Non-invasive respiratory device with a vertical connection interface
Inventors
Orlando, Julie A. • Delaporte, Stephen E. • Putman, John B.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11712530-B1
Publication Date
2023-08-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A positive airway pressure device includes a primary housing and a humidification system. The primary housing includes an outer edge, a first electronic connection portion, and a blower configured to deliver a vapor to a patient. The humidification system includes a water reservoir configured to hold a liquid, a heating plate in thermal communication with the water reservoir, a second electronic connection portion, and a lid configured to selectively shield the second electronic connection portion. The primary housing is configurable between at least two positions relative to the humidification system. The at least two positions include a first position in which the lid at least partially shields the second electronic connection portion and a second position in which the outer edge of the primary housing forces open the lid such that the first electronic connection portion mates with the second electronic connection portion.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a positive airway pressure device having a primary housing and an integrated humidification system that work together to deliver vapor to a patient. The primary housing includes an outer edge, a first electronic connection portion, and a blower configured to deliver vapor to a patient. The humidification system includes a water reservoir holding a liquid, a heating plate in thermal communication with the water reservoir, a second electronic connection portion, and a lid configured to selectively shield the second electronic connection portion.
The primary housing is configurable between at least two positions relative to the humidification system. In a first position, the lid at least partially shields the second electronic connection portion. In a second position, the outer edge of the primary housing forces the lid open such that the first electronic connection portion mates with the second electronic connection portion, and the chamber receives vapor generated by the blower and the heating plate and outputs the vapor to the patient.
Further refinements include a spring-loaded lid that is lifted when the primary housing is coupled and engaged with the humidification system. Additional refinements include a conical hub and a pour hole interface in communication with the water reservoir, together with sensing and control in which at least one sensor in the gas pathway measures chamber pressure and/or chamber temperature, and a controller communicates with the blower and at least one of the electronic connection portions.
The disclosed architecture also includes ultraviolet light configured to sterilize the liquid in the humidification system, and a valve configurable between an open position and a closed position configured to prevent asphyxiation during therapy. The system is also described as operating with respiratory response data collected from sensors, including determining sleep disruption and adjusting the blower speed and/or heating plate temperature accordingly.
Claims Coverage
The document provides four independent claim sets. Across these claims, the coverage centers on a primary housing that forms a selective, position-dependent mechanical and electrical interface with a humidification system, delivering vapor to a patient, with additional features for lid mechanics, sealing/coupling interfaces, sensing/control, sterilization, and asphyxiation prevention.
Position-dependent selective shielding and electrical mating between primary housing and humidification lid
A positive airway pressure device comprising a primary housing with an outer edge and a first electronic connection portion, a blower configured to deliver a vapor to a patient, and a humidification system with a water reservoir holding a liquid, a heating plate in thermal communication with the water reservoir, a second electronic connection portion, and a lid configured to selectively shield the second electronic connection portion, wherein the primary housing is configurable between at least two positions relative to the humidification system, the at least two positions comprising a first position in which the lid at least partially shields the second electronic connection portion and a second position in which the outer edge of the primary housing forces open the lid such that the first electronic connection portion mates with the second electronic connection portion, and wherein, in the second position, the chamber is configured to receive vapor generated by the blower and the heating plate and output the vapor to the patient.
Spring-loaded lid behavior during coupling and position-dependent shielding/mating
A positive airway pressure device comprising a primary housing with an outer edge, a first electronic connection portion, a blower configured to deliver a vapor to a patient, and a humidification system with a water reservoir holding a liquid, a heating plate in thermal communication with the water reservoir, a second electronic connection portion, and a lid configured to selectively shield the second electronic connection portion, wherein the lid is a spring-loaded lid that is lifted when the primary housing is coupled and engaged with the humidification system, the primary housing configurable between at least two positions relative to the humidification system, the at least two positions comprising a first position in which the lid at least partially shields the second electronic connection portion and a second position in which the outer edge of the primary housing forces open the lid such that the first electronic connection portion mates with the second electronic connection portion.
Conical hub and pour hole interface with position-dependent coupling
A positive airway pressure device comprising a primary housing with an outer edge, a first electronic connection portion, a blower configured to deliver a vapor to a patient, and a conical hub, and a humidification system with a water reservoir holding a liquid, a heating plate in thermal communication with the water reservoir, a second electronic connection portion, a lid configured to selectively shield the second electronic connection portion, and a pour hole interface in communication with the water reservoir, wherein the primary housing is configurable between at least two positions relative to the humidification system, the at least two positions comprising a first position in which the lid at least partially shields the second electronic connection portion and a second position in which the outer edge of the primary housing forces open the lid such that the first electronic connection portion mates with the second electronic connection portion.
Gas pathway sensing with controller communicating with blower and electronic connection portions
A positive airway pressure device comprising a primary housing comprising a first electronic connection portion, a chamber, a first sensor at least partially disposed in a gas pathway configured to measure a pressure in the chamber, a second sensor at least partially disposed in the gas pathway configured to measure a temperature in the chamber, and a blower configured to deliver a vapor to a patient; and a humidification system comprising a water reservoir configured to hold a liquid, a heating plate in thermal communication with the water reservoir, and a second electronic connection portion configured to interface with the first electronic connection portion, wherein the chamber is configured to receive vapor generated by the blower and the heating plate and output the vapor to the patient; and a controller in communication with the blower and at least one of the first electronic connection portion or the second electronic connection portion.
Across the independent claims, the principal inventive concept is a position-dependent, selective lid shielding and forced-open coupling between a primary housing and a humidification system such that electronic connection portions mate and vapor is routed through a chamber to a patient. Additional coverage specifies spring-loaded lid lifting during coupling, a conical hub and pour hole interface, and gas-pathway pressure and temperature sensing with controller communication to the blower and electronic connection portions.
Stated Advantages
Selectively shields the second electronic connection portion when the primary housing is in a first position.
Forces the lid open to mate the first electronic connection portion with the second electronic connection portion when the primary housing is moved to a second position.
Delivers vapor to the patient via a chamber receiving vapor generated by the blower and the heating plate.
Sterilizes the liquid in the humidification system using ultraviolet light.
Prevents asphyxiation during therapy using a valve configurable between open and closed positions.
Detects sleep disruption using collected respiratory response data from sensors and adjusts blower speed and/or heating plate temperature accordingly.
Documented Applications
Use as a positive airway pressure device delivering vapor to a patient, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (Bi-level PAP) contexts.
Therapy operation in which respiratory response data is collected to determine sleep disruption and adjust blower speed and/or heating plate temperature accordingly.
Humidification water sterilization during PAP operation using ultraviolet light.
Safety-related therapy operation to prevent asphyxiation during therapy using an open/closed valve.
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