Systems and methods for high velocity nasal insufflation
Inventors
Leonard, Scott A. • Green, Brian • Allen, John • Adams, David • Gervais, Marc • Kolnsberg, Mark • Helman, Richelle
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12599742-B2
Publication Date
2026-04-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for humidifying a breathing gas are presented. The system includes a base unit, a vapor transfer unit, a nasal cannula, and a liquid container. The base unit includes a blower. The vapor transfer unit is external to the base unit and includes a gas passage, a liquid passage, a gas outlet, and a membrane separating the gas passage and the liquid passage. The membrane permits transfer of vapor into the gas passage from liquid in the liquid passage. The nasal cannula is coupled to the gas outlet. The liquid container is configured to reversibly mate with the base unit.
Core Innovation
The high-velocity nasal insufflation system delivers breathing gas to a patient using a blower-driven, low-pressure breathing-gas circuit in a base unit and an external membrane vapor-transfer unit. A membrane separates the gas passage and liquid passage to transfer vapor into the breathing gas delivered through a nasal cannula. A liquid container reversibly mates with the base unit, which heats and circulates liquid through integrated lines to reduce heat loss and kinking.
A connector in fluid communication with the blower and the vapor transfer unit comprises an auxiliary port configured to receive a nebulized medicament. This connector is configured to deliver the medicament and the breathing gas to the patient simultaneously. The system also incorporates oxygen blending, sensing, and liquid-level and temperature controls.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims identify one independent claim with four inventive features, which covers a system for delivering breathing gas to a patient.
Membrane-based vapor transfer unit
A vapor transfer unit external to the base unit comprises a gas passage, a liquid passage, a gas outlet, and a membrane separating the gas passage and the liquid passage, wherein the membrane permits transfer of vapor into the gas passage from liquid in the liquid passage.
Blower and nasal cannula arrangement
A base unit comprises a blower, and a nasal cannula is coupled to the gas outlet of the vapor transfer unit.
Connector for simultaneous medicament and breathing-gas delivery
A connector in fluid communication with the blower and the vapor transfer unit comprises a breathing gas inlet disposed downstream of the blower, a breathing gas outlet disposed upstream of the vapor transfer unit, and an auxiliary port configured to receive a nebulized medicament to deliver the medicament and the breathing gas to the patient simultaneously.
Reversibly mating liquid container
A liquid container is configured to reversibly mate with the base unit.
The independent claim combines a blower, an external membrane-based vapor transfer unit, a nasal cannula, a connector for simultaneous delivery of breathing gas and nebulized medicament, and a reversibly mating liquid container.
Stated Advantages
Integrated liquid lines within the gas delivery tube reduce heat loss, tubing burden, and kinking.
Low flow resistance supports operation without a high-pressure gas source.
Documented Applications
The system is described for use in home and transport settings.
The connector supports simultaneous delivery of nebulized medicament and breathing gas to a patient.
Interested in licensing this patent?