disposed in mechanical cooperation with the heating element;

a conduit configured to direct the gas towards a patient;

a blower disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and being capable of advancing the gas at least partially through the conduit; and

a feedback system configured for controlling a volume of gas being directed towards the patient.

22. The high flow therapy system of claim 21, further including at least one gas flow sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and configured to detect at least one flow characteristic of the gas.

23. The high flow therapy system of claim 21, further including at least one compressed gas entry port.

24. The high flow therapy system of claim 21, further including a pulse oximeter.

25. A high flow therapy system, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a heating element disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a humidity chamber disposed in mechanical cooperation with the heating element;

a conduit configured to direct the gas towards a patient;

at least one proportional valve disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and configured to help control the entry and passage of gas; and

a feedback system configured for controlling a volume of gas being directed towards the patient.

26. The high flow therapy system of claim 25, further including at least one gas flow sensor disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and configured to detect at least one flow characteristic of the gas.

27. A method for delivering heated and humidified respiratory gas to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a high flow therapy device including a heating element capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

providing a non-sealing respiratory interface disposed in mechanical cooperation with the high flow therapy device and configured to direct the gas towards a patient;

providing a sensor disposed in electrical communication with a microprocessor of the high flow therapy device, the sensor configured to measure a flow rate of the gas delivered to the patient;

delivering gas from the high flow therapy device to a patient; and

measuring the flow rate of the gas delivered to the patient.

28. The method of claim 27, further including adjusting at least one of the flow rate and the temperature of the gas delivered to the patient.

29. The method of claim 27, further including determining whether the amount of liquid heatable by the heating element is inadequate for continued use.

30. The method of claim 29, further including responding to an inadequate amount of liquid by at least one of triggering an auditory or visual signal, adding liquid to the high flow therapy device, adjusting the temperature of the gas delivered to the patient, and adjusting the flow rate of the gas delivered to the patient.

31. A high flow therapy system, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a heating element disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and capable of heating a liquid to create a gas;

a humidity chamber disposed in mechanical cooperation with the heating element;

a conduit configured to direct the gas towards a patient interface; and

a saddle disposed in electrical communication with the microprocessor and configured to activate a dry cycle when a portion of at least one of the conduit and a patient interface is engaged therewith.