# US 11,896,768 B2 · Diffuser arrangements for a vent of a respiratory interface

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- Number: US 11,896,768 B2
- Document ID: US11896768B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/061,494
- Filed: 2020-10-01
- Published: 2021-01-21
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-09
- Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Inventors: Matthew Roger Stephenson; Toong Chuo Lim; Thomas Mark Richardson; Kyle Gregory Brown
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896768B2

## CPC

- A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors}
- A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
- A61M 16/0866: {Passive resistors therefor}
- A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor}
- A61M 2202/0225: Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
- A61M 2205/02: characterised by a particular materials
- A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise
- A61M 2205/75: with filters
- 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 diffuser element for use over a vent opening of a breathing assistance apparatus. In some configurations, the diffuser element is formed by knitting or weaving one or more threads together into an interlocking pattern. In some configurations, the diffuser pad has a first surface and an opposing second surface and at least the first surface includes a surface texture. Arrangements for coupling the diffuser element to a structure that defines or carries the vent are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A diffuser arrangement for diffusing gases exhausted from a vent of a respiratory interface assembly, comprising:
a diffuser having a body,
wherein an entirety of the body is flexible such that the body of the diffuser is configured to conform to a shape of a structure that defines or carries the vent,
wherein the body is a sleeve that is sized and shaped to cover the vent,
wherein the sleeve comprises a window configured to engage an alignment feature of the structure that defines or carries the vent,
wherein the window extends around at least half of a circumference of the sleeve.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, further comprising the structure that defines or carries the vent, wherein the structure that defines or carries the vent is an elbow or other tubular member, and wherein the body of the diffuser surrounds the elbow or other tubular member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises at least a portion that is uninterrupted in a circumferential direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, further comprising the structure that defines or carries the vent, wherein the alignment feature of the structure comprises a projection that extends in a circumferential direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, further comprising the structure that defines or carries the vent, wherein the alignment feature of the structure comprises one or more hooks.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of the diffuser is elastic.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, wherein the body of the diffuser has at least a portion formed from a knit or woven material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, wherein the alignment feature of the structure occupies an entirety of the window of the sleeve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The diffuser arrangement of claim 1, wherein the alignment feature comprises a semi-cylindrical protrusion, an annular rib, or a flange.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A diffuser arrangement of claim 1, further comprising the structure that defines or carries the vent, wherein the alignment feature is diametrically opposed from the vent.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A respiratory interface comprising the diffuser arrangement of claim 1, wherein the respiratory interface comprises a seal member, wherein the alignment feature of the diffuser arrangement is separate from the seal member, wherein the diffuser is located away from the seal member.