NZ784832B2 - A respiratory pressure treatment system - Google Patents
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- NZ784832B2 NZ784832B2 NZ784832A NZ78483214A NZ784832B2 NZ 784832 B2 NZ784832 B2 NZ 784832B2 NZ 784832 A NZ784832 A NZ 784832A NZ 78483214 A NZ78483214 A NZ 78483214A NZ 784832 B2 NZ784832 B2 NZ 784832B2
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Abstract
Disclosed is a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device for pressurising air to treat a respiratory disorder in a patient where the blower unit is designed to be simpler to manufacture. The RPT device has a water reservoir configured to retain water for humidification of pressurised air; a chassis comprising a dock configured to removably receive the water reservoir; an RPT device inlet configured to receive ambient air and an RPT device outlet configured to be connected to be connected to an air delivery conduit to direct pressurised air to a patient interface worn by the patient during use. A blower assembly is supported within the chassis and has a first wall portion and a second wall portion; a blower assembly inlet tube positioned on the first wall portion and configured to receive air from the RPT device inlet. A plurality of flow tubes are positioned on the second wall portion; a first chamber formed at least partly by the second wall portion; and a second chamber is formed at least partly by the second wall portion and opposite the first chamber relative to the second wall portion. A blower is configured to pressurize the air, the blower having a blower inlet exposed to the second chamber and a blower outlet; and a blower assembly outlet configured to direct pressurized air to the water reservoir. An external housing encloses the blower assembly and at least partially encloses the water reservoir when removably received dock.
Description
Disclosed is a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device for pressurising air to treat a respiratory
disorder in a patient where the blower unit is designed to be simpler to manufacture. The RPT
device has a water reservoir configured to retain water for humidification of pressurised air; a
chassis comprising a dock configured to removably receive the water reservoir; an RPT device
inlet configured to receive ambient air and an RPT device outlet configured to be connected to be
connected to an air delivery conduit to direct pressurised air to a patient interface worn by the
patient during use. A blower assembly is supported within the chassis and has a first wall portion
and a second wall portion; a blower assembly inlet tube positioned on the first wall portion and
configured to receive air from the RPT device inlet. A plurality of flow tubes are positioned on
the second wall portion; a first chamber formed at least partly by the second wall portion; and
a second chamber is formed at least partly by the second wall portion and opposite the first
chamber relative to the second wall portion. A blower is configured to pressurize the air, the
blower having a blower inlet exposed to the second chamber and a blower outlet; and a blower
assembly outlet configured to direct pressurized air to the water reservoir. An external housing
encloses the blower assembly and at least partially encloses the water reservoir when removably
received dock.
NZ 784832 B2
505821/60 HCS
TITLE A RESPIRATORY PRESSURE TREATMENT SYSTEM
1 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent
Applications 2013904923, filed 17 December 2013, AU 2014901998, filed 27 May
2014, AU 2014901999, filed 27 May 2014 and AU 2014901997, filed 27 May 2014,
PCT Patent Application , filed 14 Mar 2014 and United States
Provisional Patent Application US 61/987245, filed 01 May 2014, the entire contents
of each of these applications being incorporated herein by reference.
2 BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY
2.1 FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
The present technology relates to one or more of the detection, diagnosis,
treatment, prevention and amelioration of respiratory-related disorders. In particular,
the present technology relates to medical devices or apparatus, and their use.
2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
2.2.1 Human Respiratory System and its Disorders
The respiratory system of the body facilitates gas exchange. The nose and
mouth form the entrance to the airways of a patient.
The airways include a series of branching tubes, which become narrower,
shorter and more numerous as they penetrate deeper into the lung. The prime function
of the lung is gas exchange, allowing oxygen to move from the air into the venous
blood and carbon dioxide to move out. The trachea divides into right and left main
bronchi, which further divide eventually into terminal bronchioles. The bronchi make
up the conducting airways, and do not take part in gas exchange. Further divisions of
the airways lead to the respiratory bronchioles, and eventually to the alveoli. The
alveolated region of the lung is where the gas exchange takes place, and is referred to
as the respiratory zone. See “Respiratory Physiology”, by John B. West, Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 9th edition published 2011.
505821/60 HCS
A range of respiratory disorders exist. Certain disorders may be
characterised by particular events, e.g. apneas, hypopneas, and hyperpneas.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a form of Sleep Disordered Breathing
(SDB), is characterized by events including occlusion or obstruction of the upper air
passage during sleep. It results from a combination of an abnormally small upper
airway and the normal loss of muscle tone in the region of the tongue, soft palate and
posterior oropharyngeal wall during sleep. The condition causes the affected patient to
stop breathing for periods typically of 30 to 120 seconds duration, sometimes 200 to
300 times per night. It often causes excessive daytime somnolence, and it may cause
cardiovascular disease and brain damage. The syndrome is a common disorder,
particularly in middle aged overweight males, although a person affected may have no
awareness of the problem. See US Patent 4,944,310 (Sullivan).
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR) is another form of sleep disordered
breathing. CSR is a disorder of a patient's respiratory controller in which there are
rhythmic alternating periods of waxing and waning ventilation known as CSR cycles.
CSR is characterised by repetitive de-oxygenation and re-oxygenation of the arterial
blood. It is possible that CSR is harmful because of the repetitive hypoxia. In some
patients CSR is associated with repetitive arousal from sleep, which causes severe
sleep disruption, increased sympathetic activity, and increased afterload. See US
Patent 6,532,959 (Berthon-Jones).
Obesity Hyperventilation Syndrome (OHS) is defined as the combination
of severe obesity and awake chronic hypercapnia, in the absence of other known
causes for hypoventilation. Symptoms include dyspnea, morning headache and
excessive daytime sleepiness.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) encompasses any of a
group of lower airway diseases that have certain characteristics in common. These
include increased resistance to air movement, extended expiratory phase of
respiration, and loss of the normal elasticity of the lung. Examples of COPD are
emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is caused by chronic tobacco smoking
(primary risk factor), occupational exposures, air pollution and genetic factors.
Symptoms include: dyspnea on exertion, chronic cough and sputum production.
505821/60 HCS
Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) is a broad term that encompasses many
diseases and ailments that impair the functioning of the muscles either directly via
intrinsic muscle pathology, or indirectly via nerve pathology. Some NMD patients are
characterised by progressive muscular impairment leading to loss of ambulation,
being wheelchair-bound, swallowing difficulties, respiratory muscle weakness and,
eventually, death from respiratory failure. Neuromuscular disorders can be divided
into rapidly progressive and slowly progressive: (i) Rapidly progressive disorders:
Characterised by muscle impairment that worsens over months and results in death
within a few years (e.g. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Duchenne muscular
dystrophy (DMD) in teenagers); (ii) Variable or slowly progressive disorders:
Characterised by muscle impairment that worsens over years and only mildly reduces
life expectancy (e.g. Limb girdle, Facioscapulohumeral and Myotonic muscular
dystrophy). Symptoms of respiratory failure in NMD include: increasing generalised
weakness, dysphagia, dyspnea on exertion and at rest, fatigue, sleepiness, morning
headache, and difficulties with concentration and mood changes.
Chest wall disorders are a group of thoracic deformities that result in
inefficient coupling between the respiratory muscles and the thoracic cage. The
disorders are usually characterised by a restrictive defect and share the potential of
long term hypercapnic respiratory failure. Scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis may cause
severe respiratory failure. Symptoms of respiratory failure include: dyspnea on
exertion, peripheral oedema, orthopnea, repeated chest infections, morning headaches,
fatigue, poor sleep quality and loss of appetite.
A range of therapies have been used to treat or ameliorate such conditions.
Furthermore, otherwise healthy individuals may take advantage of such therapies to
prevent respiratory disorders from arising. However, these have a number of
shortcomings.
2.2.2 Therapy
Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy has been
used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The hypothesis is that continuous
positive airway pressure acts as a pneumatic splint and may prevent upper airway
occlusion by pushing the soft palate and tongue forward and away from the posterior
oropharyngeal wall. Treatment of OSA by nasal CPAP therapy may be voluntary, and
505821/60 HCS
hence patients may elect not to comply with therapy if they find devices used to
provide such therapy one or more of uncomfortable, difficult to use, expensive or
aesthetically unappealing.
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) provides ventilatory support to a patient
through the upper airways to assist the patient in taking a full breath and assist to
maintain adequate oxygen levels in the body by doing some or all of the work of
breathing. The ventilatory support is provided via a patient interface. NIV has been
used to treat CSR, OHS, COPD, MD and Chest Wall disorders.
Invasive ventilation (IV) provides ventilatory support to patients that are
no longer able to effectively breathe themselves and may be provided using a
tracheostomy tube.
2.2.3 Diagnosis and Treatment Systems
These therapies may be provided by a treatment system or device.
Systems and devices may also be used to diagnose a condition without treating it.
A treatment system may comprise a Respiratory Pressure Therapy Device
(RPT device), an air circuit, a humidifier, a patient interface, and data management.
2.2.3.1 Patient Interface
A patient interface may be used to interface respiratory equipment to its
user, for example by providing a flow of air. The flow of air may be provided via a
mask to the nose, the mouth or the nose and the mouth, a tube to the mouth or a
tracheostomy tube to the trachea of the user. Depending upon the therapy to be
applied, the patient interface may form a seal, e.g. with a face region of the patient, to
facilitate the delivery of gas at a pressure at sufficient variance with ambient pressure
to effect therapy, e.g. a positive pressure of about 10cmH2O. For other forms of
therapy, such as the delivery of oxygen, the patient interface may not include a seal
sufficient to facilitate delivery to the airways of a supply of gas at a positive pressure
of about 10cmH2O.
The design of a patient interface presents a number of challenges. The
face has a complex three-dimensional shape. The size and shape of noses varies
considerably between individuals. Since the head includes bone, cartilage and soft
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tissue, different regions of the face respond differently to mechanical forces. The jaw
or mandible may move relative to other bones of the skull. The whole head may move
during the course of a period of respiratory therapy.
As a consequence of these challenges, some masks suffer from being one
or more of obtrusive, aesthetically undesirable, costly, poorly fitting, difficult to use,
and uncomfortable especially when worn for long periods of time or when a patient is
unfamiliar with a system. For example, masks designed solely for aviators, mask
designed as part of personal protection equipment (e.g. filter masks), SCUBA masks,
or for the administration of anaesthetics may be tolerable for their original
application, but nevertheless be undesirably uncomfortable to be worn for extended
periods of time, e.g. several hours This discomfort may lead to a reduction in patient
compliance with therapy. This is even more so if the mask is to be worn during sleep.
Nasal CPAP therapy is highly effective to treat certain respiratory
disorders, provided patients comply with therapy. If a mask is uncomfortable, or
difficult to use a patient may not comply with therapy. Since it is often recommended
that a patient regularly wash their mask, if a mask is difficult to clean (e.g. difficult to
assemble or disassemble), patients may not clean their mask and this may impact on
patient compliance.
While a mask for other applications (e.g. aviators) may not be suitable for
use in treating sleep disordered breathing, a mask designed for use in treating sleep
disordered breathing may be suitable for other applications.
For these reasons, patient interfaces for delivery of nasal CPAP during
sleep form a distinct field.
2.2.3.2 Respiratory Pressure Therapy (RPT) Device
Air pressure generators are known in a range of applications, e.g.
industrial-scale ventilation systems. However, air pressure generators for medical
applications have particular requirements not fulfilled by more generalised air
pressure generators, such as the reliability, size and weight requirements of medical
devices. In addition, even devices designed for medical treatment may suffer from
shortcomings, including one or more of comfort, noise, ease of use, efficacy, size,
weight, manufacturability, cost, and reliability.
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An example of the special requirements of certain RPT devices is acoustic
noise.
Table of noise output levels of prior RPT devices (one specimen only,
measured using test method specified in ISO3744 in CPAP mode at 10cmH O).
RPT Device name A-weighted sound power Year (approx.)
level dB(A)
C-Series Tango 31.9 2007
C-Series Tango with Humidifier 33.1 2007
S8 Escape II 30.5 2005
S8 Escape II with H4i Humidifier 31.1 2005
S9 AutoSet 26.5 2010
S9 AutoSet with H5i Humidifier 28.6 2010
One known RPT device used for treating sleep disordered breathing is the
S9 Sleep Therapy System, manufactured by ResMed. Another example of an RPT
device is a ventilator. Ventilators such as the ResMed Stellar™ Series of Adult and
Paediatric Ventilators may provide support for invasive and non-invasive non-
dependent ventilation for a range of patients for treating a number of conditions such
as but not limited to NMD, OHS and COPD.
The ResMed Elisée™ 150 ventilator and ResMed VS III™ ventilator may
provide support for invasive and non-invasive dependent ventilation suitable for adult
or paediatric patients for treating a number of conditions. These ventilators provide
volumetric and barometric ventilation modes with a single or double limb circuit.
RPT devices typically comprise a pressure generator, such as a motor-driven blower
or a compressed gas reservoir, and are configured to supply a flow of air to the airway
of a patient. In some cases, the flow of air may be supplied to the airway of the patient
at positive pressure. The outlet of the RPT device is connected via an air circuit to a
patient interface such as those described above.
2.2.3.3 Humidifier
Delivery of a flow of air without humidification may cause drying of
airways. The use of a humidifier with an RPT device and the patient interface
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produces humidified gas that minimizes drying of the nasal mucosa and increases
patient airway comfort. In addition in cooler climates, warm air applied generally to
the face area in and about the patient interface is more comfortable than cold air. A
range of artificial humidification devices and systems are known, however they may
not fulfil the specialised requirements of a medical humidifier.
Medical humidifiers are used to increase humidity, temperature (or both)
of the flow of air in relation to ambient air when required, typically where the patient
may be asleep or resting (e.g. at a hospital). As a result, a medical humidifier is
preferably small for bedside placement, and it is preferably configured to only
humidify, heat or humidify and heat the flow of air delivered to the patient without
humidifying, heating or humidifying and heating the patient’s surroundings. Room-
based systems (e.g. a sauna, an air conditioner, an evaporative cooler), for example,
may also humidify air that is breathed in by the patient, however they would also
humidify, heat or humidify and heat the entire room, which may cause discomfort to
the occupants. Furthermore medical humidifiers may have more stringent safety
constraints than industrial humidifiers
While a number of medical humidifiers are known, they can suffer from
one or more shortcomings. Some medical humidifiers may provide inadequate
humidification, some are difficult or inconvenient to use by patients.
3 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY
The present technology is directed towards providing medical devices
used in the diagnosis, amelioration, treatment, or prevention of respiratory disorders
having one or more of improved comfort, cost, efficacy, ease of use and
manufacturability.
A first aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus for use in
treating a respiratory disorder comprising a housing, a pressure generator within the
housing and configured to supply a flow of air, a device outlet fluidly coupled to the
pressure generator and configured to be coupled to an air circuit to deliver the flow of
air to a patient interface for treating a respiratory disorder, and a wireless data
communication interface integrated with the housing, the wireless data
communication interface configured to connect to another device or a network.
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A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus wherein
the wireless data communication interface is configured to connect to one or more of
the Internet and a cellular telephone network.
A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus wherein
the wireless data communication interface uses one or more of CDMA, GSM, LTE,
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a consumer infrared protocol.
According to a further aspect of the present technology, the wireless data
communication interface comprises an antenna within the housing.
According to a further aspect of the present technology, the wireless data
communication interface further comprises an antenna ground plane.
A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus wherein
the antenna ground plane is vertically oriented.
A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus wherein
the antenna ground plane comprises one or more notches.
A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus wherein
the notches increase an effective total length of the ground plane.
A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus wherein
the notches increase the effective total length by more than approximately 25%.
Of course, portions of the aspects may form sub-aspects of the present
technology. Also, various ones of the sub-aspects, aspects or both may be combined
in various manners and also constitute additional aspects or sub-aspects of the present
technology.
Other features of the technology will be apparent from consideration of
the information contained in the following detailed description, abstract, drawings and
claims.
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4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present technology is illustrated by way of example, and not by way
of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals refer to similar elements including:
4.1 TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Fig. 1a shows a system including a patient 1000 wearing a patient
interface 3000, in the form of a nasal pillows, receives a supply of air at positive
pressure from an RPT device 4000. Air from the RPT device is humidified in a
humidifier 5000, and passes along an air circuit 4170 to the patient 1000. A bed
partner 1100 is also shown.
Fig. 1b shows a system including a patient 1000 wearing a patient
interface 3000, in the form of a nasal mask, receives a supply of air at positive
pressure from an RPT device 4000. Air from the RPT device is humidified in a
humidifier 5000, and passes along an air circuit 4170 to the patient 1000.
Fig. 1c shows a system including a patient 1000 wearing a patient
interface 3000, in the form of a full-face mask, receives a supply of air at positive
pressure from an RPT device 4000. Air from the RPT device is humidified in a
humidifier 5000, and passes along an air circuit 4170 to the patient 1000.
4.2 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND FACIAL ANATOMY
Fig. 2a shows an overview of a human respiratory system including the
nasal and oral cavities, the larynx, vocal folds, oesophagus, trachea, bronchus, lung,
alveolar sacs, heart and diaphragm.
4.3 PATIENT INTERFACE
Fig. 3a shows a patient interface in the form of a nasal mask in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
4.4 BREATHING WAVEFORMS
Fig. 4a shows a model typical breath waveform of a person while
sleeping.
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4.5 RPT DEVICE AND HUMIDIFIER
Fig.5a shows an exploded perspective view of an RPT device 4000 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 5b shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising an
outlet muffler 4124 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 5c shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 with an
integrated humidifier 5000 comprising a water reservoir 5110 in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
Fig.5d shows a schematic diagram of the pneumatic path of an RPT
device in accordance with one form of the present technology. The directions of
upstream and downstream are indicated.
