EP4669397A1

EP4669397A1 - ADAPTER FOR CONNECTING BREATHING TUBE

Info

Publication number: EP4669397A1
Application number: EP24759874.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stanislav Tatkov; Dimitrios BILALIS; Monique Sacha REES; Christos KAMPOLIS; Nuowei CHEN; Samuel Carey Mathew SANSON
Original assignee: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Current assignee: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-24
Filing date: 2024-02-22
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Also published as: CN120916807A; WO2024176158A1

Abstract

Respiratory support component for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the component including a component body having a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface to fluidly connect the flow chamber and the invasive airway device; an access interface to receive a supply member of the gases flow delivery system, wherein the component body has an arrangement which directs a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface such that an axis of the first gases flow and an axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident, wherein the access interface is configured to receive the supply member with a leak area formed in the access interface around the supply member. System including the respiratory support component, the gases flow delivery system and the invasive airway device.

Description

ADAPTER FOR CONNECTING RESPIRATORY TUBES

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to components and systems for respiratory support. In particular, but not exclusively, various embodiments generally relate to a component serving as an adapter or connector for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device for providing respiratory support, and to systems and methods involving the same.

Background

[0002] Some patients are treated with invasive respiratory therapy. Invasive respiratory therapy involves the delivery of a flow of gas to a patient’s airway via an invasive airway device. The invasive airway device may be, for example, an endotracheal tube (ETT), a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). [0003] Invasive respiratory therapy is often a temporary therapy for patients who are in a severe condition. When a clinician thinks that a patient no longer requires invasive respiratory therapy, they may wish to transition them to a less invasive form of respiratory therapy. One example of a less invasive form of respiratory therapy (e.g. a non-invasive respiratory therapy) is nasal high-flow therapy.

[0004] The decision to transition (i.e. wean) a patient from invasive respiratory therapy to nasal high-flow therapy may not be an easy one for clinicians. If the invasive airway device is removed from the patient too early, and the patient does not cope well without it, the invasive airway device may need to be reinserted so that the patient can be put back onto invasive respiratory therapy. This transition and re-transition can be very distressing for the patient. On the other hand, if the patient is left for too long on invasive respiratory therapy, there is a risk that they may become somewhat reliant on it - making the eventually transition to nasal high- flow therapy even more distressing.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a component or a system for respiratory support that would enable the clinician to assess whether the patient would cope well before transitioning the patient from the invasive respiratory therapy. Summary

[0006] According to various embodiments, there is provided an adapter (or a connector or a respiratory support component) for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device. The adapter including an adapter body. The adapter body including a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface couplable to the invasive airway device to fluidly connect the flow chamber and the invasive airway device; and an access interface configured to receive a supply member of the gases flow delivery system for supplying a flow of gases into the flow chamber. The adapter body having an arrangement which directs a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface such that an axis of the first gases flow and an axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident or become noncoincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow and the second gases flow and to avoid the first gases flow and the second gases flow colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike. The access interface being configured to receive the supply member of the gases flow delivery system with a leak area formed in the access interface around the supply member to serve as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber.

[0007] The leak area may be of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase. Preferably, the first predetermined maximum pressure may occur at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

[0008] The access interface may be further configured to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein. The second predetermined amount of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation and the second predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

[0009] The access interface may include an access aperture opening into the flow chamber. When the supply member of the gases delivery system is received in the access interface, the supply member may be inserted into the access aperture and the leak area may be formed between a perimeter of the access aperture and an exterior of the supply member of the gases delivery system. The leak area may be of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase. Preferably, the first predetermined maximum pressure may occur at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

[00010] The access aperture may be of a predetermined dimension to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access aperture is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein, wherein the second predetermined amount of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

[00011 ] The access aperture may be configured such that the predetermined size of the leak area may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into the access aperture.

[00012] The coupling interface may include an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber. The access interface may include an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber.

[00013] The supply member of the gases delivery system may include one or more corresponding insertion portions (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs). When the supply member of the gases delivery system is received in the access interface, the one or more corresponding insertion portions of the supply member may be respectively inserted into the one or more access apertures of the access interface with one or more gaps formed therebetween. The leak area may then be an aggregate area of the one or more gaps.

[00014] The leak area based on the aggregate area of the one or more gaps may be of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase. Preferably, the first predetermined maximum pressure may occur at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

[00015] The one or more access apertures may be dimensioned to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein. The second predetermined amount of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

[00016] At least one of the one or more access apertures may be configured such that a size of the gap is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the one or more insertion portion of the supply member are inserted into the one or more access apertures.

[00017] An aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

[00018] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

[00019] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface. [00020] An aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance.

[00021] The adapter body may include an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface. Preferably, the access aperture regulator may include a valve.

[00022] The arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may lie in a same plane.

[00023] The first predetermined maximum pressure may be a positive end- expiratory pressure (PEEP). Preferably, the PEEP may be at least 1 cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

[00024] At least one of the one or more access apertures may be of an elongated shape. The elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

[00025] The coupling interface may include a single flow aperture. The access interface may include an arrangement of two access apertures. The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may include two prongs, wherein the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may be configured to respectively receive the two prongs of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system.

[00026] The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may be a nasal cannula with the two prongs. Each access aperture may be dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong. A combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the gases flow delivery interface may form the leak area serving as the flow exit.

[00027] The arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may lie in a same plane.

[00028] At least one of the two access apertures may be configured such that the predetermined gap may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the two prongs of the supply member is inserted into the arrangement of the two access apertures.

[00029] The adapter body may be free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

[00030] The coupling interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[00031] The access interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[00032] The access interface may include an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture. The first access aperture and the second access aperture may be of different dimensions.

[00033] A side of the adapter body having the access interface may include an elongated face. A common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the adapter body.

[00034] The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may include at least two prongs having different dimensions.

[00035] The leak area may further serve as a flow exit for a portion of the second gases flow that has entered the flow chamber and is forced back out of the flow chamber by the first gases flow.

[00036] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the coupling interface and a central axis of the access interface may be noncoincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[00037] When the access interface includes an access aperture, the coupling interface may include a flow aperture. The central axis of the coupling interface may pass through a centre of the flow aperture of the coupling interface. The central axis of the access interface may pass through a centre of the access aperture of the gases flow delivery interface. [00038] When the access interface includes an arrangement of one or more access apertures and the coupling interface includes an arrangement of one or more flow apertures, the central axis of the coupling interface may pass through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface, and the central axis of the access interface may pass through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

[00039] When the access interface includes an arrangement of two or more access apertures and the coupling interface includes a flow apertures, the central axis of the coupling interface may pass through a centre of the flow aperture of the coupling interface, and the central axis of the access interface may pass through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

[00040] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface may be laterally off-set in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[00041] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface may form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[00042] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the flow chamber may be shaped, and the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[00043] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape. [00044] The flow chamber may have a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

[00045] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[00046] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape. The coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[00047] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape. The coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[00048] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[00049] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[00050] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape. Preferably, the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being substantially parallel with respect to each other. Preferably, the flow chamber may have an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the substantially circular shape of the flow chamber.

[00051] The flow chamber may have a substantially arc shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape. The coupling interface may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface may be offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape. Preferably, the flow chamber may include an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

[00052] The flow chamber may have an elongated shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[00053] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in an opposing manner. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface may form an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[00054] The flow chamber may have a funnel shape. The coupling interface may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other. [00055] The adapter body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[00056] The adapter body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure. Preferably, the flow guide arrangement may at least partly define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber to respectively direct the first gases flow and the second gases flow in a manner such that the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident at least when the first gases flow and the second gases flow meet or intersect. Preferably, the first flow path and the second flow path may be defined by a relative disposition of the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface, and the access interface. Preferably, the first flow path may extend from the coupling interface to the flow guide arrangement and the second flow path may extend from the access interface to the flow guide arrangement. Optionally, the first flow path may extend between the coupling interface and the access interface, and the second flow path may extend between the access interface and the coupling interface.

[00057] The adapter body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure. The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber. The first flow path and second flow path may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

[00058] The first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and the second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path may interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[00059] The flow guide arrangement may include at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[00060] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure. [00061] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[00062] The coupling interface may include a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure. The surrounding wall may define a hollow passage therewithin.

[00063] The access interface may include a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure. The surrounding wall may define a hollow passage therewithin.

[00064] The access interface may include a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the access interface. The flow regulating member may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

[00065] A retaining arrangement may be disposed at the adapter body. The retaining arrangement may be engageable with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface. The retaining arrangement may include an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

[00066] The retaining arrangement may include a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

[00067] The axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow may be non-coincident at least at or immediately prior to the point when the first gases flow and the second gases flow merge or meet or interact or interest within the flow chamber.

[00068] The axis of the first gases flow upon entering the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow upon entering the flow chamber may be noncoincident with respect to each other.

[00069] The axis of the first gases flow extending from the coupling interface into the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow extending from the access interface into the flow chamber may be non-coincident with respect to each other.

[00070] Each of the first gases flow and the second gases flow may be linear or curved. Each of the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow may be an axis of projection, a centreline, or a tangent of the respective flow.

[00071] The access interface may include an access aperture opening into the flow chamber and the coupling interface may include a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber. A hole-axis of the access aperture and a hole-axis of the flow aperture may be non-coincident with respect to each other so as to direct the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and the second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface such that the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow may be non-coincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber.

[00072] The adapter body may have a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the adapter body, wherein the first modular part may include the access interface and the second modular part may include the coupling interface.

[00073] According to various embodiments, there is provided a system for providing respiratory support. The system including an invasive airway device capable of maintaining an open airway for a user, a gases flow delivery system capable of supplying a gases flow, and an adapter (or a connector or a respiratory support component) connecting the gases flow delivery system to the invasive airway device. The adapter including an adapter body. The adapter body including a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface configured to be coupled to the invasive airway device to fluidly connect the flow chamber and the invasive airway device; and an access interface configured to receive therein a supply member of the gases flow delivery system for supplying the gases flow into the flow chamber. The adapter body having an arrangement configured to direct an exhalation flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface from the invasive airway device and a gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface from the gases flow delivery system flow such that an axis of the exhalation flow and an axis of the gases flow are non-coincident or become noncoincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the exhalation flow and the gases flow and to avoid the exhalation flow and the gases flow colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike. The access interface being configured to receive the supply member of the gases flow delivery system with a leak area formed in the access interface around the supply member to serve as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber.

[00074] The leak area may be of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase. Preferably, the first predetermined maximum pressure may occur at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

[00075] The access interface may be configured to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases flow delivery system being received therein. The second predetermined amount of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

[00076] The access interface may include an access aperture opening into the flow chamber. The supply member may be inserted into the access aperture and the leak area may be formed between a perimeter of the access aperture and an exterior of the supply member of the gases delivery system. The leak area may be of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase. Preferably, the first predetermined maximum pressure may occur at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

[00077] The access aperture may be configured to have a predetermined dimension to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access aperture is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being inserted therein. The second predetermined amount of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

[00078] The access aperture may be configured such that a size of the leak area is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into the access aperture.

[00079] The coupling interface may include an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber. The access interface may include an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber.

[00080] The supply member may have one or more corresponding insertion portions (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs). The one or more corresponding insertion portions may be respectively inserted into the one or more access apertures with one or more gaps formed therebetween. The leak area may be an aggregate area of the one or more gaps. The leak area may be of a predetermined size for a given aggregate dimensions of the one or more insertion portions of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase. Preferably, the first predetermined maximum pressure may occur at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

[00081] The one or more access apertures may be dimensioned to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein. The second predetermined amount of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

[00082] At least one of the one or more access apertures may be configured such that a size of the gap is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system.

[00083] An aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

[00084] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

[00085] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

[00086] An aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance. [00087] The adapter body may include an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface. Preferably, the access aperture regulator may include a valve.

[00088] The supply member may be swappable such that supply members with insertion portions (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs) having different dimensions are capable of being swapped out and exchange for inserting into the one or more access apertures so as to vary the aggregate area of the one or more gaps.

[00089] The first predetermined maximum pressure may be a positive end- expiratory pressure (PEEP). Preferably, the PEEP may be at least 1 cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

[00090] At least one of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be of an elongated shape. The elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

[00091] The coupling interface may include a single flow aperture. The access interface may include an arrangement of two access apertures. The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may include two prongs. The two prongs of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system may be respectively inserted into the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface.

[00092] The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may be a nasal cannula with the two prongs.

[00093] Each access aperture and a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system may be dimensioned relative to each other in a manner such that each access aperture receives the corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system to define a predetermined leak area around the corresponding prong.

[00094] A combined area of the predetermined leak areas of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the gases flow delivery interface may form the leak area serving as the flow exit.

[00095] The two prongs of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system may have different dimensions.

[00096] The arrangement of the two access apertures of the gases flow delivery interface may lie in a same plane. [00097] At least one of the two access apertures may be configured such that the predetermined leak area is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the two prongs of the supply member is inserted into the arrangement of the two access apertures.

[00098] The adapter body may be free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

[00099] The coupling interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000100] The access interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000101] The access interface may include an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture. The first access aperture and the second access aperture may be of different dimensions.

[000102] A side of the adapter body having the access interface may include an elongated face. A common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the adapter body.

[000103] The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may include at least two prongs having different dimensions.

[000104] The leak area may further serve as a flow exit for a portion of the gases flow that has entered the flow chamber and is forced back out of the flow chamber by the exhalation flow.

[000105] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the coupling interface and a central axis of the access interface are noncoincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000106] When the access interface includes an access aperture and the coupling interface includes a flow aperture. The central axis of the coupling interface may pass through a centre of the flow aperture of the coupling interface. The central axis of the access interface may pass through a centre of the access aperture of the gases flow delivery interface.

[000107] When the access interface includes an arrangement of one or more access apertures and the coupling interface includes an arrangement of one or more flow apertures, the central axis of the coupling interface may pass through a centre of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface. The central axis of the access interface may pass through a centre of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

[000108] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface may be laterally off-set in order for axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000109] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface may form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000110] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the flow chamber may be shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be noncoincident.

[000111] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

[000112] The flow chamber may have a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

[000113] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000114] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape. The coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000115] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape. The coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[000116] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000117] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other. [000118] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[000119] The flow chamber may have an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

[000120] The flow chamber may have a substantially arc shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape. The coupling interface may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface may be offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

[000121] The flow chamber may include an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

[000122] The flow chamber may have an elongated shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other. [000123] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface may form an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000124] The flow chamber may have a funnel shape. The coupling interface may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber. The coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

[000125] The adapter body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure. [000126] The adapter body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure. The flow guide arrangement may at least partly define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber to respectively direct the exhalation flow and the gases flow in a manner such that the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow are non-coincident at least when the exhalation flow and the gases flow meet or intersect. Preferably, the first flow path and the second flow path may be defined by a relative disposition of the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface, and the access interface. Preferably, the first flow path may extend from the coupling interface to the flow guide arrangement and the second flow path may extend from the access interface to the flow guide arrangement.

[000127] The first flow path may extend between the coupling interface and the access interface and the second flow path may extend between the access interface and the coupling interface.

[000128] The adapter body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure. The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber. The first flow path and second flow path may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

[000129] The first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the exhalation flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and the gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path may interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000130] The flow guide arrangement may include at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[000131 ] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000132] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure. [000133] The coupling interface may include a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure. The surrounding wall may define a hollow passage therewithin. [000134] The access interface may include a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure. The surrounding wall may define a hollow passage therewithin.

[000135] The access interface may include a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the access interface. Preferably, the flow regulating member may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

[000136] A retaining arrangement may be disposed at the adapter body. The retaining arrangement may be in engagement with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface. The retaining arrangement may include an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

[000137] The adapter body may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface, the access interface and the retaining arrangement may be disposed such that the supply member of the gases flow delivery system may be retained in place, by the retaining arrangement with respect to the access interface, with a disposition to direct the gases flow through the access interface into the flow chamber in a manner whereby the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow are non-coincident.

[000138] The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may be introduced into the access interface and held in place by the retaining arrangement with a flow axis of the supply member and a central axis of the coupling interface being non-coincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000139] The flow axis of the supply member and the central axis of the coupling interface may be laterally offset from each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000140] The flow axis of the supply member and the central axis of the coupling interface may be at an angle with respect from each other so as to be non-coincident. [000141] When the coupling interface includes a flow aperture, the central axis of the coupling interface may pass through a centre of the flow aperture of the coupling interface. [000142] When the coupling interface includes an arrangement of one or more flow apertures, the central axis of the coupling interface may pass through a centre of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface.

[000143] The retaining arrangement may include a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

[000144] The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may include a nasal cannula.

[000145] The invasive airway device may include an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway.

[000146] The gases flow delivery system may include a nasal high-flow therapy system.

[000147] The axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow may be non-coincident at least at or immediately prior to the point when the first gases flow and the second gases flow merge or meet or interact or interest within the flow chamber.

[000148] The axis of the first gases flow upon entering the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow upon entering the flow chamber may be noncoincident with respect to each other.

[000149] The axis of the first gases flow may extending from the coupling interface into the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow extending from the access interface into the flow chamber may be non-coincident with respect to each other.

[000150] Each of the first gases flow and the second gases flow may be linear or curved. Each of the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow may be an axis of projection, a centreline, or a tangent of the respective flow.

[000151] The access interface may include an access aperture opening into the flow chamber. The coupling interface may include a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber. A hole-axis of the access aperture and a hole-axis of the flow aperture may be non-coincident with respect to each other so as to direct the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and the second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface such that the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber. [000152] The adapter body may have a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the adapter body, wherein the first modular part may include the access interface and the second modular part may include the coupling interface.

[000153] The first modular part may be interchangeable with one other modular part for removably coupling with the second modular part, wherein the one other modular part may have an access interface different from the access interface of the first modular part.

[000154] The second modular part may be interchangeable with one other modular part for removably coupling with the first modular part, wherein the one other modular part may have a coupling interface different from the coupling interface of the second modular part.

[000155] According to various embodiments, there is provided a method of managing a gases flow from a gases flow delivery system to an invasive patient airway device and an exhalation flow from the invasive patient airway device. The method including directing, via an arrangement of an adapter (or a connector or a respiratory support component), the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system and the exhalation flow from the invasive patient airway device into a flow chamber of the adapter in a manner such that an axis of the gases flow and an axis of the exhalation flow are non-coincident within the flow chamber; and releasing gases from the flow chamber via a leak area, wherein the leak area is within an access interface of the adapter and around a supply member of the gases flow delivery system received in the access interface. The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may supply the gases flow into the flow chamber via the access interface. The exhalation flow from the invasive patient airway device may enter the flow chamber via a coupling interface of the adapter.

[000156] The method may further include providing a predetermined level of flow resistance against a pre-defined exhalation flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface based on a predetermined dimension of the leak area.

[000157] The adapter may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the coupling interface and a central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be noncoincident. [000158] The adapter may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are laterally offset in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be non-coincident.

[000159] The adapter may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be non-coincident.

[000160] The adapter may have an arrangement whereby the flow chamber may be being shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be noncoincident.

[000161] The adapter may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber. The adapter may have an arrangement whereby the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to direct the exhalation flow along a first flow path within the flow chamber and to direct the gases flow along a second flow path within the flow chamber. The first flow path and second flow path may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be noncoincident at least when the respective gases flow paths intersect or meet.

[000162] The first flow path and the second flow path may cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the exhalation flow flowing along the first flow path and the gases flow flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000163] The adapter may include a retaining arrangement. The retaining arrangement may be in engagement with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface. The adapter may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface, the access interface and the retaining arrangement may be disposed such that the supply member of the gases flow delivery system may be retained in place, by the retaining arrangement with respect to the access interface, with a disposition to direct the gases flow through the access interface into the flow chamber in a manner whereby the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow may be non-coincident.

[000164] According to various embodiments, there is provided a respiratory support component (or adapter or connector). The respiratory support component may include a component body. The component body may include a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface at the hollow structure, the coupling interface including an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber; and an access interface at the hollow structure providing access to the flow chamber, the access interface including an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber. A central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be non-coincident. An aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than a predetermined portion of an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface. The predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area being a portion to be unoccupied during use of the respiratory support component.

[000165] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

[000166] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface.

[000167] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide a predetermined amount of flow resistance for a fluid flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and exiting the flow chamber through the access interface.

[000168] The coupling interface may include a single flow aperture. The access interface may include an arrangement of two access apertures. The arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may be configured to respectively receive two prongs of a nasal cannula.

[000169] Each access aperture may be dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the nasal cannula to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong.

[000170] A combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may serve to provide a predetermined amount of elevated flow resistance for gases exiting the flow chamber through the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface when the nasal cannula is inserted therein. The gases may include a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the nasal cannula through the access interface. The predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the two access apertures may be the combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

[000171] The arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may lie in a same plane.

[000172] The component body may be free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

[000173] The coupling interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000174] The access interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000175] The access interface may include an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture. The first access aperture and the second access aperture may be of different dimensions.

[000176] A side of the hollow structure of the component body having the access interface may include an elongated face. A common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the hollow structure of the component body. [000177] The component body may include an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the chamber access interface. Preferably, the access aperture regulator may include a valve.

[000178] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are laterally off-set from each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000179] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000180] The flow chamber may be shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are non-coincident.

[000181] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

[000182] The flow chamber may have a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

[000183] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000184] The flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000185] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[000186] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000187] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000188] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other. Preferably, the flow chamber may have an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

[000189] The flow chamber may have a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape. Preferably, the flow chamber may include an internal curved wall disposed therein along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber. [000190] The flow chamber may have an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[000191] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000192] The flow chamber may have a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

[000193] The component body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[000194] The component body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, wherein the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface of the component body may be being disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

[000195] The first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that a first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and a second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000196] The flow guide arrangement may include at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[000197] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000198] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000199] The access interface may include a flow regulating member disposed across the arrangement of the one or more access apertures. Preferably, the flow regulating member may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

[000200] The component body may include a retaining arrangement engageable with a supply member of a gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface. The retaining arrangement may include an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly. Preferably, the retaining arrangement includes a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element. [000201] The component body may have a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the component body, wherein the first modular part may include the access interface and the second modular part may include the coupling interface.

[000202] At least one access aperture of the access interface may be of an elongated shape. The elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

[000203] According to various embodiments, there is provided an adapter (or a connector or a respiratory support component). The adapter may include a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber; and an access aperture opening into the flow chamber, the access aperture being for receiving a supply member of a gases delivery system. The flow aperture and the access aperture may be disposed relative to each other, and/or the adapter may further include one or more internal flow directing elements to direct a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access aperture such that an axis of the first gases flow and an axis of the second gases flow may be non-coincident or may become non-coincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow and the second gases flow and to avoid the first gases flow and the second gases flow colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike. The access aperture may be configured to form a predetermined leak area between a perimeter of the access aperture and an exterior of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the supply member of the gases delivery system is inserted into the access aperture. The supply member may be of a given dimension. The predetermined leak area may serve as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber. The predetermined leak area may be of a predetermined size to provide a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second gases flow is a gases flow supplied by the supply member of the gases delivery system. The access aperture may be of a predetermined dimension to provide a predetermined level of flow resistance for the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture when the access aperture is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein. The predetermined level of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the flow chamber is without the second gases flow being supplied into the flow chamber.

[000204] The access aperture may be configured such that the predetermined size of the predetermined leak area may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into the access aperture.

[000205] An aperture area of the flow aperture may be larger than an aperture area of the access aperture.

[000206] The aperture area of the flow aperture may be smaller than a cross- sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

[000207] The aperture area of the access aperture is smaller than a cross- sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

[000208] The aperture area of the flow aperture may be larger than the aperture area of the access aperture by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined maximum pressure.

[000209] The adapter may include an access aperture regulator for varying the aperture area of the access aperture. The access aperture regulator may include a valve.

[000210] The first predetermined maximum pressure may be a positive end- expiratory pressure (PEEP). The PEEP may be at least 1 cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

[000211] The adapter may be free of additional inlet or outlet apertures for the flow chamber, other than the flow aperture and the access aperture.

[000212] The flow aperture and the access aperture may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of the access aperture may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000213] The central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture may be laterally off-set from each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident. [000214] The central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture may form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000215] The flow chamber may be shaped and the flow aperture and the access aperture may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of the access aperture may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be noncoincident.

[000216] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

[000217] The flow chamber may have a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

[000218] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000219] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access aperture may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000220] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access aperture may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being parallel with respect to each other.

[000221] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000222] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000223] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape. The flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being parallel with respect to each other. Preferably, the flow chamber may have an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

[000224] The flow chamber may have a substantially arc shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the flow aperture may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access aperture may be offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape. Preferably, the flow chamber may include an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

[000225] The flow chamber may have an elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being parallel with respect to each other. [000226] The flow aperture and the access aperture may be disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented such that the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture may form an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000227] The flow chamber may have a funnel shape, wherein the flow aperture may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access aperture may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

[000228] The one or more flow directing elements, the flow aperture and the access aperture may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and second flow path may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be noncoincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

[000229] The first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the first gases flow via the flow aperture flowing along the first flow path and the second gases flow via the access aperture concurrently flowing along the second flow path may interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000230] The flow directing element may include at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[000231] The flow directing element may include one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000232] The flow directing element may include one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000233] The adapter may include a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the access aperture. Preferably, the flow regulating member includes may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure. [000234] The adapter may include a retaining arrangement disposed at the hollow structure, wherein the retaining arrangement may be engageable with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access aperture so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access aperture. The retaining arrangement may include an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

[000235] The retaining arrangement may include a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

[000236] The hollow structure may have a first modular section and a second modular section removably coupled together to form the hollow structure, wherein the access aperture is at the first modular section of the hollow structure and the flow aperture is at the second modular section of the hollow structure.

[000237] At least one access aperture of the access interface may be of an elongated shape. The elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

[000238] According to various embodiments, there is provided an adapter (or a connector or a respiratory support component). The adapter including a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber; and an arrangement of two access apertures opening into the flow chamber, the arrangement of two access apertures being for respectively receiving two insertion portions of a supply member of a gases delivery system. The flow aperture and the arrangement of two access apertures may be disposed relative to each other, and/or the adapter may further include one or more internal flow directing elements to direct a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the arrangement of two access apertures such that an axis of the first gases flow and an axis of the second gases flow may be non-coincident or may become non-coincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow and the second gases flow and to avoid the first gases flow and the second gases flow colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike. Each of the two access apertures may be configured to form a predetermined gap between a perimeter of said access aperture and an exterior of the corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the respective insertion portions of the supply member of the gases delivery system are inserted into the respective access apertures. Each of the insertion portions of the supply member may be of a given dimension. A combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures may form a predetermined leak area serving as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber. The predetermined leak area may be of a predetermined size to provide a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second gases flow is a gases flow supplied by the supply member of the gases delivery system. The two access apertures may be of a predetermined dimension to provide a predetermined level of flow resistance for the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture when the two access apertures are without the corresponding insertion portions of the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein. The predetermined level of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the flow chamber is without the second gases flow being supplied into the flow chamber.

[000239] At least one of the two access apertures may be configured such that the predetermined gap may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into said access aperture.

[000240] An aperture area of the flow aperture may be larger than an aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures.

[000241] The aperture area of the flow aperture may be smaller than a cross- sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

[000242] The aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

[000243] The aperture area of the flow aperture may be larger than the aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined maximum pressure.

[000244] The adapter may further include an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures. Preferably, the access aperture regulator may include a valve. [000245] The first predetermined maximum pressure may be a positive end- expiratory pressure (PEEP). The PEEP may be at least 1 cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

[000246] The adapter may be free of additional inlet or outlet apertures for the flow chamber, other than the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures.

[000247] The flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be noncoincident.

[000248] The central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures may pass through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures. [000249] The central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures may be laterally off-set from each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000250] The central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures may form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000251] The flow chamber may be shaped and the flow aperture and arrangement of the two access apertures may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of arrangement of the two access apertures may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

[000252] The central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures may pass through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures. [000253] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape. [000254] The flow chamber may have a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

[000255] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semicircular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000256] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and arrangement of the two access apertures is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being nonparallel with respect to each other.

[000257] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being parallel with respect to each other.

[000258] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000259] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000260] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape. Preferably, the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being parallel with respect to each other. Preferably, the flow chamber may have an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

[000261] The flow chamber may have a substantially arc shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the flow aperture may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the arrangement of the two access apertures is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape. Preferably, the flow chamber may include an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

[000262] The flow chamber may have an elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being parallel with respect to each other. [000263] The flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented such that the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be noncoincident.

[000264] The flow chamber may have a funnel shape, wherein the flow aperture may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

[000265] The one or more flow directing elements, the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and second flow path may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective gases paths intersect or meet.

[000266] The first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the first gases flow via the flow aperture flowing along the first flow path and the second gases flow via the arrangement of the two access apertures concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000267] The flow directing element may include at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[000268] The flow directing element may include one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000269] The flow directing element may include one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000270] The adapter may include a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the arrangement of the two access apertures. Preferably, the flow regulating member may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

[000271] The adapter may further include a retaining arrangement disposed at the hollow structure, wherein the retaining arrangement may be engageable with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the arrangement of the two apertures so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the arrangement of the two apertures. The retaining arrangement may include an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

[000272] The retaining arrangement may include a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

[000273] The hollow structure may have a first modular section and a second modular section removably coupled together to form the hollow structure, wherein the arrangement of two access apertures is at the first modular section of the hollow structure and the flow aperture is at the second modular section of the hollow structure.

[000274] At least one of the two access apertures may be of an elongated shape. The elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

[000275] A side of the hollow structure having the two access apertures may include an elongated face. A common external tangent of the two access apertures may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the hollow structure.

[000276] According to various embodiments, there is provided a respiratory support component (or an adapter or a connector). The respiratory support component including a component body. The component body including a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface at the hollow structure, the coupling interface including an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber; and an access interface at the hollow structure providing access to the flow chamber, the access interface including an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber. A hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures and a hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures are non-coincident. An aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than a predetermined portion of an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface. The predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area being a portion to be unoccupied during use of the respiratory support component. [000277] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

[000278] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface.

[000279] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide a predetermined amount of flow resistance for a fluid flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and exiting the flow chamber through the access interface.

[000280] The coupling interface may include a single flow aperture.

[000281] The access interface may include an arrangement of two access apertures. The arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may be configured to respectively receive two prongs of a nasal cannula.

[000282] Rach access aperture may be dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the nasal cannula to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong.

[000283] A combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may serve to provide a predetermined amount of elevated flow resistance for gases exiting the flow chamber through the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface when the nasal cannula is inserted therein. The gases may include a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the nasal cannula through the access interface. The predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the two access apertures may be the combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

[000284] The arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may lie in a same plane.

[000285] The component body may be free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface. [000286] The coupling interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000287] The access interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000288] The access interface may include an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture, wherein the first access aperture and the second access aperture may be of different dimensions.

[000289] A side of the component body having the access interface may include an elongated face. A common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the component body.

[000290] The component body may include an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the chamber access interface.

[000291] The access aperture regulator may include a valve. The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be laterally off-set from each other so as to be noncoincident.

[000292] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may form an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000293] The flow chamber may be shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be non-coincident.

[000294] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

[000295] The flow chamber may have a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

[000296] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000297] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000298] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other. [000299] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being nonparallel with respect to each other.

[000300] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000301] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other. Preferably, the flow chamber may have an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

[000302] The flow chamber may have a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape. Preferably, the flow chamber may include an internal curved wall disposed therein along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber. [000303] The flow chamber may have an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[000304] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000305] The flow chamber may have a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

[000306] The component body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[000307] The component body may include a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, wherein the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface of the component body may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path may be non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

[000308] The first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that a first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and a second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path may interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000309] The flow guide arrangement may include at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

[000310] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure. [000311] The flow guide arrangement may include one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

[000312] The access interface may include a flow regulating member disposed across the arrangement of the one or more access apertures. Preferably, the flow regulating member may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure. [000313] The component body may include a retaining arrangement engageable with a supply member of a gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface. The retaining arrangement may include an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly. The retaining arrangement may include a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

[000314] The component body may have a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the component body, wherein the first modular part includes the access interface and the second modular part includes the coupling interface.

[000315] At least one access aperture of the access interface may be of an elongated shape. The elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

[000316] According to various embodiments, there is provided a respiratory support component (or an adapter or a connector). The respiratory support component may include a component body. The component body may include a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface at the hollow structure, the coupling interface including an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber; and an access interface at the hollow structure providing access to the flow chamber, the access interface including an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber. The flow chamber may include a flow guide arrangement including at least one of an internal wall, a baffle, a deflector, a notch, and I or a protrusion. An aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than effective portion of an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface. The predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area being a portion to be unoccupied during use of the respiratory support component.

[000317] The flow guide arrangement may be located substantially between at least one flow aperture and at least one access aperture.

[000318] The flow guide arrangement may be disposed to block a direct straight path extending between the at least one flow aperture and the at least one access aperture.

[000319] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

[000320] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface.

[000321 ] The aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface may be larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide a predetermined amount of flow resistance for a fluid flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and exiting the flow chamber through the access interface.

[000322] The coupling interface may include a single flow aperture.

[000323] The access interface may include an arrangement of two access apertures. The arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may be configured to respectively receive two prongs of a nasal cannula.

[000324] Each access aperture may be dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the nasal cannula to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong.

[000325] A combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface may serve to provide a predetermined amount of elevated flow resistance for gases exiting the flow chamber through the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface when the nasal cannula is inserted therein. The gases may include a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the nasal cannula through the access interface. The predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the two access apertures may be the combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

[000326] The arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may lie in a same plane.

[000327] The component body may be free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

[000328] The coupling interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000329] The access interface and the hollow structure may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

[000330] The access interface may include an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture, wherein the first access aperture and the second access aperture may be of different dimensions.

[000331] A side of the component body having the access interface may include an elongated face. A common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the component body.

[000332] The component body may include an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the chamber access interface. Preferably, the access aperture regulator may include a valve.

[000333] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may be laterally off-set from each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000334] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface may form an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident. [000335] The flow chamber may be shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are non-coincident.

[000336] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

[000337] The flow chamber may have a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

[000338] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000339] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000340] The flow chamber may have a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[000341] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000342] The flow chamber may have a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

[000343] The flow chamber may have a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other. Preferably, the flow chamber may have an internal substantially circular wall serving as the flow guide arrangement, the internal circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

[000344] The flow chamber may have a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

[000345] The flow chamber may include an internal curved wall serving as the flow guide arrangement, the internal curved wall being disposed therein along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

[000346] The flow chamber may have an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

[000347] The coupling interface and the access interface may be disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000348] The flow chamber may have a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface may be oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

[000349] The flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface of the component body may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path may be noncoincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet. [000350] The first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that a first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and a second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path may interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000351] The access interface may include a flow regulating member disposed across the arrangement of the one or more access apertures. Preferably, the flow regulating member may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

[000352] The component body may further include a retaining arrangement engageable with a supply member of a gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface. The retaining arrangement may include an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly. Preferably, the retaining arrangement includes a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element. [000353] The component body may have a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the component body, wherein the first modular part includes the access interface and the second modular part includes the coupling interface.

[000354] At least one access aperture of the access interface may be of an elongated shape. The elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

[000355] According to various embodiments, there is provided a kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device. The kit may include the respiratory support component (or the adapter or the connector) of the various embodiments as described herein.

[000356] The kit may include one other modular part or modular section having an access interface, wherein the access interface of the other modular part or modular section may be different from that of the respiratory support component (or the adapter or the connector).

[000357] The kit may include one other modular part or modular section having a coupling interface, wherein the interface of the other modular part or modular section may be different from that of the respiratory support component (or the adapter or the connector).

[000358] According to various embodiments, there is provided a method of assessing whether a patient is ready to transition away from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy, the method including: providing the high-flow therapy via a supply member of a gases flow delivery system, through an adapter or a respiratory support component, into an invasive airway device, the adapter or the respiratory support component being connected to the invasive airway device via a coupling interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component, and the supply member being connected to the adapter or the respiratory support component via an access interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component; monitoring at least one parameter of the patient; and determining whether the at least one parameter of the patient is within an acceptable or expected range, so as to assess whether the patient is ready to transition away from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy.

[000359] The at least one parameter of the patient may include one or a combination of any two or more of an airway pressure, a respiratory rate, a tidal volume, a minute ventilation, a respiratory gas parameter (e.g. a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)), a blood gas parameter (e.g. an oxygen saturation (SpO2)), or a heart rate.

[000360] The method may further include determining whether the patient is ready to transition from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy based on a determination that the at least one parameter of the patient is within the acceptable or expected range.

[000361 ] The method may further include transitioning the patient to the high-flow therapy by either continuing the high-flow therapy via the supply member through the adapter or the respiratory support component into the invasive airway device or placing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system onto the patient’s face so as to provide the high-flow therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth.

[000362] The adapter or the respiratory support component may be according to the various embodiments as described herein. [000363] The method may further include obtaining a baseline measurement of the at least one parameter of the patient prior to connecting the adapter or the respiratory support component to the invasive airway device.

