# US 10,946,149 B2 · Apparatus for supplying a breathing gas

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- Number: US 10,946,149 B2
- Document ID: US10946149B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/970,189
- Filed: 2018-05-03
- Published: 2018-11-01
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2005-07-05
- Assignees: ResMed Pty Ltd
- Applicants: ResMed Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Dieter Heidmann; Klaus Henry Schindhelm; Knut Jöchle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946149B2

## CPC

- A61M 16/0003: {Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure}
- A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor}
- A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps}
- A61M 16/107: {in the inspiratory path}
- A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise
- 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)}

## Abstract

An apparatus for supplying a breathing gas at a pressure level that at least in some phases is above ambient pressure includes a blower device including an impeller and a housing device to receive the impeller. A suspension device is structured to support the blower device. The suspension device includes a variable suspension characteristic.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A CPAP apparatus for supplying a breathing gas at a pressure level that at least in some phases is above ambient pressure to a patient for therapy, the CPAP apparatus comprising:
a blower device including an electric motor, an impeller driven by the electric motor, and a blower housing to receive the electric motor and the impeller, the blower device configured to generate a supply of pressurized gas;
a housing element forming a blower receiving chamber; and
an air spring system configured and arranged to elastically and resiliently support the blower device within the blower receiving chamber of the housing element,
wherein the air spring system includes a plurality of elastic support chambers, each of the plurality of elastic support chambers including an expansion fold portion that allows relative movement between the blower device and the housing element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the expansion fold portion comprises a fold or concertina.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elastic support chambers includes an inner chamber pressurized by pressurized gas provided by the blower device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the blower device includes fastening plug portions structured to interlock with a respective fastening portion provided to each of the plurality of elastic support chambers, each of the fastening plug portions including a pressure conduit that allows pressurized gas from the blower device to be communicated with the inner chamber.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of elastic support chambers provides suspension action regardless of pressure within the inner chamber.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 3, wherein suspension rigidity provided by each of the plurality of elastic support chambers is variable as a function of the pressurized gas from the blower device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of elastic support chambers includes an inner chamber at a defined pressure.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of elastic support chambers includes a stop structure configured to provide minimum support of the blower device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air spring system forms a cassette-like receiving portion configured and arranged to receive the blower device within in a lateral direction.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing element includes retaining devices configured and arranged to retain respective elastic support chambers of the air spring system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elastic support chambers includes a first fastening portion coupled to the housing element and a second fastening portion coupled to the blower device.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The CPAP apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the expansion fold portion is provided between the first and second fastening portions to allows relative movement between the first and second fastening portions.