Patent Grant
12171946
This disclosure relates to user interfaces and respiratory therapy systems comprising user interfaces, for conveying gases to and/or from a user, and in particular but not limited to, respiratory systems adapted to provide multiple types of respiratory therapy to a user, and patient interfaces and devices for such systems.
Patients may lose respiratory function during anaesthesia, or sedation, or more generally during certain medical procedures. Prior to a medical procedure a patient may be pre-oxygenated by a medical professional to provide a reservoir of oxygen saturation, and this pre-oxygenation is generally carried out with a bag and a face mask. Once under general anaesthesia, patients must be intubated to ventilate the patient. In some cases, intubation is completed in 30 to 60 seconds, but in other cases, particularly if the patient's airway is difficult to traverse (for example, due to cancer, severe injury, obesity or spasm of the neck muscles), intubation will take significantly longer. While pre-oxygenation provides a buffer against declines in oxygen saturation, for long intubation procedures, it is necessary to interrupt the intubation process and reapply the face mask to increase the patient's oxygen saturation to adequate levels. The interruption of the intubation process may happen several times for difficult intubation processes, which is time consuming and puts the patient at severe health risk. After approximately three attempts at intubation the medical procedure will be abandoned.
In procedures where multiple respiratory support systems are required, there may be a concern that the combination(s) of support systems could cause excessive pressure delivery (for example when a cannula is in place on a patient and an anesthetist wishes to deliver support through a mask over top of the cannula).
Furthermore, switching between difference support systems may be time consuming or difficult. It may therefore be desirable to have a configuration that allows easy interchange between respiratory support, for example support via high flow and respiratory support via a face mask and bag. It would may also be desirable to allow gas flows to be quickly and easily turned off or reduced.
In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed, in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.
It is an object of this disclosure to provide for a respiratory therapy system, or devices or patient interfaces therefore, which go at least some way towards providing for an alternative or for providing the industry/public with a useful choice.
In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory apparatus for providing respiratory support to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory apparatus for providing respiratory support to a patient, the apparatus comprising:
The first configuration may be an open configuration and the second configuration may be a partially or substantially closed configuration, the second level of the flow of gases being substantially less than the first level or is a substantially zero flow of the flow of gases.
The device may comprises a collapsible portion of the gas conduit configured to transition between the first configuration and the second configuration.
The gas conduit may comprise a bulkhead or pair of bulkheads within the collapsible portion,
The collapsible portion may be adapted to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration when: (i) a second patient interface is located upon the collapsible portion, or (ii) a user presses the collapsible portion.
The device may comprise a valve configurable between the first and second configurations.
In the second configuration the valve may vent or divert at least a portion of the flow of gases from the apparatus.
The device may comprise a pressure relief device, and in the first configuration is in a closed or non-venting configuration, and in the second configuration is in an open or venting configuration to vent or divert at least a portion of the flow of gases from the apparatus.
The valve may vent or divert the portion of the flow of gases in a direction away from the patient.
The valve may be adapted to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration when: (i) a second patient interface is located upon at least a component of the valve, or (ii) a user presses at least a component of the valve.
The nasal interface may comprise the device, or the gas conduit may be connected or connectable to the nasal interface and comprises the device.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a system for providing respiratory support to a patient comprising:
The system may comprise:
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a system for providing respiratory support to a patient comprising:
The first patient interface may be a nasal interface, such as a nasal cannula, and the second patient interface may be a face mask or oral mask.
The device or sensing arrangement may be adapted to switch the system from the first mode to the second mode by the closure or partial closure of a gas conduit providing the first flow of gases to the outlet of the first patient interface.
The device or sensing arrangement may be adapted to switch the system from the second mode to the first mode by opening a gas conduit or allowing a gas conduit to provide the first flow of gases to the outlet of the first patient interface.
The first respiratory support system may comprise a first gas conduit and the device, the device comprising a collapsible portion of the first gas conduit configured to transition between a first configuration for providing a first level of the first flow of gases to the outlet and a second configuration for providing a second level of the first flow of gases to the outlet, the second level less than the first level, and one or both of:
The first configuration may be an open configuration and the second configuration may be a partially or substantially closed configuration, the second level of the first flow of gases being substantially less than the first level or is a substantially zero flow of the first flow of gases.
The collapsible portion may be adapted to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration when the second patient interface is located upon the collapsible portion.
The second patient interface may be a face mask and the collapsible portion is adapted to be collapsed to the second configuration by a mask seal of the face mask.
The collapsible portion may be adapted to form a seal with the mask seal when in the second configuration, and/or wherein the collapsible portion is adapted to collapse to allow the mask seal to form a seal with the patient's face.
The collapsible portion may comprise a cross section comprising a hinged or articulated or a concertina-type or bellows-type conduit wall arrangement allowing for the collapsible portion to be collapsed from the first condition to the second condition under application of a force or load acting on the collapsible portion.
The first patient interface may comprise the collapsible portion of the first conduit, or the first gas conduit may be connected or connectable to the first patient interface and comprises the collapsible portion of the first conduit.
The first respiratory support system may comprise the device, the device may comprise a valve for controlling the delivery of the first flow of respiratory gases to the outlet of the first patient interface, and wherein the system switches from the first respiratory mode to the second respiratory mode by switching the valve between a first configuration for providing a first level of the first flow of gases to the outlet and a second configuration for providing a second level of the first flow of gases to the outlet, the second level less than the first level.
The first patient interface may comprise the valve, or the first respiratory support system may comprise a first gas conduit for providing the first flow of gases to the first patient interface, the first gas conduit comprising said valve.
The first configuration may be an open configuration and the second configuration may be a partially or substantially closed configuration, the second level of the first flow of gases being substantially less than the first level or is a substantially zero flow of the first flow of gases.
In the second configuration the valve may vent or divert at least a portion of the first flow of gases from the first respiratory support system.
The valve may be a pressure relief device, and in the first configuration may be in a closed or non-venting configuration, and in the second configuration may be in an open or venting configuration to vent or divert at least a portion of the first flow of gases from the first respiratory support system.
The valve may vent or divert the portion of the first flow of gases in a direction away from the patient.
The valve may be adapted to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration by applying a portion of the second patient interface against at least a component of the valve.
The second patient interface may be a face mask and the portion is a mask seal of the face mask.
The system or apparatus may comprise the sensing arrangement, the sensing arrangement generating a signal or output to facilitate the switching of the device between the first and second configurations.
The system or apparatus may comprise the sensing arrangement, the sensing arrangement generating a signal or output to facilitate the switching of the system or apparatus between the first and second respiratory modes or configurations in response to a sensed condition.
A sensor or sensors of the sensing arrangement may be associated with one or more of:
The sensor or sensors may generate the signal or output upon sensing a change in condition in the gas conduit, or the first respiratory support system comprises a first gas conduit and the sensor or sensors generate the signal or output upon sensing a change in condition in the first gas conduit.
The sensor may sense a change in pressure in the gas conduit or first gas conduit and/or an occlusion of the gas conduit or first gas conduit.
The first respiratory support system may comprise the device, and the sensor arrangement comprises a first pressure sensor located downstream of the device, a second pressure sensor located upstream of the device, and a controller configured to determine, based on a generated signal or output from the first and second sensors, when the system switches or is to switch between the first and second respiratory modes.
The sensor may sense an in-situ combination of the or a second patient interface with the first patient interface or the nasal interface.
The sensor may be arranged to sense a pressure external of the first patient interface or nasal interface and internal of the or a second patient interface, when the first patient interface or the nasal interface and the second interface are in an in-situ combination.
The system may comprise a controller adapted to receive said signal or output and in response activates or controls one or more of the following system outcomes:
The system may comprise a spacer component as a block or mount, wherein the spacer component may comprise a channel or groove or pathway for receiving a portion of the gas conduit and a sealing surface over which a seal of the second patient interface forms a seal together with patient's face.
The spacer component may be the item associated with the first patient interface, the second patient interface, both the first and second patient interfaces, or the patient.
The second patient interface may comprise:
The first respiratory support system may comprise a pressure relief device located upstream of the device to vent or divert at least a portion of the first flow of gases from the first respiratory support system.
The first respiratory support system may comprise a one way valve to prevent or reduce a back flow in the first respiratory support system from the second respiratory support system.
The second patient interface may be a hand held patient interface.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a patient interface comprising:
The first portion of the first gases lumen may transition or progress between the first and second configurations based on a relative level of force applied to an external wall, or experienced by an internal wall, of the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may transition or progress between the first and second configurations based on a level of pressure of gases passing through the first portion of the gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may be in the first configuration when gases having pressures above a first predetermined pressure level are passing through the first gases lumen and the first portion of the first gases lumen may be in the second configuration when gases having pressures below the first predetermined pressure level are passing through the first gases lumen.
The first configuration may be a substantially open configuration and the second configuration is a substantially closed configuration.
The first level of gases may be greater than the second level of gases.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may comprise a wall that is thinner than one or more walls of other portions of the first gases lumen.
The patient interface may further comprise a substantially smooth, or substantially linear, transition in thickness between the wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen and the one or more walls of other portions of the first gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may comprise a wall that is more flexible than walls of other portions of the first gases lumen, preferably the (more flexible) wall is formed at least in part from a material that is more flexible than the wall or walls of other portions of the first gases lumen.
A wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen may be configured to substantially collapse or be collapsible or does not retain a gases or fluid pathway or is substantially not self-supporting when in the second configuration.
The cross-sectional area of the first portion of the first gases lumen when taken along the length of the first gases lumen may be substantially reduced (e.g. may be reduced to zero) when in the second configuration, optionally may assume a substantially flat or flattened shape when in the second configuration.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may comprise an element about, or within or under a wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen adapted to limit compression of the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The element may be configured to promote the passage of a minimum level of gases flow through the first portion of the first gases lumen regardless of the configuration of the first portion of the first gases lumen. Optionally, such an element may be a reinforcement element.
The first gases lumen may comprise an element at or near a wall of the first gases lumen adapted to limit compression of the first gases lumen, wherein the strength, thickness and/or width of the element is decreased at or near the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The patient interface may comprise a substantially smooth, or substantially linear, transition in strength, thickness and/or width of the element from a portion of the element at or near the first portion of the first gases lumen to one or more portions of the or another element distal from the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The patient interface may further comprise a second gases lumen extending along at least an inner region of the first gases lumen through, at or near the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The second gases lumen may be less compressible or may be more resistant to a compression than the first portion of the first gases lumen. In some such configurations, a wall of the second gases lumen is formed at least in part from a material that is more rigid or less flexible than a wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen. Optionally, the second gases lumen may be formed by the element or elements (such as a reinforcement element) when the element or a plurality of elements are brought together. For example, a reinforcement element may be shaped or configured or otherwise adapted to interact with a wall of the first gases lumen to provide for a second gases lumen, alternatively reinforcement elements may be brought together in a configuration for formation of the second gases lumen, and optionally the closure of the first gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may be wider than, or is larger or presents a wider or larger cross-sectional surface area, or may be a bellowed or enlarged localized region relative to other portions of the first gases lumen.
The patient interface may further comprises a substantially smooth, or substantially linear, transition in width or cross-sectional area or side from the first portion of the first gases lumen to portions of the first gases lumen distal from the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The patient interface may further comprise a pressure relief arrangement adapted to reduce the pressure of gases in the first gases lumen when the first portion of the first gases lumen is in the second configuration.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a nasal cannula. The nasal cannula may comprise a first tubular section; and at least one nasal delivery element (e.g. at least one nasal prong) in fluid (e.g. pneumatic) communication with the first tubular section, one or more of the at least one nasal delivery elements adapted to rest in one or more nares of a user; wherein the first tubular section comprises a first gases lumen adapted to receive gases from a gases source; and wherein a first portion of the first gases lumen comprises a greater propensity than other portions of the first gases lumen to progress from a first configuration in which a first level of gases is able to pass through the first portion of the first gases lumen to a second configuration in which a second level of gases is able to pass through the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The at least one nasal delivery element may be adapted to non-sealingly rest in or be located within one or more nares of the user.
A flow manifold may be interposed between the first tubular section and the at least one nasal delivery element.
The at least one nasal delivery element may extend from the flow manifold.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may progress between the first and second configurations based on a level of force applied to an external wall or an internal wall (e.g. as experienced by an internal wall) of the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may progress between the first and second configurations based, at least in part, on a level of pressure of gases passing through the first portion of the gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may be in the first configuration when gases having pressures above a first predetermined pressure level are passing through the first gases lumen and the first portion of the first gases lumen may be in the second configuration when gases having pressures below the first predetermined pressure level are passing through the first gases lumen.
The first configuration may be a substantially open configuration and the second configuration is a substantially closed configuration.
The first level of gases may be greater than the second level of gases.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may comprise a wall that is thinner than one or more walls of other portions of the first gases lumen.
The nasal cannula may further comprise a substantially smooth transition in thickness between the wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen and the one or more walls of other portions of the first gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may comprise a wall formed at least in part from a material that is more flexible than walls of other portions of the first gases lumen.
A wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen may be configured to substantially collapse or be non-self-supporting in the second configuration.
The cross-sectional area of the first portion of the first gases lumen when taken along the length of the first gases lumen may be substantially reduced (e.g. may be reduced to zero) when in the second configuration, optionally may assume a substantially flat or flattened shape or configuration when in the second configuration.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may comprise a reinforcement element about, within or under a wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen adapted to limit compression of the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The reinforcement element may be configured to promote the passage of a minimum level of gases flow through the first portion of the first gases lumen regardless of the configuration of the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The first gases lumen may comprise a reinforcement element at or near a wall of the first gases lumen adapted to limit compression of the first gases lumen, wherein the strength, thickness and/or width of the reinforcement element is decreased at or near the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The nasal cannula may comprise a substantially smooth, or substantially linear, transition in strength, thickness and/or width of the reinforcement element from a portion of the reinforcement element at or near the first portion of the first gases lumen to one or more portions of the reinforcement element distal from or adjacent to the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may have a greater propensity than other portions of the first gases lumen to transition from a first configuration in which a first level of gases is able to pass through the first portion of the first gases lumen to a second configuration in which a second level of gases is able to pass through the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The nasal cannula may further comprise a second gases lumen extending along at least an inner region of the first gases lumen at or near the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The second gases lumen may be less compressible than the first portion of the first gases lumen.
A wall of the second gases lumen may be formed at least in part from a material that is more rigid or less flexible than a wall of the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may be wider than or is larger or presents a wider or larger cross-sectional surface area, or may be a bellowed or enlarged localized region relative to other portions of the first gases lumen.
The nasal cannula may further comprise a substantially smooth, or substantially linear transition in width from the first portion of the first gases lumen to portions of the first gases lumen distal from the first portion of the first gases lumen.
The nasal cannula may further comprise a pressure relief valve, device or arrangement adapted to reduce or alleviate the pressure of gases in the first gases lumen when the first portion of the first gases lumen is in the second configuration.
