Breathing assistance apparatus

• US 8,783,257 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: McAuley, Alastair Edwin, Prentice, Craig Robert, Gleeson, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon, Annette
• Application Number:
  US10/598,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,441 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.18, 128/206.21, 128/207.13, 128/206.11, 128/206.18, 128/203.22, 128/200.24, 128/200.26, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.16, 128/203.17, 128/205.25
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• 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 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 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 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• 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 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking

Abstract

In one embodiment, a nasal cannula is shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s nares, includes at least one prong allowing high flow delivery of humidified gases and creates positive airway pressure in the patient'"'"'s airway. The prongs have angled ends, such that in use, gases flowing through the prongs are directed to the user'"'"'s nasal passages. The nasal cannula body is partially swivelling and preferably has a ball joint connector. In another embodiment the nasal cannula may have at least one flared end prong that preferably seals within a patient'"'"'s nare.

Claims

1. A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:

a nasal cannula adapted to deliver humidified gases to a user, said nasal cannula comprising;

a tubular body having a first end and a second end, at least one prong extending from the first end of the tubular body and shaped to fit within the user'"'"'s nare, the second end comprising a partial spherical shaped socket;

a connector having a first end and a second end, the first end of the connector comprising a partial spherical shaped ball received in the socket of the tubular body and the second end of the connector being configured to be connected to a conduit configured to supply the gases to the cannula; and

at least one of the ball and socket comprising at least two discrete channels positioned along an interface between the ball and socket such that the channel is configured to externally vent gases, wherein the at least two discrete channels are separated from each other along an entire length of the at least two discrete channels.

2. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said nasal cannula includes arms or loop to attach a head strap to said cannula.

3. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said head strap is a small flexible tube.

4. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one prong includes a flange near or about its end.

5. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flange causes the sealing of said at least one prong in at least one nare of said user in use.

6. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said flange is a thin flexible extension that extends substantially completely around the circumference of said at least one prong.

7. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flange is a thin flexible extension that extends substantially completely around the circumference of said at least one prong.

8. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flange is elliptical in shape, and wherein a first portion of said flange extends further from said at least one prong than a second portion of said flange.

9. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one prong is two prongs that are angled toward one another and are oval in shape such that they substantially follow the shape and contour of human nares.

10. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one prong includes a flange, recessed area and shaped end where the recessed area is disposed between said flange and said shaped end and in use said flange extends into and seals within a user'"'"'s nares.

11. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said shaped end comprises a wall thickness that becomes progressively thinner towards the shaped end'"'"'s tip.

12. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said nasal cannula has two nasal prongs.

13. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said prongs are oval and shaped to follow the contours of human nares.

14. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said prongs are angled toward one another to prevent dislodgement from said user'"'"'s nares and assist in flow of gases into the user'"'"'s nasal passages.

15. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said prongs each have a step formed in them such that in use the sides of said prongs abut the user'"'"'s nasal septum so as to prevent said prongs from dislodging from said user'"'"'s nares.

16. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 15 wherein each of said prongs include a protrusion formed opposite said step that assists in correct orientation of said prongs within said user'"'"'s nares.

17. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tubular body comprises a plurality of apertures configured to externally vent the gases exhaled by the user through the user'"'"'s nare.

18. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a humidifier adapted to, in use, be in fluid communication with a source of gases and said conduit and adapted to, in use, humidify said gases.

19. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of apertures configured to externally vent gases exhaled by the user through the user'"'"'s nare.

20. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the channel is formed in the socket.

21. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two discrete channels are positioned along the interface between the ball and socket and are formed on an inner surface of a socket portion of the ball and socket such that the at least two discrete channels are fully contained within the socket portion.

22. A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:

a nasal cannula adapted to deliver gases to a user, said nasal cannula defining a longitudinal axis along its length;

said nasal cannula comprising at least one prong shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s nare; and

a connector configured to couple the nasal cannula to a gas supply conduit, the connector comprising a partial spherical shaped ball coupled to a complementary socket of the cannula, at least one of the ball and socket comprising at least two discrete channels extending generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis and being configured to allow gases to leak from the cannula and act as a bias flow outlet, wherein the at least two discrete channels are separated from each other along an entire length of the at least two discrete channels;

said at least one prong comprising a first portion extending substantially parallel to the nasal cannula'"'"'s longitudinal axis to a transition point where the at least one prong is configured to enter the user'"'"'s nare, and a second portion configured to extend inside the user'"'"'s nare from the transition point at an angle with respect to the nasal cannula'"'"'s longitudinal axis,

said at least one prong further comprising an opening formed within the second portion, such that in use, gases flowing through said at least one prong are directed to said user'"'"'s nasal passages.

23. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said at least one prong includes a flange disposed about an outer circumference of the at least one prong at the transition point.

24. A breathing assistance according to claim 23 wherein said flange is configured to rest against the outside of the user'"'"'s nare and seal the nare.

25. A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:

a nasal cannula adapted to deliver humidified gases to a user, said nasal cannula comprising;

a hollow body having a first end and a second end, the second end comprising a socket having a concave surface;

a prong part coupled to the first end of the body and comprising at least one prong shaped to fit within the user'"'"'s nare;

a connector comprising a ball having a convex surface and coupled to the socket, the connector configured to be coupled to a gas supply conduit; and

at least two discrete channels on at least one of the concave and convex surfaces to define an air flow path between the surfaces, wherein the at least two discrete channels are separated from each other along an entire length of the at least two discrete channels.

26. A breathing assistance apparatus configured to deliver gases to a user, comprising:

a hollow body defining a gas flow path, said gas flow path being configured to deliver gases to the user, the hollow body defining a longitudinal axis along its length and comprising a partial spherical shaped socket; and

a connector configured to couple the hollow body to a gas supply conduit, the connector comprising a partial spherical shaped ball coupled to the socket of the hollow body;

at least one of the ball and socket comprising at least two discrete channels positioned along an interface between the ball and socket such that the at least two discrete channels are configured to externally vent gases, wherein the at least two discrete channels extend generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis and are separated from each other along an entire length of the at least two discrete channels.