SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING COMPONENTS OF A BREATHING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A breathing assistance system, comprising:
- a gas delivery system configured to generate a gas flow;
a fluid source located downstream from the gas delivery system;
a gas flow conduit system for communicating the gas flow between the gas delivery system and the fluid source, the gas flow conduit system including an exhaust opening; and
a flow regulation device associated with the gas flow conduit system, the flow regulation device physically moveable between;
an operational position that allows the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system to flow downstream past the flow regulation device via the gas flow conduit system; and
a protection position that prevents gasses and liquids flowing upstream through the gas flow conduit system from reaching the gas delivery system, and directs such gasses and liquids flowing upstream through the exhaust opening in the gas flow conduit system;
wherein the flow regulation device automatically moves between the operational position and the protection position based at least on the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A breathing assistance system includes a gas delivery system that generates a gas flow, a fluid source (e.g., a humidifier system or supplemental gas supply) located downstream from the gas delivery system that humidifies the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system, a gas flow conduit system for communicating the gas flow from the gas delivery system, and a flow regulation device. The flow regulation device is physically moveable between (a) an operational position that allows the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system to flow downstream past the flow regulation device via the gas flow conduit system, and (b) a protection position that prevents gasses and liquids flowing upstream through the gas flow conduit system from reaching the gas delivery system, and instead directs such gasses and liquids through an exhaust opening in the gas flow conduit system. The flow regulation device automatically moves between the operational position and the protection position based at least on a gas pressure upstream of the flow regulation device.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A breathing assistance system, comprising:
-
a gas delivery system configured to generate a gas flow; a fluid source located downstream from the gas delivery system; a gas flow conduit system for communicating the gas flow between the gas delivery system and the fluid source, the gas flow conduit system including an exhaust opening; and a flow regulation device associated with the gas flow conduit system, the flow regulation device physically moveable between; an operational position that allows the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system to flow downstream past the flow regulation device via the gas flow conduit system; and a protection position that prevents gasses and liquids flowing upstream through the gas flow conduit system from reaching the gas delivery system, and directs such gasses and liquids flowing upstream through the exhaust opening in the gas flow conduit system; wherein the flow regulation device automatically moves between the operational position and the protection position based at least on the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A flow regulation device for use in a breathing assistance system including a gas delivery system configured to generate a gas flow, a fluid source located downstream from the gas delivery system and configured to humidify the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system, and a gas flow conduit system for communicating the gas flow from the gas delivery system;
-
wherein the flow regulation device is located along the gas flow conduit system; wherein the flow regulation device is physically moveable between; an operational position that allows the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system to flow downstream past the flow regulation device via the gas flow conduit system; and a protection position that prevents gasses and liquids flowing upstream through the gas flow conduit system from reaching the gas delivery system, and directs such gasses and liquids flowing upstream through an exhaust opening in the gas flow conduit system; and wherein the flow regulation device automatically moves between the operational position and the protection position based at least on the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for protecting a gas delivery system configured to generate a gas flow in a breathing assistance system including the gas delivery system, a fluid source located downstream from the gas delivery system, and a gas flow conduit system for communicating the gas flow from the gas delivery system, the method comprising:
-
operating the gas delivery system in a first state that causes a flow regulation device to automatically move to an operational position in which; the gas flow generated by the gas delivery system is allowed to flow downstream past the flow regulation device via the gas flow conduit system; and an exhaust opening in gas flow conduit system is closed by the flow regulation device; and adjusting the gas delivery system to a second state that causes the flow regulation device to automatically move to a protection position in which; the exhaust opening in gas flow conduit system is not closed by the flow regulation device; and gasses and liquids flowing upstream through the gas flow conduit system are blocked from flowing to the gas delivery system, and instead directed through the exhaust opening in the gas flow conduit system. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification