Breathing Assistance Apparatus

• US 20080060657A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 03/13/2008
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 8,783,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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

The present invention comprises a nasal cannula (2), shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s nares, where the nasal cannula includes at least one prong (24, 25) allowing high flow delivery of humidified gases and creates positive airway pressure in the patient'"'"'s airway. The prongs have angled ends (31, 32), 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 (37, 39). In another embodiment the nasal cannula may have at least one flared end prong (31, 32) that preferably seals within a patient'"'"'s nare.

Claims

1. A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:

nasal cannula, shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s nares, and adapted to deliver said humidified gases to said user,

a pressurised source of gases,

transportation means adapted to, in use, be in fluid communication with said source of gases and said nasal cannula and adapted to in use convey said gases to said user,

wherein said nasal cannula includes at least one prong that is capable of high flow delivery of said humidified gases and creates a positive airway pressure in said patient'"'"'s airway, said at least one prong having an angled end, such that in use, gases flowing through said prong are directed to said users nasal passages.

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 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.

6. 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.

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 with one side of said flange extending out from said at least one prong further than the other side.

9. 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.

10. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said shaped end becomes progressively thinner in cross-section towards its tip.

13. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said nasal cannula has two nasal prongs.

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

15. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 13 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.

16. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 13 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.

17. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 16 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.

18. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said nasal cannula includes a body that has a plurality of apertures that act as a bias flow outlet vent for gases exhaled by said user.

19. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said nasal cannula is connected to said transportation means by way of a ball and socket joint.

20. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 10 that further includes humidification means adapted to, in use, be in fluid communication with said source of gases and said transportation means and adapted to in use humidify said gases,

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

11. A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:

nasal cannula, shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s nares,

a pressurised source of gases,

transportation means adapted to, in use, be in fluid communication with said source of gases and said nasal cannula and adapted to in use convey said gases to said user,

wherein said nasal cannula are adapted to deliver said humidified gases to said user, said nasal cannula including at least one prong allowing high flow delivery of said humidified gases and creating positive airway pressure in said patient'"'"'s airway, said at least one prong having an end that is flared outwardly.

12. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said flared end of said at least one prong at least partially seals within said user'"'"'s nares in use.

21. (canceled)