Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device

• US 20090199852A1
• Filed: 07/04/2006
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LifeVent Medical Ltd.
• Original Assignee: LifeVent Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Smith, Terence James, McIntyre, Donald Ross, Miles, James Edward, McIntyre, Cindy, Ryan, Michael William, Alloo, Lawrence Gordon, Berry, Robert Charles, Chaloner, William Jesse, Shaw, Geoffrey Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,136,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0075 Bellows-type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/127 by Venturi effect, i.e. entrainment mixers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0225 Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/025 Helium

Abstract

A continuous positive airway pressure device which includes:—an inflatable breathable air reservoir provided with an air inlet/outlet; —a pressurised gas reservoir arranged to apply a predetermined substantially constant pressure on the breathable air reservoir, irrespective of the degree of inflation of the breathable air reservoir.

Claims

1. A continuous positive airway pressure device which includes:

an inflatable breathable air reservoir provided with an air inlet/outlet;

a pressurised gas reservoir arranged to apply a predetermined substantially constant pressure on the breathable air reservoir, irrespective of the degree of inflation of the breathable air reservoir.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressurised gas reservoir applies said predetermined pressure on the breathable air reservoir by means of:

a pneumatic ram which is operable by the pressurised gas reservoir; and

load transmitting means connected to the pneumatic ram.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pneumatic ram incorporates a rolling diaphragm.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said load transmitting means includes a movable plate which is arranged to apply pressure on the breathable air reservoir.

5. The device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 4 wherein said load transmitting means includes cables and pulleys.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said load transmitting means further includes cables and pulleys, one or more cables being connected between the movable plate and the pneumatic ram such that reciprocation of the pneumatic ram causes a corresponding movement of the plate.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the movable plate contacts the upper surface of the breathable air reservoir.

8. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the movable plate contacts the lower surface of the breathable air reservoir.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the movable plate is supported upon spaced hinges.

10. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the movable plate is selected from the group consisting of:

a rigid solid plate, a flexible solid plate, a rigid mesh plate and a flexible mesh plate.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressurised gas reservoir includes at least one low pressure reservoir.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pressurised gas reservoir further includes a high-pressure reservoir which is connectable to said at least one low pressure reservoir.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said high-pressure reservoir comprises a pressurised gas capsule.

14. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the pressurised gas reservoir further includes a pressurised gas capsule which is connectable to said high-pressure reservoir.

15. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the pressurised gas reservoir provides a connection for a manual pump.

16. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressurised gas reservoir is provided with a pressure gauge.

17. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of the high-pressure reservoir and at least one of the low pressure reservoirs are provided with separate pressure gauges.

18. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressurised gas reservoir is formed within a protective housing which also supports the breathable air reservoir.

19. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are combined.

20. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are separate.

21. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the breathable air reservoir is made of a flexible but inelastic material.

22. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the breathable air reservoir is selected from the group consisting of:

a bellows having equidistantly spaced constrictions and a flat top and base, a bag, and a fireside bellows shape.

23. The device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the upper surface of the breathable air reservoir is rigid or semi rigid.

24. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the breathable air reservoir is adapted to contain water for humidifying the breathable air flow from the reservoir.

25. The combination of a device as claimed in claim 1 and a hose connected at one end to the air inlet/outlet of the breathable air reservoir and at the other end to a mask.

26. The combination as claimed in claim 25 wherein the hose is a wide bore hose, having an internal diameter in the range 30-55 millimetres.

27. The combination as claimed in claim 25 further including an exhaust valve fitted to the mask.

28. The combination as claimed in claim 25 further including a two level exhaust valve fitted to the air inlet of the breathable air reservoir.