The nasal cannula may further comprise one or more attachment structures secured or attached or connected to one or more user facing portions of the nasal cannula, the one or more attachment structures adapted to fasten or attach or connect the nasal cannula to the face of the user (optionally in a removable manner).
The one or more attachment structures may be adapted to interface with one or more fixation structures secured to the face to fasten the nasal cannula to the face, such as in a removable manner.
The at least one nasal delivery element may be shaped or angled such that it extends inwardly towards a septum of the user.
The at least one nasal delivery element may be shaped or angled such that a tip of the at least one nasal delivery element points, in use, towards a back of the user's head, or is angled to direct a flow of supplied gases toward the back or an inner-more region of a user's nare or nares.
A respiratory support system is disclosed, the respiratory system may comprise a first respiratory support subsystem and a second respiratory support subsystem, wherein the first respiratory support subsystem comprises the patient interface as described, and wherein the system is configured to switch delivery of respiratory support to a patient from the first subsystem to the second subsystem when said first portion of the first gases lumen of the patient interface transitions from said first configuration to said second configuration.
The first respiratory support subsystem may be a high flow system.
The first respiratory support subsystem may further comprise the nasal cannula described.
The second respiratory support subsystem may comprise a face mask.
The first portion of the first gases lumen may transition from the first configuration to the second configuration when compressed by a seal of the face mask.
A method of switching between two respiratory support modes is disclosed, wherein a first respiratory support mode delivers respiratory support to a patient using the patient interface described, and comprising a step of transitioning said first portion of the first gases lumen from said first configuration, in which the first respiratory support mode delivers respiratory support to the patient, to said second configuration in which a second respiratory support mode delivers respiratory support to the patient.
The first mode may be a high flow therapy mode.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a conduit comprising a collapsible portion, wherein the collapsible portion comprises a cross section comprising a hinged or articulated or a concertina-type or bellows-type conduit wall arrangement allowing for the collapsible portion to be collapsed from the first condition to the second condition under application of a force or load acting on the collapsible portion.
The cross section may comprise a single folding portion on a side of the collapsible portion extending between an outer side of the conduit and an inner side of the conduit, in use the inner side of the conduit in contact with a patient's face, and wherein the folding portion comprises a pair of side portions, the side portions diverging from a folding point to present an externally facing acute or obtuse angle when in the first condition, and in the second position the cross section deforming at the folding point so that the pair of side portions come together to collapse the collapsible portion to the second condition.
The cross section may comprise a first said single folding portion on a first side of the collapsible portion, and a second said single folding portion on a second side of the collapsible portion, the second side opposite to the first side, the first and second folding portions extending between the outer side of the conduit and the inner side of the conduit.
The cross section may comprise the single folding portion on a first side of the collapsible portion and a second folding point at a second side of the collapsible portion, the second side opposite to the first side, the outer side of the conduit and an inner side of the conduit diverging from the second folding point.
The inner and outer sides of the conduit may fold together at the second folding point when transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration.
The angle may be an acute angle.
The angle may be less than 60 degrees, or 55 degrees, or 50 degrees, or 45 degrees, or 40 degrees, or 35 degrees.
In the second condition, the collapsible portion may collapse so that external surfaces of the side portions are in contact.
In the second condition, internal surfaces of the side portions contact internal surfaces of the inner side and the outer side of the conduit.
In another aspect, according to this disclosure, there is provided a conduit, or at least a part length of a conduit, for use as a part of a respiratory therapy delivery system, the conduit or part length of the conduit comprising:
The at least one form or array of forms may be substantially unrestrictively distortable or buckling in response to application of the force or load.
The distortion or buckling of the at least one form or array of forms from the first condition to the second condition may be to a pre-determined distorted or buckled orientation or arrangement or configuration of the least one form or the array of forms.
The force or load applied to the outside surface of the conduit, in use, may be sufficient to overcome the bias.
The force or load applied to the outside surface of the conduit may be, in use, sufficient to induce distortion or buckling of the at least one form or array of forms.
The second condition may be a preferentially pre-determined re-configuration (or re-arrangement or re-orientation) of the at least one form or the array of forms.
In the second condition, internal surfaces of the conduit wall may be brought together upon themselves, or at least are partially brought together upon themselves, whether into contact with, or to be substantially adjacent with, each other, to provide for the substantially closed or substantially collapsed conduit wall condition or where the lumen or gas flow path are substantially occluded or obstructed as to a gas flow therethrough.
The form or the array of forms may be biased toward the first condition.
The form of the array of forms may be capable of being distorted or buckled from the first condition toward the second condition upon application of the force or load, yet reduction or removal of the force or load allows the form or array of forms to return or recover the conduit to the first condition.
The form or array of forms may be independent of the conduit wall or an internal wall surface. That is, the form or forms are not attached or connected to the conduit wall or an internal surface thereof.
The form may be a spiraled or helically wound or coiled member being of a pitch angle of about 20° to about 70°, or about 25° to about 65°, or about 35° to about 55°, or about 45° from a horizontal longitudinal axis extending along the conduit or the at least part of the conduit comprising the form or array of forms, or being an angle relative to the conduit wall, the pitch angle being the angle between each wind or coil of the member.
The form may be of a spiraled or helically wound or coiled member having a pitch of greater than about ¼ the internal diameter of the conduit to about 10 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or about ½ to about 8 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or about ⅔ to about 6 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or about 1 times to about 4 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or the pitch being substantially the length as the internal diameter of the conduit, pitch being the distance from a centre to a centre of adjacent spirals or helical windings or coils of the member.
The form may be a spiraled or helically wound or coiled member being of a pitch angle or a pitch (or both), such that application of the load or force to an outside surface of the conduit allows the form to fold over upon itself or to be re-oriented so that the form lies in a substantially flat orientation when in the second condition.
The form may be a series of rings, each ring of the series including a hinged inter-connection to at least one other ring.
The hinged inter-connection may facilitate the distortion or buckling of the form.
The form may be a series of hingedly connected components, arranged so as to provide for at least a substantially continuous support of the conduit wall at least in the part length of the conduit comprising the form.
The conduit wall may comprise at least one form or an array of forms extending substantially longitudinally along a conduit wall, or at least substantially longitudinally along the part length of the conduit wall comprising the form.
The at least one form or the array of forms may be a flap or hinge formed as a part of or provided at or within a conduit wall.
The flap or hinge may allow for the conduit wall to fold over upon itself.
The form or array of forms may be a concertina-type arrangement or a bellows-type arrangement, said arrangement allowing for the conduit to be distorted or buckled from the first condition to the second condition under application of the force or load.
The form may be a hinge formed or integrated as a part of or provided at or within a conduit wall.
A plurality of hinges may be formed as part of a conduit wall.
The hinges may extend substantially longitudinally along a conduit wall, or at least substantially longitudinally along the part length of the conduit wall comprising the hinges.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a conduit provided as part of a breathing circuit or for use in a respiratory therapy delivery system, wherein the conduit is devoid of supporting structure that otherwise maintains the conduit in gas flow capable condition, the wall of the conduit defining a lumen therethrough, the wall being sufficiently flexible as to be non-self supporting.
The conduit may be maintained in a gas flow configuration by a positive pressure of gas provided to the lumen of the conduit.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a conduit for supplying or delivering a gas to a patient interface, the conduit comprising:
The build-up of pressure may be experienced upon application of a subsequent respiratory therapy being administered to the patient, not limited to, but including, application of a full face mask delivering a respiratory therapy to the patient of a pressure P2, while the pressure within the conduit comprising the vent or pressure relief device and one-way valve is of a pressure P1, where P1 is less than P2.
The one-way valve may be operational to substantially prevent back flow of gases otherwise supplied to the patient either from the patient interface or the subsequent patient interface.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a pressure relief device for use with a conduit that delivers pressurised gas from a gas source to a patient, the pressure relief device comprising:
The first wall may be relatively rigid and the second wall is relatively flexible.
The pressure relief device may further comprises a tongue extending from the first wall such that the tongue overlaps the adjacent wall of the conduit.
The first wall may be relatively flexible and the second wall is relatively rigid.
The force may be due to an item being pressed against the first wall.
The force may be a pressure of the gas within the conduit reaching a threshold pressure.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a pressure relief device for use with a component of a respiratory support system that delivers pressurised gas from a gas source to a patient, the component of the respiratory support system having an aperture, the pressure relief device comprising: a biased component engageable with the aperture, wherein during normal use the biased component is biased towards the aperture in the component of the respiratory support system to substantially seal the aperture such that substantially all of the gases from a gas source pass through a conduit and when the pressure of the gas within the conduit reaches a threshold pressure the biased member moves away from the aperture in the component of the respiratory support system to provide a passage through which gas may flow from within the component of the respiratory support system to exit to atmosphere.
The component of the respiratory support system may comprise a filter.
The component of the respiratory support system may comprise the conduit.
The component of the respiratory support system may comprise a chamber.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a pressure relief device for use with a conduit that delivers pressurised gas from a gas source to a patient, the conduit having an aperture, the pressure relief device comprising:
The operating portion may be on one side of the pivot and the sealing portion is on the other side of the pivot.
The operating portion may be on one side of the pivot and the sealing portion is on the same side of the pivot.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a flow restricting device for use with a conduit that delivers pressurised gas from a gas source to a patient the flow restricting device comprising a gate that is movable in a transverse direction across the conduit from a first position in which substantially a first level of gases from said gas source pass through said conduit to a second position in which a second level of gases pass.
The first position may be a substantially open configuration and the second position is a substantially closed configuration. In some configurations, the first level of gases is greater than the second level of gases.
The second position may be a completely closed or occluded or blocked gas flow path, or may be a partially closed or occluded or blocked gas flow path, including but not limited to being a restricted or constricted gas flow path.
The flow restricting device may comprise two gates having complementary engageable features.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a pressure relief device for use with a component of a respiratory support system that delivers pressurised gas from a gas source to a patient, the component of the respiratory support system having an aperture, the pressure relief device comprising: a movable component engageable with the aperture, wherein during normal use the movable component is biased towards sealing the aperture in the component of the respiratory support system such that substantially all of the gases from a gas source pass through a conduit and when the pressure of the gas within the conduit reaches a threshold pressure the movable member clears the aperture in the component of the respiratory support system to provide a passage through which gas may flow from within the component of the respiratory support system to exit to atmosphere.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a combination of a pressure relief device as disclosed herein together with a conduit.
The pressure relief device may be integrally formed with the conduit.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a patient interface comprising: one or two sides arms extending from a manifold, and one or two outlets (such as nasal prongs) at or extending from the manifold, wherein one or both side arms comprises: a lumen for supply of a flow of gases from a respiratory tube to the manifold, and a venting arrangement to vent gases from the lumen to determine a maximum pressure at a user's airway or the patient interface.
The side arm may comprise a sealing portion over which a seal of a face mask can seal together with sealing against a user's face, and wherein the vent is positioned on the side arm outside of a sealing area of the face mask.
The sealing portion may comprise a profile allowing the seal of the face mask to seal against the portion together with the face of the user.
The side arm may be configured to resist an external force such that it does not compress or collapse in use.
The side arm may be formed from a relatively rigid material.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to an item such as a block or mount for use with a patient interface, the item in contact with, or to be placed in contact with, a patient's face, the item comprising: at least one lumen there through for allowing a gas supply conduit to pass, or for a connection of the gas supply conduit to be made at each end of the lumen, wherein the supplied gas is fluidly connected to the patient interface, and a venting arrangement to vent gases from the lumen to determine a maximum pressure at a user's airway or the patient interface.
The item may comprise a sealing portion over which a seal of a face mask can seal together with sealing against a user's face, and wherein the vent is positioned on the item outside of a sealing area of the face mask.
The sealing portion may comprise a profile allowing the seal of the face mask to seal against the portion together with the face of the user.
The item may be configured to resist an external force such that it does not compress or collapse in use.
The item may be formed from a relatively rigid material.
The item may be integrally formed with a side arm of a patient interface such as a cannula.
The patient interface or item may comprise a filter device to prevent contamination of a breathing circuit providing a flow of gases to the item or interface, and the filter device comprises the venting arrangement.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a respiratory tube for use with a patient interface comprising a window in a wall of the tube, and a perimeter portion of the window configured to seal against the face of the user.
The tube may comprise a seal around the perimeter of the window to seal against the user's face.
The tube may have a relatively flat cross section compared to a conventional circular cross section.
The tube may be formed from a resilient material in a portion of the tube in which the window is formed.
The patient interface may be a nasal cannula.
The tube may comprise a membrane over the window.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a respiratory system adapted to provide a flow of respiratory gases to a user, comprising a bladder in fluid communication with a lumen of a respiratory gases tube, the bladder configured to reduce pressure fluctuations in the lumen of the tube and/or reduce a pressure increase of the gases provided to the user.
The bladder may form or provide a portion of the lumen of the tube.
The bladder may be a section of the tube that has a reduced wall thickness and/or may be formed of a more resilient material than a remainder of the tube.
The bladder may be integrally formed with portions of the tube extending from each end of the bladder, or may be releasably attachable to a respiratory tube.
The bladder may be releasably attachable to a respiratory tube, each end of the bladder configured to be attached to a tube to form a respiratory tube assembly comprising a first length of tube attached to one end of the bladder, the bladder, and a second length of tube attached to the other end of the bladder.
The bladder may provide an indication of an increased pressure in the lumen of the tube.
The system may comprise a venting arrangement, such that once an increased pressure is reached the venting arrangement operates to vent respiratory gases from the lumen of the tube into the bladder.
The bladder may be configured to accommodate a predetermined volume and pressure of gases amounting to a predetermined flow rate and pressure.
The bladder may be configured to store a volume of gases equivalent to a flow rate of 70 L/min for 3 to 5 minutes at a typical operating pressure for a desired therapy to be delivered.
The system may comprise a relief valve or vent to vent the bladder to atmosphere once the bladder reaches a predetermined vent pressure.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a respiratory tube configured to provide a flow of respiratory gases to a user, comprising a bladder configured to reduce pressure fluctuations in the lumen of the tube and/or reduce a pressure increase of the gases provided to the user.
The bladder may form or provide a portion of the lumen of the tube.
The bladder may be a section of the tube that has a reduced wall thickness and/or is formed of a more resilient material than a remainder of the tube.
The bladder may be integrally formed with portions of the tube extending from each end of the bladder, or may be releasably attachable to a respiratory tube.
A respiratory tube may be a respiratory tube assembly, each end of the bladder may be configured to be attached to a tube to form the respiratory tube assembly comprising a first length of tube attached to one end of the bladder, the bladder, and a second length of tube attached to the other end of the bladder.
The bladder may provide an indication of an increased pressure in the lumen of the tube.
The respiratory tube may comprise a venting arrangement, such that once an increased pressure is reached the venting arrangement operates to vent respiratory gases from the lumen of the tube into the bladder.
The bladder may be configured to accommodate a predetermined volume and pressure of gases amounting to a predetermined flow rate and pressure.