Fig. 5e shows a schematic diagram of the electrical components of an
RPT device in accordance with one aspect of the present technology.
Fig. 6a shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014, showing the inlet
air filter cover 4014fc and the inlet air filter 4112 in exploded view in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 6b shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014 including the RPT
device inlet 4002 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 6c shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014 showing the inlet
air filter cover 4014fc in an open position in accordance with one form of the present
technology.
Fig. 6d shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014, showing the access
covers 4014ac in exploded view in accordance with one form of the present
technology.
Fig. 6e shows a perspective view of the access covers 4014ac in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 7a shows a side perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising
an outlet muffler 4124 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
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Fig. 7b shows a side perspective view of an RPT device 4000 showing an
outlet muffler 4124 in exploded view in accordance with one form of the present
technology.
Fig. 7c shows a perspective view of an outlet muffler 4124 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 7d shows another perspective view of an outlet muffler 4124 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 7e shows an exploded perspective view of an outlet muffler 4124 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 7f shows another exploded perspective view of an outlet muffler 4124
in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 8a shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
Fig. 8b shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 showing an outlet tube
4006 and an intermediate tube 4008 in exploded view in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 8c shows a side perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 8d shows a side perspective view of a chassis 4016 showing an outlet
tube 4006 and an intermediate tube 4008 in exploded view in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
Fig. 8e shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 8f shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 showing an outlet
tube 4006 and an intermediate tube 4008 in exploded view in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
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Fig. 8h shows a perspective view of the outlet tube 4006 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 8f shows an exploded perspective view of the outlet tube 4006 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 9a shows a front perspective view of an RPT device 4000 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 10a shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014 including a data
communication interface 4280 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 10b shows an exploded perspective view of a side panel 4014
including a data communication interface 4280 in accordance with one form of the
present technology.
Fig. 11a shows a perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 11b shows another perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 11c shows an exploded perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020
in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 11d shows another exploded perspective view of a pneumatic block
4020 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 11e shows a perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing the first PB housing
4020h1 and the second PB housing 4020h2 in phantom.
Fig. 11f shows another perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing the first PB housing
4020h1 and the second PB housing 4020h2 in phantom.
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Fig. 11g shows an elevation view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing the cross-section taken
in Fig. 11h.
Fig. 11h shows a cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology as indicated on Fig. 11g.
Fig. 11i shows an elevation view of a pneumatic block 4020 in accordance
with one form of the present technology, showing the cross-section taken in Fig. 11j.
Fig. 11j shows a cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology as indicated on Fig. 11i.
Fig. 11k shows a perspective view of a blower sleeve 4020bs in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 11l shows another perspective view of a blower sleeve 4020bs in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 11m shows a yet another elevation view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing the cross-section taken
in Fig. 11n.
Fig. 11n shows a cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology as indicated on Fig. 11m.
Fig. 11o shows a detailed cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020 in
accordance with one form of the present technology as indicated on Fig. 11n.
Fig. 12a shows a front perspective view of a user interface panel 4190 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 12b shows an exploded front perspective view of a user interface
panel 4190 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 12c shows a rear perspective view of a user interface panel 4190 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
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Fig. 12d shows an exploded rear perspective view of a user interface panel
4190 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 13a shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 with the front
panel 4012 hidden in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 13b shows another perspective view of an RPT device 4000 with the
front panel 4012 hidden in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 14a shows a front perspective view of a front panel 4012 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 14b shows a rear perspective view of a front panel 4012 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 15a shows a first menu screen 4295m1 in accordance with one form
of the present technology.
Fig. 15b shows another first menu screen 4295m1 in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
Fig. 15c shows a first clinical menu screen 4295m2 in accordance with
one form of the present technology.
Fig. 15d shows another first clinical menu screen 4295m2 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 15e shows a selectable sub-menu list 4295o1 in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
Fig. 15f shows a selectable sub-menu list 4295o2 in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
Fig. 15g shows a report sub-menu list 4295r1 in accordance with one form
of the present technology.
Fig. 15h shows a report sub-menu 4295r2 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
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Fig. 15i shows a report sub-menu 4295r3 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15j shows a report sub-menu 4295r4 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15k shows a report sub-menu 4295a1 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15l shows a report sub-menu 4295a2 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15m shows a report sub-menu 4295a3 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15n shows a report sub-menu 4295a4 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15o shows a report sub-menu 4295a5 in accordance with one form of
the present technology
Fig. 15p shows a report sub-menu 4295a6 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15m shows a report sub-menu 4295a7 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15n shows a report sub-menu 4295a8 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15s shows a selectable sub-menu 4295s1 in accordance with one form
of the present technology.
Fig. 15t shows a selectable sub-menu 4295s2 in accordance with one form
of the present technology.
Fig. 15u shows a selectable sub-menu 4295s3 in accordance with one
form of the present technology.
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Fig. 15v shows a report sub-menu 4295b1 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15w shows a report sub-menu 4295b2 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15x shows a report sub-menu 4295b3 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 15y shows a report sub-menu 4295b4 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
Fig. 16a shows a rear perspective view of an RPT device 4000 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing an air circuit 4170
engaged with the RPT device 4000.
Fig. 16b shows a rear perspective view of an RPT device 4000 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing an air circuit 4170 in
exploded view.
Fig. 16c shows a perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 16d shows another perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 16e shows a perspective view of a water reservoir lid 5114 and an
intermediate portion 5202 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 16f shows a perspective view of a water reservoir base 5112 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 16g shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising an
integrated humidifier 5000 and a water reservoir 5110 in accordance with one form of
the present technology.
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Fig. 16h shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising an
integrated humidifier 5000 in accordance with one form of the present technology,
showing the water reservoir 5110 in exploded view.
Fig. 16i shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising an
integrated humidifier 5000 in accordance with one form of the present technology, not
showing the water reservoir 5110.
Fig. 16j shows a perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 in accordance
with one form of the present technology, showing the water reservoir 5110 in a closed
configuration.
Fig. 16k shows a perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 in accordance
with one form of the present technology, showing the water reservoir 5110 in an open
configuration.
Fig. 16l shows a perspective view of an intermediate portion 5202 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 16m shows a perspective view of an intermediate portion 5202 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 17a shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance with
one form of the present technology.
Fig. 17b shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance with
one form of the present technology, showing the heating element 5240 in exploded
view.
Fig. 17c shows a bottom perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 17d shows a bottom perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance
with one form of the present technology, showing the heating element 5240 in
exploded view.
Fig. 17e shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
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Fig. 17f shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance
with one form of the present technology, showing the heating element 5240 in
exploded view.
Fig. 17g shows a perspective view of a top of a HE seal 5243 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 17h shows a perspective view of a bottom a HE seal 5243 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 17i shows a perspective view of a top of a HE base cover 5244 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 17j shows a perspective view of a bottom of a HE base cover 5244 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18a shows a perspective view of an air circuit 4170 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18b shows an exploded perspective view of an air circuit 4170 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18c shows a side perspective view of a portion of an air circuit 4170
in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18d shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of an air circuit
4170 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18e shows a top perspective view of a portion of an air circuit 4170 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18f shows an exploded perspective view of an air circuit 4170, an
outlet assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of the
present technology.
Fig. 18g shows a perspective view of an air circuit 4170, an outlet
assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of the present
technology.
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Fig. 18h shows a perspective view of an air circuit 4170, an outlet
assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of the present
technology, showing the air circuit 4170 in exploded view.
Fig. 18i shows another perspective view of an air circuit 4170, an outlet
assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of the present
technology.
Fig. 18j shows another exploded perspective view of an air circuit 4170,
an outlet assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of the
present technology.
Fig. 18k shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of an air circuit
4170 and a portion of an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of the present
technology.
Fig. 18l shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of an air circuit
4170 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18m shows a perspective view of a female electrical connector 5058
in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18n shows a side view of a female electrical connector 5058 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18o shows a perspective view of an AC electrical connector 4170ec
in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18p shows a perspective view of an outlet assembly 5004 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing the swivelling disc
5050 at a first position.
Fig. 18q shows a perspective view of an outlet assembly 5004 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing the swivelling disc
5050 at a second position.
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Fig. 18r shows a perspective view of an outlet assembly 5004 in
accordance with one form of the present technology, showing the swivelling disc
5050 at a third position.
Fig. 18s shows a perspective view of a cable housing 5080 in accordance
with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18t shows a bottom perspective view of a cable housing 5080 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18u shows a top perspective view of a cable housing 5080 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18v shows a top perspective view of a swivelling disc 5050 in
accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18w shows a top perspective view of a cable housing 5080 and a
cable 5070 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18x shows a top perspective view of a cable housing 5080, swivelling
disc 5050 and a cable 5070 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
Fig. 18y shows a bottom perspective view of a swivelling disc 5050 and a
cable 5070 in accordance with one form of the present technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE
TECHNOLOGY
Before the present technology is described in further detail, it is to be
understood that the technology is not limited to the particular examples described
herein, which may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in this
disclosure is for the purpose of describing only the particular examples discussed
herein, and is not intended to be limiting.
.1 THERAPY
In one form, the present technology comprises a method for treating a
respiratory disorder comprising the step of applying positive pressure to the entrance
of the airways of a patient 1000.
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In certain embodiments of the present technology, a supply of air at
positive pressure is provided to the nasal passages of the patient via one or both nares.
In certain embodiments of the present technology, mouth breathing is
limited, restricted or prevented.
.2 TREATMENT SYSTEMS
In one form, the present technology comprises an apparatus or device for
treating a respiratory disorder. The apparatus or device may comprise an RPT device
4000 for supplying pressurised respiratory gas, such as air, to the patient 1000 via an
air circuit 4170 to a patient interface 3000.
.3 PATIENT INTERFACE 3000
A non-invasive patient interface 3000 in accordance with one aspect of
the present technology comprises the following functional aspects: a seal-forming
structure 3100, a plenum chamber 3200, a vent 3400, a positioning and stabilising
structure 3300 and one form of connection port 3600 for connection to air circuit
4170. The patient interface 3000 may optionally include a forehead support structure
3700 that couples with the stabilising structure 3300. In some forms a functional
aspect may be provided by one or more physical components. In some forms, one
physical component may provide one or more functional aspects. In use the seal-
forming structure 3100 is arranged to surround an entrance to the airways of the
patient so as to facilitate the supply of air at positive pressure to the airways.
.4 RPT DEVICE 4000
An exploded view of an RPT device 4000 in accordance with one aspect
of the present technology is shown in Fig. 5a. An RPT device 4000 may comprise
mechanical and pneumatic components, electrical components and be configured to
execute one or more algorithms. The RPT device may include one or more panel(s)
such as a front panel 4012 and a side panel 40144014. The RPT device 4000 may also
comprise an outlet muffler 4124 as shown in Figs. 5a and 5b. The outlet muffler 4124
may be removable and replaced with a water reservoir 5110 (see Fig. 5c). In such
forms, the RPT device 4000 may be considered to include an integrated humidifier
5000. Thus, the RPT device 4000 may be used with or without humidification
depending upon whether the water reservoir 5110 or the outlet muffler 4124
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respectively is attached. Preferably the RPT device 4000 comprises a chassis 4016
that supports one or more internal components of the RPT device 4000. In one form
the RPT device 4000 comprises a pressure generator 4140, which may be housed in a
pneumatic block 4020 coupled to the chassis 4016.
The pneumatic path of the RPT device 4000 (e.g. shown in Fig. 5d) may
comprise an inlet air filter 4112, an inlet muffler 4122, a pressure generator 4140
capable of supplying air at positive pressure (preferably a blower 4142) and an outlet
muffler 4124 (or a water reservoir 5110 if humidification is required). One or more
transducers 4270, such as pressure sensors 4272 and flow sensors 4274 may be
included in the pneumatic path. The pneumatic path may also include anti-spill back
valve 4160 to prevent water from the humidifier 5000 spilling back to the electrical
components of the RPT device 4000.
The RPT device 4000 may comprise one or more electrical components
which may be mounted on a single Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) such as
the main PCBA 4202. In an alternative form, the RPT device 4000 may include more
than one PCBAs.
.4.1 RPT device components
An RPT device may comprise one or more of the following components
in an integral unit. In an alternative form, one or more of the following components
may be located as respective separate units.
.4.1.1 Air filter(s) 4110
An RPT device in accordance with one form of the present technology
may include one or more air filters 4110.
in one form the pneumatic path may comprise an inlet air filter 4112 (e.g.
upstream of a pressure generator 4140) and another air filter 4114 (e.g. downstream
of the pressure generator 4140) .such as an antibacterial filter placed within the
pneumatic path at a location between an outlet of the pneumatic block 4020 and a
patient interface 3000. See Fig. 5d.
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.4.1.2 Side panel 4014
In one form, the RPT device 4000 may comprise a side panel 4014 as
shown in Figs. 6a-6c. The side panel 4014 may comprise one or more RPT device
inlets 4002 configured to receive a flow of air into the RPT device 4000. As shown in
Fig. 6a, the RPT device inlet 4002 may comprise a plurality of apertures configured to
allow a flow of air therethrough.
The side panel 4014 (see Fig. 6a) may be configured to house the inlet air
filter 4112, and comprise a side panel frame 4014f and an inlet air filter cover 4014fc
configured to secure the inlet air filter 4112 relative to the side panel frame 4014f.
The inlet air filter cover 4014fc may be coupled, preferably removably coupled or
pivotably coupled, (as shown in Figs. 6b-6c) to the side panel frame 4014f so as to
allow replacement of the inlet air filter 4112. The inlet air filter cover 4014fc may
further comprise a filter cover handle (e.g. a recess) 4014ch for the user to access to
open and close the inlet air filter cover 4014fc, and a retaining feature (e.g. a latch, not
shown) to secure the inlet air filter cover 4014fc in its closed configuration.
The side panel 4014 may comprise an air filter housing 4014h configured
to locate the inlet air filter 4112 therein, for example as a part of the inlet air filter
cover 4014fc as shown in Fig. 6c. The air filter housing 4014h comprises a plurality
of walls 4014w configured to locate the inlet air filter 4112, for example as the inlet
air filter cover 4014fc is pivoted relative to the side panel frame 4014f.
The RPT device inlet 4002 may be configured with a plurality of apertures
as shown in Figs. 6a-6c. The plurality of aperture may allow a flow of air
therethrough in a direction parallel to an inlet of the pneumatic block 4020 as
described in further detail below.
The side panel 4014 may further comprise one or more connection ports
4014cp (e.g. as shown in Fig. 6d) to allow access to removable storage media and
accessories such as communication devices or USB ports. Accordingly, the side panel
4014 may comprise one or more access covers 4014ac (e.g. as shown in Fig. 6a, 6c
and 6d) for protection of the connection ports 4014cp, from one or more of: ingress of
water/dust/contaminants and accidental removal of the removable storage media or
accessories. The access covers 4104ac may also be used for aesthetic purposes.
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The access cover 4014ac may comprise one or more access cover
anchoring portions 4014an which may be used to couple the access cover 4014ac to
the side panel frame 4014f (e.g. by insertion into a slot – not shown). The cover
portions 4014co may protect the connection ports 4014cp, for example by including
one or more complementary recesses 4014re to receive any protruding portions of the
connection ports 4014cp. The access cover 4014ac may further comprise one or more
access cover hinge portions 4014hi. In some forms, the access cover hinge portion
4014hi may be integrally formed with the cover portions 4014co and the anchor
portion 4014an of the access cover 4014ac for improved manufacturability and lower
cost.
.4.1.3 Muffler(s) 4120
In one form of the present technology, an inlet muffler 4122 is located in
the pneumatic path upstream of a pressure generator 4140. See Fig. 5d.
In one form of the present technology, an outlet muffler 4124 is located in
the pneumatic path between the pressure generator 4140 and a patient interface 3000.
See Fig. 5d.
The outlet muffler 4124 may be a removable component of the RPT
device 4000 as shown in Figs. 7a-7b. The RPT device 4000 may comprise a
corresponding dock 4130 (described in further detail below) configured to receive the
outlet muffler 4124 or a water reservoir 5110. Such an arrangement may allow a
manufacture of the RPT device 4000 and the integrated humidifier 5000 to easily
convert between a first configuration, in which no humidification is provided when
the outlet muffler 4124 in located in the dock 4130, to a second configuration that
enables humidification, where the water reservoir 5110 is located in the dock 4130
and vice versa. For instance, where humidification is desired, the outlet muffler 4124
may be removed using the muffler lever 4124le to allow the RPT device 4000 to
receive a water reservoir 5110. In one form, insertion of the water reservoir 5110 into
the dock 4130 would allow humidification of the flow of air from the pneumatic block
4020 before delivery to the patient 1000 as will be described in further detail below.
The outlet muffler 4124 may comprise an identification element, to allow
a controller, such as the central controller 4230 or the humidity controller 5250, to
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detect its presence (or absence), for example in the dock 4130. The dock 4130 may
comprise a complementary detection element, to detect the presence (or absence) of
the outlet muffler 4124. In one form, detection of the presence or absence of the outlet
muffler 4124 in the reservoir dock 5130 may cause the controller to perform one more
functions including: switch off/on the heating element 5240, adjust the power output
of the heating element 5240, switch off/on a heating element in the air circuit 4170,
adjust the power output of the heating element in the air circuit 4170, adjust the
pressure drop estimation between the pressure generator 4140 and the patient
interface 3000, disable/enable user interface elements relating to operation of the
humidifier 5000, or disable/enable data logging/data reporting relating to operation of
the humidifier 5000. In one form, the outlet muffler 4124 may comprise an
identification element (shown in the form of a magnet 5340) disposed thereon, such as
in an end cap magnet holder 5345. The identification element may be used for
detection of the outlet muffler 4124 by the controller via the detection element. For
example the detection element may include a Hall Effect sensor (not shown) located
in or near the dock 4130 such as on the PCBA 4202.
