# US 9,038,631 B2 · Breathable gas apparatus with humidifier

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- Number: US 9,038,631 B2
- Document ID: US9038631B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/445,143
- Filed: 2014-07-29
- Published: 2014-11-13
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2003-06-20
- Assignees: ResMed Limited
- Applicants: ResMed Limited
- Inventors: Andrew Roderick Bath; Geoffrey Crumblin; Michael Thomas Janiak; Dan Kao; Barton John Kenyon; Perry David Lithgow; Rohan Neil Primrose; Jim Saada; John Michael Snow; Duncan Lovel Trevor-Wilson; Alexander Virr; Arthur Kin-Wai Yee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038631B2

## CPC

- A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps}
- A61B 5/0245: by using sensing means generating electric signals, {i.e. ECG signals}
- A61B 5/14551: {for measuring blood gases}
- A61B 7/00: Instruments for auscultation
- A61M 16/00: Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators (iron lungs A61H31/02); Tracheal tubes
- A61M 16/0003: {Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure}
- A61M 16/0051: {with alarm devices}
- A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor}
- A61M 16/024: {including calculation means, e.g. using a processor}
- A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors}
- A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes}
- A61M 16/105: {Filters (A61M16/047, A61M16/22 take precedence; water traps A61M16/08)}
- A61M 16/109: {the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent}
- A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)}
- A61M 16/162: {Water-reservoir filling system, e.g. automatic}
- B01F 23/232: using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
- F04D 17/16: for displacing without appreciable compression
- F04D 25/0693: {Details or arrangements of the wiring}
- F04D 29/4206: {especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps}
- F04D 29/664: {by means of sound absorbing material}
- A61B 2560/0443: Modular apparatus
- A61B 2560/0462: Apparatus with built-in sensors
- A61B 2560/0475: Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
- A61M 16/107: {in the inspiratory path}
- A61M 2205/0216: Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
- A61M 2205/123: with incorporated reservoirs
- A61M 2205/14: Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
- A61M 2205/3303: Using a biosensor
- A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means
- A61M 2205/3368: Temperature
- A61M 2205/36: related to heating or cooling
- A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise
- A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers
- A61M 2205/502: User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
- A61M 2205/52: with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
- A61M 2205/6063: Optical identification systems
- A61M 2206/16: Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows
- A61M 2230/005: Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
- A61M 2230/46: Resistance or compliance of the lungs
- A62B 9/003: {Means for influencing the temperature or humidity of the breathing gas}
- B01F 23/237611: {Air}
- B01F 2101/55: Mixing liquid air humidifiers with air
- B29L 2031/753: {Medical equipment; Accessories therefor (bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008)}
- 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)}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)
- F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02)
- 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)
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A humidifier has a base unit with an engagement face that is configured to interface with a flow generator. The humidifier also has a tank configured to be removably received by the base unit and hold a volume of liquid. The tank has a side wall with an air inlet. The humidifier further has an air flow passage configured to receive an air connector of the flow generator at the engagement face of the base unit. The air flow passage is axially offset from a tank inlet. In addition, a cross-section of the airflow passage inlet and a cross-section of the tank air inlet are substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A humidifier comprising:
a base unit configured to attach to and detach from a flow generator, said base unit comprising:
an engagement face adapted to face a corresponding engagement face of the flow generator;
at least one tongue located on the engagement face that is adapted to move vertically and adapted to be resiliently urged downward to engage at least one slot of the flow generator;
an air flow passage configured to receive an air connector of the flow generator;
an electrical connector, for engagement with a mating electrical connector on the flow generator, the electrical connector of the humidifier adapted to provide electrical power to the humidifier from the flow generator;
a pad that stands proud of a surrounding base surface and is resiliently biased upwardly; and
a heating element to heat the pad;
and
a tank to receive water, said tank being adapted to be slidable relative to the base unit; the tank comprising:
a cover;
a base sealingly connected to the cover;
an air inlet passage extending from a side wall of the tank; and
an air outlet provided to a roof of the cover,
wherein:
a bottom of the base is exposed to contact the pad as the tank is engaged with the base unit,
at least one liquid filling height is indicated by a filling level graduation marked on a wall of the tank,
the air inlet passage extends so that it opens in the interior of the tank at a point beyond, in the direction of air flow, a center of the air outlet,
the air inlet passage and the air outlet are oriented so that air flows through the air inlet passage in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the air flows through the air outlet, and
a vertical offset is provided between the air flow passage of the base unit and the air inlet passage,
a water collection point is located adjacent and outside an entry side of the air inlet passage of the tank.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the water collection point is located between the air inlet passage of the tank and a portion of the air flow passage configured to receive the air connector of the flow generator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is configured to provide data to the humidifier.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the tank is configured to be filled via the air outlet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein, in at least two tilted positions of the tank, at least a portion of the air outlet is below the open end of the air inlet passage, such that water will flow through the air outlet before it will flow into the air inlet passage, and wherein in a normal operating position, when the air outlet is above the open end of the air inlet passage, water will not escape via the air inlet passage unless the tank has been over-filled.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The humidifier of claim 5, wherein a maximum filling level graduation of the filling level graduation is marked on the wall of the tank, the maximum filling level graduation being lower than a lowest level of the air inlet passage.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the engagement face of the humidifier includes a flange configured to seat in a corresponding recess in the engagement face of the flow generator.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the pad is biased upwardly by one or more springs.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the air flow passage is provided with a sealing device configured to sealingly receive the air connector of the flow generator.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the air inlet passage has a diameter substantially equal to that of the air passage leading from the flow generator to the humidifier,
wherein an orientation of the open end of the air inlet passage is arranged to induce swirling action on air within the tank, as air moves around the tank to exit from the open end of the air inlet passage in order to enhance uptake of water vapor from water contained in the tank, and
wherein a portion of the air inlet passage adjacent the sidewall of the tank has a cylinder-type shape.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein an axis of the air inlet passage of the tank and an axis of a portion of the air flow passage configured to receive the air connector of the flow generator are vertically offset.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the tank further comprises an inner wall extending downward from the cover and an end of the air inlet passage inside the tank is directed towards the inner wall, and a portion of the inner wall is curved.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The humidifier of claim 12, wherein an orientation of the end of the air inlet passage proximal the inner wall is arranged to induce swirling action on air within the tank, as air moves around the tank to exit from the end of the air inlet passage proximal the inner wall in order to enhance uptake of water vapor from water contained in the tank, and the cover is comprised of transparent material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the humidifier comprises a plurality of tongues located on the engagement face that are adapted to move vertically and adapted to be resiliently urged downward to engage a plurality of slots of the flow generator.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the air flow passage is lower than the air inlet passage in the normal orientation of the humidifier.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The humidifier of claim 1, wherein a sealing gasket is provided between the cover and the base of the tank.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

