RETRACTABLE TUBE FOR CPAP

• US 20090078259A1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: RUMMERY, Gerard Michael, KOOIJ, Michiel, HENRY, Robert Edward
• Granted Patent: US 10,034,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.250
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/00 Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus A62B19/00, A62B21/00, A62B23/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/13 and engaging it by snap action F16L3/1203 takes precedence

Abstract

A retractable tube for use in a respiratory apparatus for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient has an internal diameter of about 30 mm or less, a weight of about 500 g/m or less, and an unextended length of about 2 m or less. The retractable tube includes a portion that is extensible in a range of about 40%-400% in response to force applied to the tube, and the extensible portion is configured to return the tube to its unextended length in the absence of force applied to the tube. A respiratory apparatus for delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas includes a flow generator to generate the flow and a patient interface to deliver the flow to the patient'"'"'s airways. The flow generator and the patient interface are connected by a retractable tube. A method of delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas includes connecting the flow generator and the patient interface using a retractable tube.

Claims

1. A retractable tube for use in a respiratory apparatus for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient, wherein the tube has an internal diameter of about 30 mm or less, a weight of about 500 g/m or less, and an unextended length of about 2 m or less, wherein the retractable tube comprises a portion that is extensible in a range of about 40% -400% of its unextended length in response to force applied to the tube, and the extensible portion is configured to return the tube to its unextended length in the absence of force, or reduced force, applied to the tube.

2. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a helical spring provided at the extensible portion.

3. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the spring is provided on an inner surface of the tube at the extensible portion.

4. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the spring is provided on an outer surface of the tube at the extensible portion.

5. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the extensible portion comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and the spring is provided between the inner surface and the outer surface.

6. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the spring is formed of plastic.

7. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the spring is formed of metal.

8. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the extensible portion is bowed outwardly between coils of the spring.

9. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the extensible portion is bowed inwardly between coils of the spring.

10. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the extensible portion comprises a plurality of bellows.

11. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the retractable tube comprises a biocompatible material.

12. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the retractable tube is comprised entirely of biocompatible materials.

13. A retractable tube according to claim 1, further comprising an inextensible portion.

14. A retractable tube according to claim 13, wherein the inextensible portion and the extensible portion are integrally formed.

15. A retractable tube according to claim 13, wherein the inextensible portion and the extensible portion are formed separately and connected by a connector.

16. A retractable tube according to claim 15, wherein the connector comprises a C-shaped clip.

17. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the extensible portion comprises a looped portion.

18. A retractable tube according to claim 17, further comprising a retractable cord connected to the looped portion, the retractable cord being configured to extend and retract as the loop portion is extended and retracted.

19. A retractable tube according to claim 18, further comprising a winding mechanism configured to bias the retractable cord into the retracted position.

20. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the extensible portion comprises a plurality of connecting rings and an elastic member that connects the connecting rings.

21. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the extensible portion comprises an internal diameter of about 12 mm.

22. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the extensible portion comprises an internal diameter of about 13.3 mm.

23. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the extensible portion comprises an internal diameter of about 8 mm.

24. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the extensible portion is extensible in a ratio of about 2:

3.

25. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the spring has a spring constant of about 25 N/m or less.

26. A retractable tube according to claim 2, wherein the spring has a spring constant of about 7 N/m.

66. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the retractable tube is extensible by at least 40% of its unextended length.

68. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the retractable tube is extensible by at least 60% of is unextended length.

70. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the retractable tube is extensible by at least 100% of its unextended length.

72. A retractable tube according to claim 1, wherein the retractable tube is extensible to about 400% of is unextended length.

27. A retractable tube for use in a respiratory apparatus for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient, wherein the tube has an internal diameter of about 30 mm or less, a weight of about 500 g/m or less, and an unextended length of about 2 m or less, wherein the retractable tube comprises a portion that is extensible in a range of about 40%-100% of its unextended length in response to force applied to the tube, and the extensible portion is configured to return the tube to its unextended length in the absence of force, or reduced force, applied to the tube and has a spring constant of about 25 N/m or less.

28. A method of delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas from a flow generator configured to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient interface configured to engage a patient'"'"'s face and deliver the pressurized flow of breathable gas to the patient'"'"'s airways, the method comprising:

connecting the flow generator and the patient interface using a retractable hose.

29. A respiratory apparatus for delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas to a patient, the respiratory apparatus comprising:

a flow generator configured to generate the pressurized flow of breathable gas;

a patient interface configured to engage the patient'"'"'s face and deliver the pressurized flow of breathable gas to the patient'"'"'s airways; and

a retractable tube to connect the flow generator and the patient interface.

30. An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the retractable tube comprises means for accommodating movement of the patient'"'"'s head.

31. A mask system, comprising:

a patient interface; and

a retractable tube provided to the patient interface.

