# US 12,005,192 B2 · Connectors for respiratory assistance systems

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- Number: US 12,005,192 B2
- Document ID: US12005192B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/625,541
- Filed: 2018-06-22
- Published: 2021-05-13
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2017-06-23
- Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Inventors: Julio Derek Meech
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005192B2

## CPC

- A61M 16/0833: {T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece}
- A61M 39/10: Tube connectors or tube couplings
- A61M 11/00: Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes (in general B05B; {aerosol containers B65D83/14})
- A61M 15/009: {using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans (pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08)}
- A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor}
- 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 16/0825: {with ball-sockets}
- A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)}
- A61M 15/0068: {Indicating or counting the number of dispensed doses or of remaining doses}
- A61M 16/0463: {combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections}
- A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes}
- A61M 16/14: by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase
- A61M 16/161: {with means for measuring the humidity}
- A61M 39/20: Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes
- A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter}
- A61M 2205/0216: Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
- A61M 2240/00: Specially adapted for neonatal use
- 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

Connectors for respiratory assistance systems are disclosed. The connectors include an inspiratory conduit port, an expiratory conduit port, a first interface port, a second interface port, and a body or body portion formed between the inspiratory conduit port, the expiratory conduit port and the first and second interface ports, the body or body portion defining an interior cavity that fluidly couples, at least in part, the inspiratory conduit port and the expiratory conduit port to the first and second interface ports. The first and second interface ports are each fluidly couplable to a patient interface. Preferably, the first interface port is adapted to be coupled to an adult patient interface and the second interface port is adapted to be coupled to a pediatric or neonatal patient interface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A connector for a respiratory assistance system, the connector comprising:
an inspiratory conduit port,
an expiratory conduit port,
a first interface port,
a second interface port, the first interface port and the second interface port each fluidly couplable to a patient interface,
a directional feature acting to direct a medicament or drug dispensed via a medicament delivery port or a nebulizer port, at least in part towards the patient interface, when exiting the medicament delivery port or the nebulizer port, the directional feature comprising a passageway asymmetrically provided through one of the inspiratory conduit port, the expiratory conduit port, the first interface port, or the second interface port, the passageway comprising an angled surface arranged proximal a downstream end of the one of the inspiratory conduit port, the expiratory conduit port, the first interface port, or the second interface port, wherein the passageway is provided in a closure configured to selectively close off one of the inspiratory conduit port, the expiratory conduit port, the first interface port, or the second interface port;
a body or body portion formed between the inspiratory conduit port, the expiratory conduit port and the first and second interface ports, the body or body portion defining an interior cavity that fluidly couples, at least in part, the inspiratory conduit port and the expiratory conduit port to the first and second interface ports,
wherein the first interface port and the second interface port are rotatably operatively coupled at a joint in relation to the inspiratory conduit port and the expiratory conduit at least about one axis extending at an angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of either the inspiratory conduit port or the expiratory conduit port so as to change a relative orientation between the first and second interface ports and at least one of the inspiratory conduit port or the expiratory conduit port.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein the first interface port and the second interface port are rotatably operatively coupled by a swivel or ball joint connection connecting the first interface port and the second interface port to the body or body portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein the angle between the axis around which the first interface port is rotatable and the longitudinal axis of either the inspiratory conduit port or the expiratory conduit port is substantially perpendicular.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein one or more of said inspiratory conduit port, said expiratory conduit port, said first interface port or said second interface port is operatively couplable to a unit, wherein the one or more of said inspiratory conduit port, said expiratory conduit port, said first interface port or said second interface port comprise a first orientation structure arranged to align with a corresponding second orientation structure of the unit operatively couplable to said one or more of said inspiratory conduit port, said expiratory conduit port, said first interface port or said second interface port, in use.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A respiratory assistance system comprising the connector of claim 4, and further comprising the unit, wherein the unit is or comprises:
the closure,
one or both of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) or and MDI connector, or
a conduit connector.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The connector of claim 4, wherein the first orientation structure comprises a recess or projection configured to mate with a corresponding projection or recess of the corresponding second orientation structure.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The connector of claim 4, wherein the first orientation structure is arranged to physically guide and receive the corresponding second orientation structure into a mating end position, in use.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The connector of claim 4, wherein the first orientation structure and the corresponding second orientation structure are arranged to prevent inadvertent relative rotation between the one or more of said inspiratory conduit port, said expiratory conduit port, said first interface port, or said second interface port and the unit when connected.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein the passageway is provided through the first interface port or the second interface port.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The connector of claim 9, wherein the passageway is asymmetrically arranged within the first interface port or the second interface port.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein the closure is configured to selectively close off the first interface port or the second interface port.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be coupled with one or more of:
a metered-dose inhaler,
a nebulizer, or
a source of aerosolized medication.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein the directional feature is arranged in connection with an interior wall of the first interface port or the second interface port.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein the directional feature is configured to one or more of:
form an integral part of one of said port, said expiratory conduit port, said first interface port, or said second interface port,
form an integral part of at least part of an interior sidewall of said inspiratory conduit port, said expiratory conduit port, said first interface port, or said second interface port, or
direct a sensor, or a sensing tube connected to one of said inspiratory conduit port, said expiratory conduit port, said first interface port, or said second interface port, into a correct position or orientation.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A circuit kit for a respiratory assistance system, comprising,
a connector according to claim 1, and any one or more of:
an inspiratory conduit for connection to the inspiratory conduit port of said connector,
an expiratory conduit for connection to the expiratory port of the connector,
a humidifier chamber,
a dry line for operative coupling to one or both of a gases source or a humidifier chamber,
the patient interface, or
MDI equipment.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The connector of claim 1, wherein an orientation of the first interface port is alterable between at least two configurations in relation to the inspiratory and expiratory conduit ports, said at least two configurations comprising:
a first configuration in which the inspiratory and expiratory conduit ports are adjacent one another at a first end of the connector and the first interface port is at a second end of the connector generally opposite the first end, the first interface port and the inspiratory and expiratory conduit ports being arranged such that flow through each of the inspiratory and expiratory conduit ports is substantially parallel, and
a second configuration in which the first interface port is at an angle in relation to a longitudinal axis of the body or body portion,
wherein the connector is releasably lockable in at least the first and/or second configurations.