In one form, the outlet muffler 4124 receives a flow of air from the
pneumatic block 4020, and delivers the flow of air to the RPT device outlet 4004.
Thus the outlet muffler 4124 may comprise a muffler entry 4124in and a muffler exit
4124ou. The outlet muffler 4124 may also comprise additional components such as a
muffler cap 4124ca, a muffler body 4124bo, a muffler damper 4124da and a muffler
foam 4124fo shown in Figs. 7e-7f.
The outlet muffler 4124 may comprise a muffler lever 4124le for
disengaging the outlet muffler 4124 from the rest of the RPT device 4000, for
example by releasing a latch. The muffler lever 4124le is configured (in Figs. 7a-7f)
to be depressed from above to disengage the outlet muffler 4124, for example by
releasing one or more muffler clips 4124cl from the one or more complementary
recesses 4130re in the dock 4130 (shown in Fig. 7b, and in more detail in Fig. 16i). It
would be understood that the outlet muffler 4124 could comprise any number of
known means to removably couple the outlet muffler 4124 to the RPT device 4000.
The outlet muffler 4124 may further comprise one or more muffler clips 4124cl with
the RPT device 4000, for example comprising a muffler hinge 4124hi. In some forms,
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the outlet muffler 4124 may comprise a muffler travel limiter 4124tl configured to
prevent damage to the muffler hinge 4124hi, which may occur for example due to
plastic deformation where the muffler hinge 4124hi is of a ‘living hinge’
configuration. Yet further, the muffler travel limiter 4124tl may be configured to
engage with the muffler lever 4124le and deform as the muffler lever 4124le is
activated (e.g. depressed). In such an arrangement, the travel limiter 4124tl may
provide feedback to the user upon engagement of the muffler lever 4124le with the
muffler travel limiter 4124tl, and may provide a varying degree of resistance to
indicate the extent of deformation occurred.
Similarly, the outlet muffler 4124 may be configured so that the muffler
lever 4124le must be depressed to allow the outlet muffler 4124 to be inserted into the
dock 4130. In one form, the one or more muffler clips 4124cl may be configured to
interfere with the dock 4130 if the outlet muffler 4124 is inserted without depression
of the muffler lever 4124le. Upon insertion of the outlet muffler 4124 into the dock
4130, the one or more muffler clips 4124cl moves to engage with the dock 4130 (e.g.
by upwards motion), thereby securing the outlet muffler 4124 into the dock 4130.
The outlet muffler 4124 may comprise one or more acoustic features to
reduce the noise output of the RPT device 4000, such as muffler foam 4124fo and a
muffler damper 4124da as shown in Figs. 7e-7f. The muffler damper 4124da may be
coupled with the muffler cap 4124ca and may be formed of a flexible material, such
as silicone, to dampen noise. Furthermore, the outlet muffler 4124 may comprise a
muffler expansion chamber 4124ex formed therein to reduce noise. In the form shown
in Fig. 7e, the muffler expansion chamber 4124ex may be a cavity formed in the
muffler body 4124bo.
.4.1.4 Pressure generator 4140
In one form of the present technology, a pressure generator 4140 for
producing a flow, or a supply, of air at positive pressure is a controllable blower 4142.
For example the blower 4142 may include a brushless DC motor 4144 with one or
more impellers housed in a volute. The blower may be preferably capable of
delivering a supply of air, for example at a rate of up to about 120 litres/minute, at a
positive pressure in a range from about 4 cmH O to about 20 cmH O, or in other
forms up to about 30 cmH O. The blower may be as described in any one of the
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following patents or patent applications the contents of which are incorporated herein
in their entirety: U.S. patent number 7,866,944; U.S. patent number 8,638,014; U.S.
Patent number 8,636,479; and PCT patent application publication number WO
2013/020167.
The pressure generator 4140may be under the control of the therapy
device controller 4240.
In other forms, a pressure generator 4140 may be a piston-driven pump, a
pressure regulator connected to a high pressure source (e.g. compressed air reservoir),
or a bellows.
.4.1.5 Pneumatic block 4020
In one form, a pneumatic block 4020 comprising a pressure generator
4140 (e.g. blower 4142) may form a part of the RPT device 4000. The pneumatic
block may for example comprise a configuration described in PCT patent application
publication umber , the entire contents of which is incorporated
herewithin in its entirety by reference.
A pneumatic block 4020 according to one aspect of the present
technology is shown in Figs. 11a-11d. The pneumatic block 4020 may comprise a PB
inlet 4020in, a PB outlet 4020ou, and house a blower 4142. According to one aspect
of the present technology, the pneumatic block 4020 may provide a compact, enclosed
pneumatic path for the air flow while minimising noise and vibration outputs due to
the said air flow. Furthermore, such a pneumatic block 4020 may allow the external
housing 4010 to be arranged independently thereof for added flexibility in the
aesthetics of the RPT device 4000 in relation to the pneumatic block 4020.
The pneumatic block 4020 may also comprise one or more of a flow plate
4020fp, a blower sleeve 4020bs, one or more sensor ports such as flow sensor port
4020sp4020fs and acoustic foam 4020af. The pneumatic block 4020 may include an
outer housing, for example including a first PB housing 4020h1 and a second PB
housing 4020h2. The PB inlet 4020in and the PB outlet 4020ou may be arranged on
the first PB housing 4020h1 and the second PB housing 4020h2 respectively.
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The flow plate 4020fp may divide the interior of the pneumatic block
4020 into a first chamber 4020c1, a second chamber 4020c2 and the interior of the
blower sleeve 4020bs. In one form, the flow of air would be received into the
pneumatic block 4020 through the PB inlet 4020in, and enter the PB inlet tube 4020it
(shown in Fig. 11d and Fig. 11h). The PB inlet tube 4020it delivers the flow of air to
the first chamber 4020c1, from which the flow of air travels to the second chamber
4020c2. In one form, a plurality of flow tubes 4020ft located on the flow plate 4020fp
(e.g. as shown in Figs. 11d-11f) may deliver the flow of air from the first chamber
4020c1 to the second chamber 4020c2. The flow tubes 4020ft may additionally be
used to determine the rate of flow as will be described in further detail below. The
second chamber 4020c2 then delivers the flow of air to the blower 4142 through the
blower inlet 4142in (see Fig. 11c), wherein the flow of air is pressurised and exits
through the blower outlet 4142ou before exiting the pneumatic block 4020 through
the PB outlet 4020ou as shown in Fig. 11j.
The PB inlet 4020in may comprise a flexible portion, such as the PB inlet
insert 4020ii as shown in Fig. 11h. The flexible portion may help the PB inlet 4020in
to be correctly aligned with the RPT device inlet 4002, by for example resiliently
conforming to allow for any axial or radial misalignment therebetween. Yet further,
the flexible portion may reduce mechanical load or stress on the pneumatic block
4020 while allowing for the axial or radial misalignment, as the modulus of the
flexible portion may be significantly smaller than that of the housing of the pneumatic
block such as the first PB housing 4020h1 and the second PB housing 4020h2. In one
form, the flexible portion may be constructed from flexible materials such as silicone,
and the housing of the pneumatic block, including the first PB housing 4020h1 and
the second PB housing 4020h2, may be constructed from a more rigid material such
as polypropylene, although it will be understood that a range of other materials may
be suitable for both.
The blower sleeve 4020bs (as shown in Figs. 11k and 11l) may be made
from a flexible, resilient material such as silicone. In one form, the blower sleeve
4020bs may act as a suspension member to reduce noise and vibration output from the
blower 4142 which may be transmitted to the patient 1000 (or the bed partner 1100).
The blower sleeve 4020bs may also comprise a chamber configured to receive the
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flow of air from the blower outlet 4142ou and deliver the flow air to the PB outlet
4020ou as shown in Fig. 11j. In one form, the blower sleeve 4020bs is configured to
accept the blower 4142, and sealingly engage the flow plate 4020fp for example by
one or more sleeve tabs 4020st located on the blower sleeve 4020bs.
The blower sleeve 4020bs may also comprise a sleeve pull tab 4020pt
configured to assist in assembly of the blower sleeve 4020bs with other parts of the
pneumatic block such as the second PB housing 4020h2. The sleeve pull tab 4020pt
may be configured as an elongated tab suitable for manual gripping, such that a
person (or automated device) assembling the pneumatic block 4020 may hold the
sleeve pull tab 4020pt, and pull through the PB outlet rim 4020or (as shown in Fig.
11d) to locate the PB outlet 4020ou with respect to the second PB housing 4020h2.
One advantage of such an arrangement would be reduced assembly time, while
another would be accurate location of the PB outlet 4020ou while achieving desired
suspension characteristics of the blower sleeve 4020bs.
The flow sensor ports 4020fs may be accessible from an exterior of the
pneumatic block 4020 and fluidly couple to a flow transducer 4274 (not shown). The
flow sensor ports 4020fs may also be fluidly coupled to the flow path, such as in the
pneumatic block 4020 to allow the flow transducer 4274 to measure the rate of flow
through the RPT device 4000. In one form, the flow sensor ports 4020fs may be
connected to the first chamber 4020c1 and the second chamber 4020c2 so that the
flow sensor would measure the drop in pressure between the first chamber 4020c1
and the second chamber 4020c2. The flow sensor ports 4020fs may be integrally
formed with an enclosure of the pneumatic block 4020 such as the first PB housing
4020h1, or alternatively may be a part of a separate component such as the PB sensor
coupler 4020sc. Some or all of the flow sensor ports 4020fs may be flexibly
configured to assist in correctly aligning and engaging the flow transducer 4274 with
the pneumatic block 4020.
Introduction of any water onto the flow sensor ports 4020fs may adversely
affect operation of the flow transducer 4274, for example by at least partially
occluding a port for sensing of air pressure. It is also known that there may be a risk
of water ingress into the RPT device 4000, for example when the RPT device 4000 is
used with a humidifier 5000, as the RPT device 4000 may be in close proximity to
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water, and as the humidifier 5000 may contain water therein. Accordingly, each flow
sensor flow path connecting respective flow sensor ports 4020fs to the chambers
4020c1 and 4020c2 may comprise one or more water ingress prevention features,
such as a PB water trap 4020wt, or a PB water shield 4020ws (see Fig. 11o).
According to one form, the PB water trap 4020wt may be a recessed portion in the
flow sensor flow path configured to hold a predetermine volume of water, while
allowing air flow through the flow sensor flow path. A PB water shield 4020ws may
comprise a port of small cross section area configured to allow a flow of air
therethrough, however prevent ingress of water due to the higher surface tension of
water. The PB water shield 4020ws may be formed integrally with the enclosure of
the pneumatic block 4020 (e.g. first PB housing 4020h1), or alternatively may be
formed separately, to be inserted into the enclosure (e.g. by interference fit, as shown
in Fig. 11n) or connected to the enclosure (e.g. by welding, not shown). Yet further,
the flow sensor flow path 4020fp may be configured so that the flow sensor port
4020fs may be located above the height of the corresponding openings of the flow
sensor flow path in each chamber 4020c1 and 4020c2. This may further prevent
ingress of water into the flow sensor 4274.
.4.1.6 Chassis 4016
The RPT device 4000 may comprise a chassis 4016 as shown in Figs. 8a-
8f, wherein the chassis 4016 may provide a structural frame for the RPT device 4000.
The chassis 4016 may also locate one or more components such as the external
housing 4010, the pneumatic block 4020, the PCBA 4202, and the outlet muffler 4124
as seen in Fig. 5a.
In one form, the chassis 4016 may comprise a platform 4016pl (see Figs.
8a-8b) configured to support the pneumatic block 4020. The chassis 4016 may
comprise a dock 4130 configured to receive the outlet muffler 4124 (or the water
reservoir 5110), for example into a cavity therein. The dock 4130 may include a dock
outlet 4132 configured to deliver a flow of air into the outlet muffler 4124 or the
water reservoir 5110 when inserted, and a dock inlet 4134 to receive a flow of air
from the outlet muffler 4124 or the water reservoir 5110 when inserted as shown in
Figs 8c-8d. The chassis 4016 may also comprise an RPT device outlet 4004 as shown
in Fig. 8e. The dock outlet 4132 may be configured to fluidly couple with the muffler
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entry 4124in or the water reservoir inlet 5118. The dock inlet 4134 may be configured
to fluidly couple with the muffler exit 4124ou or the water reservoir outlet 5122.
In one form, the dock inlet 4134 and the dock outlet 4132 may each
comprise a bellows type face seal. The seal may be engaged to abut the
complementary portion of the outlet muffler 4124 (e.g. 4124ou or 4124in as shown in
Fig. 7e) or the water reservoir 5110 (e.g. 5118 or 5222 as shown in Fig. 16d) or as
described in US patent number 8,544,465, the entire contents of which is incorporated
herewithin by reference. One advantage of such a bellows type face seal may be that it
allows for misalignments in axial and radial directions. As such a seal would abut the
complementary portion, this configuration may be radially more tolerant to
misalignment than an arrangement where for example one male connector is inserted
into a female connector. Furthermore, the flexibility of such a seal would allow for
axial misalignments to be present without adversely affecting performance of the RPT
device 4000 (or the humidifier 5000).
An outlet tube 4006 may comprise the RPT device outlet 4004 and the
dock inlet 4134, as well as being removably coupled to the dock 4130. In some forms,
a separate intermediate tube 4008 may comprise the dock outlet 4132,4134 The
intermediate tube 4008 may be configured to couple to the pneumatic block 4020 to
receive a flow of air from the pneumatic block 4020 for delivery to the dock 4130.
The intermediate tube 4008 may further comprise a dock outlet pressure port 4132pp
for measuring the air pressure at the dock outlet 4132.
The outlet tube 4006 may comprise an outlet tube latch portion 4006la
configured to engage with a complementary feature in the dock 4130, such as the
dock outlet slot 4130sl. The outlet tube 4006 may further comprise one or more outlet
tube guide portions 4006gu, which may assist in correct insertion of the outlet tube
4006 into the dock 4130 by engagement with one or more corresponding dock guide
portions 4130gu.
The outlet end 4006oe may also be formed with an ISO taper, such as a 22
mm outer diameter ISO taper, to allow connection of standard non-heated air circuit.
As seen in Figs. 8g and 8h the outlet tube 4006 may comprise a flow
bend, having an internal circular or curved cross-section configured to reduce the
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impedance of the air flow through the outlet tube 4006. The outlet tube 4006 may be
constructed in two-parts as shown in Fig. 8h, wherein a first portion 4006a is moulded
from rigid material such as Bisphenol A (BPA) free polycarbonate/acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (PC/ABS), and the second portion 4006b comprising at least a part
of the flow bend is overmoulded from a compliant material such as silicone. Use of a
compliant material to form the second portion 4006b that comprises a portion of the
bend may allow withdrawal of a moulding tool that comprises the internal bend from
the internal cavity at the end of the moulding process by deforming the second portion
4006b.
The outlet tube 4006 may also include a retaining flange 4006fl to assist
in at least one of locating or securing the outlet tube 4006 to the RPT device 4000 or
the humidifier 5000, or a housing or chassis thereof. The retaining flange 4006fl may
assist in correctly locating or positioning the outlet end 4006oe of the outlet tube 4006
within the outlet of the RPT device 4000 or humidifier 5000 as shown in Fig. 8e. It
should be understood that the retaining flange 4006fl may allow for fixed attachment
of the outlet tube 4006. The retaining flange 4006fl may, alternatively, allow for
removable attachment of the outlet tube 4006 so that it may be cleaned or replaced.
The dock 4130 may comprise one or more features configured to engage a
component (e.g. outlet muffler 4124) which is inserted therein. For example, the dock
4130 may comprise one or more flanges 4130fl as shown in Figs. 8c-8f, the flanges
being adapted to engage and guide the outlet muffler 4124 or the water reservoir 5110
as they are inserted into the dock 4130.
In one form, the dock 4130 may comprise one or more components of a
humidifier 5000, where the humidifier 5000 is integrally constructed with the RPT
device 4000. For example, a base of the dock 4130 may comprise a heating element
5240 as will be described in greater detail below.
.4.1.7 Transducer(s) 4270
Transducers may be internal of the RPT device, or external of the RPT
device. External transducers may be located for example on or form part of the air
circuit, e.g. the patient interface. External transducers may be in the form of non-
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contact sensors such as a Doppler radar movement sensor that transmit or transfer
data to the RPT device.
In one form of the present technology, one or more transducers 4270 may
be constructed and arranged to measure properties such as a flow rate, a pressure or a
temperature at one or more points in the pneumatic path.
In one form of the present technology, one or more transducers 4270 may
be located proximate to the patient interface 3000.
In one form, a signal from a transducer 4270 may be filtered, such as by
low-pass, high-pass or band-pass filtering.
.4.1.7.1 Flow transducer 4274
A flow transducer 4274 in accordance with the present technology may be
based on a differential pressure transducer, for example, an SDP600 Series
differential pressure transducer from SENSIRION.
In one form, a signal representing a flow rate such as a total flow Qt from
the flow transducer 4274 is received by the central controller 4230.
.4.1.7.2 Pressure transducer 4272
A pressure transducer 4272 in accordance with the present technology is
located in fluid communication with the pneumatic path. An example of a suitable
pressure transducer is a sensor from the HONEYWELL ASDX series. An alternative
suitable pressure transducer is a sensor from the NPA Series from GENERAL
ELECTRIC.
In one form, a signal from the pressure transducer 4272 is received by the
central controller 4230.
