Methods, systems and devices for humidifying a respiratory tract

• US 8,939,152 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Issued: 01/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Breathe Technologies, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Wondka, Anthony D., Cipollone, Joseph, Kassanis, George A., Allum, Todd W., Brambilla, Enrico
• Primary Examiner(s): SKORUPA, VALERIE LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/251,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20120138050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 12820621-20622, 128/206.28, 128/207.13, 128/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/005 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/02 operated by air or other gas pressure applied to the liquid or other product to be sprayed or atomised sprayers for horticulture A01G, A01H; killing insects A01M; air humidifying by nozzles F24F6/14, F24F6/18; cooling by spraying F28B, F28C
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0012 by Venturi means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/026 specially adapted for predicting, e.g. for determining an information representative of a flow limitation during a ventilation cycle by using a root square technique or a regression analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• 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 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0883 Circuit type
• 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 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/108 before being humidified or mixed with a beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/127 by Venturi effect, i.e. entrainment mixers
• 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 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0033 : electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7527 : liquophilic, hydrophilic

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for humidifying ventilation gas. Systems and methods may include a nasal interface apparatus for receiving ventilation gas from gas delivery tubing and for humidifying ventilation gas. The nasal interface apparatus may have one or more channels within the nasal interface to deliver gas from a gas delivery circuit to a patient'"'"'s nose; one or more structures in fluid communication with the one or more channels to direct ventilation gas to the patient'"'"'s nose; and a hygroscopic material within the nasal interface in the flow path of the ventilation gas.

Claims

1. A nasal interface apparatus for receiving ventilation gas from gas delivery tubing and for humidifying ventilation gas, the nasal interface apparatus comprising:

one or more channels within the nasal interface apparatus to deliver gas from a gas delivery circuit to one or more structures, wherein the one or more structures are in fluid communication with the one or more channels to direct ventilation gas to a patient'"'"'s nose; and

a hygroscopic material within the nasal interface apparatus extending across an entirety of a cross sectional area of a flow path of the ventilation gas and defined by one or more channel interface sides each facing a respective one of the one or more channels within the nasal interface, a patient interface side facing the one or more structures, and an exhalation side, the channel interface sides being angularly offset from the exhalation side and the patient interface side;

wherein substantially all inhaled ventilation gas and all exhaled gas is diffused through the hygroscopic material.

2. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more structures are one or more nasal pillows, and wherein the hygroscopic material is located within the one or more nasal pillows or within a cushion attached to the one or more nasal pillows.

3. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one pressure sensor device.

4. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is located on a patient side of the hygroscopic material.

5. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas delivery circuit has an inside diameter of approximately 2-14 mm.

6. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein the-nasal interface apparatus is used with a portable ventilation system.

7. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein delivery of the humidified ventilation gas is servo controlled.

8. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 7, wherein the servo controls humidification levels based on the patient'"'"'s need.

9. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 7, wherein the servo predictively controls humidification levels.

10. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 9, wherein the servo considers gas flow delivered to the patient, ambient temperatures, ambient humidity, and combinations thereof.

11. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 1, wherein the humidified ventilation gas is delivered in synchrony with the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle.

12. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 11, wherein more humidified ventilation gas is delivered during the patient'"'"'s inspiratory phase than during the patient'"'"'s expiratory phase.

13. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 1, further comprising heated tubing.

14. The nasal interface apparatus of claim 13, wherein energy is applied to the heated tubing in synchrony with the patient'"'"'s need and the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle.

15. A method for delivering humidified ventilation gas, the method comprising:

providing a nasal interface comprising;

one or more channels within the nasal interface to deliver gas from a gas delivery circuit to one or more structures, wherein the one or more structures are in fluid communication with the one or more channels to direct ventilation gas to a patient'"'"'s nose; and

a hygroscopic material within the nasal interface apparatus extending across an entirety of a cross sectional area of a flow path of the ventilation gas and defined by one or more channel interface sides each facing a respective one of the one or more channels within the nasal interface, a patient interface side facing the one or more structures, and an exhalation side, the channel interface sides being angularly offset from the exhalation side and the patient interface side;

wherein substantially all inhaled ventilation gas and all exhaled gas is diffused through the hygroscopic material; and

delivering humidified ventilation gas to the patient.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more structures are one or more nasal pillows, and wherein the hygroscopic material is located within the one or more nasal pillows or within a cushion attached to the one or more nasal pillows.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising at least one pressure sensor, wherein the at least one pressure sensor is located on a patient side of the hygroscopic material.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the gas delivery circuit has an inside diameter of approximately 2-14 mm.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling delivery of the humidified ventilation gas with a servo.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising delivering the humidified ventilation gas in synchrony with the patient'"'"'s breathing cycle.