# US 8,770,190 B2 · Connectors for connecting components of a breathing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,190 B2 - Document ID: US8770190B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/108,764 - Filed: 2008-04-24 - Published: 2008-10-30 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-04-25 - Assignees: ResMed Limited - Applicants: Renee Frances Doherty; Chun Yui Lau; Philip Rodney Kwok; Christopher John Baxter; Angelene Marie Ozolins; Paul Anthony Green - Inventors: Renee Frances Doherty; Chun Yui Lau; Philip Rodney Kwok; Christopher John Baxter; Angelene Marie Ozolins; Paul Anthony Green - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770190B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0051: {with alarm devices} - A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor} - A61M 16/021: {operated by electrical means (A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence)} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/0825: {with ball-sockets} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A62B 9/04: Couplings; Supporting frames - A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 2039/1027: {Quick-acting type connectors} - A61M 2039/1038: {Union screw connectors, e.g. hollow screw or sleeve having external threads} - A61M 2039/1044: {Verifying the connection, e.g. audible feedback, tactile feedback, visual feedback, using external light sources} - A61M 2205/0222: Materials for reducing friction - A61M 2205/0238: the material being a coating or protective layer - A61M 2205/14: Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M 2209/08: Supports for equipment - 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)} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) ## Abstract A breathing apparatus includes components, including, but not limited to, a flow generator, a patient interface, and a delivery conduit. A connector for connecting components of the breathing apparatus includes a male connector, including a recess, extending from a first component, and a female connector, including a lever pivotally connected thereto, extending from a second component. A switch indicates a connection state of the connector. The switch includes a ring provided in an end of the first or second component and the ring includes a projection extending through an aperture in the end of the first or second component. The projection is movable between a first position and a second position to indicate the state of the connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector for connecting components of a breathing apparatus, the components including at least a flow generator for generating a flow of breathable gas, a patient interface, and a delivery conduit for delivering the breathable gas from the flow generator to the patient interface, the connector comprising: a male connector extending from an end of a first component, the male connector comprising a recess; and a female connector extending from an end of a second component, the female connector comprising a lever pivotably connected to female connector, wherein the male connector is insertable into the female connector so that at least a portion of an outer wall of the female connector encloses an inserted end of the male connector and so that the lever engages the recess and connects the first and second components, wherein the lever is separate from the outer wall of the female connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A connector according to claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a first projection that engages the recess of the male connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A connector according to claim 2, wherein the female connector comprises an inner casing and an outer casing, and the lever is pivotably connected to the inner casing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A connector according to claim 3, further comprising a first spring configured to pivotably bias the lever toward the outer casing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A connector according to claim 4, further comprising a second spring between the inner and outer casing configured to bias a projection of the outer casing into engagement with a second projection of the lever. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A connector according to claim 5, wherein the first spring and the second spring are integral. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A connector according to claim 5, wherein disengagement of the projection of the outer casing from the second projection of the lever disengages the first projection of the lever from the recess of the male connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A connector according to claim 7, wherein movement of the outer casing relative to the inner casing in a first direction disengages the projection of the outer casing from the second projection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A connector according to claim 8, wherein movement of the male connector in a second direction opposite the first direction disconnects the male connector from the female connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) A connector according to claim 4, wherein the engagement of the projection of the outer casing with the second projection biases the lever toward the inner casing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A combination, comprising: a connector according to claim 1; and a switch comprising a ring provided in an end of the first or the second component, the ring comprising a projection extending through an aperture in the end of the first or the second component, wherein the projection is movable between a first position that indicates a connected state of the connector, and a second position that indicates an unconnected state of the connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A combination according to claim 11, wherein the first or the second component has indicia indicating the first and second positions of the switch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A positive airway pressure device, comprising: a flow generator to generate a flow of gas pressurized in a range of about 4-30 cm of H2O; a patient interface; an air delivery conduit between the flow generator and the patient interface; and a connector according to claim 1. