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Publication Number
US-11338105-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A respiratory humidification device includes: a casing; a separator wall to divide an interior space into filling and humidification chambers, wherein a bottom edge of the separator wall leaves a space between it and the casing bottom to define a passage allowing water to flow atop the casing bottom between the chambers, and enabling the water level to rise enough to block the passage to prevent respiratory gas from passing therethrough; a valve and float within the filling chamber to control water flow into the filling chamber to prevent the water level from rising higher than a threshold; and wherein an outer wall of the casing and the separator wall cooperate with the water surface within the humidification chamber to define an elongate tube-like pathway through which respiratory gas proceeds along a path extending generally parallel to the water surface within the humidification chamber to be humidified.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a respiratory humidification device with a casing having a casing top and a casing bottom that enclose an interior space. The casing bottom is formed from thermally conductive material to conduct heat into the interior space from a heating component positioned external to and underneath the casing, thereby heating water within the casing. A separator wall within the interior space extends downward from the casing top toward the casing bottom to divide the interior space into a filling chamber and a humidification chamber.
The separator wall includes a bottom edge that leaves a space between the separator wall and the casing bottom to define a main passage between the filling chamber and the humidification chamber. Water can flow atop the casing bottom between the filling chamber and the humidification chamber, and the water level can rise high enough to block the main passage to prevent respiratory gas from passing therethrough. A valve and a first float within the filling chamber cooperate to control water inflow from a water source external to the casing to prevent the water level within at least the filling chamber from rising higher than a predetermined threshold level.
Respiratory gas is routed through the humidification chamber via gas inlet and gas outlet formed through the casing top, with the gas flowing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet in a direction through the humidification chamber. At least one portion of an outer wall of the casing top and at least one portion of the separator wall cooperate with a surface of the water within the humidification chamber to define an elongate tube-like pathway between the gas inlet and the gas outlet.
The elongate tube-like pathway enables at least one portion of the main flow of the respiratory gas to proceed generally parallel to the surface of the water to enable humidification of the respiratory gas with the water, and a heat spreader both absorbs heat from the water and radiates the absorbed heat upward into the gas path to enhance humidification.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage includes five inventive features for a respiratory humidification device.
Thermally conductive casing bottom for heating water
The casing bottom is formed from thermally conductive material to conduct heat into the interior space from a heating component positioned external to and underneath the casing to heat water within the casing.
Separator wall forming filling chamber, humidification chamber, and water-blocking main passage
A separator wall divides the interior space into a filling chamber and a humidification chamber, and a bottom edge of the separator wall leaves a space defining a main passage that allows water to flow atop the casing bottom between the chambers and enables a water level to rise high enough to block the main passage to prevent respiratory gas from passing therethrough.
Valve and float water-level control at a predetermined threshold
A valve and a first float within the filling chamber cooperate to control a flow of water into the filling chamber from a water source external to the casing to prevent the level of the water within at least the filling chamber from rising higher than a predetermined threshold level.
Elongate tube-like gas pathway parallel to water surface for humidification
Outer wall portions of the casing top and separator wall portions cooperate with a surface of the water within the humidification chamber to define an elongate tube-like pathway between the gas inlet and the gas outlet so that at least one portion of the main flow proceeds generally parallel to the surface of the water within the humidification chamber to enable humidification.
Heat spreader absorbing heat from water and radiating into the gas path
A heat spreader within the humidification chamber has a lower portion positioned to extend downward into the water to absorb heat and an upper portion positioned to extend upward from the water surface into the path of the main flow to radiate absorbed heat into the respiratory gas to enhance humidification.
The claim coverage centers on thermally conductive heat transfer, water-level-controlled passage blocking, and routing respiratory gas through an elongate tube-like pathway defined by the casing geometry and the water surface, with a heat spreader absorbing and radiating heat into the gas.
Stated Advantages
Improves contact between gas and water for humidification by defining an elongate tube-like pathway through which the main gas flow proceeds generally parallel to the water surface.
Enhances humidification by radiating absorbed heat from the heat spreader into the respiratory gas within the gas path.
Documented Applications
Integration with a ventilator/CPAP device and hose assemblies for delivering humidified respiratory gas to a patient.
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