[000364] A three-way connector may be connected between the invasive airway device and the coupling interface of the respiratory support component (or adapter or connector), whereby a first port of the three-way connector may be connected to the invasive airway device and a second port of the three-way connector may be connected to the coupling interface. A pressure line may be connected to a third port of the three-way connector for measuring a pressure. The three-way connector may be a T-piece.

[000365] The gases flow delivery system may provide the high-flow therapy at a flow rate range of about 5 LPM to about 150 LPM, or about 10 LPM to about 120 LPM, or about 15 LPM to about 95 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 25 LPM to about 85 LPM, or about 30 LPM to about 80 LPM, or about 35 LPM to about 75 LPM, or about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 45 LPM to about 65 LPM, or about 50 LPM to about 60 LPM.

[000366] The method may include that providing the high-flow therapy may include stepping up a flow rate incrementally over a series of predetermined flow rate levels, wherein a predetermined acceptable or expected range of the at least one parameter of the patient is associated with each predetermined flow rate level. Supplemental therapy may correspondingly be step up to complement the stepping up of the flow rate incrementally over the series of predetermined flow rate levels. The supplemental therapy may include supplemental oxygen therapy (which may be provided integrally with or as part of the high-flow therapy).

[000367] The high-flow therapy may include providing humidified gases. The humidified gases may be provided via a humidifier of the gases flow delivery system. The humidifier may be downstream of a flow generator of the gases flow delivery system.

[000368] The method may include that transitioning the patient to the high-flow therapy by continuing the high-flow therapy via the supply member through the adapter or the respiratory support component into the invasive airway device may include entering final therapy settings into the gases flow delivery system to continue providing the high-flow therapy to the patient via the adapter or the respiratory support component. [000369] The method may include that transitioning the patient to the high-flow therapy by placing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system onto the patient’s face may include entering final therapy settings into the gases flow delivery system to provide the high-flow therapy to the patient via the supply member.

[000370] The invasive airway device may include an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway. The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may include a nasal cannula. The nasal cannula may be an asymmetrical cannula. The nasal cannula may include asymmetrical nasal delivery elements.

[000371] According to various embodiments, there is provided a method of switching between a respiratory therapy via an invasive airway device and a non- invasive respiratory therapy for a patient using a supply member of a gases flow delivery system, the method including: providing gases flow via the invasive airway device with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system, through an adapter or a respiratory support component, connected to the invasive airway device, the adapter or the respiratory support component being connected to the invasive airway device via a coupling interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component, and the supply member being connected to the adapter or the respiratory support component via an access interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component; and transitioning to the non-invasive respiratory therapy by disconnecting the supply member of the gases flow delivery system from the adapter or the respiratory support component and placing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system onto the patient’s face so as to provide the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth when the patient is assessed to be ready to transition to the non-invasive respiratory therapy.

[000372] The respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device may include a high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device, and the non-invasive respiratory therapy may include a nasal high-flow therapy.

[000373] The respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device may include an invasive respiratory therapy, and the non-invasive respiratory therapy may include a nasal high-flow therapy. Accordingly, the method may include that transitioning to the non-invasive respiratory therapy may include transitioning from the invasive respiratory therapy to a high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device, and subsequently transitioning from the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device to a nasal high-flow therapy based on a determination that the patient is ready to transition to the nasal high-flow therapy according to a determination that at least one parameter of the patient is within an acceptable or expected range when the patient is receiving high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device.

[000374] The at least one parameter of the patient may include one of, or a combination of any two or more of: an airway pressure, a respiratory rate, a tidal volume, a minute ventilation, a respiratory gas parameter (e.g. a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)), a blood gas parameter (e.g. an oxygen saturation (SpO2)), or a heart rate.

[000375] The method may further include entering final therapy settings into the gases flow delivery system to provide the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the patient upon transitioning to the non-invasive respiratory therapy.

[000376] The method may further include transitioning from the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device by removing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system from the patient’s face and connecting the supply member of the gases flow delivery system to the access interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component when the patient is assessed to be having difficulty coping with the non-invasive respiratory therapy.

[000377] The gases flow may be at a flow rate range of about 5 LPM to about 150 LPM, or about 10 LPM to about 120 LPM, or about 15 LPM to about 95 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 25 LPM to about 85 LPM, or about 30 LPM to about 80 LPM, or about 35 LPM to about 75 LPM, or about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 45 LPM to about 65 LPM, or about 50 LPM to about 60 LPM.

[000378] Humidified gases may be provided by the gases flow delivery system through the supply member. The humidified gases may be provided via a humidifier of the gases flow delivery system, the humidifier being downstream of a flow generator of the gases flow delivery system.

[000379] The adapter or the respiratory support component may be according to the various embodiments as described herein.

[000380] The invasive airway device may include an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway. The supply member of the gases flow delivery system may include a nasal cannula. The nasal cannula may be an asymmetrical cannula. The nasal cannula may include asymmetrical nasal delivery elements.

[000381] According to various embodiments, there is provided a breathing assistance apparatus for delivering respiratory therapy, the breathing assistance apparatus including: a flow generator; a humidifier in fluid communication with the flow generator; a heater arrangement associated with the humidifier; and a controller configured to control the breathing assistance apparatus, wherein the breathing assistance apparatus is selectively operable between a plurality of therapy modes, the plurality of therapy modes including at least a first therapy mode and a second therapy mode, wherein, in the first therapy mode, the controller is configured to receive an input variable corresponding to a desired value of a variable humidity parameter, and the controller is configured to control the flow generator, the humidifier and/or the heater arrangement to generate gases flow based on the input variable corresponding to the desired value of the variable humidity parameter, wherein, in the second therapy mode, the controller is configured to control the flow generator, the humidifier and/or the heater arrangement to generate gases flow based on a non-adjustable pre-set value of a humidity parameter.

[000382] In the first therapy mode, the controller may be configured to receive a selection of a flow rate from a first flow rate range and control the flow generator based on the selection. In the second therapy mode, the controller may be configured to receive a selection of a flow rate from a second flow rate range and control the flow generator based on the selection. The second flow rate range may be a subset of the first flow rate range.

[000383] The breathing assistance apparatus may further include a user interface associated with the controller.

[000384] The user interface may be configured to provide a therapy mode selector for selecting a therapy mode from the plurality of therapy modes so as to operate the breathing assistance apparatus in the therapy mode.

[000385] The user interface may include a display, wherein the plurality of therapy modes may be presented in the display as options serving as the therapy mode selector for user selection. [000386] The first therapy mode and the second therapy mode may be presented in the display as alternative options under a same menu.

[000387] The second therapy mode may be presented in the display as an option in a sub-menu under the first therapy mode.

[000388] In the first therapy mode, the user interface may be configured to provide an input interface for inputting the input variable to the controller.

[000389] In the first therapy mode, the user interface may be configured to provide a flow rate input interface for inputting the flow rate from the first flow rate range to the controller. In the second therapy mode, the user interface may be configured to provide a flow rate input interface for inputting the flow rate from the second flow rate range to the controller.

[000390] The breathing assistance apparatus may further include a gases flow outlet, wherein the gases flow outlet may be configured to be couplable to an inspiratory conduit that is directly connectable to an invasive airway device.

[000391] According to various embodiments, there may be provided a gases flow delivery system for connecting to an invasive airway device, the gases flow delivery system including: the breathing assistance apparatus as described herein, wherein the breathing assistance apparatus includes the gases flow outlet; and an inspiratory conduit, wherein a first end of the inspiratory conduit is coupled to the gases flow outlet of the breathing assistance apparatus and a second end of the inspiratory conduit is configured to be directly connectable to the invasive airway device.

Brief description of the drawings

[000392] The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like features are represented by like numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown are examples only and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings, in which: [000393] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1 B show a system for respiratory support according to various embodiments;

[000394] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C show schematic diagrams of a respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000395] FIG. 3A shows a first example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000396] FIG. 3B shows a second example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000397] FIG. 3C shows a schematic front view that is representative of each of the first example of the respiratory support component of FIG. 3A and the second example of the respiratory support component of FIG. 3B according to various embodiments;

[000398] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show a third example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000399] FIG. 5A shows a fourth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000400] FIG. 5B shows a fifth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000401] FIG. 6 shows a sixth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000402] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show a seventh example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000403] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show a eighth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000404] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show an ninth example of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments;

[000405] FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 show a tenth example, a eleventh example, an twelfth example, and a thirteenth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000406] FIG. 14 shows an enlarge view of an access aperture of an access interface of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000407] FIG. 15 show a eighteenth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments; [000408] FIG. 16 show a nineteenth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000409] FIG. 17 show a twentieth example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000410] FIG. 18A to FIG. 18D show cross-sectional views at the access interface to illustrate different sizes of the supply member being inserted into the access aperture of the access interface according to various embodiments;

[000411] FIG. 18E to FIG. 18J show different configuration of the access aperture of the access interface according to various embodiments;

[000412] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19D respectively show a fourteenth example, a fifteenth example, a sixteenth example, and a seventeenth example according to various embodiments;

[000413] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20C shows schematic drawings to illustrate various relationship between the different types of flows and the different axes according to various embodiments;

[000414] FIG. 21 A, FIG. 21 AA, FIG. 21 B and FIG. 21 BB shows various schematic examples of the respiratory support component being provided with internal guides or support features according to various embodiments;

[000415] FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B show a twentyfirst example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000416] FIG. 23 shows an example of a pool of independent and interchangeable modules for a first modular part of the twentyfirst example of the respiratory support component of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B;

[000417] FIG. 24A to FIG. 24D show another example of the first modular part of the twentyfirst example of the respiratory support component of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B;

[000418] FIG. 25 shows a flow diagram of a method of assessing whether a patient is ready to transition away from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy according to various embodiments;

[000419] FIG. 26A to FIG. 26C show a sequence of the supply member being fitted to the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000420] FIG. 27A to FIG. 29C schematically show a number of different alignment elements of the respiratory support component engaging with various portions of the supply member according to various embodiments; [000421] FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B show a twenty-second example of the respiratory support component according to various embodiments;

[000422] FIG. 31 shows another example of the first modular part of the twenty- second example of the respiratory support component of FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B;

[000423] FIG. 32 shows an example of a gases flow delivery system according to various embodiments; and

[000424] FIG. 33A to FIG. 33C show an example of a breathing assistance apparatus of the gases flow delivery system according to various embodiments.

Detailed description

[000425] Embodiments are discussed herein by reference to the drawings which are not to scale and are intended merely to assist with explanation of the invention. Embodiments described below in the context of the apparatus, components, devices, and systems are analogously valid for the respective methods, and vice versa. Furthermore, it will be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, for example, a part of one embodiment may be combined with a part of another embodiment.

[000426] It should be understood that the terms “on”, “over”, “top”, “bottom”, “down”, “side”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “lateral”, “side”, “up”, “down” etc., when used in the following description are used for convenience and to aid understanding of relative positions or directions, and not intended to limit the orientation of any device, or structure or any part of any device or structure. In addition, the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[000427] In this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, references to “comprise”, “comprising” and other variations of this term are to be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively / exhaustively. Thus, “comprise” is to be understood as meaning “includes”, rather than “consists [solely] of”.

[000428] Various embodiments are generally directed to components and systems for providing respiratory support to a patient via an invasive airway device, such as an endotracheal tube (ETT), a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway (LMA). The respiratory support components of the various embodiments may be used together with or without a gases flow delivery system. When used with the gases flow delivery system, the respiratory support component of the various embodiments together with the gases flow delivery system and the invasive airway device may form the system for providing respiratory support to the patient.

[000429] According to various embodiments, the system for providing respiratory support may be used for assessing the patient’s response, e.g. to high-flow therapy, before removing the invasive airway device from the patient to transition (i.e. wean) the patient from the invasive respiratory therapy.

[000430] Further, the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may be coupled to the invasive airway device to provide respiratory support by providing a more comfortable and natural breathing experience with improved exhalation resistance (or expiratory resistance) (such as resembling that of breathing through the nares of the nose) in contrast to simply breathing out of an open end of the invasive airway device. For instance, in some examples, the respiratory support component may act as an intermediary between the gases flow delivery system and the invasive airway device. Accordingly, the respiratory support provided by the various embodiments may include providing a flow of gases from the gases flow delivery system via the invasive airway device to support the patient’s breathing and/or enhancing the patient’s breathing via the invasive airway device with more natural breathing. In other examples, the respiratory support component may be coupled only to the invasive airway device, such that air is drawn (inhaled) directly from the environment via the respiratory support component.

[000431] According to various embodiments, the components and systems for providing respiratory support may allow a clinician to run a trial transition, and assess the patient’s response to high-flow therapy, without having to actually remove the invasive airway device. Various embodiments may also allow the clinician to quickly and easily re-transition the patient back to invasive respiratory therapy if needed.

[000432] In the various embodiments, when used for high-flow respiratory support, flow dynamics within the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may tend to resemble the flow dynamics in an upper airway (or a portion thereof, notably the nasal cavities) of a patient during nasal high-flow therapy. In general, in healthy adults having ordinary respiratory function, the upper airway plays an important role in the overall respiratory cycle. Approximately half of the (desirable) expiratory resistance of normal breathing comes from the upper airway. In addition, the nasal cavities are formed such that vortex-like formations (or spinning or circulation of air) occur between incoming and outgoing air. This may allow the airstreams to relatively gently pass each other, as opposed to suddenly colliding head-on or in a directly-opposed manner, which would result in an undesired sudden spike in pressure during the respiratory cycle and which would be very uncomfortable for the patient.

[000433] In patients requiring nasal high-flow (NHF) therapy, the conventional NHF setup delivers a high-flow stream of air (and optionally supplementary oxygen) via a nasal cannula to the nostrils of the patient. The nasal cannula may advantageously provide additional expiratory resistance (particularly some specific types of cannula). The prongs of the nasal cannula are typically a loose fit in the nostrils. This leaves a relatively small (smaller than the usual nostril size) leak area around the prongs via which expired air can escape. Thus, expiratory resistance is desirably increased (since air is now trying to escape through a smaller area). If the leak area is known, then the expiratory resistance (for a given flow) may also be known or can be calculated, with the result that the desired PEEP (positive expiratory end pressure) may be achieved for a patient by varying flow rate, leak size, or both. The appropriate level of PEEP helps with deadspace flushing and with reducing work of breathing.

[000434] The respiratory support component of the various embodiments may serve as an adapter or a connector to connect a high-flow setup (i.e. a gases flow delivery system) to the invasive airway device in a manner to replicate the effects of the prongs of the nasal cannula being fitted into the nose. (The terms “adaptor” and “connector” may be used interchangeably herein to refer to the respiratory support component. Furthermore, it will be understood that while the adaptor I connector of the invention may usually be detachably connectable to other relevant components (the invasive airway device and components of the gases flow delivery system (such as prongs)), it is also possible for the adaptor I connector to be permanently attached to one of these other relevant components). For example, the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may be configured so that the prongs of the nasal cannula of the high-flow setup may be received therein without being sealed (e.g. via friction fits or gasket seal) against inlets of the respiratory support component in a manner similar to the prongs of the nasal cannula not being sealed against the nares of the nose during nasal high-flow therapy. Further, the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may be configured to receive the prongs of the nasal cannula with a desired leak area being formed to provide a desired level of expiratory resistance. As such, in various embodiments, the backpressure generated when the patient exhales via the invasive airway device through the respiratory support component may be similar to the backpressure normally generated during nasal high-flow therapy with the nasal cannula fitted into the nostrils. In other words, one of the key advantages of nasal high-flow therapy via the nasal cannula fitted to the nose - providing a desired level of expiratory resistance - may be retained, replicated or approximated in the various embodiments.

[000435] Furthermore, internal geometries of the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may be configured to prevent the incoming flow from the nasal cannula and the exhaled flow, via the invasive airway device, from the patient from meeting I colliding as directly opposing flows within the respiratory support component. Accordingly, this may prevent or avoid a sudden spike in backpressure during exhalation when using the respiratory support component with the invasive airway device and the high-flow setup. Hence, the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may enable more comfortable breathing for the patient when the high-flow setup is connected to the invasive airway device via the respiratory support component.

[000436] In the various embodiments, the flow dynamics within the respiratory support component, in use together with the invasive airway device and the high- flow setup, may approximately mimic the flow dynamics of an upper airway (or a portion thereof) during nasal high-flow therapy. Accordingly, because of the similar flow dynamics, an operator (e.g. a nurse) may not have to change the settings on the high-flow flow generator (e.g. the alarms limits) when the patient transits (i.e. weans) away from the high-flow invasive respiratory therapy to the nasal high-flow therapy via the nostrils. In other words, the settings of the high-flow flow generator may not have to be changed when switching between using it with the respiratory support component and using it for nasal high-flow therapy via the nostrils because the respiratory support component encourages airflow in a manner similar to a human nose. Hence, the time-consuming process of changing these settings may be avoided.

[000437] Further, because the flow dynamics within the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may tend to be similar to the flow dynamics in the upper airway (or a portion thereof) during nasal high-flow therapy, the patient’s response to receiving high-flow through the respiratory support component of the various embodiments with the invasive airway device may be indicative of their likely response to receiving nasal high-flow therapy via the nostrils. Therefore, the clinician may use the respiratory support component of the various embodiments to determine how a patient is likely to respond to the transition to nasal high-flow therapy via the nostrils and whether they are ready to make that transition.

[000438] Furthermore, the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may be advantageous not only for “pre-transition” testing, but also for longer-term use. For instance, with tracheostomised patients, the upper airway (and its respiratory advantages) is bypassed. Fitting a conventional adapter to the tracheostomy port may be relatively ineffective, since a) it may result in a sudden backpressure spike during expiration, which may be very uncomfortable; and b) when used with a nasal cannula, the conventional adapter may not function to provide regulation of expiratory resistance and thus provision of a desired PEEP.

[000439] Various embodiments seek to provide the respiratory support component, serving as an adapter or a connector that links the nasal cannula to the invasive airway device in a removable way. Various embodiments also seek to provide the system for respiratory support including the gases flow delivery system, the invasive airway device and the respiratory support component, whereby the respiratory support component links the nasal cannula of the gases flow delivery system to the invasive airway device.

[000440] In the various embodiments, the respiratory support component (i.e. adapter or connector) may be configured such that, when used with the nasal cannula to provide gases flow, a controlled leak area may be provided via which expired I exhaled air (and more generally air seeking to leave the interior of the respiratory support component) can escape. The controlled leak area may be provided around the prongs of the nasal cannula, or via separate, appropriately- sized (and optionally variable-size) apertures. In providing a controlled leak area, the expiratory resistance (and ultimately PEEP) may in turn be controlled. This may allow the respiratory support component to deliver high-flow therapy to the patient with similar benefits as those provided by some nasally-administered high-flow therapy systems.

[000441] Even without the cannula actually being inserted, the respiratory support component of the various embodiments may also be advantageous. Without the nasal cannula, the patient may breathe through the (empty) apertures of the respiratory support component. This may approximately mimic a patient’s nares, and thus provide a level of backpressure I expiratory resistance that is relatively similar to that normally generated by the upper airway (and in particular the nares). For e.g. tracheostomised patients who have effectively “lost” their upper airway, this may at least go some way to restoring the respiratory benefits of the upper airway.

[000442] The geometry of the respiratory support component of the various embodiments, when used as the adapter or the connector, may also help to prevent the incoming flow from the nasal cannula and the exhaled flow from the patient meeting as directly opposing flows. In turn, this helps avoid a sharp and uncomfortable pressure spike during exhalation, instead encouraging the gases flows to merge relatively gradually and ultimately move past each other. This tends to mimic the workings of the nasal passages I nasal cavity.

[000443] According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component may be advantageous both when used on its own with the invasive airway device (without the nasal cannula of the high-flow setup) and when used with the invasive airway device and the nasal cannula of the high-flow setup.

[000444] When used on its own (i.e. attached to the invasive airway device such as a tracheostomy, endotracheal tube, etc), the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) may breathe directly through the “prong apertures” (which are empty). Due to the shape and configuration of the respiratory support component, this may approximately mimic the user breathing through their nose (nasal passages and nostrils). Thus, the respiratory support component may effectively restore some of the benefits of the upper airways (particularly nasal passages), in particular a degree of “upper airway-like” expiratory resistance (due to the restriction provided by the limited cross-sectional area of the “prong apertures” (also referred to herein as “access apertures”)) and also avoidance of direct collision between incoming and outgoing gases flows and the resulting unwanted pressure spike.

[000445] When used in conjunction with the nasal cannula, in addition to the above-noted advantages, the respiratory support component may also allow the benefits of high-flow therapy to be provided, notably further leak rate control and thus controlling of expiratory resistance and PEEP. As noted above, the respiratory support component and nasal cannula combination may be beneficial both for trialling prior to extubation, and for longer-term use on e.g. tracheostomised patients. [000446] In this specification, the invasive airway devices include any device or instrument that is couplable with an airway of the user (i.e. the patient or the subject), usually bypassing the user’s upper respiratory tract and/or upper respiratory airway. Invasive airway devices may include but are not limited to devices and instruments that penetrate via a patient’s mouth, nose, throat or skin to serve as an artificial airway, such as an endotracheal tube, tracheostomy tube, or laryngeal mask, to name a few. It will be appreciated that these are examples only, and that embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to use with endotracheal tubes or tracheostomy tubes or particular invasive airway devices described herein, and may employ other invasive airway devices as would be understood by a person skilled in the art.

[000447] In this specification, the terms user, subject and patient may be used interchangeably. A user or subject or patient may refer to a human or an animal subject or patient.

[000448] In this specification, a gases flow may include, without limitation, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and/or anaesthetic agents, to name a few, or mixtures of these or other breathable gases for respiration and/or ventilation. Where reference is made to a particular gas herein, it will be appreciated that it is by way of example only and the description can apply to any gas - not just that referenced. It is to be understood that the gases flow provided to the patient may be humidified or non-humidified.

[000449] Without limitation, some indicative values of flow rates in the various embodiments can be as follows. In some configurations, the respiratory support includes delivery of the gases flow at a flow rate of greater than 0 litres per minute (greater than 0 LPM or L/min). In some configurations, the respiratory support includes delivery of gases at a flow rate of about 5 or 10 LPM to about 150 LPM, or about 10 LPM to about 120 LPM, or about 15 LPM to about 95 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 25 LPM to about 85 LPM, or about 30 LPM to about 80 LPM, or about 35 LPM to about 75 LPM, or about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 45 LPM to about 65 LPM, or about 50 LPM to about 60 LPM. For example, according to various embodiments and configurations described herein, a flow rate of embodiments of the disclosure, may include, but is not limited to, flows of at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 1 10, 120, 130, 140, 150 LPM, or more, and useful ranges may be selected to be any of these values (for example, about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, about 15 LPM to about 70 LPM, about 20 LPM to about 70 LPM, about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, about 40 LPM to about 80 LPM, about 50 LPM to about 80 LPM, about 60 LPM to about 80 LPM, about 70 LPM to about 100 LPM, about 70 LPM to about 80 LPM).

[000450] In this specification, the gases flow may include a percentage of oxygen. In some configurations, the percentage of oxygen in the gases flow may be about 15% to about 100%, 20% to about 100%, or about 30% to about 100%, or about 40% to about 100%, or about 50% to about 100%, or about 60% to about 100%, or about 70% to about 100%, or about 80% to about 100%, or about 90% to about 100%, or about 100%, or 100%.

[000451] In some embodiments, a flow rate of gases supplied or provided or delivered may generate a predetermined patient pressure of greater than 0 cmFLO. The generated patient pressure may be between about 2 cmFLO and about 20 cmH2O, or about 2 cmFLO and about 10 cmFLO, or about 2 cmF O and about 5 cmH2O, or about 5 c cmFLO and about 10 CIT1H2O.

[000452] High-flow therapy as discussed herein is intended to be given its typical ordinary meaning as understood by a person of skill in the art, which generally refers to a respiratory assistance system delivering a targeted flow of humidified respiratory gases via an intentionally unsealed (non-sealing) patient interface with flow rates generally intended to meet or exceed inspiratory flow of a patient. Typical patient interfaces include, but are not limited to, a nasal or tracheal patient interface. Typical flow rates for adults often range from, but are not limited to, about fifteen litres per minute (LPM) to about seventy litres per minute or greater. Typical flow rates for paediatric patients (such as neonates, infants and children) often range from, but are not limited to, about one litre per minute per kilogram of patient weight to about three litres per minute per kilogram of patient weight or greater. High-flow therapy can also optionally include gas mixture compositions including supplemental oxygen and/or administration of therapeutic medicaments. High-flow therapy is often referred to as nasal high-flow (NHF), humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHFNC), high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), high- flow therapy (HFT), or tracheal high-flow (THF), among other common names. The flow rates used to achieve “high-flow” may be any of the flow rates listed below. For example, in some configurations, for an adult patient ‘high-flow therapy’ may refer to the delivery of gases to a patient at a flow rate of greater than or equal to about 10 litres per minute (10 LPM), such as between about 10 LPM and about 100 LPM, or between about 15 LPM and about 95 LPM, or between about 20 LPM and about 90 LPM, or between 25 LPM and 75 LPM, or between about 25 LPM and about 85 LPM, or between about 30 LPM and about 80 LPM, or between about 35 LPM and about 75 LPM, or between about 40 LPM and about 70 LPM, or between about 45 LPM and about 65 LPM, or between about 50 LPM and about 60 LPM. In some configurations, for a neonatal, infant, or child patient ‘high-flow therapy’ may refer to the delivery of gases to a patient at a flow rate of greater than 1 LPM, such as between about 1 LPM and about 25 LPM, or between about 2 LPM and about 25 LPM, or between about 2 LPM and about 5 LPM, or between about 5 LPM and about 25 LPM, or between about 5 LPM and about 10 LPM, or between about 10 LPM and about 25 LPM, or between about 10 LPM and about 20 LPM, or between about 10 LPM and 15 LPM, or between about 20 LPM and 25 LPM. A high-flow therapy apparatus with an adult patient, a neonatal, infant, or child patient, may deliver gases to the patient at a flow rate of between about 1 LPM and about 100 LPM, or at a flow rate in any of the sub-ranges outlined above. The flow therapy apparatus can deliver any concentration of oxygen (e.g., FdO2), up to 100%, at any flow rate between about 1 LPM and about 100 LPM. In some configurations, any of the flow rates can be in combination with oxygen concentrations (FdO2s) of about 20%-30%, 21 %-30%, 21 %-40%, 30%-40%, 40%-50%, 50%-60%, 60%-70%, 70%- 80%, 80%-90%, and 90%-100%. In some combinations, the flow rate can be between about 25 LPM and 75 LPM in combination with an oxygen concentration (FdO2) of about 20%-30%, 21%-30%, 21 %-40%, 30%-40%, 40%-50%, 50%-60%, 60%-70%, 70%-80%, 80%-90%, and 90%-100%. In some configurations, the respiratory therapy apparatus may include safety thresholds when operating in manual mode that prevent a user from delivering too much oxygen to the patient.

[000453] In some configurations, the gases flow for high-flow therapy can be humidified using a humidifier downstream of the flow generator. In some configurations the gases flow may be humidified to contain greater than 10 mg/L of water, greater than 20 mg/L, or greater than 30 mg/L, or up to 44 mg/L. In some configurations the gases flow may be heated to 21 ° C. to 42° C., or 25° C. to 40° C., or 31 ° C. to 37° C., or about 31 ° C., or about 37° C. To achieve comfortable flow, a high level of humidity may be necessary to prevent drying. The comfort level of temperature and dew point may be determined from a ratio, and may be, but is not limited to, a range of 27°C - 37°C, optionally 31 °C - 37°C, optionally 33°C - 37°C, and may depend on the flow rate. In some configurations, the system may be configured to deliver gases with a relative humidity of up to 100%. In some configurations, the system may be configured to deliver gases with an absolute humidity of greater than about 33 mg/L In some configurations, the system may be configured to deliver gases with an absolute humidity of up to about 44 mg/L [000454] FIG. 1 A and FIG. 1 B show a system 100 for respiratory support according to various embodiments. The system 100 may include an invasive airway device 1 10. The invasive airway device 1 10 may be capable of maintaining an open airway for a user (i.e. a patient or a subject). According to various embodiments, the invasive airway device 1 10 may include an endotracheal tube 110a, a tracheostomy tube 1 10b, or a laryngeal mask airway. FIG. 1A shows the system 100 including the endotracheal tube 1 10a as the invasive airway device 1 10. FIG. 1 B shows the system 100 including the tracheostomy tube 1 10b as the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000455] The system 100 may include a gases flow delivery system 120. The gases flow delivery system 120 may be configured to deliver or supply or provide a gases flow. The gases flow delivery system 120 may include a supply member 122. The supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may serve as a flow outlet for the gases flow. Accordingly, the gases flow may be delivered or supplied or provided via the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. According to various embodiments, the gases flow delivery system 120 may include a flow source and a flow generator. For example, the gases flow delivery system 120 may include a high-flow generator. The flow source may be connected to the flow generator via a conduit. Accordingly, the flow generator may draw the gases from the flow source through the conduit. According to various embodiments, the flow generator may be configured to generate the gases flow to be delivered or supplied or provided via the supply member 122. For example, the flow generator may be configured to control a flow rate, pressure, etc. of the gases flow. According to various embodiments, the gases flow delivery system 120 may include a humidifier. The humidifier may be configured to condition the gases flow to a required temperature and/or humidity. The humidifier may be downstream of the flow generator of the gases flow delivery system 120. According to various embodiments, the gases flow delivery system 120 may be operable to control the flow rate, the pressure, the temperature, the humidity, etc. An example of the gases flow delivery system 120 is discussed below with reference to FIG. 32 to FIG. 33C. [000456] An example of the gases flow delivery system 120 is shown in FIG. 32. The system 120 in FIG. 32 is configured as a high flow system. Accordingly, a schematic representation of the high flow system is provided in FIG. 32. The gases flow delivery system 120 may include an apparatus 9 (or a breathing assistance apparatus for providing respiratory therapy). The apparatus 9 may include an apparatus housing 300. The apparatus housing 300 may contain a flow generator 1 1 that may be in the form of a motor/impeller arrangement (such as a blower), a humidifier 12, a controller 13, and a user interface 14. Accordingly, the apparatus 9 may include the flow generator 1 1 , the humidifier 12, the controller 13, and the user interface 14. The user interface 14 may include a display and input device(s) such as button(s), a touch screen, a combination of a touch screen and button(s), or the like. The controller 13 may include one or more hardware and/or software processors and may be configured or programmed to control the components of the apparatus 9, including but not limited to operating the flow generator 1 1 to create a flow of gases for delivery to a patient, operating the humidifier 12 to humidify and/or heat the gases flow, receiving user input from the user interface 14 for reconfiguration and/or user-defined operation of the gases flow delivery system 120, and outputting information (for example on the display) to the user. The user can be a patient, healthcare professional, or others.

[000457] With continued reference to FIG. 32, an inspiratory conduit 31 may be coupled to a gases flow outlet 21 in the apparatus housing 300 of the apparatus 9, and be coupled to a patient interface 17. The patient interface 17 may be a non- sealing interface like a nasal cannula with a manifold 19 and nasal prongs 18 for providing a high flow therapy. The nasal cannula does not completely seal with the nostrils of the user such that exhaled gases leak out from around the nasal prongs when the user exhales. As an example, the nasal cannula may serve as the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 of the system 100. The inspiratory conduit 31 may also be couplable to a sealing interface like a face mask, an oro-nasal mask, a nasal mask, a nasal pillow mask, or a nasal cannula for providing Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bubble CPAP). The inspiratory conduit 31 may also optionally be directly connectable to the invasive airway device 110 including, but not limited to, an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy interface, or others.

[000458] The flow of gases may be generated by the flow generator 1 1 , and may be humidified, before being delivered to the patient via the inspiratory conduit 31 through the patient interface 17 or the sealing interface or the invasive airway device 1 10. The controller 13 may control the flow generator 11 to generate a gases flow of a desired flow rate, and/or one or more valves to control mixing of air and oxygen or other breathable gas. The controller 13 may control a heating element in the humidifier 12, if present, to heat the gases to a desired temperature that achieves a desired level of temperature and/or humidity for delivery to the patient. The inspiratory conduit 31 may have a heating element 33, such as a heater wire, to heat gases flow passing through to the patient. The heating element 33 may also be under the control of the controller 13. The heating element 33 may heat gases to reduce and/or prevent condensation within the inspiratory conduit 31 .

[000459] As described above, the gases flow delivery system 120 may include a heater in the inspiratory conduit 31. According to various embodiments, the inspiratory conduit 31 and/or expiratory conduit may include a heater.

[000460] The heater may be a heater wire as for example shown in FIG. 32. The heater wire may be located: in a passageway of the inspiratory conduit 31 and/or expiratory conduit, attached to a wall of the inspiratory conduit 31 and/or expiratory conduit, embedded in a wall of the inspiratory conduit 31 and/or expiratory conduit. [000461] The gases flow delivery system 120 may use ultrasonic transducer(s), flow sensor(s) such as a thermistor flow sensor, pressure sensor(s), temperature sensor(s), humidity sensor(s), or other sensors, in communication with the controller 13, to monitor characteristics of the gases flow and/or operate the gases flow delivery system 120 in a manner that provides suitable therapy. The gases flow characteristics may include gases concentration, flow rate, pressure, temperature, humidity, or others. The sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 20, 25, such as pressure, temperature, humidity, and/or flow sensors, may be placed in various locations in the apparatus housing 300, the patient conduit 31 , and/or the patient interface 17. The controller 13 may receive output from the sensors to assist it in operating the respiratory system 10 in a manner that provides suitable therapy, such as to determine a suitable target temperature, flow rate, and/or pressure of the gases flow. Providing suitable therapy may include meeting a patient’s inspiratory demand.

[000462] The gases flow delivery system 120 may include a wireless data transmitter and/or receiver, or a transceiver 15 to enable the controller 13 to receive data signals 8 in a wireless manner from the operation sensors and/or to control the various components of the gases flow delivery system 120. Additionally, or alternatively, the data transmitter and/or receiver 15 may deliver data to a remote server or enable remote control of the system 10. In one example, the remote server may record patient usage data e.g. usage of the bubble CPAP system or usage of the high flow system. Usage may be usage time and/or also include flow rate and humidity level (e.g. dew point). The gases flow delivery system 120 may also include a wired connection, for example, using cables or wires, to enable the controller 13 to receive data signals 8 from the operation sensors and/or to control the various components of the gases flow delivery system 120.

[000463] The gases flow delivery system 120 may be powered from mains voltage.

[000464] In some embodiments, the gases flow delivery system 120 may include an auxiliary power source (for example a battery).

[000465] In some embodiments, the gases flow delivery system 120 may include a battery. The battery may provide the main source of power for the system 120, or may serve as an auxiliary source of power when the main source of power is unavailable. This is advantageous because therapy may be continued to be delivered, i.e. gases may be continued to be delivered to a patient even if there is a shortage or outage in mains power. This is advantageous because therapy may be maintained for a period of time for neonatal or infants thereby reducing the chances or physiological deterioration or harm occurring to these patient’s due to loss of therapy. [000466] The battery may increase portability of the gases flow delivery system 120 to allow for the system to be used in situations where a mains voltage power source is unavailable.

[000467] Having a battery power source, allows for the apparatus 9 to be portable. This may be useful in a hospital setting where infant/neonate patients may need to be moved.

[000468] The battery may also allow for the therapies described herein to be provided continuously while the patient is moved. For example a therapy type may be able to be changed as described below, while the patient is moved, while the patient is continuously provided with respiratory therapy.

[000469] The apparatus 9 may include: the flow generator 1 1 (e.g. a blower), the humidifier 12, the controller 13, the apparatus housing 300, an oxygen sensor, a gases mixer, a battery, one or more gases inlet, a gases flow outlet 21 , or any combination of the above.

[000470] FIG. 33A and 33B show an example the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120. The apparatus 9 may include the apparatus housing 300, which encloses the flow generator 1 1 . The flow generator 1 1 may include a motor and/or sensor module. The motor and/or sensor module may be non-removable from the apparatus housing 300. The motor and/or sensor module may also optionally be removable from the apparatus housing 300. The apparatus housing 300 may include a humidifier or humidification chamber bay 318 for receipt of a removable humidification chamber 310 (as an example of the humidifier 12). The removable humidification chamber 310 may contain a suitable liquid such as water for heating and humidifying gases delivered to a patient. The humidification chamber 310 may be fluidly coupled to the main housing 300 in a linear slide on motion into the humidification chamber bay 318. A gas outlet port 322 may establish a fluid communication between the motor and/or sensor module and an inlet 306 of the humidification chamber 310.

[000471] Heated and humidified gas may exit an outlet 308 of the humidification chamber 310 into a humidified gas return 340, which may include a removable L- shaped elbow. The removable L-shaped elbow may further include a patient outlet port 344 (serving as the gases flow outlet 21 ) for coupling to the inspiratory conduit, such as the inspiratory conduit 31 of FIG. 32 to deliver gases to the patient interface 17. The gas outlet port 322, humidified gas return 340, and patient outlet port 344 each may have seals such as O-ring seals or T-seals to provide a sealed gases passageway between the apparatus housing 300, the humidification chamber 310, and the inspiratory conduit 31 . A floor portion of the humidification chamber bay 318 in the apparatus housing 300 may include a heater arrangement, such as a heater plate or other suitable heating element(s), for heating the water in the humidification chamber 310 for use during a humidification process. The heater arrangement may be associated with the humidifier 12. The elbow may include one or more integrated sensors. For example the elbow may include a pair of embedded temperature sensors.

