# US 8,770,198 B2 · Connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,198 B2 - Document ID: US8770198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/448,306 - Filed: 2007-12-13 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-21 - Assignees: ResMed Limited - Applicants: Arthur Kin-wai Yee; Benjamin John Hunter; Christopher Joseph Brunner - Inventors: Arthur Kin-wai Yee; Benjamin John Hunter; Christopher Joseph Brunner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770198B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/12: by mixing different gases - A61M 16/08: Bellows; Connecting tubes {(having means for taking samples G01N1/22); Water traps; Patient circuits} - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/127: {by Venturi effect, i.e. entrainment mixers} - A61M 2016/1025: {the O2 concentration} - A61M 2202/0208: Oxygen - 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 connector includes a main conduit and a gas conduit. The main conduit includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion that form a passage for supply of a first gas in a forward direction. The inlet portion is adapted to receive a supply of the first gas and deliver the first gas to the outlet portion. The gas conduit has a first end and a second end that form a second passage for supply of a second gas. The first end of the gas conduit is adapted to connect to a second gas supply, and the second end is adjacent the outlet portion of the main conduit and delivers the second gas into the main conduit such that the second gas is directed to flow in a forward direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector comprising: a main conduit having an inlet portion and an outlet portion that form a first passage for supply of a first gas in a forward direction, the inlet portion is adapted to receive a supply of the first gas and deliver the first gas to the outlet portion; a gas conduit having a first end and a second end that form a second passage for supply of a second gas, the first end of the gas conduit is adapted to connect to a second gas supply, and the second end is adjacent the outlet portion of the main conduit and delivers the second gas into the main conduit such that the second gas is directed to flow in the forward direction to facilitate mixing of the second gas with the first gas in the main conduit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second gas is accelerated to a higher velocity than the first gas when entering the main conduit in the forward direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein a negative differential pressure boundary is created between the second gas and the first gas such that the first gas is directed to flow in a net forward direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the inlet portion of the main conduit is larger than the inner diameter of outlet portion of the main conduit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the gas conduit is within the main conduit resulting in a reduced inner diameter of the outlet portion of the main conduit compared to the inlet portion of the main conduit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the gas conduit is tapered from the second end to the first end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second gas is substantially prevented from flowing towards the inlet portion of the main conduit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is injection molded. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connector according to claim 8, wherein the connector is made from polycarbonate, polysulphon, polyetherimide or any other suitable oxygen compatible material with a high auto ignition temperature. ### Claim 10 A connector adapted to provide supplemental gas to a respiratory system comprising: a main conduit having an inlet portion and an outlet portion that form a first passage for supply of a first gas in a forward direction, the inlet portion is adapted to receive a supply of the first gas and deliver the first gas to the outlet portion; a gas conduit having a first end and a second end that form a second passage for supply of a second gas, the first end of the gas conduit is adapted to connect to a second gas supply, and the second end is adjacent the outlet portion of the main conduit and delivers the second gas into the main conduit such that the second gas is directed to flow in the forward direction, wherein the second end of the gas conduit has a tapered shape such that a diameter at an exit of the second end is larger than a diameter at an entry of the second end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A respiratory system comprising a positive air pressure (PAP) device, a patient interface unit, an air delivery conduit, and a connector according to claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The respiratory system according to claim 11, wherein the connector is integrally formed with one of the PAP device, patient interface unit or the air delivery conduit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The respiratory system according to claim 12, wherein the connector is integrally formed as part of the outlet of the PAP device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the gas conduit at an entry of the first end is smaller than a diameter of the gas conduit at an exit of the second end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the gas conduit has a tapered shape such that a diameter at an exit of the second end is larger than a diameter at an entry of the second end. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second gas is accelerated to a higher flow velocity than the first gas when entering the main conduit in the forward direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second end is positioned and arranged to direct the second gas into a center of the first passage. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The connector according to claim 17, wherein the gas conduit has a generally L-shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The connector according to claim 18, wherein the first and second ends form an angle of about 90-135° therebetween. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The connector according to claim 17, wherein the second end is adjacent the outlet portion of the main conduit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The connector according to claim 17, wherein the second end is positioned and arranged to direct the second gas along the axis of the main conduit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The connector according to claim 17, further comprising one or more fins to support the second end within the center of the first passage. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The connector according to claim 22, wherein the second end is supported by three fins regularly spaced and separated from one another within the main conduit. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The connector according to claim 22, wherein each fin is aerodynamically designed to reduce impedance and turbulence in the first passage. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) A respiratory system comprising a PAP device, a patient interface unit, an air delivery conduit, and a connector according claim 17.