Breathable gas apparatus with humidifier

• US 8,020,551 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2010
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Janiak, Michael Thomas, Lithgow, Perry David, Trevor-Wilson, Duncan Lovel, Virr, Alexander, Kao, Dan, Bath, Andrew Roderick
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Young; Rachel T
• Application Number:
  US12/900,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20110017212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 348 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.24, 12820312-20317, 12820326-20327, 128/204.14, 128/204.17, 128/204.21, 261/130, 261/142, 261/DIG.65, 261/129, 261/154, 261/119.1, 261/72.1, 122/4.A, 122/4.R, 122/5.5, 122/7.B, 122/13.01, 122 133- 192, 122/33, 122/487, 122/DIG.7
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• 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 respiratory treatment device comprising a flow generator and a humidifier adapted to receive a supply of air at positive pressure from the flow generator and deliver it to an air delivery tube, wherein the humidifier includes a base, a humidifier lid, and a water tank, and the water tank includes a water tank lid, the water tank is removably receivable in the base to define a first air flow path from the flow generator to an interior of the water tank, and the humidifier lid is connectable to the air delivery tube, and is adapted to form a seal with the water tank lid to define a second air flow path from the interior of the water tank to the air delivery tube.

Claims

1. A respiratory treatment device comprising a flow generator and a humidifier adapted to receive a supply of air at positive pressure from the flow generator and deliver it to an air delivery tube,

wherein:

the humidifier includes a base, a humidifier lid, and a water tank, and the water tank includes a water tank lid;

the water tank is removably receivable in the base to define a first air flow path from the flow generator to an interior of the water tank; and

the humidifier lid is connectable to the air delivery tube, and is adapted to form a seal with the water tank lid to define a second air flow path from the interior of the water tank to the air delivery tube.

2. The respiratory treatment device according to claim 1 constructed and arranged to allow removal of the water tank without detaching the air delivery conduit from the humidifier lid.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the water tank further comprises a rear first aperture constructed and arranged to align with an opening in the humidifier when the water tank is located in the base to receive the supply of air at positive pressure from the flow generator therethrough.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the water tank includes a first flat surface surrounding the rear first aperture.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the humidifier base includes a seal adapted to abut the first flat surface of the water tank in a locus surrounding the rear first aperture to seal the first air path from the flow generator to the water tank.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier lid is movable relative to the water tank to seal against the water tank lid to form the second air path when the humidifier lid is in a closed position.

7. The device according to claim 1, adapted to press the water tank rearwards when the humidifier lid is closed.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier lid further comprises a humidifier lid seal.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the humidifier lid seal comprises a removably attachable gasket.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the humidifier lid seal comprises a curved sealing flange.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the water tank lid comprises a second aperture and the seal of the humidifier lid is constructed and arranged to sealingly surround the second aperture when the humidifier lid is in a closed position.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the water tank lid comprises an air outlet second aperture and a second flat surface adjacent said air outlet second aperture.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier comprises an outlet pipe arranged at an acute angle to the lid.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier lid is pivotally mounted to the base.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the lid is pivotable through a first angle to define a normal travel range, and upon pivoting beyond the normal travel range, the lid being adapted to flexurly release from the base.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the water tank lid is structured to define an arcuate air flow path for air received from the flow generator.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the arcuate air path is constructed to cause the air within the container to swirl and thus enhance the uptake of water vapour from the water contained in the tank.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the arcuate air flow path is U-shaped.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier lid further comprises a locking mechanism.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to retain the humidifier lid in sealing relationship with the water tank lid when the locking mechanism is engaged.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier is removably attachable to the flow generator.

22. The device according to claim 21, further comprising a latch to retain the humidifier to the flow generator.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier lid is structured and configured to press the water tank lid rearwards as the humidifier lid is closed.

24. An apparatus for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:

a continuous positive airway pressure device; and

a humidifier including;

a humidifier base, a humidifier lid hingedly connected to the humidifier base to allow the humidifier lid to close and open, the humidifier lid including an air delivery pipe constructed and arranged to mate with an air delivery tube, the humidifier base further including a humidifier heater plate; and

a water tank having a tank base to receive water and a tank lid, the tank base including a heat conductive portion to conduct heat from the humidifier heater plate to water in the tank in use,

the apparatus further comprising a latch to releasably connect the continuous positive airway pressure device to the humidifier; and

a locking mechanism constructed and arranged to releasably hold the humidifier lid when closed,

wherein the humidifier base is constructed and arranged to receive the water tank when the humidifier lid is open,

wherein, when the humidifier base receives the water tank, the heat conductive portion of the water tank is positioned relative to the humidifier heater plate to allow heat transfer communication therebetween in use, and

wherein, when the continuous positive airway pressure device and the humidifier are latched together and the humidifier lid is closed with the water tank placed in the humidifier base, a sealed gas flow path is defined, said sealed gas flow path extending from the continuous positive airway pressure device, through the water tank and to the air delivery pipe of the humidifier lid.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the humidifier base defines a first gas flow path between the continuous positive airway pressure device and the water tank, and a second gas flow path between the water tank and the air delivery tube, such that the water tank forms an intermediate gas flow path positioned between the first and second gas flow paths of the humidifier base.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a first seal positioned at an inlet of the water tank and a second seal positioned at an outlet of the water tank.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the second seal is mounted on an underside of the humidifier lid.

28. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein an inlet of the water tank is positioned on a rear wall of the water tank.

29. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein an outlet of the water tank is positioned on an upper wall of the water tank.

30. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the first and second seals are pressure-assisted seals.

31. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the air delivery pipe extends through the humidifier lid, defining a rim.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the second seal fits over the rim.

33. The apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising the air delivery tube, said air delivery tube being connectable at a first end thereof to the air delivery pipe of the humidifier lid, said air delivery tube being connectable at a second end thereof to a mask worn by a patient in use.

34. A method for easily inserting and removing a CPAP humidifier water tub from a base for a respiratory apparatus for treating a patient with a respiratory disorder, the method comprising:

placing the tub into the base; and

closing a movable lid of the base to retain the tub in place and to seal an inlet and an outlet of the tub relative to the base, thus establishing a sealed air flow path extending from an inlet of the base to an outlet of the base, without requiring the patient to establish tubular interconnection between the base and the tub.

35. The method according to claim 34, further comprising:

opening the lid;

removing the tub from the base;

filling the tub with water; and

placing the tub back on the base and closing the lid.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein filling the tub with water does not require removal of an air delivery tube from the respiratory apparatus, and does not require separation of a lid of the tub from a base of the tub.

37. The method according to claim 36, further comprising providing an inlet seal adjacent the tub inlet and air outlet seal adjacent the tub outlet.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the lid is pivotable.

39. The method according to claim 34, further comprising using pressurized gas to assist in establishing a seal between the tub and the base.

40. The method according to claim 34, wherein the seal between the tub and base is established by abutting a respective surface surrounding the inlet and outlet of the tub with a respective seal mounted on the base.