Vent valve apparatus
AssigneeResMed Limited
InventorShane Douglas Hollis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vent valve apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal includes a gas washout vent, a vent valve adapted to progressively restrict the flow area of the washout vent, and a pressure sensitive vent valve controller. The controller is adapted to progressively cause the vent valve to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply. Thereby, the vent valve substantially regulates the flow of gas through the washout vent over a range of gas supply pressures.
Claims26
A vent valve apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal, the apparatus comprising:
- a conduit connectable between a breathing mask and a flow generator for receiving a continuous supply of pressurized gas;
- a gas washout vent in fluid communication with the conduit for allowing gas to pass from the conduit while a continuous supply of pressurized gas flows through the conduit;
- a vent valve associated with the gas washout vent and being adapted to progressively restrict the flow area of the washout vent;
- and
- a pressure sensitive vent valve control means associated with the vent valve, the pressure sensitive vent valve control means being adapted for progressively causing said vent valve to restrict the flow area of the gas washout vent in response to increases in the pressure of the gas supply, thereby substantially regulating the flow of one of gas and CO2 gas through the washout vent over a range of gas supply pressures.
A vent valve apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure to a human or animal, the apparatus comprising:
- a conduit adapted to be connected to a supply of pressurized gas at a first end and a mask at a second end, the conduit having a first vent forming orifice formed in a wall thereof, the conduit further including a second orifice in a wall thereof generally opposite the first orifice;
- a plug adapted to be drawn into and out of the first orifice;
- an elastic diaphragm stretched over the second orifice;
- and
- a connecting rod connecting the diaphragm to the plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.