The bladder may be configured to store a volume of gases equivalent to a flow rate of 70 L/min for 3 to 5 minutes at a typical operating pressure for a desired therapy to be delivered.
A system may comprise a patient interface, a valve, and a vent.
In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a patient interface comprising: a device for blocking flow between an inlet for receiving a flow of gases and an outlet for delivering the flow of gases to a patient, and/or a sensing arrangement. The device may be a collapsible portion of a conduit between the inlet and outlet, or a valve between the between the inlet and outlet. The sensing arrangement may comprise a first sensor upstream of the device and a sensor downstream of the device. The patient interface may comprise a pressure relief valve, upstream of the device. The device may be a pressure relieve device.
The interface may be a nasal cannula.
The respiratory tube may comprise a relief valve or vent to vent the bladder to atmosphere once the bladder reaches a predetermined vent pressure.
The valve may be a switch, a collapsible portion of a conduit, or a one way valve.
The vent may be a pressure relief valve.
A respiratory therapy delivery system may comprise any one or more of the above.
A patient interface may be provided in fluid communication with a gas supply conduit or tube, said conduit or tube comprising any one or more of the above.
A conduit or tube may be provided as a part of a respiratory therapy delivery system for supplying gas to a patient interface, said conduit or tube comprising any one or more of the above.
A system may comprise any one or more of the above, wherein said system is provided as a part of respiratory delivery therapy system for a patient undergoing a medical procedure.
In one embodiment, there is provided a system for providing respiratory support to a patient comprising:
A system may comprise:
The pressure sensor may be located at or near the nasal cannula, or at or near the nasal prong, or on a conduit adapted to deliver gas to the nasal cannula, or at a humidifier adapted to humidify the flow of gas, or at the flow controller, or the pressure sampling line samples a pressure at any one of these locations.
The pressure sensor may be located at or near the at least one nasal prong.
The pressure sensor may be located on a conduit adapted to deliver gas to the nasal cannula.
The flow controller may comprise a mechanical valve.
The mechanical valve may be a pressure relief device.
The system may comprise at least one processor to control the flow controller based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.
The pressure relief device may comprise a valve member, the pressure acting on the valve member to operate the pressure relief device to restrict or prevent the flow of gas into the nare of the patient from the nasal prong.
The pressure relief device may comprise a cap or housing, to house the valve member on an outer side of a gas lumen of the system.
The valve member may be biased to a closed position to provide the flow of gas into the nare of the patient from the nasal prong.
The valve member may be or may comprise a piston or shuttle, the pressure acting on the piston or shuttle to operate the pressure relieve device to restrict or prevent the flow of gas into the nare of the patient from the nasal prong.
The predetermined value may be a maximum pressure.
The predetermined value may be an adjustable value.
The flow controller may be operated to deliver a maximum flow while maintaining the pressure below the predetermined value.
The set flow may be delivered at all times, unless a set pressure is exceeded at which point, the system maximises the flow possible to stay below that pressure.
The flow controller may be located remote from the nasal cannula.
A system may further comprise a mask to be in-situ with the nasal cannula in use.
The nasal cannula may be an unsealed patient interface.
The mechanical valve may comprise a valve member, a spring biasing the valve member into an open position allowing the flow of gas to be delivered to the patient.
The valve member may be adapted such that when the pressure in or near the nare of the patient's nose is greater than the force of the spring the valve member is urged to a closed position by the flow pressure, and the flow of gas is not delivered to patient.
The mechanical valve may have an excess flow outlet.
The tension of the spring may be a fixed spring tension. In other embodiments, the tension of the spring may be an adjustable spring tension.
The flow controller may comprise at least one processor and a user interface.
The predetermined value may be a fixed value.
The predetermined value may be an adjustable value.
The system further may comprise an anaesthetic mask.
The nasal cannula may be an unsealed patient interface.
The system further may comprise a second respiratory support system for directing a flow of gas into a patient's airway. The flow of gas may be a respiratory gas or another gas. The secondary respiratory support system may comprise a mask.
The flow controller may control the flow of gas from one or more gas sources.
In one embodiment, there is provided a method of providing respiratory support to a patient comprising:
In some embodiments, step iv) comprises preventing the flow of gas into the nare of the patient's nose from the nasal prong.
Flow may be prevented from entering the system when the measured pressure is above a limit.
The method may further comprise directing a flow of gas into a patient's airway using a second respiratory support system. The flow of gas may be a respiratory gas or another gas. The gas may be delivered to the patient via a mask.
The system may comprise an overall pressure relief system that can account for overall pressure and control one or more flow generator or one or more gas sources (this is because sometimes there might not be a flow generator and only a gas source might be present).
The pressure sensor may be located at or near the nasal cannula, or at or near the nasal prong, or on a conduit adapted to deliver gas to the nasal cannula, or at a humidifier adapted to humidify the flow of gas, or at the flow controller, or the pressure sampling line samples a pressure at any one of these locations.
The pressure sensor may be located on the humidifier.
The pressure sensor may be located at the flow control valve.
The mechanical valve may be a pressure relief device.
The system may comprise flow controller controlled by at least one processor to control the flow controller based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor and a user interface.
The pressure relief device may comprises a valve member, the pressure acting on the valve member to operate the pressure relief device to restrict or prevent the flow of gas into the nare of the patient from the nasal prong.
The pressure relief device may comprise a cap or housing, to house the valve member on an outer side of a gas lumen of the system.
The valve member may be biased to a closed position to provide the flow of gas into the nare of the patient from the nasal prong.
The valve member may be or may comprise a piston or shuttle, the pressure acting on the piston or shuttle to operate the pressure relieve device to restrict or prevent the flow of gas into the nare of the patient from the nasal prong.
The flow controller may be operated to deliver a maximum flow while maintaining the pressure below the predetermined value delivered flow is maximized to maintain the set pressure.
The set flow may be delivered at all times, unless a set pressure is exceeded at which point, the system maximizes the flow possible to stay below that pressure.
The flow controller may be located remote from the nasal cannula.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to, a user interface device to enable a user to control gas flow in a respiratory therapy system for delivering high flow gas to a patient is disclosed, the user interface device comprising: at least one user actuable controller for controlling the flow rate and/or concentration of two gases through a patient interface, and for substantially blocking or reducing the flow rate of at least one of the gases through the patient interface.
The gases is a high flow gas. In some configurations, another of said gases is an anaesthetic gas.
In some configurations, said patient interface is a nasal cannula, and wherein a user actuated controller comprises a switch positioned on the cannula.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy system comprising: a cannula for delivering a high flow gas to a patient; a mask for delivering a gas to the patient; and a pressure sensor associated with the cannula; wherein the system is configured to adjust flow of the high flow gas through the cannula in response to at least one type of pressure change sensed by the sensor.
The pressure sensor may be provided on an external surface of the cannula or on an external surface of a tube in fluid communication with the cannula.
The system may be configured to reduce or substantially stop flow of the high flow gas when the pressure sensor detects a pressure increase.
The pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure increase in response to the mask being placed on the patient, the patient exhaling, or actuation of an anaesthetic bag.
The system may further comprise a valve to partially or substantially block flow of the high flow rate gas through the cannula in response to the detected pressure increase.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy system comprising: a cannula circuit for delivering a high flow gas to a patient through a cannula; a bag circuit to enable a user to manually deliver gas to a patient by actuating a bag; and a connector that connects the bag circuit to the cannula circuit, the connector comprising a separation to substantially prevent high flow gas from travelling into the bag circuit.
The connector may be configured to enable both high flow gas and gas from the bag circuit to be delivered to a patient through the cannula.
The connector may be configured to substantially prevent delivery of high flow gas to the cannula when the bag circuit is connected to the cannula circuit.
The separation may comprise one or more walls in the connector.
The cannula may be a nasal cannula with at least one prong for receipt in a patient's naris, the cannula comprising inflatable cuff(s) associated with the prong(s) to assist with creating a seal in the patient's naris or nares.
The system may be configured to inflate the cuff(s) in response to actuation of the bag.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to, a cannula circuit for delivering a high flow gas to a patient through a cannula; a bag circuit to enable a user to manually deliver gas to a patient by actuating a bag, the bag circuit in fluid communication with the cannula circuit; and a valve arranged to allow the delivery of high flow gas to the cannula when the bag is not actuated, and to allow the delivery of gas from the bag circuit to the cannula when the bag is actuated.
The valve may be arranged such that flow of high flow gas to the cannula is substantially blocked or reduced in response to actuation of the bag.
The cannula may be a nasal cannula with at least one prong for receipt in a patient's nares, the cannula comprising inflatable cuff(s) associated with the prong(s) to assist with creating a seal in the patient's naris or nares.
The system may be configured to inflate the cuff(s) in response to actuation of the bag.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a cannula comprising at least one prong for receipt in a patient's nares, the cannula comprising inflatable cuff(s) associated with the prong(s) to assist with creating a seal in the patient's naris or nares.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy system comprising: a patient interface for delivering gas to a patient; and a processor configured to control flow of gas through the patient interface to deliver gas to a patient at a first flow rate and/or pressure when the patient is spontaneously breathing, and configured to deliver gas to a patient at a second flow rate and/or pressure when the patient is not spontaneously breathing.
The system may be configured to detect the presence of apnoea and configured to deliver gas at the second flow rate and/or pressure in response to the detection of apnoea.
The system may be configured to detect the presence of apnoea based on the cessation of activation of brain signals, diaphragm signal, airway pressure, or CO2 measurements.
The first flow rate and/or pressure may comprise a relatively low flow rate and/or pressure, and the second flow rate and/or pressure may comprise a relatively high flow rate and/or pressure.
The processor may be a remote processor.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy system comprising: a patient interface for delivering gas to a patient; a sensor arranged to sense fluctuations in pressure in the patient interface or in a conduit in fluid communication with the patient interface; and a processor configured to adjust flow of gas to the patient interface to deliver gas at an increased flow rate to the patient interface if a reduction in airway pressure is sensed.
The processor may be configured to adjust flow of gas to the patient interface to deliver gas at an increased flow rate to the patient interface if the reduction in airway pressure is determined to be occurring during and/or after apnoea.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a patient interface comprising: a cannula for delivering gas to a patient; a connector portion in fluid communication with the cannula and configured for removably connecting the cannula to a complementary connector portion on a main gas conduit for delivering high flow gas to the cannula; and a secondary conduit in fluid communication with the cannula, the secondary conduit configured to provide fluid communication between the cannula and an alternative gas source.
The connector portion in fluid communication with the cannula may be configured to seal when the connector portion is disconnected from the complementary connector portion on the main gas conduit.
In another aspect, there is provided a patient interface comprising a mechanically activated switch or valve to control the flow of gas to the outlet or outlets from the patient interface.
The mechanically activated switch may be activated by a user, or alternatively may be activated by placement of a component of a respiratory therapy delivery system being brought into contact with the switch, such as a subsequent patient interface being brought into contact with the patient interface comprising the switch.
The patient interface comprising the switch may include a vent or pressure relief device to relieve pressure build-up due to activation of the switch and the flow of gas to the outlet or outlets being partially or completely stopped or prevented.
When activated, the switch may be partially blocking of the gas flow path through the patient interface or may be completely blocking of the flow path.
In another aspect, there is provided a conduit for use with a patient interface or as part of a respiratory therapy delivery system, the conduit comprising a mechanically activated switch or valve to control the flow of gas through the conduit and from being supplied to an outlet from the conduit (e.g. to a patient interface which may be connected to the conduit).
The mechanically activated switch may be activated by a user, or alternatively may be activated by placement of a component of a respiratory delivery system being brought into contact with the switch, such as a subsequent patient interface being brought into contact with the conduit comprising the switch.
The conduit comprising the switch may include a vent or pressure relief device to relieve pressure build-up due to activation of the switch and the flow of gas to the outlet from the conduit being partially or completely stopped or prevented.
When activated, the switch may be partially blocking of the gas flow path through the conduit or may be completely blocking of the flow path.
The conduit may be a self-supporting conduit (i.e. the conduit is not a collapsible conduit).
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy system comprising:
The first patient interface may comprise one or a pair of first patient interface outlets for directing the flow of gas to the patient's nose.
The first patient interface may be of a non-sealing interface type.
The first patient interface may be substantially non-sealing with a nare or nares of the patient's nose.
The first patient interface may be of a sealing type interface.
The first patient interface may be substantially sealing with a nare or nares of the patient's nose.
The first patient interface may deliver a first flow of gas to the patient.
The first flow of gas may be of a first flow-rate and/or pressure.
The percentage of oxygen in the first flow of gases delivered may be between about 20% and about 100%, or between about 30% and about 100%, or between about 40% and about 100%, or between about 50% and about 100%, or between about 60% and about 100%, or between about 70% and about 100%, or between about 80% and about 100%, or between about 90% and about 100%, or about 100%, or 100%.
The first patient interface may be configured to deliver said flow of gas to a nare or nares of a patient's nose.
The first patient interface may comprise one or a pair of nasal prongs.
The prong or prongs may deliver and/or direct a flow of supplied gas to a nare or nares of the patient's nose.
The first patient interface may comprise a face mount part and at least one (preferably a pair of) side arm(s) extending from the face mount part.
The side arm(s) may be configured to assist in positioning of the face mount part or of the first patient interface upon a patient.
The side arms may comprise a connection system for connecting with a headgear or a face mounted connection system.
The connection system may be of a releasable type or re-usable type connection system.
The headgear may comprise at least one head-strap.
The at least one headstrap may be splittable or bifurcatable or at least a portion of said headstrap is separable along a line of weakness or a preferential zone of split or separation.
The at least one headstrap may comprises single connection point to the, or each of the, at least one side arm(s).
The first patient interface may comprises removable manifold portion.
In further embodiments, when in attachment with the face mount portion, the removable manifold portion provides for a fluid connection of the one or pair of first patient interface outlets with a source of gas.
The manifold portion may be configured so as to be attachable to the face mount portion from either of a left-side or a right-side of the first patient interface.
The removable manifold portion may be a downstream-end connector to the first patient interface of a gas supply conduit for supplying the flow of gas to the first patient interface.
The manifold portion may be of a push-fit type connection with the face mount part.
The manifold part may be removably attached to the face mount part, configured to be removably attached from connection with the face mount part and to swivel or rotate relative to the face mount part from a first operatively connected orientation and to at least one other (preferably a second) operatively connected orientation.
The first operatively connected orientation may provide for the removable manifold portion and an associated gas supply conduit to extend from a patient's left-side or a right-side in use, or vice versa; and wherein the second operatively connected operation may provide for the removable manifold portion and an associated gas supply conduit to extend from the patient's right-side or left-side in use, or vice-versa.
The first patient interface may be a nasal cannula.
The second patient interface may comprise at least one second patient interface outlet for directing the flow of gas to the patient's respiratory airways.
The second patient interface may direct the flow of gas to the patient's: nose, or mouth, or nose and mouth.
The second patient interface may be of a non-sealing interface type. In further embodiments, the second patient interface may be of a sealing type interface.
