Humidification for continuous positive airway pressure systems

• US 8,720,439 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Medical Devices Inc., Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Medical Devices Inc.
• Inventors: Kolkowski, Brian, Schmidt, Robert N., Kayyali, Hani
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louis, LaToya M
• Application Number:
  US11/505,204
• Time in Patent Office: 2,827 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.16, 128/200.24, 128/203.16, 128/204.14, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.23, 128/204.25, 128/204.28, 128/205.11, 128/206.21
• US Class Current: 128/204.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/125 Diluting primary gas with ambient air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers

Abstract

The present invention encompasses the inclusion of non-heat, active-force humidifiers into CPAP devices. These humidifier modules use for example ultrasonics, atomization, and nebulization to increase the relative humidity of the air being delivered to the patient. Humidity is important in CPAP devices because it is vital to patient comfort and optimum health. All of these various, non-heat active humidifier modules are components or attachments to a CPAP device, and all optionally employ various procedures and devices for dealing with excess condensation. Most importantly, these humidification modules avoid the main problems associated with heat-requiring humidifiers, such as the added cost and time needed to operate these humidifiers, the excess condensation produced, and the increased likelihood of microbial growth.

Claims

1. A continuous positive airway pressure apparatus for treating sleep apneas comprising

a device for pressurizing gas to treat a subject for sleep apnea;

a humidifier integrated into the device for actively humidifying a gas without substantially heating the humidified gas prior to delivery to the subject; and

a tube connected to the device, and a mask or a cannula connected to the tube for delivering the humidified, pressurized gas from the device to the subject

wherein any condensation from the humidified air is collected and substantially removed from the paths of the humidified and/or pressurized gas by the use of a condensation coil or membrane located within the device for actively humidifying the gas, and the condensation coil or membrane comprises one or more cylindrical tubes containing pores of a number of sizes, through which gas particles and liquid particles smaller than the size of the pores may pass.

2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the condensation collected in the condensation coil is collected in a reservoir.