Valve for use in a gas delivery system

• US 6,189,532 B1
• Filed: 04/26/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lithgow, Perry David, Hely, Kenneth Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US09/300,750
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.11, 128/205.24
• US Class Current: 128/205.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 7/12 with fresh-air hose
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/02 Valves non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10

Abstract

A safety valve for use in closed systems wherein there is a flow generator delivering oxygen or some other type of breathing gas to a patient. The safety valve of the present invention vents to the open atmosphere in the event that the breathing gas generated by the flow generator diminishes or terminates.

Claims

1. A breathing safety valve secured between a patient and means to deliver a breathing gas in a substantially closed system, said safety valve comprising:

(a) an outer housing, said outer housing having a port for the purpose of venting the breathing gas to the atmosphere making the system an open system, and defining a housing shoulder;

(b) a slider element, said slider element defining a slider shoulder and being configured to fit within said outer housing, said slider element having at least two positions engageable within said housing, a first position wherein said slider shoulder engages said housing shoulder to substantially block said port such that said system is closed, and a second position wherein said slider element does not substantially block said port such that said system is open to said atmosphere; and

(c) a force mechanism applying a returning force to said slider element, said force biasing said slider element from said first position to said second position.

2. The valve of claim 1 wherein said returning force comprises a first magnet on said slider element and a second magnet on said housing and said first magnet attracts said second magnet.

3. The valve of claim 2 wherein said second position results from said means to deliver a breathing gas not generating said gas in sufficient volume to overcome the returning force created between said magnets.

4. The valve of claim 3, wherein:

said means to deliver a breathing gas is not generating said gas in sufficient volume to maintain at least one centimeter of pressure in said closed system.

5. The valve of claim 2, wherein:

said magnets are positioned such that the returning force does not exceed the force applied to said slider element when the atmospheric pressure present in said closed system is about one to three centimeters of water above said atmospheric pressure.

6. The valve of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises two housing parts, a means to deliver gas housing and a mask housing, said mask housing defining said port.

7. The valve of claim 1 wherein said housing has a plurality of ports.

8. The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve is integral with said mask.

9. The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve is integral with said means to deliver a breathing gas.

10. A breathing safety valve secured between a patient and means to deliver a breathing gas in a substantially closed system wherein said valve is integral with said means to deliver a breathing gas, said safety valve comprising:

(a) an outer housing said outer housing having a port for the purpose of venting the breathing gas to the atmosphere;

(b) a slider element, configured to fit within said outer housing, said slider element having at least two positions engageable within said housing, a first position wherein said slider element substantially blocks said port such that said system is closed, and a second position wherein said slider element does not substantially block said port such that said system is open to said atmosphere; and

(c) a first magnet on said slider element and a second magnet on said housing to apply a returning force to said slider element, said force biasing said slider element from said first position to said second position.