The second patient interface may be a substantially sealing interface in which a seal is created with a patient's face when the second patient interface is in-situ.
The second patient interface may deliver a second flow of gas to the patient.
The second flow of gas may be of a second pressure.
The percentage of oxygen in the gases delivered in the second flow of gas may be between about 20% and about 100%, or between about 30% and about 100%, or between about 40% and about 100%, or between about 50% and about 100%, or between about 60% and about 100%, or between about 70% and about 100%, or between about 80% and about 100%, or between about 90% and about 100%, or about 100%, or 100%.
The second patient interface may comprise a body with a seal portion, the seal portion to be substantially engaging or sealing with the patient when in-situ.
The seal portion may be over-moulded to the body or is otherwise attached to the body.
The second patient interface may comprise a frame to which a body is attachable.
The patient interface may comprise an inlet for connection thereto by a gas supply conduit for supplying the flow of gas to the second patient interface.
The second patient interface may be a hand held patient interface.
The inlet may be a joint.
The joint may be a ball-type joint, or a swivel or pivoting type joint, or an articulated joint, or a joint capable of movement relative to the body.
The second patient interface may be a hand-held interface.
The second patient interface may comprise a connection system for connecting of a headgear, the headgear for supporting or positioning of the second patient interface upon the patient.
The connection system may be a releasable connection system, such that in-use, the headgear is removable or disconnectable from the second patient interface.
The second patient interface may be a mask.
The mask may be one of: a nasal mask, an oral mask, an oro-nasal mask, a full face mask, a nasal pillows mask, an endotracheal tube, or a combination of these or some other gas conveying system providing for a second flow of gas to the patient.
The item may be a block or mount in contact with, or to be placed in contact with, the patient's face, the block or mount comprising at least one lumen therethrough for allowing a gas supply conduit to pass, or for a connection of the gas supply conduit to be made at each end of the lumen, wherein the supplied gas is fluidly connected to the first patient interface.
The item may co-locate at least one gas supply conduit for supply of gas to the first patient interface.
The at least one gas supply conduit may extend or pass through the body of said item.
The at least one gas supply conduit may be a component extending through said item and which is sealingly engaged by said item.
The lumen through the item may be receivable of a gas supply conduit.
The lumen through the item may form a part of a fluid passageway for delivery of gas to the first patient interface.
The item may comprise a compressible portion or a portion that is capable of being squashed or deformed under an exerted force or pressure.
One or more of the at least one lumen may be located within the compressible portion or portion that is capable of being squashed or deformed. The compressible portion may be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer or silicone.
A lumen and/or conduit located within the compressible portion or portion may be capable of being squashed or deformed and may be compressed or deformed so as to block or obstruct (or prevent), or partially obstruct, the flow of gas from being supplied to the first patient interface.
The item may be an integral part of a side arm of the first patient interface.
The item may be removeably attachable to a supply conduit to the first patient interface.
The item may be removeably attachable to a side arm of the first patient interface.
The item may be a discreet component separately positionable or locatable upon a patient, more particularly upon a patient's face.
The item may be a gas conduit in fluid connection with the first patient interface, or the second patient interface, of gas conduits in fluid connection with connection with each of the first and second patient interfaces.
The item may be a patch or pad or wearable device that is attachable or locatable upon the patient for sensing the in-situ combination of the first patient interface and the second patient interface upon the patient during delivery of gas to the patient, wherein such a sensed combination generates a signal or output.
The signal or output may be fed to, or may activate or control (or activates and controls) one or more of the following system outcomes:
The signal or output of the sensed in-situ combination may provide for control of the flow (or pressure) of the gas being directed to the first patient interface.
The sensor may uses one or a combination of any one of the following in sensing the in-situ combination:
The sensor may be located on or within the first patient interface or the second patient interface, or both of the first and second patient interfaces, the sensor sensing:
A sensor may be located on or within the first patient interface.
A sensor may be located on or within the second patient interface.
The sensor may senses when the second patient interface is in-situ or “in place” on a patient, and generates the signal or output.
The sensor may detect the placement of the second patient interface upon a patient.
The sensor used may be one or more of: an optical sensor (including IR), an acoustic sensor (audible or ultrasonic), a mechanically activated or triggered sensor (e.g. a mechanical switch activated when in contact with another object).
The acoustic sensing system may comprise a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter transmitting a pre-determined code (e.g. a modulated acoustic signal) and the receiver receiving and detecting the code. The acoustic signal may be sent by a transmitter and if the second patient interface is present the signal is reflected back to a receiver located proximal to the transmitter. For example, the transmitter and receiver may be on or within the first patient interface and the signal may be reflected by the second patient interface. Alternatively, the transmitter and receiver may be on or within the second patient interface and the signal may be reflected by the patient's face or the first patient interface.
The optical sensing system may comprise a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter transmitting a pre-determined code (e.g. a specific binary code) and the receiver receiving and detecting the code. For example, the transmitter and receiver may be on or within the first patient interface and the signal may be reflected by the second patient interface. Alternatively, the transmitter and receiver may be on or within the second patient interface and the signal may be reflected by the patient's face or the second patient interface.
In The sensor may sense the in-situ combination, the gas flow to the first patient interface is controlled. Wherein control of the gas flow to the first patient interface is a discontinuation or ceasing of the gas supply.
The sensor may sense the patient's face, or the first patient interface, or both of the patient's face and the first patient interface, the gas flow to the first patient interface is controlled or a signal or output is generated by the sensor to control or regulate the flow of gas to the first patient interface or to generate an alarm or warning.
The sensor may be chosen or tuned so as to sense a component located on or embedded with the first or the second patient interface or that is located on or embedded within each of the first and second patient interfaces.
The sensor may be is chosen or tuned so as to avoid an accidental false positive sensing.
The sensor may be located on or embedded within an item, the item being a block or mount in contact with, or to be placed in contact with, (or optionally being attachable to or mountable upon) the patient's face, the block or mount may comprise at least one lumen therethrough for allowing a gas supply conduit to pass, or for a connection of the gas supply conduit to be made at each end of the lumen, wherein the supplied gas is fluidly connected to the first patient interface.
The second patient interface may be placed in contact with the item, the sensor located or embedded within the item sensing the presence of the second patient interface and generating the signal or output.
The sensor may be at least one pair of electrodes that generate a signal or output based on the change in dielectric constant or change in capacitance between the electrodes, the signal or output being used to feed, or activate or control (or activate and control) any one or more of the system outcomes as defined above.
The sensor may be a mechanical switch activated by the second patient interface being placed into contact with said sensor, and generating the signal or output.
The mechanical switch may comprise an actuatable projection or prong extending from the item, the projection or prong extending from the item at a point which is to come into contact with the second patient interface when the second patient interface is provided in an operational configuration with the patient.
The actuatable projection or prong may be a depressible button, which once depressed is actuated and generated the signal or output.
The mechanical switch may comprise a strain gauge, said strain gauge generating a signal or output once a pre-determined quantity of strain is sensed, the pre-determined quantity of strain being indicative of a second patient interface being placed in contact with the item when the second patient interface is in an operational configuration with the patient.
The item may comprise an optically transmissive portion (such as, but not limited to an optically clear window section), wherein an optical sensor is located within the transmissive portion, the optical sensor optically sensing the presence of the second patient interface when placed substantially in contact with at least a part of the portion.
Prior to the presence or placement of the second patient interface substantially upon the optically transmissive portion, the sensing system may sense a total internal reflection; and when the second patient interface is present or placed upon the optically transmissive portion, the sensing system may sense a frustrated internal reflection.
The sensor may be a pressure sensitive switch or sensing system, sensing or detecting of an increase in pressure when the second patient interface is placed in contact with the item.
The pressure sensitive switch or sensing system may comprise a pressure sensor within a gas filled chamber within the item, and a flexible or pressure sensitive membrane provided as a barrier or external surface upon the second patient interface is to be placed when provided for use with the patient, the placement of the second patient interface upon the barrier or external surface generating a change of pressure within the chamber.
The change in pressure within the chamber may be sensed by the sensor and a signal or output generated indicative of the presence of the second patient interface in combination with the item.
The pressure sensitive switch or sensing system may comprise a pressure sensor within the seal of the second patient interface, and the placement of the second patient interface upon the patient induces a change in pressure within the seal which is sensed by the sensor and a signal or output generated indicative of the presence of the second patient interface on the patient.
The sensor may be located on or embedded within the first patient interface.
The sensor may uses one or more of: an acoustic (audible or ultrasonic) sensing system, an optical beam sensing system (including IR), a temperature sensing system.
The sensor may be a temperature sensing system that senses a change in temperature, in particular, a pre-determined temperature or range of temperatures associated with that of a patient or their skin to sense when the first patient interface is in place or operational position on the patient.
A temperature sensing system may be activated to allow other sensors to become operational. This would prevent other sensors from operating when the first patient interface is not in place or operational position on the patient.
The item associated with the first patient interface, or the second patient interface, or both of the first and second patient interfaces, may be a gas supply conduit.
The sensor may be associated with the item.
The sensor associated with the item may be an acoustic type sensing system.
The sensor may sense a change in a parameter or characteristic of the item, indicative of an increase in pressure or a decrease in gas flow in or through the item.
The parameter or characteristic may be a change in shape of a gas supply conduit resultant from one or more of: an increased pressure within the conduit, a decrease in gas flow through the conduit, a change in shape of the conduit due to application of an external force or pressure, such as from a force or pressure exerted upon the conduit from a second patient interface (whether the force or pressure is applied directly or indirectly).
The sensor may comprise an acoustic signal transmitter and an acoustic signal receiver, such that a transmitted acoustic signal is altered or modified by a change in a shape of the gas supply conduit indicative of an increase in pressure or decrease in gas flow in or through the conduit.
The sensor may sense a reflected signal (e.g. due to a closure of the conduit or a change or deviation in the shape of the conduit outside of a pre-determined operating range), or may sense a change in resonance (e.g. due to a standing wave form being formed within the conduit when the conduit is closed or a change or deviation in the shape of the conduit outside of a pre-determined operating range).
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory system comprising:
The controller may be adapted to detect a change in pressure, a change in flow, or a change in motor speed of a mechanical blower, and in response to the detection of a change the controller activates or controls (or activate and control) any one or more of the ‘system outcomes’ as defined above.
The respiratory system may comprise a humidifier and a chamber with a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet and the pressure sensor system is positioned at the chamber outlet.
The system may comprise a flow sensor at the chamber inlet and/or chamber outlet. The flow sensor may be a heated bead sensor. Alternatively, the flow sensor may be an ultrasonic flow sensor integrated with the controller.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy system comprising:
A sensor may be associated with one or more of:
The sensor may sense an in-situ combination of the nasal cannula and the mask upon the patient during delivery of gas to the patient, and the sensed combination generates a signal.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a patient interface comprising a sensor associated with said interface, said sensor for determining the dual operational application of a pair of patient interfaces to a patient's airways.
The patient interface may be a nasal cannula.
The patient interface may be a mask.
The mask may be one of: a nasal mask, an oral mask, an oro-nasal mask, a full face mask, a nasal pillows mask, an endotracheal tube, or a combination of these or some other gas conveying system providing for a second flow of gas to the patient.
A first patient interface of the pair of interfaces may be a nasal cannula.
A second patient interface of the pair of interfaces may be a mask.
The sensor may be associated with either the first or second patient interfaces, or both of the first and second patient interfaces.
The sensor may be associated with an item to be provided in operational combination with either the first or second patient interfaces, or both of the first and second patient interfaces.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a user interface for supplying gases to an airway of a user, comprising:
The face seal comprises one or more accommodation sites or portions adapted to facilitate intrusion of the gas conduit into the sealed interior volume while maintaining the seal between the user interface and the user's face.
The seal may be substantially located or provided at, or about, or adjacent to, a rim or a perimeter of the body.
The one or more accommodation sites or portions comprise a cut-out or suitably shaped portion in the face seal or the face seal and the body.
The cut-out or suitably shaped portion may be adapted to accommodate a profile of the gas conduit or the spacer component.
The spacer component may comprise a channel or groove or pathway for receiving a portion of the gas conduit and a sealing surface over which the face seal forms a seal together with user's face.
The spacer component may be a sleeve enveloping or at least partly surrounding a portion of the gas conduit.
The spacer component may comprise a first portion and a second portion adapted to receive or clamp, house or retain the gas conduit between the two portions.
The first and the second portions may be hingedly or pivotably joined at one side and openable from another side to receive or clamp, house or retain the gas conduit between the two portions.
The first and/or the second portion comprises a groove, a channel or a pathway to accommodate or assist in locating the conduit between the first and the second portions.
The interface may also comprise a coupling arrangement for coupling the spacer component to the interface.
The coupling arrangement may comprise a protrusion and a complimentary groove, the protrusion may be being provided on one of the face seal and the spacer component and the groove being provided on the other one of the face seal and the spacer component.
The spacer component may allow partial collapse of the gas conduit when the interface is worn by the user, the spacer component adapted to collapse under a force provided by the face seal on the user's face.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a spacer component for use in a gases supply system which conveys breathable gases to and/or from a user via the user interface of any one of the above statements, and a gas conduit for delivering breathable gases to and/or from the user via a separate gas supply system or source, wherein the spacer component is configured and adapted to be positioned on the user's face and accommodate the creating or forming of the seal between the user interface and the user's face and facilitate intrusion of the gas conduit extending between the face seal and the user's face into the sealed interior volume.
The spacer component may be provided along a portion of the length of the conduit, preferably the length of the conduit which engages or contacts the face seal of the user interface.
The sleeve may comprise a first portion and a second portion adapted to receive or clamp, house or retain the gas conduit between the two portions.
The two portions may be pivotably or hingedly joined along one side and openable along another side to receive the conduit between the two portions.
The spacer component may be removably snapped or clipped or otherwise removably fitted onto the conduit.
The spacer component may comprise a channel or groove or pathway for receiving the conduit.
The spacer component may allow partial collapse of the gas conduit when the interface is worn by the user, the spacer component may be adapted to collapse under a force provided by the face seal on the user's face.
In accordance with at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein is a system for providing respiratory support to a patient, said system comprising:
The system may be configured to deliver general anaesthetics to the user via the user interface, while separately or in addition, also to deliver a high flow of oxygen to the nares of the user via the nasal cannula.
In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a system for providing respiratory support to a patient comprising a combination of an oro-nasal mask and a nasal cannula assembly, each of said mask and nasal cannula assembly provided with separate gas flow supply from one or more sources, said nasal cannula being independently locatable upon a user from said mask.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.
As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.
To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.
The disclosure consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.
