Systems and methods for patient-proximate vapor transfer for respiratory therapy
Inventors
Cortez, JR., Felino V. • Busey, Charles • Dungan, II, George C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11497880-B2
Publication Date
2022-11-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for humidifying a breathing gas are presented. The system includes a source of pressurized breathing gas, a vapor transfer unit external to the source of pressurized breathing gas, a first gas tube connecting the source of pressurized breathing gas to the gas inlet of the vapor transfer unit and having a first length, a liquid supply having a heater that heats liquid, a first liquid tube coupling the liquid supply to the liquid inlet of the vapor transfer unit, and a second gas tube having a second length and connecting the gas outlet to a patient interface. The first length is greater than the second length. The vapor transfer unit includes a gas passage, a liquid passage, and a membrane separating the gas passage and the liquid passage. The membrane is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.
Core Innovation
The vapor transfer unit heats and humidifies breathing gas by transferring vapor from heated liquid through a vapor-permeable membrane into the gas. A gas passage and a liquid passage are separated by the membrane, and the gas passage is enveloped by the liquid passage. Along at least part of the unit, the liquid and gas flow in opposite directions.
The system transfers vapor near the patient, with a longer gas tube between the gas source and the unit than between the unit and the patient. The described problem is condensation as humidified gas travels toward the patient. The separate gas and liquid circuits also allow changes to the gas source with less disruption, as stated in the patent summary.
Claims Coverage
The supplied relevant claims identify one independent claim, claim 1, directed to a vapor transfer unit for heating and humidifying breathing gas. Its main inventive features concern the passage arrangement, flow directions, and vapor-transfer membrane.
Gas passage enveloped by liquid passage
The gas passage extends between the gas inlet and gas outlet, and the liquid passage couples the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet. The gas passage is enveloped by the liquid passage.
Opposite gas and liquid flow directions
The liquid flow direction is opposite the gas flow direction from the gas inlet to the gas outlet along at least a portion of the vapor transfer unit.
Membrane transfers vapor between passages
A membrane separates the gas passage and the liquid passage and is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.
Axially oriented inlets and outlet
The liquid inlet, gas inlet, and gas outlet are oriented axially and in parallel with the gas passage.
Claim 1 covers a vapor transfer unit with an enveloped gas passage, a liquid passage, specified inlet and outlet orientations, opposite flow directions along part of the unit, and a membrane that transfers vapor into the breathing gas.
Stated Advantages
Patient-proximate vapor transfer reduces the distance humidified gas travels and is stated to reduce condensation.
Separate gas and liquid circuits permit gas-source changes with less disruption.
Documented Applications
Heating and humidifying breathing gas for respiratory humidification, with vapor transfer near the patient.
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