Vent valve assembly
First Claim
1. A CPAP apparatus for supplying pressurized breathable gas to a patient, comprising:
- a flow generator structured to generate a supply of pressurized gas;
a mask adapted to provide a seal with the patient'"'"'s face;
a conduit that interconnects the flow generator and the mask; and
a vent valve apparatus for gas washout, the vent valve apparatus structured to control gas washout based on the pressure of the gas supply,wherein the vent valve apparatus includes a gas washout vent, a vent valve adapted to progressively move within the gas washout vent so as to progressively restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent, and a pressure sensitive vent valve controller adapted to progressively cause the vent valve to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply, wherein the vent valve apparatus is structured to restrict gas washout in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vent valve apparatus (10) for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurised above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal. The apparatus (10) includes a gas washout vent (15), a vent valve (18) adapted to progressively restrict the flow area of the washout vent (15), and a pressure sensitive vent valve control means (20,22,23). The control means is adapted to progressively cause the vent valve (18) to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent (15) in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply, thereby substantially regulating the volumetric flow of gas and/or CO2 gas through the washout vent (15) over a range of gas supply pressures.
185 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A CPAP apparatus for supplying pressurized breathable gas to a patient, comprising:
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a flow generator structured to generate a supply of pressurized gas; a mask adapted to provide a seal with the patient'"'"'s face; a conduit that interconnects the flow generator and the mask; and a vent valve apparatus for gas washout, the vent valve apparatus structured to control gas washout based on the pressure of the gas supply, wherein the vent valve apparatus includes a gas washout vent, a vent valve adapted to progressively move within the gas washout vent so as to progressively restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent, and a pressure sensitive vent valve controller adapted to progressively cause the vent valve to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply, wherein the vent valve apparatus is structured to restrict gas washout in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A CPAP apparatus for supplying pressurized breathable gas to a patient, comprising:
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a flow generator structured to generate a supply of pressurized gas; a mask adapted to provide a seal with the patient'"'"'s face; a conduit that interconnects the flow generator and the mask; and a vent valve apparatus for gas washout, the vent valve apparatus structured to control gas washout based on the pressure of the gas supply, wherein the vent valve apparatus includes a gas washout vent, a vent valve adapted to progressively move within the gas washout vent so as to progressively restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent, and a pressure sensitive vent valve controller adapted to progressively cause the vent valve to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply, and wherein the vent valve apparatus is structured to expand gas washout in response to decreases in the pressure of the gas supply.
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Specification