Specific embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow, of which:
The foregoing description of the various embodiments and disclosure herein includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
According to various configurations and embodiments described herein, a flowrate of gases supplied or provided to an interface or via a system, such as through a flowpath, may comprise, but is not limited to, flows of at least about 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 L/min, or more, and useful ranges may be selected between any of these values (for example, about 40 to about 80, about 50 to about 80, about 60 to about 80, about 70 to about 100 L/min, about 70 to 80 L/min). Flowrates above about 15 L/min in some embodiments may be used in such configurations or embodiments, in particular but not limited to flowrates of about 60-70 L/min. ‘High flow’ or ‘high flow therapy’ may refer to the delivery of gases to a patient at a flow rate of between about 5 or 10 L/min and about 100 L/min, or between about 15 L/min and about 95 L/min, or between about 20 L/min and about 90 L/min, or between about 25 L/min and about 85 L/min, or between about 30 L/min and about 80 L/min, or between about 35 L/min and about 75 L/min, or between about 40 L/min and about 70 L/min, or between about 45 L/min and about 65 L/min, or between about 50 L/min and about 60 L/min.
Gases delivered may comprise a percentage of oxygen. In some configurations, the percentage of oxygen in the gases delivered may be between about 20% and about 100%, or between about 30% and about 100%, or between about 40% and about 100%, or between about 50% and about 100%, or between about 60% and about 100%, or between about 70% and about 100%, or between about 80% and about 100%, or between about 90% and about 100%, or about 100%, or 100%.
High flow therapy has been found effective in meeting or exceeding the patient's normal peak inspiratory demand, to increase oxygenation of the patient and/or reduce the work of breathing. Additionally, high flow therapy may generate a flushing effect in the nasopharynx such that the anatomical dead space of the upper airways is flushed by the high incoming gas flows. This creates a reservoir of fresh gas available of each and every breath, while minimising re-breathing of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, etc.
As relatively high gas delivery flow rates may be used with the embodiments or configurations described herein, the gases being supplied or delivered to the user or patient may be delivered to different parts of the user's or a patient's airway.
Such relatively high flow rates of gases may assist in providing the supplied gases into a user's airway, or to different parts of a user's airway, for example such flow rates may allow for a delivery of such gases to the upper or lower airway regions. Upper airway region typically includes the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx, while the lower airway region typically includes the trachea, primary bronchi and lungs.
The respiratory therapy system 100 comprises a housing 106 that at least partially houses both the flow generator 102 and the humidifier 104 (e.g. the respiratory therapy system 100 may comprise an integrated flow generator/humidifier apparatus). In other configurations the flow generator 102 and humidifier 104 may have separate housings. A hardware controller 108 is shown to be in electronic communication with the flow generator 102 and the humidifier 104, although in some configurations the hardware controller 108 might only communicate with the flow generator 102 or the humidifier 104. The hardware controller 108 may comprise a microcontroller or some other architecture configured to direct the operation of controllable components of the respiratory therapy system 100, including but not limited to the flow generator 102 and/or the humidifier 104. An input/output module 110 is shown to be in electronic communication with the controller 108. The input/output module 110 may be configured to allow a user to interface with the controller 108 to facilitate the control of controllable components of the respiratory therapy system 100, including but not limited to the flow generator 102 and/or the humidifier 104, and/or view data regarding the operation of the respiratory therapy system 100 and/or its components. The input/output module 110 might comprise, for example, one or more buttons, knobs, dials, switches, levers, touch screens, speakers, displays and/or other input or output peripherals that a user might use to view data and/or input commands to control components of the respiratory therapy system 100.
As further shown in
As shown in
As shown, in some configurations the patient interface 200 may also comprise a gas sensing module 120 adapted to measure a characteristic of gases passing through the patient interface 200. In other configurations the gas sensing module 120 could be positioned and adapted to measure the characteristics of gases at or near other parts of the respiratory therapy system 100. The gas sensing module 120 may comprise one or more sensors adapted to measure various characteristics of gases, including but not limited to pressure, flow rate, temperature, absolute humidity, relative humidity, enthalpy, gas composition, oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide concentration, and/or nitrogen concentration. Gas properties determined by the gas sensing module 120 may be utilized in a number of ways, including but not limited to closed loop control of parameters of the gases. For example, in some configurations flow rate data taken by a gas sensing module 120 may be used to determine the instantaneous flow, which in turn may be used to determine the respiratory cycle of the patient to facilitate the delivery of flow in synchronicity with portions of the respiratory cycle. The gas sensing module 120 may communicate with the controller 108 over a first transmission line 122. In some configurations, the first transmission line 122 may comprise a data communication connection adapted to transmit a data signal. The data communication connection could comprise a wired data communication connection such as but not limited to a data cable, or a wireless data communication connection such as but not limited to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In some configurations, both power and data may be communicated over the same first transmission line 122. For example, the gas sensing module 120 may comprise a modulator that may allow a data signal to be ‘overlaid’ on top of a power signal. The data signal may be superimposed over the power signal and the combined signal may be demodulated before use by the controller 108. In other configurations the first transmission line 122 may comprise a pneumatic communication connection adapted to transmit a gas flow for analysis at a portion of the respiratory therapy system 100.
Additionally as shown a physiological sensor module 121 may be present. The physiological sensor module 121 may be configured to detect various characteristics of the patient or of the health of the patient, including but not limited to heart rate, EEG signal, EKG/ECG signal, inertial sensors attached to the patient (e.g.: chest) to detect movement, blood oxygen concentration (via, for example, a pulse oximeter), blood CO2 concentration, transcutaneous CO2 (TcCO2) and/or blood glucose. Similarly, the physiological sensor module 121 may communicate with the controller 108 over a second transmission line 123. The second transmission line 123 may comprise wired or wireless data communication connections similarly to the first transmission line 122, and power and data may be communicated similarly. The physiological sensor module 121 may be used, for example, to determine the blood oxygen saturation of the patient.
The first gas lumen 202 is in pneumatic communication with a flow manifold 206. The flow manifold 206 receives gases from the first gas lumen 202 and passes them to one or more nasal delivery elements 208 (e.g. prongs). The one or more nasal delivery elements 208 extend outwardly from the flow manifold 206. The one or more nasal delivery elements 208 are adapted to be non-sealingly positioned in one or more nares of the patient P. As shown, the patient interface 200 comprises two nasal delivery elements 208 adapted to be positioned one in each of the patient's nares. Each nasal delivery element 208 may be shaped or angled such that it extends inwardly towards a septum of the patient's nose. Alternatively the first patient interface 200 may be a sealing nasal interface.
Additionally, each nasal delivery element may be shaped or angled such that a tip of each nasal delivery element points, in use, towards a back of the head of the patient P. In the embodiment shown in
In other configurations, each nasal delivery elements 208 can have different properties. For example, one of a pair of nasal delivery elements 208 can be relatively long and the other nasal delivery element 208 can be relatively short. In some configurations, the flow manifold 206 may be configured to receive flow from two lateral sides of the flow manifold 206 (e.g. from a ‘left’ and ‘right’ of the flow manifold 206 instead of just the ‘left’ of the flow manifold 206 as seen in
The patient interface may further comprise mounts and/or supports, e.g., cheek supports 210, for attaching and/or supporting the gas lumen 202 on the patient's face. Alternatively, the patient interface may be held in place via one or more headstraps or headgear.
Further, first gas lumen 202 may comprise a first portion 204 configured to transition from a first configuration in which a first level of gases is able to pass through the first portion 204 to a second configuration in which a second level of gases is able to pass through the first portion 204. This feature will be described in more detail below.
A system may find benefit in the selective delivery of separate therapies to a patient using different patient interfaces. The system and devices as described find particular application in emergency resuscitation, around intubation of a patient receiving high flow therapy, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery, in assisting with conditioning of a patient in a pre-operative state prior to administration of anaesthetics, and during post-extubation and recovery.
Face mask assembly 300 may be used as or with a second respiratory support subsystem and/or to deliver one or more substances other than a substance delivered by the cannula 200, for example anesthetic agents or oxygen, to the patient, or the same substance but at different flow and/or pressure levels. Accordingly, the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown, face mask assembly 300 comprises a full face mask 302 configured to cover both the patient's nose and mouth. In other configurations, the face mask 300 may be a nasal mask or oral mask which is placed over the patient interface 200 to cover only the patient's nasal region or only the patient's mouth.
As shown, the face mask 302 comprises a seal region 304 adapted to seal against the patient's face. The face mask assembly 300 is connected to a second gas source, for example via a filter element 400, which supplies the one or more other gases to the patient via the face mask. That is, the second gas source is preferably different from the source supplying gas (for example, supplementary gas source 124/flow generator 102) to the patient interface 200.
In a preferred embodiment, the face mask assembly 300 is connected to a separate gas source or a separate respiratory support device. For example, the respiratory support can be a ventilator or a CPAP or a high flow therapy device or a manual resuscitator (for example a hand held face mask with bag).
Alternatively the mask assembly 300 could be connected to an anesthetic device and anesthetic gas, or air, or oxygen, or a combination of gases, can be delivered via the mask 302.
The embodiment shown in
In one particular application, a patient preparing for anaesthesia can be pre-oxygenated by delivering a high flow of oxygen via a nasal cannula. In some circumstances, anesthesiologists managing the sedation of a patient may want to switch between delivery of gas flow from one patient interface (for example a nasal cannula) and delivery of gas flow from another patient interface, such as via a face mask. Delivery of gas from a nasal cannula together with gas from a mask, or even delivery of gas from a cannula while a mask is sealed over the cannula, may cause an increase in pressure, which could damage the patient's lungs. Anesthesiologists also use a mask with a bag to oxygenate a patient, and in some instances find it more comfortable to use a bag mask if a patient's vital signs being to drop. In such a situation, as described earlier, flow through the cannula as well as pulsing gases flow from a bag mask can cause over pressure in the lungs and potential lung damage. In some situations a medical professional may wish to switch between different respiratory systems or support modes. In first mode respiratory support may be provided by first respiratory support system (for example via the patient interface 200) and in a second mode respiratory support may be provided by a second respiratory support system (for example via the patient interface 300), with the support from the first system switched off. For example, the additional flow from the high flow may also modify the expected behaviour of the anaesthetic circuit, and therefore it may be advantageous to be able to turn the additional flow from the first respiratory system off.
In some configurations, the switching between two respiratory support modes or subsystems may be facilitated by a structure of the first gas lumen (first conduit 202), which has a first portion 204 configured to transition from a first configuration in which a first level of gases is able to pass through the first portion 204 to a second configuration in which a second level of gases is able to pass through the first portion 204.
Preferably, the first portion 204 is configured to be more collapsible or otherwise better adapted at changing the flow of gas through the first portion 204 (therefore reducing the flow of gas through the lumen and to the patient) than other portions of the lumen 202.
In other embodiments, the first configuration or first condition is a substantially open configuration and the second configuration or second condition is a substantially closed configuration. That is, the lumen 202 is configured to be more collapsible, deformable or otherwise adapted to fully close off the flow at the first portion 204 than at other portions of the lumen 202.
The first portion 204 may progress between the first and second configurations based on a relative level of force applied to an external wall, or experienced by an internal wall, of the first portion 204. For example, as shown in
According to
The form or array of forms of
The at least one form or the array of forms 401 is/are biased so as to preferentially maintain the lumen or gas flow path in a first condition (for example that shown by
The conduit or part length of the conduit 400 comprising the at least one form or the array of forms 401 is/are configured to be distortable or buckle from the first condition to a second condition (for example that shown by
The second condition being a configuration or condition in which there is a substantially closed or substantially collapsed conduit wall condition or where the lumen or gas flow path 404 are substantially closed, blocked, occluded or otherwise obstructed as to a gas flow therethrough, or there may be intermediate positions of these, such as partially closed or collapsed or partially closed or blocked or occluded or otherwise partially obstructed as to the gas flow therethrough for restrictions of gas flow. It will be appreciated where reference is made to a second condition and the gas flow path may alternatively be put into partial stages of these, as noted above. Such partial stages can be applied across the various embodiments and configurations disclosed herein, except where a complete closure is required for additional reasons.
According to some configurations, the at least one form or array of forms 401 can be substantially unrestrictively distortable or buckling in response to application of the force or load 405.
In terms of the form being “unrestricted” or substantially “unrestrictively” allowing for the distortion or buckling or other change in shape of the form, this means that the “form” does not actively prevent the form from being changed in shape/configuration when the force/load is applied.
The force or load applied to the outside surface 406 of the conduit wall 402 may be applied, for example, by a part of a patient interface such as the seal of a full face mask, being placed into contact with the conduit 400. For example, where a nasal cannula may be in operative position as a first patient interface upon a patient, and a second patient interface, such as a mask, is additionally provided to deliver a respiratory therapy to the patient, the second patient interface can provide the force or load upon the conduit 400.
The load or force can be manually applied by a user, such as by a medical professional. This may be achieved by pressing on the conduit.
The relative distortion or buckling of the at least one form or array of forms 401 from the first condition to the second condition is to a pre-determined distorted or buckled orientation or arrangement or configuration of the least one form or the array of forms.
The force or load 405 applied to the outside surface of the conduit, in use, must be sufficient so as to overcome the bias exerted by the form 401 in supporting or maintaining the conduit 400 in the first configuration or condition (i.e. the “open” lumen condition). As such, the force or load 405 which must be applied to the outside surface 406 of the conduit 400 must be sufficient so as to induce distortion or buckling of the at least one form or array of forms 401 and alter the conduit from the first condition toward the second condition against a gases pressure within conduit. Further the force must be sufficient to hold the conduit in the second condition against the internal pressure of the conduit.
The second condition can be a preferentially pre-determined re-configuration (or re-arrangement or re-orientation) of the at least one form or the array of forms 401. For example, the form 401 can be designed or configured so that in transitioning from the first condition to the second condition, the ultimate second condition is accounted for in the ability for the form 401 to distort or buckle or otherwise be reconfigured.
In the second condition, the internal surfaces 403 of the conduit wall 402 can be effectively brought together upon themselves, whether as a complete bringing together of these internally or partially so. For example, see in particular
The form 401 is configured so as to be supportive of the conduit wall 402, and biased so as to maintain the conduit toward or in the first condition.
The form of the array of forms 401 is/are capable of being distorted or buckled (or re-arranged or re-configured) from the first condition toward the second condition upon application of the force or load 405, yet a reduction or removal of the force or load 405 allows the form or array of forms 401 to return or recover the conduit 400 to or toward the first condition.
The conduit could be made of a single material that has the appropriate resilience to hold the first condition or configuration, while being able to be depressed to the second condition or configuration. Alternatively, the conduit could be made of two materials, and the second material provides the structure to allow the conduit to hold or maintain the first condition and then move to the second condition under a force or load. In such an embodiment, there may be a polymeric conduit comprising a series of structures or forms inside, embedded within, or surrounding the conduit wall. In another embodiment, for example where the conduit is made of a single material, the structures or forms would not be required because the material would have the necessary properties to maintain the first condition.
The form 401 can be a spiraled or helically wound or coiled member being of a pitch angle of greater than about 20° to about 70°, or about 25° to about 65°, or about 35° to about 55°, or about 45° from a horizontal longitudinal axis extending along the conduit or the at least part of the conduit comprising the form or array of forms, or being an angle relative to the conduit wall, the pitch angle being the angle between each wind or coil of the member.
