Pressure support system and method and a pressure control valve for use in such system and method

• US 6,615,831 B1
• Filed: 07/02/1999
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Respironics Incorporated
• Inventors: Lordo, Richard J., Gesner, Joseph J., Tuitt, Patrick W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDOZA, MICHAEL G
• Application Number:
  US09/347,071
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/204.24, 128/205.25, 128/201.28, 128/206.15, 128/200.24, 128/204.22, 128/207.12, 128/207.16, 128/204.19, 128/205.24, 137/498, 137/625.65, 251/905
• US Class Current: 128/204.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0866 Passive resistors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 251/905 Movable coil electrical actuator, e.g. voice coil
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7785 Valve closes in response to excessive flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86622 Motor-operated

Abstract

A pressure support system having enhanced noise reduction and a valve assembly for use in pressure support system. The pressure support system includes a pressure generator having an inlet and an outlet. A first conduit defining a tortuous path is coupled between a gas source and the inlet of the pressure generator. A second conduit coupled to the outlet of the pressure generator delivers the flow of gas from the pressure generator to a patient. A valve assembly communicates gas from the second conduit to the first conduit to control the pressure or a rate of the flow of gas in the second conduit. By communicating gas from the second conduit to the first conduit, the noise associated with exhausting gas from the second conduit is muffled by the tortuous path of the first conduit.

Claims

1. A pressure support system comprising:

a pressure generator having an inlet portion and an outlet portion for generating a flow of gas;

a first conduit having a first end associated with a gas source and a second end coupled to the inlet portion of the pressure generator to supply gas from a gas source to the pressure generator, the first conduit defining a tortuous path between the first end and the second end;

a second conduit having a first end coupled to the outlet portion of the pressure generator and a second end to deliver the flow of gas from the pressure generator to a patient; and

a valve assembly operatively connected to the first conduit and the second conduit, wherein the valve assembly communicates gas from the second conduit to the first conduit to control one of a pressure and a rate of the flow of gas in the second conduit, and wherein the valve assembly includes;

a first cylinder having an open first end, an open second end, a blower discharge slot defined in a wall thereof, an exhaust discharge slot defined in the wall thereof between the blower discharge slot and the second end, and a separating plate positioned in the first cylinder between the exhaust discharge slot and the blower discharge slot, with the first end of the first cylinder disposed in fluid communication with the outlet portion of the pressure generator, and with the second end of the first cylinder disposed in fluid communication with the first conduit;

a second cylinder having a first slot defined in a wall thereof, with the second cylinder positioned coaxially around the first cylinder; and

an actuator operatively coupled to one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder to move the second cylinder axially relative to the first cylinder.

2. A pressure support system according to claim 1, wherein during operation of the pressure support system, the blower discharge slot overlaps the first slot provided in the second cylinder to define an aperture in the valve assembly, wherein movement of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder changes the size of the aperture to control a degree of restriction for the flow of gas from the pressure generator into the second conduit.

3. A pressure support system according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the blower discharge slot is defined in the first cylinder in one of a spiral, a circular, arched and a diagonal configuration.

4. A pressure support system according to claim 1, wherein during operation of the pressure support system, the exhaust discharge slot overlaps the first slot provided in the second cylinder to define an exhaust aperture in the valve assembly, wherein movement of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder changes the size of the exhaust aperture to control a degree of restriction for the flow of gas from the second conduit into the first conduit.

5. A pressure support system according to claim 4, herein at least a portion of the exhaust discharge slot is defined in the first cylinder in one of a spiral, a circular, arched and a diagonal configuration.

6. A pressure support system according to claim 1, wherein during operation of the pressure support system, both the blower discharge slot and the exhaust discharge slot overlap the first slot provided in the second cylinder, wherein overlap of the blower discharge slot and the first slot define a first aperture in the valve assembly and overlap of the exhaust discharge slot and the first slot define a second aperture in the valve assembly, wherein movement of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder simultaneously changes the size of the first aperture and the second aperture to control a degree of restriction for the flow of gas from the pressure generator into the second conduit and a degree of restriction for the flow of gas from the second conduit to the first conduit.

7. A pressure support system according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a magnet secured to one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder; and

a coil secured around the other of the first cylinder and the second cylinder in magnetic flux coupled relation with the magnet.

8. A pressure support system according to claim 7, wherein in response to receiving a DC current of a first polarity, the coil urges the second cylinder axially relative to the first cylinder so that the first slot of the second cylinder and the blower discharge slot of the first cylinder overlap, and wherein in response to receiving DC current of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the coil urges the second cylinder axially relative to the first cylinder so that the first slot of the second cylinder and the exhaust intake slot of the first cylinder overlap.

9. A pressure support system according to claim 1, wherein a clearance is provided between the first cylinder and the second cylinder sufficient to provide a continuous flow of gas from the pressure generator.

10. A pressure support system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the blower discharge slot, the exhaust discharge slot, and the first slot is shaped to so as to have a varying mechanical gain.

