BREATHABLE GAS APPARATUS WITH HUMIDIFIER

• US 20150020805A1
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: KENYON, Barton John, YEE, Arthur Kin-Wai, CRUMBLIN, Geoffrey, LITHGOW, Perry David, VIRR, Alexander, SAADA, Jim, SNOW, John Michael, TREVOR-WILSON, Duncan Lovel, BATH, Andrew Roderick, JANIAK, Michael Thomas, KAO, Dan, RICHMOND, Donald Angus, PAYNE, Mark John, SAPULA, Marek Tomasz, JEHA, Simone Marie, MURRAY, Andrew Charles
• Granted Patent: US 9,072,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/105 Filters A61M16/047, A61M16/22 take precedence; water traps A61M16/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/162 Water-reservoir filling system, e.g. automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 : with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/14 : Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 : Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 : Optical measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/36 : related to heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 : Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 : with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 : User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 : with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 : Optical identification systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/16 : Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 : Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/46 : Resistance or compliance of the lungs
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/003 : Means for influencing the temperature or humidity of the breathing gas
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/55 : Mixing liquid air humidifiers with air
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/232 : using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/237611 : Air
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/753 : Medical equipment; Accessories therefor bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 17/16 : for displacing without appreciable compression
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/0693 : Details or arrangements of the wiring
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/4206 : especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/664 : by means of sound absorbing material

Abstract

A flow generator and humidifier construction is described, including a flow generator construction adapted to reduce noise output compared to known flow generators of comparable size. The flow generator includes a chassis forming first and second muffler volumes and a venturi-shaped connection portion, and a metal/polymer composite material blower enclosure which suppresses noise from the blower. The flow generator may be programmed to include a reminder system including a menu from which the user may request a reminder to take specific action, e.g., replace a component, call a physician, and/or enter patient data card, etc.

Claims

1. A humidifier for delivering humidified breathable gas to a patient, the humidifier comprising:

a base unit configured to attach to and detach from a flow generator, the base unit comprising an elastomer airway seal; and

a water container with an inlet and an outlet, the water container being attachable to and detachable from the base unit,

wherein the inlet of the water container is configured to create a sealed air path with the elastomer airway seal upon attaching the water container to the base unit.

2. A humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the sealed air path extends from an outlet of the flow generator to a headspace of the water container.

3. A humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the base unit comprises a front cover and a rear cover and the elastomer airway seal fits between the front and rear covers.

4. A humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the front cover includes an aperture and the elastomer airway seal comprises a peripheral seal portion configured to extend about a periphery of the aperture in the front cover.

5. A humidifier according to claim 4, wherein the rear cover includes an air port configured to mate with an outlet of the flow generator.

6. A humidifier according to claim 5, wherein the elastomer airway seal connects the air port to the aperture in the front cover.

7. A humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the water container comprises a water tub, a tub lid and a seal.

8. A humidifier according to claim 7, wherein the water container inlet is located on a rear surface of the tub lid, and the tub lid comprises a humidified air exit aperture.

9. A humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the base unit further comprises a heater plate configured to support said water container and be in heat transfer communication with a metal floor of said water container.

10. A humidifier according to claim 9, wherein the floor of the water container is of complimentary shape to the heater plate.

12. A flow generator and humidifier combination for continuous positive airway pressure treatment of a patient, the combination comprising:

a humidifier according to claim 1; and

a flow generator removably attached to the humidifier, the flow generator comprising;

an external case of rigid plastic materials molded from two parts and comprising a top case and a bottom case;

a connecting nozzle extending through an aperture in a front face of the external case, the connecting nozzle being configured to connect to a humidifier air port;

a keypad, facia and a transport handle attached to the top case; and

a fan comprising a motor and provided with a coaxial impeller.

13. A combination according to claim 12, wherein a rear face of the humidifier base unit has a peripheral flange configured to seat in a corresponding peripheral recess surrounding a front face of the flow generator when the humidifier and the flow generator are brought together by linear movement towards each other.

14. A combination according to claim 12, wherein the flow generator further comprises an optical transmitter configured to emit light from the front face;

and an optical sensor configured to detect a reflection of the light emitted from the front face.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the flow generator further comprises a control PCB, a front edge of the control PCB being located adjacent the front face of the flow generator housing so that the optical transmitter transmits the light through the front face of the flow generator.

16. A combination device according to claim 15, wherein a rear wall of the humidifier base unit comprises a reflector configured to reflect the light transmitted form the optical transmitter.

