Removable and/or replaceable humidifier

• US 20090000620A1
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Virr, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 8,550,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.270
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/142 with semi-permeable walls separating the liquid from the respiratory gas
• 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 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3673 thermo-electric, e.g. Peltier effect, thermocouples, semi-conductors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/368 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. IR waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7509 for virus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/108 for heating a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/474 With housings, supports or stacking arrangements

Abstract

Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus includes a housing providing a gas flow path, a heater apparatus, and a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path. The water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.

Claims

1. Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus, comprising:

a housing providing a gas flow path;

a heater apparatus; and

a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path, wherein the water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.

2. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, where the water distribution member is adapted to be a removable and replaceable fitting to the housing.

3. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water distribution member comprises an envelope formed by a first compartment wall and a second compartment wall joined together, and a water inlet into the envelope.

4. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the envelope defines a thin water layer having a thickness of less than about 10 mm.

5. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the envelope defines a thin water layer having a thickness of less than about 5 mm.

6. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the envelope has a volume of less than about 150 ml.

7. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the envelope has a volume of less than about 100 ml.

8. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the water distribution member is adapted for production of water vapour within the envelope.

9. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first compartment wall is at least in part a semi-permeable membrane structured to allow water vapour to pass therethrough into the gas flow path.

10. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a finely perforated material.

11. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a hydrophobic material.

12. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water distribution member is a removable and replaceable fitting to a base of the housing.

13. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heater apparatus comprises a heater element and the second compartment wall includes a thermally conductive wall in thermal contact with the heater element.

14. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the heater element is incorporated in the second compartment wall.

15. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the heater element comprises a heater plate.

16. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heater apparatus comprises an induction heater and the second compartment wall includes a thermally conductive wall in thermal contact with an induction receiving element.

17. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the induction receiving element is incorporated in the second compartment wall.

18. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the heater apparatus is a removable and replaceable fitting to a base of the housing.

19. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water distribution member comprises at least one wick and/or capillary action device in communication with a water inlet.

20. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the water distribution member comprises a wick device of hydrophilic material.

21. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the heater apparatus comprises a heater element in thermal communication with the wick and/or capillary action device.

22. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the heater element comprises a heater plate.

23. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the heater apparatus comprises an induction heater with an induction receiving element that is in thermal communication with the wick and/or capillary action device.

24. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing with the water supply distribution member defines a thin gas flow path.

25. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the thin gas flow path has a thickness of less than about 5 mm.

26. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, further including a plate configured and arranged to divide the gas flow path into two gas streams such that only one gas stream receives water vapour from the water distribution member and one or more devices control the amount of gas flow into one or both gas streams.

27. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, further including one or more variable apertures placed between the water supply distribution member and the gas flow path.

28. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the one or more variable apertures are structured to regulate the amount of water vapour transferred to the gas flow path.

29. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water distribution member has a water inlet which communicates with a water inlet passage of the housing.

30. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 29, further comprising a water reservoir adapted for communication with the water inlet passage.

31. Humidifier apparatus according to claim 29, further including a water filter in communication with the water inlet or the water inlet passage.

55. A CPAP device, comprising:

a positive airway pressure device; and

a humidifier apparatus according to claim 1.

32. Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus, comprising

a housing;

one or more water supply distribution members removably fitted to the housing, the one or more water supply distribution members configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to one or more gas flow paths defined by the one or more water supply distribution members and the housing; and

a heater apparatus in thermal communication with at least one of the water distribution members.

33. A water distribution member for a humidifier apparatus comprising an envelope formed by a first compartment wall and a second compartment wall joined together, and a water inlet into the envelope.

34-53. -53. (canceled)

54. A humidifier apparatus, comprising:

a base plate removably and replaceably attachable to a humidifier housing;

a heater apparatus provided to the base plate; and

a water distribution member provided to the base plate, the water distribution member including first and second compartment walls that define an envelope adapted to receive a supply of water, the first compartment wall including a semi-permeable membrane adapted to allow water vapour to pass therethrough and the second compartment wall including a thermally conductive wall in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.