32. A mask system according to claim 31, wherein the tube comprises means for reducing forces applied to the tube being applied to the patient interface.

33. A mask system for a patient, comprising:

a patient interface;

a tube provided to the patient interface; and

means for maintaining a low profile of the tube according to positioning of the patient.

34. A mask system according to claim 33, wherein the means comprises a retracting mechanism provided to the tube.

35. A mask system according to claim 34, wherein the retracting mechanism is integrally formed with the tube.

36. A mask system according to claim 34, wherein the retracting mechanism is separately connected to the tube.

37. A mask system according to claim 33, wherein the tube is length-adjustable.

38. A retractable tube for use in a respiratory apparatus for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient, the retractable tube comprising:

at least one helical spring comprising a plurality of coils; and

a cover that covers an inside of the coils, or an outside of the coils, or both the inside and outside of the coils, wherein the cover is formed of biocompatible material, the retractable tube has an internal diameter of about 30 mm or less, a weight per unit length of about 500 g/m or less, and an unextended length of about 2 m or less, at least a portion of the retractable tube is extensible in a range of about 40%-400% of it unextended length in response to force applied to the tube, and the at least one helical spring is configured to return the retractable tube to its unextended length in the absence of force, or reduced force, applied to the retractable tube and has a spring constant of about 25 N/m or less.

39. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring is formed of a coiled strand having a diameter of between about 0.1 mm-5 mm, or about 1 mm-4 mm, or about 1.5 mm-2.5 mm.

40. A retractable tube according to claim 39, wherein the diameter is about 2 mm.

41. A retractable tube according to claim 39, wherein the diameter of the strand varies.

42. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring is formed of a coiled strand, wherein the strand has a polygonal cross section.

43. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein a pitch of the coils is between about 2 mm-9 mm

44. A retractable tube according to claim 43, wherein the pitch of the coils is between about 3 mm-6 mm.

45. A retractable tube according to claim 44, wherein the pitch of the coils is about 4.8 mm.

46. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein a pitch of the coils varies.

47. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring is formed of biocompatible material.

48. A retractable tube according to claim 47, wherein the at least one helical spring is formed of a polyester elastomer.

49. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring is formed of metal.

50. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring is formed of magnetic material.

51. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring is formed of a material having a tensile modulus of between about 150-250 MPa.

52. A retractable tube according to claim 51, wherein the tensile modulus of the material is between about 160-240 MPa.

53. A retractable tube according to claim 52, wherein the tensile modulus of the material is between about 160-220 MPa.

54. A retractable tube according to claim 53, wherein the tensile modulus of the material is between about 180-200 MPa.

55. A retractable tube according to claim 54, wherein the tensile modulus of the material is about 180 MPa.

56. A retractable tube according to claim 54, wherein the tensile modulus of the material is about 188 MPa.

57. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the cover is molded onto the at least one helical spring.

58. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the cover is wound onto the at least one helical spring.

59. A retractable tube according to claim 57, wherein the cover is applied to the at least one helical spring when the at least one helical spring is in an extended state.

60. A retractable tube according to claim 58, wherein the cover is applied to the at least one helical spring when the at least one helical spring is in an extended state.

61. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring applies a retracting force to the retractable tube when the at least one helical spring is in an unextended state.

62. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the diameter of the coils of the at least one helical spring varies.

63. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the at least one helical spring comprises a plurality of springs.

64. A retractable tube according to claim 63, wherein at least one of the plurality of helical springs has a coil diameter that varies from at least one other of the plurality of helical springs.

65. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the biocompatible material of the cover comprises plastic, silicone, thermoplastic urethane, or combinations thereof.

67. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the retractable tube is extensible by at least 40% of its unextended length.

69. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the retractable tube is extensible by at least 60% of is unextended length.

71. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the retractable tube is extensible by at least 100% of its unextended length.

73. A retractable tube according to claim 38, wherein the retractable tube is extensible to about 400% of is unextended length.

74. A retractable tube, comprising:

a plurality of ring-shaped elements; and

an elastic member connected to each of the ring-shaped elements.

75. A retractable tube for use in a respiratory apparatus for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient, the retractable tube comprising a portion that is extensible in a range of about 40%-400% of its unextended length in response to force applied to the tube, and the extensible portion is configured to return the tube to its unextended length in the absence of force, or reduced force, applied to the tube.

76. A retractable tube according to claim 75, wherein the tube has an internal diameter of about 30 mm or less.

77. A retractable tube according to claim 75, wherein the tube has a weight per unit length of about 500 g/m or less.

78. A retractable tube according to claim 75, wherein the tube has an unextended length of about 3 m or less.

79. A retractable tube according to claim 78, wherein the tube has an unextended length of about 2 m or less.

80. A retractable tube according to claim 75, wherein the extensible portion has a spring constant of about 25 N/m or less.