Cough-assist systems with humidifier bypass
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11679229-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present technology relates generally to cough-assist devices with humidified cough assistance. In one example, a system includes a cough-assist device having a first phase configured to provide insufflating gas to a patient circuit and a second phase configured to draw exsufflating gas from the patient circuit. A humidifier is disposed between the cough-assist device and a distal end of the patient circuit, the humidifier including a chamber configured to contain heated water and fluidically coupled to the cough-assist device and the patient circuit. The system further includes a bypass configured to (a) direct insufflating gas from the cough-assist device through a first route to the patient circuit such that the insufflating gas is humidified in the chamber, and (b) route exsufflating gas from the patient circuit through a second route to the cough-assist device such that the exsufflating gas bypasses the chamber.
Core Innovation
A cough-assist device provides insufflating gas to a patient circuit in a first phase and draws exsufflating gas from the patient circuit in a second phase. A humidifier is positioned between the cough-assist device and a distal end of the patient circuit, and the humidifier includes a chamber configured to contain water and/or water vapor. The humidifier is fluidically coupled to the cough-assist device and/or the patient circuit such that it humidifies insufflating gas when the gas is routed through the chamber.
To prevent exsufflation high flows from blowing water back toward the ventilator, the system further includes a humidifier bypass. The bypass includes a first conduit coupled to the chamber, a second conduit coupled to the chamber, and a bridge extending between the first conduit and the second conduit. When the humidifier is fluidically coupled to the cough-assist device and/or the patient circuit, the bypass routes insufflating gas through the chamber via the first conduit, the chamber, and the second conduit such that the insufflating gas is humidified in the chamber.
In the exsufflation phase, the bypass routes exsufflating gas from the patient circuit toward the cough-assist device through at least a portion of the first conduit, the bridge, and at least a portion of the second conduit so that at least a portion of the exsufflating gas bypasses the chamber. In this way, the humidifier remains connected to the first conduit and the second conduit as the gas is withdrawn, while at least a portion of the exsufflating gas bypasses the humidifier chamber.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims and the independent method claim cover humidified cough-assist systems in which insufflating gas is routed through a humidifier chamber for humidification while exsufflating gas is routed to bypass the chamber. Across these claims, the inventive features include a humidifier chamber positioned in-line, a bypass with defined flow paths or conduits that bypass the chamber during exsufflation, and valve configurations that selectively direct insufflation versus exsufflation flow.
Cough-assist device with in-line humidifier and bypass for exsufflation chamber avoidance
A system comprising a cough-assist device with a first phase providing insufflating gas and a second phase drawing exsufflating gas, a humidifier positioned between the cough-assist device and a distal end with a chamber for water and/or water vapor, and a bypass with first conduit, second conduit, and bridge such that insufflating gas is routed through the chamber while at least a portion of exsufflating gas bypasses the chamber.
Bypass with first, second, and third flow paths for separating insufflation and exsufflation
A system comprising a cough-assist device with an insufflating module and an exsufflating module, a humidifier with a chamber configured to contain water and/or water vapor, and a bypass with a first flow path between the cough-assist device and the chamber, a second flow path between the chamber and the patient circuit, and a third flow path between the first and second flow paths, such that insufflating gas is routed through the chamber via the first and second flow paths while at least a portion of the exsufflating gas is routed through the third flow path to bypass the chamber.
Humidifier assembly routing insufflation through chamber and exsufflation without passing the chamber
A humidifier assembly comprising a chamber configured to retain liquid, a heater configured to deliver heat to liquid within the chamber, a first conduit fluidically coupling a cough-assist device to the chamber, and a second conduit fluidically coupling the chamber to a patient circuit, configured to route insufflating gas through the first conduit, the chamber, and the second conduit when coupled to the patient circuit, and to route at least a portion of exsufflating gas received from the patient circuit from the second conduit to the first conduit without passing through the chamber when coupled to the patient circuit.
Method maintaining humidifier connection while exsufflation bypasses humidifier
A method for providing cough assistance that includes delivering insufflating gas through a patient circuit having a first conduit, a second conduit, and a humidifier between the first conduit and the second conduit so the insufflating gas is humidified in a chamber, and withdrawing exsufflating gas from the patient via the first conduit and the second conduit while the humidifier remains connected to the first conduit and the second conduit as the gas is withdrawn, wherein at least a portion of the exsufflating gas bypasses the humidifier.
The independent claims collectively define a humidified cough-assist architecture where insufflation is routed through a humidifier chamber for humidification while exsufflation is routed via a bypass flow path and/or bypass conduits so that at least a portion of exsufflating gas bypasses the humidifier. The claims also cover a humidifier assembly that includes a chamber with a heater and conduits that enable the chamber to be bypassed during exsufflation, and a method that keeps the humidifier connected during gas withdrawal while maintaining a bypass for at least a portion of the exsufflating gas.
Stated Advantages
Avoiding water carryback by preventing exsufflation high flows from blowing water back toward the ventilator.
Enabling transitions without disconnecting at the patient while allowing exsufflating gas to bypass the chamber.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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