Usability features for respiratory humidification system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022031993-A1
Application number	US-202117445937-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 25, 2021
Priority date	Apr 27, 2012
Publication date	Feb 3, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A humidification system for delivering humidified gases to a user can include a heater base, humidification chamber having an inlet, outlet, and associated fluid conduit, and breathing circuit including a supply conduit, inspiratory conduit, and optional expiratory conduit. The humidification system can include various features to help make set-up less difficult and time-consuming. For example, the supply conduit, inspiratory conduit, and optional expiratory conduit can be coupled into a one-piece circuit to aid set-up. Various components can be color-coded and can have corresponding structures to indicate which components should be connected to one another during set-up. Such features can also help make the set-up process more intuitive for an operator, which can reduce the need for specialized training and reduce the number of potential errors.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A humidification chamber comprising:
at least one side wall; a top wall connected to the at least one side wall; a base surface connected to the at least one side wall; a cavity being at least partially defined by the at least one side wall and the top wall and configured to hold a volume of liquid; an inlet port extending from the top wall and defining a passage into the cavity of the humidification chamber through the top wall; an outlet port extending from the top wall and defining a passage out of the cavity of the humidification chamber through the top wall; and a protrusion in the top wall, the protrusion being configured to mate with a corresponding recess on a heater base to guide insertion of the humidification chamber on the heater base.

3 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein the protrusion of the humidification chamber is configured to mate with the corresponding recess of the heater base to guide insertion of the humidification chamber onto the heater base in a desired rotational orientation.

4 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein the inlet port comprises a first sensor aperture, the first sensor aperture being configured to receive a first sensor mounted on the heater base, the outlet port comprising a second sensor aperture, the second sensor aperture being configured to receive a second sensor mounted on the heater base.

5 . The humidification chamber of claim 4 , further comprising grommets positioned in the first and second sensor apertures, wherein the grommets pneumatically seal the first and second sensor apertures, the grommets being sized and shaped to receive the first and second sensors, and the grommets being configured to protect the first and second sensors from direct contact with gases passing into and out of the humidification chamber such that the first and second sensors can be reused without cleaning.

6 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the at least one side wall and the top wall of the humidification chamber comprise features that define a front of the humidification chamber and a back of the humidification chamber, and wherein the humidification chamber has a shorter vertical height on the back of the humidification chamber and a taller vertical height on the front of the humidification chamber to reduce the likelihood of the humidification chamber being installed onto the heater base backwards.

7 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein:
the protrusion of the humidification chamber is configured to mate with a corresponding recess on a sensor cartridge module of the heater base to guide connection of the humidification chamber with the sensor cartridge module.

8 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein the outlet port comprises a connector for connecting to an inspiratory conduit, the connector having an angled or elbow shape.

9 . The humidification chamber of claim 8 , wherein the inlet port is straight, thereby providing a visual difference to the user between the inlet port and the outlet port to prevent incorrect connections.

10 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein the inlet port is coupled to or configured to couple to a supply conduit chamber end connector having an angled or elbow shape.

11 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein the outlet port is coupled to or configured to couple to an inspiratory conduit chamber end connector having an angled or elbow shape.

12 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein the outlet port comprises a rib to prevent incorrect connection of an inspiratory conduit connector onto the outlet port.

13 . The humidification chamber of claim 12 , wherein the rib circumferentially surrounds the outlet port.

14 . The humidification chamber of claim 12 , wherein the rib is configured to engage a corresponding rib on an inspiratory conduit connector.

15 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , wherein the inlet port comprises a circumferential rib configured to engage a corresponding rib detail on a supply conduit connector.

16 . The humidification chamber of claim 2 , comprising grips configured to allow an operator to hold the humidification chamber more easily.

17 . The humidification chamber of claim 16 , wherein the grips extend partially or completely around the humidification chamber.

18 . The humidification chamber of claim 16 , wherein the grips comprise recesses in the at least one side wall of the humidification chamber.

19 . The humidification chamber of claim 18 , wherein the recesses comprise ribs to enhance the ability of the user to grip the humidification chamber by the recesses.

20 . The humidification chamber of claim 18 , wherein the recesses are opposed to each other such that the gripping force can be applied with fingers and a thumb of the user.

21 . A kit of parts for a humidification system, the kit comprising:
the humidification chamber of claim 2 ; a supply conduit connectable to the inlet port of the humidification chamber; and an inspiratory conduit connectable to the outlet port of the humidification chamber.

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Klenner Jason Allan
• Salmon Andrew Paul Maxwell
• Hamilton Mark Samuel
• Stanton James William
• Andresen Michael John
• Lambert Jonathan Andrew George

Classifications

• A61M2205/3368

  Temperature · CPC title

• A61M2205/502

  User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards · CPC title

• A61M2205/505

  Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches · CPC title

• A61M16/109

  the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent · CPC title

• A61M16/16 Primary

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