.4.1.7.3 Motor speed transducer 4276
In one form of the present technology a motor speed transducer 4276 is
used to determine a rotational velocity, such as of the motor 4144 or the blower 4142.
A motor speed signal from the motor speed transducer 4276 is preferably provided to
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the therapy device controller 4240. The motor speed transducer 4276 may, for
example, be a speed sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor.
.4.1.7.4 Ambient light sensor 4278
As the RPT device 4000 is often used in a bedroom environment, for
example to be used while the patient 1000 is about to go to sleep, or is asleep, it may
be important to ensure that any light-emitting features of the RPT device 4000 is not
excessively bright.
In one form of the present technology an ambient light sensor 4278 is
used to determine the light level in the ambient area around the RPT device 4000. An
ambient light signal from the ambient light sensor 4278 may be provided as an input
to the central controller 4230, for example to adjust a brightness of a display or any
other light-emitting features, such as a backlight for input devices 4220 or any
notification lights.
The ambient light sensor 4278 may be connected to an aperture such as
the external housing light port 4010lp as shown in Fig. 9a. In such a configuration,
light level detected by the ambient light sensor 4278 would correspond to the light
level at or near the aperture. In one form, the external housing light port 4010lp may
be located adjacent to the display 4294 such that the brightness of the display 4294
may be adjusted according to the detected light level. The ambient light sensor 4278
may be connected to the aperture by a light well (also referred to as a light pipe) to
assist in accurately determining the light level at the aperture.
The display 4294 may be configured to operate at one of a plurality of
predetermined brightness settings. The brightness setting may be chosen according to
a signal output of the ambient light sensor 4278. For instance, the display 4294 may
be configured to operate at a lower brightness setting if the light measured by the
ambient light sensor 4278 is at or below a threshold (e.g. 10, 15 or 20 lux), and the
display 4294 may be configured to operate at a higher brightness setting where the
light measured by the ambient light sensor 4278 is above the threshold (e.g. 10, 15 or
lux). Thus, in such an arrangement a lower the level of the ambient light may
result in a lower brightness setting.
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.4.1.8 Anti-spill back valve 4160
In one form of the present technology, an anti-spill back valve is located
between the humidifier 5000 and the pneumatic block 4020. The anti-spill back valve
is constructed and arranged to reduce the risk that water will flow upstream from the
humidifier 5000, for example to the motor 4144.
.4.1.9 Air circuit 4170
An air circuit 4170 in accordance with an aspect of the present technology
is a conduit or a tube constructed and arranged in use to allow a flow of air to travel
between two components such as the pneumatic block 4020 and the patient interface
3000.
In particular, the air circuit 4170 may be in fluid connection with the
outlet of the pneumatic block and the patient interface. The air circuit may be referred
to as an air delivery tube. In some cases there may be separate limbs of the circuit for
inhalation and exhalation. In other cases a single limb is used.
As shown in Fig. 18a, the air circuit 4170 may include an AC tube portion
4170tp and an AC outlet connector 4170oc at one end of the tube portion 4170tp to
connect the air circuit to the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000. In one form,
the AC outlet connector 4170oc may comprise an AC pre-block 4170pb, an AC
overmould 4170om and an AC electrical connector 4170ec.
The AC tube portion 4170tp may also include a helical coil 4170co to
provide support for the AC tube portion 4170tp. The air circuit 4170 may also
incorporate a heating element to prevent rainout (condensation of water vapour, for
example, within the AC tube portion 4170tp or the patient interface 3000), which may
be provided within the AC helical coil 4170co. When a heating element is provided in
the AC helical coil 4170co electrical power or signalling or both may be necessary if,
for example, the heating element is an electrical resistance heater. In some instances,
an electrical connection may be required between the patient interface 3000 and the
RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000 for electrical power or communication
therebetween.
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The air circuit 4170 may require both pneumatic and electrical
connections to be formed to the humidifier 5000 (or the RPT device 4000), as well as
a mechanical connection. These connections may be formed through the AC outlet
connector 4170oc to allow the pressurized gas to flow to the patient interface 3000, to
provide electrical power and signalling to the heating element in the AC helical coil
4170co and to locate and secure the air circuit 4170 relative to the humidifier 5000 (or
the RPT device 4000). These connections may be formed simultaneously or in series
such that one of the mechanical, pneumatic or electrical connections is completed
before others. The air circuit 4170 may comprise a patient interface connector 4107 to
couple to a patient interface 3000 at the opposite end of the tube portion 4170tp. In
some forms, the patient interface connector 4107 may be different to the AC outlet
connector 4170oc as shown in Fig. 18a.
Figs. 18b-18e depict air circuits or portions thereof according to examples
of the present technology. Figs. 18f-18j also depict exemplary air circuits that are
connected to an outlet assembly 5004. As can be seen in Figs. 18a-18b, an AC tube
portion 4170tp having an AC helical coil 4170co may be connected to an AC outlet
connector 4170oc. The AC helical coil 4170co, as discussed above, may include a
heating element and it may also function as a support structure for the AC tube
portion 4170tp. An electrical connection may be formed by inserting the AC outlet
connector 4170oc on the outlet assembly 5004 (to be discussed in greater detail
below) so that an AC electrical connector 4170ec comes into electrical contact with
electrical components of the outlet assembly.
.4.1.9.1 Formation of pneumatic and electrical connections
The AC outlet connector 4170oc may comprise a recess 4170re
configured to couple to an electrical connector receiver 5052 of a swivelling disc
5050 (see Figs. 18i-18j and further discussion below) to aid in releasably securing the
AC outlet connector 4170oc to the humidifier 5000, for example at the outlet
assembly 5004. The electrical connector receiver 5052 may house a female electrical
connector 5058 such as that shown in Figs. 18m-18n. The AC outlet connector
4170oc may also include an actuator 4172 that controls a retention feature 4174.
When the AC outlet connector 4170oc is inserted onto the outlet assembly 5004, the
retention feature 4174 may engage with a corresponding notch 5054 of the swivelling
505821/60 HCS
disc 5050 (see Fig. 18i-18j). The actuator 4172 in conjunction with the notch 5054
may produce an audible sound or provide tactile feedback or both at the actuator 4172
upon engagement. The actuator 4172 or the retention feature 4174 may be produced
with higher wear characteristics than the swivelling disc 5050 to allow wear to occur
on the air circuit 4170, which may be a consumable component. This may be achieved
by use of a material with lower hardness to form the retention feature 4174 compared
to the material from which the swivelling disc 5050 is formed. The retention feature
4174 and notch 5054 may engage by a snap-fit and the actuator 4172 may be
depressible to bring in the retention feature to release it from the notch 5054. In some
cases, the retention feature 4174 and the notch 5054 may be configured so that when
they are not completely engaged, they may be forced into place at commencement of
therapy by the therapy pressure, for example by being configured so that the therapy
pressure acting on the tab 4176 urges the retention feature 4174 towards the notch
5054. As shown in Figs. 18c-18e, the actuator 4172 and the retention feature 4174
may both be located on an AC tab 4176 such that pushing the actuator inward also
causes the retention feature to be moved inward, thereby freeing it from the notch
5054. An outlet connection region 5056 (as shown in Fig. 18a) may be shaped to
correspond with the shape of the swivelling disc 5050, as shown in Fig. 18f-18j, for
example.
As shown in Fig. 18d, a travel stop 4178 located at the inner ends of the
ribs 4177 may be used in some examples of this technology in order to limit the
travel, or level of squeezing, of the actuator 4172 during insertion and removal to
prevent plastic deformation of the surrounding portions, to prevent tear of the AC
outlet connector 4170oc in a periphery of the AC tab 4176 or both. The travel stops
4178 extend from the inner ends of the ribs 4177 and are aligned with the inner
surface of the AC outlet connector 4170oc in the location of the actuator 4172. When
the actuator is squeezed or pushed inwards the inner surface of the AC outlet
connector 4170oc is correspondingly squeezed or pushed inwards until it contacts the
travel stop 4178. The travel stop prevents further squeezing or pushing of the
actuator.
In a further example of the technology, the notch may be replaced with a
radial slot that is capable of retaining the outlet connector via the retention feature(s)
505821/60 HCS
but allowing rotation thereof. In such an example the swivelling disc may be fixed
relative to the outlet housing or it may be eliminated completely such that the radial
slot is located on the housing. Furthermore, it should be understood that such
examples would retain the need for a movable electrical connector within the outlet
assembly such that the electrical connection may be maintained while the outlet
connector rotates.
Figs. 18k and 18l show detailed bottom views of examples of the AC
outlet connector 4170oc and specifically the outlet connection region 5056. Fig. 18k
shows the AC outlet connector 4170oc connected at the outlet connection region 5056
to an outlet end 4006oe of an outlet tube 4006. (shown in Figs. 19xx and discussed
further below). The outlet tube 4006 may be formed as a multiple patient multiple
user (MPMU) tube that is one or more of removable, replaceable and cleanable. It
should be noted that for the sake of clarity the outlet end 4006oe is shown in this view
and reference should be made to Figs. 18f-18j for further depiction. The outlet tube
4006 may function as a removable intermediate pneumatic coupling between the AC
outlet connector 4170oc of the air circuit 4170 and the air outlet of RPT device 4000
or the humidifier 5000.
.4.1.9.2 Internal ribs of the outlet connector 4170oc
Fig. 18k shows a plurality of ribs 4177 disposed around the inner
periphery of the outlet connection region 5056 of the AC outlet connector 4170oc. In
the illustrated example four ribs 4177 are shown but a different number of ribs such as
two, three, five or more ribs may be utilised. The ribs 4177 may function to support
and position the AC outlet connector 4170oc relative to the outlet end 4006oe of the
outlet tube 4006. The ribs 4177 may function to guide the AC outlet connector
4170oc during insertion to couple to the outlet end 4006oe of the outlet tube 4006 in
the outlet assembly 5004 to form the pneumatic connection. This guidance may also
assist in aligning the outlet connection region 5056 to facilitate the electrical
connection between the AC electrical connector 4170ec and the electrical connector
receiver 5052 on the swivelling disc 5050 of the outlet assembly 5004. In this
arrangement, although the insertion or connection of the air circuit AC outlet
connector 4170oc to the RPT device outlet assembly 5004 may be achieved in one
movement by the user, the pneumatic connection is formed first and the electrical
505821/60 HCS
connection is formed second. The AC outlet connector 4170oc, the outlet assembly
5004 and the outlet tube 4006 may be configured such that outlet tube 4006 engages
the seal 4170se of the AC outlet connector 4170oc prior to the electrical connector
receiver 5052 forming an electrical connection with the AC electrical connector
4170ec. Accordingly, during removal or disconnection, the electrical connection is the
first to be disconnected and the pneumatic connection is disconnected second. This
may be advantageous to ensure that a pneumatic seal is maintained from the RPT
device 4000 or the humidifier 5000 to the air circuit 4170 and, more specifically,
between the AC outlet connector 4170oc and the outlet tube 4006. Furthermore, this
may provide improved safety, for examples if supplemental oxygen is added to the
flow of air delivered by the humidifier 5000, as this arrangement may prevent oxygen
from being exposed during connection or disconnection of the electrical connections.
Fig. 18l shows a similar view to Fig. 18k, however, the outlet end 4006oe of the outlet
tube 4006 is not shown to provide a clearer depiction of an example of the ribs 4177.
Both of these views also show the profile of the recess 4170re.
In some cases, a non-heated air circuit 4170 may be used that does not
incorporate a heating element. Accordingly, the diameter of the central opening 5092
in the swivelling disc 5050 may be sufficiently large to accept such a non-heated air
circuit 4170. Accordingly, in one example of the current technology, the external
diameter of the airflow tube may be approximately 22 mm to allow connection to a
standard 22 mm external diameter non-heated air circuit, and the external diameter of
the AC outlet connector 4170oc may be approximately 36 mm. However, it is
recognised that other external diameter sizes may be utilised.
Internal ribs 4177 may be used to reduce any radial gaps between the
interior of the outlet connection region 5056 and the outlet tube 4006. Still further, the
ribs 4177 and the outlet tube 4006 may be configured so that the gaps therebetween
are relatively smaller than the gap between the exterior of the outlet connection region
5056 and the swivelling disc 5050. This may allow more of the wear from rotation to
occur on the outlet tube 4006 in comparison to the swivelling disc 5050, which may
be advantageous as the outlet tube 4006 may be more readily replaced than the
swivelling disc 5050.
505821/60 HCS
Another advantage of the ribs 4177 may be to allow a greater portion of
any mechanical load that may result from tilting or non-axial movement to be
transferred from the AC outlet connector 4170oc to the outlet tube 4006. This may be
advantageous in that this may help wear occur on the consumable components such as
the air circuit 4170 and/or the outlet tube 4006 than the non-consumable components
of the humidifier 5000, such as the swivelling disc 5050. Yet another advantage of the
ribs 4177 may be to maintain or restrict the deformation of the base seal 4170se (as
shown in Fig. 18a) during engagement of the AC outlet connector 4170oc with the
outlet assembly 5004 by limiting the maximum axial deformation that the base seal
4170se can undergo towards the interior of the AC outlet connector 4170oc.
.4.1.9.3 Electrical Connection
The AC electrical connector 4170ec may include one or more lead-in
features, such as chamfers, or curved radii on its edges on the leading surface in the
direction of insertion such as shown in Fig. 18o. This may assist insertion of the AC
electrical connector 4170ec into the electrical connector receiver 5052 to provide a
surface wipe connection and prevents damage to the conductors on the AC electrical
connector 4170ec. The thickness of the electrical leads 4170le on the AC electrical
connector 4170ec may be approximately between 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, for example 0.4
mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm or 1 mm. The thickness may vary according to a number of
parameters such as, the design life of the AC electrical connector 4170ec, material
chosen for the electrical leads 4170le and the material chosen for the receiver contact
elements 5058ce. One suitable example of material for the electrical leads 4170le may
be high temper phosphor bronze, that is nickel plated and then gold plated. In some
circumstances, an increased amount of conductive material and/or high conductivity
plating (such as gold and/or platinum) may be used on the electrical leads 4170le.
This may have the advantage of improving wear characteristics and/or dissipating
heat from the electrical connector 4170ec. The electrical leads 4170le may have
exposed conductive surfaces on the lower end of the electrical connector 4170ec to
ensure full insertion is required to make the electrical connection.
Another feature provided by the connection of the AC electrical connector
4170ec to the electrical connector receiver 5052 on the swivelling disc 5050 may be
that when assembled together, the electrical connector receiver 5052 is covered by the
505821/60 HCS
AC outlet connector 4170oc as shown in Fig. 18i and Fig. 18j. Fig. 18j shows an
exploded view wherein the AC outlet connector 4170oc is shown above the
swivelling disc 5050, and Fig. 18i shows the AC outlet connector 4170oc in
engagement with the swivelling disc 5050. When the outlet connector 4170oc is
inserted onto the swivelling disc 5050, as shown in Figs. 18g and 18i, the region of
the outlet connector that surrounds the AC electrical connector 4170ec may cover
over the opening in the electrical connector receiver 5052 to prevent debris and
contaminants (such as liquids) from entering into the electrical connector receiver.
As mentioned above, the electrical connector 4170ec and the electrical
connector receiver 5052 are configured so that the electrical connection between them
is to be made after the AC outlet connector 4170oc is mechanically engaged with the
swivelling disc 5050. This reduces the proportion of any deformation or load from
misalignment between the AC outlet connector 4170oc and the swivelling disc 5050
that is supported by the AC electrical connector 4170ec and the electrical connector
receiver 5052. In one example, such an arrangement may be achieved by configuring
the AC outlet connector 4170oc into the swivelling disc 5050 so that during insertion
of the AC outlet connector 4170oc with the swivelling disc 5050, the outlet tube 4006
and the ribs 4177 engage prior to engagement of the AC electrical connector 4170ec
and the electrical connector receiver 5052. This configuration may also be
advantageous in cases where the gas provided via the air circuit 4170 includes
supplementary oxygen, as it may prevent occurrence of electrical arcing while the
pneumatic circuit is not isolated.
A yet another feature of the current technology may be found in the
arrangement of the receiver contact elements 5058ce on the female electrical
connector 5058 in the electrical connector receiver 5052 as shown in Fig. 18m-18n.
The electrical leads 4170le may engage the receiver contact elements 5058ce as the
AC electrical connector 4170ec is inserted into the electrical connector receiver 5052
from the top of the connector TS. This engagement may occur via a sliding action in
the direction of the arrow ENG shown in Fig. 18a-18b. The receiver contact elements
5058ce may be configured in a sloped, triangular profile as shown in Fig. 18n and/or
to be compliant in a perpendicular direction PER to the sliding plane to assist in their
engagement with the electrical leads 4170le.
505821/60 HCS
The aforementioned triangular profile and/or compliance may allow
improved engagement between the electrical leads 4170le on the AC electrical
connector 4170ec and the receiver contact elements 5058ce as the AC electrical
connector 4170ec is progressively inserted into the electrical connector receiver 5052.
During engagement with the AC electrical connector 4170ec, as the AC electrical
connector 4170ec slides along the length of the female electrical connector 5058 the
contact elements 5146 may be depressed inwards and maintain contact to the
electrical leads 4170le. This may allow improved accommodation of mechanical
tolerances from such sources as manufacturing variance or in-use deformation.
Still further, the receiver contact elements 5058ce may be biased, so that
when deformed from its original configuration (as shown in Fig. 18n) and depressed
inwards, the receiver contact elements 5058ce may be biased towards returning to the
undeformed position, thereby improving the fidelity of its connection with the
electrical leads 4170le. Another advantage of such an arrangement of the female
electrical connector 5058 may be that it is self-cleaning. As the female electrical
connector 5058 and the AC electrical connector 4170ec may engage each other in a
slide-on, slide-off action, it may prevent build-up of contaminants which, if left
uncleaned, may affect the fidelity of the electrical connection formed between the two
parts.
