SINGLE STAGE, AXIAL SYMMETRIC BLOWER AND PORTABLE VENTILATOR

• US 20120138058A1
• Filed: 08/11/2010
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resmed Motor Technologies Inc. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Motor Technologies Inc. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Martin, Dion Charles Chewe, Fu, Timothy Tsun-Fai, Chalvignac, Philippe Augusto, Yang, Quangang, Creusot, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,861,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/204.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/049 Mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1045 Devices for humidifying or heating the inspired gas by using recovered moisture or heat from the expired gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0227 Materials having sensing or indicating function, e.g. indicating a pressure increase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/086 : Docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/202 : partial carbon oxide pressure, e.g. partial dioxide pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 : partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 : partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/0606 : the electric motor being specially adapted for integration in the pump
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/0666 : a sensor is integrated into the pump/motor design
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/084 : hand fans
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/4253 : with axial entry and discharge
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/444 : Bladed diffusers
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2250/52 : Outlet

Abstract

A blower (10) includes a housing (20) including a proximal opening (23) and a distal opening (25) that are co-axially aligned, a stator component (30) provided to the housing, an impeller (60) positioned between the proximal opening of the housing and the stator component, and a motor (40) adapted to drive the impeller. The impeller includes a plurality of impeller blades. The stator component includes a plurality of air directing grooves (35) along its exterior surface. The leading edge of the air directing grooves extend tangentially outwards from the outer tips of the impeller blades and are configured to collect the air exiting the impeller blades and direct it from a generally tangential direction to a generally radial direction by dividing the air from the impeller and directing the air along a curved path towards the distal opening so that airflow becomes substantially laminar.

Claims

1. A blower, comprising:

a housing including a proximal opening and a distal opening, the proximal opening and distal opening being co-axially aligned;

a stator component provided to the housing;

an impeller positioned between the proximal opening of the housing and the stator component, the impeller including a plurality of impeller blades; and

a motor adapted to drive the impeller,

wherein the stator component includes a plurality of air directing grooves along its exterior surface, the leading edge of the air directing grooves extending tangentially outwards from the outer tips of the impeller blades and configured to collect the air exiting the impeller blades and direct it from a generally tangential direction to a generally radial direction by dividing the air from the impeller and directing the air along a curved path towards the distal opening so that airflow becomes substantially laminar.

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the stator component includes nine, eleven, or thirteen air directing grooves.

3. The blower according to claim 1, wherein each air directing groove includes a proximal portion that extends generally tangentially from the perimeter of the impeller so that air exiting the impeller can enter the groove, and a distal portion that extends from the proximal portion towards the distal opening of the housing.

4. The blower according to claim 3, wherein the grooves all converge at the base of the stator component.

5. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the grooves is substantially constant along each of the grooves.

6. The blower according to claim 3, wherein a depth of each groove increases or deepens as it extends from the proximal portion towards distal portion.

7. The blower according to claim 5, wherein the width of each groove decreases or narrows as it extends from the proximal portion towards the distal portion and the depth of each groove increases or deepens as it extends from the proximal portion towards the distal portion.

8. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the stator component includes a hollow interior adapted to support the motor therewithin.

9. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the motor includes a stator assembly adapted to drive a rotor, and the impeller is coupled to an end portion of the rotor.

10. The blower according to claim 9, wherein the rotor is supported by a pair of bearings, the bearings supported by the housing.

11. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the impeller includes a number of impeller blades, and a ratio of impeller blades to air directing grooves includes no common divisible.

12. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a maximum diameter of about 30-50 mm.

13. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the blower is structured to provide pressurized air greater than 60 CmH₂O.

14. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a housing piece configured and positioned to cover or shield power connection points to the motor.

15. The blower according to claim 1, further comprising a flow sensor and a pressure sensor downstream of the stator component.

16. The blower according to claim 15, wherein the housing includes flow straighteners downstream of the stator component and upstream of the flow sensor that are configured and positioned so as to straighten the airflow entering the flow sensor.

17. The blower according to claim 15, wherein the pressure sensor includes a flexible membrane in fluid communication with the airflow path, and wherein displacement of the flexible membrane provides an indication of pressure of the air in the airflow path.

18. The blower according to claim 15, wherein the pressure sensor is positioned downstream of the flow sensor.

19. The blower according to claim 15, further comprising a printed circuit board assembly mounted to the housing to control the flow sensor and the pressure sensor.

20. The blower according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board assembly mounted to the housing to control the motor.

21. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the stator component includes first and second parts that cooperate to define the plurality of air directing grooves.

22. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the stator component includes first and second parts that are coupled to one another by an o-ring.

23. The blower according to claim 1, further comprising a passive air valve assembly provided to the proximal opening of the housing.

24. The blower according to claim 23, wherein the valve assembly includes a first valve in communication with atmosphere and positioned and arranged to allow air to flow into the blower via the proximal opening during an inhalation phase of the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle, and a second valve in communication with atmosphere and positioned and arranged to allow air to exit the blower via the proximal opening during an exhalation phase of the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle.

25. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a maximum outside height of 30-50 mm.

26. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the blower has a weight of less than 500 gms.

27. The blower according to claim 26, wherein the blower has a weight of between 50-200 gms.

28. The blower according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) provided to the housing.

29. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the blower is adapted to provide relatively constant pressure at flow rates up to 80 L/min over a predetermined range of motor speeds.

