Respiratory humidification system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017173293-A1
Application number	US-201515115751-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 9, 2015
Priority date	Feb 7, 2014
Publication date	Jun 22, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system provides warm, humidified gas to a patient via a patient interface. Horizontal connections can be used between the humidification chamber and conduit. To reduce the likelihood of condensate flowing back to the humidification chamber, or dead space or gases recirculation regions occurring within the gases flow path, a raised portion is positioned inside of the flow path to improve flow characteristics and to provide a barrier for condensate back flow. The raised portion also reduces the amount of condensate that is formed in the system and provides better flow characteristics for sensing purposes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A respiratory humidification system comprising:
a humidification chamber that comprises an outlet port; a conduit that comprises a connector configured to engage with the outlet port such that the conduit forms a gases flow path from the humidification chamber; and a raised portion located in the gases flow path directly adjacent to a sharp corner disposed along the gases flow path within a region defined between the body of the humidification chamber and the conduit.

2 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 1 , wherein the raised portion inhibits liquid flowing from the conduit to the humidification chamber in use.

3 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 1 , wherein the raised portion fills or at least partially fills a dead space region in the gases flow path in use.

4 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the outlet port comprises a vertical section and a horizontal section and wherein the connector is configured to engage with the horizontal section.

5 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 4 , wherein the raised portion is located within the horizontal section of the outlet port.

6 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the outlet port comprises a vertical section and wherein the connector comprises a horizontal section and a vertical section and wherein the vertical section of the connector is configured to engage with the outlet port.

7 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 6 , wherein the raised portion is located within the horizontal section of the outlet port.

8 . The respiratory humidification system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the raised portion is directly attached to the outlet port.

9 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the raised portion is directly attached to the connector.

10 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the raised portion is attached to the conduit.

11 . The respiratory humidification system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit comprises one or more heating elements.

12 . A respiratory humidification system comprising:
a humidification chamber configured to contain a volume of liquid, the humidification chamber having an outlet port; a conduit connectable to the outlet port of the humidification chamber, the conduit and the outlet port of the humidification chamber being connected by a connector, a gases flow path being defined from an entrance to the outlet port of the humidification chamber to an outlet of the conduit, a sharp corner positioned along the gases flow path at a location where the gases flow path makes an abrupt change in direction; and a raised portion located in the gases flow path directly adjacent to the sharp corner.

13 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 12 , wherein the raised portion is located immediately downstream from the sharp corner.

14 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 12 or 13 , wherein the raised portion is located within a region of the gases flow path that would be a recirculation region with the raised portion present.

15 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 12 - 14 , wherein the raised portion forms a portion of the outlet port.

16 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 12 - 14 , wherein the raised portion forms a portion of the connector.

17 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 12 - 14 , wherein the raised portion forms a portion of the conduit.

18 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 12 - 14 , wherein the raised portion fills at least a lower portion of at least one of a horizontal portion of the outlet port, a conduit or a connector such that condensate is less likely to flow from the conduit into the humidification chamber.

19 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 18 , wherein the raised portion has a tapered edge.

20 . The respiratory humidification system of claim 18 , wherein the raised portion has a straight edge.

21 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 12 - 14 , wherein the raised portion is asymmetrical along its length.

22 . The respiratory humidification system of any of claims 12 - 14 , wherein the raised portion is symmetrical along its length.

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Osborne Hamish Adrian
• Harwood Jonathan David
• Robertson Natalie May

Classifications

• A61M16/024

  including calculation means, e.g. using a processor · CPC title

• A61M16/16

  Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• A61M16/0808 Primary

  Condensation traps · CPC title

• F15D1/06

  by influencing the boundary layer · CPC title

• F24F13/081

  for guiding air around a curve · CPC title