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Publication Number
US-12226580-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices and methods for providing respiratory therapy are disclosed. One device includes a first lumen, a second lumen, and a bridge with at least one opening. The first lumen has a first inlet end to receive a first flow of breathing gas, a first outlet end to deliver the first flow, and a first bend between the first inlet end and the first outlet end. The second lumen has a second inlet end to receive a second flow of breathing gas, a second outlet end to deliver the second flow, and a second bend between the second inlet end and the second outlet end. The bridge separates the first lumen and the second lumen, attaches to the first lumen at the first bend and the second lumen at the second bend, and is configured to maintain the first flow of breathing gas separate from the second flow of breathing gas.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a respiratory therapy system that includes a nosepiece portion with a first lumen and a second lumen. Each lumen has an inlet end to receive a first and second flow of breathing gas, an outlet end to deliver the flow, and a bend between the inlet end and the outlet end. The first and second lumens are separated by a hollow bridge that attaches to the first lumen and the second lumen while forming a fluid conduit between the lumens.
The hollow bridge includes at least one opening and provides a coupling feature and a controlled fluid conduit. In particular, the bridge comprises a first opening along the base of the bridge configured to couple a nebulizer to the nosepiece portion. The bridge functionally supports fluid communication between the first and second lumens through the conduit formed by the bridge.
The respiratory-therapy system further includes a third elongated lumen and a fourth elongated lumen, each having an inlet end and an outlet end. A source of breathing gas is connected to the inlet ends of the third and fourth elongated lumens, and the nosepiece portion is configured to be connected to the outlet ends of the third and fourth elongated lumens. The disclosure also discusses lumen geometry options and connection/path configurations intended to support low flow resistance and reduce undesirable effects such as noise and rainout/condensation.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a respiratory therapy system with multiple lumens and a hollow bridge that separates first and second lumens while forming a fluid conduit between them, including a nebulizer-coupling opening in the bridge. Dependent claim sets further refine attachment locations, lumen flow-path constraints, material selection, and sensing/control behaviors such as alarm for partial occlusion and occlusion-driven flow balancing between lumens.
Hollow bridge separating first and second lumens while forming a fluid conduit
A nosepiece portion includes a first lumen and a second lumen separated by a hollow bridge, where the bridge attaches to the first lumen and the second lumen and forms a fluid conduit between the first lumen and the second lumen.
Bridge with opening configured to couple a nebulizer
The hollow bridge comprises a first opening along the base of the bridge, the first opening configured to couple a nebulizer to the nosepiece portion.
Third and fourth elongated lumens connected to breathing gas source and nosepiece outlet ends
The system includes a third elongated lumen and a fourth elongated lumen, each having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a source of breathing gas connected to the inlet ends of the third and fourth elongated lumens, wherein the nosepiece portion is configured to be connected to the outlet ends of the third and fourth elongated lumens.
Bridge attaching to outer surfaces at the lumen bends
The bridge connects an outer surface of the first lumen at the first bend and an outer surface of the second lumen at the second bend.
Constant-diameter flow paths in the third and fourth elongated lumens
The third elongated lumen and the fourth elongated lumen define constant-diameter flow paths for first and second flows of breathing gas.
Outer-surface material selection including less than 70 Durometer Shore A
The outer surfaces of the first and second lumens are formed from selected plastics/elastomers/material-performance categories including a material with less than 70 Durometer Shore A.
Alarm for partial occlusion when flow departs from targeted set point
The system maintains constant pressure and triggers an alarm when the flow rate departs from a targeted flow set point to indicate possible partial occlusion.
Occlusion-driven pressure differential balancing flow through the bridge
When either the first or second lumen is occluded, a resulting pressure differential between the two lumens causes flow through the bridge to balance the flow between the two lumens.
Overall, the claim set centers on a bifurcated nasal cannula/respiratory therapy nosepiece with first and second lumens separated by a hollow bridge that forms a fluid conduit and includes a nebulizer-coupling opening, combined with additional lumens connected to a breathing gas source. Refinements specify attachment to lumen bends, constant-diameter flow-path constraints, material choices including <70 Durometer Shore A, and sensing/behavior features such as an alarm for partial occlusion and occlusion-driven flow balancing.
Stated Advantages
Reduces flow resistance.
Reduces noise.
Mitigates rainout/condensation.
Improves patient comfort via flexible, patient-conforming support.
Provides flow/pressure behavior intended to address occlusion-induced flow reduction through balancing.
Documented Applications
Respiratory therapy using a system that includes a nasal cannula/respiratory-therapy nosepiece portion, with nebulizer coupling via an opening in the hollow bridge.
Respiratory therapy systems using separate medicament and breathing-gas delivery via non-fluidly communicated pathways, including variants with heated and humidified gas.
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