FLOW SPLITTING NCPAP DEVICE

• US 20120247480A1
• Filed: 03/29/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vyaire Medical 211, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: CareFusion 207, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: VARGA, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,159,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0096 High frequency jet ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/125 Diluting primary gas with ambient air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/10 Flow characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 Controlled or regulated

Abstract

A nCPAP device includes an net configured for receiving a single gas jet flow. The single gas jet flow supplies gas for both nares. The device also includes a flow splitter configured for proportionally splitting said gas jet flow into two channels for the both nares according to one or more of nave anatomy and flow path resistance.

Claims

1. A nCPAP device comprising:

an inlet configured for receiving a single gas jet flow, herein said single gas jet flow supplies gas for both nares; and

a flow spotter configured for proportionally splitting said gas jet flow into two channels for said both nares according to one or more of Rare anatomy and flow path resistance.

2. The nCPAP device of claim 1, wherein said split gas jet flow is self-adjusting.

3. The nCPAP device of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface configured for interfacing with nasal prongs.

4. The nCPAP device of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface configured for interfacing with a mask.

5. The nCPAP device of claim 1, wherein said flow splitter is further configured for facilitating a diversion of said gas jet flow to an exhaust port.

6. The nCPAP device of claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure measurement port disposed in an exit channel.

7. The nCPAP device of claim 1, further comprising:

a nozzle for generating said single gas jet flow.

8. The nCPAP device of claim 1, further comprising:

an exhaust port configured to exhaust said single gas jet flow during exhalation.

9. The nCPAP device of claim 8, wherein said exhaust port is further configured to allow said single gas jet flow to entrain excess inhalation flow.

10. A method for splitting a gas jet flow in a nCPAP system, said method comprising:

generating a single gas jet flow, wherein said single gas jet flow supplies gas for both nares; and

proportionally splitting said single gas jet flow for said both nares according to one or more of nare anatomy and flow path resistance.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

channeling said spot gas jet flow to a device selected from a group consisting of;

nasal prongs and a mask.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

self-adjusting said split gas jet flow.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

in response to an exhalation flow, generating a diversion of said single gas jet flow through an exhaust port.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

entraining excess inhalation flow through an exhaust port.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

measuring pressure via a pressure measurement port in each channel.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring said pressure of said each channel via a pressure monitoring port.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said single gas jet flow supplies gas for both nares of an infant.