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Assignees
Member
Hamilton Medical Inc.Hamilton Medical is focused on the development, manufacturing, and training for advanced respiratory support technologies. The company provides intelligent ventilation systems, high flow oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation, and educational platforms for healthcare professionals. Their offerings emphasize patient safety, data-driven decision making, and regulatory compliance across intensive care, transport, neonatal, and emergency settings.
Hamilton Medical is focused on the development, manufacturing, and training for advanced respiratory support technologies. The company provides intelligent ventilation systems, high flow oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation, and educational platforms for healthcare professionals. Their offerings emphasize patient safety, data-driven decision making, and regulatory compliance across intensive care, transport, neonatal, and emergency settings.
Publication Number
US-11617851-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
An exhalation valve arrangement includes an upstream breathing gas duct, which extends along a first duct path, a downstream breathing gas duct, which extends along a second duct path, and a valve assembly having a valve body and a valve seat, which valve assembly is provided such that, in the event of a predetermined first breathing gas overpressure in the upstream breathing gas duct relative to the downstream breathing gas duct. The valve assembly permits an exhalatory breathing gas flow from the upstream breathing gas duct to the downstream breathing gas duct and, in the event of a predetermined second breathing gas overpressure in the downstream breathing gas duct relative to the upstream breathing gas duct, the valve assembly blocks a gas flow from the downstream breathing gas duct to the upstream breathing gas duct.
Core Innovation
An exhalation valve arrangement for an exhalation line of a ventilation apparatus for artificial ventilation of patients is described as being flowthrough-capable in an exhalation flow direction. The arrangement comprises an upstream respiratory gas conduit connected or connectable to a portion coming from the patient, and a downstream respiratory gas conduit connected or connectable to a respiratory gas sink. In the context of a predetermined first respiratory gas overpressure in the upstream respiratory gas conduit relative to the downstream respiratory gas conduit, it permits exhalatory respiratory gas flow into the downstream respiratory gas conduit.
In the context of a predetermined second respiratory gas overpressure in the downstream respiratory gas conduit relative to the upstream respiratory gas conduit, the exhalation valve arrangement blocks reverse gas flow. A flow resistance configuration is provided in the downstream respiratory gas conduit radially inside a conduit wall that radially externally delimits the downstream respiratory gas conduit. At the location where it is arranged, the flow resistance configuration decreases the flow cross section of the downstream respiratory gas conduit to a value of 20% to 30% of the flowthrough-capable cross sectional area of the downstream respiratory gas conduit without the flow resistance configuration.
At least one of the following features is provided: the flow resistance configuration divides the flowthrough-capable cross section into no more than five partial cross section physically separated from one another; and the flow resistance configuration decreases the flowthrough-capable cross section along the second conduit path over a length of not less than 5 mm. Additional geometry enables smoother and quasi-laminar flow, including a radially internal flow-resistance configuration and downstream conduit refinement such as an annular conduit with radially internal gap, smooth delimiting surfaces, and tapered or protruding resistance features. A valve subassembly comprises a valve body and a valve seat arranged between the upstream and downstream respiratory gas conduits.
Claims Coverage
The claims coverage focuses on a single independent claim with two main inventive constraints: a downstream, radially internal flow resistance configuration that reduces the downstream flow cross section to a defined 20% to 30% value, and limiting the flow resistance geometry by partial cross-section separation (no more than five) and/or a minimum reduction length (not less than 5 mm).
Downstream radially internal flow resistance reducing the downstream flow cross section to 20% to 30%
A flow resistance configuration is provided in the downstream respiratory gas conduit radially inside a conduit wall that radially externally delimits the downstream respiratory gas conduit, decreasing the flow cross section at the location where it is arranged to a value of 20% to 30% of the flowthrough-capable cross sectional area of the downstream respiratory gas conduit without the flow resistance configuration.
Limited partial cross-section division and minimum reduction length along the second conduit path
At least one of the flow resistance configuration divides the flowthrough-capable cross section of the downstream respiratory gas conduit into no more than five partial cross section physically separated from one another, and the flow resistance configuration decreases the flowthrough-capable cross section of the downstream respiratory gas conduit along the second conduit path over a length of not less than 5 mm.
Annular radial gap arrangement with at least constant shape and/or constant flow-through-capable cross-section
The flow resistance configuration provides a radial gap comprising an annular conduit with at least one of a constant shape and a constant flow-through-capable cross-section over at least part of the axial portion.
Membrane valve body spanning the upstream conduit longitudinal end with valve seat at that end
The valve body is embodied as a membrane body spanning a longitudinal end of the upstream respiratory gas conduit, and the valve seat is embodied at that longitudinal end.
Valve actuator impinging the membrane body toward the valve seat with a closing force
The arrangement comprises a valve actuator by which the membrane body can be impinged upon with a closing force in a closing direction toward the valve seat.
Across the claim set provided, the core coverage centers on the downstream-side flow resistance configuration that reduces the downstream flow cross section to 20% to 30% and constrains the geometry either by dividing into no more than five physically separated partial cross sections and/or by decreasing along the second conduit path over at least 5 mm. Additional dependent claim refinements further define an annular radial gap geometry, specify a membrane valve body with a valve seat at the upstream conduit longitudinal end, and define a valve actuator applying a closing force toward the valve seat.
Stated Advantages
Improved patient/caregiver comfort.
Mitigates noise versus prior art by limiting turbulence.
Enables low-noise long-term performance.
Documented Applications
Exhalation valve arrangement for an exhalation line of a ventilation apparatus for artificial ventilation of patients.
Use in context of a respiratory gas sink connected to the downstream respiratory gas conduit, including the sink comprising ambient atmosphere.
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