11. A valve assembly comprising:

a first cylinder having an open first end, an open second end, a blower discharge slot defined in a wall thereof, an exhaust intake slot defined in the wall thereof between the blower discharge slot and the second end, and a separating plate disposed in the first cylinder between the blower discharge slot and the exhaust intake slot;

a second cylinder having a first slot defined in a wall thereof, with the second cylinder positioned coaxially around the first cylinder; and

an actuator associated with the first cylinder and the second cylinder for moving the second cylinder axially with respect to the first cylinder.

12. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the actuator comprises:

a magnet secured to one of the first cylinder and the second cylinder; and

a coil secured around the other of the first cylinder and the second cylinder in magnetic flux coupled relation with the magnet and configured to receive DC current.

13. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein:

the first cylinder includes a center barrel, a first barrel, and a second barrel, with the first barrel and the second barrel positioned coaxially at opposite ends of the center barrel;

the magnet is mated with the center barrel;

the second cylinder has the coil received therearound;

the second cylinder is received in sliding engagement around the magnet and the center barrel with the first slot of the second cylinder positioned at the end of the first cylinder adjacent the second barrel; and

the second barrel includes the blower discharge slot, the exhaust discharge slot, and the separating plate, with the second barrel having one end received in the end of the second cylinder opposite the first barrel and secured to the end of the center barrel.

14. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the magnet and coil are configured and arranged such that in response to receiving DC current of a first polarity, the coil urges the second cylinder axially relative to the first cylinder so that the first slot of the second cylinder and the blower discharge slot of the first cylinder overlap, and so that in response to receiving DC current of a second polarity, opposite the first polarity, the coil urges the second cylinder axially relative to the first cylinder so that the first slot of the second cylinder and the exhaust intake slot of the first cylinder overlap.

15. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first cylinder has stops at opposite ends thereof that coact with ends of the second cylinder to restrict axial movement of the second cylinder between the ends of the first cylinder.

16. A valve assembly according to claim 15, wherein at least one stop at an end of the first cylinder is comprised of a shoulder formed therearound.

17. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the blower discharge slot and the exhaust intake slot is defined in the first cylinder in one of a diagonal, circular, arched and a spiral configuration.

18. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the blower discharge slot, the exhaust discharge slot, and the first slot is shaped to so as to have a varying mechanical gain.

19. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein during operation, the blower discharge slot overlaps the first slot provided in the second cylinder to define an aperture in the valve assembly, wherein movement of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder changes the size of the aperture.

20. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein during operation of the pressure support system, the exhaust discharge slot overlaps the first slot provided in the second cylinder to define an exhaust aperture in the valve assembly, wherein movement of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder changes the size of the exhaust aperture.

21. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein during operation of the pressure support system, both the blower discharge slot and the exhaust discharge slot overlap the first slot provided in the second cylinder, wherein overlap of the blower discharge slot and the first slot define a first aperture in the valve assembly and overlap of the exhaust discharge slot and the first slot define a second aperture in the valve assembly, wherein movement of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder simultaneously changes the size of the first aperture and the second aperture.

22. A valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein a clearance is provided between the first cylinder and the second cylinder sufficient to provide a continuous flow of gas therethrough.

23. A pressure support system comprising:

a pressure generator having an inlet portion and an outlet portion for generating a flow of gas;

a first conduit having a first end open to ambient atmosphere and a second end coupled to the inlet portion of the pressure generator to supply gas from a gas source to the pressure generator;

a second conduit having a first end coupled to the outlet portion of the pressure generator and a second end to deliver the flow of gas from the pressure generator to a patient; and

a valve assembly operatively connected to the second conduit to control one of a pressure and a rate of the flow of gas in the second conduit, wherein the valve assembly comprises;

a first cylinder having an open first end, an open second end, a blower discharge slot defined in a wall thereof, an exhaust intake slot defined in the wall thereof between the blower discharge slot and the second end, and a separating plate disposed in the first cylinder between the blower discharge slot and the exhaust intake slot,

a second cylinder having a first slot defined in a wall thereof, with the second cylinder positioned coaxially around the first cylinder, and

an actuator associated with the first cylinder and the second cylinder for moving the second cylinder axially with respect to the first cylinder.

24. A pressure support system according to claim 23, further comprising a port defined in the second conduit for directing a portion of the flow of gas from the second conduit for cooling purposes.

25. A pressure support system according to claim 23, further including:

a pressure sensor that measures fluid pressure in the second conduit and produces a pressure signal indicative thereof;

a flow sensor that measures fluid flow in the second conduit and produces a flow signal indicative thereof; and

a controller operatively coupled to the pressure sensor and the fluid sensor and to the valve assembly, wherein the controller actuates the valve assembly to control one of a pressure and a rate of the flow of gas in the second conduit.

26. A pressure support system according to claim 23, wherein a clearance is provided between the first cylinder and the second cylinder sufficient to provide a continuous flow of gas therethrough from the pressure generator.

27. A pressure support system according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the blower discharge slot, the exhaust discharge slot, and the first slot is shaped to so as to have a varying mechanical gain.