Breathable gas supply apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10201676-B2
Application number	US-201815869491-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 12, 2018
Priority date	Jun 20, 2003
Publication date	Feb 12, 2019
Grant date	Feb 12, 2019

Abstract

A CPAP device for delivering pressurized, humidified breathable gas for a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas. The flow generator includes an air outlet and a removable water container configured to humidify the pressurized breathable gas received from the flow generator. The water container includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The CPAP device further includes a first elastomeric face seal configured to sealingly abut against a substantially flat portion of the water container surrounding the water container air inlet, the first elastomeric face seal being located at an intermediate position between the flow generator air outlet and the water container air inlet when the water container is placed into position to pneumatically communicate with the flow generator. In addition, the CPAP device includes a second elastomeric face seal, a portion of which is configured to sealingly abut against a substantially flat external surface portion of the water container surrounding the water container air outlet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A breathable gas supply apparatus for treatment of respiratory disorders comprising:
a flow generator with an air inlet on a rear wall, the air inlet configured to provide a supply of ambient air to a blower of the flow generator, the flow generator being configured to generate a supply of pressurized air;
a water container to receive pressurized air from the flow generator, the water container having a first air opening, a second air opening, a top portion, a side surface having the second air opening therein and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a heat conducting surface;
a base with a heater, the base being configured to receive the water container;
a humidifier lid pivotably attached to the base via a hinged connection, the humidifier lid being pivotable between an open position and a closed position;
a catch for the humidifier lid, the catch securing the water container in the base when the humidifier lid is in the closed position, the catch providing an audible “click” sound when the humidifier lid is moved to the closed position;
a lid seal positioned between and engaged with both the humidifier lid and the top portion of the water container when the humidifier lid is pivoted to the closed position and secured by the catch, the lid seal engaging with a horizontal surface of the top portion of the water container;
an outlet pipe for connection with an air delivery tube in use;
a first gas flow port aligned with and in a facing arrangement with the first air opening;
a second gas flow port in a facing arrangement with the second air opening; and
a peripheral seal between the second gas flow port and the second air opening, the second air opening being surrounded by a substantially planar and substantially rectangular sealing surface that aligns with the peripheral seal when the water container is received in the base to create a substantially sealed air path between the peripheral seal and the second air opening, without requiring a user to establish tubular interconnection between the base and the water container,
wherein the water container and the base include complementary configurations that facilitate alignment of the water container with respect to the base to ensure alignment between the first air opening and the first gas flow port,
wherein when the humidifier lid is closed and secured by the catch, downwards pressure is maintained on the water container via the lid seal to maintain heat-transfer contact between the bottom portion of the water container and the heater of the base,
wherein the water container is removable from the base and then refillable with water without requiring disengagement of the air delivery tube from the outlet pipe, and
wherein the first air opening, the second air opening, the first gas flow port and the second gas flow port are part of a flow path between the flow generator and the outlet pipe.

2. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a display and user input;
wherein the display and user input are mounted on a circuit board that is interior to the breathable gas supply apparatus.

3. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an inlet muffler cavity, and
an inlet filter provided to the air inlet, the inlet filter configured to filter the ambient air prior to entering the flow generator.

4. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lid seal is configured to seal an opening located on the top portion of the water container.

5. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water container comprises an opening in the top portion configured to enable the water container to be fillable.

6. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path comprises a closed passage between a rectangular aperture and a circular aperture.

7. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lid seal comprises a channel which mates with a rim on the humidifier lid.

8. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lid seal is mounted to the humidifier lid.

9. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water container is configured to hinder water from flowing into the flow generator.

10. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water container comprises a flow passage with an enclosed cross-section, the flow passage extending away from the second air opening and towards an interior region of the water container, wherein the flow passage runs along a top side of the water container.

11. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water container includes a tub to contain water and a tub lid pivotably moveable relative to the tub, the first and second air openings being located on the tub lid, and the water container includes a tub seal between the tub and the tub lid.

12. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heater is not spring-loaded.

13. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein air flowing between the first air opening and the second air opening flows through at least one intermediate aperture and at least one turn.

14. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water container is adapted for drop-in assembly with the base;
wherein the second air opening and the second gas flow port are configured to align by way of the drop-in assembly, and
wherein the second air opening and the second gas flow port are configured to seal by way of the drop-in assembly.

15. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heat conducting surface of the water container has a complementary shape to a shape of an upper heating surface of the heater.

16. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heat conducting surface of the water container is horizontal, and
wherein the heat conducting surface is a bottom surface of the water container and wherein the heat conducting surface is metal.

17. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the catch comprises a notch and a tab that are engageable with one another by pivoting of the humidifier lid, and
wherein one of the notch and the tab is located on the base.

18. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein engagement of the catch exerts compressive force on the lid seal,
wherein engagement of the catch while the water container is received in the base causes the lid seal to exert downward pressure on the water container.

19. The breathable gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the blower comprises a motor with a coaxial impeller mounted so that the axis of the motor and impeller is vertical;
wherein the blower comprises feet that cooperate with corresponding receptacles to reduce vibration transmitted by the blower to the breathable gas supply apparatus;
further comprising a coupling member on an outlet of the blower and interior to the breathable gas supply apparatus, wherein the coupling member is flexible and forms a flow passage that connects to the outlet of the blower;
wherein the coupling member comprises thermoplastic elastomer and/or silicone rubber;
wherein the coupling member comprises at least one corrugation to provide flexibility and resistance against transfer of vibration from the blower to the breathable gas supply apparatus;

Assignees

• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Lithgow Perry David
• Virr Alexander
• Trevor-Wilson Duncan Lovel
• Bath Andrew Roderick
• Janiak Michael Thomas
• Kao Dan
• Saada Jim

Classifications

• A61B2560/0475

  Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards · CPC title

• A61B7/00

  Instruments for auscultation · CPC title

• A61B5/14551

  for measuring blood gases · CPC title

• A61B5/0245

  by using sensing means generating electric signals, {i.e. ECG signals} · CPC title

• A61B2560/0462

  Apparatus with built-in sensors · CPC title