30. The blower according to claim 29, wherein the range of motor speeds is from about 30,000 rpm to 40,000 rpm.

31. A ventilator device comprising a blower according to claim 1.

32. A ventilator device comprising a blower according to claim 29, further comprising tubing connected to the blower, and a patient interface connected to the tubing.

33. The ventilator device according to claim 32, wherein the patient interface does not include a vent due to the relatively constant pressure provided by the blower.

34. The ventilator device according to claim 31, wherein the ventilator device is a PAP device.

35. A ventilator for a patient, comprising:

a blower structured to provide a source of pressurized air, the blower including a housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, a stator component provided to the housing, an impeller positioned between the proximal opening of the housing and the stator component, and a motor adapted to drive the impeller; and

a valve assembly provided to the proximal opening of the blower and structured to allow air to flow through the blower along a flow path in both directions, the valve assembly structured to allow air to flow into the blower via the proximal opening during an inhalation phase of the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle and allow air to exit the blower via the proximal opening during an exhalation phase of the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle,

wherein the stator component includes a plurality of air directing grooves along its exterior surface, the leading edge of the air directing grooves extending tangentially outwards from the outer tips of the impeller blades and configured to collect the air exiting the impeller blades and direct it from a generally tangential direction to a generally radial direction by dividing the air from the impeller and directing the air along a curved path towards the distal opening so that airflow becomes substantially laminar.

36. A ventilator according to claim 35, wherein the blower includes a flow element provided to the motor along the flow path structured to measure flow in both directions and conduct heat from the motor.

37. A ventilator according to claim 36, wherein the housing and stator component cooperate to define a plenum chamber around the impeller.

38. A ventilator according to claim 37, further comprising a downstream chamber downstream from the plenum chamber to allow flow recirculation through the stator component without affecting the flow element.

39. A ventilator according to claim 36, further comprising a non-electrically conductive sleeve provided to a central segment of the motor along the flow path.

40. A ventilator according to claim 36, wherein the flow element and the stator component are constructed of heat conductive material to conduct heat from the motor.

41. A ventilator according to claim 40, wherein the flow element and the stator component are constructed of aluminum.

42. A ventilator according to claim 35, further comprising a mucous trap provided to the distal opening of the blower, the mucous trap providing a capture plate adapted to capture any particulate matter expired by the patient.

43. A ventilator according to claim 35, further comprising a heat moisture exchange filter provided to the distal opening of the blower, the heat moisture exchange filter including a filter and/or pad to condition air inhaled by the patient and/or protect the ventilator from particulate matter expired by the patient.

44. A ventilator according to claim 35, wherein a cross-sectional area of the flow path is maximized and balanced with minimal deadspace within the ventilator to provide low source impedance.

45. A ventilator according to claim 35, further comprising a battery powered control unit separate from the ventilator, the ventilator and control unit both including a micro-controller configured to record patient data and allow transfer of ventilator settings and patient details.

46. A ventilator according to claim 35, wherein the ventilator is adapted for use at a location proximal to the patient.

47. A ventilator according to claim 46, wherein the ventilator is incorporated into a headworn system.

48. A ventilator according to claim 46, wherein the ventilator is adapted to be mounted to a structure including a wall, bed, bed head, wheelchair, table or chair, and connected via tubing to a patient interface.

49. A ventilator according to claim 46, wherein the ventilator is adapted to fit into a support structure incorporated into clothing.

50. A ventilator according to claim 49, wherein the clothing is a shirt, T-shirt, or pajamas.

51. A ventilator according to claim 46, wherein the ventilator blower is built into a patient interface unit.

52. A ventilator according to claim 46, wherein the ventilator is supported by a shoulder-type harness.

53. A ventilator according to claim 46, wherein the ventilator is supported by a pendant-type arrangement.

54. A ventilator according to claim 46, wherein the ventilator is supported by a strap or band around a part of the user'"'"'s body.

55. A ventilator according to claim 54, wherein the strap or band is a chest band.

56. A ventilator according to claim 54, wherein the strap or band is an arm band.

57. A ventilator, comprising:

a blower structured to provide a source of pressurized air; and

a valve assembly provided to the blower and structured to allow air to flow through the blower along a flow path in both directions,

the blower including a flow element along the flow path structured to measure flow in both directions and conduct heat from a motor of the blower.

58. A ventilator according to claim 57, wherein the flow element is constructed of a heat conductive material.

59. A ventilator according to claim 57, wherein the flow element is constructed of aluminum.

60. A ventilator according to claim 57, wherein the flow element includes an inner core and a plurality of vanes extending from the inner core.

61. A ventilator according to claim 60, wherein the flow element includes 40-60 vanes.

62. A ventilator according to claim 60, wherein the inner core of the flow element includes a split configuration structured to allow the flow element to be fit around the motor and to expand and contract with changes in heat from the motor.

63. A modular ventilator system, comprising:

a ventilator module; and

one or more of the following individually replaceable modules;

a control module to remotely control the ventilator module;

an extension battery module for the control module;

an oxygen enhancement module provided to the ventilator module;

a mucous trap module provided to a distal opening of the ventilator module;

a heat moisture exchange filter module provided to a distal opening of the ventilator module; and

/or

a strap module including one or more straps to stabilize the ventilator module and/or the control module.

64. A modular ventilator system according to claim 63, wherein the control module includes an internal accelerometer and allows a pulse oximeter and/or a CO₂ monitor to be connected thereto.