# US 11,433,197 B2 · Textile vent assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,433,197 B2 - Document ID: US11433197B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/432,669 - Filed: 2020-02-21 - Published: 2022-06-02 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-22 - Assignees: ResMed Pty Ltd - Applicants: Resmed Pty Ltd - Inventors: Muditha Pradeep Dantanarayana; Memduh Guney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11433197B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0054: {Liquid ventilation} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/0003: {Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure} - A61M 16/0616: {with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure} - A61M 16/0866: {Passive resistors therefor} - A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - A61M 2202/0225: Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide - A61M 2205/02: characterised by a particular materials - 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 A CPAP system for respiratory therapy includes an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas from the RPT device to the patient interface, and a vent assembly configured to provide a vent flow of gas to discharge gas exhaled by the patient from a pressurized volume to ambient. The vent assembly includes a base including at least one first orifice to allow gas to be discharged along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged along a secondary vent flow path, a diffusing member provided to the base, and a membrane provided to the base. The membrane is configured to apportion the vent flow of gas along the primary vent flow path and the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A CPAP system for providing gas at positive pressure for respiratory therapy to a patient, the CPAP system comprising: an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure; a patient interface forming a plenum chamber pressurizable to the therapeutic pressure, the patient interface including a seal-forming structure constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of a patient's face surrounding an entrance to a patient's airways; an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas at the therapeutic pressure from the RPT device to the patient interface; and a vent assembly configured to provide a vent flow of gas to discharge gas exhaled by the patient from a pressurized volume to ambient, the vent assembly comprising: a base including at least one first orifice extending through the base to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a secondary vent flow path; a diffusing member provided to the base, the diffusing member configured and arranged such that the at least one first orifice is covered by the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path and the at least one second orifice is not covered by the diffusing member or a diffusing member along the secondary vent flow path; and a vent component provided to the at least one second orifice of the base, the vent component including a plurality of vent orifices, wherein the vent component comprises an expanding polymer material structured and arranged to regulate the vent flow of gas along the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the vent component is configured to expand and contract due to a presence of water or humidity, and expansion and contraction of the vent component is configured to effect expansion and contraction of the plurality of vent orifices to regulate flow along the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the vent component is configured to expand when the diffusing member is blocked along the primary vent flow path so the vent flow of gas is restricted to the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The CPAP system according to claim 3, wherein the secondary vent flow path bypasses the diffusing member to allow the vent flow of gas when the diffusing member is blocked due to water or humidity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The CPAP system according to claim 3, wherein the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path comprises a textile material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the vent assembly is provided to the patient interface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the vent assembly is provided to the air delivery conduit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the vent component includes a groove around its periphery, the groove adapted to locate the vent component against an edge or rim of the at least one second orifice of the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the vent component is configured to contract when dry so that the vent flow of gas is restricted to the primary vent flow path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the vent component is structured and arranged to progressively expand and contract due to wetness of the vent component and hence wetness of the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path to divide or apportion the vent flow of gas between the primary and secondary vent flow paths throughout the respiratory therapy. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The CPAP system according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path comprises one or more coatings to retain moisture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The CPAP system according to claim 11, wherein the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path comprises a hydrophobic coating provided to a patient side of the diffusing member to keep moisture in and/or a hydrophilic coating provided to an atmosphere side of the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path to stop moisture from leaving. ### Claim 13 A CPAP system for providing gas at positive pressure for respiratory therapy to a patient, the CPAP system comprising: an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure; a patient interface forming a plenum chamber pressurizable to the therapeutic pressure, the patient interface including a seal-forming structure constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of a patient's face surrounding an entrance to a patient's airways; an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas at the therapeutic pressure from the RPT device to the patient interface; and a vent assembly configured to provide a vent flow of gas to discharge gas exhaled by patient from a pressurized volume to ambient, the vent assembly comprising: a base including at least one first orifice extending through the base to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a secondary vent flow path; a diffusing member provided to the base, the diffusing member configured and arranged such that the at least one first orifice is covered by the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path and the at least one second orifice is not covered by the diffusing member along the secondary vent flow path, wherein the diffusing member comprises a textile material; and a vent component provided to the at least one second orifice of the base, the vent component including a plurality of vent orifices, wherein the vent component comprises an expanding polymer material structured and arranged to regulate the vent flow of gas along the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The CPAP system according to claim 13, wherein the vent component is configured to expand and contract due to a presence of water or humidity, and expansion and contraction of the vent component is configured to effect expansion and contraction of the plurality of vent orifices to regulate flow along the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The CPAP system according to claim 13, wherein the vent component is configured to expand when the diffusing member is blocked along the primary vent flow path so the vent flow of gas is restricted