[000472] As shown in FIG. 33B, the apparatus 9 may include an arrangement to enable the flow generator 1 1 to deliver air, oxygen (or alternative auxiliary gas), or a suitable mixture thereof to the humidification chamber 310 and thereby to the patient. This arrangement may include an air inlet 356’ in a rear wall of the apparatus housing 300. The apparatus 9 may include a separate oxygen inlet port 358’. In the illustrated configuration, the oxygen inlet port 358’ may be positioned adjacent one side of the apparatus housing 300 at a rear end thereof. The oxygen port 358’ may be connected to an oxygen source such as a tank, or an oxygen blender. The oxygen inlet port 358’ may be in fluid communication with a valve. The valve may suitably be a solenoid valve that enables the control of the amount of oxygen that is added to the gas flow that is delivered to the humidification chamber 310.

[000473] The apparatus 9 may include suitable electronics boards, such as sensing circuit boards. Accordingly, the apparatus housing 300 may contain or enclose the electronic boards. The electronics boards may contain, or can be in electrical communication with, suitable electrical or electronics components, such as but not limited to microprocessors, capacitors, resistors, diodes, operational amplifiers, comparators, and switches. One or more sensors may be used with the electronic boards. Components of the electronics boards (such as but not limited to one or more microprocessors) may act as the controller 13 of the apparatus 9. One or both of the electronics boards may be in electrical communication with the electrical components of the gases flow delivery system 120, including but not limited to the display unit, the user interface 14, the motor, the valve, and/or the heater plate to operate the motor to provide the desired flow rate of gases and/or to humidify and heat the gases flow to an appropriate level and/or to supply appropriate quantities of oxygen (or quantities of an alternative auxiliary gas) to the gases flow.

[000474] As mentioned elsewhere in the specification for example with respect to FIG. 32, operation sensors, such as flow, temperature, humidity, and/or pressure sensors may be placed in various locations in the apparatus 9, the patient conduit 31 , and/or cannula 17. The electronics boards may be in electrical communication with those sensors. Output from the sensors may be received by the controller 13, to assist the controller 13 to operate the gases flow delivery system 120 in a manner that provides optimal therapy, including meeting inspiratory demand. One or more sensors (for example, Hall-effect sensors) may be used to measure a motor speed of the motor of the flow generator 1 1 . The motor may include a brushless DC motor, from which motor speed can be measured without the use of separate sensors. For example, during operation of a brushless DC motor, back-EMF may be measured from the non-energized windings of the motor, from which a motor position may be determined, which may in turn be used to calculate a motor speed. In addition, a motor driver may be used to measure motor current, which may be used with the measured motor speed to calculate a motor torque. The motor may also include a low inertia motor.

[000475] Room air may enter the flow generator 11 of the apparatus 9 through the inlet port, such as the air inlet port 356’ in FIG. 33B. The flow generator 1 1 may operate at a motor speed of greater than 1 ,000 RPM and less than 30,000 RPM, greater than 2,000 RPM and less than 21 ,000 RPM, greater than 4,000 RPM and less than 15000 RPM, or between any of the foregoing values. Operation of the flow generator 1 1 may mix the gases entering the flow generator 1 1 , such as the motor and/or sensor chamber through the inlet port. Using the flow generator 11 as the mixer may reduce the pressure drop that would otherwise occur in a system with a separate mixer, such as a static mixer comprising baffles, because mixing requires energy.

[000476] As shown in FIG. 33C, the mixed air may exit the flow generator 1 1 and enter a flow path 402 in a sensor chamber 400, which may be located in the motor and/or sensor module. A sensing circuit board 404 with sensors, such as ultrasonic sensors 406 and/or heated thermistor flow sensors, may be positioned in the sensor chamber 400 such that the sensing circuit board is at least partially immersed in the gas flow. At least some of the sensors on the sensing circuit board may be positioned within the gas flow to measure gas properties within the flow. After passing through the flow path 402 in the sensor chamber 400, the gas may exit to the humidification chamber 310.

[000477] Positioning sensors downstream of the flow generator 1 1 may increase accuracy of measurements, such as the measurement of gases fraction concentration, including oxygen concentration, over systems that position the sensors upstream of the flow generator 1 1 and/or the mixer. Such a positioning may give a repeatable flow profile. Further, positioning the sensors downstream of the combined flow generator 1 1 and mixer avoids the effect of the pressure drop that may otherwise occur when sensing occurs prior to the flow generator 1 1 and a separate mixer. Also, immersing at least part of the sensing circuit board and sensors in the flow path may increase the accuracy of measurements because the sensors being immersed in the flow may be more likely to be subject to the same conditions, such as temperature and pressure, as the gas flow and therefore provide a better representation of the gas flow characteristics.

[000478] As shown in FIG. 33C, the flow path 402 may have a curved shape. The flow path 402 may be configured to have a curved shape with no sharp turns. The flow path 402 may have curved ends with a straighter section between the curved ends. A curved flow path shape may reduce pressure drop in a gas flow without reducing the sensitivity of flow measurements by partially coinciding a measuring region with the flow path to form a measurement portion of the flow path.

[000479] The sensing circuit board 404 may include sensors such as acoustic transmitters and/or receivers, humidity sensor, temperature sensor, thermistor, and the like. A gas flow rate may be measured using at least two different types of sensors. The first type of sensor may include a thermistor, which may determine a flow rate by monitoring heat transfer between the gases flow and the thermistor. The thermistor flow sensor may run the thermistor at a constant target temperature within the flow when the gas flows around and past the thermistor. The sensor may measure an amount of power required to maintain the thermistor at the target temperature. The target temperature may be configured to be higher than a temperature of the gas flow, such that more power may be required to maintain the thermistor at the target temperature at a higher flow rate.

[000480] The thermistor flow rate sensor may also maintain a plurality of (for example, two, three, or more) constant temperatures on a thermistor to avoid the difference between the target temperature and the gas flow temperature from being too small or too large. The plurality of different target temperatures may allow the thermistor flow rate sensor to be accurate across a large temperature range of the gas. For example, the thermistor circuit may be configured to be able to switch between two different target temperatures, such that the temperature of the gas flow may always fall within a certain range relative to one of the two target temperatures (for example, not too close and not too far). The thermistor circuit may be configured to operate at a first target temperature of about 50°C to about 70°C, or about 66°C. The first target temperature may be associated with a desirable flow temperature range of between about 0°C to about 60°C, or about 0°C and about 40°C. The thermistor circuit may be configured to operate at a second target temperature of about 90°C to about 110°C, or about 100°C. The second target temperature may be associated with a desirable flow temperature range of between about 20°C to about 100°C, or about 30°C and about 70°C.

[000481] The controller 13 may be configured to adjust the thermistor circuit to change between at least the first and second target temperature modes by connecting or bypassing a resistor within the thermistor circuit. The thermistor circuit may be arranged as a Wheatstone bridge configuration including a first voltage divider arm and a second voltage divider arm. The thermistor may be located on one of the voltage divider arms. More details of a thermistor flow rate sensor are described in International Patent No. W02018052320A2, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[000482] The second type of sensor may include an acoustic (such as ultrasonic) sensor assembly. Acoustic sensors including acoustic transmitters and/or receivers may be used to measure a time of flight of acoustic signals to determine gas velocity and/or composition, which may be used in flow therapy apparatuses. In one ultrasonic sensing (including ultrasonic transmitters and/or receivers) topology, a driver causes a first sensor, such as an ultrasonic transducer, to produce an ultrasonic pulse in a first direction. A second sensor, such as a second ultrasonic transducer, receives this pulse and provides a measurement of the time of flight of the pulse between the first and second ultrasonic transducers. Using this time of flight measurement, the speed of sound of the gas flow between the ultrasonic transducers can be calculated by controller 13 of the apparatus 9. The second sensor may also transmit and the first sensor may receive a pulse in a second direction opposite the first direction to provide a second measurement of the time of flight, allowing characteristics of the gas flow, such as a flow rate or velocity, to be determined. In another acoustic sensing topology, acoustic pulses transmitted by an acoustic transmitter, such as an ultrasonic transducer, may be received by acoustic receivers, such as microphones. More details of an acoustic flow rate sensor are described in International Patent No. WO2017095241 A3, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The acoustic pulses may be transmitted along the flow path of the gases, thereby allowing the acoustic sensors to be used to measure a flow rate or velocity of the gases.

[000483] Readings from both the first and second types of sensors may be combined to determine a more accurate flow measurement. For example, a previously determined flow rate and one or more outputs from one of the types of sensor may be used to determine a predicted current flow rate. The predicted current flow rate may then be updated using one or more outputs from the other one of the first and second types of sensor, in order to calculate a final flow rate.

[000484] As described above, the flow generator 1 1 may be used as an oxygen and/or other breathable gas mixer. The flow generator 1 1 that draws in ambient air (for example from an ambient air inlet) may mix the air with oxygen from an oxygen source. This oxygen source can be from a high pressure source or a low pressure source.

[000485] When receiving oxygen from low pressure source, which may include an oxygen canister or tank, an oxygen wall source, or an oxygen concentrator, the apparatus 9 may receive a constant flow rate of oxygen. This oxygen may then be mixed with ambient air. The fraction of oxygen in the gas delivered to the patient (FdO2) can be dependent on the set flow rate of oxygen from the low pressure source, and the total flow rate that the apparatus 9 generates. The apparatus 9 may measure FdO2 and display it on the display.

[000486] When receiving oxygen from a high pressure source, which may include an oxygen canister or tank, an oxygen wall source, or an oxygen concentrator, the device may control the flow rate of oxygen by controlling the valve to the oxygen inlet port 358’ described herein. The FdO2 can be dependent on the flow rate of oxygen through the valve (which can be further dependent on the state of the valve opening), and on the total flow rate that the apparatus 9 generates. A user, such as the clinician, can set a target FdO2 on a user interface of the display, with the apparatus 9 then controlling the valve opening based on the target FdO2 and measured FdO2 in order to achieve the desired fraction of oxygen.

[000487] Oxygen concentration may be measured by a variety of sensors, such as using the ultrasonic sensors described above. More details of example methods of measuring the oxygen concentration are described in International Patent No. WO2013151447A1 , the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[000488] In some examples, the gases flow delivery system 120 may include a pulse oximeter. The apparatus 9 may be configured to connect to the pulse oximeter. The controller 13 may be configured to calculate a patient’s oxygen saturation based on at least an output of the pulse oximeter.

[000489] The apparatus 9 may control an oxygen concentration of the gases (for example by controlling the valve) to control a patient’s oxygen saturation to a target patient’s oxygen saturation. The controller 13 may use the pulse oximeter in feedback to control the patient’s oxygen saturation.

[000490] Returning to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1 B, the system 100 may include a respiratory support component 130. The respiratory support component 130 may serve as an adapter or a connector for connecting or linking the gases flow delivery system 120 to the invasive airway device 1 10. For example, the gases flow delivery system 120 as described with reference to FIG. 32 to FIG. 33C may be connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 via the respiratory support component 130. According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be coupled to the invasive airway device 1 10 and may receive the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. Accordingly, during exhalation by the user (i.e. the patient or the subject), the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system 120 may be delivered or supplied or provided to the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) and an exhalation flow of the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) may also enter the respiratory support component 130. With both flows entering the respiratory support component 130, the respiratory support component 130 may be configured for some or all of the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system to be forced back out of the respiratory support component 130 along with the exhalation flow (e.g. via a leak area to be discussed later). On the other hand, during inhalation by the user (i.e. the patient or the subject), the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system 120 delivered or supplied or provided to the respiratory support component 130 may pass through the respiratory support component 130 and be inhaled by the user.

[000491] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C show schematic diagrams of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be configured for linking or connecting the gases flow delivery system 120 to the invasive airway device 1 10. Accordingly, the respiratory support component 130 may interlink or interconnect the gases flow delivery system 120 and the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000492] According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may include a component body 132 (i.e. an adapter body or a connector body). The component body 132 may give a concrete physical form to the respiratory support component 130.

[000493] According to various embodiments, the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may include a hollow structure 140. The hollow structure 140 may define a flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the flow chamber 142 may be a space or volume surrounded or enclosed by the hollow structure 140. Hence, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may include the hollow structure 140 defining the flow chamber 142.

[000494] According to various embodiments, the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may include a coupling interface 150. The coupling interface 150 of the component body 132 may be couplable to the invasive airway device 1 10 to fluidly connect the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 and the invasive airway device 1 10. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 may be configured to couple with the invasive airway device 1 10 to establish a fluid connection between the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 and the invasive airway device 1 10. Hence, the coupling interface 150 of the component body 132 may enable fluid communication between the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 and the invasive airway device 1 10 when the respiratory support component 130 is coupled to the invasive airway device 1 10 via the coupling interface 150 of the component body 132. For example, in the system 100, the coupling interface 150 is coupled to the invasive airway device 110 for coupling the respiratory support component 130 to the invasive airway device 1 10 such that the flow chamber 142 of the respiratory support component 130 is fluidly connected to the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000495] According to various embodiment, the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may include an access interface 160. The access interface 160 may be configured to receive the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 for supplying the gases flow (i.e. a flow of gases) into the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132. Accordingly, the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be inserted into the access interface 160 of the component body 132 such that the gases flow supplied by the gases flow delivery system 120 via the supply member 122 may enter the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 through the access interface 160. Hence, the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be in fluid communication with the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 for supplying the gases flow into the flow chamber 142 when the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 is received in the access interface 160 of the component body 132. For example, in the system 100, the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 is received in the access interface 160 of the component body 132 for supplying the gases flow into the flow chamber 142 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000496] According to various embodiments, the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) may have an arrangement or a configuration which directs a first gases flow 152 (e.g. an exhalation flow or an expiration flow) entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and a second gases flow 162 (e.g. the gases flow supplied by the gases flow delivery system) entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 such that an axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and an axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be noncoincident. Accordingly, in this manner, the component body 132 may promote gradual merging of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 as well as avoid the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner, thereby preventing a sudden pressure spike. According to various embodiments, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident at the point (or region) of interaction or meeting of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162. It will be understood that reference to the “axis” of the respective gases flows does not mandate that the flows necessarily be linear. The gases flows may for example have a curved or non-linear profile, in which case their respective “axes” are noncoincident in the sense that, at the point (or region) of interaction or meeting of the gases flow, their centrelines, or the tangents to the flows at that point, are noncoincident so as to promote smooth I gradual merging and prevent collision in a substantially directly-opposed manner.

[000497] According to various embodiments, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being non-coincident generally refers to the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 not being co-axial or not having a common axis or not having coincident axes such that the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 do not collide in a substantially directly- opposed manner and thus potentially turbulently or violently. Further, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be considered as non-coincident when the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 merge or mix gradually or gently without encountering a sudden sharp increase in resistance against each other to cause a sudden sharp increase in pressure. Accordingly, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being non-coincident may include the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being laterally offset from each other, being skewed, intersecting each other at an angle, or converging to merge with each other such that the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may gradually or gently merge or mix without a spike in resistance causing a sudden spike in pressure. However, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being non-coincident may exclude the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being coaxial or having a common axis or having coincident axes at the point (or region) of interaction or meeting of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 whereby the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may be colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner. The first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may be colliding in a substantially directly- opposed manner when the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 are directed substantially head-on towards each other or when the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 are flowing directly towards each other from opposite directions whereby the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 are substantially aligned to meet or interact head-on.

[000498] However, it will be understood that it is within the scope of the invention for the respective gases flow axes 151 , 161 to be coincident or substantially coincident at a point prior to their meeting, as long as they become non-coincident or substantially non-coincident (in the sense described above) by the time the flows meet or interact or intersect in the flow chamber 142. For instance, this is schematically indicated in FIG. 2C, in which the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may be introduced into the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 respectively, whereby the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may be initially coaxial I aligned at the point of entering the flow chamber 142; but with flow guide arrangement 170 (e.g. internal baffles / structures)within the flow chamber 142 then causing the respective gases flows 152, 162 to become non-coincident within the flow chamber, prior to the gases flows 152, 162 meeting; such that, by the time the gases flows 152, 162 do meet, they are non-coincident and thus may tend to merge in a relatively gradual manner.

[000499] More generally, the gases flows 152, 162 may be caused to be noncoincident at the point of entering the flow chamber 142, such as by virtue of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 acting to laterally and I or angularly offset the respective gases flows 152, 162 (for example as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B); and I or the gases flows 152, 162 may be caused to be noncoincident within the flow chamber 142, such as via the flow chamber 152 having the flow guide arrangement 170, such as internal baffles, guides or diverting components, that cause the gases flows 152, 162 to become mutually noncoincident after they have entered the flow chamber 142 (for example as shown in FIG. 2C). The essential point is that the gases flows 152, 162 become substantially non-coincident by the time they come to meet or interact or intersect in the flow chamber 142, to achieve the effects of gradual merging and prevention of a sudden pressure spike. FIG. 2C is an example of gases flows 152, 162 that are coincident (in the sense of being aligned along a common axis) upon entry into the flow chamber 142, but which then become non-coincident by being diverted by the flow guide arrangement 170, such as internal structures, within the flow chamber 142. In other examples, the gases flows 152, 162 may be non-coincident upon entry into the flow chamber 142 and may still be diverted by the flow guide arrangement 170 so as to remain non-coincident when they meet or interact.

[000500] According to various embodiments, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 may be a centreline of the first gases flow 152 or a line of flow of the first gases flow 152, and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be a centreline of the second gases flow 162 or a line of flow of the second gases flow 162. In the system 100, the first gases flow 152 may be an exhalation flow (i.e. an expiration flow) and the second gases flow 162 may be the gases flow supplied or delivered or provided by the gases flow delivery system 120 through the supply member 122.

[000501] According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 may be configured such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident at the point (or region) of interaction or meeting of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 for avoidance of substantially directly opposed collision between the gases flows; and this may be achieved, in whole or in part, via flow dynamics within the respiratory support component 130. For example, when the second gases flow 162 (i.e. the gases flow supplied or delivered or provided by the gases flow delivery system 120 through the supply member 122) is a non-uniform flow such that a flow rate along a side of the access interface 160 is higher or greater than an opposite side of the access interface 160, the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 in the flow chamber 142 may veer towards (or favour) the side of the flow chamber 142 corresponding to the side of the access interface 160 having the higher flow rate. Meanwhile, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 in the flow chamber 142 may be urged to veer towards (or favour) the opposite side of the flow chamber 142 corresponding to the opposite side of the access interface 160 having the lower flow rate, since it is the “path of least resistance”. The net effect is that the second gases flow 162 may primarily be on the side of the flow chamber 142 corresponding to the side of the access interface 160 having the higher flow rate, while the first gases flow 152 may primarily favour the opposite side of the chamber corresponding to the side of the access interface 160 having the lower flow rate. Therefore, the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be substantially non-coincident when the two gases flows 152, 162 meet and may tend to move past one another and I or merge gradually, and in particular will not tend to collide in a substantially directly-opposed manner.

[000502] According to various embodiments, the arrangement or the configuration of the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) may refer to the relative disposition or arrangement or orientation or state or physical form of the various parts or elements of the component body 132 with respect to each other. For example, the arrangement or the configuration of the the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) may be the relative disposition or arrangement or orientation or state or physical form of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 with respect to each other; the relative disposition or arrangement or orientation or state or physical form of the hollow structure 140, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 with respect to each other; the relative disposition or arrangement or orientation or state or physical form of the coupling interface 150, the access interface 160 and the flow guide arrangement 170 with respect to each other; the relative disposition or arrangement or orientation or state or physical form of the hollow structure 140, the coupling interface 150, the access interface 160 and the flow guide arrangement 170 with respect to each other; or the relative disposition or arrangement or orientation or state or physical form of the coupling interface 150, the access interface 160 and other elements of the component body 132 with respect to each other. Various examples of the arrangement or the configuration of the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) that are capable of directing the first gases flow 152 entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident at the point (or region) of interaction or meeting of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162, are described in the following examples with reference to the drawings. However, it is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described later are examples only and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

[000503] According to various embodiments, with the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being non-coincident, the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may be prevented from meeting as substantially directly opposing flows. Typically, the flows meeting in a substantially directly opposing manner may result in a sudden spike in resistance upon initial meeting of the flows (such as due to generated turbulence and the generally violent nature of such flow collision). An increase in effort may then be required to overcome the sudden spike in resistance in order to cause the substantially directly opposing flows to subsequently mix or merge. The sudden spike in resistance may also cause a corresponding sudden pressure spike in the flows. Therefore, when the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 are prevented from meeting as substantially directly opposing flows due to the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being noncoincident at or proximate the point of meeting of the respective flows, the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may merge or mix relatively gradually and I or gently and without much resistance or with a reduced or minimised resistance. For example, with the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being non-coincident, the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may flow past or flow over each other such that the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 brush or skim pass each other, or the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may brush or skim or glide against each other and merge, or the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may intersect to cause a circulation or swirl and merge, or the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 may converge and merge. Thus, with the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being non-coincident, the sudden pressure spike associated with head-on (and potentially turbulent I violent) collision of the substantially directly opposing flows may be eliminated or prevented in the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) of the various embodiments.

[000504] In FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, it should be noted that the hollow structure 140, the coupling interface 150, and the access interface 160 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) are illustrated as arbitrary representations respectively, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating, via examples, the principles of the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being noncoincident. For example, FIG. 2A shows the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being laterally offset from each other, FIG. 2B shows the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being at an angle with respect to each other, and FIG. 2C shows the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being initially coaxial upon entry and becoming non-coincident by the time they come to meet or interact or intersect due to being diverted by the flow guide arrangement 170 within the flow chamber 142. Further, with reference to FIG. 2C, it is to be understood that, without the flow guide arrangement 170, it may still be possible for the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to be initially coaxial upon entry and become non-coincident by the time they come to meet or interact or intersect due to the flow dynamics within the respiratory support component 130 (e.g. non-uniform flow of the second gases flow 162). Further, the subsequent figures show various examples of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) with different arrangements or configurations of the hollow structure 140, and/or the coupling interface 150, and/or the access interface 160, and/or the flow guide arrangement 170 of the component body 132.

[000505] With reference to the system 100, the first gases flow 152 may be the exhalation flow (i.e. the expiration flow) of the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) entering the flow chamber 142 of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 may be the gases flow supplied or delivered or provided by the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 entering the flow chamber 142 of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) via the access interface 160. At the beginning of exhalation, within the flow chamber 142 of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector), the exhalation flow (i.e. the gas exhaled by the user) and the gases flow supplied or delivered or provided by the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 (i.e. the incoming gas from the cannula) may not meet as directly opposing flows due to the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 being non-coincident, at the point (or region) of interaction or meeting of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162. For the user (i.e. the patient or the subject), this may ease or soothe breathing through the invasive airway device 1 10 when the flow of gases is supplied into the respiratory support component 130 coupled to the invasive airway device 1 10, whereby the excess resistance to exhalation (i.e. a sudden, unwanted spike in resistance) that would otherwise be associated with the flows meeting in a substantially directly opposing manner may be eliminated or minimized. Accordingly, the uncomfortable amount of effort to overcome the resistance (or more effort than would be required during normal nasal high-flow therapy through the nose) associated with the flows meeting in a substantially directly opposed manner may be eliminated or minimized. Thus, the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) may avoid having to make additional effort (and suffering related discomfort and potentially disruption to their breathing pattern) in order to cause the two flows to mix (or at least cause the substantially direct opposition of the gases flows to dissipate). Hence, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may allow the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) to experience a more comfortable resistance to flow at the beginning of exhalation or expiration; may avoid the need for the user to make additional effort to cause the flows to mix; and may ultimately enable the user to force or push out the exhaled gas from the respiratory support component 130 in an easier and more comfortable manner, and potentially enable the user to maintain a more measured and regular breathing pattern and avoid or reduce respiratory discomfort or distress.

[000506] In light of the above, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may achieve the technical effect of achieving a flow dynamic similar to the upper airway (particularly nasal passages) in a human wherein the airstreams relatively gently pass each other without sudden head-on collision of the flows that would cause undesired sudden spike in pressure. Accordingly, a user’s (i.e. patient’s or subject’s) response to receiving high-flow via the respiratory support component 130 may be indicative of their likely response to receiving nasal high-flow therapy via the nose. Furthermore, in line with the technical effect of the respiratory support component 130, the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) who must breathe through, and receive the high-flow therapy through the invasive airway device 1 10 for an extended period of time may also be more comfortable with the respiratory support component 130.

[000507] According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured to receive the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 with a leak area (for example, see leak area 169 in FIG. 3A as well as FIG. 18A to FIG. 18D) formed in the access interface 160 around the supply member 122 to serve as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132. The leak area being a portion of the access interface 160 that remains unoccupied when the supply member 122 is fitted to the access interface 160. Accordingly, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured such that the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be loosely fitted into the access interface 160 allowing a space or a gap between the supply member 122 and the access interface 160 (and more particularly between the supply member 122 and an edge or wall or periphery of an aperture in the access interface 160) to form the leak area. Since the leak area may be formed by the space or the gap due to the loose fit (i.e. non-sealing fit, or nonfriction fit) of the supply member 122 in the access interface 160, the leak area may be immediately between the supply member 122 and the access interface 160. Thus, the leak area may be around or surrounding or bound the supply member 122, or the leak area may extend or skirt or border or lie around an exterior of the supply member 122. According to various embodiments, the leak area may be an opening through which gases may escape and, hence, the leak area may be the flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132.

[000508] According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured to receive the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 in a manner such that the leak area is of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. Accordingly, when the dimension of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 is known, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured based on the dimension of the supply member 122 such that the leak area is of the required predetermined size. Hence, the leak area may be a controlled leak area (or a predetermined portion of the access interface 160 that is to be unoccupied). Thus, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured relative to the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 so as to achieve the leak area of the predetermined size based on the given dimension of the supply member 122.

[000509] With the leak area being of the predetermined size, the leak area may provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 when the first gases flow 152 is the exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is achieved at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase (in other words, when the exhalation flow rate, i.e. the flow rate of the first gases flow 152, becomes substantially zero). Accordingly, by configuring the access interface 160 of the component body 132 to achieve the predetermined size of the leak area for the supply member 122 with the given dimension, the pressure within the flow chamber 143 when the exhalation flow is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase may be controlled to achieve the desired first predetermined maximum pressure. Hence, in the system 100, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may receive the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 to form the leak area with the predetermined size for providing the first predetermined amount of flow resistance so as to achieve the first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase from the user (i.e. the patient or the subject).

[000510] Exemplarily, the first reference flow rate may be provided by, approximated by, or related to the flow rate of the gases supplied or provided or delivered through the supply member, i.e. the flow rate of the second gases flow 162. Thus, for a high-flow therapy system having a known (constant) flow rate, and with the leak area also being known, the first maximum predetermined pressure may be determined or approximated based on these known values.

[000511 ] Alternatively, or additionally, the first reference flow rate may also factor in an exhalation flow rate, i.e. the flow rate of the first gases flow 152. Again, if the leak area is known then the first maximum predetermined pressure may be determined or approximated based on these known values.

[000512] Exemplarily, the first maximum predetermined pressure may become present at the end of the exhalation phase, that is to say, when the exhalation flow rate (i.e. the flow rate of the first gases flow 152) becomes substantially zero.

[000513] According to various embodiments, since the first gases flow 152 is the exhalation flow, the first predetermined maximum pressure may be a positive end- expiratory pressure (PEEP). Accordingly, in the system 100, the first predetermined maximum pressure, which is the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), may maintain the pressure in the lungs (alveolar pressure) of the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) above the atmospheric pressure such that the alveoli may not be prone to collapse when the exhalation flow is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase. According to various embodiments, the PEEP may be at least 1 cmF when the flow rate (i.e. supplied flow rate, i.e. the flow rate of the second gases flow) is 50 litres per minute.

[000514] According to various embodiments, the gases exiting the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 via the leak area may include the exhalation flow (the first gases flow) and a portion of the gases flow supplied or delivered or provided by the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 (the second gases flow). Accordingly, the leak area may serve as the flow exit for the exhalation flow, as well as the portion of the gases flow supplied or delivered or provided by the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 that is forced back out of the flow chamber 142 by the exhalation flow.

[000515] According to various embodiments, in the system 100, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be configured to receive the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. The access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130 may be configured so that the supply member 122 may fit loosely inside. In other words, the supply member 122 may be loosely fitted inside the access interface 160. The loose fit may in turn allow for the gases to leak out of the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130. According to various embodiments, the leak area (around the supply member 122) may be known. With the leak area being known, then the exhalation resistance or the expiratory resistance for a given flow rate may be known. Thus, importantly, a desired level of PEEP may be achieved. In this way, the flow dynamics associated with the respiratory support component 130 may be like the flow dynamics that occur in the upper airway during nasal high-flow therapy via the nose, which likewise leaves a known leak area between prongs of the nasal cannula and the nostrils, thus allowing attainment of a desired PEEP - which promotes flushing of deadspace, reduced work of breathing, and other benefits. In some embodiments, the leak area may be selectively altered, for example, by changing size of the supply member 122 or even size of the access interface 160. For example, the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be swappable between differently-sized supply members 122. Accordingly, the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) may use one set of supply member 122 for “normal” breathing, and then another, differently-sized, supply member 122 to increase exhalation resistance or expiratory resistance, for example when the user has mucus buildup that needs to be expelled. Both the supply members 122 may be interchangeably fitted into the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130, but they may provide a different leak area and thus different exhalation resistance (or expiratory resistance) and, hence, different PEEP.

[000516] As discussed above, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be able to achieve and/or configured to replicate the effect of nasal high-flow therapy via the nose, including by controlling the leak area and, thus, controlling the exhalation resistance (or the expiratory resistance) and the PEEP. So, the respiratory support component 130 may be capable of taking the advantages of the nasal high-flow therapy via the nose and enabling them to be imported into other respiratory therapy contexts via the invasive airway devices 1 10, such as tracheostomies. Therefore, the user’s (i.e. the patient’s or the subject’s) response to receiving high-flow therapy via the respiratory support component 130 may be indicative of their likely response to receiving nasal high-flow therapy via the nose after their invasive airway device 1 10 is removed. Furthermore, the user who must breathe through, and receive high-flow therapy through the invasive airway device 1 10 for an extended period of time may receive more effective high- flow and be more comfortable with the respiratory support component 130. Also, the leak may allow for flushing out of the dead space in the invasive airway device 1 10, the respiratory support component 130, and I or the supply member 122. According to various embodiments, some or all of these benefits may be enhanced by using asymmetric supply member 122.

[000517] According to various embodiments, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include only the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 to allow fluid flow into and/or out of the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132. Accordingly, the component body 132 may be free of other or additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber 142, other than the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160. Hence, the component body 132 may be devoid of any other interfaces, other than the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160, that may allow fluid communication with the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132. Therefore, in the system 100, whereby the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) is coupled to the invasive airway device 1 10 via the coupling interface 150 and the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 is received in the access interface 160, either one or both the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130 may be configured to allow gases to escape the flow chamber 142 of the respiratory support component 130 during exhalation by the user (i.e. the patient or the subject). Preferably, the access interface 160 is configured to allow gases to escape the flow chamber 142, while the coupling interface 150 is not configured to allow gases to escape the flow chamber 142; however, this is not intended to be limiting. According to various embodiments, the coupling interface 150 of the component body 132 may be configured to couple with the invasive airway device 1 10 in a leak-proof manner and the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured to allow gases to escape the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 when the exhalation flow is entering the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 via the coupling interface 150 and the gases flow is entering the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 via the supply member 122 inserted in the access interface 160. As an example, as previously described, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured to receive the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 such that the leak area is formed between the access interface 160 (and more particularly a wall of an aperture of same) and the supply member 122 to create the flow exit for gases to escape the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132. Hence, in the system 100, the invasive airway device 1 10 may be coupled to the respiratory support component 130 via the coupling interface 150 in the leak-proof manner and the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be loosely fitted into the respiratory support component 130 via access interface 160 with the leak area formed around the supply member 122 to serve as the flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber 142 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000518] According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 being received therein. When the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122, the supply member 122 is not fitted inside the access interface 160. Accordingly, the entire access interface 160 may serve as the flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132. Hence, the flow rate of gases exiting the flow chamber 142 when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122 may be different from that when the supply member 122 is loosely fitted in the access interface 160. Thus, when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122, the system may be said to have a second reference flow rate, which may be different from the first reference flow rate. For example, the second reference flow rate may be higher than the first reference flow rate. Exemplarily, the second reference flow rate may be provided by, approximated by, or related to one or more of: a rate at which gases are drawn into the flow chamber (such as from the ambient environment) via the access interface during inhalation; and I or the exhalation flow rate, i.e. the flow rate of the first gases flow 152.

[000519] Further, without the supply member 122 fitted in the access interface 160, the flow resistance for the gases escaping the flow chamber 142 may also be different from that when the supply member 122 is fitted in the access interface 160. Thus, the second predetermined amount of flow resistance may be different from the first predetermined amount of flow resistance. For example, the second predetermined amount of flow resistance may be lower than the first predetermined amount of flow resistance. According to various embodiments, configuring the access interface 160 of the component body 132 to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122 may include sizing or dimensioning or shaping the access interface 160 of the component body 132 to achieve the second predetermined amount of flow resistance.

[000520] According to various embodiments, when the respiratory support component 130 is coupled to the invasive airway device 110 without the supply member 122 received in the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the access interface 160 is unoccupied during use) and the first gases flow 152 is the exhalation flow from the user (i.e. the patient or the subject), the second predetermined amount of flow resistance may result in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber 142 at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase. Since the respiratory support component 130 is without the supply member 122, the second predetermined maximum pressure may be different from the first predetermined maximum pressure which is achieved when the supply member 122 is received in the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130. For example, the second predetermined maximum pressure may be lower than the first predetermined maximum pressure. Accordingly, the second predetermined amount of flow resistance to be achieved when configuring the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be based on the desired second predetermined maximum pressure during exhalation or expiration when the respiratory support component 130 is used with the invasive airway device 1 10 without the supply member 122.

[000521] Exemplarily, the second predetermined maximum pressure may become present at the end of an exhalation phase, when the first gases flow 152 becomes zero.

[000522] Exemplarily, if the size of the access interface 160 (or the portion thereof through which gases escape the flow chamber during exhalation) and the second reference flow rate are known, then the second predetermined maximum pressure may be determined.

[000523] According to various embodiments, the second predetermined amount of flow resistance may mimic or be based on a natural resistance of the nares of the nose. According to various embodiments, the second predetermined maximum pressure may mimic or be based on a natural backpressure of the upper airway.

[000524] Accordingly, when the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) is used without the supply member 122 (i.e. without gases flow being administered or supplied or delivered or provided), the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) may effectively respire through the (empty) access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130. The access interface 160 may be configured to generally replicate or approximate the nares. Similar to the nares, the access interface 160 may provide the exhalation resistance or the expiratory resistance (i.e. a limitation on leak flow rate). Since the exhalation resistance or the expiratory resistance may be comparable to that of the nares, the resulting backpressure may feel more natural for the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) during expiration, relative to what they would feel simply breathing out of the open end of the invasive airway device 1 10. The feeling may be more natural as the backpressure provided by the respiratory support component 130 may partially simulate the backpressure that would usually be caused by the patient’s upper airway (particularly nares) during exhalation or expiration. Therefore, the user’s (i.e. patient’s or subject’s) response to respiring via the respiratory support component 130 may be more indicative of their likely response to breathing through the nose when the invasive airway device 1 10 is removed. Furthermore, the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) who must breathe through the invasive airway device 100 for an extended period of time may be more comfortable with the respiratory support component 130.

[000525] According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be configured to be used with or without the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 being received in the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130. Accordingly, in addition to configuring the access interface 160 of the component body 132 with respect to the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 to obtain the leak area (i.e. an unoccupied portion of the access interface 160 during use with the supply member 122) with the predetermined size for providing the first predetermined amount of flow resistance to achieve the first predetermined maximum pressure, e.g. PEEP, when the supply member 122 is fitted inside the access interface 160, the access interface 160 may also be configured to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance for achieving the second predetermined maximum pressure when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122 (i.e. the access interface 160 being entirely unoccupied during use). Accordingly, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 may be configured to provide the first predetermined maximum pressure, e.g. PEEP, with the leak area formed between the supply member 122 and the access interface 160 (and more particularly a wall of an aperture of same) when the supply member 122 is received in the access interface 160, and also configured to provide the second predetermined maximum pressure when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122.

[000526] According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be configured to direct the exhalation flow from the user (i.e. the patient and the subject) and the gases flow supplied or delivered or provided by the supply member 122 in a manner so as to avoid a sudden undesirable pressure spike at the beginning of the exhalation phase, while also generating the desirable levels of backpressure or exhalation resistance (or expiratory resistance) (and thus the predetermined maximum levels of pressure) for the user (i.e. the patient and the subject) during exhalation. Further, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be configured to achieve a balance between too much resistance to flow and not enough resistance to flow. According to various embodiments, the balance may be generally similar to that which exists normally in the upper airway (particularly the nose). For example, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may mimic the human nasal passages (nasal cavity), whereby the nares themselves are relatively narrow I small causing a certain amount of (desired) exhalation resistance or expiration resistance. Further, during nasal high-flow therapy via the nose, inserting the loosely-fitting nasal cannula with a known leak area for the nasal high- flow therapy may further enhance the exhalation resistance or expiration resistance. Meanwhile, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may also mimic the flow dynamic of the human nares, whereby the nasal cavity as a whole is shaped such that incoming and outgoing air streams do not collide directly, rather they come into contact gradually and there is a degree of mixing, which may loosely be termed “vortices” or vortex-like formations, between the streams. This may prevent a sudden, undesired, spike in pressure as would happen if the airstreams collided head-on.

