CN117320775A

CN117320775A - Respiratory Pressure Treatment (RPT) device

Info

Publication number: CN117320775A
Application number: CN202180087461.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·J·马佐内
Original assignee: Resmed Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Resmed Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-03
Filing date: 2021-11-02
Publication date: 2023-12-29

Abstract

A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus comprising: a blower providing a supply of air for respiratory pressure therapy; a user interface; an air inlet; a suspension system arranged to suspend the blower; seals, such as gaskets; a restraining device; and a housing for enclosing the blower and the blower suspension system and forming a chamber. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the housing includes a first inner surface, a first outer surface, and a first intermediate surface between the first inner surface and the first outer surface. The second portion of the housing includes a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and a second intermediate surface between the second inner surface and the second outer surface. The user interface is mounted on the first outer surface. The seal is arranged in use to be in compression between the first intermediate surface and the second intermediate surface. The restraining device is configured to limit lateral movement of the first portion and the second portion.

Description

Respiratory Pressure Treatment (RPT) device

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the patent office patent document or the records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Cross reference to related application 1

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/108,946, filed on 3 at 11, 2020, U.S. provisional application No. 63/167,747, filed on 30 at 3, 2021, and U.S. provisional application No. 63/248,554, filed on 27, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

2 background art

2.1 technical field

The present technology relates to one or more of screening, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, prevention, and amelioration of respiratory-related disorders. The present technology also relates to medical devices or apparatus and uses thereof.

2.2 background art

2.2.1 human respiratory system and disorders thereof

The respiratory system of the human body promotes gas exchange. The nose and mouth form the entrance to the airway of the patient.

The airways include a series of branches that become narrower, shorter and more numerous as the branch airways penetrate deeper into the lungs. The main function of the lungs is gas exchange, allowing oxygen to move from inhaled air into venous blood, while carbon dioxide moves in the opposite direction. The trachea is divided into left and right main bronchi, which are ultimately subdivided into end bronchioles. The bronchi constitute the conducting airways and do not participate in gas exchange. Further branching of the airways leads to the respiratory bronchioles and eventually to the alveoli. The alveolar region of the lung is where gas exchange occurs, known as the respiratory region. See John b.west, respiratory physiology (Respiratory Physiology), risperidone williams publishing company (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins), release 9 in 2012.

There are a range of respiratory disorders. Certain disorders may be characterized by specific events such as apneas, hypopneas, and hyperbreaths.

Examples of respiratory disorders include Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), tidal breathing (CSR), respiratory insufficiency, obese Hyperventilation Syndrome (OHS), chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), neuromuscular disease (NMD), and chest wall disorders.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a form of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) characterized by events that include occlusion or blockage of the upper airway during sleep. It results from the combination of abnormally small upper airway and normal loss of muscle tone in the tongue, soft palate, and area of the posterior oropharyngeal wall during sleep. The condition causes the affected patient to stop breathing, typically for a period of 30 seconds to 120 seconds, sometimes 200 to 300 times per night. This often results in excessive daytime sleepiness, and can lead to cardiovascular disease and brain damage. The complications are common disorders, especially in middle-aged overweight men, but the affected person may not be aware of the problem. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310 (Sullivan).

A range of therapies have been used to treat or ameliorate such conditions. In addition, other healthy individuals can utilize such treatments to prevent the occurrence of respiratory disorders. However, at least some of these therapies and/or their implementation may have a number of drawbacks.

2.2.2 therapy

Various respiratory therapies, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, non-invasive ventilation (NIV), invasive Ventilation (IV), and High Flow Therapy (HFT), have been used to treat one or more of the respiratory disorders described above.

2.2.2.1 respiratory pressure therapy

Respiratory pressure therapy is the supply of air to the airway inlet at a controlled target pressure that is nominally positive relative to the atmosphere throughout the patient's respiratory cycle (as opposed to negative pressure therapy such as tank ventilators or ducted ventilators).

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy has been used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The mechanism of action is that continuous positive airway pressure acts as a pneumatic splint and may prevent upper airway occlusion, such as by pushing the soft palate and tongue forward and away from the posterior oropharyngeal wall. Treatment of OSA by CPAP therapy may be voluntary, so if the patient finds the means for providing such treatment to be: any one or more of uncomfortable, difficult to use, expensive, and unsightly, the patient may choose to not follow the treatment.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) provides ventilation support to a patient through the upper airway to assist the patient in breathing and/or to maintain proper oxygen levels within the body by performing some or all of the work of breathing. Ventilation support is provided via a non-invasive patient interface. NIV has been used to treat CSR and respiratory failure in forms such as OHS, COPD, NMD and chest wall disorders. In some forms, the comfort and effectiveness of these treatments may be improved.

Invasive Ventilation (IV) provides ventilation support for patients that are no longer able to breathe effectively, and may be provided using tracheostomy tubes or endotracheal tubes. In some forms, the comfort and effectiveness of these treatments may be improved.

2.2.2.2 flow therapy

Not all respiratory therapies are intended to deliver a prescribed therapeutic pressure. Some respiratory therapies aim to deliver a prescribed respiratory volume by delivering an inspiratory flow curve (possibly superimposed on a positive baseline pressure) over a target duration. In other cases, the interface to the patient's airway is "open" (unsealed), and respiratory therapy may supplement the flow of regulated or enriched gas only to the patient's own spontaneous breathing. In one example, high Flow Therapy (HFT) may be to provide a continuous, heated, humidified flow of air to the airway inlet through an unsealed or open patient interface at a "therapeutic flow" that remains substantially constant throughout the respiratory cycle. The therapeutic flow rate is nominally set to exceed the peak inspiratory flow rate of the patient. HFT has been used to treat OSA, CSR, respiratory failure, COPD and other respiratory disorders. One mechanism of action is that the high flow of air at the entrance of the airway increases ventilation efficiency by flushing or washing out exhaled CO2 from the patient's anatomical dead space. Thus, HFT is sometimes referred to as dead zone therapy (deadspace therapy) (DST surgery). Other benefits may include increased warmth and wettability (which may be beneficial in secretion management) and the possibility of properly increasing airway pressure. As an alternative to a constant flow, the therapeutic flow may follow a curve that varies over the respiratory cycle.

Another form of flow therapy is long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) or supplemental oxygen therapy. The physician may prescribe a continuous flow of oxygen-enriched air at a prescribed flow rate (e.g., 1 Liter Per Minute (LPM), 2LPM, 3LPM, etc.) at a prescribed oxygen concentration (21% to 100% of the oxygen fraction in ambient air) for delivery to the airway of the patient.

2.2.3 respiratory therapy System

These respiratory treatments may be provided by a respiratory treatment system or device. Such systems and devices may also be used to screen, diagnose, or monitor a condition without treating it.

The respiratory therapy system may include a respiratory pressure therapy device (RPT device), an air circuit, a humidifier, a patient interface, an oxygen source, and data management.

2.2.3.1 patient interface

The patient interface may be used to connect the breathing apparatus to its wearer, for example by providing an air flow to the inlet of the airway. The air flow may be provided into the patient's nose and/or mouth via a mask, into the mouth via a tube, or into the patient's trachea via an autogenous cutting tube. Depending on the therapy applied, the patient interface may form a seal with, for example, an area of the patient's face to facilitate delivery of gas at a pressure that is sufficiently different from ambient pressure to effect treatment, for example, at a positive pressure of about 10cmH2O relative to ambient pressure. For other forms of therapy, such as oxygen delivery, the patient interface may not include a seal to the airway sufficient to deliver a positive pressure of about 10cmH2O of gas. For flow therapies such as nasal HFT, the patient interface is configured to insufflate the nostrils, but specifically avoids a complete seal. One example of such a patient interface is a nasal cannula.

2.2.3.2 Respiratory Pressure Treatment (RPT) device

Respiratory Pressure Therapy (RPT) devices may be used alone or as part of a system to deliver one or more of the above-described therapies, such as by operating the device to generate an air stream for delivery to an interface of an airway. The flow of gas may be pressure controlled (for respiratory pressure therapy) or flow controlled (for flow therapy such as HFT). Thus, the RPT device may also be used as a flow therapy device. Examples of RPT devices include CPAP devices and ventilators.

Air pressure generators are known in a range of applications, such as industrial scale ventilation systems. However, a typical air pressure generator or ventilation system may not provide clinically beneficial respiratory therapy. In addition, air pressure generators for medical applications have specific requirements that are not met by more generalized air pressure generators, such as reliability, size, and weight requirements of medical devices. Furthermore, even devices designed for medical use may suffer from drawbacks related to one or more of comfort, noise, ease of use, efficacy, size, weight, manufacturability, cost, and reliability.

An example of a particular requirement for some RPT devices is noise. If the device is too noisy, the patient may not be compliant with the treatment.

Noise output level table for existing RPT devices (only one sample, measured in CPAP mode of 10cmH2O using the test method specified in ISO 3744).

RPT device name	A-weighted sound pressure level dB (A)	Years (approximately)
			C series TangoTM	31.9	2007
C series tangoTM with humidifier	33.1	2007
			S8 EscapeTM II	30.5	2005
S8 Escape (TM) II with H4iTM humidifier	31.1	2005
			S9 AutoSetTM	26.5	2010
With H5i ^TM S9 AutoSetTM of humidifier	28.6	2010

The above values can be contrasted with some reference sound pressure values:

one known RPT device for treating sleep disordered breathing is known from the company ruisimei (ResMed)The S9 sleep treatment system manufactured. Another example of an RPT device is a ventilator. ResMed stiller for respirators, such as adult and pediatric respirators ^TM A range of invasive and non-invasive non-dependent ventilation support may be provided to a range of patients to treat a variety of conditions such as, but not limited to, NMD, OHS and COPD.

ResMed Elisée ^TM 150 ventilator and ResMed VS III ^TM Ventilators can provide support for invasive and non-invasive dependent ventilation suitable for adult or pediatric patients for the treatment of a variety of conditions. These ventilators provide a volumetric ventilation mode and a pneumatic ventilation mode with either a single-limb circuit or a dual-limb circuit. RPT devices typically include a pressure generator, such as a motor-driven blower or compressed gas reservoir, and are configured to supply a flow of air to the airway of a patient. In some cases, the air flow may be supplied to the airway of the patient at a positive pressure. The outlet of the RPT device is connected via an air circuit to a patient interface such as those described above.

The designer of the device may present an unlimited number of choices that may be made. Design criteria often conflict, meaning that some design choices are far from routine or unavoidable. Furthermore, certain aspects of comfort and efficacy may be highly sensitive to small subtle changes in one or more parameters.

For example, if the RPT device is large, it may be difficult or inconvenient for the patient to follow the treatment at home or while traveling. One known portable RPT device suitable for travel is the AirMini CPAP device of ResMed.

When the RPT device is used while the patient is sleeping, noise generated by the device needs to be minimized. One challenge in doing so is that standard muffling techniques, such as large muffling chambers and/or cavities filled with volumes of damping material, have limited application in portable RPT devices due to the reduced size.

Thus, one of the challenges in manufacturing a portable RPT device for sleep therapy is making the device both small and quiet.

2.2.3.3 air Loop

The air circuit is a conduit or tube constructed and arranged to allow air flow to travel between two components of the respiratory therapy system, such as the RPT device and the patient interface, in use. In some cases, there may be separate branches of the air circuit for inhalation and exhalation. In other cases, a single branched air circuit is used for inhalation and exhalation.

2.2.3.4 humidifier

Delivering an air flow without humidification may result in airway dryness. The use of a humidifier with an RPT device and patient interface generates humidified gases, minimizing nasal mucosa desiccation and increasing patient airway comfort. In addition, in colder climates, warm air, which is typically applied to the facial area in and around the patient interface, is more comfortable than cold air.

2.2.3.5 data management

There may be clinical reasons for obtaining data to determine whether a patient prescribing respiratory therapy is "compliant," e.g., the patient has used their RPT device according to one or more "compliance rules. One example of a compliance rule for CPAP therapy is to require the patient to use the RPT device for at least 21 or 30 consecutive days, at least four hours per night, in order to consider the patient to be compliant. To determine patient compliance, a provider of the RPT device, such as a healthcare provider, may manually obtain data describing the therapy of a patient using the RPT device, calculate usage over a predetermined period of time, and compare to compliance rules. Once the healthcare provider has determined that the patient has used their RPT device according to compliance rules, the healthcare provider may notify third parties that the patient is compliant.

There may be other aspects of therapy that would benefit from transmitting therapy data to a third party or to a patient of an external system.

Existing methods of communicating and managing such data may be one or more of the following: expensive, time consuming and error prone.

2.2.3.6 vent technology

Some forms of treatment systems may include vents to allow for flushing of expired carbon dioxide. The vent may allow gas to flow from an interior space (e.g., pneumatic chamber) of the patient interface to an exterior space of the patient interface, such as into the environment.

2.2.4 screening, diagnostic and monitoring System

Polysomnography (PSG) is a conventional system for diagnosing and monitoring heart-lung disorders and typically involves a clinical specialist to apply the system. PSG typically involves placing 15 to 20 contact sensors on a patient in order to record various body signals, such as electroencephalograms (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), electrooculography (EOG), electromyography (EMG), etc. PSG for sleep disordered breathing involves two-night observation of the patient at the clinic, with a pure diagnosis at one night and titration of the treatment parameters by the clinician at the second night. Thus, PSG is expensive and inconvenient. In particular, it is not suitable for screening/diagnosing/monitoring sleep disordered breathing in the home.

Screening and diagnosis generally describes identifying a disorder from its signs and symptoms. Screening typically gives true/false results indicating whether the patient's SDB is severe enough to warrant further investigation, whereas diagnosis may yield clinically actionable information. Screening and diagnosis tend to be a one-time process, while monitoring of disease progression may continue indefinitely. Some screening/diagnostic systems are only suitable for screening/diagnosis, while some may also be used for monitoring.

Clinical professionals may be able to adequately screen, diagnose, or monitor patients based on visually observed PSG signals. However, there are situations where a clinical expert may not be available or where the clinical expert may not be affordable. Different clinical professionals may have different opinion on the condition of a patient. Furthermore, a given clinical expert may apply different criteria at different times.

3 summary of the invention

The present technology aims to provide medical devices for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, ameliorating, treating or preventing respiratory disorders with one or more of improved comfort, cost, efficacy, ease of use and manufacturability.

A first aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, ameliorating, treating or preventing a respiratory disorder.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to methods for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, ameliorating, treating, or preventing a respiratory disorder.

One aspect of certain forms of the present technology is a medical device that is easy to use, for example, by persons who are not medically trained, persons with limited dexterity and vision, or persons with limited experience using this type of medical device.

One aspect of one form of the present technology is a portable RPT device that may be carried by a person (e.g., a person at a person's home).

One aspect of the present technology relates to a CPAP system including an RPT device configured to generate a positive pressure airflow, a patient interface, and an air delivery tube to deliver pressurized air to the patient interface.

One aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device that is constructed and arranged to reduce noise output while maintaining a relatively small size, and yet is capable of providing a wide range of therapeutic pressures. Such RPTs may be suitable for use in a variety of environments, such as at home, in a hospital, and/or while traveling (trains, buses, cars, planes, etc.).

One aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device having a housing formed in at least two portions constructed and arranged to minimize noise of and/or between the at least two portions.

In certain forms of the present technology, an RPT device is provided having a housing formed in at least two portions with a seal therebetween. In some cases, the seal may be in the form of a gasket and/or a sealing gasket.

In certain forms of the present technology, an RPT device is provided having a housing formed in at least two portions and including housing wall restraining means.

In certain forms of the present technology, an RPT device is provided having a housing formed in at least two portions and having respective walls constructed and arranged to limit or reduce relative movement of the walls, e.g., to prevent inward bending or deflection of the walls.

In certain forms of the present technology, a pneumatic housing is provided that is constructed of at least two sections with a compression seal therebetween, and wherein the wall of the housing is restrained from lateral movement at the junction between the at least two sections, thereby reducing noise escaping through the compression seal.

One aspect of the present technology is a sealing device that includes a seal (e.g., a gasket) and a channel. The seal (e.g., gasket) is constructed and arranged to have a width that is less than the width of the channel when the seal (e.g., gasket) is compressed. When a seal, such as a gasket, is in a compressed state, its width increases. The increased width may enable sealing with one or both sidewalls of the channel.

One aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device that includes a housing that at least partially encloses various components of the RPT device, and a noise attenuation device configured and arranged to reduce noise radiated by and/or transmitted through a joint or interface between a first portion and a second portion of the housing when in an assembled configuration. In one example, the noise attenuation device includes a wall restraint to restrain lateral movement of the first and second portions. In one example, the noise attenuation device includes a seal, such as a gasket, to provide a compression seal between the first portion and the second portion. In one example, the first portion and the second portion are respective portions of a tongue and groove arrangement. In another example, the seal (e.g., gasket) may comprise a sealing gasket arranged such that, in use, it is compressed between corresponding front surfaces of the tongue and groove arrangement (e.g., the first portion and the second portion). In this case, a compression seal is formed at least between the horizontal (relative to the operating configuration of the device) facing surfaces of the first and second portions and the seal (e.g., gasket), while the containment device is defined by the vertical lateral (inner and outer) surfaces of the first and second portions (also relative to the operating configuration of the device). The interface between the sealing surfaces may extend in one or more planes that are not necessarily horizontal and may extend at various angles relative to a horizontal plane defined relative to the operational orientation of the device.

One aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device comprising a blower providing an air supply for respiratory pressure therapy, a user interface, an air inlet, a suspension system arranged to suspend the blower, a seal (e.g., a gasket), a restriction device, and a housing enclosing the blower and blower suspension system and forming a chamber. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the housing includes a first inner surface, a first outer surface, and a first intermediate surface between the first inner surface and the first outer surface. The second portion of the housing includes a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and a second intermediate surface between the second inner surface and the second outer surface. The user interface is mounted on the first outer surface. The seal (e.g. gasket) is arranged in use to be in compression between the first intermediate surface and the second intermediate surface. The restraining device is configured to limit lateral movement of the first portion and the second portion.

One aspect of the present technology relates to a noise attenuation device for a housing enclosing at least one blower, such as an RPT device, the housing comprising at least a first housing portion and a second housing portion, each of the housing portions having a peripheral edge and being arranged to engage with the other of the housing portions along the peripheral edge, wherein in an assembled configuration, lateral movement of the engaged peripheral edge of each housing portion is constrained on both sides along at least a portion of the peripheral edge.

One aspect of the present technology relates to a housing formed in at least two portions that are movable relative to one another. The housing may include one or more portions to reduce transmission of conducted and/or radiated noise between and/or through the two portions. The component may comprise a seal, such as a gasket, or a sealing means formed as part of or between two parts of the housing, such as an interface or joint between the two parts. Furthermore, the two portions may be limited or restricted in lateral movement, for example, due to one or more structural features (e.g., channels and tongues) of the seal (e.g., gasket or sealing device) and/or the first and/or second of the two portions. The housing may be a pneumatic housing in that at least a portion of the interior of the housing may be at a different pressure than the ambient pressure on the exterior of the housing, and the seal (e.g., gasket or sealing means) may be used to prevent or at least reduce air or gas surrounding or contained within the housing from flowing from the high pressure side (e.g., via a joint or interface between the two portions) to the low pressure side (i.e., from the exterior of the housing to the interior, and/or from the interior of the housing to the exterior). In some cases, when the housing is part of an RPT device, at least a portion of the interior of the housing may be exposed to negative pressure. In this case, the high pressure at the blower outlet may be limited to a dedicated pneumatic housing within the main housing. Depending on whether the high pressure is directly to the housing outlet, it may or may not interact with the inner wall of the housing. The housing may include a support structure to support one or more other components, such as an internal component, e.g., a blower, or one or more muffler components, etc.

One aspect of one form of the present technology relates to an apparatus for providing positive pressure respiratory therapy to a patient's breath during a respiratory cycle, the apparatus including an inhalation portion and an exhalation portion. The device comprises: a controllable electric blower configured to generate a supply of air that is positive pressure relative to ambient pressure by rotating one or more impellers at an impeller speed; a housing containing the electric blower, the housing comprising an inlet and a patient connection port configured to communicate, in use, supply air under the positive pressure from the electric blower to a patient interface via an air circuit; a sensor for monitoring at least one of a pressure and a flow rate of the air supply under positive pressure and generating a sensor output; and a controller configured to adjust an operating parameter of the electric blower according to the sensor output to maintain a minimum positive pressure in the patient interface during a therapy session by causing an increase in the impeller speed during the inspiratory portion of the respiratory cycle and a decrease in the impeller speed during the expiratory portion of the respiratory cycle.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device comprising at least one muffler constructed and arranged to reduce noise output of the RPT device in use.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device that includes a sound abatement system that includes one or more sound mufflers that are constructed and arranged to reduce the noise output of the RPT device in use. In one example, the sound abatement system may include one or more inlet silencers disposed upstream of a blower inlet of the blower and/or one or more outlet silencers disposed downstream of a blower outlet of the blower.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device that includes a blower inlet muffler constructed and arranged to reduce a noise output generated by the blower and emanating, in use, from a blower inlet of the blower.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device including a blower inlet muffler configured and arranged to face a blower inlet of a blower.

Another aspect of one form of the present technology relates to a respiratory pressure treatment device comprising: a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion configured to engage the first portion in an assembled configuration; a blower providing a supply of air for respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the housing; and a blower inlet muffler including a noise attenuating material; the noise attenuation material is constructed and arranged to face the blower inlet of the blower such that an axis of the blower inlet passes through a thickness of the noise attenuation material. Each of the first and second portions of the housing supports and retains at least a portion of the noise attenuation material in the housing.

Another aspect of one form of the present technology relates to a respiratory pressure therapy device including a housing, a blower providing an air supply for respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the housing, and a blower inlet muffler including a rigidified wall portion configured and arranged to face a blower inlet of the blower. The rigidized wall portion supports and retains the noise attenuation material.

Another aspect of one form of the present technology relates to a respiratory pressure therapy device including a housing, a blower providing a supply of air for respiratory pressure therapy, a blower at least partially enclosed in the housing, a plurality of flow tubes disposed upstream of a blower inlet of the blower, and a blower inlet muffler including a noise attenuating material. The noise attenuation material is constructed and arranged to face the blower inlet of the blower and the opening of at least one of the plurality of flow tubes.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device that includes a blower outlet muffler constructed and arranged to reduce a noise output generated by a blower and emanating, in use, from a blower outlet of the blower.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device including a blower outlet muffler configured and arranged to face a blower outlet of a blower.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device comprising a housing, a blower providing an air supply for respiratory pressure therapy, a blower at least partially enclosed in the housing, and a blower outlet muffler, wherein the blower outlet muffler is separate and apart from the housing.