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A positive airway pressure device according to claim 13, further comprising a switch, the switch comprising a ring provided in an end of the first or the second component, the ring comprising a projection extending through an aperture in the end of the first or the second component, wherein the projection is movable between a first position that indicates a connected state of the connector, and a second position that indicates an unconnected state of the connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A positive airway pressure device, comprising: a flow generator to generate a flow of gas pressurized in a range of about 4-30 cm of H2O; a patient interface; an air delivery conduit between the flow generator and the patient interface; and a combination according to claim 11. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A patient interface, comprising: a frame; a cushion provided to the frame; and a connector according to claim 1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A patient interface according to claim 16, further comprising a switch comprising a ring provided in an end of the first or the second component, the ring comprising a projection extending through an aperture in the end of the first or the second component, wherein the projection is movable between a first position that indicates a connected state of the connector, and a second position that indicates an unconnected state of the connector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) A patient interface, comprising: a frame; a cushion provided to the frame; and a combination according to claim 11. ### Claim 19 A switch for indicating a connection state of a connector for connecting components of a breathing apparatus, the components including at least a flow generator for generating a flow of breathable gas, a patient interface, and a delivery conduit for delivering the breathable gas from the flow generator to the patient interface, the switch comprising: a ring provided in an end of a first or a second component, the ring comprising a projection extending through an aperture in an end of the first or the second component, wherein the projection is movable between a first position that indicates a connected state of the connector, and a second position that indicates an unconnected state of the connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A switch according to claim 19, wherein the ring comprises a plurality of magnetic poles. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A switch according to claim 19, wherein the ring comprises a second projection configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the first or second component to prevent unintended movement of the ring from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 22 A connection system for connecting a first air delivery conduit to a port or a second air delivery conduit, the connection system comprising: a male connector adapted to be connected to a first component selected from the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, the male connector having a recess; a female connector adapted to be connected to a second component selected from the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, the female connector having an outer wall, at least a portion of which is axially retractable, and an engagement device configured to engage the recess, wherein the male connector is configured to be insertable into the female connector to form a connection between the first component and the second component, and wherein the engagement device is biased toward a central portion of the female connector when the outer wall of the female connector is in an extended position and is biased toward an exterior of the female connector when the outer wall of the female connector is in a retracted position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A connection system according to claim 22, wherein the engagement device is configured to be continuously biased toward the exterior of the female connector. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A connection system according to claim 23, wherein the female connector has an inner wall, and the engagement device is pivotably secured to the inner wall. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A connection system according to claim 24, wherein the outer wall extends beyond the inner wall and encloses the engagement device in the extended position. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A connection system according to claim 25, wherein the female connector further comprises a first spring positioned between the inner wall and the engagement device, the first spring biasing the engagement device toward the exterior of the female connector. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A connection system according to claim 26, wherein the female connector further comprises a second spring positioned between the inner and outer walls, the second spring biasing the outer wall toward an extended position. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A connection system according to claim 27, wherein the outer wall biases the engagement device toward the central portion of the female connector when the outer wall is in contact with the engagement device. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A connection system according to claim 28, wherein the outer wall biases the engagement device toward the central portion of the female connector when the outer wall is in the extended position. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A connection system according to claim 29, wherein the engagement device comprises a first projection configured to engage the recess. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A connection system according to claim 30, wherein the outer wall includes a lip, and the engagement device comprises a second projection configured to engage the lip. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) A connection system according to claim 31, wherein the first and second springs are integral to each other. ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) A positive airway pressure device, comprising: a flow generator to generate a flow of gas pressurized in a range of about 4-30 cm of H2O; a patient interface; an air delivery conduit between the flow generator and the patient interface; and a connection system according to claim 23. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A positive airway pressure device according to claim 33, further comprising a switch, the switch comprising a ring provided in an end of the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, the ring comprising a projection extending through an aperture in the end of the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, wherein the projection is movable between a first position that indicates a connected state of the connection system, and a second position that indicates an unconnected state of the connection system. ### Claim 35 A connection system for connecting a first air delivery conduit to a port or a second air delivery conduit, the connection system comprising: a male connector; a female connector having an outer wall, at least a portion of which is axially retractable, wherein the male connector is configured to be insertable into the female connector to form a connection, wherein the male connector and the female connector are configured so that the male connector is removable from the female connector when the outer wall of the female connector is retracted and so that the male connector is not removable from the female connector when the outer wall is extended, and wherein the outer wall of the female connector is configured to automatically retract and extend upon insertion of the male connector into the female connector. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A connection system according to claim 35, wherein the female connector comprises an engagement device configured to engage a recess on the male connector, wherein the engagement device is configured to engage the recess when the outer wall is extended and disengage from the recess when the outer wall is retracted. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) A connection system according to claim 36, wherein the male connector and the female connector are configured so that when initially inserted into the female connector, the male connector forces the engagement device against the outer wall of the female connection. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) A connection system according to claim 37, wherein the outer wall is configured so that when the male connector forces the engagement device against the outer wall, the outer wall axially retracts. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) A connection system according to claim 38, wherein the outer wall is configured so that when the engagement device engages the recess, the outer wall extends to its fully extended position. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A connection system according to claim 39, wherein, when extended, the outer wall of the female device biases the engagement device toward a central portion of the female connector. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A connection system according to claim 40, wherein the female connector includes a spring that biases the engagement device toward the outer wall of the female connector. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) A connection system according to claim 41, wherein the engagement device comprises a first projection configured to engage the recess. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) A connection system according to claim 42, wherein the outer wall includes a lip, and the engagement device comprises a second projection configured to engage the lip. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) A connection system according to claim 43, wherein the first and second springs are integral to each other. ### Claim 45 (depends on 35) A positive airway pressure device, comprising: a flow generator to generate a flow of gas pressurized in a range of about 4-30 cm of H2O; a patient interface; an air delivery conduit between the flow generator and the patient interface; and a connection system according to claim 35. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) A positive airway pressure device according to claim 45, further comprising a switch, the switch comprising a ring provided in an end of the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, the ring comprising a projection extending through an aperture in the end of the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, wherein the projection is movable between a first position that indicates a connected state of the connection system, and a second position that indicates an unconnected state of the connection system. ### Claim 47 A connection system for connecting a first air delivery conduit to a port or a second air delivery conduit, the connection system comprising: a male connector adapted to be connected to a first component selected from the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, the male connector having a recess; a female connector adapted to be connected to a second component selected from the first air delivery conduit, the port or the second air delivery conduit, the female connector having an outer wall, at least a portion of which is axially retractable, and an engagement device configured to engage the recess, wherein the male connector is configured to be insertable into the female connector to form a connection between the first component and the second component, and wherein the female connector comprises a biasing element configured to bias the engagement device toward an exterior of the female connector. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) A connection system according to claim 47, wherein the female connector has an inner wall, and the engagement device is pivotably secured to the inner wall. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) A connection system according to claim 48, wherein the outer wall extends beyond the inner wall and encloses the engagement device in the extended position. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) A connection system according to claim 49, wherein the biasing element comprises a first spring positioned between the inner wall and the engagement device, the first spring biasing the engagement device toward the exterior of the female connector. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) A connection system according to claim 50, wherein the female connector further comprises a second spring positioned between the inner and outer walls, the second spring biasing the outer wall toward an extended position. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) A connection system according to claim 51, wherein the outer wall biases the engagement device toward the central portion of the female connector when the outer wall is in contact with the engagement device. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) A connection system according to claim 52, wherein the outer wall biases the engagement device toward the central portion of the female connector when the outer wall is in the extended position. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) A connection system according to claim 53, wherein the engagement device comprises a first projection configured to engage the recess. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) A connection system according to claim 54, wherein the outer wall includes a lip, and the engagement device comprises a second projection configured to engage the lip. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) A connection system according to claim 55, wherein the first and second springs are integral to each other.