Apparatus and methods for providing humidity in respiratory therapy
First Claim
1. Apparatus for providing positive airway pressure for the treatment of sleep apnea, chronic pulmonary obstruction and snoring, the apparatus comprising:
- a flow generator configured to provide air at a pressure of 4-20 cm of water at an outlet;
a user interface comprising support bands configured to retain the user interface on the head of a user, an interface passage in fluid communication with the flow generator outlet and having a lumen, and a mask having a chamber and connected to the interface passage so that pressurized air may be delivered from the lumen into the chamber of the mask, the mask being configured to be positioned in communication with an airway of the user to provide a generally sealed connection to the user for the delivery of the pressurized air for inhalation, the interface passage having at least one vent therein; and
a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a position distal to the flow generator, and distal the at least one vent.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present inventions provide respiratory therapy apparatus that introduce water into the pressurized air delivered to a user during various positive airway pressure therapies and corresponding methods. The respiratory therapy apparatus may be configured to administer one or more positive airway pressure therapies, including: continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure therapy (BPAP), auto positive airway pressure therapy (autoPAP), proportional positive airway pressure therapy (PPAP), and/or other positive airway pressure therapies. The respiratory therapy apparatus may include a user interface that defines an interface passage to communicate pressurized air to the user for inhalation and a humidifier that introduces water into the pressurized air generally at the interface passage. Methods according to the present inventions may include introducing water into the interface passage at one or more humidifier ports disposed about the interface passage.
60 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus for providing positive airway pressure for the treatment of sleep apnea, chronic pulmonary obstruction and snoring, the apparatus comprising:
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a flow generator configured to provide air at a pressure of 4-20 cm of water at an outlet; a user interface comprising support bands configured to retain the user interface on the head of a user, an interface passage in fluid communication with the flow generator outlet and having a lumen, and a mask having a chamber and connected to the interface passage so that pressurized air may be delivered from the lumen into the chamber of the mask, the mask being configured to be positioned in communication with an airway of the user to provide a generally sealed connection to the user for the delivery of the pressurized air for inhalation, the interface passage having at least one vent therein; and a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a position distal to the flow generator, and distal the at least one vent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. Apparatus for providing positive airway pressure for the treatment of sleep apnea, chronic pulmonary obstruction and snoring, the apparatus comprising:
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a flow generator configured to provide air at a pressure of 4-20 cm of water at an outlet; a user interface comprising support bands configured to retain the user interface on the head of a user, an interface passage in fluid communication with the flow generator outlet and having a lumen, and a mask having a chamber and connected to the interface passage so that pressurized air may be delivered from the lumen into the chamber of the mask, the mask being configured to be positioned in communication with an airway of the user to provide a generally sealed connection to the user for the delivery of the pressurized air for inhalation, the interface passage having at least one vent therein; at least one vent valve associated with the at least one vent; and a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a position distal to both the flow generator and the at least one vent, the at least one vent valve substantially in a substantially closed position in the presence of a low pressure condition and in a open position during the presence of a high pressure condition. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification