Delivery of respiratory therapy

• US 8,297,285 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Henry, Robert Edward, Peake, Gregory Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US11/878,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/202.18, 128/203.22, 128/203.29, 128/204.12, 128/205.25, 128/206.11, 128/206.12, 128/206.18, 128/206.21, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.14
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1045 Devices for humidifying or heating the inspired gas by using recovered moisture or heat from the expired gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0238 the material being a coating or protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/273 preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/588 by olfactory feedback, i.e. smell
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/59 Aesthetic features, e.g. distraction means to prevent fears of child patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 : Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/082 : Mounting brackets, arm supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 : Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 : Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/08 : Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/025 : Halfmasks A62B23/02 takes precedence; surgical face masks A41D13/11
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 : Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

Abstract

An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient includes a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure and at least one tube connected to the manifold and adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure. Each tube is structured to allow movement between an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed. Each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient'"'"'s head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.

Claims

1. An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to a patient, the air delivery system comprising:

an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of the patient; and

at least one tube adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure, wherein each tube has at least one portion that is structured to allow movement between (1) an open phase in which the tube allows the flow of air without undue resistance and (2) at least a partially collapsed phase in which the tube is at least partially collapsed to restrict or prevent the flow of air, and each tube is structured such that the weight of a typical patient'"'"'s head resting on the tube is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the at least partially collapsed phase.

2. An air delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tube includes two tubes.

3. An air delivery system according to claim 2, further comprising a manifold to connect the tubes with the source of air.

4. An air delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the tubes are joined at the supply of air and bifurcate towards the interfacing structure.

5. An air delivery system according to claim 1, wherein each tube is independently connected to the supply of air.

60. A patient interface, comprising:

an interfacing structure located at an entrance to the airways of a patient; and

an air delivery system or air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 1 for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to the interfacing structure.

6. A gas delivery system for providing a supply of gas from a source of gas at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at an entrance to the airways of a patient, the gas delivery system comprising:

at least two gas passages adapted to be in communication with the source of gas to deliver the supply of gas to the interfacing structure, the at least two gas passages structured and configured to cooperate such that pressurized gas from the source of gas is delivered to the interfacing structure via one or both of the gas passages even if one of the gas passages assumes an at least partially collapsed configuration,

wherein each of the passages has at least one portion structured for movement between (1) an open configuration in which the passage allows the flow of gas and (2) an at least partially collapsed configuration in which the passage is at least partially collapsed, and each passage is structured such that the weight of a patient'"'"'s head applied to one of the passages is sufficient to cause that passage to move or deform from the open configuration to the at least partially collapsed configuration.

7. An air delivery system according to claim 6, wherein each of the gas passages is structured to assume the at least partially collapsed configuration.

8. An air delivery system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the gas passages is structured to substantially collapse or reduce in cross section while another of the gas passages is structured to deliver the necessary flow of gas at therapy pressure.

9. An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient, the air delivery system comprising:

a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure; and

at least one tube connected to the manifold and is adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure,

wherein each tube is structured to allow movement between (1) an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and (2) a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed, and each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient'"'"'s head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.

10. An air delivery system according to claim 9, further comprising a rigidizing element provided each tube.

11. An air delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to conform to a patient'"'"'s face.

12. An air delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to resist out of plane bending.

13. An air delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to be flexible in a first plane.

14. An air delivery system according to claim 13, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to resist flexing in a second plane.

15. An air delivery system according to claim 14, wherein the second plane is generally orthogonal to the first plane.

16. An air delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the rigidizing element is constructed from high impact polystyrene.

17. An air delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the rigidizing element is approximately 0.3-5 mm thick.

18. An air delivery system according to claim 17, wherein the rigidizing element is approximately 0.5 mm thick.

19. An air delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one tube includes two tubes.

20. An air delivery system according to claim 19, wherein the two tubes are arranged to define a generally oval shape.

21. An air delivery system according to claim 19, wherein the two tubes are arranged to define a generally ring shape.

22. An air delivery system according to claim 19, wherein one of the tubes is open at all times.

23. An air delivery system according to claim 9, wherein each tube has an end positioned on a crown of the patient'"'"'s head.

24. An air delivery system according to claim 9, wherein each tube has an end positioned under the patient'"'"'s nose.

25. An air delivery system according to claim 9, wherein each tube is adapted to compress to a total thickness of approximately 10 mm or thinner when collapsed to the collapsed phase under the weight of a typical patient'"'"'s head.

26. An air delivery system according to claim 25, wherein each tube is adapted to compress to a total thickness of approximately 1.5 mm.

27. An air delivery system according to claim 25, wherein each tube is adapted to compress to a total thickness of about 3 mm.

28. An air delivery system according to claim 25, wherein each tube is adapted to compress to a total thickness of about 5 mm.

29. An air delivery system according to claim 25, wherein each tube is adapted to compress to a total thickness of about 10 mm.

30. An air delivery system according to claim 9, wherein each tube has a cross-sectional area that changes along its length with an approximately constant hydraulic diameter.

31. An air delivery and stabilizing system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient, the air delivery system comprising:

a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure;

a pair of tubes connected to the manifold and adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure, each tube adapted to extend from a respective side of the manifold at or in front of the crown of the patient'"'"'s head, along a respective side of the patient'"'"'s face between the patient'"'"'s eye and ear, and under the patient'"'"'s nose;

a rigidizing element provided to each tube to add rigidity to the tube; and

a back strap provided to the tubes and/or rigidizing elements and adapted to engage the back of the patient'"'"'s head,

wherein each tube is structured to allow movement between (1) an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and (2) a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed, and each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient'"'"'s head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.

32. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein each tube is adapted to compress to a total thickness of approximately 2 mm or thinner when collapsed to the collapsed phase under the weight of a typical patient'"'"'s head.

33. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 32, wherein each tube is adapted to compress to a total thickness of approximately 1.5 mm.

34. An air delivery and stabilizing system according claim 31, wherein each tube has a wall thickness of about 0.5 mm.

35. An air delivery system and stabilizing according to claim 31, wherein each tube is molded from a silicone material.

36. An air delivery and stabilizing system according claim 31, wherein each tube has a non-cylindrical cross-sectional shape that provides a blending contour to blend with the patient'"'"'s face.

37. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 36, wherein each tube has a generally D-shaped cross-section.

38. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein each tube has a cross-sectional area that varies along its length.

39. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to conform to a patient'"'"'s face.

40. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to resist out of plane bending.

41. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to be flexible in a first plane.

42. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 41, wherein the rigidizing element is adapted to resist flexing in a second plane.

43. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 42, wherein the second plane is generally orthogonal to the first plane.

44. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is constructed from high impact polystyrene.

45. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is approximately 0.5 mm thick.

46. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is provided to an external portion of the tube.

47. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element has a varying thickness along its length.

48. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is formed separately from the tube and attached thereto.

49. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the rigidizing element is co-molded or co-extruded with the tube.

50. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the back strap is elastic.

51. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the manifold is generally T-shaped.

52. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the manifold is positioned generally in the region of the Bregma in use.

53. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the manifold includes swiveling features.

54. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the tubes are arranged to define a generally oval shape.

55. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the tubes are arranged to define a generally ring shape.

56. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, wherein the manifold, tubes, rigidizing element, and/or back strap includes a two-tone color scheme.

57. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 31, further comprising a cover provided to the manifold, tubes, rigidizing element, and/or back strap.

58. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 57, wherein the cover includes a two-tone color scheme.

59. An air delivery and stabilizing system according to claim 56, wherein the two-tone color scheme includes a dark color adjacent the patient'"'"'s field of vision.