[000527] According to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may be configured to provide the right balance. That is, the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) may generate a resistance to flow that, at any point during the breathing cycle, approximately mimics the resistance to flow that would normally be generated by the user’s (i.e. patient’s or subject’s) upper airway. This mimicry may enable the controller of the flow generator of the high-flow setup to treat the invasive flow path as the standard nasal high-flow flow path. As a result, the user (e.g. a nurse) may not need to change the settings of the high-flow generator when they want to change from using it in combination with the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) and the invasive airway device 110 to using it for nasal high-flow therapy via the nose. This may save valuable time and moreover may make the transition from invasive therapy to high-flow therapy via the nose relatively seamless, or at least less complex. It may also help predict the patient’s response to nasal high-flow therapy, and thus help to reduce instances of patients needing to retransition back to invasive respiratory therapy if nasal high-flow therapy proves ineffective or premature. [000528] According to some embodiments, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may be integrally formed as a single unitary structure. For example, the component body 132 may be integrally molded or integrally casted as a single piece. As another example, the component body 132 may be worked or machined or milled or cut from a single piece of material. Accordingly, the component body 132 may be formed with the hollow structure 140, the coupling interface 150, and the access interface 160 being integral with each other. Hence, the component body 132 may be made or produced in a way such that the hollow structure 140, the coupling interface 150, and the access interface 160 may be co-created or co-constructed in the process.

[000529] According to some embodiments, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may be of a modular configuration. Accordingly, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include two or more modular parts removably attached or coupled or joined together to form the component body 132. Accordingly, each modular part may be interchanged or swapped with others like it to change a configuration of the component body 132 when the two or more modular parts are assembled together. Hence, each modular part may be selected from a corresponding pool of independent and interchangeable modules such that different configurations of the component body 132 may be achieved by assembling different combination or permutation of the two or more modular parts respectively from the corresponding pools of the independent and interchangeable modules. As an example, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include two modular parts, whereby a first modular part may include the access interface 160 while a second modular part may include the coupling interface 150 and the hollow structure 140. Accordingly, the first modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the access interface 160 and/or the second modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the coupling interface 150 and the hollow structure 140. As another example, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include two modular parts, whereby a first modular part may include the coupling interface 150 while a second modular part may include the access interface 160 and the hollow structure 140. Accordingly, the first modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the coupling interface 150 and/or the second modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the access interface 160 and the hollow structure 140. As yet another example, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include two modular parts, whereby a first modular part may include the coupling interface 150 and a first modular section of the hollow structure 140 while a second modular part may include access interface 160 and a second modular section of the hollow structure 140. The first modular section of the hollow structure 140 may be joined to the second modular section of the hollow structure 140 when the first modular part and the second modular part are assembled together. Accordingly, the first modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the coupling interface 150 and/or the second modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the access interface 160. As a further example, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include three modular parts, whereby a first modular part may include the coupling interface 150, a second modular part may include the hollow structure 140, and a third modular part may include the access interface 160. Accordingly, the first modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the coupling interface 150 and/or the second modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the hollow structure 140 and/or the third modular part may be interchanged or swapped to change the access interface 160. It is understood that the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 is envisaged to be capable of being subdivided into different number or combination or permutation of smaller modular parts, whereby each modular part may be interchanged or swapped with others from a corresponding pool of independent and interchangeable modules to create different configuration of the component body 132. The examples described above are non-exhaustive and a detailed listing of all possible examples is omitted for brevity.

[000530] FIG. 3A shows a first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 3B shows a second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 and the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 depict various different possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 (i.e. adapter body or connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. adapter or connector) that directs the first gases flow 152 entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident so as to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 as well as to avoid the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner, thereby preventing a sudden pressure spike. In FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 and the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 are also depicted with more details in relation to the various elements of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130, for example the hollow structure 140 defining the flow chamber 142, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160. It is to be understood that the earlier descriptions of the respiratory support component 130 with reference to FIG. 1 A to FIG. 2C are also applicable to the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 and the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. Accordingly, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their explanations is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focusing on the various different possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130, and the details of the various elements of the respiratory support component 130.

[000531] As shown by the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 and the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 of the various embodiments may have an arrangement or the configuration whereby the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be disposed in a manner such that a central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and a central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be non-coincident in order for the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to be non-coincident. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be laterally off-set in order for the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to be non-coincident. As another example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to be non-coincident. The angle between the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be any suitable range greater than 0° and less than 180°. For example, the angle may be between a range of 5° to 175°, or 10° to 170°, or 20° to 160°, or 30° to 150°, or 40° to 140°, etc.

[000532] According to the various embodiments, the coupling interface 150 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include a flow aperture 154. Accordingly, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 may passes through a center of the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150. Hence, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 may be a hole-axis of the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150. According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include an access aperture 164. Accordingly, the central axis

163 of the access interface 160 may passes through a centre of the access aperture

164 of the access interface 160. Hence, the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be a hole-axis of the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160.

[000533] In the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 as shown in FIG. 3A, with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 laterally off-set from each other, the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 may be laterally off-set from each other such that the holeaxis of the flow aperture 154 and the hole-axis of the access aperture 164 may not be coaxial or may not coincide with each other. In the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 as shown in FIG. 3B, with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being at the angle with respect to each other, the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 may be oriented with respect to each other such that the hole-axis of the flow aperture 154 and the hole-axis of the access aperture 164 may form the angle relative to each other.

[000534] As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, when the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 is received in the access interface 160, the supply member 122 may be inserted into the access aperture 164 and the leak area 169 may be formed between a perimeter or wall of (or defining) the access aperture 164 and an exterior of the supply member 122 of the gases delivery system 120. Accordingly, the leak area 169 may be a portion of the access aperture 164 that is to be unoccupied during use with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. According to various embodiments, the perimeter of the access aperture 164 may be sized or dimensioned based on the given dimension of the exterior of the supply member 122 such that the leak area 169 may be of the predetermined size to provide the first predetermined amount of flow resistance for achieving the first predetermined maximum pressure at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase. Further, the perimeter of the access aperture 164 may also be sized or dimensioned such that when the supply member 122 is not inserted into the access aperture 164, the full extent (i.e. cross-sectional area) of the access aperture 164 may provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance for achieving the second predetermined maximum pressure at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase. Accordingly, the full extent I area of the access aperture 164 may be unoccupied during use without the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system. The first predetermined maximum pressure may be a desired PEEP, and the second predetermined maximum pressure may approximately mimic or be based on the natural backpressure of the upper airway (in particular the nares).

[000535] According to various embodiments, the predetermined size of the leak area 169 may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding portion 124 of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 that is inserted into the access aperture 164. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the corresponding portion 124 of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 that is inserted into the access aperture 164 may be more than half the size of the access aperture 164. This may help to achieve the desired first maximum predetermined pressure, in that incoming flow (via the supply member 122) may tend to always be greater than that which can freely I readily escape via the leak area. For example, FIG. 18A to FIG. 18D show cross-sectional views at the access interface 160 to illustrate different sizes of the supply member 122 being inserted into the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160. FIGS. 18A and 18B show an embodiment wherein the supply member 122 includes two equally-sized prongs, while FIGS. 18C and 18D show an embodiment wherein the supply member 122 includes two differently-sized prongs. In all cases, at least one of the pair of prongs is sized such that when the relevant portion 124 thereof inserted into the corresponding access aperture 164, the leak area 169 around said portion 124 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of said portion 124.

[000536] As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, according to various embodiments, the coupling interface 150 may include a surrounding wall 156 extending from the hollow structure 140 of the component body 132. The surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150 may define a hollow passage 157 therewithin leading into the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140. According to various embodiments, a rim of the surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150 directed or facing away from the hollow structure 140 may define the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150. According to various embodiments, when the coupling interface 150 includes the surrounding wall 156, the flow aperture 154 opens into the flow chamber 142 via the hollow passage 157 through the surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150. Further, when the coupling interface 150 includes the surrounding wall 156, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 may extend through the center of the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 and along a centerline of the hollow passage 157 bound by the surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150.

[000537] As also shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, according to various embodiments, the access interface 160 may include a surrounding wall 166 extending from the hollow structure 140 of the component body 132. The surrounding wall 166 of the access interface 160 may define a hollow passage 167 therewithin leading into the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140. According to various embodiments, a rim of the surrounding wall of the access interface 160 directed or facing away from the hollow structure 140 may define the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160. According to various embodiments, when the access interface 160 includes the surrounding wall 166, the access aperture 165 opens into the flow chamber 142 via the hollow passage 167 through the surrounding wall 166 of the access interface 160. Further, when the access interface 160 includes the surrounding wall 166, the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may extend through the center of the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 and along a centerline of the hollow passage 167 bound by the surrounding wall 166 of the access interface 160.

[000538] Referring to FIG. 3B, when the coupling interface 150 includes the surrounding wall 156 and the access interface 160 includes the surrounding wall 166, the surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150 and the surrounding wall 166 of the access interface 160 may be oriented relative to each other with the centreline of the hollow passage 157 of the surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150 being angled from the centreline of the hollow passage 167 of the surrounding wall 166 of the access interface 160 such that the hole-axis of the flow aperture 154 and the hole-axis of the access aperture 164 may be corresponding angled in order for the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to be non-coincident.

[000539] Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, side views of the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 and the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 are being depicted respectively. FIG. 3C is provided to show a schematic front view that is representative of each of the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 and the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. According to various embodiments, as can be seen from the FIG. 3C, the coupling interface 150 may include a single flow aperture 154 opening into the flow chamber 142 and the access interface 160 may include an arrangement of two access apertures 164, e.g. a first access aperture 164A and a second access aperture 164B, opening into the flow chamber 142. However, it is understood that FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are provided as examples only. According to various embodiments, the coupling interface 150 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include an arrangement of one or more flow apertures 154 opening into the flow chamber 142 and the access interface 160 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, in the respiratory support component 130, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may include different combinations or permutations of the number of flow apertures 154 and number of access apertures 164 respectively. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the access interface 160 may include two or more access apertures 164. [000540] As shown in FIG. 3C, the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may include two insertion portions 124 (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs). Accordingly, the access interface 160 may include two access apertures 164 to respectively receive the two insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122. According to various embodiments, the number of access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may correspond to the number of insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. Since FIG. 3C is provided as an example only, it should be understood that the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may include one or more insertion portions (i.e. prongs). Accordingly, the access interface 160 may include an arrangement of a corresponding number of access apertures 164 to respectively receive the one or more insertion portions of the supply member 122. Referring to FIG. 3C, according to various embodiments, the supply member 122 may be a nasal cannula. Accordingly, the two insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122 may be the two prongs of the nasal cannula. Therefore, when the supply member 122 is the nasal cannula, the access interface 160 may include the arrangement of the two access apertures 164 to receive the two prongs of the nasal cannula.

[000541] Referring to FIG. 18A to FIG. 18D, according to various embodiments, the two insertion portions 124 (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs) of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be of different dimensions. Accordingly, the two prongs of the nasal cannula may be of different dimensions. According to various embodiments, at least two insertion portions of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be of different dimensions. Referring to FIG. 18E to FIG. 18J, according to various embodiments, the two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be of different dimensions. According to various embodiments, at least two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be of different dimensions.

[000542] According to various embodiments, the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 may be of a circular shape (e.g. as shown in FIG. 18E) or an elongated shape. The elongated shape may include, but not limited to, an oval shape, a racetrack shape, a rounded rectangle shape, a rectangle shape, a pill shape (e.g. as shown in FIG. 18G), or a teardrop shape (e.g. as shown in FIG. 18I), or an egg shape, or an elliptical shape. [000543] According to some embodiments, the insertion portion 124 (or nasal delivery element, e.g. prong) of the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be of a tubular structure having a substantially circular cross- sectional profile. Further, the insertion portion 124 being in the form of the tubular structure may have a curvature, i.e. the tubular structure may be curved. Particularly when the insertion portion 124 is curved, inserting the insertion portion 124 into the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 may involve a curved or arced movement. Accordingly, the insertion portion 124 may turn or swing or move in a curved manner into the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160. An example of this is schematically shown in FIG. 26A to FIG. 26C In FIG. 26A, the supply member 122 may abut a portion of the respiratory support component 130. The portion of the respiratory support component 130 may be a retaining arrangement 190, which will be described in more detail later, for retaining the supply member 122 in place. When the supply member 122 is the nasal cannula and the retaining arrangement 190 is in the form of a cradle or a hook, a cannula body may be fitted to or inserted into the cradle or the hook as indicated by the downward arrow in FIG. 26A. To do this, the prongs of the nasal cannula (i.e. the insertion portion 124) must be angled away from the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130 (e.g. in an upward manner as shown in FIG. 26A) so as to clear the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 as the cannula body of the nasal cannula moves into the cradle or the hook. In FIG. 26B, the cannula body is cradled in cradle or the hook. Once in this position, the cannula body must then be rotated, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 26B, to cause the prongs of the nasal cannula to move in an arc (or arced path) into the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130 into the position shown in FIG. 26C. It is understood that the sequence shown in FIG. 26A to FIG. 26C is an exemplary illustration only, and other sequences or motions may also be possible.

[000544] With the access aperture 164 being in the circular shape, the motion of inserting the insertion portion 124, which is curved, may not be smooth due to friction from rubbing against a rim of the access aperture 164 and/or there being insufficient room for the insertion portion 124 to move along the arc path. However, with the access aperture 164 being in the elongated shape, there may be reduced rubbing and/or there may be sufficient room for the insertion portion 124 to move along the curve path or arc path. Hence, the access aperture 164 having the elongated shape may be advantageous when the insertion portion 124 is curved.

[000545] According to some embodiments, the access aperture 164 with the elongated shape may have a narrower portion and a wider portion. The narrower portion may be at one end of the elongated shape of the access aperture 164 and the wider portion may be at an opposite end of the elongated shape of the access aperture 164. For example, when the elongated shape is the teardrop shape or the egg shape, the elongated shape may have a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end. The narrower portion of the elongated shape may serve to retain the insertion portion 124 of the supply member 122 once it is inserted in place. For example, the insertion portion 124 may be inserted through the wider portion of the access aperture 164. When the insertion portion 124 is in place, the insertion portion 124 may be shifted or slidden to the narrower portion of the access aperture 164. In doing so, the narrower portion of the access aperture 164 may pinch or squeeze or compress the insertion portion 124 so as to hold and retain the insertion portion 124 in place. Accordingly, with the insertion portion 124 held and retained in place by the narrower portion of the access aperture 164, the insertion portion 124 may not move freely or unrestrained within the access aperture 164.

[000546] Said retention may be such that the insertion portion 124 is retained in a desired orientation within or relative to the coupling interface 150 I component body 132 in use, and accordingly the narrower portion of the access aperture 164 may be oriented such that it retains the insertion portion 124 in said desired orientation. For instance, the narrower portion may be on a portion of the access aperture 164 that is proximate a bottom or lower side of the coupling interface 150 I component body 132 in use, so as to exert a retaining force on a lower side of the insertion portion 124 and keep the insertion portion 124 in contact with the lower side of the access aperture 164.

[000547] The pinching or squeezing or compression (or other retention effect) may be relatively slight, such as being sufficient to encourage the prong to remain in place during normal use (for instance to avoid it being overly readily displaced by gases flow) but insufficient to withstand a deliberate pulling force, and insufficient to materially constrict gases flow through the insertion portion 124 in the region of the narrower portion of the access aperture 164. [000548] According to various embodiments, the access aperture 164 may have a narrower portion and a wider portion even if the access aperture 164 does not have an elongated shape, for instance where the access aperture 164 is otherwise substantially circular. For instance, the access aperture may be configured as a “pinched circle”, that is to say, generally circular but with a pinched or narrowed region.

[000549] According to various embodiments, the side of the component body 132 having the access interface 160 may include an elongated face (for example as shown in FIG. 18E to FIG. 18J). The elongated face may be of a shape including, but not limited to, an oval shape, a racetrack shape, a rounded rectangle shape, a rectangle shape, a pill shape, or a teardrop shape, or an egg shape, or an elliptical shape.

[000550] According to some embodiments, when the access interface 160 includes at least two access apertures 164 of different dimensions, the at least two access apertures 164 may be aligned (including substantially aligned) to a longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132. For example, as shown in FIG. 18E, each of the at least two access apertures 164 may be of a circular shape and each of them may lie along the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132. Accordingly, a center of each of the at least two access apertures 164 may lie along the longitudinal axis 131 of said side of the component body 132. As another example, as shown in FIG. 18G and FIG. 181, each of the at least two access apertures 164 may be of an elongated shape (e.g. pill shape in FIG. 18G and teardrop shape in FIG. 181) oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body. Further, each of the at least two access apertures 164 may lie along the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132. Accordingly, a center of each of the at least two access apertures 164 may lie along the longitudinal axis 131 of said side of the component body 132. According to some embodiments, as a variation, it is understood that each of the access apertures 164 may be offset from the longitudinal axis 131 of the component body 132 by an equal amount. In other words, the center of the access apertures 164 may lie along an axis (or a line) that is parallel to but offset from the longitudinal axis 131 of the component body 132. According to some embodiments, even when the component body 132 does not have a side with an elongated face, for instance when it has a circular face, the centers of the access apertures 164 may still lie along an axis (or a line) extending across said side/face of the component body).

[000551] According to some embodiments, when the access interface 160 includes at least two access apertures 164 of different dimensions, a common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164 may be parallel (including substantially parallel) to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132. The common external tangent 133 is a line that is tangent to the at least two access apertures 164 that does not cross a line connecting the centers of the at least two access apertures 164. Further, when the elongated face of said side of the component body 132 includes a longitudinal edge parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132, the common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164 may be parallel to said longitudinal edge of said side of the component body 132.

[000552] For example, as shown in FIG. 18F, each of the at least two access apertures 164 may be of a circular shape. Further, the at least two access apertures 164 may be disposed such that a tangent of a point along a perimeter of the circular shape of each access aperture 164, wherein the point is furthest from the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132, coincide to form the common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164. The at least two access apertures 164 may be aligned with respect to each other in a manner such that the common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132. When the longitudinal edge of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132, the common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164, each being of the circular shape, may be parallel to the longitudinal edge of said side of the component body 132.

[000553] As another example, as shown in FIG. 18H and FIG. 18J, each of the at least two access apertures 164 may be of an elongated shape (e.g. pill shape in FIG. 18H and teardrop shape in FIG. 18J) oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated shape of said side of the component body. Further, the at least two access apertures 164 may be disposed such that a tangent of a point along a perimeter of the elongated shape of each access apertures 164, wherein the point is furthest from the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated shape of said side of the component body 132, coincide to form the common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164. The at least two access apertures 164 may be aligned with respect to each other in a manner such that the common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated shape of said side of the component body 132. When the longitudinal edge of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the elongated face of said side of the component body 132, the common external tangent 133 of the at least two access apertures 164, each being of the elongated shape, may be parallel to the longitudinal edge of said side of the component body 132.

[000554] Returning to FIG. 3C, as also shown in FIG. 3C, the invasive airway device 110 may include a single outlet port 112. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 may include the single flow aperture 154 for fluid connections with the single outlet port 112 of the invasive airway device 110. According to various embodiments, the number of flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150 may correspond to the number of outlet port 1 12 of the invasive airway device 1 10. Since FIG. 3C is provided as an example only, it should be understood that the invasive airway device 110 may include one or more outlet ports 112. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 may include an arrangement of a corresponding number of flow apertures 154 to respectively couple with the one or more outlet ports 1 12 of the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000555] According to various embodiments, when the coupling interface 150 includes the arrangement of one or more flow apertures 154, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 may pass through a center or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150. For example, when the coupling interface 150 includes the single flow aperture 154, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 may pass through the center of the single flow aperture 154. On the other hand, when the coupling interface 150 includes two flow apertures 154 of the same size and/or dimension, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 may pass through the center of the arrangement of the two flow apertures 154, which may be between the arrangement of the two flow apertures 154 (for example see FIG. 20A). Further, when the coupling interface

150 includes two flow apertures 154 of different sizes and dimensions, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 may pass through the centroid of the arrangement of the two flow apertures 154, which may be closer to a center of the larger flow aperture 154A and further from a center of the smaller flow aperture 154B (for example, see FIG. 20B). As an example, when the coupling interface 150 includes two flow apertures 154, the two flows entering the flow chamber 142 via the arrangement of the two flow apertures 154 may be considered together as the first gases flow 152 if they merge / combine upon entering Hence, the center or the centroid of the arrangement of the two flow apertures 154 may be taken as the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150, which may correspond to the axis

151 of the first gases flow 152. Therefore, when the coupling interface 150 includes the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154, the one or more flows entering the flow chamber 142 via the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154 may provide the first gases flow 152 upon entering, and the center of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures may correspond to the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152.

[000556] However, alternatively, in some embodiments, where there are two (or more) flow apertures 154, the central axis 154a (i.e. hole-axis) of each flow aperture 154 may be considered individually (as opposed to a common central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150), and each individual axis 154a (i.e. hole-axis) of each flow aperture 154 may be compared to the central axis 164a (i.e. hole-axis) of each access aperture 164, to ensure that any given pair of flow aperture 154 and access aperture 164 is mutually non-coincident (for example, see FIG. 20C). This approach may, for example, be appropriate where the gases flows from the first and second flow apertures 154 are not expected to merge into a single gases flow upon entering the flow chamber 142 but rather are expected to remain distinct. In such a case, where a pair of axes (of opposing flows) are found to be coincident, measures might be put in place to mitigate this, such as for example using an internal barrier to deflect one or both of the flows to render them non-coincident. The same reasoning applies where there are two or more access apertures 164, as discussed next.

[000557] According to various embodiments, when the access interface 160 includes the arrangement of one or more access apertures 164, the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may pass through a center or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160. For example, when the access interface 160 includes a single access apertures 164, the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may pass through the center of the single access aperture 164. On the other hand, when the access interface 160 includes two access apertures 164 of the same size and/or dimension, the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may pass through the center of the arrangement of the two access apertures 164, which may be between the arrangement of the two access apertures 164. Further, when the access interface 160 includes two access apertures 164 of different sizes and dimensions, the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may pass through the centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures 164, which may be closer to a center of the larger access aperture 164B and further from a center of the smaller flow aperture 164A (For example, see FIG. 20B). As an example, when the coupling interface 150 includes two access apertures 164, the two flows entering the flow chamber 142 via the arrangement of the two access apertures 164 may be considered together as the second gases flow 162 if they merge I combine upon entering. Hence, the center or the centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures 164 may be taken as the central axis 163 of the coupling interface 150, which may correspond to the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162. Therefore, when the access interface 160 includes the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164, the one or more flows entering the flow chamber 142 via the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 may provide the second gases flow 162 upon entering, and the center of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 may correspond to the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162. Alternatively, in some embodiments, where there are two (or more) access apertures 164, the central axis 164a of each access aperture 164 may be considered individually (as opposed to a common central axis 163 of the access interface 160), and each individual axis 164a may be compared to the axis 154a of each corresponding flow aperture 154, as previously discussed.

[000558] Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C, the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130 may include the coupling interface 150 having the single flow aperture 154 and the access interface 160 having the arrangement of the two access apertures 164. Accordingly, the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 may pass through the center of the single flow aperture 154 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may pass through the center or the centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures 164, which may be between the two access apertures 164. While from the front view as shown in FIG. 3C, the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 may seem to be aligned with the central axis 163 of the access interface 160, it is clear from the side view as shown in FIG. 3A that the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be laterally offset from each other, for example towards a front and a back respectively, such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be noncoincident. Hence, in the three dimensional space, the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be laterally offset from each other in a parallel manner so as to be non-coincident.

[000559] Referring to FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, the second example 330B of the respiratory support component 130 may include the coupling interface 150 having the single flow aperture 154 and the access interface 160 having the arrangement of the two access apertures 164. Accordingly, the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 may pass through the center of the single flow aperture 154 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may pass through the center or the centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures 164, which may be between the two access apertures 164. While from the front view as shown in FIG. 3C, the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 may seem to be aligned with the central axis 163 of the access interface 160, it is clear from the side view as shown in FIG. 3B that the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may form the angle with respect to each other such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident. Hence, in the three dimensional space, the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may angled relative to each other (or intersect at an angle) so as to be non-coincident.

[000560] Referring to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, in addition to or alternative to the central axis 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-coincident, the hole-axis 154a of each flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the hole-axis 164a of each access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 may be non-coincident with respect to each other. Accordingly, none of the one or more flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150 and the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may have their respective hole-axes 154a, 164a being coincident or coaxial. With reference to the first example 330A of the respiratory support component 130, the hole-axis 164a of each of the two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be offset laterally from the hole-axis 154a of the single flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 when viewed from the front view of FIG. 3C and the side view of FIG. 3A. Accordingly, in the three dimensional space, the hole-axis 164a of each of the two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 and the hole-axis 154a of the single flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 may be laterally offset from one another and, hence, may be non-coincident. With reference to the second example 330B of the respiratory support component, the hole-axis 164a of each of the two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be offset laterally from the hole-axis 154a of the single flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 when viewed from the front view of FIG. 3C, and the hole-axis 164a of each of the two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may form an angle with the hole-axis 154a of the single flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 when viewed from the side view of FIG. 3A. Accordingly, in the three dimensional space, the hole-axis 164a of each of the two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 and the hole-axis 154a of the single flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 may be skew lines and, hence, may be non-coincident. [000561] According to various embodiments, when the access interface 160 has the one or more access apertures 164 and the supply member 122 has the one or more corresponding insertion portions 124, the one or more corresponding insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122 may be respectively inserted in to the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 in a loose manner. Accordingly, a gap may be formed between each pair of the insertion portion 124 of the supply member and the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160. Hence, one or more gaps may be formed between the access interface 160 and the supply member 122. According to various embodiments, the leak area 169 between the access interface 160 and the supply member 122 may be an aggregate area of the one or more gaps between the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 and the corresponding insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122. Accordingly, the leak area 169 may be a predetermined portion of the aggregate area of the one or more access apertures 164 to be unoccupied during use.

[000562] According to various embodiments, the aggregate area of the one or more gaps forming the leak area 169 may be a predetermined aggregate area such that the leak area 169 may be of the predetermined size. Accordingly, when dimensions of the insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122 are known, the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be configured or dimensioned or sized based on the insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122 such that the predetermined aggregate area for the one or more gaps may be achieved to serve as the leak area 169 with the predetermined size. (The opposite is also true - if the size of the one or more access apertures 164 is known, then insertion portions 124 having an appropriate cross-sectional area may be selected such that, when the insertion portions 124 are inserted into the access apertures 164, a desired aggregate leak area is provided. In practice, this may be achieved by replacing current prongs with a larger or smaller set of prongs; or alternatively replacing the current respiratory support component 130 with one having larger or smaller access apertures 164). Hence, the leak area 169 may be a controlled leak area. With the leak area 169 being of the predetermined size, the leak area 169 may provide the first predetermined amount of flow resistance to achieve the first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 when the first gases flow 152 is the exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around an end of the exhalation phase. Accordingly, by configuring the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 relative to the dimensions of the corresponding insertion portions 124 of the supply member to achieve the predetermined aggregate area of the one or more gaps serving as the leak area 169 of the predetermined size, the pressure within the flow chamber 142 when the exhalation flow is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase may be controlled to achieve the desired first predetermined maximum pressure.

[000563] According to various embodiments, the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be configured or dimensioned or sized to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 being received therein. Without the supply member 122, the insertion portion 124 of the supply member 122 are not fitted or received inside the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160. Accordingly, an aggregate aperture area across all the access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may serve as the flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132. Therefore, when the respiratory support component 130 is coupled to the invasive airway device 1 10 without the supply member 122 received in the respiratory support component 130 and the first gases flow 152 is the exhalation flow from the user (i.e. the patient or the subject), the second predetermined amount of flow resistance provided by the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may result in the second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber 142 at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

[000564] According to various embodiments, an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150 may be larger than an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160. With the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 being smaller than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150, the smaller aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may provide a flow resistance for a flow entering the coupling interface 150 and exiting the access interface 160. Accordingly, when the access interface 160 is without the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 being received therein, the smaller aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 relative to the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150 may provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance against the exhalation flow from the user (i.e. the patient or the subject). Hence, the access interface 160 may be configured to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance based on a predetermined relative size between the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 and the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150. [000565] According to various embodiments, at least one of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be configured such that a size of the gap between the at least one of the one or more access apertures and a corresponding insertion portion 124 of the supply member 122 may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the corresponding insertion portion 124 of the supply member 122. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the corresponding insertion portion 124 of the supply member 122 that is inserted into the at least one of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be more than half the size of the at least one of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160.

[000566] According to various embodiments, the coupling interface 150 and the hollow structure 140 may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface 150 into the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140. Accordingly, a velocity of the exhalation flow from the invasive airway device 110 entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 may decrease upon entering the flow chamber 142. The change in velocity may be due to a difference in size between the coupling interface 150 and the flow chamber 142 According to various embodiments, the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures 154 of the coupling interface 150 may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber 142 immediately adjacent the coupling interface 150. Accordingly, due to the increase in size from the coupling interface 150 to the flow chamber 142, the velocity of the exhalation flow may reduce or decrease upon entering the flow chamber 142.

[000567] According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 and the hollow structure 140 may be configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface 160 into the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140. Accordingly, a velocity of the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system 120 entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 may decrease upon entering the flow chamber 142. The change in velocity may be due to a different in size between the access interface 160 and the flow chamber 142. According to various embodiments, the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber 142 immediately adjacent the access interface 160. Accordingly, due to the increase in size from the access interface 160 to the flow chamber 142, the velocity of the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system 120 may reduce or decrease upon entering the flow chamber 142. The same principle applies when the insertion portion(s) 124 are inserted into the access aperture(s) 164 of the access interface 160: the aggregate cross-sectional area of the insertion portion(s) 134 will be lesser than that of the flow chamber 142, and thus the velocity of the gases may decrease upon entering the flow chamber 142.

[000568] According to various embodiments, the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may lie in a same plane. Accordingly, when the access interface 160 has a plurality of the access apertures 164, the plurality of the access apertures 164 may be adjacent to each other in the same plane. Referring to FIG. 3C, when the access apertures 164 has the arrangement of the two access apertures 164, the two access apertures 164 may be side by side and lie in the same plane.

[000569] According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 may include at least two access apertures 164, or two or more access apertures 164. According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 may include the first access aperture 164A and the second access aperture 164B. Further, the first access aperture 164A and the second access aperture 164B may be of different dimensions (for example, see FIG. 18E to FIG. 18J). For example, the first access aperture 164A may be smaller or larger than the second access aperture 164B.

[000570] According to various embodiments, the supply member 122 may include at least two insertion portions 124 (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs), or two or more insertion portions 124 (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs). According to various embodiments, the supply member 122 may include a first insertion portion 124A and a second insertion portion 124B. Further, the first insertion portion 124A and the second insertion portion 124B may be of different dimensions (for example, see FIG. 18C and FIG. 18D) - for example as provided by the Fisher & Paykel DUET cannula. For example, the first insertion portion 124A may be smaller or larger than the second insertion portion 124B. This may have some of the benefits discussed later with reference to Figures 19A and 19C.

[000571] According to various embodiments, the arrangement or the configuration of the component body 132 (i.e. the adapter body or a connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 may refer to a shape of the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140 and the relative disposition or arrangement or orientation or state or physical form of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 with respect to the flow chamber 142 that enable the respiratory support component 130 to be capable of directing the first gases flow 152 entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident at the respective interface(s) and / or within the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the component body 132 may have an arrangement or configuration whereby the flow chamber 142 is shaped and the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 are disposed with respect to the flow chamber 142 in a manner such that the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be non-coincident in order for the the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to be noncoincident. Alternatively, irrespective of whether the central axes 153, 163 are coincident or non-coincident, the hole axes 154a, 164a of the respective flow aperture 154 and access aperture 164 might be non-coincident. Still alternatively, as described later with reference to FIG. 6, the hole axes 154a, 164a of the respective flow aperture 154 and access aperture 164 might be coincident but the flow chamber 142 might be configured with flow guide arrangement 170 (e.g. internal diverters or baffles) that causes the respective gases flows 152, 162 to become non-coincident once they have entered the flow chamber 142, and before the respective gases flows 152, 162 meet or intersect, such that the respective gases flows 152, 162 merge relatively gradually and do not collide in a substantially directly-opposed manner.

[000572] For example, as shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, the flow chamber 142 may be of an elongated shape, such as a cylindrical shape, and the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be relatively disposed and/or oriented with respect to the flow chamber 142 such that the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be non-coincident (e.g. laterally spaced or at an angle with each other) in order for the the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident. [000573] According to various embodiments, the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140 may have a circular shape, a semi-circular shape, a quadrant shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a polygonal shape, an annular shape, a ring shape, an arc shape, a U shape, or a horseshoe shape. According to various embodiments, the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140 may have a spherical shape, a hemispherical shape, a dome shape, a cylindrical shape, a cuboid shape, a funnel shape, a frusto-conical shape, a trapezoidal shape, a pyramidal shape, a conical shape, a prism shape, or a tonus shape.

[000574] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show a third example 430 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 5A shows a fourth example 530A of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 5B shows a fifth example 530B of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. The third example 430 of the respiratory support component 130, the fourth example 530A of the respiratory support component 130, and the fifth example 530B of the respiratory support component 130 depict various possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 (i.e. adapter body or connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. adapter or connector) that directs the first gases flow 152 entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident so as to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 as well as to avoid the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner, thereby preventing the sudden pressure spike. It is to be understood that the earlier descriptions of the respiratory support component 130 with reference to FIG. 1 A to FIG. 2C, as well as relevant details in relation to the various elements as described with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, are also applicable to the third example 430 of the respiratory support component 130 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the fourth example 530A of the respiratory support component 130 in FIG. 5A and the fifth example 530B of the respiratory support component 130 in FIG. 5B. Accordingly, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their explanations is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focusing on describing the different possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000575] Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, in the third example 430 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a semi-circular shape. The coupling interface 150 may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. The access interface 160 may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the access interface 160 may be at the position between a mid-point of the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142 and the second end position of diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being parallel with respect to each other.

[000576] In the third example 430 of the respiratory support component 130, the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 may not be on a “collision course” but rather tend to flow at least partly “alongside” one another, and may eventually mix in a relatively gradual and gentle manner. The third example 430 of the respiratory support component 130 may be considered to approximately mimic or resemble a human nasal cavity. The curved wall of the flow chamber 142 and the unequal placement (relative to the end positions of the diameter) of the respective interfaces 150, 160 affects the flow paths of the respective gases flows 152, 162 upon entering the flow chamber 142. The curved wall of the flow chamber 142 may cause the first gases flow 152 (from the coupling interface 150) to assume a generally curved profile. The second gases flow 162 (from the access interface 160) may flow more linearly, although it may also be caused to curve to an extent. The respective gases flows 152, 162 may tend to meet in a non-direct manner, in the sense that, at the point of their meeting, their respective tangents (or centrelines or axes) are non-coincident. This may encourage the flows to merge in a relatively gradual manner, and may prevent them colliding directly and suddenly (and potentially violently and turbulently) which would result in an undesirable pressure spike. [000577] Referring to FIG. 5A, in the fourth example 530A of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a semi-circular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be at two opposite ends of the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other. For example, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be at an angle with respect to each other. The angle may be between 5° to 85°, 10° to 80°, 20° to 70°, 30° to 60°, 40° to 50°. Furthermore, one of the coupling interface 150 or the access interface 160 may be oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being perpendicular to the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. This may again cause an offset of respective gases flows 152, 162 that prevents them colliding directly in a head-on manner within the flow chamber 142, and instead encourages relatively gradual merging.

[000578] Referring to FIG. 5B, in the fifth example 530B of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a semi-circular shape. The coupling interface 150 may be disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. The access interface 160 may be disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the access interface 160 may be at the position between a mid-point of the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142 and the second end position of diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other. For example, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be at an angle with respect to each other. The angle may be between 5° to 85°, 10° to 80°, 20° to 70°, 30° to 60°, 40° to 50°. Furthermore, one of the coupling interface 150 or the access interface 160 may be oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being perpendicular to the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142.

[000579] In each of the fourth example 530A and the fifth example 530B of respiratory support component 130, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being at an angle with respect to each other may result in the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 being radially offset with respect to the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the access interface 160 may be at the second end portion of the diameter of the semicircular shape of the flow chamber 142 or may be at the position offset from the second end portion of the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. The fourth example 530A and the fifth example 530B of the respiratory support component 130 may also be considered to generally mimic or resemble a human nasal cavity.

[000580] It is to be understood that various other arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may be possible, beyond those, depicted in FIG. 4A to FIG. 5B.

[000581] For example (similar to that as shown in FIG. 1 1 ), the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a triangular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be on the same side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142 and set apart from each other such that they may be at opposite ends thereof. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other, such that they may be at an angle with respect to each other. Furthermore, one of the coupling interface 150 or the access interface 160 may be oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being perpendicular to said side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142.