to the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The CPAP system according to claim 15, wherein the secondary vent flow path bypasses the diffusing member to allow the vent flow of gas when the diffusing member is blocked due to water or humidity. ### Claim 17 A CPAP system for providing gas at positive pressure for respiratory therapy to a patient, the CPAP system comprising: an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure; a patient interface forming a plenum chamber pressurizable to the therapeutic pressure, the patient interface including a seal-forming structure constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of a patient's face surrounding an entrance to a patient's airways; an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas at the therapeutic pressure from the RPT device to the patient interface; and a vent assembly configured to provide a vent flow of gas to discharge gas exhaled by e patient from a pressurized volume to ambient, the vent assembly comprising: a base including at least one first orifice extending through the base to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a secondary vent flow path; a diffusing member provided to the base, the diffusing member configured and arranged such that the at least one first orifice is covered by the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path and the at least one second orifice is not covered by diffusing member along the secondary vent flow path; and a vent component provided to the at least one second orifice of the base, the vent component including a plurality of vent orifices, wherein the vent component comprises an expanding polymer material structured and arranged to regulate the vent flow of gas along the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy, and wherein the vent component s configured to expand and contract due to presence of water or humidity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The CPAP system according to claim 17, wherein expansion and contraction of the vent component is configured to effect expansion and contraction of the plurality of vent orifices to regulate flow along the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The CPAP system according to claim 17, wherein the vent component is configured to expand when the diffusing member is blocked along the primary vent flow path so the vent flow of gas is restricted to the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The CPAP system according to claim 17, wherein the secondary vent flow path bypasses the diffusing member to allow the vent flow of gas when the diffusing member is blocked due to water or humidity. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The CPAP system according to claim 17, wherein the diffusing member comprises a textile material. ### Claim 22 A CPAP system for providing gas at positive pressure for respiratory therapy to a patient, the CPAP system comprising: an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure; a patient interface forming a plenum chamber pressurizable to the therapeutic pressure, the patient interface including a seal-forming structure constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of a patient's face surrounding an entrance to a patient's airways; an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas at the therapeutic pressure from the RPT device to the patient interface; and a vent assembly configured to provide a vent flow of gas to discharge gas exhaled by the patient from a pressurized volume to ambient, the vent assembly comprising: a base including at least one first orifice extending through the base to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a secondary vent flow path; a diffusing member provided to the base, the diffusing member configured and arranged such that the at least one first orifice is covered by the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path and the at least one second orifice is not covered by the diffusing member along the secondary vent flow path; and a vent component provided to the at least one second orifice of the base, the vent component including a plurality of vent orifices, wherein the vent component comprises an expanding polymer material structured and arranged to regulate the vent flow of gas along the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy, wherein the vent component is configured to expand when the diffusing member is blocked along the primary vent flow path so the vent flow of gas is restricted to the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The CPAP system according to claim 22, wherein the vent component is configured to expand and contract due to a presence of water or humidity, and expansion and contraction of the vent component is configured to effect expansion and contraction of the plurality of vent orifices to regulate flow along the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The CPAP system according to claim 22, wherein the secondary vent flow path bypasses the diffusing member to allow the vent flow of gas when the diffusing member is blocked due to water or humidity. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The CPAP system according to claim 22, wherein the diffusing member comprises a textile material. ### Claim 26 A CPAP system for providing gas at positive pressure for respiratory therapy to a patient, the CPAP system comprising: an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure; a patient interface forming a plenum chamber pressurizable to the therapeutic pressure, the patient interface including a seal-forming structure constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of a patient's face surrounding an entrance to a patient's airways; an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas at the therapeutic pressure from the RPT device to the patient interface; and a vent assembly configured to provide a vent flow of gas to discharge gas exhaled by the patient from a pressurized volume to ambient, the vent assembly comprising: a base including at least one first orifice extending through the base to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a secondary vent flow path, wherein the primary vent flow path is configured to handle at least a majority of a total vent flow though the vent assembly; a diffusing member provided to the base; the diffusing member configured and arranged such that the at least one first orifice is covered by the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path and the at least one second orifice is not covered by the diffusing member along the secondary vent flow path; and a vent component provided to the at least one second orifice of the base, the vent component including a plurality of vent orifices, wherein the vent component comprises an expanding polymer material structured and arranged to regulate the vent flow of gas along the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The CPAP system according to claim 26, wherein the vent component is configured to expand and contract due to a presence of water or humidity, and expansion and contraction of the vent component is configured to effect expansion and contraction of the plurality of vent orifices to regulate flow along the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The CPAP system according to claim 26, wherein the vent component is configured to expand when the diffusing member is blocked along the primary vent flow path so the vent flow of gas is restricted to the secondary vent flow path. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The CPAP system according to claim 28, wherein the secondary vent flow path bypasses the diffusing member to allow the vent flow of gas when the diffusing member is blocked due to water or humidity. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The CPAP system according to claim 26, wherein the diffusing member comprises a textile material.