# US 12,005,193 B2 · Conduit connector assembly of a patient interface, an anti-asphyxia valve for a conduit connector assembly and a connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,193 B2 - Document ID: US12005193B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/605,634 - Filed: 2018-05-01 - Published: 2020-04-30 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-01 - Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Inventors: Grant Leigh Nelson; Carsten Ma On Wong Corazza; Erik Robertus Scheirlinck; Jae Yun Lim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005193B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0611: {with a gusset portion} - A61M 16/0616: {with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure} - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/0825: {with ball-sockets} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/105: {Filters (A61M16/047, A61M16/22 take precedence; water traps A61M16/08)} - A61M 2205/584: having a color code - 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 conduit connector assembly is provided for a respiratory therapy apparatus and configured to connect a patient interface to a gas delivery conduit. The assembly comprises: a conduit comprising a first flow port configured to be connected to the patient interface, and a second flow port configured to be connected to the gas delivery conduit, and a supplementary flow port; and a first valve port configured to be closed or opened by a valve flap. The conduit and the valve flap selectively provide an inspiratory flow path from the second flow port of the conduit to the first flow port of the conduit; and an expiratory flow path from the first flow port of the conduit to the supplementary flow port via the first valve port. A supplementary gas flow path is provided between the first and/or second flow ports and the supplementary flow port via a supplementary valve port. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conduit connector assembly for a respiratory therapy apparatus and configured to connect a patient interface to a gas delivery conduit, the conduit connector assembly comprising: a conduit comprising a first flow port configured to be connected to the patient interface, and a second flow port configured to be connected to the gas delivery conduit, and a supplementary flow port configured to be in fluid communication with an ambient environment; and a hollow valve body configured to be mounted on or in the conduit and comprising at least a first valve port positioned on the hollow valve body configured to be closed or opened by a valve flap, wherein the valve flap is configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the hollow valve body; the conduit, valve body and the valve flap being configured to selectively provide three flow paths through an elbow, being: an therapy flow path provided between the second flow port of the conduit and the first flow port of the conduit; an anti-asphyxiation flow path provided between the first flow port of the conduit and the supplementary flow port via the first valve port of the valve body, and wherein: a supplementary gas flow path is provided between the first flow port and/or the second flow port and the supplementary flow port via a supplementary valve port of the valve body, and wherein the valve body and/or conduit is configured such that the supplementary gas flow path is permanently open. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conduit connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the supplementary valve port is formed on a supplementary gas flow duct in communication with the valve body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The conduit connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the supplementary gas flow duct projects from the valve body into the conduit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The conduit connector assembly of claim 3 wherein the supplementary gas flow duct projects from the valve body to a position adjacent the first flow port of the conduit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The conduit connector assembly of claim 3 wherein the supplementary gas flow duct projects from the valve body to a position projecting beyond the first flow port of the conduit, outside of the conduit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The conduit connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the supplementary gas flow duct comprises a relatively short duct positioned inside the conduit and projecting into the conduit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The conduit connector assembly of claim 6 wherein an end of the supplementary gas flow duct that projects into the conduit is closed by a duct end wall, the duct end wall being provided with at least one orifice configured to allow expiratory gas to flow from the conduit through the at least one orifice and into the supplementary gas flow duct. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The conduit connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the supplementary valve port is formed at one end of the supplementary gas flow duct distal from the valve body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The conduit connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the supplementary gas flow duct comprises a relatively narrow diameter portion which extends from the valve body and along the conduit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The conduit connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the supplementary valve port is defined in a relatively wide mouth portion of the supplementary gas flow duct, the relatively wide mouth portion being distal from the valve body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The conduit connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the supplementary valve port is formed on the valve body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The conduit connector assembly of claim 11 wherein the supplementary valve port comprises an array of valve ports formed on the valve body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The conduit connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the valve body is elongate and comprises a first end face and a second end face, the first end face and the second end face comprising the first valve port and a second valve port respectively. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The conduit connector assembly of claim 13 wherein the first end face is planar along a first plane, with a second plane that is defined by the second end face is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the valve body. ### Claim 15 A conduit connector assembly for a respiratory therapy apparatus and configured to connect a patient interface to a gas delivery conduit, the conduit connector assembly comprising: a conduit comprising: a first flow port configured to be connected to the patient interface, a second flow port configured to be connected to the gas delivery conduit, a supplementary flow port configured to be in fluid communication with an ambient environment; and at least a first valve port configured to be closed or opened by a valve flap, wherein the valve flap is configured to move relative to the first valve port, the conduit and the valve flap being configured to selectively provide three flow paths through the conduit, being: an therapy flow path provided between the second flow port of the conduit and the first flow port of the conduit; an anti-asphyxiation flow path provided between the first flow port of the conduit and the supplementary flow port via the first valve port, and wherein: a supplementary gas flow path is provided between the first flow port and/or the second flow port and the supplementary flow port via a supplementary valve port defined by, or comprising part of: the valve flap; or the part of the conduit against which the valve flap seals when the valve flap provides the supplementary gas flow path, and wherein the valve flap or conduit is configured such that the supplementary gas flow path is permanently open. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The conduit connector assembly of claim 15 further comprising a gas flow directing structure that comprises a flow slot provided on or comprising part of the valve flap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The conduit connector assembly of claim 16 wherein the flow slot extends from a position radially inward of a perimeter of the valve flap to a position at the perimeter of the valve flap, such that the supplementary gas flow path extends through the perimeter of the valve flap. ### Claim 18 A conduit connector assembly for a respiratory therapy apparatus and configured to connect a patient interface to a gas delivery conduit, the conduit connector assembly comprising: a conduit comprising a first flow port configured to be connected to the patient interface, and a second flow port configured to be connected to the gas delivery conduit, and a supplementary flow port configured to be in fluid communication with an ambient environment; and a first valve port configured to be closed or opened by a valve flap, wherein the valve flap is configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the first valve port, the conduit and the valve flap being configured to selectively provide three flow paths through the conduit, being: a therapy flow path between the second flow port of the conduit and the first flow port of the conduit; an anti-asphyxiation flow path between the first flow port of the conduit and the supplementary flow port via the first valve port, and wherein: a supplementary gas flow path is provided between the first flow port and/or the second flow port and the supplementary flow port via a supplementary valve port, and wherein the supplementary gas flow path is permanently open. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The conduit connector assembly of claim 18, wherein the supplementary valve port is provided on, or comprises part of: the valve flap; or a hollow valve body configured to be mounted on or in the conduit.