The form 401 can be a spiraled or helically wound or coiled member having a pitch of greater than about ¼ the internal diameter of the conduit to about 10 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or about ½ to about 8 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or about ⅔ to about 6 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or about 1 times to about 4 times the internal diameter of the conduit, or the pitch being substantially the same length as the internal diameter of the conduit, pitch being the distance from a centre to a centre of adjacent spirals or helical windings or coils of the member.
The form 401 can be a spiraled or helically wound or coiled member being of a pitch angle or a pitch (or both), such that application of the load or force 405 to an outside surface 406 of the conduit 400 allows the form 401 to fold over upon itself or to be re-oriented so that the form 401 lies in a substantially flat orientation when in the second condition.
The form 401 can be a series of rings or ring members, such as that shown in
The form can be a series of hingedly connected components, arranged so as to provide for at least a substantially continuous support of the conduit wall 402 at least in the part length of the conduit 400 comprising the form 401.
Spirally or helically wound or coiled members, or ring members, may be formed from a relatively rigid material that is able to deform elastically between the first and second configurations of the conduit. Suitable materials may include plastics materials known by persons skilled in the art, or metal materials, for example steel or stainless steel, or high tensile metals, also known by those persons skilled in the art.
In further configurations, the conduit wall 402 can comprise of at least one form or an array of forms 401 extending substantially longitudinally along a conduit wall 402, or at least substantially longitudinally along the part length of the conduit wall 402 comprising the form 401. As such, at least one form or the array of forms 401 can be a flap or hinge formed as a part of or provided at or within a conduit wall 402. For example, see
The flap or hinge can allow for the conduit wall 402 to effectively be folded over upon itself. In such an arrangement, the form or array of forms 401 may be a concertina-type arrangement (e.g. see
Again with reference to
In
In
In some embodiments, the angle 407b between the side portions 407 is an acute angle. For example the angle may be less than 60 degrees, or 55 degrees, or 50 degrees, or 45 degrees, or 40 degrees, or 35 degrees.
In the second condition, as shown in
With reference to
In one position, the gate will allow gas to pass through the conduit. In another position, the gate will restrict the gas from passing through the conduit. Such gates may completely close the conduit or may provide for a partial closing or a constriction of the gas flow path.
In
In other embodiments, the system may comprise other valve arrangements for stopping flow to the patient interface. For example, a butterfly valve with a valve element that is manually turned (for example through 90 degrees) by a user between an open position and a closed position may be provided.
Accordingly, in some embodiments as described above, a device comprising a collapsing portion of a conduit or patient interface 200, or a valve located in the conduit or patient interface, provides a device for switching respiratory therapy between two modes, wherein the patient interface 200 provides the first respiratory therapy mode and the mask assembly 300 provides a second respiratory mode. The modes may be switched when the first portion 204 of the lumen 202 transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.
In one embodiment, this transitioning is provided by the face mask 302. That is, when the face mask is placed onto the patient, the seal 304 of the face mask may apply a force onto the first portion 204, transitioning the first portion 204 from its first configuration to its second configuration, and preferably reducing or stopping the delivery of the first therapy mode, and preferably additionally form a seal with the seal of the mask, so that the mask seals with the first portion of the tube and the patient's face. Accordingly, the structure of the patient interface 200 or a conduit providing a flow of gases to the patient interface 200 allows a medical professional to quickly change the type of respiratory support being delivered to the patient without having to remove the interface providing the first respiratory mode.
In some embodiments where the first respiratory support mode is high flow therapy, the structure of the patient interface 200 allows the medical professional to stop or minimise the flow rate, and start the second respiratory therapy (e.g., via a ventilator or a CPAP or a high flow therapy device or an anaesthetic device) easily and simultaneously. Further, this allows for the anesthesiologist or medical professional managing the sedation of a patient to have precise knowledge of the flow delivered to the patient, as the gas delivered by the second patient interface is not being diluted by the gas provided by the first patient interface.
In some embodiments, the first portion 204 may progress between the first and second configurations based on a level of pressure of gases passing through the first portion of the gases lumen. That is, the first portion of the first gases lumen may be in the first configuration when the flow pressure is above a first predetermined pressure level, and in the second configuration when the flow pressure falls below or increases above the first predetermined pressure level.
In another embodiment, the first portion 204 may be self-collapsing. That is, it may be partially or fully collapsed (second configuration) when there is no gas or a low/reduced flow of gas flowing through it, and expands (first configuration) when there is some level of gas flowing through it.
In one example, as shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the first portion 204 comprises a wall that is more flexible than walls of other portions of the first gases lumen 202. In one embodiment, the variation in flexibility is due to the material of the wall. In another embodiment, the variation in flexibility may additionally or alternatively be due to reinforcement element 203 provided along substantially the entire length of the lumen except at first portion 204 (as shown in
In an alternative configuration shown in
According to the configuration of
In an alternative configuration, the entire tube defining the first gas lumen 202 may be configured to collapse or otherwise be altered to change the level of gases passing through the lumen. Accordingly, in one example, force may be applied to any portion of the first gas lumen in order to reduce the gas flow through the lumen. However, it will be appreciated that this configuration may lead to unintentional collapse of the lumen due to kinks or other external forces on the lumen. Accordingly, it is preferable to provide only a portion of the lumen (i.e., first portion 204) which has this property.
While only one first portion 204 has been described, it should be understood that more than one similar portions may be provided. For example, where the flow manifold 206 is configured to receive flow from two sides of the flow manifold 206 via two gas lumens, two first portions 204 may be provided, one on each gas lumen, which may be configured to be collapsed (partially or fully) by the seal 304 of face mask 302.
In
In
In some embodiments a gases conduit or tube comprises a window portion that is open onto the face of a user during use. An exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
In some embodiments a respiratory gases tube or conduit may comprise a balloon or accumulator or bladder (herein a bladder). The bladder may form or provide a portion of the lumen of the tube, for example as illustrated in
The tube 700 comprising a bladder 710 may be used to provide a flow of gases to a user via a patient interface. The bladder 710 may act as a gases accumulator, such that the bladder inflates with an increase in gases pressure in the tube. An un-inflated configuration is illustrated in
In some embodiments the tube 700 may comprise a venting arrangement, such that once an increased pressure is reached the venting arrangement operates to vent respiratory gases from the lumen of the tube into a bladder. For example, the bladder may be configured to be in communication with the lumen via the vent when in an open or venting configuration. The vent may open once a pressure reaches a threshold to vent gases into the bladder. The bladder therefore acts as an accumulator to prevent respiratory gases being vented to atmosphere. The bladder also may act as a visual indicator or indication of an increased lumen pressure which may correspond with an increased pressure at the patient's airways or at a patient interface.
In some embodiments the bladder may be configured to accommodate a particular volume and pressure of gases amounting to a particular flow rate and pressure. A further pressure relief valve or vent may be used so that the bladder vents to atmosphere once the bladder reaches a particular vent pressure.
When the flow of gas to the nasal cannula is reduced or stopped using one or more of the devices or arrangements described above, the pressure of the gas within the conduit (e.g. conduit 202) may increase. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide one or more pressure relief devices to relieve the pressure within the conduit. As described in more detail below, the pressure relief devices may be devices that only relieve pressure and may be used together with separate devices that block or inhibit flow. Alternatively, the devices may relieve pressure and also restrict or block flow.
Patient interface 200 or conduit providing a flow of gases to the patient interface 200 may comprise a pressure relief valve device or arrangement that is adapted to reduce or alleviate the pressure of gases in the first gases lumen if the flow through the lumen 202 is reduced or stopped due to the collapse or partial collapse of the first portion 204.
For example, as shown by
A one way valve 1304 may be implemented in any system described herein. For example, where a second patient interface is combined with a first patient interface, and a dual therapy is to be delivered to the patient, a one way valve may allow the medical professional to administer gas via the second patient interface, without back flow through the gas supply conduit that leads to the first patient interface (i.e. nasal cannula). Without the one way valve 1304 it may not be possible to create the desired pressure with second patient interface upon the patient due to back flow out the pressure relief valve 1305.
In some embodiments, where more than one respiratory support devices (patient interfaces) are used together, for example a nasal cannula and a full face mask, to provide more than one flow of respiratory gases to the user, one or more of the respiratory support devices may comprise one or more vents to relieve the pressure provided by the support device. Where more than one device is used to provide more than one flow of respiratory gases, there may be a risk of increased pressure of gases provided to the user, as the pressure of each gas flow provided to the user may combine to result in an increased gases pressure at the user's airways. A vent at one or more of the respiratory support devices may be provided to mitigate or reduce the risk of over pressurising a user's airways. Alternatively or additionally a controller (e.g. controller 108) may be adapted to stop or reduce a flow of gases to the patient interface when an elevated pressure in the system is measured.
For example, a nasal cannula may comprise a vent to operate to limit the pressure provided by the cannula. In some embodiments, a cannula comprising a side arm or arms may comprise a venting arrangement in one or both side arms. An exemplary embodiment is illustrated in
In some embodiments, the seal 304 of the face mask bridging over the side arm applies a force to the side arm that causes the side arm to collapse or compress, closing the lumen of the side arm. For example, in some embodiments, the face mask seal pressing against portion 516 causes the lumen of the side arm to be occluded. The portion 516 of the side arm is inboard (downstream) of the vent 510, so that an increased pressure in the respiratory tube providing a flow of gases to the side arm resulting from the occluded or pinched side arm lumen is vented via vent 510. For example the side arm of the cannula may comprise a collapsible conduit portion as described herein. The collapsible portion of the cannula may comprise a cross section with hinging points as shown in
In some embodiments, a patient interface may comprise or be used together with an item over which the seal of a face mask seals. A number of embodiments for an item over which the seal of a face mask seals are shown in
The item 96 may receive a gas supply conduit and/or may form a part of a fluid passageway for delivery of gas to the patient interface. In some embodiments, the item comprises a compressible portion or a portion that is capable of being squashed or deformed under an exerted force or pressure, e.g. from the face mask seal (
The item may include a venting device such that when in a collapsed configuration to prevent or reduce a flow of gases to a user, the venting device vents pressure that increases in the tube providing a flow of gases to the patient interface via the item.
In some embodiments the item resists an external force such that it does not compress or collapse in use. In such an embodiment the item may comprise a venting device to prevent or reduce the pressure at the user's airways increasing above a maximum desired pressure or prevent or reduce the flow delivered to the patient's airway. The venting device or vent of the item or patient interface may be any one or more of the vents or venting devices described herein.
In some embodiments, the patient interface and/or an item associated with or used with the patient interface comprises a filter device to prevent contamination of a breathing circuit providing a flow of gases to the item or interface, and the filter device comprises a said vent or venting device.
Further description of an item 96 with reference to
A portion 1005 of the conduit 1001 may be configured to collapse or deform and restrict the flow. Part of the collapsible portion may be a first wall in the form of a relatively rigid component 1006. The relatively rigid component 1006 may have an aperture (not visible) through which the valve stem 1003 extends.
The conduit also has a generally opposing second wall 1007. During normal use the rigid component 1006 is substantially flush with an adjacent wall 1008 of the conduit such that substantially all of the gases from said gas source pass through said conduit. When a force is applied to the rigid component 1006, the rigid component moves towards the second wall 1007 to provide a passage 1009 through which gas may flow from within the conduit to exit to atmosphere. In this embodiment, the passage is provided by the aperture. In some embodiments the portion 1005 of the conduit may not comprise an aperture or vent, to operate to occlude the lumen of the conduit without venting. A separate vent or pressure relieve valve may be separately located upstream of the portion 1005.
In one embodiment, the conduit can be collapsed by pressing a mask seal 1010 against the rigid component 1006. Alternatively, the conduit can be collapsed by another suitable mechanism, such as a clamp or clip, or in another alternative the conduit could be collapsed by a medical professional pressing or squeezing the conduit. When the conduit is collapsed, the rigid portion collapses and moves towards the position shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the pressure relief device may not have a poppet valve. The pressure relief device may have another type of valve, such as one of those described in relation to the other embodiments of this specification.
For example the embodiments shown in
The embodiment of
The features and operation of the embodiment of
The collapsible portion 1017 comprises a relatively flexible or soft material that collapses under applied pressure, or the portion 1017 may have a rigid portion connected to an adjacent non-collapsible portion of the conduit by a pivot that allows it to open and close. The collapsible portion 1017 preferably includes a relatively rigid portion 1023 that prevents the collapsible portion from collapsing until an intentional external force is applied, such as pressing the mask against the collapsible portion. The flexible or soft portion 1027 is located at an end of the collapsible portion to provide a seal against the non-collapsible portion 1021. The non-collapsible portion may optionally comprise a rigid portion 1025. In alternative embodiments, the rigid portion may be omitted such that a tongue 1027 of the collapsible portion seals against the wall of the conduit. The collapsible portion has an extended tongue 1027 that secures the collapsible portion below the wall of the conduit to prevent the collapsible portion from opening outwards under pressure from the gas flow. During normal use the collapsible portion is substantially flush with the adjacent wall of the conduit such that substantially all of the gases from said gas source pass through said conduit. The collapsing portion may act as a flap to move between a closed position illustrated in
The collapsible portion is arranged such that when an external force is applied, such as the mask being placed on the patient's face, the collapsible portion will collapse. The non-collapsible portion is relatively rigid and will not collapse or deform when the collapsible portion moves, collapse, or deform.
When the collapsible portion of the conduit is collapsed, the rigid portion 1023 moves towards the position shown in
The flexible portion 1031 is or comprises a flexible or resilient material, for instance, silicone. Under the standard operating gas pressure, the flexible portion will cover the aperture and prevent or at least substantially inhibit gas from flowing out of the conduit through the aperture, as shown in
The aperture 1033 may have a shape that is similar to the shape of the flexible member, that is, the shape may be elliptical when viewed from above. In further alternative embodiment, there may be two or more apertures that are closed by the flexible member. In another alternative embodiment, there may be two or more apertures, with each aperture being closed by a flexible member. As shown in
The sealing portion 1043 is in the form of a boss or protuberance that engages the aperture 1045 in the conduit. When the boss or protuberance engages the aperture, gas is prevented or at least substantially inhibited from flowing out of the conduit.
When the operating portion 1041 is moved, for example by a mask pressing on the conduit directly above the operating portion, the lever 1037 is caused to pivot about the pivot 1039 and the sealing portion 1043 moves away from the aperture 1045 to provide a passage through which gas may flow from within the conduit to exit to atmosphere.
In this embodiment, the pressure relief device has a lever 1047 mounted within the conduit, the lever including a pivot 1049, an operating portion 1048, and a sealing portion 1050 that substantially seals the aperture 1052 in the conduit such that substantially all of the gases from said gas source pass through said conduit. In this embodiment the lever 1047 is a rigid component positioned inside the conduit. In this configuration, an operating portion 1048 is on one side of a pivot 1049 and the sealing portion 1050 is on the other (opposite) side of the pivot 1049. The mask seal acts against a side of the conduit to act against the operating portion to cause the lever to pivot on the pivot point. The pivoting of the lever moves the sealing portion out of engagement with the aperture on an opposite side of the conduit. The sealing portion 1050 may have a boss or protuberance that engages the aperture 1052.