Any contaminants that have been removed by the wiping action may be
prevented from entering the air path, for example by a swivel disc seal 5051. In
addition when the female electrical connector 5058 is arranged in a vertical position
and the connection is made in a vertical direction any contaminants that are wiped off
the electrical contacts will fall down below the connector. A cavity may be formed
below the female electrical connector 5058 within the electrical connector receiver
5052 into which the contaminants may collect. This cavity is not in communication
with the pneumatic path of the RPT device or the humidifier 5000.
.4.1.9.4 Elbow outlet connector
By forming the AC outlet connector 4170oc with an elbow, as can be seen
in Figs. 18a-18j, the patient may be prevented from inadvertently pulling the air
circuit 4170 off of the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000, because the direction
of the tension force vector of the air circuit will be located at an angle (e.g.,
505821/60 HCS
perpendicular) to the direction of engagement of the air circuit 4170 with RPT device
4000 or the humidifier 5000. Also, as shown in Figs. 1a-c, the RPT device 4000 or
the humidifier 5000 may be located on a nightstand, for example, during treatment
such that the patient lying in bed is at substantially the same height as the RPT device
or the humidifier. In such a situation, the inclusion of an elbow as part of the AC
outlet connector 4170oc may allow the air circuit 4170 to be pointed more directly at
the patient such that bend angles of the air circuit may be reduced, particularly at or
near the elbow, which in turn may reduce stress on the air circuit. In one example of
the present technology, the AC outlet connector 4170oc may include an elbow having
an angle of about 90°. It should be understood, however, that any number of angles
may be possible, such as for example between 0° and 120°, including 20°, 40°, 60°,
80° or 100°. The choice of this angle may be affected by any number of design
requirements such as flow impedance, convenience, location of the AC outlet
connector 4170oc or noise implications.
.4.1.9.5 Rotatable outlet connector
As the patient may move during treatment, thus pulling the air circuit
4170, it may be advantageous to further reduce the bend angles of the air circuit and
reduce stress on the assembly, in particular the air circuit, as well as the connection
thereto from the AC outlet connector 4170oc. This may be accomplished by allowing
the AC outlet connector 4170oc to rotate relative to the RPT device 4000 or the
humidifier 5000 while the mechanical, pneumatic and electrical connections are
maintained. The outlet tube 4006 also facilitates rotation of the AC outlet connector
4170oc of the air circuit 4170 by allowing the AC outlet connector 4170oc to rotate
around the outlet end 4006oe.
As described above, the air circuit 4170 may be connected to the RPT
device 4000 or the humidifier 5000 by inserting the AC outlet connector 4170oc onto
the outlet assembly 5004, as shown in Figs. 16a-16b and 18f-18j. Rotatability may be
provided by features shown in Figs. 18p-18r for example.
Figs. 18p-18r, 18v and 18w show various views of the swivelling disc
5050 according to various examples of the technology. It has been described above
that the swivelling disc 5050 may be the component that receives the AC outlet
connector 4170oc when connecting the air circuit 4170 to the RPT device 4000 or the
505821/60 HCS
humidifier 5000. The swivelling disc 5050 may also provide rotatability relative to the
RPT device and/or the humidifier.
Fig. 18y shows a perspective view of the bottom of the exemplary
swivelling disc 5050 and the cable 5070. In other words, this view depicts features of
the swivelling disc 5050 that are located opposite the side to which the AC outlet
connector 4170oc may connect. A cable 5070, to be discussed in greater detail below,
can be seen extending from an underside of the electrical connector receiver 5052.
The end of the cable 5070 that is inside of the electrical connector receiver 5052 may
be in electrical communication with the AC electrical connector 4170ec when the AC
outlet connector 4170oc is inserted onto the swivelling disc 5050. The free end of the
cable 5070 shown may be in electrical communication with at least one component of
the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000 (e.g., the central controller 4230, PCBA
4202 or a power supply 4210). It should also be understood that the cable 5070 may
be of any sufficient length to perform its connective function, as will be discussed in
greater detail below.
The swivelling disc 5050 may also incorporate a swivel disc seal 5051 as
shown in Fig. 18w-18x-18y that may comprise a compliant material such as TPE. The
swivel disc seal 5051 may function to maintain a seal between the swivelling disc
5050 and the outlet tube 4006 to prevent any contaminants from entering the air path,
for example by extending around a periphery of the top of the swivelling disc 5050
and towards the base of the swivelling disc 5050 as shown in Figs. 18v and 18y. In
one form, the swivel disc seal 5051 may be an overmoulded portion of the swivelling
disc 5050.
As described above, the AC outlet connector 4170oc may be releasably
coupled to the swivelling disc 5050 by engagement of the retention features 4174 in
corresponding notches 5054 and by engagement of the recess 4170re onto the
electrical connector receiver 5052. When connected to the swivelling disc 5050, the
AC outlet connector 4170oc may be able to rotate in unison with the swivelling disc
and relative to the cable housing 5080.
505821/60 HCS
.4.1.9.6 Limited rotation
The disc stop surfaces 5060, 5062 (shown in Fig. 18y18x), discussed
above, have a pair of complementary housing stop surfaces 5164, 5166 (shown in Fig.
18w18t) that may be located on an inner wall 5082 of the cable housing 5080. By
connecting the swivelling disc 5050 (as shown in Fig. 18v) to and within the inner
wall 5082 of the cable housing 5080 (as shown in Fig. 18w), for example as shown in
Fig. 18x, the rotation of the swivelling disc 5050 relative to the cable housing 5080
may be limited by engagement of the disc stop surfaces 5060, 5062 to corresponding
housing stop surfaces 5164, 5166 at or near its extreme positions. Rotation of the
swivelling disc 5050, in one example of the technology, may be limited to less than
about 360°. Rotation may also be limited to an amount that is greater than about
180°. In a further example, rotation may be limited to about 270°. The desired range
of rotation of the swivelling disc 5050 may be determined by a number of factors,
such as the location of the swivelling disc 5050 with respect to the RPT device 4000
and/or humidifier 5000, the elbow angle of the AC outlet connector 4170oc, and
material properties of the components.
The depicted examples show two pairs of complementary stop surfaces, as
discussed above, that may represent opposite ends or surfaces of one structure. It may
be possible to have multiple stop structures formed on respective components. For
example, the stop surfaces on the inner wall of the housing may be provided with two
separate protrusions thereon and likewise for the swivelling disc. It is also envisioned
that multiple configurations of stop surfaces may be provided on a single combination
of housing and swivelling disc such that one combination may include a number of
available rotational limits.
Fig. 18p shows the swivelling disc 5050 rotated into one extreme position
in the counter-clockwise direction relative to the cable housing 5080. Fig. 18r shows
the swivelling disc 5050 rotated into another extreme position towards the other limit
of travel in the clockwise direction relative to the cable housing 5080. Fig. 18q shows
the swivelling disc 5050 in a position relative to the cable housing 5080 that is
between the extreme positions shown in Figs. 18p and 18r. Although the swivelling
disc 5050 does not allow the stop surfaces 5060, 5062, 5164, 5166 to be seen in Figs.
18p-18r, it should be understood that when the swivelling disc 5050 is in either
505821/60 HCS
extreme position shown in Figs. 18p and 18r that one of the disc stop surfaces 5060,
5062 is engaged and/or abutted against a corresponding housing stop surface 5164,
5166.
It should be understood that each AC tab 4176 of the AC outlet connector
4170oc includes a retention feature 4174 that is engaged with a corresponding notch
5054 of the swivelling disc 5050 to releasably connect the substructure to the
swivelling disc so that they may rotate in unison relative to the cable housing 5080.
.4.1.9.7 Electrical cable connection
As discussed above, the cable 5070 may be provided to electrically
connect the AC electrical connector 4170ec to at least one component of the RPT
device 4000 or the humidifier 5000. The cable 5070 (e.g. shown in Figs. 18v-18y18u-
18x) may be a flexible circuit board (FCB) or a ribbon cable. The cable 5070 may
also include multiple wires to provide multiple electrical connections for powering
and signalling functions. The cable 5070 may be oriented such that the major or
longer side is oriented in parallel to the axis of rotation of the swivelling disc. If an
FCB is used as the cable 5070, it may be oriented so that the surface of the FCB
where the conductive tracks are located is protected from frictional contact with the
cable housing 5080 as it rotates with the swivelling disc 5050, in order to help prolong
the life of the cable 5070. Still further, the contacting surface (away from the
conductive tracks) may comprise a low-friction surface so that when it slides relative
to the cable housing 5080 the friction force created is minimised. This may have the
effect of reducing the amount of wear occurring on the cable 5070, as well as
reducing the load imposed on the solder/mounting joints between the cable 5070 and
any electrical connectors connected thereto, such as the female electrical connector
5058. An example of such a low-friction surface may be a polyamide substrate.
.4.1.9.8 Cable management
In accordance with an example of the present technology, the cable 5070
may be fixed at one end to the electrical connector receiver 5052 of the swivelling
disc 5050. Although not shown, it should be understood that the opposite end of the
cable 5070 may be fixedly connected to at least one component of the RPT device
4000 or the humidifier 5000 such as a PCBA 4202 to provide power to the cable.
Thus, the cable 5070 may have a fixed length between the connection to the
505821/60 HCS
swivelling disc 5050 and the connection to at least one component of the RPT device
4000 or the humidifier 5000.
The cable 5070, in an example of the present technology shown in Figs.
18p-18r, may also include a slack portion that may be contained within either an
annular section, a recess or void 5086 to maintain a substantially fixed length of the
cable 5070 within the cable housing 5080. The cable housing 5080 may also include a
retainer 5090, which may help to maintain the cable 5070 in the proper orientation by
reducing the chance of entanglement or pinching and to prevent the slack portion
from being pushed out of the cable housing 5080.
For example, when the swivelling disc 5050 is rotated from the position
shown in Fig. 18p to the position shown in Fig. 18r it can be seen that a portion of the
cable 5070 is pulled out of the void 5086 and into the annular section 5088. It should
be understood that the portion of the cable 5070 shown doubled back in the void 5086
in Fig. 18p, for example, may be considered the slack portion. In other words, the
slack portion may be the excess cable that represents a length of the cable beyond
what is necessary for direct connection to the swivelling disc 5050. Thus, as the
swivelling disc 5050 is rotated from the position shown in Fig. 18p to the position
shown in Fig. 18q the slack portion may be progressively removed from the void
5086 so that the slack portion of the cable 5070 may be progressively pulled into the
annular section 5088 and begin to wrap around the inner wall 5082 as the cable is
pulled. As the swivelling disc 5050 is rotated further, from the position shown in Fig.
18q to the position shown in Fig. 18r, the portion of the cable 5070 that is pulled into
the annular section 5088 increases and the slack portion may be pulled completely or
nearly completely from the void 5086. The recess or void 5086 and the annular
section 5088 may be formed on opposing sides of the inner wall 5082.
Rotation of the swivelling disc 5050 in the opposite direction, from the
position in Fig. 18r to the position in Fig. 18q to the position in Fig. 18p, may cause
the cable 5070 to be progressively pushed from the annular section 5088 and
unwrapped from around the inner wall 5082 such that the slack portion in the void
5086 may increase and begin to double back. In an example of the present technology,
the maximum slack portion of the cable 5070 may be of a fixed length. In another
example, that fixed length may be less than about the circumference of the swivelling
505821/60 HCS
disc 5050 and/or about equal to the distance of an arc swept out by the electrical
connector receiver 5052 as the swivelling disc rotates between extreme positions. It
should also be understood that in an example of the present technology when the
swivelling disc 5050 is in the position shown in Fig. 18p the largest amount of the
slack portion of the cable 5070 is gathered or contained in the void 5086.
.4.1.9.9 Cable housing
Figs. 18s-18t depict features of the cable housing 5080 according to
examples of the present technology. As described above, the cable housing 5080 may
include the inner wall 5082 and the outer wall 5084 that together may define the void
5086 and the annular section 5088. The inner wall 5082 may define an opening 5092
through which the outlet tube 4006 may extend when the outlet assembly 5004 is
assembled onto the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000. Further facilitating this
assembly, housing tabs 5094 (see Fig 18t) may be located on the cable housing 5080
to attach the cable housing to the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000. This may
improve the manufacturability and serviceability of the cable housing 5080. The
housing tabs 5094 may be configured so that they are, by themselves and/or as a set,
able to support the weight of the humidifier 5000 and the RPT device 4000. This may
prevent damage from occurring to the humidifier 5000, the RPT device 4000 or the
cable housing 5080 when the assembly is accidentally lifted by the air circuit 4170 or
the AC outlet connector 4170oc. In some instances, the air circuit 4170 or the AC
outlet connector 4170oc may be configured to mechanically fail if the humidifier
5000 and/or the RPT device 4000 is held in place and a force is imposed onto the air
circuit 4170 and/or the AC outlet connector 4170oc in the upwards direction.
Returning to the inner wall 5082 and the outer wall 5084, in an example
of the present technology, the slack portion of the cable 5070 can be seen (for
example, in Fig. 18p) to form a radius in the void 5086. This radius may affect the
stress imposed on the cable 5070 (and therefore potentially its operating life) and is
defined in part by the distance (VO_W in Fig. 18s) between the inner wall 5082 and
the outer wall 5084 in the void 5086. Therefore, these walls may be separated by a
distance in the range of 2mm to 5mm across the void 5086 based on a desired
minimum radius of the cable 5070. In one example, the distance is in the range of
4mm to 5mm. It should be understood that the desired minimum radius of the cable
505821/60 HCS
may change as a function of the properties of the cable 5070 and its design parameters
such as design life, or usage cases. Similarly, the length (VO_L in Fig. 18s) of the
void 5086 may be lengthened or shortened according to the maximum slack length of
the cable 5070, which may be driven by the maximum rotation of the swivelling disc
5050.
The width (AN_W in Fig. 18s) of the annular section 5088 between the
inner wall 5082 and the outer wall 5084 may be minimised as the cable 5070 travels
therein as the swivelling disc 5050 rotates from one extreme position to the other.
This may have the benefit of reducing noise produced by the cable and preventing
buckling of the cable in the annular section. The width of the annular section may be
between approximately 1 mm and 4 mm, such as 2 mm or 3 mm, and it should be
understood that the width may depend on various characteristics and/or properties of
the assembly, such as the characteristics of the cable chosen or the radius of the inner
wall 5082. In some arrangements the inner wall 5082 of the annular section 5088
and/or the outer wall 5084 of the annular section 5088 may include dampening
material to help improve sound performance when the swivelling disc is rotated. A
dampening material may also ensure the cable moves around the inner wall 5082
rather than the outer wall 5084 or vice versa.
In an example of the present technology, the cable housing 5080 may be
formed from polypropylene, or polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(PC/ABS). The swivelling disc 5050 may be formed from a combination of
polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) and a thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE).
.4.1.10 Oxygen delivery port 4180
In one form of the present technology, one or more oxygen delivery ports
4180 may be used to deliver supplementary oxygen to one or more points in the
pneumatic path, such as upstream of the pneumatic block 4020, to the air circuit 4170
or to the patient interface 3000.
.4.1.11 Power supply 4210
A power supply 4210 may be located internal or external of the external
housing 4010 of the RPT device 4000.
505821/60 HCS
In one form of the present technology power supply 4210 provides
electrical power to the RPT device 4000 only. In another form of the present
technology, power supply 4210 provides electrical power to both RPT device 4000
and humidifier 5000.
.4.1.12 Central controller 4230
In one form of the present technology, the central controller 4230 is one or
a plurality of processors suitable to control an RPT device 4000.
Suitable processors may include an x86 INTEL processor, a processor
based on ARM Cortex-M processor from ARM Holdings such as an STM32 series
microcontroller from ST MICROELECTRONIC. In certain alternative forms of the
present technology, a 32-bit RISC CPU, such as an STR9 series microcontroller from
ST MICROELECTRONICS or a 16-bit RISC CPU such as a processor from the
MSP430 family of microcontrollers, manufactured by TEXAS INSTRUMENTS may
also be suitable.
In one form of the present technology, the central controller 4230 is a
dedicated electronic circuit.
In one form, the central controller 4230 is an application-specific
integrated circuit. In another form, the central controller 4230 comprises discrete
electronic components.
The central controller 4230 may be configured to receive input signal(s)
from one or more transducers 4270, and one or more input devices 4220.
The central controller 4230 may be configured to provide output signal(s)
to one or more of an output device 4290, a therapy device controller 4240, a data
communication interface 4280 and humidifier controller 5250.
In some forms of the present technology, the central controller 4230 is
configured to implement the one or more methodologies described herein, such as the
one or more algorithms expressed as computer programs stored in a non-transitory
computer readable storage medium, such as memory 4260. In some forms of the
present technology, the central controller 4230 may be integrated with an RPT device
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4000. However, in some forms of the present technology, some methodologies may
be performed by a remotely located device. For example, the remotely located device
may determine control settings for a ventilator or detect respiratory related events by
analysis of stored data such as from any of the sensors described herein.
.4.1.13 Clock 4232
Preferably RPT device 4000 includes a clock 4232 that is connected to the
central controller 4230.
.4.1.14 Therapy device controller 4240
In one form of the present technology, therapy device controller 4240 is a
control module 4330 that forms part of the algorithms executed by the central
controller 4230.
In one form of the present technology, therapy device controller 4240 is a
dedicated motor control integrated circuit. For example, in one form a MC33035
brushless DC motor controller, manufactured by ONSEMI is used.