Another aspect of one form of the present technology relates to a respiratory pressure therapy device including a housing, a blower providing an air supply for respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the housing, and a blower outlet muffler including a body forming a blower outlet chamber downstream of a blower outlet of the blower, wherein the body and the blower outlet chamber thereof are separate and apart from the housing.

Another aspect of one form of the present technology relates to a respiratory pressure treatment device comprising: a housing; a blower providing a supply of air for respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the housing; and a blower outlet muffler including a body forming a blower outlet chamber downstream of a blower outlet of the blower, wherein the body and the blower outlet chamber are separate and apart from the housing, wherein the blower outlet muffler further includes a blower outlet end suspension provided to the body and resiliently supporting the blower adjacent the blower outlet of the blower, and wherein the body comprises a different material than the blower outlet end suspension.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an RPT device comprising a housing, a blower providing an air supply for respiratory pressure therapy, a blower at least partially enclosed in the housing, and a blower outlet muffler, wherein the blower outlet muffler is at least partially integrated with the housing.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to a respiratory pressure therapy device including a housing forming at least a portion of a device inlet chamber and a blower outlet chamber, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the device inlet chamber, wherein the blower outlet chamber is located at a blower outlet of the blower, the blower outlet chamber including at least a portion of an inlet flow path along which air moves prior to entering the blower, and a blower providing an air supply for respiratory pressure therapy.

Another aspect of one form of the present technology relates to a respiratory pressure treatment device comprising: a housing forming at least a portion of the device inlet chamber and the blower outlet chamber; a blower providing a supply of air for respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the device inlet chamber; a first plate assembly including a base plate and a blower outlet end suspension that supports the blower adjacent a blower outlet of the blower; the base plate forms a wall of the device inlet chamber and the blower outlet chamber, and the second plate assembly includes a base plate forming a wall of the blower outlet chamber, the second plate assembly further including at least one inlet tube allowing air to enter the device inlet chamber and an outlet tube allowing air to exit the blower outlet chamber.

Of course, some of these aspects may form sub-aspects of the present technology. Various aspects of the sub-aspects and/or aspects may be combined in various ways and also constitute other aspects or sub-aspects of the present technology.

Other features of the present technology will become apparent from the following detailed description, abstract, drawings, and claims.

Description of the drawings

The present technology is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

4.1 respiratory therapy System

Fig. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with an example of the present technology, including a patient 1000 wearing a patient interface 3000 in the form of a nasal pillow that receives a supply of positive pressure air from an RPT device 6000. Air from the RPT device is humidified in a humidifier 6000 and delivered to the patient 1000 along an air circuit 4170. A bed partner 1100 is also shown. The patient sleeps in a supine sleeping position.

4.2 patient interface

Fig. 2A illustrates a patient interface in the form of a nasal mask in accordance with one form of the present technique.

Fig. 2B shows a schematic view of a cross section through a structure at a point. The outward normal at the point is indicated. The curvature at this point has a positive sign and has a relatively large amplitude when compared to the amplitude of curvature illustrated in fig. 2C.

Fig. 2C shows a schematic of a cross section through a structure at a point. The outward normal at the point is indicated. The curvature at this point has a positive sign and has a relatively small amplitude when compared to the amplitude of curvature illustrated in fig. 2B.

Fig. 2D shows a schematic of a cross section through a structure at a point. The outward normal at the point is indicated. The curvature at the point has a zero value.

Fig. 2E shows a schematic view of a cross section through a structure at a point. The outward normal at the point is indicated. The curvature at this point has a negative sign and a relatively small amplitude when compared to the curvature amplitude illustrated in fig. 2F.

Fig. 2F shows a schematic of a cross section through a structure at a point. The outward normal at the point is indicated. The curvature at this point has a negative sign and a relatively large amplitude when compared to the curvature amplitude illustrated in fig. 2E.

4.3RPT device

Fig. 3A-1 is a perspective view of an exemplary RPT device in accordance with the present techniques.

Fig. 3A-2 is another perspective view of the RPT device of fig. 3A-1.

Fig. 3B-1 is a perspective view showing a dimensional comparison between the ResMed air sense10 device and the RPT device of fig. 3A-1, in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3B-2 is a side view illustrating a dimensional comparison between a respiratory gas sensing device and the RPT device of fig. 3A-1, in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3B-3 is a perspective view illustrating the RPT device of fig. 3A-1 held in a user's hand in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3B-4 are perspective views illustrating the RPT device of fig. 3A-1 on a tray table of an aircraft in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3B-5 are another perspective view of the RPT device of fig. 3A-1 shown on a tray table of an aircraft in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3C is an exploded view of the RPT device of fig. 3A, showing a top shell (6090) and an outer shell in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3D illustrates a perspective view of a housing of an RPT device in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3E is another perspective view of the housing of fig. 3D.

Fig. 3F is an exploded view showing the housing and internal components of an RPT device in accordance with examples of the present technology.

Fig. 3G is a perspective view showing internal components of an RPT device in a lower portion of a housing with an upper portion of the housing removed, in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3H is another perspective view of the internal components of the RPT device within the lower portion of the housing of fig. 3G.

Fig. 3I is a top view showing internal components of an RPT device within a lower portion of a housing with an upper portion of the housing removed, in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3J is an exploded view showing the internal components of the RPT device and the lower portion of the housing in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3K is an end view of the housing of fig. 3E. Additional caps may be included on the ends of the illustrations.

Fig. 3L is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3L-3L of fig. 3K.

Fig. 3M is a top view of the housing of fig. 3E.

Fig. 3N is a cross-sectional view through line 3N-3N of fig. 3M.

Fig. 3N-1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of fig. 3N. This view shows the theoretical interference between parts in the phantom.

Fig. 3N-2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to fig. 3N-1, illustrating a possible use shape of a seal (e.g., gasket) in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3N-3 are enlarged cross-sectional views illustrating components of the upper and lower portions of the housing in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3N-4 are enlarged cross-sections showing possible shapes of grooves and/or groove walls in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3O is a top view of the housing of fig. 3E.

Fig. 3P is a cross-sectional view through line 3P-3P of fig. 3O.

Fig. 3Q is a top view of the housing of fig. 3E.

Fig. 3R is a cross-sectional view through line 3R-3R of fig. 3Q.

Fig. 3R-1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the housing of fig. 3R.

Fig. 3S is a perspective view illustrating components of upper and lower portions of a housing in accordance with examples of the present technology.

Fig. 3T is a partial cross-sectional view showing components of the upper and lower portions of the housing in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 3U is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a housing according to an example of the present technology.

Fig. 3V is a detailed view of a section through line 3V-3V of fig. 3U.

Fig. 3W is an exploded view of an upper portion of the housing of fig. 3U.

Fig. 3X shows a perspective view of a lower portion of a housing in accordance with another example of the present technique.

Fig. 3Y is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3Y-3Y of fig. 3X.

Fig. 3Z is a cross-sectional view similar to fig. 3Y and illustrates another possible shape of a seal (e.g., gasket) in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 4A illustrates an RPT device in one form in accordance with the present technique.

Fig. 4B is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic path of an RPT device in one form in accordance with the present technique. The upstream and downstream directions are indicated with reference to the blower and patient interface. The blower is defined upstream of the patient interface and the patient interface is defined downstream of the blower, regardless of the actual flow direction at any particular moment. An article located in the pneumatic path between the blower and the patient interface is downstream of the blower and upstream of the patient interface.

Fig. 4C is a schematic diagram of electrical components of an RPT device in one form in accordance with the present technique.

Fig. 4D shows a schematic diagram of an algorithm implemented in an RPT device in one form in accordance with the present technique.

Fig. 4E is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by the treatment engine module of fig. 4D in accordance with one form of the present technique.

Fig. 5A is a perspective view showing a sound damping system of an outer shell, internal components, and an RPT device according to an example of the present technology, with an upper portion of the outer shell removed.

Fig. 5B is an end view of the housing of fig. 5A in an assembled configuration in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 5C is a cross-sectional view along line 5C-5C of fig. 5B.

Fig. 5D is a top view of the enclosure of fig. 5A in an assembled configuration in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 5E is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5E-5E of fig. 5D.

Fig. 5F is a top view of the enclosure of fig. 5A in an assembled configuration in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 5G is a cross-sectional view along line 5G-5G of fig. 5F.

Fig. 5H is a top view of the enclosure of fig. 5A in an assembled configuration in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 5I is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5I-5I of fig. 5H.

Fig. 5J is a cross-sectional view showing the lower portion of the shell and muffler system of fig. 5A with internal components removed, in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 5K is another cross-sectional view showing the lower portion of the housing and sound damping system of fig. 5A with internal components disassembled, in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing a sub-assembly of an inlet/outlet assembly and a main body of a blower outlet muffler in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 6B is another perspective view of the subassembly illustrated in fig. 6A.

Fig. 6C is an exploded view of the subassembly illustrated in fig. 6A.

Fig. 6D is another exploded view of the subassembly illustrated in fig. 6A.

Fig. 6E is a top view of the subassembly illustrated in fig. 6A.

Fig. 6F is a cross-sectional view through line 6F-6F of fig. 6A.

Fig. 6G is an exploded view showing an inlet/outlet assembly, a main body of a blower outlet muffler, and a lower portion of a housing in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 6H is a perspective view showing an inlet/outlet assembly and a main body of a blower outlet muffler within a lower portion of a housing in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 6I is a perspective view of a housing of an RPT device in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 6J is a perspective cross-sectional view through line 6J-6J of fig. 6I.

Fig. 6K is an end view of a housing of an RPT device in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 6L is a sectional view taken along line 6L-6L of fig. 6K.

Fig. 6M is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a portion of fig. 6L.

Fig. 6N shows a perspective view of an HMX framework in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 6O is a perspective cross-sectional view through line 6O-6O of fig. 6N.

Fig. 6P is a cross-sectional view illustrating a body of a blower outlet muffler and a noise attenuating material (e.g., foam) in accordance with an example of the present technique.

Fig. 6Q is a schematic diagram illustrating dynamic support of a blower within a housing in accordance with examples of the present technology.

Fig. 6R is another schematic diagram illustrating dynamic support of a blower within a housing in accordance with examples of the present technology.

Fig. 7A is a top view of a housing of an RPT device in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view through line 7B-7B of fig. 7A.

Fig. 7C is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a portion of fig. 7B.

Fig. 7D is a perspective view of a housing of an RPT device in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 7E is a perspective cross-sectional view through line 7E-7E of fig. 7D.

Fig. 7F is a top cross-sectional view showing internal components of the RPT device of fig. 7B within a lower portion of a housing with an upper portion of the housing removed, in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 7G is a top view illustrating a lower portion of a housing of the RPT device of fig. 7B in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 7H is a perspective view illustrating an inlet/outlet assembly and a blower outlet end suspension assembly of the RPT device of fig. 7B in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 7I is a cross-sectional view illustrating a multi-leaf seal for a substrate in accordance with an example of the present technique.

Fig. 7J is a cross-sectional view showing the multi-leaf seal of fig. 7I engaged within a groove of a portion of a housing in accordance with an example of the present technique.

Fig. 7K is a schematic diagram illustrating dynamic support of a blower within a housing in accordance with examples of the present technique.

Fig. 7L is another schematic diagram illustrating dynamic support of a blower within a housing in accordance with examples of the present technology.

4.4 humidifier

Figure 8A illustrates an isometric view of a humidifier in one form in accordance with the present technique.

Figure 8B illustrates an isometric view of a humidifier in one form in accordance with the present technique, showing the humidifier reservoir 5110 removed from the humidifier reservoir holder 5130.

4.5 respiratory waveform

Figure 9 shows a model representative breathing waveform of a person while sleeping.

5 detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Before the present technology is described in further detail, it is to be understood that this technology is not limited to particular examples described herein, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the context of the present invention is for the purpose of describing the particular examples described herein only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided in connection with various examples that may share one or more common features and/or characteristics. It should be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combined with one or more features of another example or other examples. In addition, in any of the examples, any single feature or combination of features may constitute further examples.

5.1 treatment

In one form, the present technique includes a method for treating a respiratory disorder that includes applying positive pressure to an airway inlet of a patient 1000.

In some examples of the present technology, the air supply under positive pressure is provided to the nasal passages of the patient via one or both nostrils.

In certain examples of the present technology, oral breathing is defined, restricted, or prevented.

5.2 respiratory therapy System

In one form, the present technology includes a respiratory therapy system for treating a respiratory disorder. The respiratory therapy system may include an RPT device 6000 in accordance with one example of the present technique for supplying an air flow to the patient 1000 via the air circuit 4170 and the patient interface 3000, see, for example, fig. 1.

5.3 patient interface

Fig. 2A illustrates that a non-invasive patient interface 3000 in accordance with one aspect of the present technique includes the following functional aspects: seal forming structure 3100, pneumatic chamber 3200, positioning and stabilizing structure 3300, vent 3400, one form of connection port 3600 for connection to air circuit 4170, and forehead support 3700. In some forms, the functional aspects may be provided by one or more physical components. In some forms, one physical component may provide one or more functional aspects. In use, the seal-forming structure 3100 is arranged to surround an entrance to the patient's airway in order to maintain a positive pressure at the airway entrance of the patient 1000. The sealed patient interface 3000 is thus suitable for delivery of positive pressure therapy.

5.4RPT device

The RPT devices 4000, 6000 in accordance with one aspect of the present technology include mechanical, pneumatic, and/or electrical components and are configured to execute one or more algorithms 4300, such as any of the full or partial methods described herein. The RPT devices 4000, 6000 may be configured to generate an air stream for delivery to the patient's airways, such as for treating one or more respiratory conditions described elsewhere in this document.

In one form, the RPT device 4000, 6000 is constructed and arranged to be capable of delivering an air flow in the range of-20L/min to +150L/min while maintaining at least 6cmH2O or at least 10cmH2O, or at least 20cmH2O.

Fig. 4A-4E relate to an RPT device 4000 in one form in accordance with the present technology that includes one or more aspects that may be combined with alternative examples described herein (e.g., RPT device 6000). That is, RPT device 6000 may include any and all features described with respect to RPT device 4000. Also, RPT device 4000 may include any and all features described with respect to RPT device 6000. As shown in fig. 4A, the RPT device 4000 may have a housing 4010, an upper portion 4012, and a lower portion 4014 formed in two parts. Further, the outer housing 4010 can include one or more panels 4015. The RPT device 4000 includes a chassis 4016 that supports one or more internal components of the RPT device 4000. The RPT device 4000 may include a handle 4018.

The pneumatic path of RPT device 4000 may include one or more air path items, such as an inlet air filter 4112, an inlet muffler 4122, a pressure generator 4140 (e.g., a blower 4142) capable of supplying positive pressure air, an outlet muffler 4124, and one or more transducers 4270, such as a pressure sensor 4272 and a flow rate sensor 4274.

One or more air path items may be disposed within a detachable separate structure, which will be referred to as a pneumatic block 4020. The pneumatic block 4020 may be disposed within the external housing 4010. In one form, the pneumatic block 4020 is supported by, or forms part of, the chassis 4016.

RPT device 4000 may have a power supply 4210, one or more input devices 4220, a central controller 4230, a therapeutic device controller 4240, a pressure generator 4140, one or more protection circuits 4250, a memory 4260, a transducer 4270, a data communication interface 4280, and one or more output devices 4290. The electrical component 4200 may be mounted on a single Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) 4202. In alternative forms, the RPT device 4000 may include more than one PCBA 4202.

Figures 3A-1 and 3A-2 illustrate an example RPT device 6000 in accordance with the present techniques. As shown in fig. 3B-1 through 3B-5, RPT device 6000 has a significantly reduced size as compared to prior art RPT devices including RPT device 4000. Standard noise reduction techniques may be more difficult to implement in RPT device 6000 due to the reduced size. One approach considered in the RPT device 6000 discussed includes modifications to various aspects of the device housing. As shown in fig. 3C-3L, RPT device 6000 includes a housing 6100 (also referred to as a housing) to support and/or at least partially encapsulate one or more internal components of RPT device 6000.

In the illustrated example, the housing 6100 is constructed and arranged to at least partially support and/or enclose at least one blower 6010. The housing 6100 may also at least partially, directly, or indirectly support a blower suspension system (e.g., including a blower inlet end suspension 6020 that supports the blower 6010 adjacent the blower inlet and a blower outlet end suspension 6030 that supports the blower 6010 adjacent the blower outlet), an outlet muffler 6040, and/or an inlet/outlet assembly 6050 (see fig. 3F) that includes an inlet tube array 6052 and outlet tubes 6054 (see, e.g., fig. 3F-3L). However, it should be understood that the housing 6100 may be constructed and arranged to support and/or encapsulate more or fewer internal components than illustrated in the examples.

In the illustrated example, the inlet tube array 6052 forms an inlet into the housing 6100, while the outlet tube 6054 forms an outlet out of the housing 6100. In this example, the inlet tube 6052 and the outlet tube 6054 are formed on the same side of the housing, which means that at least a first portion of the airflow path flows in an opposite direction than a second portion of the airflow path, e.g., the airflow path is substantially U-shaped. However, in an alternative example, the inlet and/or outlet of the housing 6100 may be formed by one or more portions of the housing 6100 itself.

In one example, at least a portion of the housing 6100 can form a chamber that is constructed and arranged such that the interior of the housing 6100 can be pressurized at a pressure different from ambient pressure. For example, the internal components of the housing 6100 and RPT device 6000 may cooperate to form at least a portion of an airflow path under negative pressure, effectively forming at least a portion of a pneumatic block extending from an inlet (e.g., inlet tube array 6052) into the housing 6100 and to a blower inlet of the blower 6010. Positive pressure air flow may be generated at a blower outlet of blower 6010 and delivered to an outlet (e.g., outlet tube 6054) outside of housing 6100. The pneumatic sealing engagement between the blower outlet and the inlet of the outlet tube 6054 may mean that the housing 6100 is isolated from the high pressure applied by the blower 6010. However, in an alternative arrangement characterized by the absence of a direct pneumatic seal between the blower outlet and the inlet of the outlet tube 6054, the respective portion of the housing 6100 may actually be exposed to the high pressure imparted by the blower 6010, e.g., the housing 6100 may form at least a portion of a chamber arranged to direct a pressurized air flow from the blower outlet to the inlet of the outlet tube 6054.

The RPT device 6000 is constructed and arranged to reduce the noise or sound output of the RPT device 6000 while maintaining a relatively small size. For example, as shown in fig. 3B-3, the RPT device is small and light enough to allow a user to firmly hold the device with one hand. Figures 3B-1 and 3B-2 illustrate a dimensional comparison between ResMed's air sensor 10 device and RPT device 6000, which clearly illustrates the small and compact size of RPT device 6000, which may be advantageous for travel (see, e.g., figures 3B-4 and 3B-5 showing RPT device 6000 on an aircraft tray table, which illustrate a dimensional comparison with a smartphone), portability and usability around a house (e.g., which may be used in a bedroom as illustrated in figure 1), ease of handling of operational positioning/adjustments, etc. In one example, the ResMed AirSense10 device is relatively quiet when used in a bedroom, but is relatively large and cumbersome when traveling (e.g., difficult and inconvenient to use in an aircraft). In contrast, resMed's AirMini device is small and convenient to travel, but is relatively noisy (e.g., compared to ResMed's AirSense10 device), which can be difficult for a patient to treat in a bedroom or hospital. The RPT device 6000 according to examples of the present technology combines the benefits of the small compact size of the ResMed's air mini device with the quietness of the ResMed-like air sense10 device (due to the noise reduction described herein) to provide a portable device that can be conveniently used anywhere (i.e., in a bedroom, in an aircraft, etc.). Furthermore, in case the housing 6100 is pressurized (positive and/or negative), the RPT device 6000 is also arranged to be pneumatically sealed in order to maintain this pressure. In one example, as shown in fig. 3L, the interior of the housing 6100 may be subjected to different pressures, such as ambient pressure at the inlet of the housing 6100, negative pressure along the interior flow path (-P) before the air flow reaches the blower 6010 (i.e., negative pressure upstream of the blower), and positive or high pressure (+p) between the blower outlet and the inlet of the outlet tube 6054 when the air flow is pressurized within and to the outlet side of the blower 6010 (i.e., positive pressure downstream of the blower).

In the example shown, the housing 6100 includes a first portion 6110 (upper or top housing portion) and a second portion 6120 (lower or bottom housing portion) that are connected or otherwise assembled to each other in an assembled configuration.

As described in more detail below, the RPT device 6000 includes a noise attenuation device configured and arranged to reduce noise conducted or escaping through an air path (or air gap) at a joint or interface between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 when in an assembled configuration. The noise attenuation device may also be configured and arranged to reduce noise radiated by or propagating through one or more walls or joints of the RPT device. Although the noise attenuation device is described herein with reference to an RPT device, it should be understood that aspects of the technology may be applicable to other applications.

In the illustrated example, as shown in fig. 3A-3C, the RPT device 6000 includes a second top shell 6090 that is connected or otherwise at least partially covers the first portion 6110, thereby forming an outer top surface of the housing 6100. In the illustrated example, the second portion 6120 (lower or bottom housing portion) of the housing 6100 can serve as a bottom shell for the upper portion 6110 and top housing 6090. Accordingly, the top shell 6090 and the second portion 6120 may cooperate to form an outer housing or shell of the RPT device 6000 (see fig. 3A and 3B). In some examples, the upper portion 6110 may be of a more rigid construction and perform various support and sealing functions, while the top housing 6090 may be less rigid and perform a somewhat aesthetically pleasing function. In this case, the top shell 6090 may also be referred to as "fascia". In one example, the top shell 6090 may also serve as at least one secondary acoustic insulator, as there may or may not be specific acoustic insulation on its interface perimeter with the housing 6100. For example, the top shell 6090 may include an overmold of a relatively soft material (e.g., a rubber such as TPE or silicone) on its inner and/or outer surfaces to provide specific sound damping and/or tactile characteristics. TPE has certain advantages over silicone in reducing radiation noise.

In one example, a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) and/or one or more user interfaces may be supported within an interior space formed between the top housing 6090 and the first portion 6110 of the housing 6100, i.e., the PCBA is external to the airflow path. In some cases, the PCBA may be attached to and supported by the first portion 6110.

In another example, a separate top housing 6090 may not be provided. In such examples, the first portion 6110 (upper or top housing portion) may be in the form of a top housing such that the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 cooperate to form a housing or housing of the RPT device 6000.

5.4.1RPT mechanical and pneumatic components

The RPT device may include one or more of the following components in an overall unit. In one alternative, one or more of the following components may be provided as separate units.

5.4.1.1 shell

In the illustrated example, the first portion 6110 includes one or more first wall portions 6112 that form one or more portions of the top, sides, and/or ends of the housing 6100, such as a top wall portion, opposing side wall portions, and end wall portions (see, e.g., fig. 3N-3 and 3S-3W).

