Abstract:
The present invention provides a vent assembly suitable for use with a respiratory mask of the type used in CPAP treatment. In one embodiment the vent is made of a thin air permeable membrane. Generally, the membrane is thinner than 0.5 mm. The membrane can be made of a hydrophobic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The membrane can also be fabricated from expanded PTFE. The expanded PTFE membrane is mounted on a polypropylene scrim. The pores of the membrane have a reference pore size of 10 to 15 microns. In an alternative embodiment, the vent assembly includes a vent constructed from stainless steel. In another embodiment the membrane has a superficial cross-sectional area of approximately 500 mm2. In another embodiment the vent assembly comprises a membrane attached to a vent frame, the vent assembly forming an insert which can be removeably attached to a mask fame.
Abstract:
A seal for a chassis assembly of a flow generator is configured to provide a flow of breathable gas. The seal includes a blower receptacle sealing portion configured to seal a blower receptacle of the chassis assembly configured to receive a blower configured to generate the flow of breathable gas. The seal further includes a flow sensor sealing portion configured to seal a flow sensor provided in the chassis assembly and configured to measure the flow of breathable gas. The seal also includes a blower mount configured to receive a portion of the blower and mount the blower to the seal. In addition, the seal includes a blower mount suspension configured to connect the blower mount to the blower receptacle sealing portion. When assembled, the seal and the chassis assembly define a flow path from an inlet of the chassis assembly to an outlet of the chassis assembly.
Abstract:
A breathable gas supply apparatus has a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas and a humidifier base unit configured to be coupled to the flow generator. A water container is configured to be removably coupled to the humidifier base unit and includes an air inlet and an air inlet passage extending into an interior of the water container from the air inlet. The air inlet passage is configured to direct the pressurized flow of breathable gas in a direction that is substantially parallel to a base of the water container. A barrier wall is provided across an outlet end of the air inlet passage and extends downward from the air inlet passage toward the water container base. In addition, a curved wall opposes both the outlet end of the air inlet passage and the barrier wall and extends downward toward the water container base. The breathable gas supply apparatus also includes a connector defining an airflow passage between an outlet of the flow generator and the air inlet of the water container.
Abstract:
A humidifier has a base unit with an engagement face that is configured to interface with a flow generator. The humidifier also has a tank configured to be removably received by the base unit and hold a volume of liquid. The tank has a side wall with an air inlet. The humidifier further has an air flow passage configured to receive an air connector of the flow generator at the engagement face of the base unit. The air flow passage is axially offset from a tank inlet. In addition, a cross-section of the airflow passage inlet and a cross-section of the tank air inlet are substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane. In addition, a flexible face seal is positioned at an end of the air flow passage. An end of the face seal is configured to abut a side wall of the tank that includes the tank inlet when the tank is received in the base unit.
Abstract:
A seal is provided for a chassis assembly of a flow generator configured to provide a flow of breathable gas. The chassis assembly includes an upper chassis and a lower chassis. The seal includes a blower receptacle sealing portion configured to seal a blower receptacle of the chassis assembly configured to receive a blower configured to generate the flow of breathable gas; a flow sensor sealing portion configured to seal a flow sensor provided in the chassis assembly and configured to measure the flow of breathable gas; a blower mount configured to receive a portion of the blower and mount the blower to the seal; and a blower mount suspension configured to connect the blower mount to the blower receptacle sealing portion, wherein in an assembled condition the seal and the chassis assembly define a flow path from an inlet of the chassis assembly to the blower receptacle of the chassis assembly to an outlet of the chassis assembly. A flow generator for generating a flow of breathable gas includes a chassis assembly comprising a lower chassis and an upper chassis, the lower chassis and the upper chassis defining a blower receptacle; a blower provided in the blower receptacle; and the seal.
Abstract:
A humidifier has a base unit with an engagement face that is configured to interface with a flow generator. The humidifier also has a tank configured to be removably received by the base unit and hold a volume of liquid. The tank has a side wall with an air inlet. The humidifier further has an air flow passage configured to receive an air connector of the flow generator at the engagement face of the base unit. The air flow passage is axially offset from a tank inlet. In addition, a cross-section of the airflow passage inlet and a cross-section of the tank air inlet are substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane.
Abstract:
A humidifier has a base unit with an engagement face that is configured to interface with a flow generator. The humidifier also has a tank configured to be removably received by the base unit and hold a volume of liquid. The tank has a side wall with an air inlet. The humidifier further has an air flow passage configured to receive an air connector of the flow generator at the engagement face of the base unit. The air flow passage is axially offset from a tank inlet. In addition, a cross-section of the airflow passage inlet and a cross-section of the tank air inlet are substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane.
Abstract:
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and an elbow assembly. The frame has a front surface and a rear surface adapted in use to face the patient. The frame includes a main body providing an aperture therethrough for the introduction of breathable gas into a nasal breathing cavity. The elbow assembly is swivelably coupled to the front surface of the frame. The elbow assembly includes a swivel elbow that defines an intake port and an exhaust port separated from the intake port using a baffle. The elbow assembly includes an end portion that interfaces with the aperture of the frame.
Abstract:
A vent assembly for use with a respiratory mask of the type used in CPAP treatment. In one embodiment, the vent is made of a thin air permeable membrane. The membrane can be made of a hydrophobic material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). An expanded PTFE membrane is mounted on a polypropylene scrim. The pores of the ePTFE membrane have a reference pore size of 10 to 15 microns. Alternatively, the vent assembly includes a stainless steel vent having holes with diameters less than about 0.2 mm. In another embodiment, the membrane has a superficial cross-sectional area of approximately 500 mm2. In further embodiments, a vent of a mesh material, e.g., an auxetic vent or a PTFE mesh, may be used as an air permeable membrane, either alone or in combination with a traditional vent structure.
Abstract:
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable as to a patient includes a frame and an elbow assembly. The frame has a front surface and a rear surface adapted in use to face the patient. The frame includes a main body providing an aperture therethrough for the introduction of breathable gas into a nasal breathing cavity. The elbow assembly is swivelably coupled to the front surface of the frame. The elbow assembly includes a swivel elbow that defines an intake port and an exhaust port separated from the intake port using a baffle. The elbow assembly includes an end portion that interfaces with the aperture of the frame.