# US 11,998,701 B2 · Apparatus for treating a respiratory disorder in a patient > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,701 B2 - Document ID: US11998701B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/704,188 - Filed: 2022-03-25 - Published: 2022-07-07 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: ResMed Pty Ltd - Applicants: ResMed Pty Ltd - Inventors: Andrew Roderick Bath; Justin John Formica; Matthew Rolf Harrington; Joseph Samuel Ormrod; Luke Andrew Stanislas; Hargopal Verma - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998701B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - A61M 16/021: {operated by electrical means (A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence)} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 16/109: {the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent} - A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps} - A61M 16/161: {with means for measuring the humidity} - A61M 2016/0039: {in the inspiratory circuit} - A61M 2205/123: with incorporated reservoirs - A61M 2205/3368: Temperature - 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 treating a respiratory disorder in a patient includes a blower configured to generate a supply of pressurized respiratory air to the patient via an air delivery tube leading to a patient interface; a dock with a heater plate; and a reservoir comprising a conductive portion configured to thermally engage the heater plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A respiratory pressure treatment device for a patient, the respiratory pressure treatment device comprising: a pressure generator configured to supply a flow of air at positive pressure air; a humidifier apparatus configured to humidify the flow of air for delivery to the patient, the humidifier apparatus being integrated in the respiratory pressure treatment device, the humidifier apparatus comprising: a dock comprising a spring-biased heater plate and a recess; and a water reservoir configured to be engaged with the dock and comprising a chamber that is, when the water reservoir is in an operative position with the dock, in fluid communication with the flow of air, the water reservoir further comprising: a base structured to hold a volume of water and including a conductive portion in thermal engagement with the heater plate when the water reservoir is received on the dock; a lid movably connected to the base between a closed position and an open position, the lid including an upper surface that is exposed when the water reservoir is secured in the operative position and in sealed fluid communication with the dock; a seal that seals between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position; and a protrusion configured to be locked within the recess to secure the reservoir to the dock in the operative position, the protrusion including an exterior portion extending outward from an exterior surface of the water reservoir when the base and the lid are in the closed position, the protrusion being spaced from and distinct from the upper surface that is exposed when the water reservoir is secured in the operative position, the protrusion not being exposed when the water reservoir is secured in the operative position and in sealed fluid communication with the dock; and a resilient portion configured to be compressed upon direct application of a downwards force to the upper surface of the water reservoir lid that is exposed whilst the water reservoir is secured in the operative position and in sealed fluid communication with the dock to unlock the protrusion from within the recess and thus enable removal of the reservoir from the dock. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water reservoir further comprises an inlet to receive the flow of air and an outlet to deliver the flow of air with added humidity back to an outlet of the dock. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the lid comprises the inlet and the outlet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the inlet and the outlet are located on a common side of the water reservoir and configured to guide the flow of air in a substantially horizontal direction to and from the dock when the humidifier apparatus is in the operative position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 4, wherein the inlet and the outlet are located at different vertical heights relative to the conductive portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the inlet comprises an inlet tube and the outlet comprises an outlet tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 6, wherein an axis of the inlet tube and an axis of the outlet tube are crossed relative to one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 6, wherein an axis of the inlet tube and an axis of the outlet tube are angled relative to the conductive portion of the base. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the dock comprises a dock air outlet to deliver the flow of air to the inlet of the water reservoir and a dock air inlet to receive the flow of air that has been humidified in the reservoir. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water reservoir further includes a latch to secure the base and the lid together. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 10, wherein the latch is configured to restrict relative movement of the lid and the base in one direction only to prevent separation of the lid and the base while allowing further compression of the resilient portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water reservoir is structured to prevent refilling of the reservoir when the reservoir is coupled to the dock. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the water reservoir is prevented from being opened when the reservoir is coupled to the dock. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the dock further comprises a cavity having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion having the heater plate located thereon and the top portion having the recess, the cavity configured to retain at least a portion of the water reservoir therein. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the base and the lid are pivotably coupled. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient portion is located within a wall of the lid. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water reservoir further comprises at least one handle to facilitate coupling of the reservoir to the dock. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water reservoir further comprises an inlet to receive the flow of air and an outlet to deliver the flow of air with added humidity back to an outlet of the dock, wherein the inlet and the outlet are located on a common side of the water reservoir and contained in a common planar side wall when the humidifier apparatus is in the operative position, the inlet and outlet being configured to guide the flow of air in a substantially horizontal direction to and from the dock when the humidifier apparatus is in the operative position, wherein the inlet and the outlet are located at different vertical heights relative to the conductive portion, wherein the inlet comprises an inlet tube and the outlet comprises an outlet tube, wherein the dock comprises a dock air outlet to deliver the flow of air to the inlet of the reservoir and a dock air inlet to receive the flow of air that has been humidified in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir further includes a latch to secure the base and the lid together, wherein the reservoir is structured to prevent refilling of the reservoir when the reservoir is coupled to the dock, wherein at least a portion of the reservoir is prevented from being opened when the reservoir is coupled to the dock, wherein the dock further comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion having the heater plate located thereon and the top portion having the recess, the dock including a cavity configured to retain at least an insertion end of the reservoir therein, wherein the lid is configured to swing open relative to the base about an axis located at the insertion end of the reservoir, wherein the lid is configured to pivot in order to release the protrusion from the recess upon application of the downwards force to the upper surface of the water reservoir lid, wherein the resilient portion is located within a wall of the lid, wherein the seal is anchored to the base and includes a base portion and a cantilevered lip that extends from the base portion, wherein the resilient portion does not form a seal between the lid and the base, wherein the reservoir comprises at least one handle configured to facilitate horizontal sliding of the reservoir out of engagement with the dock whilst compressing the resilient portion; and wherein the water reservoir is simultaneously sealed and secured to the dock upon reaching the operative position in which the water reservoir is slid into the dock to a maximum extent. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises an inlet to receive the flow of air and an outlet to deliver the flow of air with added humidity back to an outlet of the dock, wherein the inlet and the outlet are located on a common planar wall of the lid and configured to guide the flow of air in a substantially horizontal direction to and from the dock when the humidifier apparatus is in the operative position, wherein the inlet comprises an inlet conduit and the outlet comprises an outlet conduit, wherein an axis of a portion of the inlet conduit and an axis of a portion of the outlet conduit are crossed relative to one another, wherein the dock comprises a dock air outlet to deliver the flow of air to the inlet of the reservoir and a dock air inlet to receive the flow of air that has been humidified in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir further includes a latch to secure the base and the lid together, wherein the seal has a base portion anchored to the lid and a cantilevered lip that extends from the base portion, wherein the resilient portion does not form a seal between the lid and the base, wherein the resilient portion is independent of the lid and the base, wherein the base and the lid are pivotably coupled together; and wherein the water reservoir is simultaneously sealed and secured to the dock upon reaching the operative position in which the water reservoir is engaged with the dock to a maximum extent. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient portion is independent of the lid and the base. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The respiratory pressure treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water reservoir is simultaneously sealed and secured to the dock upon reaching the operative position in which the water reservoir and the dock are fully assembled.