As illustrated, the first wall portion 6112 of the first portion 6110 of the housing 6100 includes a first inner surface 6114, a first outer surface 6116, and a first intermediate surface 6118 (see, e.g., fig. 3N-3 and 3S-3W) located between the first inner surface 6114 and the first outer surface 6116. In one example, the PCBA and/or one or more user interfaces (e.g., buttons (e.g., power button, wireless connection button), switches, dials, display) may be mounted or otherwise supported by the first portion 6110. For example, the PCBA and/or one or more user interfaces may be supported on the first outer surface 6116 (e.g., outside of the airflow path of the housing 6100 that is under pressure in use). Alternatively, the PCBA and/or the one or more user interfaces may be supported inside the housing and protrude through one or more openings in the first portion 6110.

In the illustrated example, the second portion 6120 includes one or more second wall portions 6122 that form one or more portions of the bottom, sides, and/or ends of the housing 6100, such as a bottom wall portion, opposing side wall portions, and end wall portions (see, e.g., fig. 3N-3 and 3S-3T).

As illustrated, the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 includes a second inner surface 6124, a second outer surface 6126, and a second intermediate surface 6128 between the second inner surface 6124 and the second outer surface 6126 (see, e.g., fig. 3N-3 and 3S-3T).

In the illustrated example, the first portion 6110 is assembled to the second portion 6120 such that the one or more first wall portions 6112 are assembled in an assembled configuration adjacent to the one or more second wall portions 6122 (see, e.g., fig. 3N-1 and 3N-2). The housing 6100 is provided with noise reduction means to reduce noise conducted through the air path (or air gap) at the joint or interface between adjacent first and second wall portions when in an assembled configuration.

In the illustrated example, the noise attenuation device includes a wall restraint 6200 and a seal 6300, such as a gasket. As described in more detail below, the wall restraining device 6200 is configured and arranged to restrain or limit lateral movement of the first and second portions 6110, 6120 (e.g., to restrain lateral movement of the first and second wall portions 6112, 6122 when in an assembled configuration (i.e., see arrow L, R in fig. 3P)), and a seal 6300, such as a gasket, is configured and arranged to form a seal between mating surfaces of the first and second portions 6110, 6120 in the assembled configuration. As shown in fig. 3F, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) may be a separate component. However, a seal (e.g., a gasket) may also be overmolded onto the perimeter of the first portion 6110 or the perimeter of the second portion 6120. Alternatively, a portion of the seal (e.g., a gasket) may be overmolded onto the perimeter of the first portion 6110 and a portion of the seal (e.g., a gasket) may be overmolded onto the perimeter of the second portion 6120.

In one example, the wall portions of the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 each include a relatively rigid material (e.g., polypropylene). As will be further discussed herein, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) may comprise an elastically flexible or deformable material (e.g., viscoelastic material, TPE, TPU, TPV). In one example, an overmold of a relatively soft material (e.g., TPE or silicone) may be provided (e.g., by overmolding) to the inner and/or outer surfaces of one or more wall portions of the first portion 6110 and/or the second portion 6120 to provide damping characteristics for attenuating wall radiation noise. Further, the stiffness or rigidity of the wall portions of the first portion 6110 and/or the second portion 6120 may be controlled to attenuate radiated noise.

Wall restraint device

In one example, the wall restraining device 6200 includes a tongue and groove engagement device between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 along at least a portion of the engagement perimeter or engagement perimeter (i.e., along at least a portion of the joint or interface between adjacent first and second wall portions when in an assembled configuration).

In this example, the first portion 6110 includes a tongue-and-groove 6210 of a tongue-and-groove engagement device, and the second portion 6120 includes a groove 6220 of a tongue-and-groove engagement device (see, e.g., fig. 3N-3). However, in an alternative example, the position of the mortise may be reversed, i.e., the second portion 6120 may include a tongue and the first portion 6110 may include a groove. In another alternative example, each of the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 may include a tongue portion and a groove portion configured to engage with a corresponding groove portion and tongue portion of an opposing portion.

In the illustrated example, the tongue 6210 is disposed along the entire perimeter of the first portion 6110 and the groove 6220 is disposed to a selected portion along the perimeter of the second portion 6120. That is, in the example shown, the grooves 6220 do not extend continuously along the perimeter of the second portion 6120, i.e., the grooves 6220 are distributed in segments along the perimeter (e.g., as shown in fig. 3L, 3S, and 3T, the grooves are provided to each of the opposing side wall portions and one of the end wall portions of the second portion 6120). However, it should be appreciated that the grooves may be circumferentially distributed in other suitable ways. Further, in alternative examples, it should be appreciated that the grooves may extend continuously along the entire circumference of the second portion 6120. Likewise, in one alternative example, it should be appreciated that the tongue may be provided to the perimeter of the first portion in other suitable manners, e.g., one or more tongues provided to one or more selected portions of the first portion 6110 along the perimeter of the first portion 6110.

When the first and second portions 6110, 6120 are in the assembled configuration, the tongue 6210 is engaged within the groove 6220 such that lateral movement of the tongue 6210 is constrained on both sides along at least the engaged portions of the perimeter of the first and second portions 6110, 6120.

The tongue 6210 is disposed at a peripheral or free end of the first portion 6110 and provides a first intermediate surface 6118 between the first inner surface 6114 and the first outer surface 6116 (see, e.g., fig. 3N-3). The recess 6220 is disposed at a peripheral or free end of the second portion 6120. The recess 6220 is formed by two side walls 6222, 6224 and provides a second intermediate surface 6128, an inner side wall surface 6223, and an outer side wall surface 6225 (see, e.g., fig. 3N-3). In this example, the two intermediate surfaces 6118 and 6128 extend generally horizontally (that is, they are generally parallel to the flat horizontal support surface BP on which the RPT device 6000 will be positioned generally in its standard operating configuration (i.e., fig. 3P), while the inner and outer sidewall surfaces are generally perpendicular (they are generally lateral to the flat horizontal surface on which the RPT device 6000 will be positioned generally in its standard operating configuration). Because of this orientation, when the first and second portions are brought together and fastened to one another, typically by screws, the fastening of the screws applies a compressive force laterally to the intermediate surface and secures them in abutting engagement with one another. A seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) is compressed between the intermediate surfaces 6118 and 6128 to achieve a compressed acoustic and/or pneumatic seal therebetween and between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120.

In the illustrated example, one of the side walls 6222, 6224 of the recess 6220 can be longer and/or thicker than the other of the side walls 6222, 6224 of the recess 6220, e.g., the outer side wall 6224 can be longer and thicker than the inner side wall 6222, as shown in fig. 3N-3. Such an arrangement may provide increased support in an outward lateral direction. However, it should be understood that the sidewalls of the groove may include similar lengths and/or thicknesses.

In the assembled configuration, lateral restraint is achieved by the first outer surface 6116 of the tongue 6210 engaging the surface 6225 of the outer sidewall of the groove 6220 and/or the first inner surface 6114 of the tongue 6210 engaging the surface 6223 of the inner sidewall of the groove 6220 along at least a portion of the engaged periphery (see, e.g., fig. 3N-1 and 3N-2). Due to this engagement, the lateral movement of each of the tongue and groove, and thus the lateral movement of the engaged periphery, is limited on both sides. In addition, any friction created by the compression of seal 6300 between surfaces 6128 and 6118 will improve lateral contraction. In one example, the tongue 6210 and groove 6220 can be configured and dimensioned (e.g., tolerances tightly controlled) such that when in an assembled configuration, the first outer surface 6116 of the tongue 6210 engages the outer sidewall surface 6225 of the groove 6220 and/or the first inner surface 6114 of the tongue 6210 engages the inner sidewall surface 6223 of the groove 6220 along at least a portion of the engaged perimeter.

In one example, the tongue-and-groove engagement means is such that in the assembled configuration, at least 1mm to 5mm (e.g., 2mm to 3 mm) of the tongue 6210 is received within the groove 6220, which provides sufficient depth of overlap of the tongue 6210 with the sidewalls 6222, 6224 of the groove 6220 for constraint (see, e.g., overlap length L1 in fig. 3N-1).

In one example, the sidewalls 6222, 6224 of the groove 6220 fit snugly on both sides of the tongue, the minimal gap and perceived depth overlap between the tongue and groove creating a tortuous path for sound waves propagating through the tongue and groove joint (no direct line of sight or path for noise). Moreover, close tolerances in which the sidewalls of the groove surround or overlap the tongue from both sides can reduce distortion and wall deformation. The rigidity of the tongue and groove joint secures the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 together (at least laterally), potentially providing a rigid composite structure (which contributes to the stiffness of the housing and thus reduces radiated noise) and reduces the likelihood of rattling under vibration.

In one example, one or both sidewalls of the recess 6220 can include an undercut or inward taper/bend adapted to engage the tongue 6210. For example, the outer sidewall surface 6225 of the outer sidewall 6224 of the recess 6220 may be in the form of an inverted trapezoid and/or slightly rounded to enhance engagement with the tongue 6210 to enhance the rigidity/stiffness of the housing. That is, as shown in fig. 3N-4, the slightly rounded inner surface 6225 of the groove's outer sidewall 6224 provides a spring load such that the first portion 6110 with the tongue 6210 flexes or presses (or compresses) inwardly to assemble the tongue 6210 into the groove 6220, and the biased tongue-and-groove engagement holds the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 together such that they vibrate together and there is no secondary click (i.e., generally less vibration) of their vibrations relative to each other. Thus, in some embodiments, the undercut/taper/bend ensures that upon insertion of the tongue 6210, only a limited portion of the surface 6225 abuttingly engages a corresponding surface of the tongue 6210, thus minimizing friction between the two surfaces while ensuring constraint of the tongue-and-groove engagement device.

In one example, lateral movement may be continuously limited over the length of the engagement edge. In alternative examples, the constraint of lateral movement may be distributed along the length of the engagement edge, e.g., a tongue and groove arrangement provided in spaced apart segments (e.g., spaced apart teeth engageable within corresponding spaced apart grooves).

In the illustrated example, the bottom of the housing 6100 (e.g., the bottom wall portion of the second portion 6120) includes a bottom surface defining a bottom plane BP that is substantially horizontal when the RPT device 6000 is in a normal operational orientation (e.g., see fig. 3P). Referring to fig. 3P, the tongue-and-groove engagement device is configured and arranged for constraining lateral movement of the first wall portion of the first portion 6110 and the second wall portion of the second portion 6120, which is associated with movement extending generally in a direction parallel to the bottom plane BP, i.e., left L and right R (e.g., laterally or horizontally toward and away from the interior of the housing) as seen in fig. 3P. It should be appreciated that such limitation of lateral movement is not limited to movement extending only generally in a direction parallel to the bottom plane, but may be slightly askew or angled relative to the bottom plane, i.e., the tongue-and-groove engagement device is configured and arranged to limit movement of the generally lateral first and second wall portions when the RPT device 6000 is in a normal operational orientation. Such wall restraint prevents any deflection of the walls that could lead to air gaps between the walls and thus to sound leakage. It also increases the overall stiffness of the housing, thus reducing vibration and transmitted noise emitted by the housing.

Gasket

In the illustrated example, the seal 6300 can be a gasket arranged, in use, in a compressed state between the first intermediate surface 6118 of the first portion 6110 and the second intermediate surface 6128 of the second portion 6120, so as to be along a joining perimeter or joining perimeter between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 (i.e., along at least a portion of a joint or interface between adjacent first and second wall portions when in an assembled configuration). In the illustrated example, the surfaces 6118, 6128 are planar, and a seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) is arranged to form a seal between the two planar surfaces 6118, 6128. However, it should be understood that surface 6118 and/or surface 6128 may not be planar and that at least a portion of surface 6118 and/or surface 6128 may include curvature. As such, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) may be configured and arranged to form a seal between flat and/or non-flat (e.g., curved) surfaces. In one example, the seal 6300 may be a sealing bead arranged to form a seal between the surfaces 6118, 6128.

In the example shown (e.g., see fig. 3U-3W), a seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) is provided or otherwise secured to the first intermediate surface 6118 (e.g., the tongue 6210) of the first portion 6110, and the seal 6300 (e.g., the gasket) is configured and arranged to sealingly engage and form a compression seal with the second intermediate surface 6128 of the second portion 6120 in the assembled configuration (e.g., see fig. 3N-2). In an alternative example, as shown in fig. 3X and 3Y, a seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) can be provided or otherwise secured to the second intermediate surface 6128 of the second portion 6120, and the seal (e.g., gasket) is configured and arranged to sealingly engage and form a compression seal with the first intermediate surface 6118 of the first portion 6110 in the assembled configuration. Fig. 3Z illustrates another example of a seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) disposed on the groove 6220 of the second portion 6120, wherein the seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) comprises an alternative shape, such as a beaded gasket or a sealing bead having a semi-circular cross-section. However, it should be understood that the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) may not be integrally attached to the first portion or the second portion, but rather be provided as a separate structure from the first portion and the second portion and disposed between the first intermediate surface and the second intermediate surface in the assembled configuration. In alternative arrangements, each portion may have a seal, such as a gasket, associated therewith.

In the illustrated example, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) is provided along the entire perimeter of the first portion 6110, i.e., the seal (e.g., gasket) extends continuously along the entire first intermediate surface 6118 of the first portion 6110 (e.g., tongue 6210). However, it should be appreciated that the seals (e.g., gaskets) may be disposed on the perimeter of the first portion in other suitable manners, such as seals disposed on one or more selected portions of the first portion 6110 along the perimeter thereof.

In the example illustrated in fig. 3N-1 through 3N-3, the width (also thickness) of the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) is less than the width/thickness of the underlying intermediate surface 6118. Thus, the width/thickness of the seal, such as the gasket, may be less than the width/thickness of at least one of the intermediate surfaces 6118 and 6128. This may be associated with the intended sealing structure (under pressure) or the particular manufacturing process employed. The seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) comprises a resiliently flexible or deformable material (e.g., viscoelastic material, TPE, TPU, TPV) that is capable of deforming under pressure to seal or fill any air gap (e.g., due to surface imperfections and/or planarity variations on the surface) between at least the first and second intermediate surfaces 6118, 6128, thereby preventing conductive noise from escaping from the housing at the joint or interface between the first and second portions 6110, 6120 when in an assembled configuration. In addition to providing a seal between 6118 and 6128, the seal, such as a gasket, may also expand laterally (relative to the direction of the applied force) when compressed such that it contacts at least one of the groove inner walls 6223, 6225, thereby increasing the sealing effect and further reducing the likelihood of noise transmission. The increased applied force will result in increased lateral deformation until both walls 6223, 6225 are in contact, at which time the deformation of the seal ceases when it is limited on all sides 6118, 6128, 6223, 6225. This is advantageous in preventing overstressing of the seal and/or providing a path that is least prone to being guided by noise.

In one example, the seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) can be removably attached or permanently attached (e.g., by over-molding or adhesive) to the first intermediate surface 6118 of the first portion 6110 or the second intermediate surface 6128 of the second portion.

In the example shown, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) includes a cross-sectional shape configured and arranged for enhancing the seal under pressure. For example, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) illustrated in fig. 3V and 3N-3 includes a relatively thicker region 6310 and a relatively thinner region 6320, the relatively thicker region 6310 providing a base for attachment to the first portion 6110 and the relatively thinner region 6320 providing a free end or engagement surface for engagement with the second portion 6120 (e.g., the seal (e.g., gasket) is thicker at the base and middle than at the edges). The relatively thin region 6320 at the free end provides a smaller surface area adapted to engage the second intermediate surface 6128 of the second portion 6120, which increases the concentration of force per unit area to enhance the seal when in the assembled configuration.

Exemplary shapes of the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) include: substantially D-shaped, substantially double-chamfered, substantially triangular, substantially circular or semicircular, or substantially D-ring shaped. For example, the free end or engagement surface of the seal 6300 (e.g., the gasket) may include at least one surface that does not extend parallel to the second intermediate surface 6128 of the second portion 6120, i.e., the at least one surface is curved or sloped and may provide a taper toward the free end of the seal (e.g., the gasket).

In one example, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) includes a thickness sufficient to limit the transmission of perceptible sound therethrough, e.g., the seal has a thickness of 1-5mm, e.g., at least 2-3mm. In addition, the relatively thicker seal, such as a gasket, when inserted into the tongue and groove joint, enhances the tortuous path at the interface between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120, which reduces the sound volume that can pass, thereby creating a more effective acoustic seal.

In one example, the seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) includes a length sufficient to allow the seal (e.g., a gasket) to collapse or compress between the first and second intermediate surfaces 6118, 6128 in the assembled configuration. That is, in the assembled configuration, the tongue 6210 overlaps the sidewall of the groove 6220 in the space between the first and second intermediate surfaces 6118, 6128. The seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) includes a length that is sufficiently longer than the length of the space between the first and second intermediate surfaces 6118, 6128 that, in the assembled configuration, the seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) is located in the first and second intermediate surfaces 6118, 6128 such that the seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) will deform laterally to form a seal for preventing conduction of noise. This is evident in the hypothetical example illustrated in fig. 3N-1, which shows the seal, e.g. the gasket, in a hypothetical assembled configuration, wherein the seal overlaps the second portion without any compression or deformation. As illustrated, the seal, such as a gasket, is about 1-5mm longer than the space between the first and second intermediate surfaces to ensure adequate compression or deformation (see, e.g., length L2 in fig. 3N-1). Thus, the collapsible seal design takes advantage of the principles of conservation of volume and allows the seal (e.g., gasket) to collapse until constrained by the tongue and groove arrangement.

Fig. 3N-2 illustrates an example of a seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) in an assembled configuration when compressed between a first intermediate surface 6118 and a second intermediate surface 6128. In one example, the seal (e.g., gasket) can compress or collapse such that the deformed seal also engages the outer sidewall surface 6225 of the groove 6220 and/or the inner sidewall surface 6223 of the groove 6220. This allows the seal (e.g., gasket) to further fill the space between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 to enhance the seal, thereby reducing noise transmission. In one example, in an assembled configuration, the seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) engages at least one of the intermediate surface 6128, the outer sidewall surface 6225, and/or the inner sidewall surface 6223 of the groove 6220.

In one example, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) may comprise a creep-prone material (e.g., TPE, TPU, TPV) that may creep or collapse over time until constrained by tongue and groove geometry, i.e., the seal (e.g., gasket) deforms and fills or conforms to the open space in the tongue-and-groove joint. This may also increase the contact area of the seal (e.g., gasket) with the groove and provide better sound insulation. It may also provide rigid support of the walls of the housing, reduce deformation of the walls, and movement of the walls relative to each other over time. Moreover, it may prevent the walls from vibrating independently, improved vibration damping further improves the quality and lifetime of the seal and the acoustic performance of the resulting structure. The material of the seal (e.g., gasket) is typically incompressible, but is flexible/deformable (e.g., silicone or cross-linked rubber) and configured to absorb mechanical pressure, even though it is not prone to creep.

In one example, as shown in fig. 3P, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) is configured and arranged to be compressed or squeezed in a direction generally perpendicular to the bottom plane BP, i.e., a pair of compressive forces U/D (as shown in fig. 3P) applied when the portions 6110 and 6120 are screwed together as part of the assembly process. That is, a force is applied to the top and bottom (via the first and second intermediate surfaces) of the seal (e.g., gasket) to compress the seal (e.g., gasket) and form the seal (e.g., axial or face seal). A more uniform distribution of compressive force applied along the engagement edge will result in a more uniform deformation along the length of the seal (e.g., gasket). Since the pressure in this case is provided by the tightening screw, it is recommended to use a greater number of more evenly distributed connection points (points of application of the screw). Thus, instead of using 2 or 3 screws to attach the first and second portions to each other, a greater number (e.g., 4 to 8) of screws may be used, preferably evenly spaced along the attachment perimeter.

The compression provided by the screw is generally upward/downward (or vertical) when the RPT device 6000 is in the normal operating orientation. In one example, the direction of compression may be perpendicular to the direction of lateral constraint provided by the tongue and groove engagement device. However, it should be appreciated that the compression is not limited to extending only in a direction generally perpendicular to the bottom plane BP in FIG. 3P, but may be slightly skewed or angled with respect to the bottom plane.

In one example, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) is placed under load, but due to the incompressible nature of the material (e.g., TPE), the seal (e.g., gasket) will deform rather than compress (because the volume of the seal (e.g., gasket) remains substantially constant). The deformation will cause the seal to firmly engage at least one of the surfaces 6128, 6225, 6223 of the groove 6220, and may also engage one or both of the sidewall surfaces 6225, 6223 (with substantial lateral force lateral to the direction of the applied load). In one example, i.e., where the seal (e.g., gasket) interacts primarily with the intermediate surface 6128, the force may be concentrated in a smaller area (e.g., thin area 6320 of seal 6300 (e.g., gasket), as shown in fig. 3N-3) such that the sealing force is higher, rather than spreading the load across the entire surface of the groove.

As described above, the inner and/or outer surfaces of the first and/or second portions 6110, 6120 may include a coating or overmolding of a relatively soft material (e.g., TPE or silicone), for example, to provide damping characteristics for attenuating wall radiation noise. In one example, the tongue and/or groove of the first portion 6110 and/or the second portion 6120 can be coated or over-molded (e.g., alone or with a coating provided to the remainder of the first portion 6110 and/or the second portion 6120) with a relatively soft material (e.g., TPE or silicone), for example, to enhance sealing/damping and/or retention of the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120.

In the illustrated example, the tongue and groove engagement device, along with the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) provide a system for reducing conducted and radiated noise through the interface between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 when in the assembled configuration. In this case, a compression seal is formed between at least the surfaces 6118, 6128 facing horizontally (generally parallel to the horizontal support surface BP in the operating configuration of the device) of the first and second portions 6110, 6120 and the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket), while the containment device is at least partially defined by vertically oriented (inner and outer) surfaces 6114, 6116, 6223, 6225 of the first and second portions 6110, 6120 (e.g., gaskets) (lateral to the horizontal support surface BP in the operating configuration of the device). See FIGS. 3N-1 and 3N-2). In the example shown, the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) is constructed and arranged to provide at least an acoustic seal, and may also provide a pneumatic seal between the pressurized housing and the surrounding environment. That is, in an operational configuration of the RPT device, the pressure within the housing adjacent the engagement edge may rise (i.e., the pressure differential across the wall portion of the housing) as compared to the ambient environment, and the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) along the engagement edge may provide an acoustic (i.e., noise attenuating) seal and a pneumatic seal between the pressurized housing (e.g., one or more pneumatic chambers along the flow path) and the ambient environment. Furthermore, the interior of the housing may be subjected to different pressures, such as ambient pressure at the inlet of the housing, negative pressure along the internal flow path before the air flow reaches the blower, and positive or high pressure when the air flow is pressurized within and on the outlet side of the blower.