When the collapsible portion of the conduit is collapsed, the lever 1047 moves towards the position shown in
In an alternative embodiment, another component or portion of the patient interface may be provided with a lever. For example, the cannula may have a lever.
The thin joining portion or web 1055 is created such that the pressure relief device stays in the closed position until the pressure within the conduit reaches a threshold pressure. When the pressure of the gas in the conduit reaches the threshold pressure, the movable portion 1051 pops into a second configuration where the joining portion is deflected upwards allowing flow to vent out of the apertures 1057.
In this embodiment, the pressure relief device comprises a flexible portion or valve member 1065 that extends over and closes an aperture 1067 in the conduit. The flexible portion is or comprises a flexible or resilient material, for instance, silicone. The flexible portions have a natural position shown in
Under the standard operating gas pressure, the flexible portion 1065 will cover the aperture and prevent or at least substantially inhibit gas from flowing out of the conduit through the aperture. When the pressure of the gas in the conduit reaches a threshold pressure, the flexible portions will move away from the apertures, allowing gas to flow through the apertures, relieving the pressure in the conduit.
This embodiment of the pressure relief device has a valve member 1081 with outwardly extending flaps 1083. The flaps close apertures 1084 in a rigid component. The centre of the valve has an aperture 1085 through which gas may flow into a conduit. When the pressure of the gas in the conduit reaches a threshold pressure, the flaps lift. The flaps are preferably flexible and resilient.
This embodiment of the pressure relief device could be positioned, for instance, in a filter 1087. However, it will be appreciated that this embodiment of the pressure relief device could be located anywhere in the gas flow path within a rigid portion.
This embodiment of the pressure relief device is for use with a component of a respiratory support system that delivers pressurised gas from a gas source to a patient. The component of the respiratory support system has an aperture. The pressure relief device comprises a valve body 1091 engageable with a conduit that delivers pressurised gas from a gas source to a patient. The valve body is located within the component of the respiratory support system and has a portion that is sealingly engageable with the aperture. During normal use the valve body is biased towards sealing the aperture in the component of the respiratory support system such that substantially all of the gases from a gas source pass through the conduit. When the pressure of the gas within the conduit reaches a threshold pressure the valve body clears the aperture in the component of the respiratory support system to provide a passage through which gas may flow from within the component of the respiratory support system to exit to atmosphere. In this embodiment a spring 1089 holds the valve body 1091 in the normal use position (closed) position until the pressure of the gas in the conduit reaches a threshold pressure.
A number of the above described pressure relief devices are incorporated with or comprise or provide a collapsible portion of a conduit, and are actuated between a closed or non-venting configuration and an open or venting configuration by that portion of the conduit collapsing under the influence of an external force. The external force may be provided by the seal of a face mask placed over the collapsible portion of the conduit, or by a user or medical profession pressing the collapsible portion. For example embodiments described with reference to
A number of the above described pressure relief devices are actuated between a closed or non-venting configuration and a venting or open configuration by a system pressure, for example embodiments of
Another pressure relief device is described with reference to
The system also has a pressure sensing or sampling line or conduit 829. In the illustrated embodiment the sensing line 829 has an opening or inlet 87 at or near the nare of the patient's or user's nose to sample/sense the pressure at that location, however, the pressure sensing line could be used to sense the system pressure at another location within the system. The pressure relief device 89 is a mechanical valve. In the illustrated embodiment the pressure relief device comprises a shuttle or piston 813. The pressure relief device 89 selectively controls the flow of gas into the nare of the patient's nose from the nasal prong 85. An outlet end 821 of the pressure sensing line is open to the piston 813 so that the piston 813 senses or is acted on by the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing line, described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 813 senses the pressure at the nares via the pressure line 829. In such an embodiment, the pressure relief device may be used as a safety pressure limiting device to ensure a maximum allowable pressure at the patient is not exceeded. In an alternative embodiment, a pressure may be measured to provide an indication that a second support system has been applied to the patient. For example, a face mask may be applied to the patient, wherein the face mask may occlude a portion of the conduit 831. With the face mask applied or the conduit occluded, a system pressure within the conduit may increase. A pressure sensor may sense the pressure to provide an indication that the mask has been applied. The increased pressure can operate the device 89, to vent the pressure in the conduit 831. The nasal cannula 81 is configured such that a second respiratory support system may be used simultaneously. For example, a face mask (indicated by broken lines and the reference number 8100 in
In the illustrated example of
The flow rate could be controlled so that the system pressure does not exceed the predetermined value. The predetermined value may be:
The predetermined value may be a fixed value or an adjustable value. If the value is adjustable, it may be adjusted by either the user, controller or both.
With reference to
The housing 811 has a flow source inlet 819, a measured pressure inlet 821 a flow source outlet 823 and an excess flow outlet 825. The flow source inlet receives a flow from the flow source (e.g. a high flow from flow generator 102 of
The spring 815 biases the valve member 813 towards the position shown in
The tension of the spring 815 may be a fixed spring tension or may be an adjustable spring tension, as shown in
The system may operate in an on/off manner. That is, the valve 89 may have an open position in which gas flows unimpeded through the valve and a closed position in which gas is prevented from flowing through the valve. In an alternative embodiment, the system may have a valve member with one or more intermediate positions in which flow is partially restricted. The one or more intermediate positions provide variable control of the flow. There could be an audible noise generated when flow is vented to signal venting to the user eg: through a restricted orifice at the vent.
In an alternative embodiment, the system may have a valve member with one or more intermediate positions in which flow is partially vented. The one or more intermediate positions provide variable control of the flow.
In an alternative embodiment, pressure relief may also be controlled by electronic switching where an electrical signal controls a valve that controls the flow of gas to the patient.
With reference to
A pressure sensor 835 detects the pressure in or near the nare of the patient's nose, or at some point in the system, and data indicating the pressure is transmitted to the controller. The data indicating the measured pressure is compared to data indicating the predetermined value by the controller, for example maximum pressure (Ptarget). The flow (Q) delivered to the patient via the nasal cannula is adjusted accordingly to ensure the Ptarget is not exceeded. In particular, the processor is adapted to control a valve (e.g. pressure relieve valve 89) or flow generator to restrict the flow of gas into the nare of the patient's nose from the nasal prong when the pressure in or near the nare of the patient's nose is above the predetermined value, and allow the flow of gas into the nare of the patient's nose from the nasal prong when the pressure in or near the nare of the patient's nose is below the predetermined value.
In an alternative embodiment, the controller may have two pressure sensors with a known obstruction in between (ie an orifice plate). The differential pressure between the two pressure sensors can be used to determine the flow rate. Using this flow rate the system can control to achieve this flow rate as long as the pressure does not exceed the allowable Pmax for the given flow rate. This could be described by a mathematical equation, a stepwise function or a lookup table in the software.
When the valve 89 is closed and the controller knows there is no flow, a calibration can occur to account for pressure sensor drift and adjust a flow sensor offset accordingly. Such a calibration routine may be carried out for any electrically controlled pressure relief device described herein. Where valve 89 is controlled by a controller the valve member 813 may not be a piston that senses the sampled system pressure. The position of the valve member is actuated by an actuator (e.g. a solenoid) controlled by the controller in response to the pressure measured by the sensor 835.
The pressure sensor 835 may be located in a variety of different positions. For example, the pressure sensor 835 may be located at or near the nasal cannula, or inside an area that may be covered by a face mask. In some configurations, the pressure sensor 835 is located at or near the at least one nasal prong 85. For example on a nasal prong, inside patient nares, as shown in
The systems described may comprise a face mask 8100 (e.g. an anaesthetic mask) that is placed over the nasal cannula 81, the patient's nose, and/or the patient's mouth. The mask 8100 delivers gas flow or pressurised gas in addition to the flow (e.g. high flow therapy) being received by the user through the nasal cannula 81. Accordingly, the pressure delivered to the patient's airways can exceed an allowable pressure. This can occur when a sealed mask is being used. Therefore a pressure relief feature or a reduction in flow may be used to prevent the exceeding of an allowable pressure.
The pressure relief device could be a flow controller positioned within the system to limit the flow/pressure delivered to the patient. The flow controller can be operable based on the inputs from the pressure sensor or a pressure within the system provided/sensed via the pressure sampling line. In some configurations, the flow controller controls the flow of the high flow therapy device. Alternatively, the flow controller controls a second gas source or flow generator. For example, the flow controller can control the flow of gas for the face mask. In a further alternative, the flow controller controls the flow of gas for the high flow therapy device and the second gas source or flow generator.
The mask flow source (not shown) may be controlled by its own adjustable pressure relief valve (not shown). An independent pressure relief on the cannula that can be set by the user means the user has more control over the pressure delivery from each flow source.
The specific pressure relief device embodiments described herein aim to limit the amount of pressure delivered to the patient. In particular, the specific embodiments described can be used in situations involving multiple respiratory support systems being used simultaneously, such as a nasal cannula and an anaesthetic mask.
The specific embodiments described herein may also be used without other respiratory support systems, that is, the nasal cannula may be the only respiratory support systems used on a patient. The embodiments described could limit the amount of delivered pressure from a high flow source.
A method of providing respiratory support to a patient will now be described. The nasal cannula 81 is placed upon a face of a patient in an operational position, as shown in
The flow may be restricted when a change (increase) in pressure is sensed. Alternatively, the flow may be restricted when the measured pressure exceeds zero if a sensor is positioned on the outside of cannula such that it is covered by a face mask 8100 when the mask is placed on the patient but is not inside the patient's nares. Alternatively, the flow may be restricted when the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure determined for a certain flow rate if sensor/pressure line is used to sense pressure inside the system, wherein the system pressure may be influenced by application of the mask over the cannula, the mask causing a back pressure in the system. In the last two alternatives described, it is assumed a mask 8100 has been applied.
If the pressure is below the predetermined value, the flow of gas into the nare of the patient's nose from the nasal prong is allowed.
Controlling/restricting the flow of gas into the nare of the patient's nose will result in an excess/undesired flow of gas from the gas source. That excess/undesired flow of gas could be dealt with in a variety of ways. For example, it may be vented outside the mask/nasal cannula area. Alternatively, the excess/undesired high flow gas could be redirected back at the flow source. In other embodiments, the excess/undesired high flow gas may not require venting if the flow source can be shutoff by blocking the flow or in the case of a source from a flow generator such as a blower the source could be turned off. In an alternative embodiment, the total flow to the patient may be controlled/restricted by the pressure relief device. A sensor may measure the flow, and venting occurs dependent on a flow limit.
In any embodiment the spring may not necessarily take the form of a coil spring as illustrated. Instead the spring may be but is not limited to a leaf spring, a diaphragm spring, or a compliant material.
Any of the above described pressure relief devices may be located anywhere in the system, between the flow source and the cannula. Preferably the pressure relief device is located downstream of a humidification chamber so that the humidifier controller does not need to deal with large changes of flow within the humidification chamber. Examples of suitable locations of a pressure relief device include, a filter, at the humidification chamber outlet, in a circuit connector, or as an attachment to the flow source. The pressure relief device may be in the cannula, or may be near the cannula. In some embodiments it may be preferable to have a pressure relief device at or near to the patient interface. Having the pressure relief device at or near to the patient interface has the benefit that the pressure delivered to a patient may be more accurately estimated, than a system having a pressure relief device further upstream and within the system.
In some embodiments, venting the conduit via the pressure relieve device before applying the mask over a collapsible portion of the conduit may make the conduit easier to collapse when applying the mask.
A pressurised conduit providing a flow of gases to a patient may comprises a level of hysteresis. The hysteresis in the conduit may cause a pressure relief device to open at a higher pressure than the pressure at which the pressure relief device closes. This feature would prevent or at least substantially inhibit the pressure relief device from moving in a constant fluctuation between open and closed configurations.
As described earlier, for example as described with reference to
The following embodiments may be used in the respiratory therapy system described above or in any other suitable respiratory therapy system, to allow operation of high flow while easily allowing switching between respiratory support modes and/or other functionality or benefits. The embodiments may be configured to deliver gas to a patient at a high flow rate as described herein.
Functionality 1—Switching between Therapy Modes
The following switching configurations allow operation of high flow via a first patient interface, with the ability to do one or more of the following:
Currently there is no easy way to integrate the use of high flow into anesthetic practise. Although it may be possible to run high flow off a totally separate system/flow source, it would be desirable to have a configuration that allows easy interchange between respiratory support via high flow, and respiratory support via the anaesthetic machine. It would also be desirable to allow high flow to be quickly and easily turned off or reduced.
In current practice users may run high flow off a separate flow meter attached to a wall gas supply. There is no integration with the anaesthesia machine and no specialised design around the use of high flow in anaesthetic practice.
In some embodiments, a switching configuration (Switching Configuration 1) comprises a user interface device to enable a user to control gas flow in a respiratory therapy system for delivering high flow gas to a patient, the user interface device comprising:
The gases may be a high flow gas. Another of said gases may be an anaesthetic gas or a supplementary gas or any other suitable gas.
The patient interface may be a nasal cannula. The user actuated controller may comprise a switch. In some embodiments the switch is positioned on the patient interface. Alternatively the patient interface may be another unsealed patient interface. In further alternative configurations combinations of multiple patient interfaces can be used for example an unsealed interface in combination with a sealed interface, or two sealed interfaces.
In some configurations, the user interface device is a separate device remote from the patient interface. This configuration is shown in
Turning on the switch 2502 opens the valve allowing gas (preferably oxygen) to be delivered to patient at the preset flow rate, via the cannula 2200 for example. The user interface device 2500 has a gas connection 2503 for fluid connection to the patient interface that will be used to deliver the gas to a patient. Turning off the switch 2502 closes the valve to block flow to the patient, or at least reduces the flow rate to the patient. In one alternative, the flow to only one patient interface (e.g. a high flow interface) may be blocked or reduced. In another alternative, flow to more than one patient interface may be blocked or reduced. The valve may be turned off when the user decides to start providing a patient's respiratory support from an anaesthetic machine. The user actuable controllers 2504, 2506 enable the user to blend gases, e.g. air and oxygen, and/or to enable the flows of the two gases to be set independently. Alternatively there may be provided only one type of gas, e.g.: oxygen. The user interface device may comprise more user actuable controllers to enable three or more gases to be blended in desired ratios. Alternatively, the functionality of two or more of user actuated controllers 2502, 2504, 2506 could be combined. For example, a single user interface such as a touch screen may be provided to enable a user to blend the gases and block or reduce flow to the patient.
The on/off switch 2502 may also control power to the humidity generator 2104. For example, if humidity is generated via electrical energy in a tube, an electrical connection 2508 may be used to power the tube. When the switch 2502 is turned off this may also cut power to the electrical connection and thereby to the tube. In this way the humidity and flow may be turned on/off simultaneously.
