Nose cannula heated/humidified gas delivery system

• US 8,215,301 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2008
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Richards, Fredrick M., King, Gregory S., Farrell, Kevin Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ostrup, Clinton T
• Application Number:
  US12/145,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20090056711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.17, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.22, 128/204.23, 128/205.12, 128/206.22, 128/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/204.17
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature

Abstract

A low flow heated/humidified respiratory gas delivery system, especially useful for low flow rates as preferred in the treatment of neonate and other such patients, wherein the respiratory gas is heated and humidified as desired for delivery to the patient and the temperature is monitored at the point of delivery to the patient.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user comprising:

heating means including a heating element for heating a respiratory gas to a temperature sufficient to be delivered in a flow path to a user at a predetermined temperature level;

respiratory gas conveying means for moving said respiratory gas in a first flow path and subsequently in a second flow path at a predetermined rate to a user;

said respiratory gas conveying means including a delivery tube having a first portion containing said heating element, with said first portion being connected at a distal end to means for administering respiratory gas to a user;

said heating element having a distal end portion positioned adjacent the distal end of said first delivery tube portion;

said delivery tube including a second portion having a distal end connected to means for administering respiratory gas to a user, with said distal end of said second portion occluded from the flow of respiratory gas through said second portion;

means for administering said respiratory gas to said user at said predetermined flow rate and at said predetermined temperature level; and

monitoring means in thermal contact with said respiratory gas moving in said first flow path for monitoring the temperature of said respiratory gas prior to the administration of said respiratory gas in said second flow path essentially directly to said user,

said monitoring means including a sensor fixedly secured to the distal end of said second portion occluding the flow of respiratory gas through said second portion and positioned transversely across said first flow path in thermal contact with said respiratory gas and forming a wall for directing the flow of respiratory gas in said second flow path.

2. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 1 further including humidifying means for humidifying said respiratory gas to a predetermined level prior to administering said respiratory gas to said user.

3. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for administering said respiratory gas to said user at said predetermined flow rate and at said predetermined temperature level includes a nose cannula.

4. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 3 wherein said monitoring means for monitoring the temperature of said respiratory gas is a sensor carried by said nose cannula.

5. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 4 wherein said monitoring means includes a temperature sensor positioned in direct contact with said respiratory gas moving in said first respiratory gas flow path.

6. Apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user comprising:

a respiratory gas heater including a heating element for heating a respiratory gas to a predetermined temperature sufficient to be delivered in a first flow path and a subsequent second flow path at a predetermined flow rate to a user at a predetermined temperature level;

a delivery tube having a first portion containing said heating element, with said first portion being connected at a distal end to a nose cannula for administering respiratory gas to a user;

said heating element having a distal end portion positioned adjacent the distal end of said first delivery tube portion;

said delivery tube including a second portion having a distal end connected to the nose cannula for administering respiratory gas to a user, with said distal end of said second portion occluded from the flow of respiratory gas through said second portion;

a nose cannula for administering said respiratory gas to said user at said predetermined flow rate and at said predetermined temperature level; and

a temperature sensor in thermal contact with said respiratory gas moving in said first flow path for monitoring the temperature of said respiratory gas prior to the administration of said respiratory gas in said second flow path essentially directly to said user,

said temperature sensor fixedly secured to the distal end of said second portion of said delivery tube occluding the flow of respiratory gas through said second portion and positioned transversely across said first flow path in thermal contact with said respiratory gas and forming a wall for directing the flow of respiratory gas in said second flow path.

7. The apparatus for controlling the delivery of a respiratory gas to a user as defined in claim 6 wherein said temperature sensor is positioned in said nose cannula adjacent to said point at which said respiratory gas is discharged from said nose cannula.