In the above example, the sealing is achieved by the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) being compressed between the sealing surfaces of the two engagement portions of the housing. In this case, any pressure within the housing actually pushes the two parts apart and may reduce the quality of the "compression" seal. In another embodiment, typically implemented with a smaller thickness of sheet gasket material, pneumatic pressure within the housing may press the gasket surface against the corresponding sealing surface, thereby enhancing the seal between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120.

As already mentioned in the above description, in the illustrated example, the first portion 6110 can be removably secured to the second portion 6120 in an assembled configuration by one or more fasteners 6150 (e.g., one or more threaded screws (see fig. 3R)). Fasteners of different types and sizes (i.e., lengths) may be used so long as they achieve sufficient loading to create a seal, such as a gasket, compression, and sealing arrangement. For example, as shown in fig. 3S and 3R-1, the second portion 6120 includes one or more bosses 6160 (e.g., 4 bosses), each including a fastener receiving aperture. The first portion 6110 includes a corresponding number of fastener holes 6165 (e.g., 4 holes), each including an internal flange 6166 (see fig. 3R-1). When the first and second portions 6110, 6120 are assembled to one another (i.e., the tongue-and-groove engagement), each flange 6166 engages or abuts a corresponding one of the bosses 6160, the bosses 6160 providing a stop during assembly (see fig. 3R-1). The stop prevents further insertion of the tongue 6210 into the groove 6220 to indicate that the first and second portions 6110, 6120 have reached a fully assembled configuration. Further, the stop may ensure that the tongue 6210 has reached a predetermined level of overlap with the sidewall of the groove 6220 (see, e.g., overlap length L1 in fig. 3N-1) for constraint and that the seal 6300 (e.g., gasket) has reached a predetermined level of compression for acoustic and/or pneumatic sealing (see, e.g., length L2 in fig. 3N-1). The first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 are removably secured by fasteners 6150, each of which extends through the aligned fastener holes until the heads of the fasteners 6150 abut the flange 6166 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3R and 3R-1). It should be appreciated that the stop means may be modified to adjust the predetermined level of overlap/compression, for example modifying the position of the flange 6166 within the bore, modifying the thickness of the flange 6166.

It should be appreciated that one or more aspects of the noise attenuation device described with respect to RPT device 6000 may be incorporated into alternative examples of RPT devices. For example, the RPT device 4000 in fig. 4A includes one version of the noise attenuation devices described herein, e.g., the chassis 4016 that encloses the blower 4142 includes a first portion 6110 with a tongue 6210 and a seal 6300, and a second portion 6120 with a groove 6220. In the assembled configuration, the tongue 6210 is received within the groove 6220 for lateral compression of the first and second portions 6110, 6120, and the seal 6300 (e.g., a gasket) forms a compression seal between the first and second portions 6110, 6120.

5.4.1.2 air filter

An RPT device 4000, 6000 in accordance with one form of the present technique may include an air filter 4110, or a plurality of air filters 4110.

In one form, the inlet air filter 4112 is positioned at the beginning of the pneumatic path upstream of the pressure generator 4140.

In one form, an outlet air filter 4114, such as an antimicrobial filter, is positioned between the outlet of the pneumatic block 4020 and the patient interface 3000.

5.4.1.3 silencer

An RPT device 4000, 6000 in accordance with one form of the present technique may include one muffler 4120, or a plurality of mufflers 4120.

Inlet muffler

In one form of the present technique, the inlet muffler 4122 is positioned in the pneumatic path upstream of the pressure generator 4140, for example as schematically shown in fig. 4B.

Fig. 5A to 5K illustrate an RPT device 6000 including an example sound damping system in accordance with the present technique. The sound abatement system may include one or more inlet silencers disposed upstream of the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010 and/or one or more outlet silencers disposed downstream of the blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010. The sound abatement system is configured and arranged to reduce the noise output of the RPT device 6000 in use.

In the illustrated example, RPT device 6000 includes two inlet silencers (i.e., device inlet silencer 6350 and blower inlet silencer 6400) and blower outlet silencer 6040. The device inlet muffler 6350 and the blower inlet muffler 6400 are disposed along the airflow path upstream of the blower inlet 6012, i.e., between the inlet (e.g., inlet tube array 6052) into the housing 6100 and the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010. As described below, the blower inlet muffler 6400 may be configured and arranged to reduce, in use, the noise output generated by the blower 6010 and/or emitted from the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010. The blower inlet muffler 6400 may include one or more components.

In the illustrated example, the blower 6010 includes a single inlet 6012 and a single outlet 6014 that are coaxial. It should be appreciated that the RPT device may include a blower (or multiple blowers) having different configurations, such as a blower including more than one blower inlet and/or more than one blower outlet, which may be arranged in alternative configurations relative to each other (e.g., coaxial and/or axially offset from each other, or even angled relative to each other). Further, it should be appreciated that the sound abatement system according to examples of the present technology may be applied to RPT devices having alternative blower configurations, such as a blower inlet muffler disposed upstream of each of the more than one blower inlet of the blower and/or a blower outlet muffler disposed downstream of each of the more than one blower outlet of the blower.

In the example shown, the housing 6100 and the internal components of the RPT device 6000 cooperate to form two inlet chambers, a first chamber 6001 (also referred to as a main chamber or device inlet chamber) and a second chamber 6002 (also referred to as a blower inlet chamber), which may be relatively smaller than the first chamber 6001. As illustrated, the blower 6010 is supported in the device inlet chamber 6001 and receives air from the blower inlet chamber 6002 at the blower inlet 6012 (i.e., the blower inlet 6012 is downstream of the chambers 6001, 6002). Various components best illustrated in fig. 3F, such as a blower outlet end suspension 6030, a blower outlet muffler 6040, an inlet/outlet assembly 6050, and a blower inlet end suspension 6020 (as described above), may form at least some boundaries of a device inlet chamber 6001 (fig. 5A) and/or a blower inlet chamber 6002 (fig. 5A). The blower inlet end suspension 6020 and the blower outlet end suspension 6030 support the blower 6010 within the device inlet chamber 6001, and separate and seal the air flow through the device inlet chamber 6001 from the air flow through the interior of the blower 6010. The inlet tube array 6052 of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 forms an inlet into the device inlet chamber 6001 and the flow tube array 6025 is arranged to allow air to flow from the device inlet chamber 6001 to the blower inlet chamber 6002.

In the illustrated example, the airflow path of RPT device 6000 is constructed and arranged such that air enters housing 6100 via inlet tube array 6052 and enters device inlet chamber 6001 through inlet tube array 6052. The device inlet chamber 6001 receives air from the inlet tube array 6052 and delivers the air to the flow tube array 6025 (i.e., the volume forming the device inlet chamber 6001 is at least partially disposed or confined between the inlet tube array 6052 and the flow tube array 6025). Air passes through the flow tube array 6025 and into the blower inlet chamber 6002. The blower inlet chamber 6002 receives air from the flow tube array 6025 and delivers the air to the blower inlet 6012 (i.e., the volume forming the blower inlet chamber 6002 is at least partially disposed or confined between the flow tube array 6025 and the blower inlet 6012). Air is pressurized inside the blower 6010 such that a positive pressure air flow is provided at the blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010. This pressurized air then enters the blower outlet chamber (the space in which the air moves after exiting the blower outlet, which space forms at least a portion of the blower outlet muffler 6040) and passes to the RPT device outlet (e.g., outlet tube 6054) that exits from the housing 6100 (i.e., the volume forming the blower outlet chamber is at least partially disposed or confined between the blower outlet 6014 and the device outlet (e.g., outlet tube 6054).

In the illustrated example, the volume of the device inlet chamber 6001 forms at least a portion of the device inlet muffler 6350, while the volume of the blower inlet chamber 6002 forms at least a portion of the blower inlet muffler 6400. In one example, noise attenuating material (e.g., one or more portions or sheets of foam or other sound absorbing material) may also be provided to the device inlet chamber 6001 and/or as part of the device inlet chamber 6001 to improve the function or performance of the device inlet muffler 6350, and/or noise attenuating material (e.g., one or more portions or sheets of foam or other sound absorbing material) may be provided to the blower inlet chamber 6002 to improve the function or performance of the blower inlet muffler 6400. For example, the noise attenuating material (e.g., foam) provides an absorptive muffler (formant damping), and the volume of each of the chambers 6001, 6002 provides an intumescent muffler along the airflow path (via a volume-expanding muffler). These two methods of attenuating noise work together to reduce the acoustic output and minimize the effects of acoustic resonance. In addition, one or more walls of the housing 6100 may be reinforced and may include the noise attenuation devices described above, such as tongue 6210 and groove 6220, which reduce radiated noise and further enhance the function of the device inlet muffler 6350 and/or the blower inlet muffler 6400. Thus, each of the device inlet muffler 6350 and the blower inlet muffler 6400 includes a spatial geometry (i.e., space), structure (i.e., rigidized structure), and/or material configured and arranged to reduce the noise output of the RPT device 6000 in use.

In the illustrated example, a blower inlet muffler 6400 is disposed between the flow tube array 6025 and the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010. As described below, the blower inlet muffler 6400 includes a spatial geometry, structure, and/or material disposed upstream of the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010 to attenuate, in use, the air flow generated and the noise generated by the blower 6010 itself, e.g., the blower inlet muffler 6400 includes a spatial/volumetric, rigidized stepped wall structure, and a noise attenuating material that absorbs, in use, energy of sound waves exiting the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010 to reduce noise.

In the illustrated example, the absorbent component of the blower inlet muffler 6400 includes one or more foam segments or foam blocks. Another component of the blower inlet muffler 6400 is associated with rigidifying at least a portion of one or more walls of the blower inlet chamber 6002, particularly a portion forward of the blower inlet 6012. To this end, one end of the housing 6100 includes a rigidized wall portion 6130 (i.e., a rigid body portion of the housing). In the illustrated example, the rigidized wall portion 6130 is configured to receive or hold one or more pieces of foam along the perimeter of the blower inlet chamber 6002. That is, rather than simply providing a flat end wall or square end of the housing (to form a sidewall of the blower inlet chamber 6002), for example, as schematically shown by dashed line FL (fig. 5E), the housing 6100 includes a rigidified wall portion 6130 that protrudes or extends outwardly from FL to form a space or pocket in the end of the housing 6100 to support and retain foam adjacent the blower inlet chamber 6002. In the illustrated example, as described below, the rigidized wall portion 6130 includes a non-planar wall structure or profile (e.g., a stepped wall profile or structure) that forms a space for foam, but also increases the rigidity of the housing to resist deformation, particularly the portion in front of the blower inlet 6012. This provides another component of the blower inlet muffler 6400 (e.g., rigidizes one or more walls of the blower inlet chamber 6002 to reduce vibration and thus noise). Instead of a stepped configuration, other non-planar wall profiles may be used, wherein the non-planar (i.e., curved, zig-zag, wavy, etc.) nature of the profile still enhances its rigidity to resist deformation. Alternative rigidizing means (e.g., rigidizing ribs or other structures formed in or attached to the wall) may also be used.

Two or even three generally independent sound attenuation modules may be combined and produce a synergistic effect using structures intended to enhance the rigidity of the wall, yet create space and/or secure a block of foam (or other similar sound absorption module). This effect may be further enhanced by increasing the expansion-based sound damping effect of the blower inlet chamber 6002, which blower inlet chamber 6002 is separate from and increases in addition to any volume increased by the chambers created by the rigidized stepped structure. Thus, the overall sound damping effect of blower inlet muffler 6400 is produced by the combination of its three sound damping components (the volume of chamber 6002 and the rigid walls of the rigidized wall portion, foam components and rigidized wall portion). However, in the particular case best shown in fig. 5A, these three components interact structurally with each other. In a specific example, the foam component defines one of the wall surfaces 6410 and is part of the volume of the chamber 6002, while at the same time part of the rigidifying structure of the walls of the chamber is also arranged to secure the foam component. Such synergistic interaction between devices, components, such as the subject of the present description, is particularly beneficial in the case of very compact devices.

In the illustrated example, the rigidized wall portion 6130 is formed from at least one of an end wall portion of a first portion 6110 (e.g., top) of the housing 6100 and an end wall portion of a second portion 6120 (e.g., bottom) of the housing 6100. When the rigidized wall portion is partially formed from two end wall portions, the end wall portion (e.g., top) of the first portion 6110 forms a first interior slot 6141 (top slot) in which foam may be received (or grooved) and the end wall portion (e.g., bottom) of the second portion 6120 forms a second interior slot 6142 (bottom slot). In this case, the expressions "top" and "bottom" are used with reference to the standard operating configuration of the device. When the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 are in the assembled configuration, the first and second inner sub-portions 6141, 6142 cooperate to form a space or recess that supports and retains the one or more pieces of foam within the housing 6100. That is, in this case, each of the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 supports and holds at least one or more foam portions or sheets of the blower inlet muffler 6400. In another example, the rigidized wall portion may be formed from only the first portion, or from only the second portion, or from both.

In the illustrated example, for ease of assembly, the foam of the blower inlet muffler 6400 is also divided into two portions or pieces, such as a first foam portion or piece F1 and a second foam portion or piece F2. For example, a first foam block F1 (upper half of the foam of the blower inlet muffler 6400) is preassembled or inserted into a first interior slot 6141 of the first portion 6110, and a second foam block F2 (lower half of the foam of the blower inlet muffler 6400) is preassembled or inserted into a second interior slot 6142 of the second portion 6120 (see, e.g., fig. 5A). When the first and second portions 6110, 6120 of the housing 6100 are in the assembled configuration, the first foam piece F1 and the second foam piece F2 may abut each other (and may be at least partially compressed and/or overlapped (overlap joints where the ends of the foam pieces F1, F2 at least partially overlap each other) via a butt joint (where the flat ends of the foam pieces F1, F1 simply butt against each other (fig. 5G)) to fill the space formed by the first internal slot 6141 and the second internal slot 6142 (see, e.g., fig. 5E and 5G). That is, the first foam block F1 and the second foam block F2 cooperate to form the entire foam of the blower inlet muffler 6400, i.e., the first foam block F1 and the second foam block F2 cooperate to form a larger foam cushion or foam block.

In alternative arrangements, the slots 6141 and 6142 may be part of a single body portion, and/or the foam of the blower inlet muffler 6400 may include a single, one-piece foam pad or foam block supported and held within the space formed by the first and second interior slots 6141 and 6242 of the housing 6100. However, it should be appreciated that the foam of the blower inlet muffler 6400 may include any number of foam pieces along the perimeter of the blower inlet chamber 6002. In this example, the use of the first and second foam blocks F1 and F2 may facilitate assembly, for example, because the first and second foam blocks F1 and F2 may be simply inserted into the respective first and second portions 6110 and 6120 before the first and second portions 6110 and 6120 are assembled to one another (e.g., see fig. 5A), which does not require any additional alignment when assembling the first and second portions 6110 and 6120.

When the one or more foam pieces of blower inlet muffler 6400 are in the assembled configuration within housing 6100, the one or more foam pieces are arranged to avoid obstructing the airflow along the airflow path and to provide sound absorption. This arrangement is such that the main flow path is not impeded even if some peripheral portion of the flow encounters foam on its way.

As illustrated, the end wall portions of each of the first and second portions 6110, 6120 form the rear side and bottom of the respective slots 6141, 6142, the slots 6141, 6142 supporting the rear side and bottom of the respective foam blocks F1, F2 received therein. Furthermore, the end wall portion of each of the first and second portions 6110, 6120 includes a respective lip 6141L, 6142L that protrudes from a side and/or bottom of the respective slot 6141, 6142, the lips 6141L, 6142L supporting a front perimeter of the respective foam block F1, F2 received therein. In this way, the front face or surface 6410 of each foam block F1, F2 is exposed to the blower inlet chamber 6002 to form a wall or surface along the boundary of the blower inlet chamber 6002, so that the front face 6410 is exposed and forms a boundary of the airflow path extending to the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010. In the illustrated example, the foam blocks F1, F2 are arranged along the airflow path such that the airflow does not pass through the thickness of the foam blocks F1, F2. Instead, the foam blocks F1, F2 are arranged at the boundaries of the airflow path to avoid increasing the flow impedance.

Further, at least a portion of the front face or surface 6410 of the foam blocks F1, F2 is disposed directly opposite and facing the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010, thereby disposing the foam blocks F1, F2 at a position directly impacted by sound generated in the blower 6010.

In the illustrated example, the foam blocks F1, F2 of the blower inlet muffler 6400 are arranged such that an axis 6012ax (see fig. 5C) of the blower inlet 6012 passes through a volume of the blower inlet chamber 6002 and a thickness of at least one of the foam blocks F1, F2 (see, e.g., fig. 5C and 5E). Further, in the illustrated example, the blower inlet 6012 includes openings 6012op (i.e., sound broadcast openings) that form areas, and the foam blocks F1, F2 are arranged such that the areas of the blower inlet openings 6012op at least partially protrude onto at least one of the foam blocks F1, F2. That is, the area of the blower inlet opening 6012op has an outer extent that at least partially protrudes onto at least one of the foam blocks F1, F2 of the blower inlet muffler 6400. In one example, the foam blocks F1, F2 are arranged such that an area of the blower inlet opening 6012op integrally protrudes onto at least one of the foam blocks F1, F2, e.g., an area provided by the front face or surface 6410 provided by the foam blocks F1, F2 is greater than the protruding area provided by the blower inlet opening 6012 op. In an alternative example, the foam blocks F1, F2 may be arranged such that one or more portions of the foam blocks F1, F1 are at least partially offset from the blower inlet opening 6012op and/or blocked (e.g., by one or more walls) such that the blower inlet opening 6012op may only partially protrude onto the foam blocks F1 and/or F2, or not protrude at all. In one example, the foam blocks F1, F2 are arranged to cover an end wall portion of the housing 6100 (i.e., a direct impact area of sound from the blower inlet 6012) to damp or attenuate sound emitted from the blower inlet 6012 toward the end wall portion of the housing 6100. The remaining sidewalls of the blower inlet chamber 6002 may also be aligned with the foam material to help absorb any scattered and/or reflected sound. Thus, the portion of the blower inlet chamber 6002 surrounding the blower inlet opening 6012op may include (a) space, (b) rigidized walls, and (c) partially or fully aligned with sound absorbing material.

Further, in the illustrated example, at least a portion of the front face or surface 6410 of the foam blocks F1, F2 can be disposed opposite and facing the flow tube array 6025. For example, the flow tube array 6025 includes a plurality of flow tubes 6026 (arranged in parallel) supported by a base plate 6027, and the foam blocks F1, F2 are arranged such that an axis 6026ax of one or more flow tubes 6026 passes through a volume of the blower inlet chamber 6002 and a thickness of at least one of the foam blocks F1, F2 (see, e.g., fig. 5C). Further, in the illustrated example, each flow tube 6026 includes openings 6026op that form regions, and the foam blocks F1, F2 are arranged such that regions of one or more of the flow tube openings 6026op at least partially (e.g., entirely) protrude onto the foam blocks F1 and/or F2 (i.e., the foam blocks F1 and/or F2 at least partially face at least one of the flow tube openings). In this way, the foam pieces F1, F2 are arranged along the perimeter of the airflow path extending from the flow tube array 6025 to the blower inlet 6012 to also provide relatively efficient sound absorption for sound originating from the flow tubes. In an alternative example, the foam blocks F1, F2 may be arranged such that one or more portions of the foam blocks F1, F1 are at least partially offset from the flow tube array 6025 and/or blocked (e.g., by one or more walls) such that the flow tube openings 6026op do not protrude onto the foam blocks F1 and/or F2.

In the illustrated example, the blower 6010 includes an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis 6026ax of each flow tube 6026 (coaxial with the blower inlet axis 6012 ax), whereas the axis of the blower 6010 (i.e., the axis 6012 ax) is not coaxial with the axis 6026ax of each flow tube 6026. That is, in the illustrated example, the axis of the blower (i.e., axis 6012 ax) is offset or spaced from the axis 6026ax of each flow tube 6026. As such, in the illustrated example, one or more foam pieces of the blower inlet muffler 6400 include a length L (e.g., see fig. 5C) sufficient to allow at least one (e.g., all) of the axes of the blower 6010 (i.e., axis 6012 ax) and/or the flow tubes 6026 of the flow tube array 6025 to pass therethrough. However, it should be appreciated that the blower and/or flow tube 6026 may include other suitable arrangements, for example, the axis of the blower 6010 is not parallel to the flow tube 6026, or the axis of the blower 6010 is coaxial with the flow tube 6026. Further, it should be appreciated that one or more foam pieces of blower inlet muffler 6400 may not span the entire distance between blower 6010 and flow tube 6026, e.g., one or more foam pieces may only span the protrusion of blower 6010.

In one example, the foam blocks F1, F2 of the blower inlet muffler 6400 may be axially displaced or spaced from the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010 (and from the flow tubes 6026 of the flow tube array 6025) by about 5-40mm (e.g., about 10-30mm, about 15-25mm,19-21 mm), however, other suitable distances are possible (e.g., depending on the flow width dimension provided by the blower inlet chamber 6002). For example, the minimum spacing or air flow width may be determined taking into account the impedance of the air flow in the fan inlet chamber 6002. If the spacing is too small, the impedance may be unacceptable for desired performance. If the spacing is too large, the overall size of the device may be undesirably large. That is, the actual limit of impedance at least partially determines the spacing between the foam blocks F1, F2 and the blower inlet 6012 used in the device. However, it should be appreciated that in some examples, high impedance (and thus smaller flow area) may be tolerable, for example, for less power-consuming constrained devices.

In the example shown, the interface between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 (as schematically indicated by the line IF in fig. 5G) may extend in a plane that is not necessarily horizontal with respect to the bottom plane BP defined with respect to the operational orientation of the device, e.g., the interface line IF extends at an angle with respect to the bottom plane BP. As such, each foam block F1, F2 may be preformed or cut such that the interface or abutment surfaces of the foam blocks F1, F2 meet and extend along a plane that is generally parallel to the plane of the interface line IF (see, e.g., fig. 5G). In an alternative example, the interface between the interface IF and/or foam blocks F1, F2 may be horizontal (i.e., parallel to the bottom plane BP).

In the illustrated example, one or more additional foam blocks may be disposed within the device inlet chamber 6001 and/or blower chamber 6002, e.g., for sound absorption.

For example, foam F3 may be provided to a first portion 6110 (e.g., the top) of housing 6100 such that foam is disposed along the top and/or sides of blower inlet chamber 6002, and/or foam F4 may be provided to a second portion 6120 (e.g., the bottom) of housing 6100 such that foam is disposed along the bottom (i.e., the floor) and/or sides of blower inlet chamber 6002. One or more foam blocks located at least partially in the flow path may be used. However, due to the impedance imparted to the airflow, it is preferred to use such additional foam in the form of a wall liner such that one or more walls forming the first portion 6110 and/or the second portion 6120 of the blower inlet chamber 6002 are covered with foam that provides damping characteristics to attenuate radiated noise while having minimal impedance effects to the airflow. In an alternative example, one or more foam blocks may be arranged in the flow path, but the one or more foam blocks include one or more holes or passages therethrough to allow unobstructed air flow to the blower inlet, i.e., one or more tunnels or hollowed-out tubes through the one or more foam blocks.