[000582] In another example (similar to that as shown in FIG. 10), the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a triangular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly the coupling interface 150 may be at a first side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142 and the access interface 160 may be at a second side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other, such that they may be at an angle with respect to each other. Furthermore, each of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being perpendicular to the corresponding side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142.

[000583] For example (similar to that as shown in FIG. 7A), the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a circular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be substantially oppositely disposed along a circumference of the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, each of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented in a non-radial manner (such as in a substantially tangential manner) with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 are oriented such that the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may not be extending radially from the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Furthermore, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented in opposite directions with respect to each other and with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being parallel with respect to each other.

[000584] For example (similar to that as shown in FIG. 8A), the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have an arc shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142 and the access interface 160 may be offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142, or vice versa. Furthermore, each of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with its central axis 153, 163 perpendicular to a corresponding end wall of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142. [000585] For example (not shown), the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a funnel shape. The coupling interface 150 may be disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber 142. The access interface 160 may be disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being laterally offset with respect to each other. Additionally, or alternatively, the hole axes 154a of each of the flow aperture(s) 154 may be offset from the hole axes 164a of each of the access aperture(s) 164.

[000586] FIG. 6 shows a sixth example 630 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show a seventh example 730 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show an eighth example 830 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show a ninth example 730 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 show a tenth example 1030, an eleventh example 1 130, a twelfth example 1230, and a thirteenth example 1330 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. Each of the sixth example 630 to the thirteenth example 1330 of the respiratory support component 130 depicts various possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 (i.e. adapter body or connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. adapter or connector) that directs the first gases flow 152 entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident so as to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 as well as to avoid the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner, thereby preventing a sudden pressure spike. It is to be understood that the earlier descriptions of the respiratory support component 130 with reference to FIG. 1 A to FIG. 2C, as well as relevant details in relation to the various elements as described with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, are also applicable to the sixth example 630 to the thirteenth example 1330 of the respiratory support component 130. Accordingly, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their explanations is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focusing on describing the different possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000587] Referring to FIG. 6 to FIG. 13, according to various embodiments, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include the flow guide arrangement 170 (or one or more flow directing elements) associated with the flow chamber 142 of the hollow structure 140. While the flow guide arrangement 170 is illustrated with references to the sixth example 630 to the thirteenth example 1330 of the respiratory support component 130, it is to be understood that the flow guide arrangement 170 may be combined with various other examples or embodiments and is not limited to those as illustrated.

[000588] According to various embodiments, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may have an arrangement whereby the flow guide arrangement 170, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be disposed relative to each other in a manner to cause (e.g. divert or guide) the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 become noncoincident before the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 meet. For example, the arrangement of the flow guide arrangement 170, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may define a first flow path within the flow chamber 142 extending from the coupling interface 150 and a second flow path within the flow chamber 142 extending from the access interface 160. The first flow path and second flow path (or at least a portion of the flow paths) may be noncoincident in order for the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to be non-coincident (at least at the relevant portion of the respective flow paths, in particular the portion where the flow paths meet or intersect). In some embodiments, the first and second flow paths may extend from the respective interfaces 150, 160 to at least the flow guide arrangement 170. In some embodiments, the first and second flow paths may extend from the respective interface to the other interface.

[000589] According to various embodiments, the first flow path and the second flow path may be defined to cross paths with each other within the flow chamber 142 in a manner such that the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 flowing along the first flow path and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 concurrently flowing along the second flow path may interact with each other in a generally swirling or vortex-forming manner, as opposed to colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner. Such a generally swirling or vortexforming interaction may serve to prevent a sudden pressure spike when the gases flows meet / merge. The flow guide arrangement 170 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may serve to prevent the respective gases flows 152, 162 from meeting in a directly opposing manner by diverting or influencing the flow path of one or both gases flows 152, 162, thereby helping to prevent them from colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and instead encouraging them to merge gradually, such as, in some embodiments, in a generally swirling or vortex-forming manner.

[000590] As noted above with reference to FIG. 2C, in some embodiments the flow guide arrangement 170 may be the principal component which causes the respective gases flows 152, 162 to become non-coincident prior to meeting, intersecting or interacting. However, in other embodiments, the non-coincidence can be achieved via a combination of the flow guide arrangement 170 and other aspects of the configuration of the respiratory support component 130, such as the central axes 153, 163 of the respective interfaces 150, 160 (and I or the hole axes 154a, 164a of the respective apertures 154, 164) being non-coincident.

[000591] Referring to FIG. 6, in the sixth example 630 of the respiratory support component 130, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be disposed substantially opposite each other with respect to the flow chamber 142. As shown, the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may be aligned and coincident with each other. However, the flow guide arrangement 170 may divert or guide the first gases flow 152 entering via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 entering via the access interface 160 to cause the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 to become non-coincident within the flow chamber 142 prior to merging.

[000592] Referring to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in the seventh example 730 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a circular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be substantially oppositely disposed along a circumference of the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, each of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented in a non-radial manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 are oriented such that the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 may not be extending radially from the circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Furthermore, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented in substantially opposite directions with respect to each other and with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being substantially parallel with respect to each other. In addition, the flow chamber 142 may have an internal circular wall 770 disposed therein to serve as the flow guide arrangement 170. The internal circular wall 770 may optionally be disposed in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber 142.

[000593] In the seventh example 730 of the respiratory support component 130, the arrangement or the configuration of the the component body 132 may cause the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 to circulate. The circulation may help to prevent the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 from meeting as directly opposing flows, thereby avoiding an unwanted sudden pressure spike. In particular, with the circulation of the flows, the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 may be flowing in substantially the same direction when they meet. As a result, the user (i.e. the patient or the subject) may experience a more comfortable resistance to exhale into the respiratory support component 130 via the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000594] Referring to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, in the eighth example 830 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have an arc shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 may be offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142 and the access interface 160 may be offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142, or vice versa. Furthermore, each of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with its central axis 153, 163 perpendicular to a corresponding end wall of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142. In addition, the flow chamber 142 may have an internal curved wall 870 disposed therein to serve as the flow guide arrangement 170. The internal curved wall 870 may optionally be disposed substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142.

[000595] In the eighth example 830 of the respiratory support component 130, the internal curved wall 870 down the centre of the arc shape of the flow chamber 142 may cause the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 to circulate within the flow chamber 142. The circulation may help to prevent the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 from meeting as substantially directly opposing flows. The mutually offset interfaces 150, 160 may also assist in preventing substantially directly-opposed flow collision. [000596] Referring to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, in the ninth example 930 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a semi-circular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be at two opposite ends of the diameter of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being parallel with respect to each other. In addition, the flow chamber 142 may have a notch 970 along a curved wall of the semi-circular shape of the flow chamber 142. The notch 970 may be a substantially V-shaped indentation into the flow chamber 142. The notch 970 may serve as a flow guide arrangement 170 configured to prevent the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 from meeting as directly opposing flows, by diverting the respective flows to render them non-coincident prior to their meeting or interacting. The notch 970 may also promote swirling or vortexforming of the flows, prior to and / or after merging. Comparing this embodiment with that of FIG. 4A to FIG. 5B, in those cases, in the absence of a notch or other flow guide arrangement 170, the respective interfaces 150, 160 must be positioned I oriented I angled so as to prevent substantially direct collision of the flows within the flow chamber 142. In Figure 9A, the respective interfaces 150, 160 are positioned in a manner which may otherwise lead to direct collision of the flows; however, due to the notch 970 (i.e. the flow guide arrangement 170), the gases flows 152, 162 are diverted and direct collision is prevented (and instead relatively gradual merging is promoted). This tends to show that inclusion of a flow guide arrangement 170 may be beneficial in allowing more flexibility in terms of placement of the respective interfaces 150, 160 relative to the flow chamber 142 and on another.

[000597] Referring to FIG. 10, in the tenth example 1030 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a triangular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly the coupling interface 150 may be at a first side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142 and the access interface 160 may be at a second side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other, such that they may be at an angle with respect to each other. Furthermore, each of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being perpendicular to the corresponding side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. In addition, the flow chamber 142 may have an internal angular wall 1070 disposed therein to serve as the flow guide arrangement 170. The internal angular wall 1070 may be disposed in a manner to prevent the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 from meeting as directly opposing flows. It will be understood that, for this embodiment and certain of the others discussed herein, an equivalent configuration but without the flow guide arrangement 170 (in this case the internal angular wall 1070) may likewise act to prevent directly-opposed collision of the flows, due to the orientation of the respective interfaces and the geometry of the flow chamber 142. Specifically, in FIG. 10, the respective gases flows 152, 162 may glance off the hypotenuse wall of the triangular flow chamber 142, and thus assume a curved or arced flow path (or even potentially be urged into a generally vortex-like or spiraling formation), which may promote relatively gradual merging of the respective gases flows 152, 162 and avoid directly-opposed collision of the gases flows 152, 162. However, the internal angular wall 1070 may further promote and enhance this.

[000598] Referring to FIG. 1 1 , in the eleventh example 1130 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a triangular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side (the hypotenuse side) of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be on the same side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142 and set apart from each other such that they may be at opposite ends thereof. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other, such that they may be at an angle with respect to each other. Furthermore, each of the coupling interface 150 or the access interface 160 may be oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being non-perpendicular to said side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. In addition, the flow chamber 142 may include internal protrusions 1 170 along the walls of the flow chamber 142 to serve as the flow guide arrangement 170. The internal protrusions 1 170 may encourage swirling or vortex-forming so as to prevent the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 from meeting as directly opposing flows. (For completeness, it is noted that, for the FIG. 1 1 configuration, directly-opposed collision could alternatively or additionally be avoided or mitigated by, for example, offsetting one of the interfaces 150, 160 along the hypotenuse side of the flow chamber 142, similar to the principle in Figure 4A).

[000599] Referring to FIG. 12, in the twelfth example 1230 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a quadrant shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two different straight sides of the quadrant shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 may be at a first straight side of the quadrant shape of the flow chamber 142 and the access interface 160 may be at a second straight side of the quadrant shape of the flow chamber 142. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other, such that they may be at an angle with respect to each other. Furthermore, each of the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being perpendicular to the corresponding straight side of the quadrant shape of the flow chamber 142. In addition, the flow chamber 142 may have an internal curved wall 1270 disposed therein to serve as the flow guide arrangement 170. The internal curved wall 1270 may be disposed in a manner to prevent the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 from meeting as directly opposing flows. (For completeness, it is noted that in the FIG. 12 embodiment, directly-opposed collision could, alternatively or additionally, be prevented by offsetting one of the interfaces 150, 160 along its respective side wall. Furthermore, it is also noted that the internal curved wall 1270 of the FIG. 12 embodiment could, with any required modifications, potentially also be used in one or more other embodiments, such as the FIG. 10 embodiment; and likewise the notch 1070 of the FIG. 10 embodiment could, with any required modifications, be implemented in for instance the FIG. 12 embodiment. The internal flow guides 170 described herein in relation to the various Figures are merely exemplary, and their configurations may vary).

[000600] Referring to FIG. 13, in the thirteenth example 1330 of the respiratory support component 130, the flow chamber 142 of the component body 132 may have a generally triangular shape. The coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. Accordingly, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be on the same side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142 and set apart from each other such that they may be at opposite ends thereof. Further, the coupling interface 150 and the access interface 160 may be oriented with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 and the central axis 163 of the access interface 160 being non-parallel with respect to each other, such that they may be at an angle with respect to each other. Furthermore, each of the coupling interface 150 or the access interface 160 may be oriented with its central axis 153, 163 being non-perpendicular to said side of the triangular shape of the flow chamber 142. In addition, the flow chamber 142 may include external protrusions 1370 along the walls of the flow chamber 142 to serve as the flow guide arrangement 170. The external protrusions 1370 may encourage swirling or vortex-forming so as to prevent the first gases flow 152 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 via the access interface 160 to meet as directly opposing flows.

[000601] It is to be understood that various other arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may be possible, besides those illustrated in FIG. 7A to FIG. 13. Various other flow guide arrangements 170 may also be possible.

[000602] According to various embodiments, the flow guide arrangement 170 may include at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber 142 of the hollow structure 140. According to various embodiments, the flow guide arrangement 170 may include one or more (internal and/or external) protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure 140. According to various embodiments, the flow guide arrangement 170 may include one or more (internal and/or external) indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure 140.

[000603] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19D respectively show a fourteenth example 1930A, a fifteenth example 1930B, a sixteenth example 1930C, a seventeenth example 1930D according to various embodiments. Each of the fourteenth example 1930A to the seventeenth example 1930D depicts various possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 (i.e. adapter body or connector body) of the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. adapter or connector) in connection with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 and the invasive airway device 1 10 in a manner so as to direct the first gases flow 152 entering the flow chamber 142 via the coupling interface 150 and the second gases flow 162 entering the flow chamber 142 via the access interface 160 such that the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 may be non-coincident so as to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 as well as to avoid the first gases flow 152 and the second gases flow 162 colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner, thereby preventing a sudden pressure spike. It is to be understood that the earlier descriptions of the respiratory support component 130 with reference to FIG. 1 A to FIG. 2C, as well as relevant details in relation to the various elements as described with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, are also applicable to the fourteenth example 1930A to the seventeenth example 1930D. Accordingly, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their explanations is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focus on describing the different possible arrangements or configurations of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 together with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120.

[000604] Referring to FIG. 19A to FIG. 19D, according to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 may be configured such that avoidance of substantially directly opposed collision between the gases flows 152, 162 may be achieved, in whole or in part, via flow dynamics within the respiratory support component 130. In FIG. 19A, the two access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 are of the same size but are configured to receive prongs (i.e. insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122) of different sizes (such as for example the DUET nasal cannula provided by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare). Incoming supplied air enters the flow chamber 142 at a greater flow rate via the larger (left-hand) prong than via the smaller (right-hand) prong. This means that exhaled air (i.e. the first gases flow 152) entering the flow chamber 142 via the flow aperture 154 faces greater resistance on the left-hand side of the chamber 142, and thus is urged to veer towards or favour the right-hand side of the chamber 142, this being the “path of least resistance”. Synergistically with this, since the right-hand prong (i.e. insertion portion 124) is smaller, the leak area 169 around that prong is larger, making it easier for gases to escape the flow chamber 142 through that region, which further urges the exhaled air (i.e. the first gases flow 152) to favour the righthand side of the flow chamber 142. The net effect is that the incoming (supplied) gases flow (i.e. the second gases flow 162) will primarily be on the left-hand side of the flow chamber 142, while exhaled air (i.e. the first gases flow 152) will primarily favour the right-hand side of the flow chamber 142 (this can also be likened to an overall “current” of the gases flows, which in the FIG. 19A is substantially clockwise). Thus, the gases flows 152, 162 will be substantially non-coincident and will tend to move past one another and I or merge gradually, and in particular will not tend to collide in a substantially directly-opposed manner (or at least this will tend to be reduced / minimized). Thus, in this example, the avoidance of direct collision is provided at least in part by regulating the flow dynamics within the flow chamber 142. Optionally, this may be further enhanced by including the flow guide arrangement 170 (e.g. an internal barrier) between the respective sides of the flow chamber 142, as shown in FIG. 19A; however, the principle may still be effective even without any such flow guide arrangement 170.

[000605] Turning to FIG. 19B, this shows another example of avoidance of direct flow collision by regulating flow dynamics within the flow chamber 142. In FIG. 19B, the prongs (i.e. insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122) are the same size but the access apertures 164 are differently-sized. The larger aperture 164B on the right-hand side means there is a larger leak area on this side than on the left-hand side. Thus, exhaled air (i.e. the first gases flow 152) will tend to favour the righthand side. Again, a flow guide arrangement 170 (e.g. an internal barrier) may further enhance this effect.

[000606] Turning to FIG. 19C, this shows how regulating the flow path of supplied air upstream of the prongs (i.e. insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122) can further serve to avoid direct collision of gases flows 152, 162 within the flow chamber 142. Similarly to FIG. 19A, the access apertures 164 are the same size, but the left-hand prong (i.e. insertion portion 124A) is larger than the right-hand prong (i.e. insertion portion 124B), meaning the incoming flow rate will be greater on the left-hand side of the flow chamber 142 (and thus the exhaled air (i.e. the first gases flow 152) will generally tend to favour the right-hand side of the flow chamber 142). In addition, the flow of supplied air upstream of the prongs (i.e. insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122) is oriented at substantially a right angle to the prongs. This means the right-hand (downstream) prong (i.e. the insertion portion 124B) will generally get a greater flow of supplied air reaching it than the left-hand (upstream) prong (i.e. the insertion portion 124A), as the momentum of incoming (supplied) air carries it toward the region proximate the downstream prong, and, once the air encounters the “dead end” proximate that region, it will tend to enter the downstream prong (i.e. the insertion portion 124B). This further enhances and is synergistic with the effect of FIG. 19A. (It will be understood, however, that even if the prongs (i.e. insertion portions 124) are of equal size, disposing the upstream (supplied) flow substantially perpendicularly to the prongs as shown in FIG. 19C may tend to cause a greater flow rate through the downstream (left-hand) prong, and thus cause a “current” whereby supplied flow rate (i.e. the second gases flow 162) is greater at the left-hand side of the flow chamber 142 and exhaled flow (i.e. the first gases flow 152) accordingly favours the right-hand side of the flow chamber 142).

[000607] Turning to FIG. 19D, this is an example of regulating flow dynamics within the flow chamber 142 (so as to avoid direct collision between gases flows) by using internal barrier(s) within the flow chamber 142. In FIG. 19D, the respective access apertures 164 and prongs (i.e. insertion portions 124) are of the same size. However, an internal barrier or restriction 172 on the right-hand side of the flow chamber 142 means incoming (supplied) flow (i.e. the second gases flow 162) into the flow chamber 142 on that side has a restricted flow rate relative to incoming (supplied) flow on the left-hand side (similarly to if the prong (i.e. the insertion portion 124B) on that side were smaller than the left-hand prong (i.e. the insertion portion 124A)). This again means that exhaled flow (i.e. the first gases flow 152) coming into the flow chamber 142 will tend to favour the right-hand side of the flow chamber 142, as the path of least resistance; and will tend to exit the flow chamber 142 via the right-hand leak area 169.

[000608] FIG. 14 shows an enlarged view of the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160 according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 may include a flow regulating member 180 disposed across an inflow path through the access interface 160. The flow regulating member 180 may encourage laminar flow. According to various embodiments, the flow regulating member 180 may include a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

[000609] FIG. 15 shows an eighteenth example 1530 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 16 shows a nineteenth example 1630 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. FIG. 17 shows a twentieth example 1730 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. It is to be understood that the earlier descriptions of the respiratory support component 130 with reference to FIG. 1 A to FIG. 2C, as well as relevant details in relation to the various elements as described with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, are also applicable to the eighteenth example 1530 to the twentieth example 1730 of the respiratory support component 130. Accordingly, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their explanations is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focusing on describing the additional features and/or limitation applicable to the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000610] As shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, according to various embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 may further include a retaining arrangement 190 disposed at the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130. According to various embodiments, the retaining arrangement 190 may be engageable with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 introduced to the access interface 160 so as to retain the supply member 122 in place with respect to the access interface 160. Accordingly, the retaining arrangement 190 may be configured to be removably couplable to the supply member 122 and may be configured to hold or retain the supply member 122 in place. (The retaining arrangement 190 could also be permanently coupled to either the supply member 122 or the respiratory support component 130). According to various embodiments, the retaining arrangement 190 may include a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive or a suction element. The retaining arrangement 190 may act to retain the supply member 122 in place with respect to the access interface 160 by providing a connection between the supply member 122 and the respiratory support component 130. Alternatively, the retaining arrangement could be provided by a strap or loop that extends from the supply member 122 around the neck of the patient, to urge the supply member 122 firmly into contact with the access interface 160. Various configurations of the retaining arrangement 190 are possible.

[000611] According to various embodiments, the supply member 122 may be securely connected to the respiratory support component 130 so that the insertion portions 124 (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs) of the supply member 122 may be fixed in position relative to the respiratory support component 130. The retaining arrangement 190 may extend from the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 for engaging with the supply member 122. The retaining arrangement 190 may also be an element at the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 to which a strap or an arm of the supply member 122 may be attached. According to various embodiments, the retaining arrangement 190 may be adjustable such that the supply member 122 may be adjusted relative to the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 for adjusting the disposition of the supply member 122 relative to the access interface 160.

[000612] Referring to FIG. 15, in the eighteenth example 1530 of the respiratory support component 130, the retaining arrangement 190 may be in the form of a strap or an arm extending from an exterior of the hollow structure 140 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000613] Referring to FIG. 16, in the nineteenth example 1630 of the respiratory support component, the retaining arrangement 190 may be in the form of a strap or an arm extending from an exterior of the hollow structure 140 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 proximal to the access interface 160 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000614] Referring to FIG. 17, in the twentieth example 1730 of the respiratory support component, the retaining arrangement 190 may be in the form of a strap or an arm extending from an exterior of the hollow structure 140 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 proximal to the coupling interface 150 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130. [000615] It is to be understood that, in addition to the examples in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, various other retaining arrangement 190 configurations may also be possible.

[000616] According to various embodiments, in the system 100, the retaining arrangement 190 may be in engagement with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 introduced to the access interface 160 so as to retain the supply member 122 in place with respect to the access interface 160. Further, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may have an arrangement whereby the coupling interface 150, the access interface 160 and the retaining arrangement 190 may be disposed such that the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be retained in place, by the retaining arrangement 190 with respect to the access interface 160, with a disposition to direct the gases flow (i.e. the second gases flow 162) from the supply member 122 through the access interface 160 into the flow chamber 142 in a manner whereby the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152 (i.e. the exhalation flow) and the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162 (i.e. the gases flow from the supply member 122) may be non-coincident. Accordingly, the supply member 122 may be held in place, by the retaining arrangement 190, such that a flow axis (or an axis of projection) of the supply member 122 extending through the access interface 160 into the flow chamber 142 may be non-coincident with the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 (and I or such that the respective hole axes are non-coincident). With the supply member 122 being held by the retaining arrangement 190 in such a manner, the gases flow from the supply member 122 may enter the flow chamber 142 along the flow axis (or the axis of projection) of the supply member 122 extending into the flow chamber 142. Since the gases flow from the supply member 122 may follow the flow axis (or the axis of projection) of the supply member 122, the axis of the gases flow from the supply member (i.e. the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162) may correspond with the flow axis (or the axis of projection) of the supply member 122. Accordingly, the axis of the gases flow from the supply member (i.e. the axis 161 of the second gases flow 162) and the axis of the exhalation (i.e. the axis 151 of the first gases flow 152) may be non-coincident.

[000617] According to various embodiments, the retaining arrangement 190 may be configured to hold or retain the supply member 122 in a predetermined disposition. The predetermined disposition of the supply member 122 may be a relative placement of the supply member 122 with respect to the access interface 160 such that the gases flow from the supply member 122 may enter the flow chamber 142 along the axis of projection of the supply member 122, whereby the axis of projection of the supply member 122 and the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 (and I or the hole axis of the access aperture) may be non-coincident. [000618] According to various embodiments, the retaining arrangement 190 may be configured to hold or retain the supply member 122 such that the flow axis (or the axis of projection) of the supply member 122 and the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 (and I or the hole axis of the access aperture) may be laterally offset from each other so as to be non-coincident. According to various embodiments, the retaining arrangement 190 may be configured to hold or retain the supply member 122 such that the flow axis (or the axis of projection) of the supply member 122 and the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 (and I or the respective hole axes) may be at an angle (either intersecting or skew) with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

[000619] According to various embodiments, the retaining arrangement 190 may include an alignment element 192. The alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may serve to provide feedback on whether the supply member 122 is held or retained in a desired correct position. Accordingly, an interaction between the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 and the supply member 122 may provide an indication to the user whether the supply member 122 is fitted correctly. For example, when the supply member 122 is supposed to be in the predetermined disposition when fitted and held by the retaining arrangement 190, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may provide the feedback and/or indication relative to the supply member 122 whether the supply member 122 is fitted and held in the predetermined disposition by the retaining arrangement 190. As another example, when the supply member 122 is supposed to be held or retain by the retaining arrangement 190 such that the flow axis (or the axis of projection) of the supply member 122 and the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 (and I or the hole axis of the access aperture) may be laterally offset from each other so as to be non-coincident, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may provide the feedback and/or indication relative to the supply member 122 whether the supply member 122 is fitted and held by the retaining arrangement 190 accordingly.

[000620] According to some embodiments, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may include an alignment indicator. The alignment indicator (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may serve to provide a visual feedback or visual indication whether the supply member 122 is held or retained in the desired position. The alignment indicator (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may include, but not limited to, a visual marker or an alignment marking, which may be in the form of lines, colours, a protrusion or a recess. For example, the alignment element 192 (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may include a line marking serving as a reference which a predetermined portion of the supply member 122 is to be aligned thereto. Accordingly, the predetermined portion of the supply member 122 may align to the line marking (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position.

[000621] According to some embodiments, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may include an alignment structure. The alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may be a physical engagement element which a predetermined portion of the supply member 122 may be engaged or fitted thereto when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. Accordingly, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may provide the feedback or the indication whether the supply member 122 is held or retained in the desired position based on whether the retaining arrangement 190 is holding or retaining the supply member 122 with the predetermined portion of the supply member 122 engaged or fitted to the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190. For example, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may be a protrusion, such as a rib, a ridge or a raised bar, which engages or fits with the predetermined portion of the supply member 122 in a manner so as to stop or limit further engagement to cause further relative movement between the supply member 122 and the retaining arrangement 190 once the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. Hence, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 stopping or limiting further engagement may serve to provide a tactile feedback when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position.

[000622] According to some embodiments, the supply member 122 may include an alignment element 194. The alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 may similarly serve to provide feedback on whether the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired correct position. Accordingly, an interaction between the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 and the retaining arrangement 190 may provide an indication to the user whether the supply member 122 is fitted correctly. For example, when the supply member 122 is supposed to be in the predetermined disposition when fitted and held by the retaining arrangement 190, the alignment element 194 of the supply member may provide the feedback and/or indication relative to the retaining arrangement 190 whether the supply member 122 is fitted and held in the predetermined disposition by the retaining arrangement 190. As another example, when the supply member 122 is supposed to be held or retain by the retaining arrangement 190 such that the flow axis (or the axis of projection) of the supply member 122 and the central axis 153 of the coupling interface 150 (and I or the hole axis of the access aperture) may be laterally offset from each other so as to be non-coincident, the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 may provide the feedback and/or indication relative to the retaining arrangement 190 whether the supply member 122 is fitted and held by the retaining arrangement 190 accordingly.

[000623] According to some embodiments, the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 may include an alignment indicator. The alignment indicator (i.e. the alignment element 194) of the supply member 122 may serve to provide a visual feedback or visual indication whether the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. The alignment indicator (i.e. the alignment element 194) of the supply member 122 may include, but not limited to, a visual marker or an alignment marking, which may be in the form of lines, colours, a protrusion or a recess.

[000624] According to some embodiments, the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 may include an alignment structure. The alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 194) of the supply member 122 may be a physical engagement element which a predetermined portion of the retaining arrangement 190 may be engaged or fitted thereto when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. Accordingly, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 194) of the supply member 122 may provide the feedback or the indication whether the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position based on whether the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 194) of the supply member 122 is engaged or fitted to the predetermined portion of the retaining arrangement 190. [000625] According to some embodiments, in the system 100, the retaining arrangement 190 may include the alignment element 192 and/or the supply member 122 may include the alignment element 194.

[000626] For example, when the retaining arrangement 190 includes the alignment element 192 and the supply member 122 includes the alignment element 194, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may include the alignment indication, e.g. a line marking, and the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 may include a corresponding alignment indication, e.g. a corresponding line marking. Accordingly, the line marking (i.e. alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may align to the corresponding line marking (i.e. alignment element 194) of the supply member 122 when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. As another example, when the retaining arrangement 190 includes the alignment element 192 and the supply member 122 includes the alignment element 194, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may include the alignment structure, e.g. a protrusion, and the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 may include a corresponding alignment structure, e.g. a corresponding groove, or vice versa. Accordingly, the alignment element 192 (e.g. the protrusion) of the retaining arrangement 190 and the alignment element 194 (e.g. the corresponding groove) of the supply member 122 may form a tongue and groove engagement. The engagement between the alignment element 192 (e.g. the protrusion) of the retaining arrangement 190 and the alignment element 194 (e.g. the corresponding groove) of the supply member 122 may provide a tactile feedback when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. The tongue and groove engagement formed may obstruct further relative movement between the supply member 122 and the retaining arrangement 190 once the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. As a further example, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may be a protrusion and the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122 may also be a protrusion. Accordingly, the respective alignment elements 192, 194 may both be protrusions serving as alignment structures for abutting one another to indicate alignment. Hence, the engagement between the protrusion of the retaining arrangement 190 and the protrusion of the supply member 122 may similarly provide a tactile feedback when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position.

[000627] It should also be noted that the access interface 160 may also be configured with internal guide or support features 168 that help to position the supply member 122 in the required orientation, in use. For instance, the internal guide or support features 168 may include ribs, teeth or other protrusions. FIG. 21 A and FIG. 21 AA show the internal guide or support features 168 being configured to orient the supply members 122 parallel to the access interface 160. FIG. 21 B and FIG. 21 BB show the internal guide or support features 168 being configured to orient the supply members 122 at a slant or skew disposition relative to the access interface 160. Since such internal guide or support features 168 may be located in the leak area 169, it will be understood that they should have a relatively minimal area I size (and should extend around only a relatively small portion of the circumference of the access aperture 164, as for instance schematically shown in FIG. 21 C), so as to avoid interfering with gases escaping the flow chamber 142 (or alternatively the leak area 169 should be sized so as to account for the presence of these features). In other words, the internal guide or support features 168 may be distributed around the inner circumferential surface of the access aperture 164, such that gaps or intervals between the internal guide or support features 168 along the inner circumferential surface of the access aperture 164 may together form the leak area 169. Other configurations are also possible for the internal guide or support features 168. The internal guide or support features 168 can also be used in conjunction with the retaining arrangement 190 discussed above, for example with the internal guide or support features ensuring the desired orientation of the supply member 122, and the retaining arrangement 190 ensuring the supply member 122 is firmly held in place against, or in abutment with, the access interface 160. Furthermore, the internal guide or support features 168 can of course be used in conjunction with any of the other embodiments and examples discussed herein, to achieve the technical function of the invention.

[000628] It should also be noted that some types of cannula prongs (i.e. the insertion portion 124 of the supply member 122) may have a degree of curvature to them. The components and features of the respiratory support component 130 may be configured to account for this; for instance, if it is known or anticipated that the prongs (i.e. the insertion portions 124) to be used with the respiratory support component 130 have a particular degree of curvature, then other elements I shapes I geometries of the respiratory support component 130 may accordingly be configured so as to ensure that gases flow (i.e. the second gases flow 164) from the curved prongs and exhaled gases flow (i.e. the first gases flow 154) do not collide within the flow chamber 142 in a substantially directly-opposed manner.

[000629] FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B show a twentyfirst example 2130 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. It is to be understood that the earlier descriptions of the respiratory support component 130 with reference to FIG. 1 A to FIG. 2C, as well as relevant details in relation to the various elements as described with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 21 C, are also applicable to the twentyfirst example 2130. Accordingly, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their explanations is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focusing on describing the additional features and/or limitation applicable to the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130.

[000630] According to various embodiments, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include a first modular part 132a and a second modular part 132b. The first modular part 132a may include the access interface 160 while the second modular part 132b may include the coupling interface 150 and the hollow structure 140. According to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b may be removably attached or coupled or joined together to form the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130. The first modular part 132a may be selected from a corresponding pool of independent and interchangeable modules, whereby each may provide a different configuration of the access interface 160. Likewise, the second modular part 132b may be selected from a corresponding pool of independent and interchangeable modules, whereby each may provide a different configuration of the coupling interface 150 and/or a different configuration of the hollow structure 140. Accordingly, the first modular part 132a may be interchanged and swapped to change the configuration of the access interface 160 and/or the second modular part 132b may be interchanged and swapped to change the configuration of the coupling interface 150 and/or the configuration of the hollow structure 140 such that assembling the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b together may arrive at a desirable configuration for the respiratory support component 130, whereby the access interface 160, the coupling interface 150 and the hollow structure 140 may respectively be in the corresponding configuration as desired. Further, as the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b may be removable from each other, the first modular part 132a may be removed from the second modular part 132b and interchanged with another so as to change the configuration of the access interface 160 when desired.

[000631] Referring to FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, in the twentyfirst example 2130 of the respiratory support component 130, the coupling interface 150 of the second modular part 132b of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include the surrounding wall 156 extending from the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130. The surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150 may define the hollow passage 157 therewithin leading into the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140. According to various embodiments, the rim of the surrounding wall 156 of the coupling interface 150 directed or facing away from the hollow structure 140 may define the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150.

[000632] Further, as shown, the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b of the component body 132 may have a bell shape. The coupling interface 150 may be disposed at a crown portion of the bell shape of the flow chamber 142. For example, the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b of the component body 132 may have a bell-shape wall defining the flow chamber 142 and the coupling interface 150 may extend from a crown of the bell-shape wall. Furthermore, the coupling interface 150 may be oriented with respect to the flow chamber 142 such that a central axis (or hole-axis) of the flow aperture 154 of the coupling interface 150 may coincide with a central axis of the bell shape of the flow chamber 142.

[000633] According to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b may be removably attached or coupled or joined together via any suitable means, for example via a friction fit, via interlocking, and/or via additional fastening components. Accordingly, the engagement between the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b may allow the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b to be attached or coupled or joined together in a manner such that they may be removed or separated from each other when required.

[000634] According to various embodiments, an opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b of the component body 132 may include an engagement arrangement 146. The engagement arrangement 146 may removably attach or couple or join with a complementary engagement arrangement 148 at the first modular part 132a of the component body 132 so as to form a removable engagement for removably attaching or coupling or joining the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b together. According to various embodiments, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b and the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may form one or a combination of releasable fastening engagement including, but not limited to, a friction engagement, an interlocking engagement, a snap-fit fastening engagement, a snap fastening engagement, a hook and eye fastening engagement, a latch fastening engagement, a clip fastening engagement, a hermetic engagement, or any other suitable engagement.

[000635] Referring to FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, in the twentyfirst example 2130 of the respiratory support component 130 as shown, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b may include a notch or a recess 146a and an inner surface 146b of a rim of the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b, and the corresponding engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may include an elongated protrusion 148a extending from the first modular part 132a and a raised rim or lip 148b proximate an outer edge of the first modular part 132a. When the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b are assembled together, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b may engage the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a in a manner so as to removably attach or couple of join the second modular part 132b and the first modular part 132a together. For example, the elongated protrusion 148a of the first modular part 132a may be inserted into the notch or the recess 146a of the second modular part 132b to form a snap-fit engagement, and the raised rim or lip 148b of the first modular part 132b may engage with the inner surface 146b of the rim of the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b to form a friction fit. The friction fit may form an airtight seal to prevent unintentional egress of gases when the respiratory support component 130 is in use. Therefore, the removable attachment or connection between the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b may be achieved via the engagement arrangement 146 and the complementary engagement arrangement 148. Although in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, it is depicted that the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b may include a notch or a recess 146a and an inner surface 146b of a rim of the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b, and the corresponding engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may include an elongated protrusion 148a extending from the first modular part 132a and a raised rim or lip 148b proximate an outer edge of the first modular part 132a, it is understood that these may be reversed. [000636] According to various embodiments, the access interface 160 of the first modular part 132a of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include one or two or more access apertures 164. According to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a may include a main structure 136 serving as a lid or a cover for covering the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b. The complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may be disposed at the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a (for example, as shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, the elongated protrusion 148a of the complementary engagement arrangement 148 may extend from the main structure 136 and the raised rim or lip 148b may extend proximate an outer edge of the main structure 136). Further, the one or two or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160 may also be disposed at the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. For example, referring to FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, the access interface 160 of the first modular part 132a of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include two access apertures 164. As shown, the two access apertures 164 may be of different sizes/dimensions. Further, each of the two access apertures 164 may extend through the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a in the form of a through-hole. In addition, the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a may be a panel-like structure (e.g. having at least one substantially flat main surface, such as the surface facing away from the patient in use).

[000637] According to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a may include the flow guide arrangement 170 (e.g. internal baffles I structures) extending from the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a into the flow chamber 142 when the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b are coupled or joined or attached together. For example, as shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, the flow guide arrangement 170 may be extending between the two access apertures 164 and perpendicularly away from the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. Further, the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a and the flow guide arrangement 170 of the first modular part 132a may be on a same side of the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. Accordingly, when the first modular part 132a is fitted to the second modular part 132b, the flow guide arrangement 170 of the first modular part 132a may be inserted into the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b so as to extend into the flow chamber 142. Further, the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may engage with the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b.

[000638] According to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a may include the retaining arrangement 190. The retaining arrangement 190 may be engageable with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 introduced to the access interface 160 of the first modular part 132a so as to retain the supply member 122 in place with respect to the access interface 160 of the first modular part 132a. When the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b are assembled together to form the respiratory support component 130, the retaining arrangement 190 may serve to retain the supply member 122 in place with respect to the respiratory support component 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, the retaining arrangement 190 may include a hook for retaining the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120.