.4.1.15 Protection circuits 4250
The one or more protection circuits 4250 in accordance with the present
technology may comprise an electrical protection circuit, a temperature and pressure
safety circuit.
.4.1.16 Memory 4260
In accordance with one form of the present technology the RPT device
4000 includes memory 4260, preferably non-volatile memory. In some forms,
memory 4260 may include battery powered static RAM. In some forms, memory
4260 may include volatile RAM.
Preferably memory 4260 is located on the PCBA 4202. Memory 4260
may be in the form of EEPROM, or NAND flash.
Additionally or alternatively, RPT device 4000 includes a removable form
of memory 4260, for example a memory card made in accordance with the Secure
Digital (SD) standard.
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In one form of the present technology, the memory 4260 acts as a non-
transitory computer readable storage medium on which are stored computer program
instructions expressing the one or more methodologies described herein, such as the
one or more algorithms.
.4.1.17 Data communication interface 4280
In one preferred form of the present technology, a data communication
interface 4280 is provided, and is connected to the central controller 4230. The data
communication interface 4280 may allow the RPT device 4000 to connect to another
device or a network, such as a remote external communication network 4282, a local
external communication network 4284, remote external device 4286 or a local
external device 4288. The data communication interface 4280 may communicate data
with the other device/network that it is connected to, for example transmitting data
from the RPT device 4000 regarding the patient’s 1000 previous night’s sleep, or
receiving a message.
The remote external communication network 4282or the local external
communication network 4284 may be further connectable to another network or
device, such as a remote external device 4286 or a local external device 4288
respectively as shown in Fig. 5d.
Examples of the remote external communication network 4282 may
include the Internet and cellular telephone networks. The data communication
interface 4280 may connect to the remote external communication network 4282
using one or more communication methods (wired or wireless) such as Ethernet,
USB, optical fibre, CDMA, GSM, LTE. In some forms, the data communication
interface 4280 may connect to a network via another network or device (not shown).
Examples of the local external communication network 4284 may include
a home computer network and a hospital computer network. In one form, the local
external communication network 4284 utilises one or more communication standards,
such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a consumer infrared protocol.
In one form, the data communication interface 4280 may communicate
with one or more servers containing one or more processors, memory and
incorporating with other components typically present in general purpose computing
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devices. The data communication interface 4280 may communicate with a server as
disclosed in the Australian provisional patent applications AU 2014901998, AU
2014901999 and AU 2014901997 the entire contents of which is incorporated
herewithin by reference.
In one form, the remote external device 4286 is one or more computers.
Such a remote external device 4286 may be accessible to an appropriately authorised
person such as a clinician. Examples of local external device 4288may include a
personal computer, mobile phone, tablet or remote control.
In one form (shown in Figs. 10a-10b), the data communication interface
4280 may be a wireless communication module located on a separate PCBA to the
main PCBA. The data communication interface 4280 may comprise an antenna
4280an, and an antenna ground plane 4280gp. The antenna ground plane 4280gp in
this form may comprise the PCB, and may improve performance of the antenna
4280an (and thus performance of the data communication interface 4280).
The antenna 4280an may receive and transmit signal to allow the data
communication interface 4280 to communicate, for example with a server as
described above. The antenna 4280an may be an elongate member engaged with the
antenna ground plane 4280gp (described in further detail below). The antenna 4280gp
may be located towards an outer periphery of the RPT device 4000 so as to improve
fidelity and strength of any signal to and from the antenna 4280gp, for example
adjacent to an edge of the side panel 4014 as shown in Fig. 10a. In one form, the
antenna 4280gp may be arranged so that its major axis is substantially oriented
vertically for improved efficiency.
The geometry (e.g. a length) of the antenna ground plane 4280gp,
particularly in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the antenna 4280an, may
affect a performance level of the ground plane 4280gp (and in turn the antenna
4280an). Typically, an increase to the length of the antenna ground plane 4280gp may
be beneficial to its performance. Preferably, an antenna ground plane is arranged in a
rectangular shape (not shown), extending in a direction perpendicular to a major axis
of the antenna. The length of the antenna ground plane 4280gp is preferably such that
a minimum performance requirement of the antenna ground plane 4280gp is met.
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Similarly to the antenna 4280an described above, the antenna ground plane 4280gp
may be arranged substantially vertically, and located toward a periphery of the RPT
device 4000, for example engaged with the side panel 4014 as shown in Fig. 10a.
However, in some cases, the configuration of the RPT device 4000 (such
as its overall size and arrangement of components therein) may prevent the antenna
ground plane 4280gp from comprising (or exceeding) the length required to meet the
minimum performance requirements without an accompanying increase to a size of
the RPT device 4000. Yet further, in some cases the RPT device 4000 may comprise
one or more sources of radiation (such as a motor or others) which may raise the
performance level required for the data communication interface 4280 to perform
adequately.
According to one aspect of the present technology, the antenna ground
plane 4280gp comprises one or more notches configured to increase the effective
length of the ground plane 4280gp. In such forms, the effective length of the ground
plane 4280gp may be increased by the lengths of each side of the one or more
notches. The one or more notches may allow a ground plane 4280gp to be arranged as
a more complex geometric shape than a rectangle, such as that shown in Fig. 10b,
while improving the performance of the ground plane 4280gp.
The effective total length (L ) of the ground plane 4280gp may be
determined from the length of the antenna ground plate and the length of each side
wall of each notch within the antenna ground plane 4280gp. For280gp. For example
as shown in Fig. 10b, the antenna ground plane 4280gp may comprise a notch having
a first side 4280n1 and a second side 4280n2. In this configuration, the effective total
length (L ) of the antenna ground plane 4280gp is the sum of: the length of the
antenna ground plane 4280gp (L ), the length of the first side (L ), and the length of
the second side (L ). Thus the effective length (L ) of the antenna ground plane
n2 eff
4280gp would be L =L +L +L .
eff 1 n1 n2
The notches may improve a performance of the wireless data
communication interface, for example by more than 25% (e.g. by 35%, 50%, 65%,
80%), which may otherwise be achieved through an increase in a size of the antenna
ground plane 4280gp. As discussed above, inclusion of notches may thus beneficially
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allow a reduction in a size of the RPT device 4000 which may not be otherwise
possible.
.4.1.18 Input devices 4220
In one form of the present technology, an RPT device 4000 includes one
or more input devices 4220 in the form of buttons, switches or dials to allow a person
to interact with the device. The buttons, switches or dials may be physical devices, or
software devices accessible via a touch screen. The buttons, switches or dials may, in
one form, be physically connected to the external housing 4010, or may, in another
form, be in wireless communication with a receiver that is in electrical connection to
the central controller 4230.
In one form the input device 4220 may be constructed and arranged to
allow a person to select a value or a menu option.
In one form as shown in Fig. 9a, the RPT device 4000 may comprise a
first button 4222, for example to start or stop therapy, a second button 4224, and a
first dial 4226. The first dial 4226 in some forms may be depressible to function as a
button.
.4.1.19 Output devices including optional display, alarms 4290
An output device 4290 in accordance with the present technology may
take the form of one or more of a visual, audio and haptic unit. A visual display 4294
may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) display.
.4.1.19.1 Display driver 4292
A display driver 4292 receives as an input the characters, symbols, or
images intended for display on the display 4294, and converts them to commands that
cause the display 4294 to display those characters, symbols, or images.
.4.1.19.2 Display 4294
A display 4294 is configured to visually display characters, symbols, or
images in response to commands received from the display driver 4292. For example,
the display 4294 may be an LCD screen which is located on the front of the RPT
device 4000 as shown in Fig. 9a. In another example, the display 4294 may be an
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eight-segment display, in which case the display driver 4292 converts each character
or symbol, such as the figure “0”, to eight logical signals indicating whether the eight
respective segments are to be activated to display a particular character or symbol.
In some forms, the display 4294 may be provided separately to the RPT
device 4000, or another device such as a smartphone may be used as the display 4294.
In such forms, the display 4294 may be in communication with the RPT device 4000
via the data communication interface 4280.
.4.1.20 User Interface Panel 4190
In one form, the RPT device 4000 may comprise a user interface panel
4190, for example as shown in Figs. 12a-12d. The user interface panel 4190 may
include one or more of: a shield for the display 4294, actuating mechanisms for the
buttons 4222 and 4224, an external housing light port 4010lp (and a light well
4190lw) for the ambient light sensor 4278 and one or more seals to prevent water
ingress into an interior the RPT device 4000.
The user interface panel 4190 may comprise a display cover 4294co. The
display cover 4294co may be configured to protect the display 4294 from damage
while allowing an unobstructed view of the display 4294, for example by being
formed from a rigid, transparent material. In one form, the display cover 4294co may
be formed with a curvature to act as a lens to assist viewing of the display 4294. The
user interface panel 4190 may further comprise a resilient material such as
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone, for example to perform as a seal.
The user interface panel 4190 may provide a dial aperture 4226ap to
accept an encoder shaft 4226sh for the dial 4226 (see Figs. 13a-13b). The user
interface panel 4190 may comprise one or both of a dial seal 4226se and a dial cover
4226co to prevent ingress of water into the interior of the RPT device 4000 (as shown
in Figs. 12a-12d). In one form, the dial cover 4226co is configured with a greater
height at or near a top of the dial 4226 to encourage any water incident in the area to
run downwards without ingress into the RPT device 4000 or even towards the dial
seal 4226se. The dial seal 4226se may further prevent water ingress by sealing around
the encoder shaft 4226sh for the dial 4226, while allowing rotation thereof.
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According to one aspect, the user interface panel 4190 may comprise a UI
base 4190ba and a UI seal 4190se as shown in Fig. 12b and Fig. 12d. The UI base
4190ba may perform one or more of the functions described above, for example as a
shield for the display 4294, actuating mechanisms for the buttons 4222 and 4224 and
an external housing light port 4010lp for the ambient light sensor 4278. Accordingly,
the UI base 4190ba may be constructed from a transparent material such as
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate material. Such a construction
may allow the UI base 4190ba to integrally comprise a light well 4190lw (or a light
pipe) configured as described above, in one form as a prism extending from under a
first surface of the UI base 4190ba proximate to the ambient light sensor 4278 to
above another, opposite surface facing the exterior of the RPT device 4000 as shown
in Figs 12a-12d. In one form, one end of the light well 4190lw may terminate to form
the external housing light port 4010lp.
The UI seal 4190se may seal one or more areas such as between the UI
base 4190ba and the external housing 4010, between the encoder shaft 4226sh and the
UI base 4190ba, between the display 4294 and the UI base 4190ba, or between the UI
base 4190ba and the buttons 4222 and 4224. The UI seal 4190se4 may be engaged
with the UI base 4190ba as an overmould, resulting in one integral user interface
panel 4190 as shown in Fig. 12a and Figs. 12c for example, onto which buttons 4222
and 4224 may be coupled. The user interface panel 4190 may be then coupled with
the main PCBA 4202 as for example shown in Fig. 5a.
As the RPT device 4000 may be used with a humidifier 5000 (discrete or
integrated), the patient 1000 may often be interacting with the humidifier and the user
interface sequentially, for example by filling up a water reservoir and then starting the
RPT device 4000 or navigating a user menu. Accordingly, it may be advantageous for
the user interface panel 4190 to effectively prevent or discourage water ingress into
the RPT device 4000. Furthermore, constructing the UI base 4190ba from one
material, and to perform multiple functions as described above may lead to reduced
manufacturing costs.
.4.1.21 Front Panel 4012
One example of the front panel 4012 may be configured as shown in Figs.
14a-14b. The front panel 4012 may be removable from the RPT device 4000, for
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instance to allow the patient 1000 to customise the visual look of the RPT device
4000, or to differentiate one model of the RPT device 4000 from another, where a
plurality of models are available for example. In one form, the front panel 4012 may
communicate with the central controller 4230 to customise an aspect of the RPT
device 4000, for example to provide one of a plurality of different modes of operation
as described in US Patent Application number US 14/204041, the entire contents of
which is incorporated herewithin by reference.
The front panel 4012 may comprise one or more retention features to
allow the front panel 4012 to be secured onto the RPT device, such as by engagement
with the external housing 4010. In one form, the front panel 4012 may comprise one
or more internal shoulders 4012sh (as shown in Fig. 14b) configured to engage with
one or more complementary features on the external housing 4010, such as the
protrusions 4010pr (as shown in Figs. 13a-13b). The external housing 4010 may
comprise an access point such as a front panel cutout 4010co, configured to accept a
finger of the patient 1000 for example to allow the patient 1000 to remove the front
panel 4012, such as by levering the front panel 4012 up from the external housing
4010.
.4.2 RPT device user interface
The RPT device 4000 may comprise a user interface, for example
comprising a visual interface shown through the display 4294. The user (e.g. the
patient 1000) may interact with the RPT device 4000 using the input devices 4220 as
described above.
.4.2.1 Visual interface
The visual interface may comprise a menu of user-selectable items. The
user may interact with the menu by selecting one of a plurality of items presented on
the menu using the input devices 4220 such as a dial or by touching areas of a
touchscreen. The user may confirm a selection by depressing a button or touching a
touchscreen for example.
.4.2.1.1 First Menu Screens
According to one aspect, a first menu screen 4295m1 presented to the user
may be configured as shown in Figs. 15a-15b. The first menu screen 4295m1 may
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present a limited number of sub-menu options to the user, for example two sub-menu
options. According to another aspect, the sub-menu options may be arranged by a
particular type of an interaction the user may have with the RPT device 4000. For
example, the first menu screen 4295m1 may comprise a selectable menu 4295se and a
report menu 4295re. The selectable menu 4295se may substantially comprise menu
items with which a user may interact, and the report menu 4295re may substantially
comprise menu items which may report information to a user.
In some instances, the first menu screen 4295m1 may be the very top level
of a menu hierarchy or structure. Accordingly, the first menu screen 4295m1 may
advantageously present the user with sub-menu options which are arranged by the
particular type of interaction possible.
Figs. 15c-15d show another example of a first clinical menu screen
4295m2, showing a ‘clinical’ menu comprising a selectable menu 4295se and a report
menu 4295re. The clinical menu may be activated by a predetermined operation, such
as pressing particular user interface buttons in a particular sequence. Similarly to the
first menu screen 4295m1, first clinical menu screen 4295m2 may be the very top
level of a menu hierarchy or structure for an alternative set of menu items (and sub-
menu options). Although the first clinical menu screen 4295m2 presents different
visual icons (and titles) to the first menu screen 4295m1, arrangement of the two sub-
menu options may be advantageously arranged by the particular type of interaction
possible therewith, so that the layout of the user interface would remain consistent for
improved usability.
The selectable menu 4295se may comprise items which may be
individually selected by the user, for example to make changes to a behaviour or a
functionality of the RPT device 4000 (or the humidifier 5000), or to enter a sub-menu
item. For example, the selectable menu 4295se may be displayed as shown in Figs.
15a-15d, and once entered may comprise one or more configurable items such as
therapy mode, ramp time, humidity level, language, date, units, mask type or pressure
levels. In one example, the user may navigate to the sub-menu of the selectable menu
4295se, and arrive at a selectable sub-menu 4295o1 or 4295o2, depending on whether
the navigation was from the first menu screen 4295m1 or the first clinical menu
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screen 4295m2 respectively as shown in Fig. 15e or Fig. 15f. In both cases, however,
the user would have arrived at a series of selectable items.
The report menu 4295re may comprise items which relate to reporting of
data. For example, the report menu 4295re (e.g. as shown in Figs. 15a or 15c) once
entered may comprise one or more report items such as total usage hours, events per
hour, report of mask seal or report of humidifier performance. In another example,
while the device is operating, the report menu 4295re (e.g. as shown in Figs. 15b or
15d) once entered may comprise one or more statuses such as current pressure levels,
leak level, remaining ramp time or humidifier status. In one example, the user may
navigate to the sub-menu of the report menu 4295re, and arrive at a report sub-menu
4295r1 or 4295r2, depending on whether the navigation was from the first menu
screen 4295m1 or the first clinical menu screen 4295m2 respectively as shown in Fig.
15g and Fig. 15h. In both cases, however, the user would have arrived at a series of
selectable items as shown.
According to another aspect, the visual interface 4295 may be configured
so that the items displayed on the first menu screen 4295m1 (or the first clinical menu
screen 4295c1) may vary according to the context of the operation of the device,
while the layout remains consistent, as seen in Figs. 15a-15d. The first menu screen
4295m1 shown in Fig. 15a may change to that shown in Fig. 15b (and from Fig. 15c
to Fig. 15d) if the RPT device 4000 is in operation, changing the image displayed for
the report menu 4295re.
Similarly, the selectable menu 4295se appear at substantially same
location in Figs. 15a and 15c, although the image displayed may vary depending on
whether the first menu screen 4295m1 or the first clinical menu screen 4295c1 is
displayed on the visual interface 4295.
A composition of the first menu screen 4295m1 (or the first clinical menu
screen 4295c1) which includes one sub-menu item comprising configurables, and
another sub-menu item comprising reports may be beneficial in one or more respects.
In one respect, the user may be able to navigate through the menu items with greater
ease, as the structure of the menu would remain consistent despite any variations to
the menu according to its operating conditions (e.g. operation of the RPT device 4000,
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or differences between a clinical menu and a patient menu). Still further, maintaining
a consistency of layout while varying images displayed thereon may effectively
indicate a change in one or more operating conditions of the RPT device to the user
without potentially causing confusion by a change in a menu structure.
.4.2.1.2 Subsequent menu screens
Examples of sub-menus for the selectable menu 4295se are shown in Figs.
15e and 15f. It can be seen here that the contents of the selectable sub-menu 4295o1
and 4295o2 are selectable items, which may be actionable by the user, save for
headings. For example, the user may scroll down to contents such as ‘Mask’ as shown
in Fig. 15e to change a type of mask that the RPT device 4000 is coupled to, or to
‘Humidity Level’ as shown in Fig. 15f to change a level of desired humidity output of
the humidifier 5000.