Similarly, foam F5 may be provided to the second portion 6120 (e.g., bottom) of the housing 6100 such that the foam is disposed along the bottom (i.e., floor) and/or sides of the device placement chamber 6001. In one example, foam F5 may at least partially surround and/or support blower 6010 within device inlet chamber 6001 and provide sound absorption and suspension (see, e.g., fig. 5I). Although not shown, in an alternative example, foam may be provided to the first portion 6110 (e.g., top) of the housing 6100 such that foam is disposed along the top and/or sides of the device inlet chamber 6001. In this way, one or more walls forming the first portion 6110 and/or the second portion 6120 of the device inlet chamber 6001 are covered with foam that provides damping characteristics that attenuate radiated noise.

Thus, in the illustrated example, at least a portion of the airflow path (e.g., under negative pressure) extending from the RPT device inlet (e.g., inlet tube array 6052) into the housing 6100 and to the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010 is at least partially surrounded by foam F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 to reduce noise. As described above, the foam provides an absorptive muffler that works with the intumescent muffler provided by the volume of the chambers 6001, 6002 and minimizes the effects of acoustic resonance.

In one example, each foam F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 comprises a noise absorbing foam. Exemplary materials for the foam are open cell foams, such as acoustic grade polyurethane open cell foams (e.g., having a density of about 32kg/m ³ ) Open-cell silicone foams (e.g., having a density of about 100kg/m ³ )。

In one example, each piece of foam includes a thickness of about 4-10mm (e.g., 6-10 mm), although other suitable thicknesses are possible, such as 4mm or greater. In one example, foam blocks F1, F2 may comprise a thickness of about 4-10mm (e.g., 4-6 mm), foam blocks F3, F4 may comprise a thickness of about 4-10mm (e.g., 4-6 mm), and foam block F5 may comprise a thickness of about 4-10mm (e.g., 5-9 mm). In one example, the foam blocks may include similar or different thicknesses than each other, e.g., foam block F2 may be thinner than foam block F1 to accommodate the structure of grooves 6220 extending into slots 6142 (see, e.g., fig. 5E). In one example, each foam block includes a thickness that at least completely fills its respective slot. In one example, the thickness and/or volume of each foam block F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 may be limited to unduly increase the impedance along the airflow path and to maintain the compactness of the overall device while reducing noise output.

In one example, the foam block F5 may comprise a solid foam block (rather than a sheet of constant thickness) constructed and arranged to fill the device inlet chamber 6001, the solid foam block comprising a plurality of hollowed out "tubes" (e.g., holes or passages) through its thickness to allow air flow (between the inlet tube array 6052 and the flow tube array 6025) and to allow the installation of a blower 6010 (e.g., a blower 6010 supported or surrounded by the foam block). In such examples, the use of foam as impact protection for blower 6010 may provide an auxiliary benefit, for example, in the event of a device drop.

In the illustrated example, each foam block F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 is preformed or cut into its desired shape prior to insertion into a corresponding portion of the housing 6100. In an alternative example, the foam may be an injected foam configured to be injected into a corresponding portion of the housing 6100, for example, before or after assembling the housing 6100 and the inner member. Alternatively, one or more foam blocks may be thermoformed and/or glued to corresponding portions of the housing 6100.

In the illustrated example, the rigidized wall portion 6130 (i.e., the rigid body portion of the housing 6100) is introduced to form a space for the foam blocks F1, F2 of the blower inlet muffler 6400. At the same time, however, rigidized wall portion 6130 represents a structure that increases the stiffness of housing 6100 to resist deformation in response to an applied load (e.g., pressure fluctuations caused by noise from a blower), thereby reducing vibration in use and thus noise.

As illustrated, the walls of the first portion 6110 (e.g., top) and the second portion 6120 (e.g., bottom) of the housing 6100 forming the rigidized wall portion 6130 may also follow more complex contours, rather than include simple curved contours. For example, as illustrated, they may cooperate to form a stepped configuration, i.e., a stepped end wall portion comprising at least one step and possibly a plurality of extended steps. In the example shown, rigidized wall portion 6130 includes a first step 6131 protruding and protruding from FL, and a second step 6133 protruding and protruding from first step 6131 to form a gradual extension of FL from the housing (see, e.g., fig. 5E) resulting in a dome-shaped end wall or cap 6135. Each face or wall 6132 of the steps 6131, 6133 (see, e.g., fig. 5C, 5E, and 5G) may have a curvature (e.g., the outer surface of the steps may include a cylindrical, dome, and/or saddle-shaped region) to increase stiffness. For example, fig. 3E shows an exemplary region of step 6133, wherein the outer surface includes a cylindrical region. Furthermore, each corner of the stepped end wall may include a curvature. For example, fig. 3E shows an exemplary peripheral transition region or edge 6139 between steps 6131, 6133, wherein the outer surface includes a saddle region. The number of steps, the width of each step, the thickness of the wall, and/or the curvature of the wall/corner may be modified to affect stiffness (e.g., the wall may include flat and/or non-flat (e.g., angled and/or curved) geometries having curvature in one or more directions). The stepped extension results in a dome-shaped end wall or cap 6135 of the rigidized wall portion 6130 (e.g., an outer surface of the end wall 6135 includes a dome region as illustrated in fig. 3E). Moreover, it should be appreciated that the rigidized wall portion may include other suitable non-planar and/or planar geometries to form a foam space while reinforcing/rigidized the ends of the housing. That is, the transition from the end of the housing to the rigidified wall portion may take many forms, such as the illustrated stepped extension and dome-shaped end wall, but may also include angled portions, or simply have a continuous curvature (i.e., dome-shape) from the end of the housing. In one example, one or more portions of the rigidified wall portion may include a structure separate from the housing, e.g., a stepped extension formed as part of the housing, with the dome-shaped end wall attached to the stepped extension. It should be appreciated that rigidity may be provided by the geometry of the rigidified wall portion (e.g., stepped extension and dome-shaped end walls), as well as the thickness and/or material, as well as the structure of the wall (i.e., rigidified ribs).

Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the end wall or cap 6135 of the rigidized wall portion 6130 includes further noise attenuation means, such as the tongue 6210 and groove 6220 described above, which further enhances rigidity and thus reduces radiated noise.

In the illustrated example, the end of the housing 6100 adjacent the blower inlet 6012 of the blower 6010 includes several aspects to reduce noise, such as (1) stiffening (also referred to as rigidifying) the end wall (the stepped configuration of the rigidified wall portion 6130) to reduce vibration caused by noise, (2) tongue and groove engagement means to help the housing stiffness reduce radiated noise, (3) damping (e.g., foam F1, F2, F3, F4) to absorb noise and reduce sound reflection, and (3) expansion of the flow area provided by the blower inlet chamber 6002. For example, the broadcast inlet opening 6012 of the blower 6010 faces the housing 6100, at least a portion of the wall of which is reinforced/enhanced (having a two-dimensional curvature (e.g., dome area), a plurality of extending steps and/or tongue-and-groove), and any wall of the housing 6100 facing the broadcast inlet opening 6012 of the blower 6012 is covered in foam F1, F2 in order to reduce the ability of the wall to reflect sound (i.e., reduce acoustic energy that can be broadcast).

Although it is suggested to cover the entire surface of the housing 6100 facing the blower inlet 6012 with one or more foam blocks, even partial coverage (e.g., at least one area directly opposite the blower inlet 6012 and flow tube array 6025) will have a significant sound dampening effect on the generated sound. Furthermore, although the sound absorbing element is continuously referred to as foam, other sound absorbing materials (rubber, porous materials (i.e., fabric), etc.) may also be used.

Outlet muffler

In one form of the present technique, the outlet muffler 4124 is located in the pneumatic path between the pressure generator 4140 and the patient interface 3000, for example, as schematically shown in fig. 4B.

As described above, the sound abatement system of RPT device 6000 may include one or more outlet silencers disposed downstream of blower outlet 6014 of blower 6010. In the illustrated example (e.g., as shown in fig. 3F-3N and 5A-5E), RPT device 6000 includes a single blower outlet muffler 6040 disposed along the airflow path downstream of blower outlet 6014, i.e., between blower outlet 6014 of blower 6010 and an outlet (e.g., outlet tube 6054) outside housing 6100. As described below, the blower outlet muffler 6040 may be configured and arranged to reduce, in use, the noise output generated by the blower 6010 and/or emitted from the blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010. Blower outlet muffler 6040 may include one or more components or be formed by other components of RPT device 6000 or portions of such components.

In the illustrated example, air is pressurized within the blower 6010 such that a positive pressure air flow is provided at a blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010. The pressurized air then enters the blower outlet chamber 6003 (forming at least a portion of the blower outlet muffler 6040) and passes to the RPT device outlet (e.g., outlet tube 6054) that exits the housing 6100. That is, the volume forming the blower outlet chamber 6003 is at least partially disposed or confined between the blower outlet 6014 and the device outlet (e.g., outlet tube 6054).

Discrete fan outlet silencer

In the example illustrated in fig. 3F to 3N and 5A to 5E and 6A to 6P, the blower outlet muffler 6040 includes a main body 6042 that forms the blower outlet chamber 6003. As illustrated, the body 6042 includes one or more walls or wall portions, such as a central wall portion 6043 and opposing end wall portions 6045, 6047, as shown in fig. 6C and 6D. In one example, the body 6042 may comprise a relatively rigid plastic material (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, or other suitable polymer). In one example, the body 6042 may be molded as one piece or may be molded from two or more pieces that are later assembled to one another.

In the illustrated example, the main body 6042 forming the blower outlet chamber 6003 includes a separate and distinct structure from the housing 6100. The body 6042 includes a separate and distinct housing within the housing 6100 such that the walls of the housing 6100 do not form any boundary or portion of the body 6042 and its blower outlet chamber 6003. That is, the body 6042 does not share a wall with the housing 6100 to form the blower outlet chamber 6003, i.e., the body 6042 forms a separate blower outlet chamber 6003 that is isolated from the housing 6100. However, in one alternative example (see, e.g., fig. 7A-7L described below), the housing 6100 may be constructed and arranged to form one or more boundaries or portions of the blower outlet chamber 6003, i.e., the blower outlet chamber 6003 may be at least partially integrated with the housing 6100.

In the illustrated example, the volume of the blower outlet chamber 6003 forms only a portion of the blower outlet muffler 6040. As shown in fig. 6A-6C, the body 6042 of the blower outlet muffler 6040 also includes a space more closely associated with the inlet path IP of the RPT device along which inlet air enters the housing (outlet path OP is also shown in fig. 6A-6C along which pressurized air exits the housing). In particular, the space in question is a portion of the body 6042 of the blower outlet muffler 6040 that encloses at least a portion of the length of the inlet tube 6053 (in various embodiments, the entire length of the inlet tube may be enclosed). The space around the inlet tube 6053 also forms part of the main body 6042 of the blower outlet muffler 6040. Thus, the blower outlet chamber 6003 surrounds the inlet tube 6053 and in so doing extends beyond the location of the inlet path IP (in the form of the inlet tube 6053). This provides for the use of space around the inlet tube 6053 that would otherwise not be available as a muffler volume, thereby increasing the available sound damping volume and improving the efficiency of the blower outlet muffler 6040. In another example, the blower outlet muffler and the inlet pipe may be arranged such that the inlet pipe does not pass through the body of the outlet muffler. Passing the inlet pipes through the outlet muffler is advantageous for reducing the device size and flow impedance, however, directing the inlet pipes so that they do not consume muffler volume would be advantageous in maximizing muffler volume (in relation to its effectiveness).

In one example, noise attenuating material (e.g., one or more portions or sheets of foam or other sound absorbing material) may also be provided to the blower outlet chamber 6003 and/or as part of the blower outlet chamber 6003 to improve the function or performance of the blower outlet muffler 6040. For example, the noise attenuating material (e.g., foam) provides absorptive muffling (formant damping), and the volume of the chamber 6003 provides expansion-type muffling along the airflow path (muffling via volume expansion). These two methods of attenuating noise work together to reduce the acoustic output and minimize the effects of acoustic resonance. In addition, one or more walls of the body 6042 may be reinforced/enhanced, which may reduce radiated noise and further enhance the function of the blower outlet muffler 6040. Accordingly, blower outlet muffler 6040 may include a spatial geometry (i.e., space), structure (i.e., rigidized walls), and/or material (i.e., foam) that is combined and arranged to reduce the noise output of RPT device 6000 in use.

In one example, a noise attenuating material (e.g., foam) may be provided to the body 6042 such that the foam is disposed along the top, bottom, and/or sides of the blower outlet chamber 6003. Due to the resistance imparted to the air flow, it is preferable to use foam in the form of a wall liner such that one or more walls of the body 6042 forming the blower outlet chamber 6003 are covered with foam. However, no foam is located in the air path so that the foam does not obstruct flow, ensuring minimal impedance effects to the airflow. The wall liner may be in the form of a relatively thin (a few millimeters) foam layer attached to one or more inner walls. Alternatively, a foam block may be included in the space, which fills substantially the entire volume, except for the area of the foam that allows for unobstructed air flow. In one such example, as shown in fig. 6P, foam F6 may substantially fill blower outlet chamber 6003, but include a hole or channel h1 (a hollowed out tube) therethrough to allow unobstructed airflow from blower outlet 6014 to outlet tube 6054. Further, as illustrated, foam F6 may include holes or channels h2 therethrough to accommodate inlet tube array 6052. A combination may also be used wherein one or more portions of the muffler are wall-lined and one or more other portions include foam blocks, as described above.

In the illustrated example, the discrete body 6042 of the blower outlet muffler 6040 is suspended within the housing 6100 by an inlet/outlet assembly 6050 in a manner that may also improve the function or performance of the blower outlet muffler 6040.

As shown in fig. 6C, 6D, 6F, and 6G, the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 includes a base plate 6051 that supports an inlet tube array 6052 (including a plurality of inlet tubes 6053 arranged in parallel) and outlet tubes 6054. The inlet end of the outlet tube 6054 may include a pressure port 6055. An outlet seal 6060 may be provided at the outlet end of the outlet tube 6054. In addition, a seal assembly 6070 is provided to the floor 6051, inlet tube array 6052, and outlet tube 6054. In particular, the seal assembly 6070 includes a sealing lip or flange 6072 along an edge or perimeter of the base plate 6051, an inlet-port seal 6074 along an inlet end of the outlet tube 6054, a port seal 6075 extending from the pressure port 6055, and sealing portions 6076, 6077 along the base plate 6051 around an outlet end of the outlet tube 6054 and an inlet end of the inlet tube array 6052. In an alternative example, the function of the inlet end seal 6074 may be achieved by gluing, over-molding or otherwise permanently attaching the base plate 6051 to the body 6042, e.g., to simplify assembly.

In one example, the base plate 6051, inlet tube array 6052, and outlet tube 6054 may comprise a first component or base mold composed of a relatively rigid material (e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene), and the outlet seal 6060 and seal assembly 6070 may comprise a second component or overmold composed of a relatively soft material (e.g., TPE or silicone) provided (e.g., by overmolding) to the first component.

In one example, the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 can be provided to the body 6042 to form a subassembly prior to insertion into the housing 6100 (see, e.g., fig. 6A, 6B, 6E, 6F).

In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in fig. 6C and 6D, the end wall portion 6045 of the body 6042 includes a first opening 6045o1 configured to receive the blower outlet end suspension 6030 (e.g., suspension 6030 is over-molded to the body 6042, e.g., to simplify assembly and reduce parts count) and a second opening 6045o2 configured to receive the inlet tube array 6052, and the other end wall portion 6047 of the body 6042 includes a tube portion 6047t configured to receive the outlet tube 6054 and an opening 6047o configured to receive the inlet tube array 6052. As illustrated, the openings 6045o1 and the tube portion 6047t are axially aligned with each other, and the openings 6045o2, 6047o are axially aligned with each other.

As best shown in fig. 6A, 6B and 6L, the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 is engaged with the body 6042 such that the inlet tube array 6052 protrudes into or through the opening 6047o of the end wall portion 6047, through the volume or chamber 6003 of the body 6042, and through the opening 6045o2 of the end wall portion 6045. As shown in fig. 6A and 6B, when assembled, the base plate 6051 abuts the end wall portion 6047 and the outlet ends of the inlet tube array 6052 are disposed outside of the main body 6042 (so as to extend into the device inlet chamber 6001 when the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 is provided to the housing 6100). As illustrated, each of the openings 6045o2, 6047o includes a shape that corresponds to the shape of the inlet tube array 6052 along its outer periphery that axially holds the inlet tube array 6052 in place. In one example, when the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 is assembled to the body 6042, the base plate 6051 may form one or more wall portions of the chamber 6003 (e.g., the base plate 6051 may cover one or more openings in the end wall portion 6047 of the body 6042).

As best shown in fig. 6A, 6B, 6E, 6F, J and 6M, when the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 is assembled to the body 6042, the outlet tube 6054 (and its inlet end seal 6074) is engaged within the tube portion 6047t of the end wall portion 6047. An inlet end seal 6074 is disposed between the tube portion 6047t and the inlet end of the outlet tube 6054 to form a seal along the airflow path. In the example shown, the outlet tube 6054 (and its inlet end seal 6074) and tube portion 6047t include a stepped configuration, for example, to enhance sealing (tortuous interface). That is, as best shown in fig. 6F and 6M, the inlet end of the outlet tube 6054 (and its inlet end seal 6074) comprises a stepped configuration and the tube portion 6047t comprises a stepped configuration, and such stepped configuration is arranged against each other, thereby ensuring a friction seal (side-to-side) as well as a face-to-face seal (pressure-assisted seal). However, it should be appreciated that the outlet tube 6054 and the tube portion 6047t of the body 6042 may be configured and joined with one another in other suitable ways to provide pneumatic and acoustic seals to allow for the delivery of therapeutic air and the containment of acoustic energy, e.g., the outlet tube 6054 is bonded to the tube portion 6047t by an adhesive, the outlet tube 6054 is molded integrally with the tube portion 6047t, and the outlet tube 6054 is over-molded to the tube portion 6047t.

Further, the body 6042 includes a cutout 6049 to accommodate a port seal 6075 (see fig. 6A-6D) extending from the pressure port 6055 that allows the port seal 6075 to be engaged or otherwise connected to a pressure sensor (e.g., provided to a PCB) for measuring outlet pressure in the blower outlet chamber 6003. In one example, noise attenuating material (e.g., foam) within the blower outlet chamber 6003 may act as a filter for the pressure ports 6055.

In one example, the pressure port 6055 may be disposed along the top wall of the body 6042 to communicate more directly with the interior of the blower outlet chamber 6003, which may provide a more accurate measurement of chamber pressure. Due to the reduced turbulence, such measurements may be more accurate, for example, measurements outside of the flow stream (outside of the outlet air path extending from the blower outlet 6014 to the outlet tube 6054), and noise attenuating material (e.g., foam) within the blower outlet chamber 6003 may protect the opening of the pressure port 6055 from any turbulence. Positioning the cutout 6049 at the top of the body 6042 allows the port seal 6075 to interface with a pressure sensor provided to a PCB located above the body when in an operational configuration.

As discussed previously with respect to the sound damping efficiency of the outlet muffler, in the illustrated example, its body 6042 extends to surround or encase the outlet tube 6054 and at least a portion of the inlet tube array 6052 (rather than trimming the body 6042 to terminate at the outer periphery of the inlet tube array 6052). Such an arrangement maintains a compact form while increasing the chamber volume of the body 6042, for example by about 30%, compared to a body trimmed to the outer periphery of the inlet tube array 6052. That is, the body 6042 extends substantially the entire width of the housing 6100 to maximize the volume of the blower outlet chamber 6003.

Fig. 6A, 6B, 6E, and 6F illustrate the sub-assembly of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and the body 6042 prior to engagement with the blower 6010 and insertion into the housing 6100. In one example, one or more portions of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 may be adhered to the body 6042 to more securely retain the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 to the body 6042. However, the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and the body 6042 may include alternative retaining means (e.g., a press-fit or snap-fit assembly).

As shown in fig. 3S, 6G, and 6J, the end of the first portion 6110 of the housing 6100 includes a groove 6180, and the end of the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 includes a groove 6182. When the first and second portions 6110, 6120 are in the assembled configuration, the base plate 6051 is engaged (by the sealing lip 6072 along its perimeter) within the grooves 6180, 6182 such that the base plate 6051 is supported and restrained between the first and second portions 6110, 6120 of the housing 6100. Thus, the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 support the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 at one end of the housing 6100. The supported inlet/outlet assembly 6050 in turn supports the main body 6042 within the housing 6100.

As illustrated, the body 6042 is suspended in a cantilever fashion from the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 such that the walls of the body 6042 are disposed in spaced relation to the walls of the housing 6100 (i.e., a double wall arrangement). Even a small spacing (e.g., from about 0.5mm to about several millimeters) or air gap between the body 6042 and the housing 6100 provides sound insulation. That is, a separate body 6042 (which is a separate component comprising a wall separate and distinct from the wall of the housing 6100) is supported in spaced relation to the housing 6100 such that an air gap along an outer region of the body 6042 isolates radiated noise from the body 6042. Accordingly, the vibration of the wall of the body 6042 (due to sound emitted from the blower outlet 6014 (e.g., from the rotating impeller, flow noise, bearings)) is separated or isolated from the wall of the housing 6100. In addition, the sealing lip 6072 along the perimeter of the base plate 6051 elastically supports the base plate 6051 between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120, which provides an elastic suspension of the body 6042 to further reduce vibration or radiated noise.

Further, a blower outlet end suspension 6030 provided on the main body 6042 is configured to elastically support the blower 6010 adjacent to a blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010. As shown in fig. 6F, the blower outlet end suspension 6030 (e.g., comprised of an elastomeric material such as TPE or silicone) includes an outer portion 6031 disposed (e.g., overmolded) to the first opening 6045o1 of the main body 6042, an inner portion 6032 that is bonded or otherwise secured to the blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010, and a gusset portion 6033 located between the outer portion 6031 and the inner portion 6032.

The interior 6032 of the blower outlet end suspension 6030 may be secured to the blower 6010 in any suitable manner, for example, as shown in fig. 6J and 6L, wrapped around an outlet flange provided to the blower outlet 6014. The blower outlet end suspension 6030 seals the blower outlet 6014 to the main body 6042, thereby sealing the air path and mitigating any leakage of compressed air from the device inlet chamber 6001 out of the blower outlet 6014 and into the blower outlet chamber 6003. Further, the gusset portion 6033 of the blower outlet end suspension 6030 allows for flexibility and relative movement to isolate vibration of the blower 6010 and provide impact resistance, e.g., the blower outlet suspension 6030 is arranged to resiliently support the blower to at least limit propagation of blower vibration to the main body 6042.

