Compliant coupling or adaptor

• US 20090120434A1
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Snow, John Michael, Lithgow, Perry David, Smith, Ian Malcolm, Kao, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 8,544,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.130
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0075 Bellows-type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• 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 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• 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 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/21 insensitive to tilting or inclination, e.g. spill-over prevention
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 47/02 by passing the gas or air or vapour over or through a liquid bath

Abstract

A CPAP device includes a flow generator including an outlet, a humidifier including an inlet, and an adaptor connector between the outlet of the flow generator and the inlet of the humidifier. The connector includes a flexible and conformable sealing portion that is movable to accommodate misalignment.

Claims

1. An adaptor for a CPAP device, said adaptor communicating pressurized gas between an outlet of a flow generator and an inlet of a humidifier, the adaptor including a main body having first and second ends, the first end structured to be coupled to one of the inlet and the outlet and the second end having a flexible and conformable sealing portion that is movable to accommodate misalignment between the flow generator and the humidifier.

2. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes at least one annular ridge provided on an outer surface of the main body between the first and second ends.

3. The adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the at least one annular ridge includes two annular ridges axially spaced from one another.

4. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the first end is removably attachable to the outlet of the flow generator.

5. The adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the adaptor includes first and second components that are coupled to one another.

6. The adaptor according to claim 4, wherein the first component includes a frame attaching portion that provides the first end and the second component provides the second end.

7. The adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the frame attaching portion is relatively firm or rigid compared to the flexible and conformable sealing portion.

8. The adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the frame attaching portion has a plurality of flexible arms that can be flexed to releasably engage the outlet or inlet.

9. The adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the frame attaching portion includes flexible sides.

10. The adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the frame attaching portion is removably attached to one of the inlet and the outlet with a snap-fit.

11. The adaptor according to claim 6, wherein the sealing portion is interlocked with the frame attaching portion.

12. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion includes a bellows portion defining a conforming face seal.

13. The adaptor according to claim 12, wherein the bellows portion has a first portion that is gradually curved and a second portion that is generally angled relative to the first portion in cross-section.

14. The adaptor according to claim 12, wherein the bellows has a gradually curved cross-sectional profile.

15. The adaptor according to claim 12, wherein the bellows portion includes first and second portions axially spaced along an axis of the main body, the first portion being provided at the second end and the second portion being adjacent to the first portion with an axial gap between the first and second portions to allow for mis-alignment.

16. The adaptor according to claim 12, wherein the bellows portion includes a structure to prevent collapse of the bellows portion.

17. The adaptor according to claim 12, wherein the structure includes one or more protrusions provided to an inside surface of the bellows portion.

18. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion includes an internal sealing element.

19. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor has a one-piece construction.

20. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sealing portion is constructed of silicone.

21. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion is flexible axially, laterally, angularly, pivotally, and rotationally within a predetermined range.

22. The adaptor according to claim 21, wherein the sealing portion is axially and laterally flexible within a range of about 1-5 mm.

23. The adaptor according to claim 21, wherein the sealing portion is angularly, pivotally, and rotationally flexible within a range of about 1-10°

.

24. A adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion includes a flexible bellows portion that is expandable to provide a seal with the inlet or the outlet.

25. A adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion defines a cylindrical face seal adapted to seal with of the inlet or the outlet.

26. A CPAP device comprising:

a humidifier including the inlet; and

an adaptor according to claim 1.

27. The CPAP device according to claim 26, further comprising a flow generator including the outlet.

28. The CPAP device according to claim 26, further comprising a cradle to support the flow generator and humidifier.