Flow regulation vent

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10220179-B2
Application number	US-201615001521-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 20, 2016
Priority date	Dec 22, 2000
Publication date	Mar 5, 2019
Grant date	Mar 5, 2019

Abstract

An elbow assembly includes an elbow with an opening in a sidewall of the elbow. An anti-asphyxia valve (AAV) assembly is provided to the elbow. The opening in the sidewall of the elbow is configured to receive at least a portion of the AAV assembly. The elbow assembly further includes a support member with an atmospheric port. The support member is configured to be secured to a portion of the elbow and cover the opening. The AAV assembly is adapted to be secured to the elbow by the support member. In addition, the support member is configured so that an outer surface of the support member is substantially flush with an outer surface of the elbow when the support member is secured to the portion of the elbow.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A patient interface configured to deliver positive pressure gas for respiratory therapy to a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing, the patient interface comprising:
a frame;
a cushion provided to the frame and adapted to form a seal with a patient's face; and
an elbow assembly configured to convey the positive pressure gas from an air delivery tube to the frame, the elbow assembly comprising:
an elbow with an opening in a sidewall of the elbow;
an anti-asphyxia valve (AAV) assembly provided to the elbow, the opening in the sidewall of the elbow being configured to receive at least a portion of the AAV assembly; and
a support member with an atmospheric port, the support member being configured to be secured to a portion of the elbow and cover the opening, the AAV assembly being adapted to be secured to the elbow by the support member,

wherein the support member is configured so that an outer surface of the support member is substantially flush with an outer surface of the elbow when the support member is secured to the portion of the elbow.

2. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the AAV assembly is positioned adjacent to the atmospheric port and the atmospheric port includes a cylindrical wall member configured to be selectively engaged by a portion of the AAV assembly.

3. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the support member and the AAV assembly are secured together by over-molding, gluing and/or a mechanical lock.

4. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the AAV assembly includes a base portion and a flap portion hingedly provided to the base portion by way of a living hinge.

5. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the elbow includes a first portion adapted to be secured to a frame of a mask assembly and a second portion structured to receive pressurized gas, and a first gas path is defined between the first and second portions.

6. The patient interface of claim 5 further comprising a second gas path defined between the first portion and the atmospheric port, wherein the atmospheric port is provided between the first and second portions.

7. The patient interface of claim 5 , wherein the AAV assembly includes a flap portion to selectively allow either pressurized gas or ambient air to be directed to the first portion of the elbow, the flap portion being made of silicone or TPE.

8. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the support member is adapted to contact the AAV assembly when securing the AAV assembly to the elbow.

9. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the support member is securable to the elbow in only one orientation.

10. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the support member is substantially flush with the outer surface of the elbow only when the support member is oriented in a predetermined direction relative to the elbow.

11. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein an entirety of the outer surface of the support member is substantially flush with an outer surface of the elbow when the support member is secured to the elbow.

12. The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the support member is generally U-shaped.

13. A patient interface configured to deliver positive pressure gas for respiratory therapy to a patient to treat sleep disordered breathing, the patient interface comprising:
a frame;
a cushion provided to the frame and adapted to form a seal with a patient's face; and
an elbow assembly configured to convey the positive pressure gas from an air delivery tube to the frame, the elbow assembly comprising:
an elbow having a first portion structured to engage with a mask frame and a second portion structured to receive pressurized gas;
a first gas path defined between the first and the second portions;
a port in communication with atmosphere and selectively manipulated between a first mode and a second mode, the port being in communication with the first portion of the elbow when in the first mode and not being in communication with the first portion of the elbow when in the second mode;
a second gas path defined between the first portion and the port; and
an anti-asphyxia valve (AAV) assembly, said AAV assembly including a flap portion and a frame assembly integrally supporting the flap portion, the flap portion being movable to selectively open and close the port, the flap portion and the frame assembly being configured to be inserted into and secured within the elbow through an opening in the elbow, the opening being positioned to receive gas flowing through the first gas path,

wherein said flap portion assumes a closed position when pressurized gas less than or equal to a predetermined threshold is delivered to the second portion of the elbow, in which case the port communicates with the first portion via the second gas path, and said flap assumes an open position when pressurized gas above the predetermined threshold is delivered to the second portion, in which case the flap portion seals the port and the first portion is in communication with the second portion via the first gas path.

14. The patient interface of claim 13 , wherein the frame assembly is supported adjacent the first portion of the elbow and/or the port of the elbow.

15. The patient interface of claim 14 , wherein the frame assembly includes a main wall member including an outer perimeter engaged with a groove provided adjacent the first portion.

16. The patient interface of claim 15 , wherein the main wall member is oriented within the port and includes a first aperture defining a part of the second gas path.

17. The patient interface of claim 16 , wherein the flap portion is movably mounted near the first aperture of the main wall member.

18. The patient interface of claim 17 , wherein the main wall member includes one or more cross ribs.

19. The patient interface of claim 18 , wherein the main wall member is oriented toward the first portion and includes a second aperture having a seal portion structure adapted to seal against the mask frame upon assembly therewith.

20. The patient interface of claim 19 , wherein the flap portion is hinged at a location remote from the main wall member.

21. The patient interface of claim 13 , wherein the AAV assembly includes a base portion to support the flap portion, the base portion including a first shoulder portion to support the flap portion,
wherein the base portion is seated on a second shoulder portion formed on the elbow, and
wherein at least a part of the flap portion, when in the closed position, rests against the second shoulder portion.

22. The patient interface of claim 21 , wherein the AAV assembly includes side wall portions extending from the base portion wherein the side wall portions have a geometry and/or shape that substantially matches that of an inside portion of the elbow.

23. The patient interface of claim 22 , wherein the side wall portions are generally tapered down from the first portion towards the port.

24. The patient interface of claim 22 , wherein the side wall portions are generally tapered down from the port toward the first portion.

25. The patient interface of claim 24 , wherein the AAV assembly includes a top wall portion positioned opposite the base portion.

26. The patient interface of claim 25 , wherein the top wall portion includes a stop on which the flap portion rests when the flap portion is in the open positio

Assignees

• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Dantanarayana Muditha Pradeep
• Nasr Saad

Classifications

• A61M2210/0618

  Nose · CPC title

• A61M16/0616

  with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure · CPC title

• A61M16/0057

  Pumps therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0825

  with ball-sockets · CPC title

• A61M2205/332

  Force measuring means · CPC title