The inclusion of a separate body 6042 forming the blower outlet chamber 6003 provides a less direct path for vibration and noise that is conducted to the housing 6100 and out of the device, e.g., any vibration from the blower 6010 must be transferred along the blower outlet end suspension 6030, along the body 6042, along the base plate 6051 to the sealing lip 6072. That is, the discrete body 6042 provides another form of separating vibration/noise from the blower 6010.

An outlet seal 6060 (shown in fig. 6F) disposed at the outlet end of the outlet tube 6054 is constructed and arranged to form a seal with an end of the air circuit 4170 (e.g., a cuff of an air delivery tube). The outlet seal 6060 (e.g., comprised of an elastomeric material such as TPE or silicone) includes an end 6061 that is provided to (e.g., overmolded by) the tube portion 8053 and a flexible lip 6062 that is bent radially inward from the end 6061. The flexible lip 6062 is resiliently flexible to allow the end of the air circuit to engage the flexible lip 6062 and form a seal to seal the air path for pressurized air to exit the outlet tube 6054 into the air circuit.

In the illustrated example, as shown in fig. 3L, 6J, 6L, and 6M, the blower 6010 includes an axis 6010ax (coaxial with at least one or both of the axis of the blower inlet 6012 and the axis of the blower outlet 6014 (i.e., when the two axes are coaxial, air enters and exits the blower along a common axis)), which axis 6010ax is also coaxial with the axis 6054ax of the outlet tube 6054. That is, the blower outlet end suspension 6030 provided on the main body 6042 and the blower inlet end suspension 6020 provided on the bottom plate 6027 may be configured and arranged to elastically support the blower 6010 such that the blower axis 6010ax is provided substantially coaxially with the outlet tube axis 6054 ax. Such an arrangement forms a direct outlet air path, i.e., line of sight, for pressurized air from the blower outlet 6014 to the outlet tube 6054 to reduce outlet impedance. In another example, the outlet tube 6054 may be enlarged to be greater than the diameter (larger inner diameter) of the blower outlet 6014. This arrangement is advantageous because it allows flexibility in the precise location of blower 6010 within housing 6100. As long as the projection of the blower outlet 6014 falls within the bore of the outlet tube 6054, the position of the blower 6010 may be adjusted without causing significant additional flow noise, thereby maintaining an effective outlet muffler.

As shown in fig. 6L, the inlet tube array 6052 (including a plurality of inlet tubes 6053 arranged in parallel) is constructed and arranged to extend from the base plate 6051 and through the chamber 6003 of the main body 6042 such that the outlet end of the inlet tube array 6052 is arranged outside the main body 6042 and extends into the device inlet chamber 6001 of the housing 6100. The inlet ends of the inlet tube array 6052 are disposed along the outside of the base plate 6051 (the side facing away from the main body 6042) and form an inlet into the housing 6100. In one example, the RPT device 6000 may include a top shell or faceplate 6090 that forms the outer shell of the device, and the top shell 6090 may include inlet openings 6091 (see fig. 3A-1 and 3C) to allow air to pass through the top shell 6090 and into the inlet tube array 6052. In the illustrated example, each inlet tube 6053 includes an axis that is offset from and substantially parallel to an axis 6010ax of the blower 6010.

In one example, as shown in fig. 3J, the subassembly of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and the body 6042 (and its blower outlet end suspension 6030) may be engaged with the outlet end of the blower 6010, and the base plate 6027 (and its blower inlet end suspension 6020) may be engaged with the inlet end of the blower 6010 to form a blower subassembly that is then assembled to the housing 6100, i.e., the blower subassembly is inserted into the second portion 6120 prior to attachment of the first portion 6110.

Fig. 6Q and 6R are schematic diagrams of dynamic support and different degrees of freedom of blower 6010 within housing 6100. As illustrated, the blower inlet end suspension 6020 provides spring-like elastic support of the blower 6010 to the base plate 6027, while the blower outlet end suspension 6030 provides spring-like elastic support of the blower 6010 to the main body 6042 of the blower outlet muffler 6040. In addition, base plate 6027 includes a sealing lip 6028 along its perimeter that provides spring-like resilient support of base plate 6027 to housing 6100, and body 6042 is cantilevered from base plate 6051, and base plate 6051 includes a sealing lip 6072 along its perimeter that provides spring-like resilient support of body 6042 (and blower 6010) to housing 6100. Thus, the suspensions 6020, 6030 and sealing lips 6072 and 6028 cooperate to provide a reinforced (somewhat dual) suspension that resiliently suspends the blower 6010 within the housing 6100 to isolate vibration or radiated noise. Furthermore, the use of lip seals 6028, 6072 around the base plates 6027, 6051 (which are easily bent or deflected as compared to thicker beads for compression seals) minimizes the likelihood that such seals interfere with the assembly of the RPT device by preventing the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 from being properly and completely enclosed (i.e., using compression seals only between the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100).

Integrated fan outlet silencer

Fig. 7A to 7L illustrate an alternative example in which the housing 6100 is constructed and arranged to form one or more boundaries or portions of the blower output chamber 6003, i.e. the blower output chamber 6003 is at least partially integrated with the housing 6100.

In this example, a wall of the blower outlet chamber 6003 is disposed or defined by a blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 (e.g., a first plate assembly), an inlet/outlet assembly 6050 (e.g., a second plate assembly), and a housing 6100. That is, contrary to the example of fig. 6A-6R, the wall of the housing 6100 cooperates with the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 to form the blower outlet chamber 6003. In this example, removing a separate housing of the blower outlet chamber 6003 (i.e., the body 6042) may add additional volume to the blower outlet chamber 6003, which may enhance noise reduction. Furthermore, the removal of a separate housing (i.e., body 6042) may improve manufacturability and ease of assembly, and may reduce cost. While the vibration isolation path is simplified by eliminating the cantilever support illustrated in fig. 6Q and 6R, the combination of increased muffler chamber volume and adjustment of the dynamic behavior of suspension 6030 allows for equivalent overall system performance.

In the illustrated example, the volume of the blower outlet chamber 6003 again forms at least a portion of the blower outlet muffler 6040. In one example, noise attenuating material (e.g., one or more portions or sheets of foam or other sound absorbing material) may also be provided to and/or as part of at least a portion of the blower outlet chamber 6003 to improve the function or performance of the blower outlet muffler 6040.

Therefore, the structure of the muffler chamber and its muffling operation are similar to those of the above-described separated blower outlet muffler 6040. Similar to the example described above, the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 includes a base plate 6051 that supports an inlet tube array 6052 (including a plurality of inlet tubes 6053 arranged in parallel) and outlet tubes 6054. The inlet end of the outlet tube 6054 may include a port seal 6075 that extends from the pressure port. An outlet seal 6060 may be provided at the outlet end of the outlet tube 6054. Further, a sealing lip or flange 6072 is provided along the edge or periphery of the base plate 6051, and sealing portions 6076, 6077 are provided along the base plate 6051 around the outlet end of the outlet tube 6054 and the inlet end of the inlet tube array 6052.

Blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 includes base plate 6081 and sealing lip or flange 6082 along an edge or perimeter of base plate 6081. The base plate 6081 includes a first opening 6084o1 and a second opening 6084o2, the first opening 6084o1 configured to receive the blower outlet end suspension 6030 and the second opening 6084o2 configured to receive the inlet tube array 6052.

As shown in fig. 7B, 7C, and 7G, the first portion 6110 of the housing 6100 includes a first groove 6180 and a second groove 6181 spaced from the first groove 6180, and the second portion 6120 of the housing 6100 includes a first groove 6182 and a second groove 6183 spaced from the first groove 6182. When the first and second portions 6110, 6120 are in the assembled configuration, the base plate 6051 (and sealing lip 6072 along the perimeter thereof) engages within the first grooves 6180, 6182 such that the base plate 6051 is supported and restrained between the first and second portions 6110, 6120 of the housing 6100. Likewise, when the first and second portions 6110, 6120 are in the assembled configuration, the base plate 6081 (and sealing lip 6082 along the perimeter thereof) engages within the second grooves 6181, 6183 such that the base plate 6081 is supported and restrained between the first and second portions 6110, 6120 of the housing 6100. As such, the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 support the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 in a spaced apart relationship within the housing 6100, wherein the adjacent walls of the base 6051, base 6081, and housing 6100 cooperate to form the blower outlet chamber 6003.

As best shown in fig. 7F and 7H, the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 is arranged relative to the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 such that the inlet tube array 6052 protrudes through the second opening 6084o2 of the base plate 6081, which base plate 6081 positions the outlet end of the inlet tube array 6052 outside of the blower outlet chamber 6003 (so as to extend into the device inlet chamber 6001 when assembled to the housing 6100). In the illustrated example, the blower outlet chamber 6003 surrounds the inlet tube array 6052 (i.e., the blower outlet chamber 6003 again extends substantially the entire width of the housing 6100), which maximizes the volume of the blower outlet chamber 6003.

The blower outlet end suspension 6030 provided on the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 is configured to support the blower 6010 adjacent to the blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010. As best shown in fig. 7C, the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6030 (e.g., composed of an elastomeric material such as TPE or silicone) includes an outer portion 6031 disposed (e.g., overmolded) over the first opening 6084o1 of the base plate 6081, an inner portion 6032 that is bonded or otherwise secured to the blower outlet 6014 of the blower 6010 (e.g., wrapped around an outlet flange disposed over the blower outlet 6014), and a gusset portion 6033 between the outer portion 6031 and the inner portion 6032 that allows for flexibility and relative movement to isolate vibration of the blower 6010 and provide impact resistance.

Fig. 7H shows exemplary sub-assemblies of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 prior to engagement with the blower 6010 and insertion into the housing 6100. In one example, the inlet tube array 6052 of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 may be adhered to the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 to more securely hold the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 to the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080. However, the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 may include alternative retaining means (e.g., a press fit or snap fit assembly). Further, in one example, the inlet tube array 6052 of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 may be molded onto the base plate 6081 of the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 and arranged to be snap-locked to the inlet/outlet assembly 6050. In an alternative example, the base plate 6081 of the blower outlet port suspension assembly 6080 and the base plate 6051, inlet tube array 6052, and outlet tube 6054 of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 may be molded as one piece.

In one example, the subassembly of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 and blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080 (and its blower outlet end suspension 6030) may be engaged with the outlet end of the blower 6010, and the base plate 6027 (and its blower inlet end suspension 6020) may be engaged with the inlet end of the blower 6010 to form a blower subassembly that is then assembled onto the housing 6100, i.e., the blower subassembly is inserted into the second portion 6120 prior to attachment of the first portion 6110. For example, as shown in fig. 7B and 7G, the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 of the housing include corresponding grooves 6185 configured and arranged to support and constrain the base 6027 (and sealing lip 6028 along its perimeter) when the first portion 6110 and the second portion 6120 are in the assembled configuration.

Similar to the example described above, as shown in fig. 7B and 7C, the blower 6010 includes an axis 6010ax coaxial with the axis 6054ax of the outlet duct 6054 (coaxial with the axis of the blower inlet 6012 and the axis of the blower outlet 6014). That is, the blower outlet end suspension 6030 provided to the base plate 6081 and the blower inlet end suspension 6020 provided to the base plate 6027 are configured and arranged to elastically support the blower 6010 such that the blower axis 6010ax is provided substantially coaxially with the outlet tube axis 6054 ax. Such an arrangement forms a direct outlet air path for pressurized air from the blower outlet 6014 to the outlet tube 6054 to reduce the outlet impedance.

As illustrated, blower suspensions 6020, 6030 and sealing lips 6028, 6082 cooperate to provide spring-like resilient support of blower 6010 within housing 6100 to isolate vibration or radiated noise.

In one example, because base plate 6081 (its sealing lip 6082) and base plate 6051 (and its sealing lip 6072) form at least a portion of blower outlet chamber 6003 that is exposed to high air pressure, seals that are stronger than lip seals 6082, 6072 (which are prone to bending or deflection) may be used to minimize leakage. For example, thicker beads providing compression seals (e.g., similar to compression seal 6300 described above) may be provided around the base plates 6081, 6051 (instead of lip seals 6082, 6072) to provide improved high pressure sealing between the base plates 6081, 6051 and the housing 6100. In another alternative example, a hybrid compression seal may be employed instead of a lip seal comprising a multi-lobed cross-sectional shape. For example, as shown in fig. 7I and 7J, each base plate 6081, 6051 may include a multi-leaf seal 6092 (e.g., composed of an elastomeric material such as TPE or silicone) that includes at least one leaf, e.g., 2, 3, or more leaves. In the illustrated three-lobe example, multi-lobe seal 6092 includes a body and three lobes 6093 protruding from the body. Each lobe 6093 may have a tapered shape and a rounded tip. In this arrangement, each lobe 6093 is configured and arranged to press against the inner surfaces of the corresponding grooves in first portion 6110 and second portion 6120 of housing 6100 (i.e., grooves 6183, 6182 (in second portion 6120) and grooves 6181 and 6180 (in first portion 6110)), respectively, thereby providing flexibility and rigidity for sealing, facilitating assembly and robust groove retention. That is, the illustrated multi-leaf seal 6092 provides protection against pressurized air, effectively providing up to three opportunities to prevent pressurized air from escaping. In addition, the self-retaining of the seal within the groove helps to reduce the necessary tension, for example in the housing screw, in and around the high pressure region.

Similar to the example of the split blower outlet muffler described above, the blower outlet chamber 6003 of the integrated blower outlet muffler 6040 also includes a space more closely associated with the inlet path of the RPT device along which inlet air enters the housing. In particular, the space is a portion of the blower outlet chamber 6003 of the blower outlet muffler 6040 that encloses at least a portion of the length of the inlet tube 6053. That is, the space around the inlet tube 6053 also forms part of the blower outlet chamber 6003 of the blower outlet muffler 6040, i.e., the outer surface of the inlet tube array 6053 forms one of the boundaries of the blower outlet chamber 6003 and cooperates with the housing 6100, the blower outlet end suspension assembly 6080, and the walls of the inlet/outlet assembly 6050 to form the blower outlet muffler 6040. Also, the blower outlet chamber 6003 surrounds the tube and, in doing so, extends beyond the location of the inlet path (in the form of inlet tube 6052). This increases the available sound damping volume and increases the efficiency of the blower outlet muffler 6040.

Schematic diagrams of different degrees of freedom of the dynamically supported blower outlet muffler structure of blower 6010 within housing 6100 are shown in fig. 7K and 7L. Blower inlet end suspension 6020 is similar to that shown in fig. 6Q and 6R-it provides spring-like resilient support of blower 6010 to base plate 6027. The base plate 6027 includes a sealing lip 6028 along its perimeter that provides spring-like resilient support of the base plate 6027 to the housing 6100. However, in this integrated blower outlet muffler configuration, there is no cantilever body 6042 of the blower outlet muffler 6040, and thus the blower outlet end suspension 6030 provides the spring-like elastic support of the blower 6010 directly to the housing 6100 through the base 6081. The base plate 6081 includes a sealing lip 6082 along its perimeter that provides spring-like resilient support of the base plate 6081 to the housing 6100. Thus, the suspensions 6020, 6030 and sealing lips 6028 and 6082 cooperate to provide a reinforced (somewhat dual) suspension that resiliently suspends the blower 6010 within the housing 6100 to isolate vibration or radiated noise. As noted above, it should be appreciated that a stronger seal (e.g., a thicker bead or multi-leaf seal providing a compressive seal) may be used around the substrate than lip seals 6028 and/or 6082, which may provide a more rigid connection than the spring-like connection illustrated in the figures.

5.4.1.4 pressure generator

In one form of the present technique, the RPT device 4000, 6000 may include a pressure generator 4140 for generating an air flow or supply air at positive pressure, the pressure generator 4140 being a controllable blower 4142. For example, the blower 4142 may include a brushless DC motor 4144 having one or more impellers. The impellers may be located in a volute. The blower may deliver the air supply, for example, at a rate of up to about 120 liters/minute, and at a positive pressure in the range of about 4cmH2O to about 20cmH2O, or other forms of up to about 30cmH2O, for example, when delivering respiratory pressure therapies. The blower may be as described in any one of the following patents or patent applications, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety: U.S. patent No. 7,866,944; U.S. patent No. 8,638,014; U.S. patent No. 8,636,479; and PCT patent application number WO 2013/020167.

The pressure generator 4140 may be under the control of the treatment device controller 4240.

In other words, the pressure generator 4140 may be a piston driven pump, a pressure regulator (e.g., a compressed air reservoir) connected to a high pressure source, or a bellows.

5.4.1.5 sensor

The transducer may be internal to the RPT devices 4000, 6000 or external to the RPT devices 4000, 6000. The external transducer may be located on or form part of an air circuit, such as a patient interface, for example. The external transducer may be in the form of a non-contact sensor, such as a doppler radar motion sensor that transmits or communicates data to the RPT device.

In one form of the present technique, one or more transducers 4270 may be positioned upstream and/or downstream of pressure generator 4140. The one or more transducers 4270 may be constructed and arranged to generate a signal representative of an air flow characteristic, such as flow, pressure, or temperature, at that point in the pneumatic path.

In one form of the present technique, one or more transducers 4270 may be disposed adjacent to patient interface 3000.

In one form, the signal from transducer 4270 may be filtered, such as by low pass filtering, high pass filtering, or band pass filtering.

5.4.1.5.1 flow sensor

The flow sensor 4274 according to the present technology may be based on a differential pressure transducer, such as the SDP600 series differential pressure transducer from SENSIRION.

In one form, the signal generated by the flow sensor 4274 and representative of flow is received by the central controller 4230.

5.4.1.5.2 pressure sensor

A pressure sensor 4272 in accordance with the present technique is positioned in fluid communication with the pneumatic path. An example of a suitable pressure sensor is a transducer from the HONEYWELL ASDX series. Another suitable pressure sensor is the NPA series transducer from general electric company (GENERAL ELECTRIC).

In one form, the signal generated by the pressure sensor 4272 and representative of the pressure is received by the central controller 4230.

5.4.1.5.3 motor speed transducer

In one form of the present technique, a motor speed transducer 4276 is used to determine the rotational speed of the electric motor 4144 and/or the blower 4142. The motor speed signal from the motor speed transducer 4276 may be provided to the treatment device controller 4240. The motor speed transducer 4276 may be, for example, a speed sensor, such as a hall effect sensor.

5.4.1.6 anti-overflow return valve

In one form of the present technique, an anti-spill back valve 4160 is positioned between the humidifier 5000 and the pneumatic block 4020. The back-overflow valve is constructed and arranged to reduce the risk of water flowing upstream from the humidifier 5000, for example, to the motor 4144.

5.4.2RPT device electrical component

5.4.2.1 power supply

The power supply 4210 may be positioned inside or outside the external housing 4010 of the RPT device 4000, 6000.

In one form of the present technique, the power supply 4210 provides power only to the RPT devices 4000, 6000. In another form of the present technology, the power supply 4210 provides power to both the RPT devices 4000, 6000 and the humidifier 5000.

5.4.2.2 input means

In one form of the present technology, RPT devices 4000, 6000 include one or more input devices 4220 in the form of buttons, switches, or dials to allow personnel to interact with the device. The buttons, switches or dials may be physical or software means accessed via a touch screen. In one form, the buttons, switches, or dials may be physically connected to the external housing 4010, or in another form, may be in wireless communication with a receiver that is electrically connected to the central controller 4230.

In one form, the input device 4220 may be constructed or arranged to allow a person to select values and/or menu options.

5.4.2.3 central controller

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 is one or more processors adapted to control the RPT devices 4000, 6000.

Suitable processors may include x86 Intel processors based on ARM holders fromA processor of an M processor, such as an STM32 series microcontroller from ST MICROELECTRONIC. In certain alternative forms of the present technology, a 32-bit RISC CPU such as an STR9 series microcontroller from ST MICROELECTRONICS, or a 16-bit RISC CPU such as a processor from an MSP430 series microcontroller manufactured by TEXAS INSTRUMENTS may be equally suitable.

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 is a dedicated electronic circuit.

In one form, the central controller 4230 is an application specific integrated circuit. In another form, the central controller 4230 comprises discrete electronic components.

The central controller 4230 may be configured to receive input signals from one or more transducers 4270, one or more input devices 4220, and the humidifier 5000.

The central controller 4230 may be configured to provide output signals to one or more of the output device 4290, the treatment device controller 4240, the data communication interface 4280, and the humidifier 5000.

In some forms of the present technology, the central controller 4230 is configured to implement one or more methods described herein, such as one or more algorithms 4300 that may be implemented with processor control instructions represented as a computer program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (such as memory 4260). In some forms of the present technology, the central controller 4230 may be integrated with the RPT devices 4000, 6000. However, in some forms of the present technology, some methods may be performed by a remotely located device. For example, the remotely located device may determine control settings for the ventilator or detect respiratory related events by analyzing stored data, such as from any of the sensors described herein.

5.4.2.4 clock

The RPT devices 4000, 6000 may include a clock 4232 connected to a central controller 4230.

5.4.2.5 therapeutic device controller

In one form of the present technique, the treatment device controller 4240 is a treatment control module 4330 that forms part of an algorithm 4300 executed by the central controller 4230.

In one form of the present technique, the treatment device controller 4240 is a dedicated motor control integrated circuit. For example, in one form, a MC33035 brushless direct current DC motor controller manufactured by ONSEMI is used.

5.4.2.6 protection circuit

The one or more protection circuits 4250 in accordance with the present techniques may include electrical protection circuits, temperature and/or pressure safety circuits.

5.4.2.7 memory

In accordance with one form of the present technique, RPT devices 4000, 6000 include memory 4260, such as non-volatile memory. In some forms, memory 4260 may comprise battery powered static RAM. In some forms, memory 4260 may comprise volatile RAM.

The memory 4260 may be located on the PCBA 4202. The memory 4260 may be in the form of EEPROM or NAND flash memory.

Additionally or alternatively, the RPT device 4000, 6000 includes a memory 4260 in removable form, such as a memory card manufactured according to the Secure Digital (SD) standard.

In one form of the present technology, the memory 4260 serves as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium on which is stored computer program instructions, such as one or more algorithms 4300, representing one or more methods described herein.

5.4.2.8 data communication system

In one form of the present technology, a data communication interface 4280 is provided and is connected to the central controller 4230. The data communication interface 4280 may be connected to a remote external communication network 4282 and/or a local external communication network 4284. The remote external communication network 4282 may be connected to a remote external device 4286. The local external communication network 4284 may be connected to a local external device 4288.