Examples of sub-menus for the report menu 4295re are shown in Figs.
15g and 15h. The report sub-menus 4295r1 and 4295r2 may be configured so as to
display information, in contrast to the contents of the selectable sub-menu 4295o1 or
4295o2 described above.
In one form, the sub-menus such as selectable sub-menu 4295o1 or
4295o2 or the report sub-menu 4295r1 or 4295r2 may comprise a greater number of
items than can be displayed on the screen of the RPT device 4000 (or the humidifier
5000). The sub-menus may be thus configured so that a movable portion of the sub-
menu (e.g. window portion 4295w in Figs. 15e-15g) is displayed on the screen by
scrolling. Such an arrangement may be particularly useful in an arrangement wherein
the user interface may comprise a relatively small screen, to reduce the amount of
backwards and forwards navigation between different levels of sub-menus.
In one form, the report sub-menus 4295r3 or 4295r4 may display one or
more aspects of an operation of the RPT device 4000 and the humidifier 5000 as for
example shown in Figs. 15i-15j. The one or more aspects may include, for example, a
status of the humidifier 5000, a fidelity of connection between the data
communication interface 4280 and the other device/network that it is connected to, a
quantity of leak or one or more settings of the RPT device 4000 and the humidifier
5000.
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In one form, the report sub-menus 4295a1-4295a8 may display one or
more sequential images such as an animated arcurate portion shown in Figs. 15k-15p.
In one form, the report sub-menu may change to indicate a change of a status to the
user. For example, the animated arcurate portion shown in Figs. 15k-15p may be
displayed to the user to indicate that the RPT device 4000 is in a ‘ramp’ period.
Subsequently, at an end of the ramp period, the report sub-menu may change to one
shown in Fig. 15q to indicate an end of the ramp period to the user.
.5 HUMIDIFIER 5000
.5.1 Humidifier overview
In one form of the present technology there is provided a humidifier 5000
to change the absolute humidity of air or gas for delivery to a patient relative to
ambient air. Typically, the humidifier 5000 is used to increase the absolute humidity
and increase the temperature of the flow of air (relative to ambient air) before delivery
to the patient’s airways. In one form, the humidifier 5000 may be a discrete unit that
is connectable to an RPT device 4000. In another form, the humidifier 5000 may be
integrated with the RPT device 4000, for example as shown in Fig. 5c and as
described in further detail below.
A humidifier 5000 may comprise a water reservoir 5110, heating element
5240 and one or more transducers. The humidifier 5000 may be configured to receive
a flow of air from a RPT device 4000 and deliver a flow of humidified air to a patient
interface 3000 for example via an air circuit 4170.
.5.2 Humidifier components
.5.2.1 Water reservoir 5110
According to one arrangement, the humidifier 5000 may comprise a water
reservoir 5110 configured to hold, or retain, a volume of liquid (e.g. water) to be used
for humidification of the flow of air. Figs. 16c-16d show one form of a water
reservoir 5110, which comprises a reservoir base 5112, a reservoir lid 5114, and an
intermediate portion 5202 including a compliant portion 5116. The water reservoir
5110 is configured to hold a predetermined maximum volume of water in order to
provide adequate humidification for at least the duration of respiratory therapy, such
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as one evening of sleep. Typically, the reservoir 5110 is configured to hold several
hundred millilitres of water, e.g. 300 millilitres (ml), 325 ml, 350 ml or 400 ml. In
other forms, the humidifier 5000 may be configured to receive a supply of water from
an external water source such as a building’s water supply system.
According to one aspect, the water reservoir 5110 is configured to add
humidity to a flow of air from the RPT device 4000 as the flow of air travels
therethrough. In one form, the water reservoir 5110 may be configured to encourage
the flow of air to travel in a tortuous path through the reservoir 5110 while in contact
with the volume of water therein.
The reservoir 5110 may also be configured to discourage egress of liquid
therefrom, such as when the reservoir 5110 is displaced or rotated from its normal,
working orientation, such as through any apertures or in between its sub-components.
As the flow of air to be humidified by the humidifier 5000 is typically pressurised, the
reservoir 5110 may also be configured to prevent losses in pneumatic pressure
through leak or flow impedance.
The water reservoir 5110 may comprise an inlet 5118 for receiving the
flow of air into the reservoir 5110, and an outlet 5122 for delivering a flow of air from
the reservoir 5110. The reservoir 5110 may include to an reservoir inlet tube 5124 and
an reservoir outlet tube 5126 (e.g., see Figs. 16e). In one configuration, the inlet 5118
and reservoir inlet tube 5124 are integrally formed as one inlet component and the
outlet 5122 and the reservoir outlet tube 5126 are integrally formed as one outlet
component.
.5.2.2 Water reservoir lid 5114
In one form, the water reservoir lid 5114 is pivotably connected to the
base 5112 (e.g. by hinges 5158 as shown in Fig. 16e) to allow the reservoir 5110 to be
converted between an open configuration and a closed configuration (see Figs. 16k
and 16k). When the water reservoir 5110 is in its closed configuration, the compliant
portion 5116 is put into sealing engagement between the base 5112 and the lid 5114
to seal the base 5112 and the lid 5114. The hinges 5158 may couple to complementary
hinge recess portions 5159 (shown in Fig. 16f) located in the reservoir base 5112. In
one form, the lid 5114 may be constructed from a bio-compatible material, such as a
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plastic or thermoplastic polymer, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
or polycarbonate material. The pivotable connection may further allow the water
reservoir lid 5114 and the base 5112 to be compressed towards each other in
comparison to their normal operating configuration, for example for insertion of the
reservoir 5110 into the dock 4130 as will be described in further detail below.
The water reservoir lid 5114 may comprise the inlet 5118, the reservoir
inlet tube 5124, the outlet 5122 and the reservoir outlet tube 5126 in one form as
shown in Fig. 16e. The water reservoir lid 5114 may further comprise one or more
baffles configured to direct the air through a tortuous path in the water reservoir 5110.
In one form, the baffle may be coupled to an end of the reservoir inlet tube 5124 as an
inlet cap 5125 (as shown in Fig. 16e and Fig. 16k), and in another form, the baffle
may be arranged as a plate 5123 (as shown in Fig. 16e and 16k).
.5.2.3 Compliant portion 5116
In one form, when the water reservoir 5110 is in use, the compliant
portion 5116 may act as a seal between the reservoir base 5112 and the reservoir lid
5114. The compliant portion 5116 may be provided as part of the reservoir lid 5114 or
as part of the reservoir base 5112, or independently of both, for example as part of an
intermediate portion 5202 (see Figs. 16l-16m). The compliant portion 5116 may be
engaged with the reservoir lid 5114 or the reservoir base 5112 by any number of
means including, and not limited to, ultrasonic welding, friction fitting, gluing or by
using an intermediate component.
.5.2.4 Water reservoir base 5112
According to one arrangement, the reservoir base 5112 comprises a
conductive portion 5120 (such as the base conductor plate 5152, e.g., see Fig. 16f)
configured to thermally couple with a heating element 5240 of the humidifier 5000.
The conductive portion 5152 improves efficiency of heat transfer from the heating
element 5240 to the volume of liquid in the reservoir 5110. All or a part of the base
conductor plate 5152 may be made of a heat conducting material such as aluminium
(e.g. approximately 2 mm thick, such as 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm or 3 mm) or another
heat conducting material such as metal. In some cases, suitable heat conductivity may
be achieved with less conductive materials of suitable thickness.
505821/60 HCS
The reservoir base 5112 may also be configured as a receptacle to retain
the given, maximum volume of liquid that the reservoir 5110 is configured to hold. In
one form, the base 5112 may comprise further features such as an overfill prevention
feature.
.5.2.5 Water reservoir-to-humidifier connection
In one form, the water reservoir 5110 in use receives a flow of air output
by the RPT device 4000 at the dock outlet 4132. The water reservoir 5110 is
removably coupled with the humidifier 5000, for example configured (as shown in
Figs. 16g-16h) to be insertable into the dock 4130. When the water reservoir 5110 is
engaged with the dock 4130, the reservoir inlet 5118 may receive the flow of air
output by the RPT device 4000, and direct the flow of air into the water reservoir
5110. Humidity (i.e. water vapour) is added to the flow of air as the air travels
through the reservoir 5110, and the humidified flow of air exits the reservoir 5110
through the reservoir outlet tube 5126 and to the reservoir outlet 5122. The reservoir
outlet 5122 is connectable to an air circuit 4170 to deliver the flow of humidified air
to the patient 1000.
The double-ended arrows in Figs. 16h show the direction of relative
motion, i.e. generally horizontal movement, between the humidifier 5000 and the
water reservoir 5110 in connection and disconnection with each other in this
arrangement. In the arrangement shown in Figs. 16g-16h, the water reservoir 5110 is
connected with the humidifier 5000 by placing the water reservoir 5110 in the dock
4130. In this arrangement, the heights and shapes of the cavity in the dock 4130 and
the water reservoir 5110 are such that to engage the water reservoir 5110 with the
dock 4130 the compliant portion 5116 is compressed, for example by between about 1
mm and about 5 mm, for example by about 2 mm, about 3 mm or about 4 mm. Thus,
the shape of the portion of the water reservoir 5110 that is inserted into the dock 4130
is complementary to the shape of the dock cavity 5160 and the height of the water
reservoir 5110 when compliant portion 5116 is compressed is slightly less than the
height of the dock cavity 5160 to enable the insertion of the water reservoir 5110 into
the dock cavity 5160.
In one form, a compressive force is required to sufficiently compress the
compliant portion 5116 and allow relative movement (i.e. sliding) between the water
505821/60 HCS
reservoir 5110 and the dock 4130. For example a compression force as measured at
the handle recesses 5154, 5156 of between about 10 N and about 30 N, or about 20 N,
or some other compression force is required to allow insertion of the water reservoir
5110 into the dock 4130. The vertical gap achieved between the water reservoir 5110
and the cavity of the dock 4130 during insertion (or removal) may be between about 1
mm and about 5 mm, for example about 2mm, 3 mm or 4 mm, when this compressive
force is applied at the handle recesses 5154, 5156 and the water reservoir 5110 is
inserted into the dock 4130. The water reservoir 5110 and the dock 4130 may be
arranged so that the amount of compression in the compliant portion 5116 is reduced
once the water reservoir 5110 is connected with the dock 4130 and the patient 1000 is
no longer applying a compressive force. The reduction in compression may be
between about 0.5 mm and about 2.5 mm, for example about 1 mm, 1.5 mm or 2 mm.
In the illustrated arrangement (see Figs. 16a-16b) the reservoir outlet 5122
is connectable to the dock inlet 4134, through which the humidified flow of air travels
to the humidifier outlet 5172. The humidifier outlet 5172 is connectable to the air
circuit 4170 as indicated in Fig. 13 by the double-ended dotted arrow (see Fig. 13).
An advantage of such an arrangement is that the water reservoir 5110 can be removed
from the dock 4130 while the air circuit 4170 remains attached to the device outlet
4004. Thus the insertion and removal of the water reservoir 5110 is independent of
the connection of the air circuit 4170. A further advantage is that the water reservoir
5110 must be removed from the dock 4130 to fill the water reservoir 5110 with liquid.
In this form, neither of the inlet 5118 and the outlet 5122 of the reservoir 5110 are
exposed while the reservoir 5110 is inserted in the humidifier 5000 in an operating
configuration, while the reservoir 5110 itself remains accessible to the patient 1000,
for example to allow easy removal from the humidifier 5000. This arrangement may
reduce the likelihood of the user over-filling the water reservoir 5110 over the
predetermined, maximum volume of liquid, as the water reservoir 5110 incorporates
features to prevent over-filling. Still further, as the user is encouraged to remove the
water reservoir 5110 to fill the reservoir 5110 with liquid, the likelihood of spillage of
water onto, or into, the humidifier 5000 and/or the RPT device 4000 is reduced.
The compliant portion 5116 may be constructed from an elastomeric
material such as silicone, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), TPE polyester, TPE
505821/60 HCS
polyurethane or natural rubber. In choosing the material to be used for the compliant
portion 5116 it may be advantageous to choose one that does not experience
mechanical relaxation across the range of storage and operational temperatures that
the compliant portion 5116 may be exposed to. One example of a material for the
compliant portion 5116 which meets these requirements may be silicone.
A reservoir latch 5186 may be provided on the water reservoir 5110, as
shown in Fig. 40, so that when the reservoir latch 5186 is engaged, it secures the
reservoir lid 5114 and reservoir base 5112 together. The latch 5186 may prevent the
reservoir lid 5114 and the reservoir base 5112 from separating and maintain the
compliant portion 5116 in sealing engagement between the lid 5114 and the base
5112, for example by compression. In one form, the latch 5186 may be configured to
restrict relative movement of the lid 5114 in relation to the base 5112 in one direction
only, thus allow further compression of the compliant portion 5116 while preventing
separation of the lid 5114 and the base 5112. This may allow insertion of the water
reservoir 5110 into the dock 4130, and/or allow the compliant portion 5116 to assist
thermal engagement between the reservoir 5110 and the heating element 5240 as
described elsewhere in this disclosure.
.5.2.5.1 Pre-compression for improved thermal contact
In the present technology, pre-compression of the water reservoir 5110,
for example in engagement with the water reservoir dock 4130, may be used to help
improve thermal contact between the reservoir 5110 and the heating element 5240.
In one arrangement, the water reservoir 5110 may be configured so that in
its operating configuration, such as when it is placed in the water reservoir dock
41305130, the compliant portion 5116 is compressed as described above. The
reservoir 5110 and the reservoir dock 4130 may be further configured so that a
reaction force to the compression of the compliant portion 5116 pushes the base 5112
of the water reservoir 5110 against the heating element 5240 to improve the thermal
contact therebetween.
Thus, the compliant portion 5116 may act as a spring that is biased to
push the reservoir base 5112 and/or the reservoir lid 5114 in a direction perpendicular
to the heating element 5240. As the reservoir 5110 is secured externally, such as
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confined within the reservoir dock 4130, the compression of the compliant portion
5116 is reacted by a force that encourages improved thermal engagement with the
heating element 5240. Fig. 20 illustrates this effect by indicating the distributed
forces or pressures that are applied to the lid 5114, compliant portion 5116 and the
base 5112 by the arrows shown.
The force required for compression of the compliant portion 5116 when
the water reservoir 5110 is connected with the humidifier 5000 is preferably in the
same direction as the normal to a surface of the conductive portion. The direction may
be also preferably in the same direction as the direction of thermal engagement. This
force is reacted by the water reservoir dock 4130 at its contacting points and/or
surfaces, thereby pushing the base 5112 of the water reservoir 5110 and the heating
element 5240 together.
The magnitude of compression force may be between about 5 N and about
N when measured at the heating element 5240 when the water reservoir 5110 is
placed in the water reservoir dock 4130. However, it should be understood that
different configurations of the water reservoir 5110 may require different magnitudes
of compression force. The magnitude of this force may be altered by modifying the
design of any or all of the compliant portion 5116, the lid 5114, the base 5112, or the
reservoir dock 4130. For instance, if the compliant portion 5116 was constructed of a
material with higher Young’s modulus, it would correspondingly increase the
magnitude of the force. It should be noted that Fig. 20 only shows forces and
pressures in the vertical direction.
In some cases, the amount of compression of the compliant portion 5116
in the reservoir 5110 may be used to vary a level of thermal engagement between the
conductive portion and the heating element 5240.
.5.2.6 Conductive portion 5120
According to one arrangement, the reservoir 5110 comprises a conductive
portion 5120 configured to allow efficient transfer of heat from the heating element
5240 to the volume of liquid in the reservoir 5110. In one form, the conductive
portion 5120 may be arranged as a plate, although other shapes may also be suitable.
All or a part of the conductive portion 5120 may be made of a thermally conductive
505821/60 HCS
material such as aluminium (e.g. approximately 2 mm thick, such as 1 mm, 1.5 mm,
2.5 mm or 3 mm), another heat conducting metal or some plastics. In some cases,
suitable heat conductivity may be achieved with less conductive materials of suitable
geometry.
.5.2.7 Humidifier transducer(s) 5210
The humidifier 5000 may comprise one or more humidifier transducers
(sensors) 5210 instead of, or in addition to, transducers 4270 described above.
Humidifier transducers 5210 may include one or more of an air pressure sensor, an air
flow sensor, a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor as shown in Fig. 5c. A
humidifier transducer 5210 may produce one or more output signals which may be
communicated to a controller such as the central controller 4230 or the humidifier
controller 5250. In some forms, a humidifier transducer may be located externally to
the humidifier 5000 (such as in the air circuit 4170) while communicating the output
signal to the controller.
.5.2.7.1 Pressure transducer 5212
One or more pressure transducers 5212 may be provided to the humidifier
5000 in addition to, or instead of, a pressure transducer 4272 provided in the RPT
device 4000.
.5.2.7.2 Flow transducer 5214
One or more flow transducers 5214 may be provided to the humidifier
5000 in addition to, or instead of, a flow transducer 4274 provided in the RPT device
4000.
.5.2.7.3 Temperature transducer 5216
The humidifier 5000 may comprise one or more temperature transducers
5216. The one or more temperature transducers 5216 may be configured to measure
one or more temperatures such as of the heating element 5240 or of the flow of air
downstream of the water reservoir outlet 5122. In some forms, the humidifier 5000
may further comprise a temperature sensor 5216 to detect the temperature of the
ambient air.