[000639] FIG. 23 shows an example of a pool of independent and interchangeable modules (e.g. three modules) for the first modular part 132a of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B. According to various embodiments, the pool of independent and interchangeable modules may differ from each other in terms of the sizes/dimensions of the access aperture 164. While FIG. 23 has illustrated the example based on the first modular part 132a of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B having two access apertures 164 with different dimensions between each other, it is understood that the independent and interchangeable modules may also have different number of access apertures 164 in a module, same dimensioned access apertures 164 in a module, etc. Further, the independent and interchangeable modules may also differ from each other in terms of a number, shape, configuration and/or size of the retaining arrangement 190, and/or a number, shape, configuration and/or size of the flow guide arrangement 170.

[000640] FIG. 24A to FIG. 24D show another example of the first modular part 132a of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B capable of being another one of the independent and interchangeable modules. As shown, the first modular part 132a of FIG. 24A may have two access apertures 164 with different dimensions and the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a may be an elongated shape (e.g. pill shape) panel-like structure. The two access apertures 164 of different dimensions may be disposed such that the common external tangent 133 of the two access apertures 164 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. Further, the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a may include two opposite longitudinal edges 135a, 135b parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the first modular part 132a. The common external tangent 133 of the two access apertures 164 may be parallel to the longitudinal edges 135a, 135b of the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. As shown, the retaining arrangement 190 may be at or extend from a first longitudinal edge 135a of the two opposite longitudinal edges of the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. Further, the two access apertures 164 may be disposed with the common external tangent 133 of the two access apertures 164 proximal to a second longitudinal edge 135b of the two opposite longitudinal edges of the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a, i.e. the longitudinal edge 135b without the retaining arrangement 190 or the longitudinal edge 135b opposite the retaining arrangement 190.

[000641] As shown in FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C, the first modular part 132a may include the retaining arrangement 190. The retaining arrangement 190 may extend from the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a and the retaining arrangement 190 may be in the form of a hook for retaining the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. The hook may be a C-shaped hook. Further, the retaining arrangement 190 may include an alignment element 192. The alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may serve to provide feedback or indication to the user whether the supply member 122 is held or retained in the desired correct position. As shown, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may be an alignment structure. The alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may physically engage or fit with a predetermined portion of the supply member 122 when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired correct position (including, in some examples, when the supply member 122 has been pivoted or rotated to the correct position relative to the retaining arrangement 190 and the module first part 132a). Accordingly, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may provide the feedback or the indication whether the supply member 122 is held or retained in the desired correct position based on whether the retaining arrangement 190 is holding or retaining the supply member 122 with the predetermined portion of the supply member 122 engaged or fitted to the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190. As shown, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may be a protrusion which may engage or fit with the predetermined portion of the supply member 122 once the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired correct position. In the various embodiments, the predetermined portion of the supply member 122 (i.e. nasal cannula) may be, for instance, a portion of the cannula body, such as an edge of the cannula body, a side of the cannula body, or a protrusion or other discrete element on the cannula body. Hence, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may serve to provide the feedback when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired position. As shown, the retaining arrangement 190 in the form of the hook may lie in (or extend generally along) a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 131 of the of the first modular part 132a. In other words, the retaining arrangement 190 in the form of the hook may form an overhang over the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a, and/or may extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. Further, the alignment structure (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 in the form of the protrusion may extend from the hook in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 131 of the first modular part 132a.

[000642] While it is shown in FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C that the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may be an alignment structure, it is understood that the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 may also be an alignment indicator. The alignment indicator (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may serve to provide a visual feedback or visual indication whether the supply member 122 is held or retained in the desired position. The alignment indicator (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 may include, but not limited to, a visual marker or an alignment marking, which may be in the form of lines, colours, a protrusion or a recess. When the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 is in the form of the alignment indicator, the alignment indicator may serve as a reference which a predetermined portion of the supply member 122 may be aligned thereto. Accordingly, the predetermined portion of the supply member 122 may align to the alignment indicator (i.e. the alignment element 192) of the retaining arrangement 190 when the supply member 122 is held or retained by the retaining arrangement 190 in the desired correct position. According to some embodiments, the alignment element 192 may also be a combination of an alignment structure and an alignment indicator.

[000643] Furthermore, while in Figures 24A-24C the alignment element 192 is shown as a protrusion extending substantially perpendicularly from the retaining arrangement 190 at substantially a midpoint of the retaining arrangement 190, it will be understood that the alignment element 192 may also extend in a different orientation and/or from a different portion of the retaining arrangement 190. Furthermore, in some embodiments the alignment element 192 may serve the further function of helping to retain the supply member 122 relative to the access interface 160 of the component body 132 and/or the first modular part 132a. Furthermore, in some embodiments the alignment element 192 may be distinct and separate from the retaining arrangement 190 altogether, for instance the alignment element 192 may extend separately from a portion of the first modular part 132a and engage with a portion of the supply member 122 independently of, or additionally to, the retaining arrangement 190.

[000644] FIG. 24D shows the first modular part 132a of FIG. 24A, but includes exemplary dimensions of various features. These are given by way of example only and one or more of the various dimensions may be different from those shown and described here. The dimensions shown and described here should be taken to also cover dimensions that are substantially the same as or in the region of those dimensions, for instance dimensions that are within +/- 20% of the respective dimensions shown and described.

[000645] FIG. 27A to FIG. 29C schematically show a number of different alignment elements 192 engaging with various portions of the supply member 122 (i.e. cannula) according to various embodiments. In FIG. 27A, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 is provided by a formation, in this case a protrusion, disposed substantially midway along the retaining arrangement 190, similarly to Figures 24A-24C. The supply member 122 has a corresponding formation (i.e. alignment element 194), in this case a protrusion on the body of the supply member 122 (i.e. the cannula body of the nasal cannula). As shown in FIG. 27B and FIG. 27C, when the supply member 122 is first moved downwardly to be cradled in the retaining arrangement 190, the respective protrusions (i.e. the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 and the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122) are not engaged. Then, when the supply member 122 is pivoted into the correct orientation, the respective protrusions abut one another to provide a tactile indication of the correct orientation being achieved.

[000646] In FIG. 28A, the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 is provided by a formation, in this case a protrusion, disposed substantially at the end of the retaining arrangement 190, i.e. the end that is furthest from the access interface 160 of the component body 132 and/or the first modular part 132a (or a free-end of the retaining arrangement 190). Further, the supply member 122 has a corresponding formation (i.e. alignment element 194), in this case a protrusion. Again the respective protrusions (i.e. the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 and the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122) are initially spaced from one another when the supply member 122 is first lowered in so as to be cradled by the retaining arrangement 192, but come into abutment with each other when the supply member 122 has been rotated by the correct amount relative to the retaining arrangement 190 and the access interface 160 of the component body 132 (for example, see FIG28B and FIG. 28C). In this embodiment, the alignment element 192, being at the end of the retaining arrangement 190 and thus at the “entrance” to the slot formed by the retaining arrangement 190, may, in addition to serving the alignment function, also play a part in retaining the supply member 122 relative to the retaining arrangement 190 and the access interface 160 of the component body 132.

[000647] In FIG 29A, the alignment element 192 is provided by a formation, in this case a protrusion, that is on the access interface 160 of the component body 132, and separate from the retaining arrangement 190. The supply member 122 has a corresponding formation (i.e. alignment element 194), in this case a protrusion. Again, when the supply member 122 is first lowered so as to be cradled by the retaining arrangement 190, the respective protrusions (i.e. the alignment element 192 of the retaining arrangement 190 and the alignment element 194 of the supply member 122) are spaced from one another, but come into abutment when the supply member 122 is subsequently rotated to the correct orientation. [000648] Referring back to FIG. 24A to FIG. 24D, according to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a may include at least one handle region 137. The at least one handle region 137 may serve to enable the first modular part 132a to be held, gripped, grasped or seized by a hand of a user such that the user may remove the first modular part 132a from the second modular part 132b or attach the first modular part 132a to the second modular part 132b. In some embodiments, the at least one handle region 137 may be in the form of a tab or an appendage extending away from the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. In some embodiments, the at least one handle region 137 may be at a longitudinal end portion of the first modular part 132a. In some embodiments, the first modular part 132a may include two handle regions 137 at two opposite sides (or ends) of the first modular part 132a. In some embodiments, the two handle regions 137 may be respectively at two opposite longitudinal end portions of the first modular part 132a. While FIG. 24A to FIG. 24D show that the first modular part 132a may include the at least one handle region 137, it is understood that the second modular part 132b may, similarly, include at least one handle region. Repetition of description relating to the at least one handle region for the second modular part 132b is omitted for brevity. According to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a may include the at least one handle region 137; or the second modular part 132b may include the at least one handle region; or the first modular part 132a may include the at least one handle region 137 and the second modular part 132b may include the at least one handle region.

[000649] Referring to FIG. 24C, according to various embodiments, the first modular part 132a may include a ridge portion 139 extending between the two access apertures 164 and perpendicularly (or substantially perpendicularly, or at an angle) away from the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a in a direction opposite the flow guide arrangement 170. Accordingly, the ridge portion 139 may extend outward and away from the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a (e.g. exterior of the hollow structure 140 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 between the two access apertures 164) such that the ridge portion 139 may be directed towards the supply member 122 when the supply member 122 is fitted to the respiratory support component 130. Hence, the ridge portion 139 may be at an outward facing surface of the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. Since the ridge portion 129 is between the two access apertures 164, the ridge portion 129 may serve as a partition (or a partitioning wall) demarcating the separation of the two access apertures 164. As shown, the ridge portion 139 and the retaining arrangement 190 may extend away from the same side of the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. In some embodiments, the ridge portion 139 and the retaining arrangement 190 may be aligned or substantially aligned to each other. In some embodiments, the ridge portion 139 may be in the form of a long narrow raised structure or a long wall. In some embodiments, the ridge portion 139 and the flow guide arrangement 170 may be extending away from each other along a same plane that is perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a. In some other embodiments the ridge portion 139 and the flow guide arrangement 170 may be offset from each other and may be extending away from each other respectively along two parallel (or substantially parallel) planes that are perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the main structure 136 of the first modular part 132a.

[000650] According to various embodiments, the ridge portion 139 may include an abutment section 139a at a longitudinal end thereof. The abutment section 139a may serve to abut or bear against the supply member 122 when the supply member 122 is fitted to the respiratory support component 130. In some embodiments, the abutment section 139a may be in the form of a raised part or an elevated part or a bump or a protuberance along the ridge portion 139. The abutment section 139a of the ridge portion 139 may urge against a bridging portion of the supply member 122 so as to nestle and retain the supply member 122 when the supply member 122 is fitted to the respiratory support component 130. The bridging portion of the supply member 122 may be a portion of the supply member 122 extending between the two insertion portions 124 of the supply member 122 so as to interconnect the two insertion portions 124. Further, the abutment section 139a of the ridge portion 139 abutting the bridging portion of the supply member 122 may assist the fitting of the supply member 122 correctly to the respiratory support component 130 such that the insertion portion 124 of the supply member 122 may be at the correct position and/or orientation for fitting into the access apertures 164. As an example, as shown in FIG. 24C, the abutment section 139a may be at or near a longitudinal end of the ridge portion 139 proximal to the retaining arrangement 190. Further, the abutment section 139a may be directed towards the retaining arrangement 190 when the retaining arrangement 190 is in the form of the hook as shown. Accordingly, with the abutment section 139a bearing against the supply member 122, the supply member 122 may also be pushed against the retaining arrangement 190 so as to be fitted snugly to the retaining arrangement 190. Hence, the abutment section 139a of the ridge portion 139 and the retaining arrangement 190 may cooperatively and securely retain the supply member 122 to the respiratory support component 130. In some embodiments, the abutment section 139a may play a role that is similar to, and/or complementary to, that of the alignment elements 192, 194 discussed with reference to, for instance, FIGS. 29A - 29C. Namely, the abutment section 139a may be configured to act as an alignment element that abuts against a corresponding alignment element 194 on the the supply member 122 (such as a protrusion on, or a region of, the the supply member 122) to indicate that the supply member 122 (i.e. cannula) has been rotated to the correct position. For instance, the abutment section 139a may be configured to abut against the region of the supply member 122 spanning between the two insertion portions 124 (i.e. prongs) when the supply member 122 has been rotated to the correct orientation within the retaining arrangement 190 (i.e. hook). This may be instead of, or in addition to, other alignment elements discussed herein.

[000651] According to various embodiments, the ridge portion 139 may include a dropped section 139b. The dropped section 139b may be at or near the longitudinal end of the ridge portion 139. As an example, the ridge portion 139 may include both the abutment section 139a and the dropped section 139b at the same longitudinal end thereof. Further, the dropped section 139b may be a cutout or a concavity or a notch or an indent or a dip or a plunge in the ridge portion 139. Accordingly, the dropped section 139b of the ridge portion 139 may form a socket into which the bridging portion of the supply member 122 may be fitted or nestled or accommodated. With the dropped section 139b of the ridge portion 139, the supply member 122 may be securely retained when the bridging portion of the supply member 122 is fitted or nestled or accommodated into the dropped section 139b of the ridge portion 139. According to some embodiments, the dropped section 139b of the ridge portion 139 and the retaining arrangement 190 may together form the socket for receiving the bridging portion of the supply member 122. Accordingly, the dropped section 139b of the ridge portion 139 may form part of the socket and the retaining arrangement 190 may form another part of the socket. Hence, the dropped section 139b of the ridge portion 139 and the retaining arrangement 190 may together retain the supply member 122 to the respiratory support component 130.

[000652] While FIG. 24C shows the ridge portion 139 having both the abutment section 139a and the dropped section 139b, it is understood that, in various embodiments, the ridge portion 139 may include the abutment section 139a only, or the dropped section 139b only, or both the abutment section 139a and the dropped section 139b, or there may for example be two ridge portions 139, one having the abutment section 139a and one having the dropped section 139b. Further, while the ridge portion 139 is illustrated with reference to the example of the first modular part 132a for the respiratory support component 130, such as the first modular part 132a in the twentyfirst example 2130 of the respiratory support component 130 as shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, it is understood that the ridge portion 139 may be included in the component body 132 of other examples of the respiratory support component 130 which are in the non-modular configuration (i.e. whereby the component body 132 is not separated into the two or more modular parts). Accordingly, the ridge portion 139 may be at an exterior of the hollow structure 140 of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 between the two access apertures 164. Repetition of description for the ridge portion 139 with reference to the examples of respiratory support component 130 in the non-modular configuration is omitted for brevity.

[000653] FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B show a twenty-second example 2230 of the respiratory support component 130 according to various embodiments. The twenty- second example 2230 of the respiratory support component 130 is a variant of the twentyfirst example 2130 of the respiratory support component 130 of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B. It is to be understood that the earlier descriptions of the twenty-second example 2230 of the respiratory support component 130 are also applicable to the twenty-second example 2230. Accordingly, elements which are the same as those described earlier are assigned the same reference numerals, and repetition of their explanations is omitted for brevity. The following descriptions focusing on describing the variations.

[000654] As previously described with reference to the twentyfirst example 2130 of the respiratory support component 130 of FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b may be removably attached or coupled or joined together via any suitable means, for example via a friction fit, via interlocking, and/or via additional fastening components. Further, the opened- base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b of the component body 132 may include the engagement arrangement 146, and the first modular part 132a of the component body may include the complementary engagement arrangement 148, whereby the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b and the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may form one or a combination of releasable fastening engagement including, but not limited to, a friction engagement, an interlocking engagement, a snap-fit fastening engagement, a snap fastening engagement, a hook and eye fastening engagement, a latch fastening engagement, a clip fastening engagement, a hermetic engagement, or any other suitable engagement.

[000655] As shown in FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b may include a groove 146c along the inner surface 146b of the rim of the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b, and the corresponding engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may include a rib 148c along the raised rim or lip 148b proximate the outer edge of the first modular part 132a. When the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b are assembled together, the rib 148c of the first modular part 132a may be fitted into the groove 146c of the second modular part 132b to form a snap-fit engagement or snap fastening engagement. Additionally, the raised rim or lip 148b of the first modular part 132b may engage with the inner surface 146b of the rim of the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b to form a friction fit. Although in FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B, it is depicted that the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b may include the groove 146c along the inner surface 146b of the rim of the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b, and the corresponding engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may include the rib 148c along the raised rim or lip 148b proximate the outer edge of the first modular part 132a, it is understood that these may be reversed.

[000656] FIG. 31 shows another example of the first modular part 132a of FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B. As shown, the rib 148c of the first modular part 132a in FIG. 31 may be in the form of a continuous endless rib along an entire perimeter of the raised rim or lip 148b proximate the outer edge of the first modular part 132a. On the other hand, the rib 148c of the first modular part 132a in FIG. 30B may be in the form of a rib segment (or discrete rib) along the raised rim or lip 148b proximate the outer edge of the first modular part 132a. Further, as shown in FIG. 30A, the groove 146c of the second modular part 132b may be in the form of a continuous endless groove along an entire inner perimeter of the inner surface 146b of the rim of the opened-base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b. Accordingly, the second modular part 132b of FIG. 30A having the continuous endless groove may be suitable for receiving either the first modular part 132a of FIG. 30B having the rib segment or the first modular part 132a of FIG. 31 having the continuous endless rib, such that the rib segment or the continuous endless rib may engage with the continuous endless groove. In some embodiment, the groove 146c of the second modular part 132b may be in the form of a groove segment (or discrete groove). Accordingly, such an embodiment may be suitable for receiving only the first modular part 132a of FIG. 30B having the rib segment whereby the rib segment may engage with the groove segment.

[000657] According to various embodiments, since the raised rim or lip 148b of the first modular part 132b and the inner surface 146b of the rim of the opened- base 144 of the hollow structure 140 of the second modular part 132b may engage with each other via friction fit, a strength of the friction fit may be varied by varying a contact area therebetween. For example, as shown in FIG. 30B and FIG. 31 , the raised rim or lip 148b of the first modular part 132b may have a non-uniform height, such that a height, H, at a region proximal to the flow guide arrangement 170 is greater than a height, h, at a region distal from the flow guide arrangement 170. To increase the strength of the friction fit, the height, H, at the region proximal to the flow guide arrangement 170 and/or the height, h, at the region distal from the flow guide arrangement 170 may be increased. Accordingly, the height, H, at the region proximal to the flow guide arrangement 170 may be increased, or the height, h, at the region distal from the flow guide arrangement 170 may be increased, or both may be increased.

[000658] Comparing between FIG. 31 and FIG. 30B, both the height, H, at the region proximal to the flow guide arrangement 170 and the height, h, at the region distal from the flow guide arrangement 170 in the first modular part 132a of FIG. 30B may be greater than that in the first modular part 132a of FIG. 31 . As the rib 148c of first modular part 132a of FIG. 30B is in the form of the rib segment, a strength of the engagement between the rib segment and the continuous endless groove of the second modular part 132b of FIG. 30A may be weaker as compared to a strength of the engagement between the rib 148c of first modular part 132a of FIG. 31 is in the form of the continuous endless rib and the continuous endless groove of the second modular part 132b of FIG. 30A. Accordingly, both the height, H, at the region proximal to the flow guide arrangement 170 and the height, h, at the region distal from the flow guide arrangement 170 in the first modular part 132a of FIG. 30B may be increased to increase the strength of the friction fit so as to compensate or supplement the strength of the engagement between the rib segment of the first modular part 132a of FIG. 30B and the continuous endless groove of the second modular part 132b of FIG. 30A. Therefore, depending on the size, dimension, type and/or configuration of the rib 148c of first modular part 132a, the raised rim or lip 148b of the first modular part 132b may be configured accordingly (e.g. by varying the height, H, at the region proximal to the flow guide arrangement 170 and/or the height, h, at the region distal from the flow guide arrangement 170) to vary the strength of the friction fit so as to compensate and/or supplement the strength of the engagement between the the rib 148c of first modular part 132a of and the groove 146c of the second modular part 132b.

[000659] According to various embodiments, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b and the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may be configured based on a desired ease of separation of the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b after they are assembled. For example, when it is desired for the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b to be frequently separated by the user for interchanging with other modules or for cleaning or for other purposes, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b and the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may be configured to engage with each other with a predetermined strength suitable for frequent separation. As another example, when it is desired for the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b to remain together after selection of suitable first modular part 132a and second modular part 132b are completed, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b and the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may be configured to engaged with each other in a manner suitable to prevent easy separation or require special tools to separate after being assembled. According to various embodiments, the engagement arrangement 146 of the second modular part 132b and the complementary engagement arrangement 148 of the first modular part 132a may be configured based on weight consideration for the respiratory support component 130 and/or the manufacturability of the first modular part 132a and the second modular part 132b.

[000660] In the case of an interchangeable first modular part 132a, the advantage in use may be that a caregiver, hospital, or other therapy provider may be able to use a single size/configuration of the "main body" (i.e. the second modular part 132b) for different patients, by being able to swap out just the first modular part 132a to suit the size (and other requirements) of a particular patient. For example, a given patient may have nostrils that require a small, medium, or large cannula or prongs (i.e. supply member 122). Accordingly, the caregiver may select the first modular part 132a having the corresponding size of access apertures 164 , and assemble it to the "main body" (i.e. the second modular part 132b). Each size of the first modular part 132a may have access apertures 164 sized and dimensioned such that, when mated with the corresponding prong size (i.e. size of the supply member 122), a constant leak area (and thus PEEP) may be achieved. Thus, each patient may be able to have the same PEEP delivered to them in spite of requiring a different prong size.

[000661] Another example may be different patients requiring different types of prongs (i.e. supply member 122). For instance, a first patient may require therapy via asymmetrical nasal delivery elements (e.g. asymmetrical nasal prongs). A second patient may require therapy via symmetrical nasal delivery elements (e.g. symmetrical nasal prongs). Again, each prong type (as well as size, et cetera) may have a corresponding first modular part 132a dedicated to it, with appropriately sized and configured access apertures 164. The appropriate first modular part 132a may be connected with the "main body" (i.e. the second modular part 132b), allowing the respective prong type and size to then be inserted into the access apertures 164 and therapy to be delivered with a predetermined amount of leak. [000662] The same principle may also be employed to a different end, namely intentionally varying leak area and thus PEEP in use, as described elsewhere in this specification. For instance, to induce sputum expulsion, a smaller leak (higher PEEP) may be desired, so the first modular part 132a could temporarily be replaced with one having smaller access apertures 164 to reduce leak area (for the same prongs) and increase PEEP.

[000663] According to various embodiments, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may be configured accordingly depending on the usage required. For example, the respiratory support component 130 may come in a number of different sizes. The size of the respiratory support component 130 may influence a corresponding size/dimension of the access interface 160 (so that different supply member 122 with different sizes/dimensions may be accommodated), and/or the volume of the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140 of the respiratory support component 130. As another example, when the respiratory component 130 is of the modular configuration, the different modular parts of the component body 132 of respiratory support component 130 may come in a number of different shapes, sizes and/or configurations. Thus, a corresponding size/dimension of the access interface 160 (so that different supply member 122 with different sizes/dimensions may be accommodated), and/or the volume of the flow chamber 142 defined by the hollow structure 140 of the respiratory support component 130 may be varied.

[000664] According to various embodiments, in the system 100, the respiratory support component 130 may be interchangeable or swappable for another respiratory support component 130 having different sizes/dimensions. Further, the supply member 122 may also be interchangeable or swappable for another supply member 122 having different sizes/dimensions. Furthermore, a corresponding modular part of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may be interchangeable or swappable for another having different size/dimension for the access aperture 164. Thus, the relative size of the access aperture 164 versus the supply member 122, and hence the size of the leak area 169, and hence in turn the level of resistance and backpressure for a given flow rate, may selectively be varied.

[000665] As described throughout this disclosure, an objective of the various embodiments is to have a known leak area, such that for a given flow rate the exhalation resistance (or the expiratory resistance) may be determined, and, thus, the component and/or the system of the various embodiments may be configured to provide a desired level of PEEP (with benefits such as deadspace flushing and reduced work of breathing). However, sometimes, a patient may require more than one PEEP. For instance, when they are breathing normally they may require a first PEEP. When they have mucus buildup in their respiratory passages, a second, higher, PEEP may be required to help with mucus expulsion. According to various embodiments, the PEEP may be changed by varying the leak area. This may be done either by a) putting in a different-size supply member 122, or b) changing the respiratory support component 130 to one that has different-sized apertures, or c) changing the corresponding modular part of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 to one that has different-sized apertures. Thus, in the various embodiments, one or the other or both the supply member 122 and the respiratory support component 130 may be interchangeable or swappable to provide different PEEPs. For instance, a user may have a single adapter and two sets of prongs: one set for use during ordinary breathing, and a second set (providing a smaller leak area) for use when higher resistance is required, such as to expel built-up mucus. Similarly, a user may have a single set of prongs and two differently-sized adapters for this purpose. Further, in the various embodiments, one or the other or both the supply member 122 and the corresponding modular part of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may be interchangeable or swappable to provide different PEEPs. For instance, a user may have a single set of prongs and two different modular parts of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 having differently-sized apertures. In another instance, a user may have two sets of prongs that are of different sizes and a single modular part of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130. In yet another instance, a user may have two sets of prongs that are of different sizes and also two different modular parts of the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 having differently-sized apertures.

[000666] According to various embodiments, to vary the leak area 169, the component body 132 of the respiratory support component 130 may include an access aperture regulator. The access aperture regulator may be configured for varying an area of the access aperture 164 of the access interface 160. According to various embodiments, when the access interface 160 includes the one or more access apertures, the access aperture regulator may be configured for varying an aggregate area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures 164 of the access interface 160. According to various embodiments, the access aperture regulator may include a valve. Accordingly, with the access aperture regulator, the leak area 169 between the access interface 160 and the supply member 122 may be adjusted by controlling the access aperture regulator without requiring to interchange or swap one or the other or both the supply member 122 and the respiratory support component 130 for providing different PEEPs.

[000667] With the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) of the various embodiments, the clinician may run a trial transition, and assess the patient’s response to high-flow therapy, without having to actually remove the invasive airway device 1 10. The clinician may use the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) of the various embodiments together with the invasive airway device 1 10 so as to determine how a patient is likely to respond to the transition to high-flow therapy. According to various embodiments, the clinician may use the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) of the various embodiments to assess whether a patient is ready to transition away from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy.

[000668] FIG. 25 shows a flow diagram of a method 2501 of assessing whether a patient is ready to transition away from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy. Accordingly, the respiratory support component 130 may be connected between the invasive airway device 110 and the gases flow delivery system 120, whereby the respiratory support component 130 may interlink or interconnect the gases flow delivery system 120 and the invasive airway device 110. Hence, the respiratory support component 130 may lie along a gases flow line from the gases flow delivery system 120 to the invasive airway device 1 10. According to some embodiments, the method 2501 may be applied when the respiratory support component 130 is already connected between the invasive airway device 1 10 and the gases flow delivery system 120. According to some embodiments, the method 2501 may include connecting the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) of the various embodiments to the invasive airway device 1 10 via the coupling interface 150 of the respiratory support component 130, and further include connecting the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 to the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130 of the various embodiments. According to some embodiments, the respiratory support component 130 may be connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 before the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 is connected to the respiratory support component 130. According to some embodiments, the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be connected to the respiratory support component 130 before the respirator support component 130 is connected to the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000669] With the respiratory support component 130 between the invasive airway device 1 10 and the gases flow delivery system 120, the method 2501 may include, at 2503, providing the high-flow therapy via the supply member 122 of the gases delivery system 120 through the respiratory support component 130 into the invasive airway device 1 10. Since the respiratory support component 130 may generally be considered to mimic or resemble a human nasal cavity, the patient’s response to the high-flow therapy using the respiratory support component 130 with the invasive airway device 1 10 may allow the clinician to assess whether the patient would cope well with high-flow therapy before transitioning the patient from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy.

[000670] Accordingly, the method 2501 may further include, at 2505, monitoring at least one parameter of the patient. Through the monitoring of the at least one parameter of the patient, the clinician may observe the response of the patient to the high-flow therapy, whereby the high-flow therapy is provided to the patient through the use of the respiratory support component 130 with the invasive airway device 1 10, to assess whether the patient would cope well with high-flow therapy. Depending on the at least one parameter of the patient being monitored, suitable criteria associated with the at least one parameter of the patient being monitored may be used to determine whether the patient would be ready to transit from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy.

[000671] According to various embodiments, the suitable criteria may be a predetermined range of values for the at least one parameter of the patient. Accordingly, the method 2501 may include, at 2507, determining whether the at least one parameter of the patient is within the predetermined range. The predetermined range may include a base threshold value and a ceiling threshold value. Accordingly, if the at least one parameter of the patient is below the base threshold value or above the ceiling threshold value, the at least one parameter of the patient may be considered to be outside the predetermined range. On the other hand, if the at least one parameter of the patient is equal to the base threshold value or equal to the ceiling threshold value or between the base threshold value and the ceiling threshold value, the at least one parameter of the patient may be considered to be within the predetermined range.

[000672] According to various embodiments, by determining whether the at least one parameter of the patient is within the predetermined range, it may be determined whether the patient would be ready to transition from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy. For example, the predetermined range may be a range of values for the at least one parameter of the patient that may indicate the patient would be ready to transition from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy. On the other hand, the at least one parameter of the patient being outside the predetermined range may indicate that the patient would not be ready to transition from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high- flow therapy. Hence, when being within the predetermined range is an indication that the patient would be ready for transition from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy, the predetermined range may be considered as an acceptable or expected range for the at least one parameter of the patient. Accordingly, the patient may be determined to be ready to transition from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy when the at least one parameter monitored is within the acceptable or expected range. Therefore, the method 2501 may include determining whether the patient is ready to transition from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy based on a determination that the at least one parameter of the patient is within the acceptable or expected range. [000673] According to various embodiments, the at least one parameter of the patient may include one of, or a combination of any two or more of: an airway pressure, a respiratory rate, a tidal volume, a minute ventilation, a respiratory gas parameter (e.g. a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)), a blood gas parameter (e.g. an oxygen saturation (SpO2)), or a heart rate. Accordingly, the monitoring step, 2505, of the method 2501 may include monitoring one of, or a combination of any two or more of, the airway pressure, the respiratory rate, the tidal volume, the minute ventilation, the respiratory gas parameter (e.g. the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)), the blood gas parameter (e.g. the oxygen saturation (SpO2)), or the heart rate. Further, the determining step, 2507, of the method 2501 may be based on the one of, or the combination of any two or more of, the airway pressure, the respiratory rate, the tidal volume, the minute ventilation, the respiratory gas parameter (e.g. the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)), the blood gas parameter (e.g. the oxygen saturation (SpO2)), or the heart rate.

[000674] According to various embodiments, the at least one parameter of the patient may alternatively or in addition be an observed condition of the patient. The observed condition of the patient may be any suitable attribute of the patient which a medical professional may use to assess the patient’s state or condition. In such a case, the parameter being “within an acceptable or expected range” may be taken to mean that the observed condition (attribute) of the patient is in line with what the medical professional may expect to see in the clinical circumstances.

[000675] In the following, a detailed protocol for conducting an assessment whether the patient is ready to transition from invasive respiratory therapy to high- flow therapy is described. The protocol may be suitable for measuring or monitoring the at least one parameter of the patient, whereby the patient is using the respiratory support component 130 between the the invasive airway device 1 10 and supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. The invasive airway device 1 10 may include an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway. The supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may include a nasal cannula. The nasal cannula may be a symmetrical nasal cannula or an asymmetrical nasal cannula (for example the Fisher & Paykel DUET cannula, as disclosed and described in W02015020540A1 ). The symmetrical nasal cannula may include symmetrical insertion portions 124 (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs). The asymmetrical nasal cannular may include asymmetrical insertion portions 124 (or nasal delivery elements, e.g. prongs).

[000676] As an example implementation, the protocol may be used for patient with endotracheal tube having the respiratory support component 130 attached thereto, and with the nasal cannula (serving as the supply member 122) inserted into the respiratory support component 130. In particular, the protocol may be used to measure airway pressure using the respiratory support component 130 between the endotracheal tube and the nasal cannula (for e,g. a symmetrical nasal cannula or an asymmetrical nasal cannula).

[000677] When the protocol is conducted as a pilot study or a clinical trial, inclusion criteria of the patient groups for the pilot study or the clinical trial may be the standard criteria for extubation and Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) of adult patients (18-85 years). Tracheostomy, previously failed SBT or neurological diseases may be exclusion criteria in the case of this exemplary protocol, which is for endotracheal patients.

[000678] According to various embodiments, the protocol may include obtaining a baseline measurement of the at least one parameter of the patient prior to connecting the respiratory support component 130 to the invasive airway device 1 10. The baseline measurement may be subsequently used as a reference value. [000679] In the example implementation, when the patient is still connected to a Y-piece of a ventilator for invasive respiratory therapy, a thoracic belt and an abdominal belt may be attached to the patient to measure tidal volume (as the at least one parameter of the patient) using respiratory inductance plethysmography via a medical monitor device. Following a predetermined baseline period (e.g. 10 minutes), the tidal volume displayed by the ventilator and/or the medical monitor device may be recorded as the reference value.

[000680] According to various embodiments, the protocol may include connecting the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) to the invasive airway device 1 10 via the coupling interface 150 of the respiratory support component 130, as well as connecting the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 to the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130 of the various embodiments. Further, the protocol may include connecting a three-way connector between the invasive airway device 1 10 and the coupling interface 150 of the respiratory support component 130. A first port of the three-way connector may be connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 and a second port of the three-way connector is connected to the coupling interface 150 of the respiratory support component. The three-way connector may be a T-piece. Furthermore, the protocol may include that a pressure line may be connected to a third port of the three-way connector for measuring a pressure (e.g. airway pressure), wherein airway pressure is the, or another of, the at least one parameter of the patient being measured according to the protocol.

[000681] In the example implementation, the nasal cannula (serving as the supply member 122) may be fitted or coupled to the respiratory support component 130. The respiratory support component 130, with the nasal cannula coupled thereto, may then be connected to the T -piece (serving as the three-way connector). The T-piece may include a male connector, a female connector and a pressure port. The male connector and the female connector may be of a suitable size. For example, the male connector may have an external diameter of 15mm and the female connector may have an internal diameter of 15mm. The respiratory support component 130 may be connected to one of the male connector or the female connector of the T-piece (i.e. the first port). The pressure line may be connected to the pressure port of the T-piece (i.e. the third port). The pressure line may be connected to the medical monitor device and/or to another available pressure logger. The gases flow delivery system 120 may be set to provide gases flow at a predetermined flow rate (for example, at 30 L/min). The temperature of the gases flow may be set at a suitable temperature (for example 37°C). A supplemental therapy, such as a supplemental oxygen therapy, may be provided via the gases flow to the patient (the supplemental therapy may be integral or integrated with the high-flow therapy). When the supplemental therapy is the supplemental oxygen therapy, the level of the fraction of inspired oxygen, FiO2, may be set to be at the same level as that provided by the ventilator providing the invasive respiratory therapy so as to maintain the required oxygen saturation, SpO2, for the patient. With the gases flow set up, the T-piece may then be connected to the endotracheal tube (i.e. the invasive airway device 1 10). Accordingly, the other one of the male connector or the female connector of the T-piece (i.e. the second port) may be connected to the endotracheal tube. In this manner, the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system 120 may flow via the nasal cannula through the respiratory support component 130 as well as the T-piece into the invasive airway device 1 10. [000682] According to various embodiments, the method 2501 may be incorporated into the protocol. Accordingly, the protocol may include providing the high-flow therapy via the supply member 122 of the gases delivery system 120 through the respiratory support component 130 into the invasive airway device 1 10 (e.g. step 2503 of the method 2501 ). Further, the protocol may include stepping up a flow rate of the gases flow incrementally over a series of predetermined flow rate levels, wherein a predetermined acceptable or expected range of the at least one parameter of the patient is associated with each predetermined flow rate level.

[000683] In the example implementation, providing the high-flow therapy under the protocol may include providing the gases flow in a manner such that the flow rate of the gases flow may be increased incrementally by 10 L/min every minute (e.g. increase from 30 L/min to 40 L/min after the first minute, increase from 40L/min to 50 L/min after the second minute, and increase from 50L/min to 60 L/min after the third minute) to measure airway pressure during spontaneous breathing. The flow rate of the gases flow may be any suitable value as described elsewhere in this specification.

[000684] According to various embodiments, when supplemental therapy is provided, the protocol may further include correspondingly stepping up the supplemental therapy to complement the stepping up of the flow rate incrementally over the series of predetermined flow rate levels. In the example implementation, with the supplemental therapy being the supplemental oxygen therapy, the supplemental oxygen may be adjusted to maintain the same oxygen saturation, SpO2, for the patient.

[000685] According to various embodiments, the high-flow therapy may include providing humidified gases. The humidified gases may be as described elsewhere in the specification. Further, according to various embodiments, the humidified gases may be provided by a humidifier of the gases flow delivery system 120. The humidifier may be as described elsewhere in the specification.

[000686] According to various embodiments, in the protocol, measuring periods may be shortened or stopped if the patient experiences any discomfort or difficulty with breathing. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the protocol may continue the test with any preferred flow settings (e.g. up to 60L/min) according to standard protocol of spontaneous breathing test (SBT) accepted in clinical practice. [000687] As per the method 2501 , the protocol may similarly include monitoring at least one parameter of the patient (e.g. step 2505 of the method 2501 ), determining whether the at least one parameter of the patient is within the predetermined range (e.g. step 2507 of the method 2501 ), and determining whether the patient is ready to transition from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy based on a determination that the at least one parameter of the patient is within the acceptable or expected range.