11. A humidifier for delivering humidified breathable gas to a patient, the humidifier comprising:

a base unit configured to attach to and detach from a flow generator, the base unit comprising an elastomer airway seal, a front cover with an aperture, a rear cover an air port configured to mate with an outlet of the flow generator, the elastomer airway seal fitting between the front and rear covers and connecting the air port to the aperture in the front cover and comprising a peripheral seal portion configured to extend about a periphery of the aperture in the front cover; and

a water container with an inlet and an outlet and comprising a water tub, a seal and a tub lid with a humidified air exit aperture, the water container being attachable to and detachable from the base unit and the water container inlet being located on a rear surface of the tub lid,

wherein the inlet of the water container is configured to create a sealed air path with the elastomer airway seal upon attaching the water container to the base unit, the sealed air path extending from an outlet of the flow generator to a headspace of the water container,

wherein the base unit further comprises a heater plate configured to support said water container and be in heat transfer communication with a metal floor of said water container, the metal floor of the water container being of complimentary shape to the heater plate.

17. A humidifier for delivering humidified breathable gas to a patient, the humidifier comprising:

a base unit configured to attach to and detach from a flow generator, the base unit comprising a front cover and a rear cover;

a water container with an inlet and an outlet, the water container being attachable to and detachable from the base unit; and

a sealed air path from an outlet of the flow generator to a headspace of the water container, the sealed air path including an elastomer airway seal that fits between the front and rear covers.

18. A humidifier according to claim 17, wherein the front cover includes an aperture and the elastomer airway seal comprises a peripheral seal portion configured to extend about a periphery of the aperture in the front cover.

19. A humidifier according to claim 18, wherein the rear cover includes an air port configured to mate with the flow generator outlet.

20. A humidifier according to claim 19, wherein the elastomer airway seal connects the air port to the aperture in the front cover.

21. A humidifier according to claim 17, wherein the water container comprises a water tub, a tub lid and a seal.

22. A humidifier according to claim 21, wherein the water container inlet is located on a rear surface of the tub lid, and the tub lid comprises a humidified air exit aperture.

23. A humidifier according to claim 17, wherein the base unit further comprises a heater plate configured to support said water container and be in heat transfer communication with a metal floor of said water container.

24. A humidifier according to claim 23, wherein the floor of the water container is of complimentary shape to the heater plate.

26. A flow generator and humidifier combination for continuous positive airway pressure treatment of a patient, the combination comprising:

a humidifier according to claim 17; and

a flow generator removably attached to the humidifier, the flow generator comprising;

an external case of rigid plastic materials molded from two parts and comprising a top case and a bottom case;

a connecting nozzle extending through an aperture in a front face of the external case, the connecting nozzle being configured to connect to a humidifier air port;

a keypad, facia and a transport handle attached to the top case; and

a fan comprising a motor and provided with a coaxial impeller.

27. A combination according to claim 26, wherein a rear face of the humidifier base unit has a peripheral flange configured to seat in a corresponding peripheral recess surrounding a front face of the flow generator when the humidifier and the flow generator are brought together by linear movement towards each other.

28. A combination according to claim 26, wherein the flow generator further comprises an optical transmitter configured to emit light from the front face;

and an optical sensor configured to detect a reflection of the light emitted from the front face.

29. A combination according to claim 28, wherein the flow generator further comprises a control PCB, a front edge of the control PCB being located adjacent the front face of the flow generator housing so that the optical transmitter transmits the light through the front face of the flow generator.

30. A combination device according to claim 29, wherein a rear wall of the humidifier base unit comprises a reflector configured to reflect the light transmitted form the optical transmitter.

25. A humidifier for delivering humidified breathable gas to a patient, the humidifier comprising:

a base unit configured to attach to and detach from a flow generator, the base unit comprising a front cover and a rear cover with an air port configured to mate with an outlet of the flow generator;

a water container with an inlet and an outlet and comprising a water tub, a seal and a tub lid with a humidified air exit aperture, the water container being attachable to and detachable from the base unit and the water container inlet being located on a rear surface of the tub lid; and

a sealed air path from an outlet of the flow generator to a headspace of the water container, the sealed air path including an elastomer airway seal that fits between the front and rear covers and comprises a peripheral seal portion configured to extend about a periphery of an aperture in the front cover,

wherein the elastomer airway seal connects the air port to the aperture in the front cover, and

wherein the base unit further comprises a heater plate configured to support said water container and be in heat transfer communication with a metal floor of said water container, the metal floor of the water container being of complimentary shape to the heater plate.