In one form, the data communication interface 4280 is part of the central controller 4230. In another form, the data communication interface 4280 is separate from the central controller 4230 and may comprise an integrated circuit or processor.

In one form, the remote external communication network 4282 is the internet. Data communication interface 4280 may connect to the internet using wired communication (e.g., via ethernet or fiber optic) or a wireless protocol (e.g., CDMA, GSM, LTE).

In one form, the local external communication network 4284 utilizes one or more communication standards, such as bluetooth or consumer infrared protocol.

In one form, the remote external device 4286 may be a cluster of one or more computers, such as network computers. In one form, the remote external device 4286 may be a virtual computer, rather than a physical computer. In either case, this remote external device 4286 may be accessed by a suitably authorized person (such as a clinician).

The local external device 4288 may be a personal computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, or a remote control device.

5.4.2.9 output means comprising optional display, alarm

The RPT devices 4000, 6000 according to the present techniques may optionally include an output device. The output device 4290 according to the present technology may take the form of one or more of visual, audio and tactile units. The visual display may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display.

5.4.2.9.1 display driver

The display driver 4292 receives characters, symbols, or images as input for display on the display 4294 and converts them into commands that cause the display 4294 to display those characters, symbols, or images.

5.4.2.9.2 display

The display 4294 is configured to visually display characters, symbols, or images in response to commands received from the display driver 4292. For example, the display 4294 may be an eight-segment display, in which case the display driver 4292 converts each character or symbol (such as a digital "0") into eight logic signals indicating whether the eight corresponding segments are to be activated to display a particular character or symbol.

5.4.3RPT device algorithm

As described above, in some forms of the present technology, the central controller 4230 may be configured to implement one or more algorithms 4300 represented as computer programs stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (such as memory 4260). Algorithm 4300 is typically grouped into groups called modules.

In other forms of the present technology, some or all of the algorithm 4300 may be implemented by a controller of an external device, such as the local external device 4288 or the remote external device 4286. In this form, data representing the input signals and/or intermediate algorithm outputs required for the portion of the algorithm 4300 to be executed at the external device may be transmitted to the external device via the local external communication network 4284 or the remote external communication network 4282. In such forms, the portion of algorithm 4300 to be executed at the external device may be represented as a computer program, such as having processor control instructions to be executed by one or more processors, stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium accessible to a controller of the external device. Such a program configures the controller of the external device to execute portions of the algorithm 4300.

In such a form, the therapy parameters generated by the external device via the therapy engine module 4320 (if so forming part of the algorithm 4300 executed by the external device) may be communicated to the central controller 4230 to be communicated to the therapy control module 4330.

5.4.3.1 pretreatment module

The preprocessing module 4310, in accordance with one form of the present technique, receives as input a signal from a transducer 4270 (e.g., a flow sensor 4274 or a pressure sensor 4272) and performs one or more processing steps to calculate one or more output values to be used as input to another module (e.g., a therapy engine module 4320).

In one form of the present technique, the output values include an interface pressure Pm, a ventilation flow rate Qv, a respiration flow rate Qr, and a leakage flow rate Ql.

In various forms of the present technology, the preprocessing module 4310 includes one or more of the following algorithms: interface pressure estimate 4312, ventilation flow rate estimate 4314, leakage flow rate estimate 4316, and respiratory flow rate estimate 4318.

5.4.3.1.1 interface pressure estimation

In one form of the present technique, interface pressure estimation algorithm 4312 receives as inputs a signal from pressure sensor 4272 representative of the pressure in the pneumatic path near the pneumatic block outlet (device pressure Pd) and a signal from flow rate sensor 4274 representative of the flow rate of the air stream exiting RPT device 4000 (device flow rate Qd). The device flow rate Qd without any air make-up 4180 may be used as the total flow rate Qt. The interface pressure algorithm 4312 estimates the pressure drop P through the air circuit 4170. The dependence of pressure drop P on total flow Qt for a particular air circuit 4170 may be modeled by pressure drop characteristic P (Q). The interface pressure estimation algorithm 4312 then provides the estimated pressure Pm as an output in the patient interface 3000. The pressure Pm in the patient interface 3000 may be estimated as the device pressure Pd minus the air circuit pressure drop P.

5.4.3.1.2 ventilation flow rate estimation

In one form of the present technique, the vent flow estimation algorithm 4314 receives as input an estimated pressure Pm in the patient interface 3000 from the interface pressure estimation algorithm 4312 and estimates a vent flow Qv of air from a vent 3400 in the patient interface 3000. For a particular vent 3400 in use, the dependence of the vent flow rate Qv on the interface pressure Pm may be modeled by the vent characteristic Qv (Pm).

5.4.3.1.3 leakage flow rate estimation

In one form of the present technique, the leakage flow estimation algorithm 4316 receives the total flow Qt and the ventilation flow Qv as inputs and provides an estimate of the leakage flow Ql as an output. In one form, the leakage flow estimation algorithm estimates the leakage flow rate Ql by calculating an average of the difference between the total flow rate Qt and the ventilation flow rate Qv over a sufficiently long period of time (e.g., about 10 seconds).

5.4.3.1.4 respiratory flow rate estimation

In one form of the present technique, the respiratory flow estimation algorithm 4318 receives as inputs the total flow Qt, the ventilation flow Qv and the leakage flow Ql, and estimates the respiratory flow Qr of air to the patient by subtracting the ventilation flow Qv and the leakage flow Ql from the total flow Qt.

5.4.3.2 treatment engine module

In one form of the present technique, the therapy engine module 4320 receives as input one or more of the pressure Pm in the patient interface 3000 and the respiratory flow Qr of air to the patient, and provides as output one or more therapy parameters.

In one form of the present technique, the treatment parameter is treatment pressure Pt.

In one form of the present technique, the treatment parameter is one or more of a pressure change amplitude, a base pressure, and a target ventilation.

In various forms, the treatment engine module 4320 includes one or more of the following algorithms: phase determination 4321, waveform determination 4322, ventilation determination 4323, inhalation flow limitation determination 4324, apnea/hypopnea determination 4325, snore determination 4326, airway patency determination 4327, target ventilation determination 4328, and therapy parameter determination 4329.

5.4.3.2.1 waveform determination

In one form of the present technique, the therapy parameter determination algorithm 4329 provides approximately constant therapy pressure throughout the patient's respiratory cycle.

In other forms of the present technique, therapy control module 4330 controls pressure generator 4140 to provide a therapy pressure Pt that varies as a function of the phase Φ of the patient's respiratory cycle according to waveform template pi (Φ).

5.4.3.2.2 ventilation determination

In one form of the present technique, the ventilation determination algorithm 4323 receives an input of respiratory flow Qr and determines a measurement indicative of the current patient ventilation Vent.

5.4.3.2.3 determination of inspiratory flow limitation

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 executes an inspiratory flow limitation determination algorithm 4324 for determining the degree of inspiratory flow limitation.

In one form, the inspiratory flow limitation determination algorithm 4324 receives as input the respiratory flow rate signal Qr and provides as output a measure of how much the inspiratory portion of the breath exhibits the inspiratory flow limitation.

5.4.3.2.4 determination of apnea and hypopnea

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 executes an apnea/hypopnea determination algorithm 4325 for determining the presence of an apnea and/or hypopnea.

In one form, the apnea/hypopnea determination algorithm 4325 receives as input a respiratory flow signal Qr and provides as output a flag indicating that an apnea or hypopnea has been detected.

In one form, an apnea will be considered to have been detected when the function of respiratory flow Qr falls below a flow threshold within a predetermined period of time. The function may determine a peak flow rate, a relatively short-term average flow rate, or a flow rate intermediate the relatively short-term average and peak flow rates, such as an RMS flow rate. The flow rate threshold may be a relatively long-term measure of the flow rate.

In one form, the hypopneas will be considered to have been detected when the function of respiratory flow Qr falls below the second flow threshold within a predetermined period of time. The function may determine a peak flow rate, a relatively short-term average flow rate, or an intermediate flow rate of the relatively short-term average and peak flow rates, such as an RMS flow rate. The second flow rate threshold may be a relatively long-term measure of flow rate. The second flow rate threshold is greater than a flow rate threshold for detecting apneas.

5.4.3.2.5 snoring determination

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 executes one or more snore determining algorithms 4326 for determining the degree of snoring.

In one form, the snore determining algorithm 4326 receives the respiratory flow rate signal Qr as an input and provides a measure of the degree of snoring present as an output.

The snore determining algorithm 4326 can include the step of determining the intensity of the flow rate signal in the range of 30 to 300 Hz. Further, the snore determining algorithm 4326 can include the step of filtering the respiratory flow signal Qr to reduce background noise (e.g., airflow sound in a system from a blower).

5.4.3.2.6 airway patency determination

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 executes one or more airway patency determination algorithms 4327 for determining an airway patency.

Determination of 5.4.3.2.7 target ventilation

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 takes as input a measure of the current ventilation Vent and executes one or more target ventilation determination algorithms 4328 for determining a target value Vtgt for the ventilation measure.

In some forms of the present technique, the target ventilation determination algorithm 4328 is absent and the target value Vtgt is predetermined, for example, by hard coding during configuration of the RPT device 4000 or by manual input through the input device 4220.

Determination of 5.4.3.2.8 treatment parameters

In some forms of the present technology, the central controller 4230 executes one or more therapy parameter determination algorithms 4329 for determining one or more therapy parameters using values returned by one or more other algorithms in the therapy engine module 4320.

5.4.3.3 treatment control Module

The therapy control module 4330, in accordance with one aspect of the present technique, receives as input therapy parameters from the therapy parameter determination algorithm 4329 of the therapy engine module 4320 and controls the pressure generator 4140 to deliver an air flow in accordance with the therapy parameters.

In one form of the present technique, the therapy parameter is a therapy pressure Pt, and the therapy control module 4330 controls the pressure generator 4140 to deliver an air flow at the patient interface 3000 with an interface pressure Pm equal to the therapy pressure Pt.

Detection of 5.4.3.4 fault conditions

In one form of the present technique, the central controller 4230 performs one or more methods 4340 for detecting a fault condition. The fault condition detected by the one or more methods 4340 may include at least one of:

failure of power supply (no or insufficient power supply)

Sensor fault detection

Failing to detect the presence of a component

Operating parameters outside recommended ranges (e.g. pressure, flow rate, temperature, paO 2)

The test alarm cannot generate a detectable alarm signal.

Upon detection of a fault condition, the corresponding algorithm 4340 signals the presence of a fault by one or more of:

activating audible, visual and/or dynamic (e.g. vibration) alarms

Sending a message to an external device

Event recording

5.5 air Circuit

The air circuit 4170 according to one aspect of the present technique is a tube or pipe that is constructed and arranged to allow air flow to travel between two components, such as the RPT devices 4000, 6000 and the patient interface 3000, when in use.

Specifically, the air circuit 4170 may be fluidly connected with an outlet of the pneumatic block 4020 and the patient interface. The air circuit may be referred to as an air delivery tube. In some cases, there may be separate branches for the inspiration and expiration circuits. In other cases, a single branch is used.

In some forms, the air circuit 4170 may include one or more heating elements configured to heat the air in the air circuit, for example, to maintain or raise the temperature of the air. The heating element may be in the form of a heating wire loop and may include one or more transducers, such as temperature sensors. In one form, the heater wire loop may be helically wound around the axis of the air loop 4170. The heating element may be in communication with a controller such as the central controller 4230. An example of an air circuit 4170 that includes a heater wire circuit is described in U.S. patent 8,733,349, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

5.6 humidifier

5.6.1 overview of humidifier

In one form of the present technique, a humidifier 5000 (e.g., as shown in fig. 8A) is provided to vary the absolute humidity of the air or gas for delivery to the patient relative to ambient air. Generally, humidifier 5000 is used to increase the absolute humidity of the air stream and to increase the temperature of the air stream (relative to ambient air) prior to delivery to the airway of the patient.

The humidifier 5000 may include a humidifier reservoir 5110, a humidifier inlet 5002 for receiving an air stream, and a humidifier outlet 5004 for delivering a humidified air stream. In some forms, as shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the inlet and outlet of the humidifier reservoir 5110 may be a humidifier inlet 5002 and a humidifier outlet 5004, respectively. The humidifier 5000 may also include a humidifier base 5006, which may be adapted to receive the humidifier reservoir 5110 and include a heating element 5240.

5.7 respiratory waveform

Figure 9 shows a model representative breathing waveform of a person while sleeping. The horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is respiratory flow. While parameter values may vary, a typical breath may have the following approximations: tidal volume Vt 0.5L, inspiration time Ti 1.6s, peak inspiratory flow Qpeak 0.4L/s, expiration time Te 2.4s, peak expiratory flow Qpeak-0.5L/s. The total duration Ttot of respiration is about 4 seconds. The person breathes at ventilation, typically at a rate of about 15 Breaths Per Minute (BPM), at Vent of about 7.5L/min. The typical duty cycle, ti to Ttot ratio, is about 40%.

5.8 respiratory treatment modes

Various respiratory therapy modes may be implemented by the disclosed respiratory therapy systems.

5.8.1CPAP treatment

In some embodiments of respiratory pressure therapy, central controller 4230 calculates the pressure of the respiratory therapy according to the therapy pressure equation (pt=api (Φ, t) +p ₀ ) The treatment pressure Pt is set as part of the treatment parameter determination algorithm 4329. In one such implementation, the amplitude a is likewise zero, so that the therapeutic pressure Pt (which represents the target value achieved by the interface pressure Pm at the present moment) is also equal to the base pressure P throughout the breathing cycle ₀ . Such implementations are typically grouped under the heading of CPAP therapy. In such an implementation, the therapy engine module 4320 need not determine the phase Φ or the waveform template, pi (Φ).

In CPAP treatment, base pressure P ₀ May be hard coded or a constant value manually entered into the RPT device 4000, 6000. Alternatively, the central controller 4230 may repeatedly calculate the base pressure P ₀ Sleep disordered breathing as returned by the corresponding algorithm in treatment engine module 4320Such as one or more of flow restriction, apnea, hypopnea, patency, and snoring. This option is sometimes referred to as APAP therapy.

Fig. 4E is a flowchart illustrating a method 4500 performed by the central controller 4230, the method 4500 continuously calculating the base pressure P when the pressure support a is equal to zero ₀ As part of the APAP therapy implementation of the therapy parameter determination algorithm 4329.

Method 4500 begins at step 4520 where central controller 4230 compares the measure of the presence of apnea/hypopnea to a first threshold and determines if the measure of the presence of apnea/hypopnea has exceeded the first threshold for a predetermined period of time, thereby indicating that apnea/hypopnea is occurring. If so, method 4500 proceeds to step 4540; otherwise, method 4500 proceeds to step 4530. In step 4540, central controller 4230 compares the measure of airway patency to a second threshold. If the measure of airway patency exceeds the second threshold, indicating that the airway is patent, the detected apnea/hypopnea is considered central and method 4500 proceeds to step 4560; otherwise, the apnea/hypopnea is considered obstructive and method 4500 proceeds to step 4550.

In step 4530, the central controller 4230 compares the measured value of the flow restriction with a third threshold. If the measure of flow restriction exceeds the third threshold, indicating that the inspiratory flow is restricted, then method 4500 proceeds to step 4550; otherwise, method 4500 proceeds to step 4560.

In step 4550, the central controller 4230 sets the base pressure P ₀ The predetermined pressure increase P is increased as long as the resulting process pressure Pt does not exceed the maximum process pressure Pmax. In one implementation, the predetermined pressure delta P and the maximum therapeutic pressure Pmax are 1cmH2O and 25cmH2O, respectively. In other implementations, the pressure delta P may be as low as 0.1cmH2O and as high as 3cmH2O, or as low as 0.5cmH2O and as high as 2cmH2O. In other implementations, the maximum therapeutic pressure Pmax may be as low as 15cmH2O and as high as 35cmH2O, or as low as 20cmH2O and as high as 30cmH2O. Method 4500 thenReturning to step 4520.

In step 4560, the central controller 4230 sets the base pressure P ₀ A decrement is reduced as long as the base pressure P is reduced ₀ Does not drop below the minimum therapeutic pressure Pmin. Method 4500 then returns to step 4520. In one implementation, the decrement is equal to P ₀ The value of Pmin is proportional such that P is absent any detected event ₀ The decrease to the minimum therapeutic pressure Pmin is exponential. In one implementation, the proportionality constant is set such that P ₀ The time constant for the exponential drop of (2) is 60 minutes and the minimum therapeutic pressure Pmin is 4cmH2O. In other implementations, the time constant may be as low as 1 minute and as high as 300 minutes, or as low as 5 minutes and as high as 180 minutes. In other implementations, the minimum process pressure Pmin may be as low as 0cmH2O and as high as 8cmH2O, or as low as 2cmH2O and as high as 6cmH2O. Alternatively, P ₀ The decrement of (2) may be predetermined so that P is absent any detected event ₀ The decrease to the minimum treatment pressure Pmin is linear.

5.8.2 Dual level treatment

In other implementations of this form of the present technology, the equation (pt=aζ (Φ, t) +p ₀ ) The value of amplitude a in (c) may be positive. Such an implementation is called bi-level therapy because the equation with positive amplitude a (pt=api (Φ, t) +p is used ₀ ) In determining the treatment pressure Pt, the treatment parameter determination algorithm 4329 oscillates the treatment pressure Pt between two values or levels in synchronization with the spontaneous respiratory effort of the patient 1000. That is, based on the above-described exemplary waveform template pi (Φ, t), the therapy parameter determination algorithm 4329 increases the therapy pressure Pt to P at or during the beginning of expiration or at inspiration ₀ +A (called IPAP) and reduces the therapeutic pressure Pt to the base pressure P at or during the beginning of expiration ₀ (referred to as EPAP).

5.9 glossary of terms

For purposes of this technical disclosure, one or more of the following definitions may be applied in certain forms of the present technology. In other forms of the present technology, alternative definitions may be applied.

5.9.1 general rule

Air: in some forms of the present technology, air may refer to atmospheric air, while in other forms of the present technology, air may refer to some other combination of breathable gases, such as oxygen-enriched air.

Environment: in certain forms of the present technology, the term environment may have the meaning of (i) external to the treatment system or patient, and (ii) directly surrounding the treatment system or patient.

For example, the ambient humidity relative to the humidifier may be the humidity of the air immediately surrounding the humidifier, e.g. the humidity in a room in which the patient sleeps. Such ambient humidity may be different from the humidity outside the room in which the patient is sleeping.

In another example, the ambient pressure may be pressure directly around the body or outside the body.

In some forms, ambient (e.g., acoustic) noise may be considered to be the background noise level in the room in which the patient is located, in addition to noise generated by, for example, an RPT device or from a mask or patient interface. Ambient noise may be generated by sound sources outside the room.

Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP) therapy: CPAP therapy, in which the treatment pressure is automatically adjustable between a minimum and maximum level, for example, varies with each breath, depending on whether an indication of an SBD event is present.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment: wherein the treatment pressure may be an approximately constant respiratory pressure treatment throughout the respiratory cycle of the patient. In some forms, the pressure at the entrance to the airway is slightly higher during exhalation and slightly lower during inhalation. In some forms, the pressure will vary between different respiratory cycles of the patient, e.g., increase in response to detection of an indication of partial upper airway obstruction, and decrease in the absence of an indication of partial upper airway obstruction.

Flow rate: air volume (or mass) delivered per unit time. Flow may refer to an instantaneous quantity. In some cases, the reference to flow will be a scalar reference, i.e., a quantity having only a magnitude. In other cases, the reference to flow will be a reference to a vector, i.e., a quantity having a magnitude and a direction. Traffic may be given by the symbol Q. The 'flow rate' is sometimes abbreviated to 'flow' or 'air flow'.

In an example of patient breathing, the flow rate may be nominally positive for the inspiratory portion of the patient's breathing cycle and thus negative for the expiratory portion of the patient's breathing cycle. The device flow rate Qd is the flow rate of air leaving the RPT device. The total flow rate Qt is the flow rate of air and any supplemental air to the patient interface via the air circuit. The ventilation flow rate Qv is the flow rate of air exiting the vent to allow the exhalation gases to escape. The leak flow rate Ql is the leak flow rate from the patient interface system or elsewhere. The respiratory flow rate Qr is the flow rate of air inhaled into the respiratory system of the patient.

Flow treatment: respiratory therapy involves delivering an air flow to the entrance of the airway at a controlled flow rate, referred to as the therapeutic flow rate, which is typically positive throughout the patient's respiratory cycle.

A humidifier: the term humidifier will be considered to refer to a humidification device constructed and arranged or configured with physical structures capable of providing a therapeutically beneficial amount of water (H2O) vapor to an air stream to improve a patient's medical respiratory condition.

Leakage: the term leakage will be considered as an unintended air flow. In one example, leakage may occur due to an incomplete seal between the mask and the patient's face. In another example, leakage may occur in a swivel elbow that leads to the environment.

Conductive noise (acoustic): conduction noise in this document refers to noise carried to the patient by pneumatic paths such as the air circuit and patient interface and the air therein. In one form, the conducted noise may be quantified by measuring the sound pressure level at the air circuit end.

Radiated noise (acoustic): radiation noise in this document refers to noise carried by ambient air to a patient. In one form, the radiated noise may be quantified by measuring the acoustic power/pressure level of the subject in question in accordance with ISO 3744.

Noise, aerated (acoustic): ventilation noise in this document refers to noise generated by air flow through any vent, such as a vent hole of a patient interface.

Oxygen enriched air: air having an oxygen concentration greater than atmospheric (21%) such as at least about 50% oxygen, at least about 60% oxygen, at least about 70% oxygen, at least about 80% oxygen, at least about 90% oxygen, at least about 95% oxygen, at least about 98% oxygen, or at least about 99% oxygen. "oxygen-enriched air" is sometimes referred to simply as "oxygen".

Medical oxygen: medical oxygen is defined as oxygen-enriched air having an oxygen concentration of 80% or more.

Patient: a person, whether or not they have a respiratory disorder.

Pressure: force per unit area. The pressure can be expressed in units of a range including cmH2O, g-f/cm2 and hPa. 1cmH2O is equal to 1g-f/cm2 and is about 0.98 hPa (1 hPa=100 Pa=100N/m2=1 mbar-0.001 atm). In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, pressures are given in cmH 2O.

The pressure in the patient interface is denoted by the symbol Pm and the therapeutic pressure by the symbol Pt, the therapeutic pressure being denoted by the target value to which the interface pressure Pm is to be reached at the present moment.

Respiratory pressure treatment: the air supply is applied to the inlet of the airway at a therapeutic pressure that is generally positive relative to the atmosphere.

Breathing machine: mechanical means for providing pressure support to the patient to perform some or all of the respiratory effort.

