Nose Cannula Heated/Humidified Gas Delivery System

• US 20090056711A1
• Filed: 06/25/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Farrell, Kevin Thomas, Richards, Fredrick M., King, Gregory S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,215,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.260
• 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 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature

Abstract

A low flow heated/humidified respiratory gas delivery system, especially useful for low flow rates as preferred in the treatment of neonate and other such patients, wherein the respiratory gas is heated and humidified as desired for delivery to the patient and the temperature is monitored at the point of delivery to the patient.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user comprising the steps of:

heating a respiratory gas to a temperature sufficient to be delivered in a flow path to a user at a predetermined temperature level;

conveying said respiratory gas to said user at a predetermined flow rate;

administering said respiratory gas to said user at said predetermined flow rate and at said predetermined temperature level; and

monitoring the temperature of said respiratory gas by passing said respiratory gas in a first flow path in thermal contact with a temperature sensor and subsequently in a second flow path essentially directly to said user.

2. The method of controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 1 further including the step of humidifying said respiratory gas to a predetermined level prior to administering said respiratory gas to said user.

3. The method of controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 1 wherein said respiratory gas is administered to said user by means of a nose cannula.

4. The method of controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 3 wherein the temperature of said respiratory gas is monitored by a temperature sensor carried by said nose cannula.

5. The method of controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 4 wherein said sensor is positioned in direct thermal contact with said respiratory gas moving in said first respiratory gas flow path.

6. Apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user comprising:

heating means for heating a respiratory gas to a temperature sufficient to be delivered in a flow path to a user at a predetermined temperature level;

respiratory gas conveying means for moving said respiratory gas in a first flow path and in a second flow at a predetermined rate to a user;

means for administering said respiratory gas to said user at said predetermined flow rate and at said predetermined temperature level; and

monitoring means in thermal contact with said respiratory gas moving in said first flow path for monitoring the temperature of said respiratory gas prior to the administration of said respiratory gas in said second flow path essentially directly to said user.

7. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 6 further including humidifying means for humidifying said respiratory gas to a predetermined level prior to administering said respiratory gas to said user.

8. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for administering said respiratory gas to said user at said predetermined flow rate and at said predetermined temperature level includes a nose cannula.

9. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 8 wherein said monitoring means for monitoring the temperature of said respiratory gas is a temperature sensor carried by said nose cannula.

10. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 9 wherein said monitoring means includes a temperature sensor positioned in direct contact with said respiratory gas moving in said first respiratory gas flow path.