Swivel elbow and connector assembly for patient interface systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10322254-B2
Application number	US-201214131507-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 6, 2012
Priority date	Jul 8, 2011
Publication date	Jun 18, 2019
Grant date	Jun 18, 2019

Abstract

A swivel elbow and connector assembly for a patient interface system includes a ring configured to be sealingly secured in an aperture of the patient interface system. The ring includes a first side in an interior of the patient interface system and a second side at an exterior of the patient interface system when the ring is secured in the aperture. The ring also includes a plurality of vents configured to permit flow of gases from the interior to the exterior of the patient interface system. The swivel elbow and connector assembly includes an elbow swivelably secured in the ring. A patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a user includes a patient interface structure configured to sealing engage the face of the user. The patient interface structure includes an aperture. A swivel elbow and connector assembly is sealingly secured in the aperture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An air delivery tube configured to be connected to a patient interface that is configured to deliver positive pressure breathable gas to a patient's airways, the air delivery tube comprising:
a flexible tubular portion; and
a connector assembly configured to detachably connect the air delivery tube to the patient interface, the connector assembly comprising:
a skeleton portion formed from a first material and having a first connection region with a gap, the first connection region being removably connectable to the patient interface and forming a continuous arcuate region, the gap being positioned between opposing ends of an arcuate shape formed by the continuous arcuate region and permitting the first connection region to flex, wherein the gap prevents the continuous arcuate region from forming all of a circular shape, and the continuous arcuate region forms at least a portion of a cylinder; and
a second component attached to the skeleton portion and formed from a second material.

2. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the first material is relatively more rigid than the second material.

3. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the first material is resilient and/or stiff.

4. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the second material is flexible.

5. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the first material forms a vent.

6. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the second material forms a valve.

7. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the continuous arcuate region includes a stop.

8. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , further comprising engagement portions.

9. The air delivery tube of claim 8 , wherein the engagement portions are adapted to reduce the size of the gap.

10. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the continuous arcuate region comprises engagement tabs adapted to secure the first connection region of the air delivery tube to the patient interface.

11. The air delivery tube of claim 10 , wherein when the continuous arcuate region is flexed, the engagement tabs are in a disengaged position that permits removal of the first connection region of the air delivery tube from the patient interface.

12. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the skeleton portion supports the second component.

13. The air delivery tube of claim 12 , wherein the skeleton portion and the second component combine to form a swivel elbow and a valve assembly.

14. The air delivery tube of claim 13 , wherein the skeleton portion comprises an underlying structure over which the second component is positioned.

15. The air delivery tube of claim 14 , wherein the skeleton portion comprises a first aperture configured to receive the valve assembly and a second aperture configured to receive part of the second component.

16. The air delivery tube of claim 15 , wherein the second component comprises a lip defining an aperture configured to receive the valve assembly.

17. The air delivery tube of claim 16 , wherein the first aperture of the skeleton portion and the aperture of the second component are aligned.

18. A patient interface system configured to deliver positive pressure breathable gas to a patient's airways, the patient interface system comprising:
the air delivery tube of claim 1 ,
wherein the air delivery tube is configured to be fluidly connected to a patient interface.

19. The patient interface system of claim 18 , further comprising the patient interface, the patient interface comprising a cushion configured to sealingly engage the patient's face.

20. The air delivery tube of claim 1 , wherein the skeleton portion comprises a second connection region opposite the first connection region, the second connection region being connectable to the flexible tubular portion.

21. An elbow assembly having a first connection region configured to detachably connect to a patient interface, the first connection region comprising:
a skeleton portion constructed from a first material and including the first connection region, the first connection region having a gap and comprising a continuous circumferential portion that is removably connectable to the patient interface and would form a complete circular shape but for the gap, the continuous circumferential portion forming at least a portion of a cylinder, the gap permitting the first connection region to flex; and
a second component attached to the skeleton portion and constructed from a second material.

22. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first material is relatively more rigid than the second material.

23. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first material is resilient and/or stiff.

24. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the second material is flexible.

25. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the first material forms a vent.

26. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the second material forms a valve.

27. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous circumferential portion includes a stop.

28. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the skeleton portion and the second component are formed in one piece and/or over-molded.

29. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , further comprising engagement portions.

30. The elbow assembly of claim 29 , wherein the engagement portions are adapted to deform the continuous circumferential portion.

31. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the continuous circumferential portion comprises engagement tabs adapted to secure the first connection region of the elbow assembly to the patient interface.

32. The elbow assembly of claim 31 , wherein when the continuous circumferential portion is flexed, the engagement tabs are in a disengaged position that permits removal of the first connection region of the elbow assembly from the patient interface.

33. The elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the skeleton portion supports the second component.

34. The elbow assembly of claim 33 , wherein the skeleton portion and the second component combine to form a swivel elbow and a valve assembly.

35. The elbow assembly of claim 34 , wherein the skeleton portion comprises an underlying structure over which the second component is positioned.

36. The elbow assembly of claim 35 , wherein the skeleton portion comprises a first aperture configured to receive the valve assembly and a second aperture configured to receive part of the second component.

37. The elbow assembly of claim 36 , wherein the second component comprises a lip defining an aperture configured to receive the valve assembly.

38. The elbow assembly of claim 37 , wherein the first aperture of the skeleton portion and the aperture of the second component are aligned.

39. A patient interface assembly comprising:
the elbow assembly of claim 21 , wherein the elbow assembly is configured to be fluidly connected to the patient interface.

40. The patient interface assembly of claim 39 , further comprising the patient interface, the patient interface comprising a cushion configured to sealingly engage a patient's face.

41. The patient interface assembly of claim 40 , further comprising an air del

Assignees

• Fong Teck
• Gray Stephen
• Barlow Adam Francis
• Burnham Robert Thomas
• Skipper Christopher Scott
• Pidcock David Anthony
• Gupta Tumul
• Mazzone Damien Julian
• Romagnoli Jose Ignacio
• Cullen Christopher Samuel
• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Fong Teck
• Gray Stephen
• Barlow Adam Francis
• Burnham Robert Thomas
• Skipper Christopher Scott
• Pidcock David Anthony
• Gupta Tumul
• Mazzone Damien Julian
• Romagnoli Jose Ignacio
• Cullen Christopher Samuel

Classifications

• A61M16/0666

  Nasal cannulas or tubing (devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02) · CPC title

• A61M2207/00

  Methods of manufacture, assembly or production · CPC title

• A61M16/0622

  having an underlying cushion · CPC title

• A61M2202/0225

  Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide · CPC title

• A61M16/0683

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title