5.9.1.1 material

Silicone or silicone elastomer: a synthetic rubber. In the present specification, reference to silicone refers to Liquid Silicone (LSR) or Compression Molded Silicone (CMSR). One form of commercially available LSR is SILASTIC (included in the range of products sold under this trademark), manufactured by Dow Corning corporation (Dow Corning). Another manufacturer of LSR is the Wacker group (Wacker). Unless otherwise specified to the contrary, an exemplary form of LSR has a shore a (or type a) indentation hardness ranging from about 35 to about 45 as measured using ASTM D2240.

Polycarbonate: thermoplastic polymers of bisphenol-A carbonate.

5.9.1.2 mechanical Properties

Rebound resilience: the ability of a material to absorb energy when elastically deformed and release energy when unloaded.

Is resilient: substantially all of the energy will be released upon unloading. Including, for example, certain silicones and thermoplastic elastomers.

Hardness: the ability of the material itself to resist deformation (e.g., described by young's modulus or indentation hardness scale measured on a standardized sample size).

The "soft" material may comprise silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and may be easily deformed, for example, under finger pressure.

"hard" materials may include polycarbonate, polypropylene, steel, or aluminum, and may not readily deform, for example, under finger pressure.

Stiffness (or rigidity) of a structure or component: the structure or component resists the ability to respond to applied conforming deformations. The load may be a force or moment, such as compression, tension, bending or torsion. The structure or component may provide different resistances in different directions. The inverse of stiffness is the compliance.

Flexible structures or components: when allowed to support its own weight for a relatively short period of time, such as within 1 second, a structure or component that changes shape (e.g., bends) will change.

Rigid structures or components: a structure or component that does not substantially change shape when subjected to loads typically encountered in use. An example of such use may be to place and maintain a patient interface in sealing relationship with an entrance to a patient airway, such as under a load of about 20 to 30cmH2O pressure.

As an example, the I-beam may include a different bending stiffness (resistance to bending loads) in the first direction than in the second orthogonal direction. In another example, the structure or component may be flexible in a first direction and rigid in a second direction.

5.9.2 structural shape

Products according to the present technology may include one or more three-dimensional mechanical structures, such as a mask cushion or a propeller. The three-dimensional structures may be bonded by two-dimensional surfaces. These surfaces may be distinguished using indicia to describe the relative surface orientation, position, function, or some other feature. For example, the structure may include one or more of a front surface, a rear surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. In another example, the seal-forming structure may include a face-contacting (e.g., exterior) surface and a separate non-face-contacting (e.g., underside or interior) surface. In another example, a structure may include a first surface and a second surface.

To facilitate the description of the three-dimensional structure and the shape of the surface, we first consider a cross-section through the surface of the structure at point p. Referring to fig. 2B-2F, examples of cross-sections at point p on a surface are illustrated, along with resulting planar curves. Fig. 2B-2F also illustrate the outward normal vector at p. The outward normal vector at p points in a direction away from the surface. In some examples, a surface from an imagined small person's point of view standing on the surface is described.

5.9.2.1 one-dimensional curvature

The curvature of a planar curve at p may be described as having a sign (e.g., positive, negative) and number (e.g., only the inverse of 1/radius of a circle contacting the curve at p).

Positive curvature: if the curve at p turns towards the outward normal, the curvature at that point will be positive (if the imagined small person leaves the point p, they have to walk up a slope). See fig. 2B (relatively large positive curvature compared to fig. 2C) and fig. 2C (relatively small positive curvature compared to fig. 2B). Such curves are often referred to as concave.

Zero curvature: if the curve at p is a straight line, the curvature will be taken to be zero (if an imagined small person leaves the point p, they can walk horizontally without going up or down). See fig. 2D.

Negative curvature: if the curve at p turns away from the outward normal, the curvature in that direction at that point will be taken negative (if an imagined small person leaves the point p, they must walk down a slope). See fig. 2E (relatively small negative curvature compared to fig. 2F) and fig. 2F (relatively large negative curvature compared to fig. 2E). Such curves are commonly referred to as convexities.

5.9.2.2 two-dimensional surface curvature

The description of the shape at a given point on a two-dimensional surface according to the present technique may include a plurality of normal cross-sections. The plurality of cross-sections may cut the surface in a plane comprising an outward normal ("normal plane"), and each cross-section may be taken in a different direction. Each cross section produces a planar curve with a corresponding curvature. The different curvatures at this point may have the same sign or different signs. Each curvature at this point has, for example, a relatively small amplitude. The planar curves in fig. 2B through 2F may be examples of such multiple cross-sections at specific points.

Principal curvature and principal direction: the direction of the normal plane in which the curvature of the curve takes its maximum and minimum values is called the principal direction. In the examples of fig. 2B to 2F, the maximum curvature occurs in fig. 2B and the minimum curvature occurs in fig. 2F, so fig. 2B and 2F are sections in the main direction. The principal curvature at P is the curvature in the principal direction.

Area of the surface: a connected set of points on the surface. The set of points in the region may have similar characteristics, such as curvature or sign.

Saddle region: where at each point the principal curvatures have opposite signs, i.e. one sign is positive and the other sign is negative (they can walk up or down depending on the direction in which the imagined individual is turning).

Dome area: where the principal curvature has the same sign at each point, for example two regions of positive ("concave dome") or two negative ("convex dome").

Cylindrical region: where one principal curvature is zero (or zero within manufacturing tolerances, for example) and the other principal curvature is non-zero.

Planar area: a surface area where both principal curvatures are zero (or zero within manufacturing tolerances, for example).

Edge of surface: boundary or demarcation of a surface or area.

Path: in some forms of the present technology, 'path' will be considered to mean a path in a mathematical-topological sense, such as a continuous space curve from f (0) to f (1) on a surface. In some forms of the present technology, a 'path' may be described as a route or course, including, for example, a set of points on a surface. (the imaginary path of a person is where they walk on the surface and is similar to a garden path).

Path length: in some forms of the present technology, the 'path length' will be considered as the distance along the surface from f (0) to f (1), i.e. the distance along the path on the surface. There may be more than one path between two points on the surface, and such paths may have different path lengths. (the path length of an imaginary person would be the distance that they must walk along the path on the surface.

Straight line distance: the straight line distance is the distance between two points on the surface, but the surface is not considered. On a planar area, there will be a path on the surface that has the same path length as the straight line distance between two points on the surface. On a non-planar surface, there may not be a path with the same path length as the straight line distance between the two points. (for an imaginary individual, the straight line distance will correspond to the distance as a 'straight line'.

5.9.2.3 space curve

Space curve: unlike planar curves, the spatial curves do not have to lie in any particular plane. The space curve may be closed, i.e. without end points. The space curve may be considered as a one-dimensional segment of three-dimensional space. An imaginary person walking on one strand of the DNA helix walks along the space curve. A typical human left ear includes a helix, which is a left-handed helix. A typical human right ear includes a spiral, which is a right-hand spiral. The edges of the structure, e.g. the edges of the membrane or impeller, may follow a space curve. In general, a spatial curve may be described by curvature and torsion at each point on the spatial curve. Torque is a measure of how a curve rotates out of plane. The torque is signed and sized. The torsion at a point on the spatial curve can be characterized with reference to tangential vectors, normal vectors, and double normal vectors at that point.

Tangent unit vector (or unit tangent vector): for each point on the curve, the vector at that point specifies the direction from that point and the magnitude. The tangent unit vector is a unit vector pointing in the same direction as the curve at that point. If an imaginary person flies along a curve and falls off her carrier at a certain point, the direction of the tangential vector is the direction in which she will travel.

Unit normal vector: this tangent vector itself changes as the hypothetical person moves along the curve. The unit vector pointing in the direction of change of the tangent vector is referred to as a unit principal normal vector. It is perpendicular to the tangential vector.

Double normal unit vector: the double normal unit vector is perpendicular to both the tangent vector and the main normal vector. The direction of which may be determined by right hand rules or alternatively by left hand rules.

Close plane: a plane containing the unit tangent vector and the unit principal normal vector.

Torsion of space curve: the twist at a point of the space curve is the magnitude of the rate of change of the double normal unit vector at the point. It measures how far the curve deviates from the plane of close. The space curve lying in the plane has zero torsion. A space curve that deviates from the plane of close proximity by a relatively small amount will have a relatively small amount of twist (e.g., a gently sloping helical path). A space curve that deviates from the plane of close proximity by a relatively large amount will have a relatively large amount of twist (e.g., a steeply inclined helical path).

5.9.2.4 hole

The surface may have one-dimensional holes, for example holes defined by planar curves or by space curves. A thin structure (e.g., a film) with holes can be described as having one-dimensional holes. A thin structure with holes (e.g., a membrane) may be described as having one-dimensional holes.

The structure may have two-dimensional apertures, such as apertures defined by surfaces. For example, pneumatic tires have a two-dimensional aperture defined by the inner surface of the tire. In another example, a bladder having a cavity for air or gel may have a two-dimensional aperture. In yet another example, the conduit may include a one-dimensional aperture (e.g., at its inlet or at its outlet) and a two-dimensional aperture defined by an inner surface of the conduit.

5.10 other remarks

Unless the context clearly indicates and provides a range of values, it is understood that every intermediate value between the upper and lower limits of the range, to one tenth of the unit of the lower limit, and any other stated or intermediate value within the range, is broadly encompassed within the present technology. The upper and lower limits of these intermediate ranges may independently be included in the intermediate ranges, and are also encompassed within the technology, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where a range includes one or both of the limits, the present technology also includes ranges excluding either or both of those included limits.

Furthermore, where a value or values described herein are implemented as part of the technology, it is to be understood that such value or values may be approximate unless otherwise stated, and that such value or values may be applicable to any suitable significant digit to the extent that practical technical implementations are permissible or required.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present technology, a limited number of exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

Obvious substitute materials with similar properties may be used as substitutes when a particular material is identified for use in constructing a component. Moreover, unless specified to the contrary, any and all components described herein are understood to be capable of being manufactured and thus may be manufactured together or separately.

It must be noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural equivalents thereof unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials which are the subject matter of those publications. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present technology is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Furthermore, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to be independently confirmed.

The terms "include" and "comprising" are to be interpreted as: to each element, component, or step in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced element, component, or step may be present or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not referenced.

The topic headings used in the detailed description are for convenience only to the reader and should not be used to limit the topics that can be found throughout the present invention or claims. The subject matter headings are not to be used to interpret the claims or the scope of the claims.

Although the technology has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the technology. In some instances, terminology and symbols may imply specific details that are not required to practice the technology. For example, although the terms "first" and "second" may be used, they are not intended to represent any order, unless otherwise indicated, but rather may be used to distinguish between different elements. Furthermore, while process steps in a method may be described or illustrated in a sequential order, such order is not required. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such sequences may be modified and/or aspects thereof may be performed simultaneously or even synchronously.

It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present technology.

5.11[ reference symbol List ]

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Claims

1. A respiratory pressure treatment device, comprising:

a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being configured for engaging the first portion in an assembled configuration,

the first portion includes a first inner surface, a first outer surface, and a first intermediate surface between the first inner surface and the first outer surface,

the second portion includes a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and a second intermediate surface between the second inner surface and the second outer surface, an

A constraining device comprising respective inner and outer surfaces of the first and second portions, the inner and outer surfaces being configured to abut one another so as to limit lateral movement of the first and second portions.

2. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 1, further comprising a seal, wherein the seal comprises a flexible material, and wherein the seal is arranged to provide a compressive seal between the first intermediate surface and the second intermediate surface in use.

3. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 2, wherein a lateral dimension of the seal is less than a corresponding dimension of at least one of the intermediate surfaces.

4. A respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein compressive forces during assembly act on the seal in a direction generally lateral to the intermediate surface.

5. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least partially enclosed in the housing:

a blower providing a supply of air for respiratory pressure therapy;

a user interface;

an air inlet; and

a suspension system arranged for suspending the blower; and

and an air outlet.

6. The respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the user interface is mounted on the first outer surface.

7. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the seal comprises a cross-section comprising a relatively thicker region providing a base for attachment to the first portion and a relatively thinner region providing a free end or engagement surface for engagement with the second portion.

8. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the assembled configuration, lateral movement on both sides of an engagement perimeter of each of the first and second portions is continuously limited over a length of the engagement perimeter.

9. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 8, wherein in the assembled configuration, the lateral movement is restricted along at least the portion of the perimeter by engaging a surface along the perimeter of one of the first portions with a surface along the perimeter of the second portion.

10. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 9, wherein in the assembled configuration, the surfaces along respective peripheral edges of each of the first and second portions engage one another such that the engagement edge of each of the first and second portions constrains lateral movement of the edge of the other of the first and second portions on both sides.

11. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein in the assembled configuration the restraining engagement edge extends continuously along the entire perimeter of the respiratory pressure treatment device.

12. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the restraining means comprises tongue and groove engagement means between the first and second portions.

13. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 12, wherein the tongue and groove engagement device is configured in the assembled configuration, at least a portion of the tongue is received within the groove, and the groove fits tightly on both sides of the tongue, thereby forming a tortuous path for sound waves propagating through the tongue and groove engagement device.

14. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein in the assembled configuration the seal comprises a flexible material joined in a sealing arrangement along at least one peripheral edge of the first portion and the second portion.

15. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 14, wherein in the assembled configuration, the engaged peripheral edge and the seal form the compression seal.

16. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the seal comprises at least one of the following cross-sectional shapes: substantially triangular, substantially circular, substantially D-shaped, and substantially double chamfer.

17. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 2 to 16, wherein the seal comprises a cross section comprising a portion having a dimension of at least 1.5mm in any direction to limit sound penetration.

18. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 17, wherein the restraining means comprises a tongue and groove means and the seal is permanently attached to the groove or tongue of the tongue and groove means.

19. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 18, wherein the groove and/or the tongue is coated with a flexible material.

20. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 2 to 19, wherein the seal comprises a creep-prone material.

21. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 20, wherein the seal comprises TPE, TPU, or TPV.

22. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 2 to 21, wherein the seal is overmolded on a periphery of at least one of the first portion and the second portion.

23. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 2 to 22, wherein in an operational configuration of the respiratory pressure treatment device, there is a pressure differential between an inside of the housing and an ambient environment along at least a portion of the engagement edge, and the engagement edge provides noise attenuation and pneumatic sealing between the pressurized housing and ambient environment.

24. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 2 to 23, wherein the seal is a gasket.

25. A respiratory pressure treatment device, comprising:

a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion configured for engaging the first portion in an assembled configuration;

a blower for an air supply of respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the housing; and

a blower inlet muffler including a noise attenuation material configured and arranged to face a blower inlet of the blower such that an axis of the blower inlet passes through a thickness of the noise attenuation material,

wherein the first portion and the second portion of the housing each support and retain at least a portion of the noise attenuating material in the housing.

26. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 25, wherein the noise attenuation material comprises foam.

27. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 25 to 26, wherein the noise attenuation material comprises a first foam block supported by the first portion of the housing and a second foam block supported by the second portion of the housing.

28. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 27, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion comprises a slot for supporting a respective one of the first foam block and the second foam block.

29. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 27 to 28, wherein the first and second foam pieces are supported in the housing such that a front face or surface of at least one of the first and second foam pieces faces the blower inlet of the blower.

30. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the blower inlet muffler comprises a chamber arranged to face a blower inlet of the blower such that an axis of the blower inlet passes through the chamber.

31. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the chamber is rigidized.

32. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 31, wherein the rigidized wall portion of the chamber faces the blower inlet such that an axis of the blower inlet passes through the rigidized wall portion.

33. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 31 to 32, wherein the rigidized wall portion is rigidized by wall curvature.

34. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the rigidized portion includes a tongue and groove engagement between the first portion and the second portion of the housing.

35. A respiratory pressure treatment device, comprising:

the outer shell of the shell is provided with a plurality of grooves,

a blower inlet muffler including a rigidized wall portion configured and arranged to face a blower inlet of the blower,

wherein the rigidized wall portion supports and retains a noise attenuating material.

36. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 35, wherein the noise attenuation material comprises foam.

37. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 35 to 36, wherein the rigidized wall portion includes a non-planar wall profile.

38. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 37, wherein the non-planar wall profile comprises a stepped wall profile.

39. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 38, wherein the stepped wall profile comprises a plurality of steps, at least one of the steps comprising a face or wall having a domed region.

40. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein the housing includes a first portion and a second portion configured to engage the first portion in an assembled configuration, and wherein portions of the first portion and the second portion cooperate to form the rigidized wall portion.

41. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 40, wherein the first portion and the second portion are joined by a tongue and groove arrangement.

42. A respiratory pressure treatment device, comprising:

a housing;

a blower for an air supply of respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the housing;

a plurality of flow tubes at least partially enclosed in the housing, the plurality of flow tubes being disposed upstream of a blower inlet of the blower; and

a blower inlet muffler, including a noise attenuation material,

wherein the noise attenuation material is configured and arranged to face the blower inlet of the blower and the opening of at least one of the plurality of flow tubes.

43. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the noise attenuation material comprises foam.

44. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 42 to 43, wherein an axis of the blower inlet passes through a thickness of the noise attenuation material.

45. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 42-44, wherein an axis of an opening of at least one of the plurality of flow tubes passes through a thickness of the noise attenuation material.

46. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 42 to 45, wherein the blower inlet muffler further comprises a blower inlet chamber upstream of the blower inlet of the blower.

47. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 42 to 46, wherein the noise attenuation material forms at least a perimeter of an airflow path extending from the plurality of flow tubes to a blower inlet of the blower.

48. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 46 to 47, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the blower inlet chamber is rigidized.

49. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 48, wherein the rigidized wall portion of the blower inlet chamber faces the blower inlet such that an axis of the blower inlet passes through the rigidized wall portion.

50. A respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 48 to 49, wherein the rigidized wall portion is rigidized by wall curvature.

51. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein the rigidized wall portion includes a tongue and groove engagement between the first portion and the second portion of the housing.

52. A respiratory pressure treatment device, comprising:

a housing;

a blower outlet muffler including a body forming a blower outlet chamber downstream of a blower outlet of the blower,

wherein the main body and its blower outlet chamber are separate and apart from the housing,

wherein the blower outlet muffler further includes a blower outlet end suspension provided to the main body, and the blower outlet end suspension elastically supports the blower adjacent to a blower outlet of the blower, and

wherein the body comprises a different material than the blower outlet end suspension.

53. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 52, wherein the blower outlet muffler further comprises a noise attenuating material.

54. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 53, wherein the noise attenuation material comprises foam.

55. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 52 to 54, wherein the body is suspended within the housing such that a wall of the body is disposed in spaced apart relation to a wall of the housing.

56. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 52 to 55, further comprising an inlet/outlet assembly that supports the body within the housing in a cantilevered manner.

57. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 56, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly includes an outlet tube forming an outlet of the housing.

58. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 57, wherein the outlet tube includes a pressure port arranged to allow measurement of outlet pressure in the blower outlet chamber.

59. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 57-58, wherein the blower includes an axis coaxial with an axis of the outlet tube.

60. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 56 to 59, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly comprises an array of inlet tubes forming an inlet into the housing.

61. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 56 to 60, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly comprises a support perimeter and a sealing lip along the perimeter of the support perimeter to resiliently support the inlet/outlet assembly within the housing.

62. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 61, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly includes a base plate providing the support perimeter.

63. A respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 56 to 62, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly is arranged such that it is provided to the body to form a sub-assembly prior to insertion into the housing.

64. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 56 to 63, wherein the housing comprises a first portion and a second portion configured to engage the first portion in an assembled configuration, and wherein each of the first portion and the second portion supports and retains the inlet/outlet assembly in the housing when in the assembled configuration.

65. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 52 to 64, wherein the blower outlet end suspension includes a gusset portion configured to allow flexibility and relative movement to at least limit propagation of blower vibrations to the respiratory pressure treatment device.

66. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 52 to 65, wherein the blower outlet end suspension comprises an elastomeric material.

67. A respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 52 to 66, wherein the body comprises a relatively rigid plastics material.

68. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 52 to 67, wherein the blower outlet of the blower includes an axis coaxial with an axis of a blower inlet of the blower.

69. A respiratory pressure treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 52 to 68, wherein the blower outlet chamber encloses at least a portion of an air inlet passageway of the respiratory pressure treatment apparatus along which air moves prior to entering the blower.

70. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 69, wherein the inlet/outlet assembly comprises an array of inlet tubes forming an inlet into the housing, and wherein the blower outlet chamber surrounds at least a portion of the array of inlet tubes.

71. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 52 to 70, further comprising a blower inlet end suspension that resiliently supports the blower adjacent a blower inlet of the blower.

72. A respiratory pressure treatment device, comprising:

a housing forming at least a portion of the device inlet chamber and the blower outlet chamber;

a blower providing a supply of air for respiratory pressure therapy, the blower being at least partially enclosed in the device inlet chamber,

wherein the blower outlet chamber is located at a blower outlet of the blower, the blower outlet chamber including at least a portion of an intake flow path along which air moves prior to entering the blower.

73. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 72, further comprising a first plate assembly including a base plate and a blower outlet end suspension to support the blower adjacent a blower outlet of the blower, the base plate forming walls of the device inlet chamber and the blower outlet chamber.

74. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 73, further comprising a seal along a perimeter of the substrate of the first plate assembly, the seal constructed and arranged to provide a seal along the device inlet chamber and the blower outlet chamber.

75. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 73 to 74, wherein the blower outlet end suspension comprises a gusset portion configured to allow flexibility and relative movement to at least limit propagation of blower vibrations to the housing.

76. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 72 to 75, further comprising a second plate assembly comprising a base plate forming a wall of the blower outlet chamber, the second plate assembly further comprising at least one inlet tube allowing air to enter the device inlet chamber and an outlet tube allowing air to exit the blower outlet chamber.

77. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 76, further comprising a seal along a perimeter of the substrate of the second plate assembly, the seal constructed and arranged to provide a seal along the blower outlet chamber.

78. A respiratory pressure treatment device according to any one of claims 76 to 77, wherein the at least one inlet tube comprises an inlet tube array comprising a plurality of inlet tubes configured and arranged to allow ambient air to enter the device inlet chamber.

79. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 78, wherein the blower outlet chamber surrounds at least a portion of the array of inlet tubes.

80. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 76-79, wherein the blower includes an axis that is coaxial with an axis of the outlet tube.

81. The respiratory pressure treatment device of any one of claims 72-80, wherein the blower outlet chamber forms at least a portion of a blower outlet muffler, the blower outlet muffler further comprising a noise attenuating material.

82. The respiratory pressure treatment device of claim 81, wherein the noise attenuation material comprises foam.

83. The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 72, wherein the blower outlet and the blower inlet of the blower are resiliently suspended relative to the housing by respective suspensions, and each suspension includes a gusset portion configured to allow flexibility and relative movement to at least limit propagation of blower vibrations to the housing.