Molded water chamber base plate for use in a humidifier and ventilator assembly

• US 7,413,173 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2005
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: DiMatteo, Mark, Perroz, William Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUSHEY, CHARLES S
• Application Number:
  US11/212,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20060055069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 261/30, 261/119.1, 261/142, 261/DIG.65, 128/203.12, 128/203.17, 128/203.26, 128/203.27, 128/204.14, 128/204.18, 392/402, 392/405
• US Class Current: 261/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence

Abstract

A molded base plate for use in a humidifier and ventilation assembly is disclosed. The base plate is connected to a cover which forms the water chamber of the humidifier. A thermally conductive material is used in the molding process of the base plate so that heat applied to the base plate is conducted into the water.

Claims

1. A water chamber for use in a heated humidifier having a heater plate having a size and shape, the water chamber comprising:

a base plate having a body, the body portion being formed from a thermally conductive composite material, the body of the base plate including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface is supported by the heater plate such that heat may be conducted from the heater and through the base plate, the body portion of the base plate is separate from the heater plate and substantially the same size and shape as the size and shape of the heater plate; and

a cover connected to the base plate.

2. The water chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises plastic resin and a thermally conductive additive.

3. The water chamber as recited in claim 2, wherein the thermally conductive additive is selected from the group comprising graphite or carbon.

4. The water chamber as recited in claim 2, wherein the thermally conductive additive is selected from the group comprising aluminum nitride or boron nitride.

5. The water chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the base plate and cover are sealingly engaged.

6. The water chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the base plate further comprises at least one rib.

7. The water chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the base plate further comprises a lip extending from the body.

8. The water chamber as recited in claim 5, wherein the base plate includes a bead and the cover includes a corresponding recess sealingly engaging the bead.

9. The water chamber as recited in claim 5, wherein the base plate includes a recess and the cover includes a bead.

10. The water chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover further includes a pivotable lid.

11. A humidifier for use with a ventilator, the humidifier comprising:

a ventilator dock;

a heater plate adjacent the ventilator dock;

a water chamber adjacent the heater plate, the water chamber having a base plate, the base plate including a body portion formed from a thermally conductive composite material and a cover attached to the base plate, the body portion of the base plate including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface is supported by the heater plate such that heat may be conducted from the heater and through the base plate, the body portion of the base plate is separate from the heater plate and substantially the same size and shape of the heater plate.

12. The humidifier of claim 11, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a plastic resin and a thermally conductive additive.

13. The humidifier of claim 12, wherein the thermally conductive additive is selected from the group comprising graphite or carbon.

14. The humidifier of claim 12, wherein the thermally conductive additive is selected from the group comprising aluminum nitride or boron nitride.

15. The humidifier of claim 14, wherein the base plate further comprises a seal.

16. The humidifier of claim 11, wherein the base plate further comprises at least one rib.

17. The humidifier as recited in claim 11, wherein the base plate further comprises a lip extending from the body.

18. The humidifier as recited in claim 15, wherein the base plate includes a bead and the cover includes a corresponding recess sealingly engaging the bead.

19. The humidifier as recited in claim 15, wherein the base plate includes a recess and the cover includes a bead.

20. The humidifier as recited in claim 11, wherein the cover further includes a pivotable lid.

21. A humidifier and ventilator assembly for use in delivering humid pressurized air to a user, the assembly comprising:

a humidifier, the humidifier having a ventilator dock and a heater plate adjacent the ventilator dock, the humidifier also having a water chamber adjacent the heater plate, the water chamber having base plate, the base plate including a body portion formed from a thermally conductive composite material and a cover attached to the base plate, the water chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port, the body portion of the base plate including a first surface and a second surface, the second surface is supported by the heater plate such that heat may be conducted from the heater and through the base plate, the body portion of the base plate is separate from the heater plate and substantially the same size and shape as the size and shape of the heater plate;

a ventilator having an air intake and an air outlet, the air outlet being connected to the inlet port of the water chamber.