SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING GASES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a flow generator,a controller connected to control the output of the flow generator,a conduit extending from the flow generator to connect with a user interface, an inside of the conduit and an inside of the user interface defining a gases space,a valve at or adjacent the user interface, the valve being switchable between a first mode in which the gases space is significantly open to ambient through the valve and a second mode in which the gases space is not significantly open to ambient through the valve,the controller comprising one or more positive airway pressure support modes in which the controller is adapted to cause the flow generator to deliver pressure support to an airway of a user with the valve in the second mode, andthe controller comprising one or more sub-therapeutic modes in which the controller is adapted to cause the flow generator to deliver flow of gases to the user with the valve in the first mode.
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Abstract
A system, apparatus and methods are provided for supplying gases to a user. The supply includes a sub-therapeutic mode and a pressure support mode for delivering therapy to a user. A flow diversion device or valve switches from a first mode corresponding with the sub-therapeutic mode of the system to a second mode corresponding with the pressure support mode of the system. In the first mode, the valve opens a larger flow path between the interior of the user interface and ambient air than in the second mode.
38 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a flow generator, a controller connected to control the output of the flow generator, a conduit extending from the flow generator to connect with a user interface, an inside of the conduit and an inside of the user interface defining a gases space, a valve at or adjacent the user interface, the valve being switchable between a first mode in which the gases space is significantly open to ambient through the valve and a second mode in which the gases space is not significantly open to ambient through the valve, the controller comprising one or more positive airway pressure support modes in which the controller is adapted to cause the flow generator to deliver pressure support to an airway of a user with the valve in the second mode, and the controller comprising one or more sub-therapeutic modes in which the controller is adapted to cause the flow generator to deliver flow of gases to the user with the valve in the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. The apparatus of 1, wherein, in the sub-therapeutic mode, the controller controls the flow generator to deliver an average flow at a level that assures flushing of the user interface but which does not trigger the valve to switch from the first mode to the second mode.
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18. A valve for use at or adjacent a user interface, the valve comprising:
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a flow passage at least partially defined by a wall, the flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet that is adapted to be fluidly connected to the user interface; an aperture defined through the wall, the aperture being positioned between the inlet and the outlet; and a valve member being positioned between the inlet and the aperture, the valve member being movable between a first position and a second position, the valve member in the second position closing the aperture, the valve member in the first position leaving the aperture open for flow to ambient, the valve member in the first position partially but not fully occluding flow through the flow passage, and the valve member in the first position occluding between about 50% and about 80% of a cross section area of the flow passage in a location correlating to the valve member. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22-32. -32. (canceled)
Specification