505821/60 HCS
.5.2.7.4 Humidity transducer 5218
In one form, the humidifier 5000 may comprise one or more humidity
sensors 5218 to detect a humidity of a gas, such as the ambient air. The humidity
sensor 5218 may be placed towards an outlet of the humidifier 5000 in some forms to
measure a humidity of the gas delivered from the humidifier 5000. The humidity
sensor may be an absolute humidity sensor or a relative humidity sensor.
.5.2.8 Heating element 5240
A heating element 5240 may be provided to the humidifier 5000 in some
cases to provide a heat input to one or more of the volume of water in the water
reservoir 5110 or to the flow of air. The heating element 5240 may comprise a heat
generating component 5242 (see Fig. 17b) such as an electrically resistive heating
track. One suitable example of a heating element 5240 is a layered heating element
such as one described in the PCT Patent Application Publication Number WO
2012/171072, the entire document of which is incorporated herewithin by reference.
In some forms, the heating element 5240 may be provided in the chassis
4016 where heat may be provided to the water reservoir 5110 primarily by
conduction, for example through a HE cover plate 5241 (see Fig. 17b) which may be
composed of a conductive material such as a metal (e.g. stainless steel or
aluminium).)
The heating element 5240 may be supported by a HE seal 5243 as shown
in Fig. 17b, configured to prevent or discourage ingress of any water from the water
reservoir 5110 or the dock 4130 into the heating element 5240. In one form, the HE
seal 5243 (shown in greater detail in Figs. 17g-17h) may seal around the periphery of
the heating element 5240, and elevate the heating element 5240 from the base of the
RPT device 4000. The HE seal 5243 may comprise one or more resilient portions
such as the HE cones 5245 as shown in Fig. 17d and 17h, configured to provide a
compressive force to help engage the heating element 5240 with the conductive
portion 5120 of the water reservoir 5110. In one form, the HE seal 5243 and the
heating element 5240 may be configured so that when the water reservoir 5110 is
inserted into and engaged with the dock 4130, the HE cones 5245 are compressed
axially to provide an upward force, thereby pushing the heating element 5240 toward
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the conductive portion 5120 of the water reservoir 5110 and improving the thermal
contact therebetween.
The HE seal 5243 may further comprise one or more HE cable ports 5246
to allow a cable (e.g. for electrical power) to travel therethrough, for example from
another portion of the chassis 4016 such as outside of the dock 4130 and near the
pneumatic block 4020. The one or more HE cable ports 5246 may sealingly engage
around a periphery of the cable travelling therethrough to prevent ingress of water
into the heating element 5240. In one form, the HE seal 5243 may be constructed
from a resilient material such as silicone, and comprise integrally formed HE cones
5245 and HE cable ports 5246.
The humidifier 5000 may comprise a HE base cover 5244 as shown in
Fig. 17b and in further detail in Figs. 17i and 17j. The HE base cover 5244 may be
removably coupled to the chassis 4016 (e.g. by screws) to allow access to the heating
element 5240, and comprise one or more features configured to support and locate the
HE seal 5243. In one form, the HE base cover 5244 may further comprise HE cone
slots 52475246 configured to receive HE cones 5245 while allowing a compression
thereof.
.5.2.8.1 Humidifier controller 5250
According to one arrangement of the present technology, a humidifier
5000 may comprise a humidifier controller 5250 as shown in Fig. 5c. In one form, the
humidifier controller 5250 may be a part of the central controller 4230. In another
form, the humidifier controller 5250 may be a separate controller, which may be in
communication with the central controller 4230.
In one form, the humidifier controller 5250 may receive as inputs
measures of characteristics (such as temperature, humidity, pressure or flow rate), for
example of the flow of air, the water in the reservoir 5110 or the humidifier 5000. The
humidifier controller 5250 may also be configured to execute or implement
humidifier algorithms or deliver one or more output signals.
As shown in Fig. 5c, the humidifier controller may comprise one or more
controllers, such as a central humidifier controller 5251, a heated air circuit controller
505821/60 HCS
5254 configured to control the temperature of a heated air circuit or a heating element
controller 5252 configured to control the temperature of a hot plate.
.6 GLOSSARY
For the purposes of the present technology disclosure, in certain forms of
the present technology, one or more of the following definitions may apply. In other
forms of the present technology, alternative definitions may apply.
.6.1 General
Air: In certain forms of the present technology, air may be taken to mean
atmospheric air, and in other forms of the present technology air may be taken to
mean some other combination of breathable gases, e.g. atmospheric air enriched with
oxygen.
Ambient: In certain forms of the present technology, the term ambient will
be taken to mean (i) external of the treatment system or patient, and (ii) immediately
surrounding the treatment system or patient.
For example, ambient humidity with respect to a humidifier may be the
humidity of air immediately surrounding the humidifier, e.g. the humidity in the room
where a patient is sleeping. Such ambient humidity may be different to the humidity
outside the room where a patient is sleeping.
In another example, ambient pressure may be the pressure immediately
surrounding or external to the body.
In certain forms, ambient (e.g. acoustic) noise may be considered to be the
background noise level in the room where a patient is located, other than for example,
noise generated by an RPT device or emanating from a mask or patient interface.
Ambient noise may be generated by sources outside the room.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): CPAP treatment will be
taken to mean the application of a supply of air to the entrance to the airways at a
pressure that is continuously positive with respect to atmosphere, and preferably
approximately constant through a respiratory cycle of a patient. In some forms, the
pressure at the entrance to the airways will be slightly higher during exhalation, and
505821/60 HCS
slightly lower during inhalation. In some forms, the pressure will vary between
different respiratory cycles of the patient, for example being increased in response to
detection of indications of partial upper airway obstruction, and decreased in the
absence of indications of partial upper airway obstruction.
CDMA: is an abbreviation for Code division multiple access.
GSM: is an abbreviation for Global System for Mobile.
LTE: is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution.
USB: is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus.
.6.2 Materials
Silicone or Silicone Elastomer: A synthetic rubber. In this specification, a
reference to silicone is a reference to liquid silicone rubber (LSR) or a compression
moulded silicone rubber (CMSR). One form of commercially available LSR is
SILASTIC (included in the range of products sold under this trademark),
manufactured by Dow Corning. Another manufacturer of LSR is Wacker. Unless
otherwise specified to the contrary, a preferred form of LSR has a Shore A (or Type
A) indentation hardness in the range of about 35 to about 45 as measured using
ASTM D2240.
Polycarbonate: a typically transparent thermoplastic polymer of
Bisphenol-A Carbonate.
.7 OTHER REMARKS
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material
which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise and where a range of values
is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the
505821/60 HCS
lower limit, between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or
intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the technology. The
upper and lower limits of these intervening ranges, which may be independently
included in the intervening ranges, are also encompassed within the technology,
subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range
includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included
limits are also included in the technology.
Furthermore, where a value or values are stated herein as being
implemented as part of the technology, it is understood that such values may be
approximated, unless otherwise stated, and such values may be utilized to any suitable
significant digit to the extent that a practical technical implementation may permit or
require it.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to
which this technology belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or
equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the
present technology, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are
described herein.
When a particular material is identified as being preferably used to
construct a component, obvious alternative materials with similar properties may be
used as a substitute. Furthermore, unless specified to the contrary, any and all
components herein described are understood to be capable of being manufactured and,
as such, may be manufactured together or separately.
It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the
singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include their plural equivalents, unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise.
All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference to
disclose and describe the methods, materials (or both) which are the subject of those
publications. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their
disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be
construed as an admission that the present technology is not entitled to antedate such
505821/60 HCS
publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided
may be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to be
independently confirmed.
Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in
the broadest reasonable manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms
"comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements,
components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced
elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other
elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
The subject headings used in the detailed description are included only for
the ease of reference of the reader and should not be used to limit the subject matter
found throughout the disclosure or the claims. The subject headings should not be
used in construing the scope of the claims or the claim limitations.
Although the technology herein has been described with reference to
particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely
illustrative of the principles and applications of the technology. In some instances,
the terminology and symbols may imply specific details that are not required to
practice the technology. For example, although the terms "first" and "second" may be
used, unless otherwise specified, they are not intended to indicate any order but may
be utilised to distinguish between distinct elements. Furthermore, although process
steps in the methodologies may be described or illustrated in an order, such an
ordering is not required. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such ordering
may be modified. Additionally, or alternatively, aspects thereof may be conducted
concurrently or even synchronously.
It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made
to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without
departing from the spirit and scope of the technology.
.8 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
Component Reference
patient 1000
bed partner 1100
505821/60 HCS
patient interface 3000
seal-forming structure 3100
plenum chamber 3200
structure 3300
connection port 3600
rpt device 4000
rpt device inlet 4002
rpt device outlet 4004
outlet tube 4006
first portion 4006a
second portion 4006b
flange 4006fl
outlet tube guide portion 4006gu
outlet tube latch portion 4006la
outlet end 4006oe
intermediate tube 4008
external housing 4010
front panel cutout 4010co
external housing light port 4010lp
protrusion 4010pr
front panel 4012
internal shoulder 4012sh
side panel 4014
access cover 4014ac
access cover anchoring portion 4014an
recess 4014ch
cover portion 4014co
connection port 4014cp
side panel frame 4014f
inlet air filter cover 4014fc
air filter housing 4014h
access cover hinge portion 4014hi
complementary recess 4014re
wall 4014w
chassis 4016
platform 4016pl
pneumatic block 4020
acoustic foam 4020af
blower sleeve 4020bs
first chamber 4020c1
second chamber 4020c2
flow plate 4020fp
flow tube 4020ft
first PB housing 4020h1
second PB housing 4020h2
pb inlet 4020in
505821/60 HCS
pb inlet tube 4020it
pb outlet rim 4020or
pb outlet 4020ou
sleeve pull tab 4020pt
pb sensor coupler 4020sc
flow sensor port 4020sp
sleeve tab 4020st
pb water shield 4020ws
pb water trap 4020wt
patient interface connector 4107
air filter 4110
inlet air filter 4112
outlet air filter 4114
muffler 4120
inlet muffler 4122
outlet muffler 4124
muffler body 4124bo
muffler cap 4124ca
muffler clip 4124cl
muffler damper 4124da
muffler expansion chamber 4124ex
muffler foam 4124fo
muffler hinge 4124hi
muffler entry 4124in
muffler lever 4124le
muffler exit 4124ou
muffler travel limiter 4124tl
dock 4130
corresponding dock guide portion 4130gu
complementary recess 4130re
dock outlet slot 4130sl
dock outlet 4132
dock outlet pressure port 4132pp
dock inlet 4134
pressure generator 4140
blower 4142
blower inlet 4142in
blower outlet 4142ou
motor 4144
tab 4148
back valve 4160
air circuit 4170
ac helical coil 4170co
ac electrical connector 4170ec
electrical lead 4170le
ac outlet connector 4170oc
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ac overmould 4170om
block 4170pb
recess 4170re
base seal 4170se
ac tube portion 4170tp
actuator 4172
retention feature 4174
AC tab 4176
internal rib 4177
travel stop 4178
oxygen delivery port 4180
user interface panel 4190
ui base 4190ba
light well 4190lw
ui seal 4190se
pcba 4202
power supply 4210
input device 4220
first button 4222
second button 4224
dial 4226
dial aperture 4226ap
dial cover 4226co
dial seal 4226se
encoder shaft 4226sh
central controller 4230
clock 4232
therapy device controller 4240
protection circuit 4250
memory 4260
transducer 4270
pressure transducer 4272
flow transducer 4274
motor speed transducer 4276
ambient light sensor 4278
data communication interface 4280
antenna 4280an
antenna ground plane 4280gp
first side 4280n1
second side 4280n2
remote external communication network 4282
local external communication network 4284
remote external device 4286
local external device 4288
output device 4290
display driver 4292
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display 4294
display cover 4294co
visual interface 4295
report sub-menu 4295a1
report sub-menu 4295a2
report sub-menu 4295a3
report sub-menu 4295a4
report sub-menu 4295a5
report sub-menu 4295a6
report sub-menu 4295a7
report sub-menu 4295a8
report sub-menu 4295b1
report sub-menu 4295b2
report sub-menu 4295b3
report sub-menu 4295b4
first clinical menu screen 4295c1
first menu screen 4295m1
first clinical menu screen 4295m2
selectable sub-menu 4295o1
selectable sub-menu 4295o2
report sub-menu 4295r1
report sub-menu 4295r2
report sub-menu 4295r3
report sub-menu 4295r4
report menu 4295re
selectable sub-menu 4295s1
selectable sub-menu 4295s2
selectable sub-menu 4295s3
selectable menu 4295se
window portion 4295w
control module 4330
humidifier 5000
outlet assembly 5004
swivelling disc 5050
swivel disc seal 5051
electrical connector receiver 5052
notch 5054
outlet connection region 5056
female electrical connector 5058
receiver contact element 5058ce
disc stop surface 5060
disc stop surface 5062
housing stop surface 5064
housing stop surface 5066
cable 5070
cable housing 5080
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inner wall 5082
outer wall 5084
void 5086
annular section 5088
retainer 5090
opening 5092
housing tab 5094
water reservoir 5110
water reservoir base 5112
water reservoir lid 5114
compliant portion 5116
water reservoir inlet 5118
conductive portion 5120
water reservoir outlet 5122
plate 5123
reservoir inlet tube 5124
inlet cap 5125
reservoir outlet tube 5126
contact element 5146
base conductor plate 5152
handle recess 5154
handle recess 5156
hinge 5158
complementary hinge recess portion 5159
dock cavity 5160
humidifier outlet 5172
latch 5186
intermediate portion 5202
humidifier transducer 5210
pressure transducer 5212
flow transducer 5214
temperature transducer 5216
humidity transducer 5218
heating element 5240
he cover plate 5241
heat generating component 5242
he seal 5243
he base cover 5244
he cone 5245
he cable port 5246
he cone slot 5247
humidifier controller 5250
central humidifier controller 5251
heating element controller 5252
air circuit controller 5254
humidifier end cap 5300
505821/60 HCS
magnet 5340
end cap magnet holder 5345
Claims (21)
1. A respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device for pressurising air to treat a respiratory disorder in a patient, the RPT device comprising: a water reservoir configured to retain water for humidification of pressurised air; a chassis comprising a dock configured to removably receive the water reservoir; an RPT device inlet configured to receive ambient air; an RPT device outlet configured to be connected to an air delivery conduit to direct pressurised air to a patient interface worn by the patient during use; a blower assembly supported within the chassis and comprising: a first wall portion and a second wall portion; a blower assembly inlet tube positioned on the first wall portion and configured to receive air from the RPT device inlet; a plurality of flow tubes positioned on the second wall portion; a first chamber formed at least partly by the second wall portion; a second chamber formed at least partly by the second wall portion and opposite the first chamber relative to the second wall portion; a blower configured to pressurize the air, the blower having a blower inlet exposed to the second chamber and a blower outlet; and a blower assembly outlet configured to direct pressurized air to the water reservoir; and an external housing that encloses the blower assembly and at least partially encloses the water reservoir when removably received in the dock.
2. The RPT device of claim 1, wherein the blower assembly inlet tube consists of a single tube.
3. The RPT device of claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow path for pressurisation of air through the RPT device extends from the RPT device inlet, through the blower assembly inlet tube, through the first chamber, through the plurality of flow tubes, through the second chamber, into the blower through blower inlet, out of the blower through the blower outlet and into the water reservoir, and out of the water reservoir to the RPT device outlet.
4. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second wall portion is a flow plate.
5. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of flow tubes comprises between 10 and 15 flow tubes.
6. The RPT device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of flow tubes comprises 12 of the flow tubes.
7. The RPT device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flow tubes consists 12 of the flow tubes.
8. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of flow tubes extend into the first chamber.
9. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an internal diameter of each of the flow tubes is tapered along its length.
10. The RPT device of claim 9, wherein the internal diameter of each of the flow tubes decreases from the first chamber to the second chamber.
11. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the blower outlet is not exposed to the first chamber or the second chamber.
12. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an acoustic foam portion positioned within the second chamber such that air passes through the acoustic foam portion to reach the blower inlet.
13. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a blower sleeve, the blower being positioned within the blower sleeve.
14. The RPT device of claim 13, wherein the blower assembly outlet is formed on the blower sleeve.
15. The RPT device of claim 14, wherein the blower sleeve is constructed from flexible, resilient material.
16. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the blower assembly further comprises a plurality of sensor ports.
17. The RPT device of claim 16, wherein the first wall portion includes the plurality of sensor ports.
18. The RPT device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of sensor ports are fluidly coupled to a flow transducer.
19. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the dock further comprises a dock inlet and a dock outlet, and wherein the water reservoir further comprises a water reservoir inlet configured to receive a flow of pressurized air from the dock outlet and a water reservoir outlet configured to direct the flow of pressurized air to the dock inlet.
20. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second wall portion further comprises a hole, the blower extending through the hole and being supported at least partially by the second wall portion.
21. The RPT device of one of claims 1 to 20, wherein a portion of the blower is at least partially supported within the first chamber. 4000 5000
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2013904923A AU2013904923A0 (en) | 2013-12-17 | A Humidifier Reservoir | |
US201461987245P | 2014-05-01 | 2014-05-01 | |
AU2014901997A AU2014901997A0 (en) | 2014-05-27 | Managing remotely respiratory therapy devices | |
AU2014901998A AU2014901998A0 (en) | 2014-05-27 | Remote Data Management for Medical Devices | |
AU2014902071A AU2014902071A0 (en) | 2014-05-30 | A respiratory pressure treatment system | |
NZ766847A NZ766847B2 (en) | 2013-12-17 | 2014-09-12 | A respiratory pressure treatment system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ784832A NZ784832A (en) | 2023-08-25 |
NZ784832B2 true NZ784832B2 (en) | 2023-11-28 |
Family
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