# US 11,110,245 B2 · Breathing assistance apparatus

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- Number: US 11,110,245 B2
- Document ID: US11110245B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/432,672
- Filed: 2019-06-05
- Published: 2019-12-05
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2003-05-30
- Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Inventors: Craig Karl White; Jason Peter Van Beurden; Kevin Peter O'Donnell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110245B2

## CPC

- A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes}
- A61M 16/0003: {Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure}
- A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor}
- A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps}
- A61M 16/024: {including calculation means, e.g. using a processor}
- A61M 16/0415: {with access means to the stomach}
- A61M 16/0622: {having an underlying cushion}
- A61M 16/0666: {Nasal cannulas or tubing (devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02)}
- A61M 16/0672: {Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy}
- A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor}
- A61M 16/0688: {by means of an adhesive}
- A61M 16/08: Bellows; Connecting tubes {(having means for taking samples G01N1/22); Water traps; Patient circuits}
- A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors}
- A61M 16/109: {the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent}
- A61M 16/1095: {in the connecting tubes}
- A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)}
- A61M 2016/003: {with a flowmeter}
- A61M 2202/0208: Oxygen
- A61M 2205/3334: Measuring or controlling the flow rate
- A61M 2205/3368: Temperature
- A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
- 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

A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheostomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A nasal cannula assembly comprising:
a face mount portion comprising a pair of tubular nasal prongs; and
a gases manifold portion that is attached to a tubing,
wherein the gases manifold portion has a substantially circular inlet on a first end,
wherein the gases manifold portion curves from the inlet on the first end around to an elongated outlet at a second end, and
wherein the face mount portion has a recess for receiving the elongated outlet of the gases manifold portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the face mount portion is integrally molded or removably attached to the face mount portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated outlet is an oval.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the recess of the face mount portion is oval.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the face mount portion is contoured such that the pressure distribution within the face mount portion is configured to force even airflow up the pair of tubular nasal prongs.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the gases manifold is curved to direct the tubing away from a patient's face or towards a side of the patient's face.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated outlet includes at least one flange that extends from a portion of the elongated outlet and is configured to engage the gases manifold portion with the face mount portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the face mount portion comprises a first strap extending from a first end of the face mount portion and a second strap extending from a second end of the face mount portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 8 further comprising a head strap connected to the first strap and the second strap.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1 further comprising a tie or lanyard.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of tubular nasal prongs are non-sealing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 1, wherein the pair of tubular nasal prongs are shaped to fit the contours of a patient's nares.

### Claim 13

A nasal cannula assembly comprising:
a face mount portion comprising a pair of tubular nasal prongs;
a pair of lateral extensions configured to extend laterally from the sides of the face mount portion;
a gases manifold portion that is attached to a tubing,
wherein the gases manifold portion curves from an inlet around to an elongated outlet, and
wherein the face mount portion has a recess for receiving the elongated outlet of the gases manifold portion;
a headgear coupled to the pair of lateral extensions, the headgear configured to engage a head of the patient and to at least partially support the face mount portion; and
a support assembly connected to the tubing and configured to support at least a portion of the tubing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the face mount portion is integrally molded or removably attached to the face mount portion.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the support assembly comprises a coupler configured to couple the tubing to a portion of the nasal cannula assembly along one side of a patient's face.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the support assembly comprises a coupler configured to couple the tubing to a portion of the headgear.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the support assembly is separate from the headgear.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the support assembly is located proximal to a patient's neck during use.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13 further comprising a tie or lanyard.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the gases manifold is curved to direct the tubing away from a patient's face or towards a side of the patient's face.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the pair of tubular nasal prongs are shaped to fit the contours of a patient's nares.

### Claim 22 (depends on 13)

The nasal cannula assembly of claim 13, wherein the headgear comprises flexible straps.