[000688] When the patient is determined to be ready to transition from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy, the protocol may proceed with transitioning the patient to the high-flow therapy. The transition to high-flow therapy may be by continuing the high-flow therapy via the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 through the respiratory support component 130 into the invasive airway device 1 10 or by placing the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 onto the patient’s face so as to provide the high-flow therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth. When transitioning the patient to high-flow therapy by continuing the high-flow therapy via the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 through the respiratory support component 130 into the invasive airway device 1 10, final therapy settings may be entered into the gases flow delivery system 120 to continue providing the high-flow therapy to the patient via the respiratory support component 130 coupled to the invasive airway device 1 10. When transitioning the patient to high-flow therapy by placing the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 onto the patient’s face, final therapy settings may be entered into the gases flow delivery system 120 to provide the high-flow therapy to the patient via the supply member 122 (e.g. nasal cannula) to the patient’s nose and/or mouth. The final therapy settings may include, but not limited to, flow rate, flow pattern, humidity, temperature, pressure, or gases mixture. [000689] According to various embodiments, there is provided a method of switching between a respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (e.g. invasive respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device 110 or high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 110) and a non-invasive respiratory therapy (e.g. nasal high-flow therapy) for the patient using the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120. The method may include providing gases flow via the invasive airway device 1 10 with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120, through the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector), connected to the invasive airway device 1 10. The respiratory support component 130 may be connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 via the coupling interface 150 of the respiratory support component 130, and the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be connected to the respiratory support component 130 via the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130. The method may further include transitioning to the non- invasive respiratory therapy by disconnecting the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 from the respiratory support component 130 and placing the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 onto the patient’s face so as to provide the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth when the patient is assessed to be ready to transition to the non-invasive respiratory therapy.

[000690] According to various embodiments, when the patient is receiving high- flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10, the respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 may be the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 using the respiratory support component 130 according to the method. Accordingly, the respiratory support component 130 may already be connected between the invasive airway device 110 and the gases flow delivery system 120. Hence, the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) may involve providing the gases flow via the invasive airway device 1 10 with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 connected to the respiratory support component 130 and the respiratory support component 130 in turn connected to the invasive airway device 1 10. According to various embodiments, the non-invasive respiratory therapy may be nasal high-flow therapy. The nasal high-flow therapy may involve placing the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 onto the patient’s face so as to provide the nasal high-flow therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth. Accordingly, to switch (or transition) from the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) to the nasal high-flow therapy, the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be disconnected from the respiratory support component 130 such that the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be placed onto the patient’s face so as to provide the nasal high-flow therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth. According to various embodiments, the switch from the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) to the nasal high-flow therapy may be based on the patient being assessed as being ready to receive the nasal high-flow therapy according to the patient’s response to the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130).

[000691] According to various embodiments, the gases flow provided by the gases flow delivery system 120 through the supply member 1 12 may be at a suitable flow rate as described elsewhere in the specification. Further, the gases flow may also be humidified as per described elsewhere in the specification.

[000692] According to various embodiments, the patient may be still on invasive respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10. The invasive respiratory therapy may include invasive ventilation or mechanical ventilation whereby the ventilator (e.g. a breathing machine) is connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 to push gases into the lungs of the patient. When the non-invasive respiratory therapy is nasal high-flow therapy, transitioning to the nasal high-flow therapy may involve transitioning from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130), and subsequently transitioning from the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) to the nasal high-flow therapy.

[000693] According to various embodiments, transitioning from the invasive respiratory therapy to the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) may include disconnecting the ventilator to the invasive airway device 1 10; connecting the respiratory support component 130 (i.e. the adapter or the connector) to the invasive airway device 1 10 via the coupling interface 150 of the respiratory support component 130; and connecting the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 to the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130. With the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 in place, the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 110 (using the respiratory support component 130) may be provided to the patient, whereby the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system 120 may flow from the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120, through the respiratory support component 130, and into the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000694] According to various embodiments, transitioning from the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) to the nasal high-flow therapy may be based on a determination that at least one parameter of the patient is within an acceptable or expected range when the patient is receiving high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130). The determination of the at least one parameter of the patient may be as per described elsewhere in the specification. Further, the transitioning from the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) to the nasal high-flow therapy may be as per described earlier.

[000695] According to various embodiments, upon transitioned to the non- invasive respiratory therapy (e.g. the nasal high-flow therapy), the method may further include entering final therapy settings into the gases flow delivery system to provide the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the patient. The final therapy settings may include, but not limited to, flow rate, flow pattern, humidity, temperature, pressure, or gases mixture.

[000696] Sometimes, the health of the patient may deteriorate due to new conditions affecting the patient. In such circumstances, the patient may develop difficulty coping with the non-invasive respiratory therapy and may need to switch back to respiratory via the invasive airway device 1 10. Accordingly, the method may further include transitioning from the non-invasive respiratory therapy (e.g. nasal high-flow therapy) to the respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (e.g. nasal high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 using the respiratory support component 130) by removing the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 from the patient’s face and connecting the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 to the access interface 160 of the respiratory support component 130 when the patient is assessed to be having difficulty coping with the non-invasive respiratory therapy. According to some embodiments, in the event of an emergency whereby the patient may need to switch to invasive respiratory therapy (such as invasive ventilation or mechanical ventilation), the method may further include transitioning from the non-invasive respiratory therapy (e.g. nasal high-flow therapy) to the respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (e.g. invasive respiratory therapy) by connecting the ventilator to the invasive airway device 1 10.

[000697] Referring to FIG. 32, the gases flow delivery system 120 with the nasal cannula having nasal prongs 18 (i.e. supply member 120) may be connected to the respiratory support component 130 (not shown in FIG. 32) and the respiratory support component 130 may in turn be connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 (not shown in FIG. 32) for providing high-flow therapy. Accordingly, the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be operating in a “high-flow” therapy mode (or a first therapy mode) while providing the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130). Subsequently, when the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device 1 10 (using the respiratory support component 130) is transitioned to the nasal high-flow therapy with the supply member 122 of the gases flow delivery system 120 placed onto the patient’s face so as to provide the nasal high-flow therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth, the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may continue to operate in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). Final therapy settings may then be set into apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120, which is operating in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), to provide the nasal high-flow therapy.

[000698] According to various embodiments, the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be selectively operable between a plurality of therapy modes. The plurality of therapy modes may include, but not limited to, the “high- flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), a “trache” mode (or a second therapy mode), a bubble CPAP mode, a variable flow CPAP mode, an asynchronous Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation mode, a synchronous Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation mode, and a bi-level mode. Accordingly, depending on the type of respiratory therapy required to be provided by the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120, the apparatus 9 may be changeable or switchable between the plurality of therapy modes. Hence, the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be configured to include the plurality of therapy modes (e.g. pre-programmed with the plurality of therapy modes) and may be operated in a therapy mode selected from the plurality of therapy modes. For example, the plurality of therapy modes may include at least two therapy modes, namely the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) and the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). Accordingly, the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be selectively operable between the at least two therapy modes including the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) and the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode).

[000699] According to various embodiments, to provide respiratory therapy using the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the gases flow delivery system 120 may be directly connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 without the respiratory support component 130. In other words, the gases flow delivery system 120 may be used directly with the invasive airway device 1 10 in the absence of the respiratory support component 130. Accordingly, a first end of the inspiratory conduit 31 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be connected to the gases flow outlet 21 and a second end of the inspiratory conduit 31 (without any nasal prongs or other patient interface, i.e. just the conduit 31 itself) of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be directly connected to the invasive airway device 1 10. Hence, the second end of the inspiratory conduit 31 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be configured to be directly connectable to the invasive airway device 1 10 (“directly” in the present context meaning without the respiratory support component 130, although there may in some cases be intermediate components or fixtures, such as one or more connecting components to effect the connection). Further, the second end of the inspiratory conduit 31 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may be directly connectable to the invasive airway device 1 10 to form a fluid communication. The second end of the inspiratory conduit 31 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may also be directly connected to the invasive airway device 1 10 to form a leak-proof connection.

[000700] According to various embodiments, the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may differ from other therapy modes, e.g. the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), in that a humidity parameter for the gases flow to be generated by the apparatus 9 operating in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be fixed or pre-set at a single non-adjustable value. The humidity parameter may include, but not limited to, a dewpoint temperature or a relative humidity. Accordingly, in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the apparatus 9 may be controlled to generate the gases flow based on a fixed or non-adjustable pre-set value of the humidity parameter. Hence, the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be pre-programmed or pre-set with the single non-adjustable value for the humidity parameter such that the humidity parameter may not be changed or varied or adjusted when the apparatus 9 is operating in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). Therefore, no changes or variations or adjustments of the value of the humidity parameter may be made during operation of the apparatus 9 in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). According to various embodiments, in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the controller 13 of the apparatus 9 may control the flow generator 1 1 , the humidifier 12, and/or the heater arrangement to generate the gases flow based on the non-adjustable pre-set value of the humidity parameter.

[000701] In an example embodiment, the humidity parameter may be a dewpoint temperature. In the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the dewpoint temperature may be fixed (e.g. at 37°C). In other words, in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the dewpoint temperature may be a non-adjustable preset value. Accordingly, when the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) is selected in the apparatus 9, the apparatus 9 may always generate the gases flow based on a same fixed dewpoint temperature (e.g. 37°C). The apparatus 9 may not allow changes or variations or adjustments to the dewpoint temperature when operating in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). Further, the non- adjustable pre-set value of the dewpoint temperature in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be a factory setting that is unchangeable.

[000702] In comparison, as an example, when the apparatus 9 is operating in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), the humidity parameter may be a variable humidity parameter whereby the value of the humidity parameter may be changed or varied or adjusted. Accordingly, the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) may allow or permit changes or variations or adjustments of the value of the humidity parameter when the apparatus 9 is operating in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). Hence, in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), the humidity parameter may be changeable or variable or adjustable such that the apparatus 9 may be controlled to change or vary or adjust the generation of the gases flow based on the changes or variations or adjustments of the value of the humidity parameter. Therefore, changes or variations or adjustments to the value of the humidity parameter may be made during the operation of the apparatus 9 in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). By “during the operation” is meant both while the “high-flow” therapy mode (or other therapy mode, as the case may be) is actively being delivered to a patient, and I or when a clinician or operator is setting parameters for a given patient prior to delivering the “high-flow” therapy mode (or other therapy mode, as the case may be) in a therapy session to that patient. According to various embodiments, when the apparatus 9 is operating in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), the variable humidity parameter may be changed or varied or adjusted to a desired value. The desired value of the variable humidity parameter may be provided to the apparatus 9 as an input variable. The input variable may be fed or inputted to the apparatus 9 to cause the apparatus 9 to change or vary or adjust the generation of the gases flow in response to the input variable. The input variable may be provided by the user. According to various embodiments, the controller 13 of the apparatus 9 may receive the input variable corresponding to the desired value of the variable humidity parameter. According to various embodiments, the controller 13 of the apparatus 9 may be configured to control the flow generator 11 , the humidifier 12, and/or the heater arrangement to generate the gases flow based the input variable corresponding to the desired value of the variable humidity parameter.

[000703] According to various embodiments, after a therapy mode is chosen, a flow rate for the gases flow may be selected. However, the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may differ from other therapy modes, e.g. the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), in that a flow rate range for the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) from which the flow rate may be selected may be different from that of the other therapy modes. The difference in the flow rate range may be related to the different geometries and other factors applying to the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode)

[000704] For instance, in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), a flow rate from a first flow rate range may be selected such that the gases flow may be generated based on the selected flow rate from the first flow rate range. Accordingly, when the apparatus 9 is operating in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), the controller 13 of the apparatus 9 may be configured to receive the selection of the flow rate from the first flow rate range and control the flow generator 1 1 to generate the gases flow based on the selection of the flow rate from the first flow rate range. On the other hand, in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), a flow rate from a second flow rate range may be selected such that the gases flow may be generated based on the selected flow rate from the second flow rate range. Accordingly, when the apparatus 9 is operating in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the controller 13 of the apparatus 9 may be configured to receive the selection of the flow rate from the second flow rate range and control the flow generator 11 to generate the gases flow based on the selection of the flow rate from the second flow rate range. However, the first flow rate range for the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) may be different from the second flow rate range for the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). For example, the second flow rate range allowable for selection in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be a subset (or smaller or narrower) than the first flow rate range allowable for selection in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode).

[000705] In an exampled embodiment, in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), the first flow rate range allowable for selection may be from 2 to 80 L/min. Hence, the flow rate for the gases flow to be generated in the “high- flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) may be selected from within this range. In comparison, in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the second flow rate range allowable for selection may be from 10L/min to 60L/min. Hence, the flow rate for the gases flow to be generated in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be selected from within this smaller or narrower range as compared to the first flow rate range for the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). It is understood that the values of the flow rate ranges provided above are for illustration purposes only and other values of the flow rate ranges may be possible.

[000706] According to some embodiments, the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may change or switch or select the therapy mode based on a selection input provided by the user. Accordingly, the user may change or switch or select the therapy mode in which the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 is to be operated. Hence, the user may choose the therapy mode to operate the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120. According to various embodiments, the user may change or switch or select the therapy mode via the user interface 14 of the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120. According to various embodiments, the user interface 14 may be configured to provide a therapy mode selector for selecting the therapy mode from the plurality of therapy modes so as to operate the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 in the therapy mode selected. Accordingly, the therapy mode selector may provide the plurality of therapy modes as options for the user to select.

[000707] According to some embodiments, the therapy mode selector may be in the form of a physical input arrangement including, but not limited to, one or more knobs, one or more triggers, one or more switches, one or more buttons, one or more sliders, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, the user may select the therapy mode for operating the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 via activating a corresponding element of the physical input arrangement serving as the therapy mode selector.

[000708] According to some embodiments, the user interface 14 may include a display (e.g. a screen, a touch screen, etc.). The plurality of therapy modes may be presented in the display as options to serve as the therapy mode selector for user selection. For example, the plurality of therapy modes may be displayed as separate icons or tabs or buttons or pictures or images or indicia for user to click on or tab or choose or select. Accordingly, the user may interact with the display, via touchscreen or using an input device or pointing device, so as to select a corresponding icon or tab or button or picture or image or indicia for selecting the therapy mode to operate the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120. [000709] According to some embodiments, when the therapy mode selector is presented as options in the display, the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) and the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be presented in the display as alternative options under a same menu. Accordingly, the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) and the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be displayed in a same level of a menu, whereby the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) and the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be considered alternative to each other.

[000710] According to some embodiments, when the therapy mode selector is presented as options in the display, the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be presented in the display as an option in a sub-menu under the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). Accordingly, the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be presented as a sub-option or submode of the “high- flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). In other words, the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be in a sub-level of the menu corresponding to the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). Hence, to choose the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the user may have to first navigate to the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) and then choose the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). When the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) is displayed as one of the submodes under the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), another submode displayed may be a “nasal cannula” therapy mode for delivering high-flow therapy via a nasal cannula. Thus, the “nasal cannula” therapy mode may be an alternative to the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode).

[000711] According to various embodiments, in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), since the desired value of the variable humidity parameter may be provided to the apparatus 9 as the input variable, the user interface 14 may be configured to provide an input interface for inputting the input variable to the controller 13. As an example, when the user interface 14 includes the display, the input interface for inputting the input variable may be an input text field displayed for the user to key in the desired value. Accordingly, the user may us a keypad or a numpad or a virtual keypad to enter the desired value in the input text field. As another example, when the user interface 14 includes the display, the input interface for inputting the input variable may be a virtual slider or a virtual toggle button or a pair of virtual increase/decrease buttons. In the various embodiments, the user may provide the desired value of the variable humidity parameter by inputting the input variable via the input interface of the user interface 14.

[000712] According to various embodiments, in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode), the user interface 14 may be configured to provide a flow rate input interface for inputting the flow rate from the first flow rate range to the controller 13. Similarly, according to various embodiments, in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode), the user interface 14 may be configured to provide a flow rate input interface for inputting the flow rate from the second flow rate range to the controller 13. As an example, when the user interface 14 includes the display, the flow rate input interface for inputting may be an input text field displayed for the user to key in the desired flow rate. Accordingly, the user may us a keypad or a numpad or a virtual keypad to enter the desired flow rate in the input text field. As another example, when the user interface 14 includes the display, the flow rate input interface for inputting may be a virtual slider or a virtual toggle button or a pair of virtual increase/decrease buttons. However, the difference between the flow rate input interface for the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) and the flow rate input interface for the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode) may be that a lower limit flow rate and the upper limit flow rate may be different. For instance, the lower limit flow rate for the flow rate input interface in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) may be lower than the lower limit flow rate for the flow rate input interface in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). Further, the upper limit flow rate for the flow rate input interface in the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode) may be higher than the upper limit flow rate for the flow rate input interface in the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode). In the various embodiments, the user may provide the desired flow rate selected from respective first flow rate range and second flow rate range by inputting the desired flow rate via the flow rate input interface of the user interface 14. According to various embodiments, when the user interface 14 includes the display, the flow rate input interface may be presented or displayed after the user selects the desired therapy mode.

[000713] According to some other embodiments, the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 may change or switch or select the therapy mode automatically based a detection of a setup of the gases flow delivery system 120. For example, when the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 detects that the second end of the inspiratory conduit 31 is connected to a nasal cannula, the apparatus 9 may automatically change or switch or select the “high-flow” therapy mode (or the first therapy mode). As another example, when the apparatus 9 of the gases flow delivery system 120 detects that the second end of the inspiratory conduit 31 is directly connected to the invasive airway device 1 10, the apparatus 9 may automatically change or switch or select the “trache” mode (or the second therapy mode).

[000714] Various embodiments have provided a component or a method or a system for respiratory support that would enable the clinician to assess whether the patient would cope well before transitioning the patient away from the invasive respiratory therapy. Various embodiments have provided a respiratory support component for use with an invasive airway device so as to provide a more comfortable breathing experience with or without supplying a gases flow from a flow generator, via the component, to the invasive airway device. Various embodiments have also provided a respiratory support component that may generally tend to mimic an upper airway (or a portion of same) of a human so as to be capable of being used to assess a response of the patient prior to transitioning the patient from breathing via the invasive airway device to breathing naturally (with or without some form of non-invasive respiratory therapy such as nasal high-flow therapy) via the upper airway of the patient.

[000715] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modification, variation in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.

Claims

1 . An adapter for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the adapter comprising: an adapter body comprising a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface couplable to the invasive airway device to fluidly connect the flow chamber and the invasive airway device; an access interface configured to receive a supply member of the gases flow delivery system for supplying a flow of gases into the flow chamber, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement which directs a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface such that an axis of the first gases flow and an axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow and the second gases flow and to avoid the first gases flow and the second gases flow colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike, wherein the access interface is configured to receive the supply member of the gases flow delivery system with a leak area formed in the access interface around the supply member to serve as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber.

2. The adapter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the leak area is of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase.

3. The adapter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure occurs at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

4. The adapter as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the access interface is further configured to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein, wherein the second predetermined amount of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation and the second predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

5. The adapter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the access interface includes an access aperture opening into the flow chamber, wherein, when the supply member of the gases delivery system is received in the access interface, the supply member is inserted into the access aperture and the leak area is formed between a perimeter of the access aperture and an exterior of the supply member of the gases delivery system.

6. The adapter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the leak area is of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase.

7. The adapter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure occurs at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

8. The adapter as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the access aperture is of a predetermined dimension to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access aperture is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein, wherein the second predetermined amount of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

9. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the access aperture is configured such that the predetermined size of the leak area is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into the access aperture.

10. The adapter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coupling interface comprises an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber.

11 . The adapter as claimed in claim 10, wherein the supply member of the gases delivery system comprises one or more corresponding insertion portions, wherein, when the supply member of the gases delivery system is received in the access interface, the one or more corresponding insertion portions of the supply member are respectively inserted into the one or more access apertures of the access interface with one or more gaps formed therebetween, and the leak area is an aggregate area of the one or more gaps.

12. The adapter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the leak area based on the aggregate area of the one or more gaps is of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the first predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase.

13. The adapter as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure occurs at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

14. The adapter as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the one or more access apertures are dimensioned to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein, wherein the second predetermined amount of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second predetermined maximum pressure is at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

15. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein at least one of the one or more access apertures is configured such that a size of the gap is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the one or more insertion portion of the supply member are inserted into the one or more access apertures.

16. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

17. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 16, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

18. The adapter as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface.

19. The adapter as claimed in claim 14, wherein an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance.

20. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the adapter body comprises an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

21 . The adapter as claimed in claim 20, wherein the access aperture regulator comprises a valve.

22. The adapter as claimed any one of claims 10 to 21 , wherein the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface lie in a same plane.

23. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, 6 to 8, 12 to 14, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure is a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

24. The adapter as claimed in claim 23, wherein the PEEP is at least 1 cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

25. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 24, wherein at least one of the one or more access apertures of the access interface is of an elongated shape.

26. The adapter as claimed in claim 25, wherein the elongated shape has a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

27. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the coupling interface comprises a single flow aperture.

28. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of two access apertures.

29. The adapter as claimed in claim 28, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system comprises two prongs, wherein the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface is configured to respectively receive the two prongs of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system.

30. The adapter as claimed in claim 29, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system is a nasal cannula with the two prongs.

31 . The adapter as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein each access aperture is dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong.

32. The adapter as claimed in claim 31 , wherein a combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the gases flow delivery interface forms the leak area serving as the flow exit.

33. The adapter as claimed any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface lie in a same plane.

34. The adapter as claimed in claim 31 or 32, wherein at least one of the two access apertures is configured such that the predetermined gap is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the two prongs of the supply member is inserted into the arrangement of the two access apertures.

35. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the adapter body is free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

36. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the coupling interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

37. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the access interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

38. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture, wherein the first access aperture and the second access aperture are of different dimensions.

39. The adapter as claimed in claim 38, wherein a side of the adapter body having the access interface includes an elongated face, wherein a common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the adapter body.

40. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system comprises at least two prongs having different dimensions.

41 . The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the leak area further serves as a flow exit for a portion of the second gases flow that has entered the flow chamber and is forced back out of the flow chamber by the first gases flow.

42. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 41 , wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the coupling interface and a central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

43. The adapter as claimed in claim 42 insofar as to be dependent on claim 5, wherein the coupling interface comprises a flow aperture, wherein the central axis of the coupling interface passes through a centre of the flow aperture of the coupling interface, wherein the central axis of the access interface passes through a centre of the access aperture of the gases flow delivery interface.

44. The adapter as claimed in claim 42 insofar as to be dependent on 10, wherein the central axis of the coupling interface passes through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface, wherein the central axis of the access interface passes through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

45. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are laterally off-set in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

46. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

47. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the flow chamber is shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

48. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

49. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

50. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

51 . The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

52. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

53. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

54. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

55. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape.

56. The adapter as claimed in claim 55, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being substantially parallel with respect to each other.

57. The adapter as claimed in claim 55 or 56, wherein the flow chamber has an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the substantially circular shape of the flow chamber.

58. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface is offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

59. The adapter as claimed in claim 58, wherein the flow chamber comprises an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

60. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

61 . The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in an opposing manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

62. The adapter as claimed in claim 47, wherein the flow chamber has a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface is disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

63. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 49, wherein the adapter body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

64. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 41 , wherein the adapter body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, the flow guide arrangement at least partly defines a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber to respectively direct the first gases flow and the second gases flow in a manner such that the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident at least when the first gases flow and the second gases flow meet or intersect.

65. The adapter as claimed in claim 64, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined by a relative disposition of the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface, and the access interface.

66. The adapter as claimed in claim 65, wherein the first flow path extends from the coupling interface to the flow guide arrangement and the second flow path extends from the access interface to the flow guide arrangement.

67. The adapter as claimed in claim 65, wherein the first flow path extends between the coupling interface and the access interface and the second flow path extends between the access interface and the coupling interface.

68. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 41 , wherein the adapter body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

69. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 64 to 68, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and the second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

70. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 69, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

71 . The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 69, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

72. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 63 to 69, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

73. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 72, wherein the coupling interface comprises a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure, the surrounding wall defining a hollow passage therewithin.

74. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 73, wherein the access interface comprises a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure, the surrounding wall defining a hollow passage therewithin.

75. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 74, wherein the access interface comprises a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the access interface.

76. The adapter as claimed in claim 75, wherein the flow regulating member comprises a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

77. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 76, further comprising a retaining arrangement disposed at the adapter body, wherein the retaining arrangement is engageable with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface.

78. The adapter as claimed in claim 77, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

79. The adapter as claimed in claim 77 or 78, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

80. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 79, wherein the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident at least at or immediately prior to the point when the first gases flow and the second gases flow merge or meet or interact or interest within the flow chamber.

81 . The adapter as claimed in claim 80, wherein the axis of the first gases flow upon entering the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow upon entering the flow chamber are non-coincident with respect to each other.

82. The adapter as claimed in claim 80 or 81 , wherein the axis of the first gases flow extending from the coupling interface into the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow extending from the access interface into the flow chamber are non-coincident with respect to each other.

83. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 82, wherein each of the first gases flow and the second gases flow is linear or curved, wherein each of the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow is an axis of projection, a centreline, or a tangent of the respective flow.

84. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the access interface includes an access aperture opening into the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface comprises a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber, wherein a hole-axis of the access aperture and a hole-axis of the flow aperture are non-coincident with respect to each other so as to direct the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and the second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface such that the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber.

85. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 84, wherein the adapter body has a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the adapter body, wherein the first modular part comprises the access interface and the second modular part comprises the coupling interface.

86. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 85.

87. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the adapter according to claim 85; and one other modular part having an access interface, wherein the access interface of the one other modular part is different from the access interface of the first modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the first modular part for removably coupling with the second modular part.

88. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the adapter according to claim 85; and one other modular part having a coupling interface, wherein the coupling interface of the one other modular part is different from the coupling interface of the second modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the second modular part for removably coupling with the first modular part.

89. A system for providing respiratory support, the system comprising an invasive airway device capable of maintaining an open airway for a user, a gases flow delivery system capable of supplying a gases flow, and an adapter connecting the gases flow delivery system to the invasive airway device, wherein the adapter comprises an adapter body comprising a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface configured to be coupled to the invasive airway device to fluidly connect the flow chamber and the invasive airway device; an access interface configured to receive therein a supply member of the gases flow delivery system for supplying the gases flow into the flow chamber, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement configured to direct an exhalation flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface from the invasive airway device and a gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface from the gases flow delivery system flow such that an axis of the exhalation flow and an axis of the gases flow are non-coincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the exhalation flow and the gases flow and to avoid the exhalation flow and the gases flow colliding in a substantially directly- opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike, wherein the access interface is configured to receive the supply member of the gases flow delivery system with a leak area formed in the access interface around the supply member to serve as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber.

90. The system as claimed in claim 89, wherein the leak area is of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase.

91 . The system as claimed in claim 90, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure occurs at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

92. The system as claimed in claim 90 or 91 , wherein the access interface is configured to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases flow delivery system being received therein, wherein the second predetermined amount of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

93. The system as claimed in claim 89, wherein the access interface includes an access aperture opening into the flow chamber, wherein the supply member is inserted into the access aperture and the leak area is formed between a perimeter of the access aperture and an exterior of the supply member of the gases delivery system.

94. The system as claimed in claim 93, wherein the leak area is of a predetermined size for a given dimension of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase.

95. The system as claimed in claim 94, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure occurs at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

96. The system as claimed in claim 94 or 95, wherein the access aperture is configured to have a predetermined dimension to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access aperture is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being inserted therein, wherein the second predetermined amount of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

97. The system as claimed in any one of claims 93 to 96, wherein the access aperture is configured such that a size of the leak area is smaller than a cross- sectional area of a corresponding portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into the access aperture.

98. The system as claimed in claim 89, wherein the coupling interface comprises an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber.

99. The system as claimed in claim 98, wherein the supply member has one or more corresponding insertion portions, wherein the one or more corresponding insertion portions are respectively inserted into the one or more access apertures with one or more gaps formed therebetween, wherein the leak area is an aggregate area of the one or more gaps.

100. The system as claimed in claim 99, wherein the leak area is of a predetermined size for a given aggregate dimensions of the one or more insertion portions of the supply member to provide a first predetermined amount of flow resistance for a first reference flow rate through the leak area so as to achieve a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase.

101 . The system as claimed in claim 100, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure occurs at the end of the exhalation phase, when the flow rate of the first gases flow becomes substantially zero.

102. The system as claimed in claim 100 or 101 , wherein the one or more access apertures are dimensioned to provide a second predetermined amount of flow resistance for a second reference flow rate when the access interface is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein, wherein the second predetermined amount of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around the end of the exhalation phase.

103. The system as claimed in any one of claims 99 to 102, wherein at least one of the one or more access apertures is configured such that a size of the gap is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system.

104. The system as claimed in any one of claims 98 to 103, wherein an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

105. The system as claimed in claim 104, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

106. The system as claimed in claim 104 or 105, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

107. The system as claimed in claim 102, wherein an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined amount of flow resistance.

108. The system as claimed in any one of claims 104 to 107, wherein the adapter body comprises an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

109. The system as claimed in claim 108, wherein the access aperture regulator comprises a valve.

110. The system as claimed in any one of claims 99 to 103 and 106, wherein the supply member is swappable such that supply members with insertion portions having different dimensions are capable of being swapped out and exchange for inserting into the one or more access apertures so as to vary the aggregate area of the one or more gaps.

111. The system as claimed in any one of claims 90 to 92, 94 to 96, 100 to 102, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure is a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

112. The system as claimed in claim 111 , wherein the PEEP is at least 1 cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

113. The system as claimed in any of claims 98 to 112, wherein at least one of the one or more access apertures of the access interface is of an elongated shape.

114. The system as claimed in claim 113, wherein the elongated shape has a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

115. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 112, wherein the coupling interface comprises a single flow aperture.

116. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 113, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of two access apertures.

117. The system as claimed in claim 116, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system comprises two prongs, wherein the two prongs of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system are respectively inserted into the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface.

118. The system as claimed in claim 117, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system is a nasal cannula with the two prongs.

119. The system as claimed in claim 117 or 118, wherein each access aperture and a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system are dimensioned relative to each other in a manner such that each access aperture receives the corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system to define a predetermined leak area around the corresponding prong.

120. The system as claimed in claim 119, wherein a combined area of the predetermined leak areas of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the gases flow delivery interface formed the leak area serving as the flow exit.

121 . The system as claimed in any one of claims 117 to 120, wherein the two prongs of the supply member of the gases flow delivery system have different dimensions.

122. The system as claimed any one of claims 116 to 120, wherein the arrangement of the two access apertures of the gases flow delivery interface lie in a same plane.

123. The system as claimed in claim 119 or 120, wherein at least one of the two access apertures is configured such that the predetermined leak area is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding prong of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the two prongs of the supply member is inserted into the arrangement of the two access apertures.

124. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 123, wherein the adapter body is free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

125. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 124, wherein the coupling interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

126. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 125, wherein the access interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

127. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 126, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture, wherein the first access aperture and the second access aperture are of different dimensions.

128. The system as claimed in claim 127, wherein a side of the adapter body having the access interface includes an elongated face, wherein a common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the adapter body.

129. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 128, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system comprises at least two prongs having different dimensions.

130. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 129, wherein the leak area further serves as a flow exit for a portion of the gases flow that has entered the flow chamber and is forced back out of the flow chamber by the exhalation flow.

131 . The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 130, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the coupling interface and a central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

132. The system as claimed in claim 131 insofar as to be dependent on claim 93, wherein the coupling interface comprises a flow aperture, wherein the central axis of the coupling interface passes through a centre of the flow aperture of the coupling interface, wherein the central axis of the access interface passes through a centre of the access aperture of the gases flow delivery interface.

133. The system as claimed in claim 131 insofar as to be dependent on claim 98, wherein the central axis of the coupling interface passes through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface, wherein the central axis of the access interface passes through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

134. The system as claimed in any one of claims 131 to 133, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are laterally off-set in order for axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

135. The system as claimed in any one of claims 131 to 133, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

136. The system as claimed in any one of claims 131 to 133, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the flow chamber is being shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

137. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

138. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

139. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

140. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

141 . The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

142. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

143. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

144. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

145. The system as claimed in claim 144, wherein the flow chamber has an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

146. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface is offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

147. The system as claimed in claim 146, wherein the flow chamber comprises an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

148. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

149. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

150. The system as claimed in claim 136, wherein the flow chamber has a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface is disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

151 . The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 138, wherein the adapter body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

152. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 130, wherein the adapter body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, the flow guide arrangement at least partly defines a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber to respectively direct the exhalation flow and the gases flow in a manner such that the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow are non-coincident at least when the exhalation flow and the gases flow meet or intersect.

153. The system as claimed in claim 152, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined by a relative disposition of the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface, and the access interface.

154. The system as claimed in claim 153, wherein the first flow path extends from the coupling interface to the flow guide arrangement and the second flow path extends from the access interface to the flow guide arrangement.

155. The system as claimed in claim 153, wherein the first flow path extends between the coupling interface and the access interface and the second flow path extends between the access interface and the coupling interface.

156. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 130, wherein the adapter body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

157. The system as claimed in any one of claims 152 to 156, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the exhalation flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and the gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

158. The system as claimed in any one of claims 151 to 157, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

159. The system as claimed in any one of claims 151 to 157, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

160. The system as claimed in any one of claims 151 to 157, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

161 . The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 160, wherein the coupling interface comprises a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure, the surrounding wall defining a hollow passage therewithin.

162. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 161 , wherein the access interface comprises a surrounding wall extending from the hollow structure, the surrounding wall defining a hollow passage therewithin.

163. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 162, wherein the access interface comprises a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the access interface.

164. The system as claimed in claim 163, wherein the flow regulating member comprises a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

165. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 164, further comprising a retaining arrangement disposed at the adapter body, wherein the retaining arrangement is in engagement with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface.

166. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 164, further comprising a retaining arrangement disposed at the adapter body, wherein the retaining arrangement is in engagement with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface, wherein the adapter body has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface, the access interface and the retaining arrangement are disposed such that the supply member of the gases flow delivery system is retained in place, by the retaining arrangement with respect to the access interface, with a disposition to direct the gases flow through the access interface into the flow chamber in a manner whereby the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow are non-coincident.

167. The system as claimed in claim 166, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system is introduced into the access interface and held in place by the retaining arrangement with a flow axis of the supply member and a central axis of the coupling interface being non-coincident in order for the axis of the exhalation flow and the axis of the gases flow to be non-coincident.

168. The system as claimed in claim 167, wherein the flow axis of the supply member and the central axis of the coupling interface are laterally offset from each other so as to be non-coincident.

169. The system as claimed in claim 168, wherein the flow axis of the supply member and the central axis of the coupling interface are at an angle with respect from each other so as to be non-coincident.

170. The system as claimed in any of claims 167 to 169 insofar as to be dependent on B5, wherein the central axis of the coupling interface passes through a centre of the flow aperture of the coupling interface.

171. The system as claimed in any of claims 167 to 169 insofar as to be dependent on B10, wherein the central axis of the coupling interface passes through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface.

172. The system as claimed in any one of claims 165 to 171 , wherein the retaining arrangement comprises an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

173. The system as claimed in any one of claims 165 to 172, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

174. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 173, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system comprises a nasal cannula

175. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 174, wherein the invasive airway device comprises an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway.

176. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 175, wherein the gases flow delivery system comprises a nasal high-flow therapy system.

177. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 176, wherein the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident at least at or immediately prior to the point when the first gases flow and the second gases flow merge or meet or interact or interest within the flow chamber.

178. The system as claimed in claim 177, wherein the axis of the first gases flow upon entering the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow upon entering the flow chamber are non-coincident with respect to each other.

179. The system as claimed in claim 177 or 178, wherein the axis of the first gases flow extending from the coupling interface into the flow chamber and the axis of the second gases flow extending from the access interface into the flow chamber are non-coincident with respect to each other.

180. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 179, wherein each of the first gases flow and the second gases flow is linear or curved, wherein each of the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow is an axis of projection, a centreline, or a tangent of the respective flow.

181 . The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 92, wherein the access interface includes an access aperture opening into the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface comprises a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber, wherein a hole-axis of the access aperture and a hole-axis of the flow aperture are non-coincident with respect to each other so as to direct the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and the second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access interface such that the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber.

182. The system as claimed in any one of claims 89 to 181 , wherein the adapter body has a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the adapter body, wherein the first modular part comprises the access interface and the second modular part comprises the coupling interface.

183. The system as claimed in claim 181 , wherein the first modular part is interchangeable with one other modular part for removably coupling with the second modular part, wherein the one other modular part has an access interface different from the access interface of the first modular part.

184. The system as claimed in claim 181 , wherein the second modular part is interchangeable with one other modular part for removably coupling with the first modular part, wherein the one other modular part has a coupling interface different from the coupling interface of the second modular part.