A breathable gas supply apparatus for use in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatments, the apparatus comprising:
a humidifier according to claim 1; and
a flow generator that has an engagement face to face the engagement face of the humidifier, the flow generator comprising:
an external case of rigid plastic material comprising a top case and a bottom case, a lower edge of the top case being stepped and flanged to mate with a periphery of the bottom case;
an air connector projecting away from the engagement face of the flow generator and being in communication with the air flow passage of the humidifier;
a slot configured to receive a data card, the slot being provided in a wall of the external case;
an LCD screen visible through the top case by which a user can set operating parameters of the apparatus;
a chassis positioned within the case, the chassis including a peripheral wall and a fan cavity;
a printed circuit board carrying electronic control components of the breathable gas supply apparatus, the printed circuit board being positioned in a space formed between the chassis and the top of the top case;
an air inlet formed in a wall of the external case;
an air inlet passage that communicates with the air inlet and opens to a space at least partly surrounding the fan cavity; and
an inlet tube configured to direct air from the space at least partly surrounding the fan cavity to an interior of the fan cavity; and
a fan mounted in the fan cavity, the fan comprising:
a fan housing including a cover and a base;
a motor mounted within the fan housing;
a coaxial impeller mounted within the fan housing;
an air inlet in a floor of the base on an axis of the impeller; and
an air outlet, wherein
cavities in the cover and base of the fan housing form a volute which leads from the impeller to the fan air outlet, and
the fan air outlet is connected to the air connector via a coupling member.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The breathable gas supply apparatus of claim 17, wherein the top case of the flow generator comprises at least one input device connected to the electronic control components of the printed circuit board.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The breathable gas supply apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a cover configured to be removably attached to the wall of the external case and cover a portion of the wall around the slot when attached to the wall.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The breathable gas supply apparatus of claim 19, wherein the cover includes an opening configured to provide access to the slot in the wall of the external case.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The breathable gas supply apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an air hose for the delivery of humidified air to a patient connected to the air outlet of the humidifier.

### Claim 22

A method of humidifying pressurized gas comprising:
receiving pressurized gas from ambient or an external source in an air flow passage positioned at a first position within a base unit of a humidifier, the first position being proximate an engagement face of the base unit that is configured to interface with a flow generator;
directing the received pressurized gas from the first position within the base unit to an air inlet passage of a tank at a second position that is axially offset from the air flow passage at the first position, the tank being at least partly contained within the base unit and holding liquid;
exposing the pressurized gas to the liquid in the tank to humidify the pressurized gas; and
collecting liquid at a liquid collection point between the first and second positions if liquid leaks out of the tank through the air inlet passage.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, wherein gas at the first position flows in a first direction and gas at the second position flows in a second direction, and
the first and second directions are substantially parallel to a horizontal plane.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, wherein a flow of gas at the first position and the second position is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising heating the liquid in the tank and exposing the pressurized gas to vaporized liquid.

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, wherein relative locations of the first and second positions inhibit the liquid in the tank from reaching the first position when the humidifier is tilted from the normal upright operating orientation.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, wherein a shape of the tank inhibits the liquid in the tank from reaching the first position when the humidifier is tilted from the normal upright operating orientation.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, wherein components within the tank inhibit the liquid in the tank from reaching the first position when the humidifier is tilted from the normal upright operating orientation.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, wherein the relative locations of the first and second positions and the shape of the tank cooperate to form a tiered liquid back flow prevention arrangement in which the shape of the tank provides a first level of liquid back flow prevention and the relative locations of the first and second positions provide a second level of liquid back flow prevention.

### Claim 30 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22, further comprising delivering the humidified pressurized gas to a gas outlet extending upwardly from a roof of the tank.