HUMIDIFIER RESERVOIR

• US 20180078730A1
• Filed: 11/29/2017
• Published: 03/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: BATH, Andrew Roderick, FORMICA, Justin John, HARRINGTON, Matthew Rolf, ORMROD, Joseph Samuel, STANISLAS, Luke Andrew, VERMA, Hargopal
• Granted Patent: US 11,013,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• 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 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/123 with incorporated reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise

Abstract

An apparatus for humidifying a flow of pressurised, breathable air includes varying a first pressure of the flow of breathable gas to vary a level of thermal engagement between the conductive portion of the reservoir and the heater plate, varying a height of the variable portion varies a level of thermal engagement between the conductive portion of the reservoir and the heater plate, use of a humidifier reservoir base component with a maximum water capacity substantially equal to the predetermined maximum volume of water of the humidifier reservoir or the use of intersecting inlet and outlet axes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for humidifying a flow of breathable gas, comprising:

a heater plate;

a chamber in fluid communication with the flow of breathable gas; and

a reservoir comprising a conductive portion in thermal engagement with the heater plate,

wherein the apparatus is configured so that varying a first pressure of the flow of breathable gas in the chamber varies a level of thermal engagement between the conductive portion and the heater plate.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir further comprises an inlet and an outlet.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thermal engagement is in a first direction that is substantially normal to a surface of the conductive portion.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further configured to vary a magnitude of a force between the conductive portion and the heater plate in the first direction as the first pressure is varied.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber is part of the reservoir.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprises a variable portion.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a dock configured to receive the reservoir, and the dock comprises the heater plate.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the dock further comprises a cavity having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion having the heater plate located thereon, the cavity configured to retain at least a portion of the reservoir therein.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the variable portion is compressed to enable insertion of the reservoir into the cavity of the dock.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top portion of the cavity is moveable between an open and closed configuration to facilitate insertion of the reservoir into the cavity.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the variable portion is configured to adjust in size as the first pressure is varied to vary the level of thermal engagement between the heater plate and the conductive portion.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir further includes a base and a lid, the base structured to hold a volume of liquid and including the conducting portion.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the base and lid are pivotably coupled together.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the variable portion forms a seal between the base and lid.

15. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the reservoir further includes a latch to secure the base and lid together.

16. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the reservoir further comprises at least one handle to facilitate coupling of the reservoir to the dock.

17. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the reservoir further includes a retaining clip adapted to engage with a recess on the dock to retain the reservoir in the cavity of the dock.

18. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the reservoir is structured to prevent refilling of the reservoir when the reservoir is coupled to the dock.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the reservoir is prevented from being opened when the reservoir is coupled to the dock.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the reservoir includes a re-filling cap.