# US 10,864,335 B2 · System, apparatus and methods for supplying gases > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,335 B2 - Document ID: US10864335B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/684,327 - Filed: 2017-08-23 - Published: 2018-02-08 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-15 - Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited; New York University - Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited; New York University - Inventors: Donald Roy Kuriger; David Cumin; David M. Rapoport; Christopher Earl Nightingale; Sujeewa Wannigama; Mark John Arrowsmith; Vitaly Kapelevich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864335B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0069: {the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation} - A61B 5/4818: {Sleep apnoea} - A61M 16/0051: {with alarm devices} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/1075: {by influencing the temperature (A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - A61M 16/109: {the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent} - A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - A61M 16/20: Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices - A61M 16/202: {electrically actuated} - A61M 16/204: {used for inhalation control} - A61M 16/205: {used for exhalation control} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/22: Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices {; Other means for removing carbon dioxide}(cartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00) - A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter} - A61M 2016/003: {with a flowmeter} - A61M 2016/0039: {in the inspiratory circuit} - A61M 2205/14: Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus - A61M 2205/3303: Using a biosensor - A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate - A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise - A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers - A61M 2205/6054: Magnetic identification systems - A61M 2230/42: Rate - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A system, apparatus and methods are provided for supplying gases to a user. The supply includes a sub-therapeutic mode and a pressure support mode for delivering therapy to a user. A flow diversion device or valve switches from a first mode corresponding with the sub-therapeutic mode of the system to a second mode corresponding with the pressure support mode of the system. In the first mode, the valve opens a larger flow path between the interior of the user interface and ambient air than in the second mode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system configured to supply respiratory gases to a user wearing a user interface, the system comprising: a flow generator; and a controller controlling operation of the flow generator, the controller configured to: operate the flow generator in a first mode to create a first pressure that is below a therapeutic pressure range; operate the flow generator in a second mode to create a second pressure that is within the therapeutic pressure range; and transition from the first mode and the second mode in synchrony with inhalation of the user, wherein the controller is configured to transition from the first mode to the second mode when the user is determined to be asleep, and to transition from the second mode to the first mode when the user is determined to be awake. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a flow diverter including a port to ambient, the port positioned between the user interface and the flow generator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the flow diverter further comprises a valve configured to assume a first position, where the valve substantially opens the port, and a second position where the valve substantially closes the port, and wherein the valve is configured to transition from the first position to the second position based on a transition from the first mode to the second mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to transition from the second mode to the first mode in synchrony with exhalation of the user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the valve is not actively controlled by the controller. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to monitor a flow rate while operating in the first mode, determine when the flow rate decreases below a lower threshold for a preset period of time, and transition to the second mode based on the determination. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second mode comprises a pressure mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine that the user is sleeping based upon a detection of sleep disordered breathing event. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to transition from the second mode to the first mode when a minimum therapeutic pressure is reached in the second mode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to increase pressure in synchrony with inhalation of the user in the second mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to decrease pressure in synchrony with exhalation of the user in the second mode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to detect an onset of inhalation of the user and transition from the first mode to the second mode based on the detected onset. ### Claim 13 A method for controlling supply of respiratory gases from a flow generator to a user wearing a user interface, the method comprising: operating the flow generator in a first mode to create a first pressure that is below a therapeutic pressure range; transitioning from operating the flow generator in the first mode to operating the flow generator in a second mode to create a second pressure that is within the therapeutic pressure range when the user is determined to be asleep; and transitioning from operating the flow generating in the second mode to operating the flow generator in the first mode when the user is determined to be awake, wherein the transition from operating the flow generator from the first mode to the second mode is in synchrony with inhalation of the user. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the transition from operating the flow generator from the second mode to the first mode is in synchrony with exhalation of the user. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising monitoring a flow rate while operating in the first mode, determining when the flow rate decreases below a lower threshold for a preset period of time, and transitioning to the second mode based on the determination.