REMOVABLE AND/OR REPLACEABLE HUMIDIFIER

• US 20140001658A1
• Filed: 09/03/2013
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Virr, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,968,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 261/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/142 with semi-permeable walls separating the liquid from the respiratory gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3673 thermo-electric, e.g. Peltier effect, thermocouples, semi-conductors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/368 by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. IR waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7509 for virus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/108 for heating a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/474 With housings, supports or stacking arrangements

Abstract

Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus includes a housing providing a gas flow path, a heater apparatus, and a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path. The water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.

Claims

1. A water distribution member for a humidifier apparatus comprising an envelope formed by a first, substantially planar compartment wall and a second, substantially planar compartment wall joined together along a peripheral edge, and a water inlet opening into the envelope formed in a laterally-offset portion of said first substantially planar compartment wall, said laterally-offset portion extending outwardly of remaining portions of said peripheral edge.

2. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein the first substantially planar compartment wall is at least in part a semi-permeable membrane structured to allow water vapour to pass therethrough.

3. The water distribution member according to claim 2, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a finely perforated material.

4. The water distribution member according to claim 2, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a hydrophobic material.

5. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein the second substantially planar compartment wall includes a thermally conductive wall.

6. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein the water distribution member is adapted to be a removable and replaceable fitting to the humidifier apparatus.

7. The water distribution member according to claim 1, further including a water filter in communication with the water inlet.

8. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein a heater element is incorporated in the second substantially planar compartment wall.

9. The water distribution member according to claim 8, wherein the heater element comprises a heater plate.

10. The water distribution member according to claim 8, wherein the heater element comprises an induction receiving element.

11. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein the envelope defines a thin water layer having a thickness of less than about 1 mm.

12. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein the envelope defines a thin water layer having a thickness of less than about 5 mm.

13. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein the envelope has a volume of less than about 150 ml.

14. The water distribution member according to claim 1, wherein the envelope has a volume of less than about 100 ml.

15. The water distribution member according to claim 5, wherein said second substantially planar compartment wall is comprised of a metal, metal plastic composite or metalized plastic film.

16. The water distribution member according to claim 1 wherein said first and second substantially planar compartment walls are joined by a bonding strip extending about peripheral edges thereof.

17. The water distribution member of claim 1 wherein a filter is located within said water inlet.

18. The water distribution member of claim 17 wherein said filter is supported by one or more ribs.

19. The water distribution member of claim 17 wherein said filter is comprised of a filter disc supported on an underlying support, and wherein the filter disc coincides with said water inlet in said first substantially planar compartment wall.

20. The water distribution member of claim 19 wherein said underlying support is provided with one or more ribs.

21. Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

one or more water supply distribution members removably fitted to the housing, the one or more water supply distribution members configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to one or more gas flow paths defined by the one or more water supply distribution members and the housing; and

a heater apparatus in thermal communication with at least one of the water distribution members;

wherein said one or more water distribution members comprises an envelope formed by a first upper, substantially planar compartment wall and a second lower, substantially planar compartment wall joined together along a peripheral edge, and a water inlet opening into the envelope formed in a laterally and outwardly-offset portion of said peripheral edge.

22. The humidifier apparatus of claim 21 wherein the first substantially planar compartment wall is at least in part a semi-permeable membrane structured to allow water vapour to pass therethrough.

23. The humidifier apparatus of claim 22 wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a hydrophobic material.

24. The humidifier apparatus of claim 22 wherein the heater apparatus comprises a filament or tape heater attached to a side of the base plate.

25. The humidifier apparatus of claim 21 wherein the heater apparatus comprises an induction heater.

26. A humidifier apparatus, comprising:

a base plate removably and replaceably attachable to a humidifier housing, the housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a first water inlet;

a heater apparatus provided to the base plate; and

a water distribution member provided to the base plate, the water distribution member including first and second compartment walls that define an envelope adapted to receive a supply of water via a second water inlet substantially aligned with said first water inlet, the first compartment wall including a semi-permeable membrane adapted to allow water vapour to pass therethrough and the second compartment wall including a thermally conductive wall in thermal communication with the heater apparatus, and wherein said first water inlet in said housing increases in transverse cross section in an inward direction in order to distribute the water over a filter within the water distribution member.

27. The humidifier apparatus of claim 26 wherein the housing provides a gas flow path, and wherein a plate is located in said gas flow path, above said water distribution member, and configured and arranged to divide the gas flow path into two gas streams such that only one gas stream receives water vapour from the water distribution member and one or more devices control the amount of gas flow into one or both gas streams.

28. The humidifier apparatus of claim 26 and further including one or more variable apertures placed between the water supply distribution member and the gas flow path.

29. The humidifier apparatus of claim 26 wherein the one or more variable apertures are structured to regulate the amount of water vapour transferred to the gas flow path.