Respiratory device
Inventors
Wheeler, Bradley Allen • Zinnecker, Jessica Mae • DuCanto, James
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12350437-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A valve for use with a compressed breathable gas source having a valve adapted to: (a) be disposed upstream of a patient delivery device and (b) control at least a portion of a breathable gas source upstream of the patient delivery device and the source including both: (i) a compressed breathable gas source and (ii) a second gas source. The valve includes a first rotatable body. The first rotatable body adjusts, upon rotation thereof a cross-sectional area for gas flow through one or more first apertures from the compressed breathable gas source, second gas source, or both. The valve further includes a gear rotatable simultaneously in response to rotation of the first rotatable body and upon rotation of the gear adjusts a second cross-sectional area for flow through one or more second apertures of gas from the compressed breathable gas source, said second gas source, or both.
Core Innovation
The patent describes valves for respiration systems that regulate gas flow from first and second gas sources upstream of a patient delivery device. A rotatable first member and engaging gear teeth simultaneously move first and second valve bodies to adjust gas flow through separate flow paths. The arrangements control gas blending, including atmospheric-air entrainment, or select apertures to provide different gas flow rates.
The patent also describes a valve and flow generator combination for a compressed breathable gas source. A movable valve body comprising engaging gears selects between distinct apertures within a gas flow path to provide a first flow rate and a lower second flow rate. Supporting figure descriptions identify a rotary gas-flow valve assembly, an outer ring gear engaging a smaller gear, valve bodies, and a selector marked with flow-rate settings.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify five independent claims, providing five inventive features that cover geared valves for adjusting gas flow through separate flow paths and a compressed-gas flow generator with an aperture-selecting valve.
Simultaneous adjustment of two flow paths
Claim 1 covers a rotatable first rotation member with first gear teeth in an arc around at least an inner portion of the member engaging second gear teeth, wherein movement of the first rotation member simultaneously moves first and second valve bodies to adjust gas flow through first and second flow paths upstream of a patient delivery device.
Ring gear engaging a second rotatable gear
Claim 9 covers a valve in which movement of a rotatable first rotation member simultaneously moves two valve bodies to adjust gas flow through separate paths, wherein the first gear is a ring gear with first gear teeth along its inner portion engaging second gear teeth on an outer portion of a second rotatable gear.
Different apertures providing two flow rates
Claim 10 covers a rotatable first rotation member and engaging gear teeth that cause simultaneous movement of first and second valve bodies to adjust gas flow through separate paths, wherein the first valve body has at least two distinct and differently sized apertures providing two different first flow rates.
Valve bodies with the same axis of rotation
Claim 13 covers a valve in which a rotatable first rotation member, through engaging gear teeth, causes simultaneous movement of first and second valve bodies to adjust gas flow through separate paths, wherein the first valve body and second valve body have the same axis of rotation.
Aperture-selecting valve for a compressed-gas flow generator
Claim 14 covers a valve and flow generator combination device for a compressed breathable gas source with a gas flow path to a patient delivery device, wherein a valve body comprising an inner gear engaging an inner surface of an outer ring gear moves between positions that place different apertures within the gas flow path, providing a first flow rate and a lower second flow rate.
The five independent claims cover geared valve configurations for adjusting gas flow, including simultaneous adjustment of separate flow paths, ring-gear arrangements, shared axes of rotation, and compressed-gas systems selecting between apertures to provide distinct flow rates.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Respiration systems that blend at least two gas sources and control breathable gas upstream of a patient delivery device, including a mask, mouthpiece, nasal inlet, or combinations thereof.
A valve and flow generator combination device used with a compressed breathable gas source to deliver gas through a gas flow path to a patient delivery device.
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