# US 12,178,964 B2 · Breathing assistance apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,964 B2 - Document ID: US12178964B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/249,261 - Filed: 2021-02-25 - Published: 2021-06-17 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-27 - Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Inventors: David Kemps - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178964B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/201: {Controlled valves} - A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor} - A61M 16/0463: {combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - A61M 16/20: Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices - A61M 16/206: {Capsule valves, e.g. mushroom, membrane valves} - A61M 16/209: {Relief valves} - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 2016/003: {with a flowmeter} - A61M 2202/0488: Surfactant, e.g. for the lung - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - 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 A pressure regulating device for use with a breathing assistance and/or resuscitation apparatus, which conveys gases along a gases pathway to a patient, includes a mounting for connecting the pressure regulating device to a first outlet in fluid communication with the gases pathway. The mounting holds a valve member that selectively blocks, at least in part, the first outlet. A control member can be manipulated to adjust a property of the valve member. The valve member at least partially blocks the first outlet when the pressure of gases in the pathway is below a selected level, and allows at least a portion of the gases to flow out of the first outlet when the pressure of said gases is above the selected level. The property includes a selected level of pressure whereby manipulation of the control member adjusts the level of pressure between a maximum level and a minimum level. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressure regulating device for use with a breathing assistance and/or resuscitation apparatus which conveys gases along a gases pathway to a patient, the device comprising: a mounting for connecting the pressure regulating device to a first outlet in fluid communication with the gases pathway, the mounting configured to hold a valve member that selectively blocks, at least in part, the first outlet; a second outlet for delivering said gases to the patient; a control member moveably engaged with the mounting, wherein manipulation of the control member adjusts a property of the valve member; and a seat member, the seat member being positioned such that when a pressure of said gases is below a selected level, a portion of the valve member sits thereon, wherein the portion of the valve member moves away from the seat member when the pressure of said gases is above the selected level, wherein the portion of the valve member comprises a skirt or flap, the skirt or flap comprising an elastomeric material; wherein the valve member is configured to at least partially block the first outlet when the pressure of said gases in the gases pathway is below the selected level, and allow at least a portion of said gases to flow out said first outlet when the pressure of said gases is above said selected level, wherein said property of the valve member comprises said selected level of pressure whereby manipulation of the control member adjusts the selected level of pressure between a maximum level and a minimum level, wherein manipulation of the control member moves the seat member such that the seat member tensions the skirt or flap of the valve member and effects said adjustment of the selected level of pressure, wherein the control member comprises a lip that snap fits a lip of the mounting, wherein the control member is rotatably coupled to the mounting, wherein the seat member is engaged with the control member, wherein the seat member is threadingly engaged to said mounting whereby rotation of the control member effects said movement of the seat member, and wherein the selected level of pressure is proportional to an amount of rotation of the control member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein said selective blocking is performed by movement of the skirt or flap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein the seat member comprises a substantially annular surface on which said portion of the valve member sits. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein the control member is a cap having a sidewall that extends from the first outlet when coupled thereto and an orifice in an end wall thereof to allow said gases to be exhausted therethrough. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The pressure regulating device of claim 4, wherein the orifice is configured to be selectively occluded by placement of a finger or a thumb of a user thereon. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein, with the control member in any given position, the pressure of said gases inside the gases pathway is substantially independent of a rate of flow of said gases along the gases pathway. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, further comprising an inlet for receiving said gases therethrough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The pressure regulating device of claim 7, wherein the second outlet forms at least part of or is coupleable to a patient interface via a conduit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The pressure regulating device of claim 8, wherein when the first outlet is blocked or substantially blocked, at least a substantial portion of the gases entering the inlet is delivered to the patient interface via the second outlet and when the valve member is open, at least a portion of the gases is vented through the first outlet thereby providing pressure relief. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, further comprising a sealable aperture adapted to allow insertion of equipment therethrough, wherein the equipment comprises a surfactant delivery means or a suction tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein a range of flow rates is between 5 and 15 litres per minute. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein the seat member comprises an opening, the opening of the seat member receiving at least a portion of the valve member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein manipulation of the control member moves the seat member in a direction substantially parallel to a normal flow of said gases through the first outlet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The pressure regulating device of claim 1, wherein the device provides a substantially constant positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) across a range of flow rates. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The pressure regulating device of claim 14, wherein a level of PEEP is substantially proportional to the amount of rotation of the control member.