Non-invasive breathing assistance apparatus and method
Inventors
Varga, Christopher M. • Wise, Geoffrey C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12472323-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
An nCPAP device for as sting patient breathing includes a generator body forming an inlet, a chamber, and first and second flow circuits. The chamber directs pressurized gas from the inlet to the flow circuits. The flow circuits each include a nozzle, a channel, and at least one port. The nozzle emits a jet stream into the channel in a direction of a patient side thereof. The port fluidly connects the channel to ambient, and promotes entrainment of ambient air with the jet stream. In some embodiments, the channel forms a ramp feature directing exhaled air toward the jet stream in an angular fashion. The generator body requires reduced driving pressures to achieve target CPAP levels and reduces total imposed WOB as compared to conventional designs.
Core Innovation
A nasal continuous positive airway pressure device is configured to assist patient breathing using a generator body forming a gas supply inlet, a chamber fluidly connected to the gas supply inlet, and first and second flow circuits fluidly connected to the chamber. Each flow circuit includes a nozzle defining an inlet end and an outlet end, and a channel having a nozzle side fluidly connected to the outlet end and a patient side opposite the nozzle side for directing gas to and from a patient's naris. The generator body includes first and second ports that are connected to ambient air via respective exterior apertures, so that a gas jet stream created in the chamber is deliverable to the channel and divertible to the ports.
The gas supply inlet is disposed on a first surface of the generator body between the first and second flow circuits and arranged perpendicular to the channel so as to fluidly connect to the source of pressurized gas between the first and second flow circuits. The generator body comprises a pressure monitoring port disposed on the patient side of at least one of the first and second ports. In use with securement of a patient interface piece to the patient's nares, continuous positive airway pressure is generated by delivering gas from the source of pressurized gas to the nozzles, which emits a gas jet stream within the channels toward the patient interface piece.
The generator body architecture supports an inspiratory flow pattern and an expiratory flow pattern by diverting the jet stream between the first and second ports. During inspiration, gas flow is directed from the chamber through the flow circuits to the patient side of each channel, while during expiration the expiratory flow pattern directs gas from the patient side of each channel primarily to second ports while diverting the jet stream to first ports. Ramp features of the jet/channel geometry promote rapid jet diversion during expiration and support re-entry during inspiration, with ambient air entrainment through open ambient ports and exhaust of exhaled air.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims. Across them, the core inventive features focus on a nasal CPAP generator body with dual flow circuits producing a jet stream, an inlet disposed between the circuits, first and second ambient-air ports connected to interior apertures of the channels, and a pressure monitoring port on the patient side, combined with channel/port behavior defining inspiratory and expiratory flow patterns.
Dual-flow-circuit jet stream nasal CPAP with ambient ports
A nasal continuous positive airway pressure device includes a generator body with a gas supply inlet, a chamber fluidly connected to the gas supply inlet, and first and second flow circuits fluidly connected to the chamber, where each flow circuit includes a nozzle and a channel directing gas to and from a patient's naris, and where first and second ports fluidly connected to interior apertures of the channel are connected to ambient air via exterior apertures in the generator body, with a jet stream created in the chamber deliverable to the channel and divertible to the first and second ports.
Inlet disposed perpendicular between flow circuits and jet diversion to ambient ports
The gas supply inlet is disposed on a first surface of the generator body between the first and second flow circuits and arranged perpendicular to the channel such as to fluidly connect to the source of pressurized gas between the first and second flow circuits, and the jet stream emitted by the nozzles in the channels is divertible to the first and second ports.
Pressure monitoring port on patient side of ambient ports
The generator body comprises a pressure monitoring port disposed on the patient side of at least one of the first and second ports.
Nasal CPAP system generating continuous positive airway pressure via jet stream toward patient interface
A nasal continuous positive airway pressure system includes a generator body with a gas supply inlet and chamber, first and second flow circuits with nozzles and channels directing gas to and from a patient's naris, a patient interface piece fluidly connected to the patient side of the channels, and a source of pressurized gas connected to the gas supply inlet, wherein upon securement of the patient interface piece to the patient's nares the system is configured to generate continuous positive airway pressure by delivering gas to the nozzles that emits a gas jet stream within the channels in a direction of the patient interface piece.
Inlet disposed perpendicular between flow circuits and pressure monitoring on patient side
The gas supply inlet is disposed on a surface of the generator body between the first and second flow circuits and arranged perpendicular to the channel to fluidly connect to the source of pressurized gas between the first and second flow circuits, and the generator body comprises a pressure monitoring port disposed on the patient side of at least one of the first and second ports.
Inspiratory and expiratory flow patterns with jet diversion between ports
The system is configured to establish an inspiratory flow pattern and an expiratory flow pattern, including gas flow through the first and second flow circuits and channels during inspiration and redirected gas flow from the channels to the second ports with jet diversion to the first ports during expiration.
The independent claims cover a nasal CPAP generator/system that produces a jet stream from pressurized gas into channels directed toward a patient's naris, uses first and second ambient-air ports connected to interior/exterior apertures in the generator body to divert the jet stream, specifies a perpendicular disposition of the gas supply inlet between the flow circuits, includes a pressure monitoring port on the patient side of at least one port, and defines inspiratory and expiratory flow-pattern behavior with jet diversion between the first and second ports.
Stated Advantages
Reduced driving pressure to achieve target CPAP levels.
Reduced total imposed work-of-breathing (WOB) versus Infant Flow™ and AirLife™ generators.
Documented Applications
Assist patient breathing using nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP/CPAP) generated by delivering gas from a pressurized gas source to nozzles and channels through a patient interface piece secured to the patient's nares.
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