185. A method of managing a gases flow from a gases flow delivery system to an invasive patient airway device and an exhalation flow from the invasive patient airway device, the method comprising directing, via an arrangement of an adapter, the gases flow from the gases flow delivery system and the exhalation flow from the invasive patient airway device into a flow chamber of the adapter in a manner such that an axis of the gases flow and an axis of the exhalation flow are non-coincident within the flow chamber, and releasing gases from the flow chamber via a leak area, wherein the leak area is within an access interface of the adapter and around a supply member of the gases flow delivery system received in the access interface, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system supplies the gases flow into the flow chamber via the access interface, wherein the exhalation flow from the invasive patient airway device enters the flow chamber via a coupling interface of the adapter.

186. The method as claimed in claim 185, further comprising providing a predetermined level of flow resistance against a pre-defined exhalation flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface based on a predetermined dimension of the leak area.

187. The method as claimed in claim 185 or 186, wherein the adapter has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the coupling interface and a central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be non-coincident.

188. The method as claimed in claim 187, wherein the adapter has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are laterally off-set in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be non-coincident.

189. The method as claimed in claim 187, wherein the adapter has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be noncoincident.

190. The method as claimed in claim 187, wherein the adapter has an arrangement whereby the flow chamber is being shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the coupling interface and the central axis of the access interface are non-coincident in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be non-coincident.

191 . The method as claimed in claim 185 or 186, wherein the adapter comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber, wherein the adapter has an arrangement whereby the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed relative to each other in a manner to direct the exhalation flow along a first flow path within the flow chamber and to direct the gases flow along a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective gases flow paths intersect or meet.

192. The method as claimed in claim 191 , wherein the first flow path and the second flow path cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the exhalation flow flowing along the first flow path and the gases flow flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortexforming manner.

193. The method as claimed in claim 185 or 186, wherein the adapter comprises a retaining arrangement, wherein the retaining arrangement is in engagement with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface, wherein the adapter has an arrangement whereby the coupling interface, the access interface and the retaining arrangement are disposed such that the supply member of the gases flow delivery system is retained in place, by the retaining arrangement with respect to the access interface, with a disposition to direct the gases flow through the access interface into the flow chamber in a manner whereby the axis of the gases flow and the axis of the exhalation flow are non-coincident.

194. A respiratory support component comprising: a component body comprising a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface at the hollow structure, the coupling interface comprising an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber; an access interface at the hollow structure providing access to the flow chamber, the access interface comprising an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber, wherein a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are non-coincident, wherein an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than a predetermined portion of an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface, wherein the predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area is to be unoccupied during use of the respiratory support component.

195. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 194, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

196. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 194 or 195, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface.

197. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

196, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide a predetermined amount of flow resistance for a fluid flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and exiting the flow chamber through the access interface.

198. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

197, wherein the coupling interface comprises a single flow aperture.

199. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

198, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of two access apertures.

200. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 199, wherein the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface is configured to respectively receive two prongs of a nasal cannula.

201 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 200, wherein each access aperture is dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the nasal cannula to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong.

202. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 201 , wherein a combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface serve to provide a predetermined amount of elevated flow resistance for gases exiting the flow chamber through the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface when the nasal cannula is inserted therein, wherein the gases comprises a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the nasal cannula through the access interface, wherein the predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the two access apertures is the combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

203. The respiratory support component as claimed any one of claims 194 to

202, wherein the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface lie in a same plane.

204. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

203, wherein the component body is free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

205. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

204, wherein the coupling interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

206. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

205, wherein the access interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

207. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to 206, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture, wherein the first access aperture and the second access aperture are of different dimensions.

208. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 207, wherein a side of the hollow structure of the component body having the access interface includes an elongated face, wherein a common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the hollow structure of the component body.

209. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to 208, wherein the component body comprises an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

210. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 209, wherein the access aperture regulator comprises a valve.

211 . The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 94 to 210, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are laterally off-set from each other so as to be non-coincident.

212. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 94 to 210, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

213. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 94 to 210, wherein the flow chamber is shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are non-coincident.

214. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

215. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto- conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

216. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

217. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

218. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

219. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

220. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

221 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

222. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 221 , wherein the flow chamber has an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

223. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface is offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

224. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 223, wherein the flow chamber comprises an internal curved wall disposed therein along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

225. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

226. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

227. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 213, wherein the flow chamber has a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface is disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

228. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 94 to 215, wherein the component body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

229. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 94 to 215, wherein the component body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, wherein the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface of the component body are being disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be noncoincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

230. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 229, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that a first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and a second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

231 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 229 or 230, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

232. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 229 or 230, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

233. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 229 or 230, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

234. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 94 to 233, wherein the access interface comprises a flow regulating member disposed across the arrangement of the one or more access apertures.

235. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 234, wherein the flow regulating member comprises a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

236. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 94 to 235, further comprising a retaining arrangement engageable with a supply member of a gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface.

237. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 236, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

238. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 236 or 237, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

239. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

238, wherein the component body has a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the component body, wherein the first modular part comprises the access interface and the second modular part comprises the coupling interface.

240. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 194 to

239, wherein at least one access aperture of the access interface is of an elongated shape.

241 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 240, wherein the elongated shape has a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

242. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to any one of claims 194 to 241 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system.

243. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to claim 239 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having an access interface, wherein the access interface of the one other modular part is different from the access interface of the first modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the first modular part for removably coupling with the second modular part.

244. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to claim 239 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having a coupling interface, wherein the coupling interface of the one other modular part is different from the coupling interface of the second modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the second modular part for removably coupling with the first modular part.

245. An adapter comprising a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber; and an access aperture opening into the flow chamber, the access aperture being for receiving a supply member of a gases delivery system, wherein

(A) the flow aperture and the access aperture are disposed relative to each other, and/or

(B) the adapter further comprises one or more internal flow directing elements to direct a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the access aperture such that an axis of the first gases flow and an axis of the second gases flow are noncoincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow and the second gases flow and to avoid the first gases flow and the second gases flow colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike, wherein the access aperture is configured to form a predetermined leak area between a perimeter of the access aperture and an exterior of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the supply member of the gases delivery system is inserted into the access aperture, the supply member being of a given dimension, the predetermined leak area serving as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber, wherein the predetermined leak area is of a predetermined size to provide a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second gases flow is a gases flow supplied by the supply member of the gases delivery system, wherein the access aperture is of a predetermined dimension to provide a predetermined level of flow resistance for the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture when the access aperture is without the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein, wherein the predetermined level of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the flow chamber is without the second gases flow being supplied into the flow chamber.

246. The adapter as claimed in claim 245, wherein the access aperture is configured such that the predetermined size of the predetermined leak area is smaller than a cross-sectional area of a corresponding portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into the access aperture.

247. The adapter as claimed in claim 245 or 246, wherein an aperture area of the flow aperture is larger than an aperture area of the access aperture.

248. The adapter as claimed in claim 247, wherein the aperture area of the flow aperture is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

249. The adapter as claimed in claim 247 or 248, wherein the aperture area of the access aperture is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

250. The adapter as claimed in claim 247, wherein the aperture area of the flow aperture is larger than the aperture area of the access aperture by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined maximum pressure.

251 . The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 247 to 250, further comprising an access aperture regulator for varying the aperture area of the access aperture.

252. The adapter as claimed in claim 251 , wherein the access aperture regulator comprises a valve.

253. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 252, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure is a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

254. The adapter as claimed in claim 253, wherein the PEEP is at least 1cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

255. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 254, wherein the adapter is free of additional inlet or outlet apertures for the flow chamber, other than the flow aperture and the access aperture.

256. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 255, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of the access aperture are noncoincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

257. The adapter as claimed in claim 256, wherein the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture are laterally off-set from each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

258. The adapter as claimed in claim 256, wherein the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

259. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 255, wherein the flow chamber is being shaped and the flow aperture and the access aperture are disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of the access aperture are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

260. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

261 . The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

262. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

263. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access aperture is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

264. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access aperture is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being parallel with respect to each other.

265. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

266. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being non-parallel with respect to each other.

267. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape.

268. The adapter as claimed in claim 267, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being parallel with respect to each other.

269. The adapter as claimed in claim 267 or 268, wherein the flow chamber has an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

270. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially arc shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the flow aperture is offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access aperture is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

271 . The adapter as claimed in claim 270, wherein the flow chamber comprises an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

272. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has an elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being parallel with respect to each other.

273. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented such that the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

274. The adapter as claimed in claim 259, wherein the flow chamber has a funnel shape, wherein the flow aperture is disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access aperture is disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the flow aperture and the access aperture are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the access aperture being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

275. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 274, wherein the one or more flow directing elements, the flow aperture and the access aperture are being disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

276. The adapter as claimed in claim 275, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the first gases flow via the flow aperture flowing along the first flow path and the second gases flow via the access aperture concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

277. The adapter as claimed in claim 275 or 276, wherein the flow directing element comprises at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

278. The adapter as claimed in claim 275 or 276, wherein the flow directing element comprises one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

279. The adapter as claimed in claim 275 or 276, wherein the flow directing element comprises one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

280. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 279, further comprising a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the access aperture.

281 . The adapter as claimed in claim 280, wherein the flow regulating member comprises a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

282. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 281 , further comprising a retaining arrangement disposed at the hollow structure, wherein the retaining arrangement is engageable with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the access aperture so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access aperture.

283. The adapter as claimed in claim 282, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

284. The adapter as claimed in claim 282 or 283 wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

285. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 284, wherein the hollow structure has a first modular section and a second modular section removably coupled together to form the hollow structure, wherein the access aperture is at the first modular section of the hollow structure and the flow aperture is at the second modular section of the hollow structure.

286. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 245 to 285, wherein at least one access aperture of the access interface is of an elongated shape.

287. The adapter as claimed in claim 286, wherein the elongated shape has a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

288. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the adapter according to any one of claims 245 to 287 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system.

289. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the adapter according to claim 285 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having an access aperture, wherein the access aperture of the one other modular part is different from the access aperture of the first modular section of the hollow structure, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the first modular section of the hollow structure for removably coupling with the second modular section of the hollow structure.

290. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the adapter according to claim 285 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having a flow aperture, wherein the flow aperture of the one other modular part is different from the flow aperture of the second modular section of the hollow structure, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the second modular section of the hollow structure for removably coupling with the first modular section of the hollow structure.

291 . An adapter comprising a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a flow aperture opening into the flow chamber; and an arrangement of two access apertures opening into the flow chamber, the arrangement of two access apertures being for respectively two insertion portions of a supply member of a gases delivery system, wherein

(A) the flow aperture and the arrangement of two access apertures are disposed relative to each other, and/or

(B) the adapter further comprises one or more internal flow directing elements to direct a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the arrangement of two access apertures such that an axis of the first gases flow and an axis of the second gases flow are non-coincident or become non-coincident within the flow chamber, to promote gradual merging of the first gases flow and the second gases flow and to avoid the first gases flow and the second gases flow colliding in a substantially directly-opposed manner and thereby avoid a sudden pressure spike, wherein each of the two access apertures is configured to form a predetermined gap between a perimeter of said access aperture and an exterior of the corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system when the respective insertion portions of the supply member of the gases delivery system are inserted into the respective access apertures, each of the insertion portions of the supply member being of a given dimension, wherein a combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures form a predetermined leak area serving as a flow exit for gases to exit the flow chamber, wherein the predetermined leak area is of a predetermined size to provide a first predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the second gases flow is a gases flow supplied by the supply member of the gases delivery system, wherein the two access apertures are of a predetermined dimension to provide a predetermined level of flow resistance for the first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the flow aperture when the two access apertures are without the corresponding insertion portions of the supply member of the gases delivery system being received therein, wherein the predetermined level of flow resistance results in a second predetermined maximum pressure within the flow chamber at least at or around an end of an exhalation phase when the first gases flow is an exhalation flow and the flow chamber is without the second gases flow being supplied into the flow chamber.

292. The adapter as claimed in claim 291 , wherein at least one of the two access apertures is configured such that the predetermined gap is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the corresponding insertion portion of the supply member of the gases delivery system inserted into said access aperture.

293. The adapter as claimed in claim 291 or 292, wherein an aperture area of the flow aperture is larger than an aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures.

294. The adapter as claimed in claim 293, wherein the aperture area of the flow aperture is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

295. The adapter as claimed in claim 293 or 294, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the flow aperture.

296. The adapter as claimed in claim 293, wherein the aperture area of the flow aperture is larger than the aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures by a predetermined amount so as to provide the second predetermined maximum pressure.

297. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 293 to 296, further comprising an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the two access apertures.

298. The adapter as claimed in claim 297, wherein the access aperture regulator comprises a valve.

299. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 298, wherein the first predetermined maximum pressure is a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

300. The adapter as claimed in claim 299, wherein the PEEP is at least 1cm H2O when a flow rate is 50 litres per minute.

301 . The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 300, wherein the adapter is free of additional inlet or outlet apertures for the flow chamber, other than the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures.

302. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 301 , wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

303. The adapter as claimed in claim 302, wherein the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures passes through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

304. The adapter as claimed in claim 302 or 303, wherein the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures are be laterally off-set from each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

305. The adapter as claimed in claim 302, wherein the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures form an angle with respect to each other in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

306. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 301 , wherein the flow chamber is being shaped and the flow aperture and arrangement of the two access apertures are disposed in a manner such that a central axis of the flow aperture and a central axis of arrangement of the two access apertures are noncoincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident.

307. The adapter as claimed in claim 306, wherein the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures passes through a centre or a centroid of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

308. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

309. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto-conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

310. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being non-parallel with respect to each other.

311 . The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and arrangement of the two access apertures is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being non-parallel with respect to each other.

312. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the arrangement of the two access apertures is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being parallel with respect to each other.

313. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being non-parallel with respect to each other.

314. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being non-parallel with respect to each other.

315. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are respectively disposed at two substantially opposite segments of the circular shape.

316. The adapter as claimed in claim 315, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being parallel with respect to each other.

317. The adapter as claimed in claim 315 or 316, wherein the flow chamber has an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

318. The adapter as claimed in claim 316 or 317, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially arc shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the flow aperture is offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the arrangement of the two access apertures is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

319. The adapter as claimed in claim 318, wherein the flow chamber comprises an internal curved wall disposed therein substantially along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

320. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has an elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being parallel with respect to each other.

321 . The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented such that the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

322. The adapter as claimed in claim 306 or 307, wherein the flow chamber has a funnel shape, wherein the flow aperture is disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the arrangement of the two access apertures is disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are oriented with the central axis of the flow aperture and the central axis of the arrangement of the two access apertures being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

323. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 322, wherein the one or more flow directing elements, the flow aperture and the arrangement of the two access apertures are being disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective gases paths intersect or meet.

324. The adapter as claimed in claim 323, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that the first gases flow via the flow aperture flowing along the first flow path and the second gases flow via the arrangement of the two access apertures concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

325. The adapter as claimed in claim 323 or 324, wherein the flow directing element comprises at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

326. The adapter as claimed in claim 323 or 324, wherein the flow directing element comprises one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

327. The adapter as claimed in claim 323 or 324, wherein the flow directing element comprises one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

328. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 325, further comprising a flow regulating member disposed across an inflow path through the arrangement of the two access apertures.

329. The adapter as claimed in claim 328, wherein the flow regulating member comprises a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

330. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 329, further comprising a retaining arrangement disposed at the hollow structure, wherein the retaining arrangement is engageable with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system introduced to the arrangement of the two apertures so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the arrangement of the two apertures.

331 . The adapter as claimed in claim 330, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

332. The adapter as claimed in claim 330 or 331 , wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

333. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 332, wherein the hollow structure has a first modular section and a second modular section removably coupled together to form the hollow structure, wherein the arrangement of two access apertures is at the first modular section of the hollow structure and the flow aperture is at the second modular section of the hollow structure.

334. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 333, wherein at least one of the two access apertures is of an elongated shape.

335. The adapter as claimed in claim 334, wherein the elongated shape has a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

336. The adapter as claimed in any one of claims 291 to 335, wherein a side of the hollow structure having the two access apertures includes an elongated face, wherein a common external tangent of the two access apertures is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the hollow structure.

337. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to any one of claims 291 to 336 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system.

338. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according claim 333 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having an arrangement of two access apertures, wherein the arrangement of two access apertures of the one other modular part is different from the arrangement of two access apertures of the first modular section of the hollow structure, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the first modular section of the hollow structure for removably coupling with the second modular section of the hollow structure.

339. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according claim 333 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having a flow aperture, wherein the flow aperture of the one other modular part is different from the flow aperture of the second modular section of the hollow structure, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the second modular section of the hollow structure for removably coupling with the first modular section of the hollow structure.

340. A respiratory support component comprising: a component body comprising a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface at the hollow structure, the coupling interface comprising an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber; an access interface at the hollow structure providing access to the flow chamber, the access interface comprising an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber, wherein a hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures and a hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures are non-coincident. wherein an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than a predetermined portion of an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface, wherein the predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area is to be unoccupied during use of the respiratory support component.

341 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 340, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

342. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 340 or 341 , wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface.

343. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 342, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide a predetermined amount of flow resistance for a fluid flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and exiting the flow chamber through the access interface.

344. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

343, wherein the coupling interface comprises a single flow aperture.

345. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

344, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of two access apertures.

346. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 345, wherein the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface is configured to respectively receive two prongs of a nasal cannula.

347. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 346, wherein each access aperture is dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the nasal cannula to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong.

348. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 347, wherein a combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface serve to provide a predetermined amount of elevated flow resistance for gases exiting the flow chamber through the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface when the nasal cannula is inserted therein, wherein the gases comprises a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the nasal cannula through the access interface, wherein the predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the two access apertures is the combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

349. The respiratory support component as claimed any one of claims 340 to

348, wherein the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface lie in a same plane.

350. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

349, wherein the component body is free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

351 . The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

350, wherein the coupling interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

352. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

351 , wherein the access interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

353. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

352, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture, wherein the first access aperture and the second access aperture are of different dimensions.

354. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 353, wherein a side of the component body having the access interface includes an elongated face, wherein a common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the component body.

355. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 354, wherein the component body comprises an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface.

356. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 355, wherein the access aperture regulator comprises a valve.

357. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 356, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are laterally off-set from each other so as to be non-coincident.

358. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 356, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

359. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 356, wherein the flow chamber is shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are non-coincident.

360. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

361 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto- conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

362. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

363. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

364. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

365. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

366. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

367. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

368. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 367, wherein the flow chamber has an internal substantially circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

369. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface is offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

370. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 369, wherein the flow chamber comprises an internal curved wall disposed therein along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

371 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

372. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented such that the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

373. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 359, wherein the flow chamber has a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface is disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the hole axis of each of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the hole axis of each of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

374. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 361 , wherein the component body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

375. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 361 , wherein the component body comprises a flow guide arrangement associated with the flow chamber of the hollow structure, wherein the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface of the component body are being disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be noncoincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

376. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 375, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that a first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and a second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

377. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 375 or 376, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises at least an internal wall, a baffle, or a deflector disposed within the flow chamber of the hollow structure.

378. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 375 or 376, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more protrusions in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

379. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 375 or 376, wherein the flow guide arrangement comprises one or more indentations in one or more walls of the hollow structure.

380. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 379, wherein the access interface comprises a flow regulating member disposed across the arrangement of the one or more access apertures.

381 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 380, wherein the flow regulating member comprises a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

382. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to 381 , further comprising a retaining arrangement engageable with a supply member of a gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface.

383. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 382, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

384. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 382 or 383, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

385. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

384, wherein the component body has a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the component body, wherein the first modular part comprises the access interface and the second modular part comprises the coupling interface.

386. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 340 to

385, wherein at least one access aperture of the access interface is of an elongated shape.

387. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 386, wherein the elongated shape has a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

388. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to any one of claims 340 to 387 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system.

389. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to claim 385 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having an access interface, wherein the access interface of the one other modular part is different from the access interface of the first modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the first modular part for removably coupling with the second modular part.

390. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to claim 385 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having a coupling interface, wherein the coupling interface of the one other modular part is different from the coupling interface of the second modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the second modular part for removably coupling with the first modular part.

391 . A respiratory support component comprising: a component body comprising a hollow structure defining a flow chamber; a coupling interface at the hollow structure, the coupling interface comprising an arrangement of one or more flow apertures opening into the flow chamber; an access interface at the hollow structure providing access to the flow chamber, the access interface comprising an arrangement of one or more access apertures opening into the flow chamber, wherein the flow chamber comprises a flow guide arrangement comprising at least one of an internal wall, a baffle, a deflector, a notch, and I or a protrusion, wherein an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than effective portion of an aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface, wherein the predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area is to be unoccupied during use of the respiratory support component.

392. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 391 , wherein the flow guide arrangement is located substantially between at least one flow aperture and at least one access aperture.

393. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 392, wherein the flow guide arrangement is disposed to block a direct straight path extending between the at least one flow aperture and the at least one access aperture.

394. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

393, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the access interface.

395. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

394, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the flow chamber immediately adjacent the coupling interface.

396. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

395, wherein the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface is larger than the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface by a predetermined amount so as to provide a predetermined amount of flow resistance for a fluid flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and exiting the flow chamber through the access interface.

397. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

396, wherein the coupling interface comprises a single flow aperture.

398. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

397, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of two access apertures.

399. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 398, wherein the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface is configured to respectively receive two prongs of a nasal cannula.

400. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 399, wherein each access aperture is dimensioned to receive a corresponding prong of the nasal cannula to define a predetermined gap around the corresponding prong for a given dimension of the corresponding prong.

401 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 400, wherein a combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface serve to provide a predetermined amount of elevated flow resistance for gases exiting the flow chamber through the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures of the access interface when the nasal cannula is inserted therein, wherein the gases comprises a first gases flow entering the flow chamber via the coupling interface and a second gases flow entering the flow chamber via the nasal cannula through the access interface, wherein the predetermined portion of the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the two access apertures is the combined area of the predetermined gaps of the arrangement of the two access apertures.

402. The respiratory support component as claimed any one of claims 391 to

401 , wherein the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface lie in a same plane.

403. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

402, wherein the component body is free of additional inlet interface or outlet interface for the flow chamber, other than the coupling interface and the access interface.

404. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

403, wherein the coupling interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the coupling interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

405. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

404, wherein the access interface and the hollow structure are configured to cause a drop in fluid velocity along a flow direction from the access interface into the flow chamber defined by the hollow structure.

406. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

405, wherein the access interface comprises an arrangement of a first access aperture and a second access aperture, wherein the first access aperture and the second access aperture are of different dimensions.

407. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 406, wherein a side of the component body having the access interface includes an elongated face, wherein a common external tangent of the first access aperture and the second access aperture is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated face of said side of the component body

408. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one claims of 391 to 407, wherein the component body comprises an access aperture regulator for varying the aggregate aperture area of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the chamber access interface.

409. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 408, wherein the access aperture regulator comprises a valve.

410. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to 409, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are laterally off-set from each other so as to be non-coincident.

411 . The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to 409, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a manner such that a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

412. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to 409, wherein the flow chamber is shaped and the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed with respect to the flow chamber in a manner such that a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and a central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface are non-coincident.

413. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 411 , wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, a substantially semi-circular shape, a substantially quadrant shape, a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially triangular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially annular shape, a substantially ring shape, a substantially arc shape, a substantially U shape, or a substantially horseshoe shape.

414. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially spherical shape, a substantially hemispherical shape, a substantially dome shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially cuboid shape, a substantially funnel shape, a substantially frusto- conical shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially pyramidal shape, a substantially conical shape, a substantially prism shape, or a substantially tonus shape.

415. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

416. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

417. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a first end portion along a diameter of the semi-circular shape and the access interface is disposed at a position offset from a second end portion towards the first end portion along the diameter of the semi-circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

418. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite end portions along a same side of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

419. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two different sides of the triangular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being non-parallel with respect to each other.

420. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite segments of the circular shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

421 . The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 420, wherein the flow chamber has an internal substantially circular wall serving as the flow guide arrangement, the internal circular wall disposed therein in a substantially concentric manner with respect to the circular shape of the flow chamber.

422. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a substantially arc shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the arc shape, wherein the coupling interface is offset towards an outer arc of the arc shape and the access interface is offset towards an inner arc of the arc shape.

423. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 422, wherein the flow chamber comprises an internal curved wall serving as the flow guide arrangement, the internal curved wall being disposed therein along a centreline of the arc shape of the flow chamber.

424. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has an elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the elongated shape, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented in opposite directions and with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being parallel with respect to each other.

425. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are disposed at the hollow structure in a directly opposite manner, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented such that the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface forms an angle with respect to each other so as to be non-coincident.

426. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 412, wherein the flow chamber has a funnel shape, wherein the coupling interface is disposed at a spout portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber and the access interface is disposed at a mouth portion of the funnel shape of the flow chamber, wherein the coupling interface and the access interface are oriented with the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more flow apertures of the coupling interface and the central axis of the arrangement of the one or more access apertures of the access interface being laterally off-set with respect to each other.

427. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to 214, wherein the flow guide arrangement, the coupling interface and the access interface of the component body are being disposed relative to each other in a manner to define a first flow path within the flow chamber and a second flow path within the flow chamber, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are non-coincident in order for the axis of the first gases flow and the axis of the second gases flow to be non-coincident at least when the respective flow paths intersect or meet.

428. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 427, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are defined to cross path with each other within the flow chamber in a manner such that a first gases flow via the coupling interface flowing along the first flow path and a second gases flow via the access interface concurrently flowing along the second flow path interact with each other in a swirling or vortex-forming manner.

429. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to 428, wherein the access interface comprises a flow regulating member disposed across the arrangement of the one or more access apertures.

430. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 429, wherein the flow regulating member comprises a mesh structure, a honeycomb structure, a perforated structure, a netted structure, a gridded structure, or a grated structure.

431 . The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to 430, further comprising a retaining arrangement engageable with a supply member of a gases flow delivery system introduced to the access interface so as to retain the supply member in place with respect to the access interface.

432. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 431 , wherein the retaining arrangement comprises an alignment element for providing feedback whether the supply member is fitted correctly.

433. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 431 or 432, wherein the retaining arrangement comprises a strap, a rigid arm, a clip, a latch, a tie, a snap fastener, a pin, a hook, a peg, an anchor, a band, an adhesive, or a suction element.

434. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

433, wherein the component body has a first modular part and a second modular part removably coupled together to form the component body, wherein the first modular part comprises the access interface and the second modular part comprises the coupling interface.

435. The respiratory support component as claimed in any one of claims 391 to

434, wherein at least one access aperture of the access interface is of an elongated shape.

436. The respiratory support component as claimed in claim 435, wherein the elongated shape has a narrower portion at a first end and a wider portion at a second end.

437. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to any one of claims 391 to 436 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system.

438. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to claim 434 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having an access interface, wherein the access interface of the one other modular part is different from the access interface of the first modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the first modular part for removably coupling with the second modular part.

439. A kit for connecting a gases flow delivery system to an invasive airway device, the kit comprising the respiratory support component according to 434 adapted to connect the invasive airway device to the gases flow delivery system; and one other modular part having a coupling interface, wherein the coupling interface of the one other modular part is different from the coupling interface of the second modular part, wherein the one other modular part is interchangeable with the second modular part for removably coupling with the first modular part.

440. A method of assessing whether a patient is ready to transition away from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy, the method comprising providing the high-flow therapy via a supply member of a gases flow delivery system, through an adapter or a respiratory support component, into an invasive airway device, the adapter or the respiratory support component being connected to the invasive airway device via a coupling interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component, and the supply member being connected to the adapter or the respiratory support component via an access interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component; monitoring at least one parameter of the patient; determining whether the at least one parameter of the patient is within an acceptable or expected range, so as to assess whether the patient is ready to transition away from invasive respiratory therapy to high-flow therapy.

441 . The method according to claim 440, wherein the at least one parameter of the patient comprises one of, or a combination of any two or more of: an airway pressure, a respiratory rate, a tidal volume, a minute ventilation, a respiratory gas parameter (e.g. a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)), a blood gas parameter (e.g. an oxygen saturation (SpO2)), or a heart rate.

442. The method according to claim 440 or 441 , further comprising determining whether the patient is ready to transition from invasive respiratory therapy to high- flow therapy based on a determination that the at least one parameter of the patient is within the acceptable or expected range.

443. The method according to claim 442, further comprising transitioning the patient to the high-flow therapy by either continuing the high-flow therapy via the supply member through the adapter or the respiratory support component into the invasive airway device or placing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system onto the patient’s face so as to provide the high-flow therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth.

444. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 443, wherein the adapter is according to any one of 1 to 81 or the respiratory support component is according to any one of 194 to 237 or 340 to 383 or 391 to 432.

445. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 443, wherein the adapter is according to any one of 245 to 284 or 291 to 332, whereby the flow aperture of said adapter serves as the coupling interface and the access aperture of said adapter serves as the access interface.

446. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 445, further comprising obtaining a baseline measurement of the at least one parameter of the patient prior to connecting the adapter or the respiratory support component to the invasive airway device.

447. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 446, wherein a three- way connector is connected between the invasive airway device and the coupling interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component, whereby a first port of the three-way connector is connected to the invasive airway device and a second port of the three-way connector is connected to the coupling interface.

448. The method according to claim 447, wherein a pressure line is connected to a third port of the three-way connector for measuring a pressure.

449. The method according to claim 447 or 448, wherein the three-way connector is a T-piece.

450. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 449, wherein the gases flow delivery system provides the high-flow therapy at a flow rate range of about 5 LPM to about 150 LPM, or about 10 LPM to about 120 LPM, or about 15 LPM to about 95 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 25 LPM to about 85 LPM, or about 30 LPM to about 80 LPM, or about 35 LPM to about 75 LPM, or about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 45 LPM to about 65 LPM, or about 50 LPM to about 60 LPM.

451 . The method according to any one of claims 440 to 450, wherein providing the high-flow therapy comprises stepping up a flow rate incrementally over a series of predetermined flow rate levels, wherein a predetermined acceptable or expected range of the at least one parameter of the patient is associated with each predetermined flow rate level.

452. The method according to claim 451 , wherein a supplemental therapy is correspondingly step up to complement the stepping up of the flow rate incrementally over the series of predetermined flow rate levels.

453. The method according to claim 452, wherein the supplemental therapy comprises a supplemental oxygen therapy.

454. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 450, wherein the high- flow therapy comprises providing humidified gases.

455. The method according to claim 454, wherein the humidified gases are provided via a humidifier of the gases flow delivery system, the humidifier being downstream of a flow generator of the gases flow delivery system.

456. The method according to claim 443, wherein transitioning the patient to the high-flow therapy by continuing the high-flow therapy via the supply member through the adapter or the respiratory support component into the invasive airway device comprises entering final therapy settings into the gases flow delivery system to continue providing the high-flow therapy to the patient via the adapter or the respiratory support component.

457. The method according to claim 443, wherein transitioning the patient to the high-flow therapy by placing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system onto the patient’s face comprises entering final therapy settings into the gases flow delivery system to provide the high-flow therapy to the patient via the supply member.

458. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 457, wherein the invasive airway device comprises an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway.

459. The method according to any one of claims 440 to 458, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system comprises a nasal cannula.

460. The method according to claim 459, wherein the nasal cannula is an asymmetrical cannula.

461 . The method according to claim 460, wherein the nasal cannula comprises asymmetrical nasal delivery elements.

462. A method of switching between a respiratory therapy via an invasive airway device and a non-invasive respiratory therapy for a patient using a supply member of a gases flow delivery system, the method comprising providing gases flow via the invasive airway device with the supply member of the gases flow delivery system, through an adapter or a respiratory support component, connected to the invasive airway device, the adapter or the respiratory support component being connected to the invasive airway device via a coupling interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component, and the supply member being connected to the adapter or the respiratory support component via an access interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component; and transitioning to the non-invasive respiratory therapy by disconnecting the supply member of the gases flow delivery system from the adapter or the respiratory support component and placing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system onto the patient’s face so as to provide the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the patient via the patient’s nose and/or mouth when the patient is assessed to be ready to transition to the non-invasive respiratory therapy.

463. The method according to claim 462, wherein the respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device comprises a high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device, and the non-invasive respiratory therapy comprises a nasal high-flow therapy.

464. The method according to claim 462, wherein the respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device comprises an invasive respiratory therapy, and the non- invasive respiratory therapy comprises a nasal high-flow therapy.

465. The method according to claim 464, wherein transitioning to the non- invasive respiratory therapy comprises transitioning from the invasive respiratory therapy to a high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device, and subsequently transitioning from the high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device to a nasal high-flow therapy based on a determination that the patient is ready to transition to the nasal high-flow therapy according to a determination that at least one parameter of the patient is within an acceptable or expected range when the patient is receiving high-flow therapy via the invasive airway device.

466. The method according to claim 465, wherein the at least one parameter of the patient comprises one of, or a combination of any two or more of: an airway pressure, a respiratory rate, a tidal volume, a minute ventilation, a respiratory gas parameter (e.g. a fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)), a blood gas parameter (e.g. an oxygen saturation (SpO2)), or a heart rate.

467. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 467, further comprising entering final therapy settings into the gases flow delivery system to provide the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the patient upon transitioning to the non- invasive respiratory therapy.

468. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 468, further comprising transitioning from the non-invasive respiratory therapy to the respiratory therapy via the invasive airway device by removing the supply member of the gases flow delivery system from the patient’s face and connecting the supply member of the gases flow delivery system to the access interface of the adapter or the respiratory support component when the patient is assessed to be having difficulty coping with the non-invasive respiratory therapy.

469. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 468, wherein the gases flow is at a flow rate range of about 5 LPM to about 150 LPM, or about 10 LPM to about 120 LPM, or about 15 LPM to about 95 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 25 LPM to about 85 LPM, or about 30 LPM to about 80 LPM, or about 35 LPM to about 75 LPM, or about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 45 LPM to about 65 LPM, or about 50 LPM to about 60 LPM.

470. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 469, wherein humidified gases are provided by the gases flow delivery system through the supply member.

471 . The method according to claim 470, wherein the humidified gases are provided via a humidifier of the gases flow delivery system, the humidifier being downstream of a flow generator of the gases flow delivery system.

472. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 471 , wherein the adapter is according to any one of 1 to 81 or the respiratory support component is according to any one of claims 194 to 241 or 340 to 387 or 391 to 436.

473. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 471 , wherein the adapter is according to any one of claims 245 to 287 or 291 to 336, whereby the flow aperture of said adapter serves as the coupling interface and the access aperture of said adapter serves as the access interface.

474. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 473, wherein the invasive airway device comprises an endotracheal tube, a tracheostomy tube, or a laryngeal mask airway.

475. The method according to any one of claims 462 to 474, wherein the supply member of the gases flow delivery system comprises a nasal cannula.

476. The method according to claim 475, wherein the nasal cannula is an asymmetrical cannula.

477. A breathing assistance apparatus for delivering respiratory therapy, the breathing assistance apparatus comprising: a flow generator; a humidifier in fluid communication with the flow generator; a heater arrangement associated with the humidifier; and a controller configured to control the breathing assistance apparatus, wherein the breathing assistance apparatus is selectively operable between a plurality of therapy modes, the plurality of therapy modes including at least a first therapy mode and a second therapy mode, wherein, in the first therapy mode, the controller is configured to receive an input variable corresponding to a desired value of a variable humidity parameter, and the controller is configured to control the flow generator, the humidifier and/or the heater arrangement to generate gases flow based on the input variable corresponding to the desired value of the variable humidity parameter, wherein, in the second therapy mode, the controller is configured to control the flow generator, the humidifier and/or the heater arrangement to generate gases flow based on a non-adjustable pre-set value of a humidity parameter.

478. The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 477, wherein, in the first therapy mode, the controller is configured to receive a selection of a flow rate from a first flow rate range and control the flow generator based on the selection, wherein, in the second therapy mode, the controller is configured to receive a selection of a flow rate from a second flow rate range and control the flow generator based on the selection, wherein the second flow rate range is a subset of the first flow rate range.

479. The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 477 or 478, further comprising a user interface associated with the controller, wherein the user interface is configured to provide a therapy mode selector for selecting a therapy mode from the plurality of therapy modes so as to operate the breathing assistance apparatus in the therapy mode.

480. The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 479, wherein the user interface comprises a display, wherein the plurality of therapy modes are presented in the display as options serving as the therapy mode selector for user selection.

481 . The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 480, wherein the first therapy mode and the second therapy mode are presented in the display as alternative options under a same menu.

482. The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 480, wherein the second therapy mode is presented in the display as an option in a sub-menu under the first therapy mode.

483. The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 479, wherein, in the first therapy mode, the user interface is configured to provide an input interface for inputting the input variable to the controller.

484. The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 479 insofar as to be dependent on claim 478, wherein, in the first therapy mode, the user interface is configured to provide a flow rate input interface for inputting the flow rate from the first flow rate range to the controller, wherein, in the second therapy mode, the user interface is configured to provide a flow rate input interface for inputting the flow rate from the second flow rate range to the controller.

485. The breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 477 to 484, further comprises a gases flow outlet, wherein the gases flow outlet is configured to be couplable to an inspiratory conduit that is directly connectable to an invasive airway device.

486. A gases flow delivery system for connecting to an invasive airway device, the gases flow delivery system comprising: the breathing assistance apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 477 to 484, wherein the breathing assistance apparatus further comprises a gases flow outlet; and an inspiratory conduit, wherein a first end of the inspiratory conduit is coupled to the gases flow outlet of the breathing assistance apparatus and a second end of the inspiratory conduit is configured to be directly connectable to the invasive airway device.