Instead of completely ‘off’, the flow could instead be reduced, to say 5 LPM, when the switch is switched to ‘off’ mode. This may be beneficial as a minimum ‘back-up’ flow. For example, if the clinician forgets to turn the high flow back on immediately after extubating the patient, a low flow rate will at least provide some oxygenation of the patient. The minimum flow may be preset at a value that is likely to meet a patient's inspiratory demand (eg: 30 LPM). Maximum flow may be 70 LPM or greater, for example 100 LPM or 150 LPM. There may be multiple pre-set values, e.g. more than 2 preset values, for example 0, 30 and 70 LPM. These could be actuated with a switch or mechanism with 3 or more positions that correspond to the different preset values.
Alternatively, the switch 2502′ could be on the cannula 2200 for ease of access, as shown in
This configuration may be provided as a mechanical-type switch or valve 2502′ that when activated allows for the restriction, occlusion or complete obstruction (i.e. closure or blockage) of the flow path through the gas conduit or a gas flow through a patient interface, such as a nasal cannula.
Activation of the switch 2502′ can be manually performed by a user, or alternatively the switch may be activated by placement of the second patient interface onto the switch (i.e. as a patient interface, such as a mask, is placed onto a patient, or when the patient interface being placed onto the patient comes into contact with the switch 2502′ which may be provided as part of a first patient interface, such as a nasal cannula or a conduit, as described earlier with reference to
The switch 2502′ may partially or completely block off the gas flow path to partially or wholly prevent the flow of gas through the conduit or a gas flow path through the patient interface (such as a nasal cannula). As such, the flow of gas to the terminal end of the conduit or outlet of the first patient interface can be stopped. The switch 2502′ may be provided as a part or component of a conduit, or a patient interface.
In some configurations, the conduit or the patient interface comprising the switch may include a vent or pressure relief device to relieve pressure build-up due to activation of the switch and the flow of gas to the outlet from the conduit or to the outlet or outlets of the patient interface being partially or completely stopped or prevented.
In some configurations, when activated, the switch is partially blocking of the gas flow path through the conduit or the patient interface or may be completely blocking of the flow path. The switch may be located or positioned at various useful locations, for example at a foot pedal for operation by a user's foot, or a remote switch which can be attached to a bed, anaesthesia face mask, pole, anesthetist's clothing etc.
The switch 2502′ may be particularly provided for use in conjunction with a self-supporting tube (i.e. the tube is not a self-collapsing or a collapsible tube).
Alternatively, the configuration of a switch 2502′ may be used in conjunction with a collapsing tube 2202 (
Advantages of Switching Configuration 1 in combination with a collapsible tube include one or more of:
In one embodiment, at least one section of the cannula tube 2202 is only patent (open and unobstructed) when gas flow is delivered. If the high flow gas source (for example source 124 of
The wall thickness of the tube 2202 could be reduced at the collapsible portion shown in
In some embodiments, a switching configuration (Switching configuration 2) comprises a respiratory therapy system comprising:
The pressure sensor may be provided on an external surface of the cannula or on an external surface of a tube in fluid communication with the cannula.
The system may be configured to reduce or substantially stop flow of the high flow gas when the pressure sensor detects a pressure increase. The pressure sensor may be configured to detect a pressure increase in response to the mask being placed on the patient, the patient exhaling, or actuation of an anaesthetic bag.
The system may further comprise a valve to partially or substantially block flow of the high flow rate gas through the cannula in response to the detected pressure increase.
As shown in
If the pressure is pneumatically communicated, the pressure change may activate a valve 2240, blocking the flow source as shown in
Alternatively, high/cannula flow may be reduced at ‘mask on’ and this reduction may vary depending on the pressure measured at P1. For example, a higher pressure measured at P1 may result in a large reduction in the delivered flow whereas a lower pressure measured at P1 may result in a small reduction in the delivered flow.
If the pressure change is instead electrically communicated back to the high flow gas supply 2102 this may block or reduce the flow rate by actuating a valve, flow restrictor or opening a vent that enables the flow to divert though an orifice of comparatively low resistance. Alternatively the pressure may be communicated pneumatically, e.g. via a pressure line terminating at pressure sensor 2238, but the actuation of flow reduction/blocking is performed in software by the controller 2108 or another processor.
To ensure only partial flow restriction of the high flow gas, the spring force in the flow restrictor valve 2240 may be designed to not compress when subjected up to 40 cmH20 pressure. It is likely that the APL valve will be set at less than 40 cmH2O. Thus, the APL valve 2410 will vent any additional pressure measured in the mask 2300 above 40 cmH2O and the spring will never be subjected to >40 cmH2O. This ensures the high flow gas supply valve stays open, always permitting some high flow through to the patient. Alternatively a relatively light spring may be used in the valve 2240 such that only a small pressure is required to fully block the high flow gas (eg: 1-2 cmH2O which may be applied only by the action of having the mask 2300 over top of the cannula).
Advantages of Switching Configuration 2 include one or more of:
In some embodiments, a switching configuration (Switching configuration 3) comprises a respiratory therapy system comprising:
The connector may be configured to enable both high flow gas and gas from the bag circuit to be delivered to a patient through the cannula. Alternatively, the connector may be configured to substantially prevent delivery of high flow gas to the cannula when the bag circuit is connected to the cannula circuit.
The separation may comprise one or more walls or valves in the connector.
The cannula may be a nasal cannula with at least one prong for receipt in a patient's nares, the cannula comprising inflatable cuff(s) associated with the prong(s) to assist with creating a seal in the patient's naris or nares.
The system may be configured to inflate the cuff(s) in response to actuation of the bag.
This configuration additionally or alternatively comprises a nasal cannula for delivering gas to a patient, the cannula comprising at least one prong for receipt in a patient's naris, the cannula comprising inflatable cuff(s) associated with the prong(s) to assist with creating a seal in the patient's naris or nares.
See
The bag circuit 2412 comprises a connector 2420 (shown in
The user may wish to have complete control over the patient's inspiratory gas flow, via the bag 2406, and only allow high flow delivery during expiration. When gas is delivered from the bag 2406 when it is squeezed, the elevated pressure, caused by the forced gas flow from the bag, may shut a valve in the high flow gas supply tube, completely blocking, or restricting, the high flow gas during inspiration. This valve may be allowed to open when no bag flow exists, allowing high flow gas to be delivered on expiration.
Referring now to
When the bag 2406 is released the valve is opened and HFG can flow to the patient (see
The cuffs 2260 could be designed to inflate at a very low pressure, so would remain inflated throughout the whole inspiration even when bag flow BF is low at either end of the inspiratory phase, or may inflate at a higher level. This second case could produce increasing levels of inflation as the bag 2406 is squeezed harder/more flow is supplied. This may help the clinician modulate the pressure delivered to the patient, as greater inflation causes more seal and thus greater pressure delivery.
Alternatively, the conduit 2430 to the cuffs 2260 could be fitted with a non-return valve to maintain constant inflation throughout the use of the bag and prevent deflation unless high flow is initiated. For example, with reference to
As an addition, an inflatable mouth insert could be coupled to the nasal prongs 2208. This could be useful for mouth breathers, to prevent loss of pressure during respiratory support if they have their mouth open.
Having a minimal high flow gas supply maintained even when bagging the patient ensures delivery of PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure). In this way it can be ensured that the patient always receives some level of positive pressure which can help to prevent atelectasis.
If the user wants to administer volatile agents to the patient, delivery of high flow will affect the concentration, diluting it and requiring additional agent to be added to get the correct concentration. This can be costly. In an alternative embodiment the high flow gas supply may be completely blocked when the bag circuit connector 2420 is inserted. In this case there would be no orifice on the right hand side of the connector as shown in
If the prongs 2208 are not sealed throughout the whole breath cycle, volatile agent may still be lost to the atmosphere, which may be undesirable. When a mask is used in prior art systems, the volatiles can be recycled through the closed (sealed) system.
An APL valve can still be set by the user to control the pressure relief when the bag 2406 is connected. If the prongs are inflated/sealing, excess pressure delivery will be vented via the APL. If the prongs are deflated because the bag 2406 is not connected there is limited risk of barotrauma. If the prongs are deflated when the bag is connected but during a non-sealing expiration, minimal pressure will be communicated to the anaesthetic machine, but as the prongs are deflated there is again limited risk of barotrauma.
Advantages of Switching Configuration 3 include one or more of:
In some embodiments, a switching configuration (Switching configuration 4) comprises a respiratory therapy system comprising:
This configuration additionally or alternatively comprises a nasal cannula for delivering gas to a patient, the cannula comprising at least one prong for receipt in a patient's naris, the cannula comprising inflatable cuff(s) associated with the prong(s) to assist with creating a seal in the patient's naris or nares.
See
Referring to
The reservoir 2472 has a non-return valve 2473 so that it is filled from the bottom by the bag flow BF but flow can only exit from the top orifice 2474. The reservoir may be a rigid or alternatively an expandable material that increases to accommodate more air when BF flows. The orifice has a restricted opening to control the rate of gas leak. When the bag 2406 is released/not squeezed, no more flow is delivered from the bag, and the patient will be able to passively expire.
During this time, the flow reservoir 2472 will begin to discharge and the flow from the reservoir 2472 will continue to hold closed the valve 2470 blocking the high flow gas source. The orifice 2474 may be sized so that when the reservoir 2472 is full, it takes approximately the time for one exhalation to empty (eg: 3 seconds). Thus the valve 2470 will be held closed throughout expiration as well. Alternatively a valve 2470 may be energised by a controller to hold the valve for a period, for example exhalation time. The reservoir 2472 may also be connected to the prong cuffs 2260, to provide flow to the cuffs during expiration as well and hold them inflated throughout the whole breath cycle. This means patient expiratory flow will be back into the tube to the bag/anaesthetic machine.
If the bag 2402 is not squeezed after this time, this would indicate the clinician has finished bagging the patient. The reservoir 2472 will empty, allowing the high flow gas valve 2470 to open and the prong cuffs to deflate and high flow gas will then begin to flow again (see * on
This system blocks high flow during the whole breath when the patient is being bagged, and also maintains the interface seal. Therefore the clinician has control over the gas delivered to the patient during this time, and also enables accurate control of volatile agent delivery. If the prongs are held sealed throughout expiration, all expiratory flow will be returned to the anaesthetic machine. This means volatile agents will be returned to the anaesthetic machine, saving agents and preventing them from escaping into the room.
Again, the APL valve 2410 can still be set by the user to control the master pressure relief when the bag 2406 is used. If the bag is not being used the prongs will be deflated so there is limited risk of barotrauma.
Advantages of Switching Configuration 4 include:
Advantages of one or more of the switching configurations include one or more of:
Functionality 2—Conscious/Apnoeic Therapy Setting
Current respiratory support systems do not automatically change the type of support when spontaneous breathing or apnoea is detected. This is because the clinician usually changes or removes the interface at this point anyway.
It would be desirable to provide different therapy settings during patient consciousness, and then once patient becomes apnoeic.
A respiratory therapy system that is suitable for conscious/apnoeic therapy setting, comprises:
The system may be configured to detect the presence of apnoea and configured to deliver gas at the second flow rate and/or pressure in response to the detection of apnoea. The system may be configured to detect the presence of apnoea based on the reduction of activation of brain signals, diaphragm signal, airway pressure, or CO2 measurements.
The first flow rate and/or pressure may comprise a relatively low flow rate and/or pressure, and the second flow rate and/or pressure may comprise a relatively high flow rate and/or pressure.
The processor may be the controller 108 or may be any other suitable type of processor. The processor may be a remote processor.
This method and configuration may have one or more of the following features:
Similarly when the return of spontaneous breathing is detected at the end of anaesthesia there may also be a change in therapy, such as an increase or reduction of flow rate or pressure for example. Once apnoea has ceased and spontaneous breathing is detected, the flow rate and/or pressure may be adjusted back to the first flow rate and/or pressure, or to a different flow rate and/or pressure that differs from that during apnoea, for example to take into account the following:
Further, after a period of mechanical ventilation the threshold at which the PaCO2 stimulates the return of spontaneous ventilation is increased, thus delaying the return of spontaneous ventilation. Also, the ventilatory response to acidosis is blunted, reducing a patient's ability to compensate. Anaesthetic drugs also reduce the normal protective response to hypoxia, even at low volatile drug concentrations. So as low concentrations of volatile drug may last several hours into the post-operative period a patient may continue to be at risk of hypoxemia.
Once the return of spontaneous breathing has been established, delivering a high flow rate and/or oxygen concentration post-anaesthesia may help to reduce the inspiratory work of breathing, increase arterial oxygenation and compensate for a reduced respiratory drive that may persist post-anaesthesia. See
Any changes in flow/pressure may follow a ramp increase, rather than a step-wise increase, as shown in
Advantages of the conscious/apnoeic therapy setting functionality include one or more of:
Functionality 3—Compensation for Effect of Suction
Clinicians often suction inside the patient's airway immediately prior to intubation to remove secretions, to improve view and reduce the risk of aspiration. If the patient has just undergone a period of pre-oxygenation this suctioning can act to remove the oxygenated gas from the patient's airway, reducing their oxygen reserves. Current respiratory support systems do not automatically compensate for the effect of suctioning.
A respiratory therapy system that is suitable for compensating for the effect of suction, comprises:
The processor may be configured to adjust flow of gas to the patient interface to deliver gas at an increased flow rate to the patient interface if the reduction in airway pressure is determined to be occurring during and/or after apnoea, or at any other time where the patient's breath pattern is deemed not to be a natural breath pattern.
The processor may be the controller 108 or may be any other suitable type of processor. The processor may be a remote processor.
This method and configuration may have one or more of the following features:
Advantages of a suction compensation configuration includes:
Functionality 4—Connection to Facilitate Continued Therapy during Transport
A configuration that is suitable for facilitating continued therapy during transport comprises a patient interface for use in a respiratory therapy system, the patient interface comprising:
The connector portion in fluid communication with the cannula may be configured to seal when the connector portion is disconnected from the complementary connector portion on the main gas conduit.
This configuration advantageously provides direct connection of high flow interface to a barb on flow meter. No humidifier will be used as transport is likely to be short and therefore loss of humidity will have negligible effect on patient condition.
See
Alternatively,
While a collapsing conduit or other switching methods described above may be useful options for stopping or preventing the flow of gas to a patient interface (e.g. using an item such as a collapsible block or pad in contact with, or to be placed in contact with, or which may be attachable or mountable to a patient), if the gas continues to flow into the collapsed conduit that is going into the nasal cannula, the pressure may build up in the conduit and eventually the conduit could burst or the gas could force its way through the collapsed portion of the conduit and into the nasal cannula. This could cause unwanted pressure in the patient's lungs or airway.
As described above, the system may be provided with a pressure relief device to avoid these issues. However, in addition or alternatively to the above described embodiments, mask detection arrangements may be particularly useful. For example, where a patient interface is used to deliver a flow of gas to the patient's airways, caution may be required when both routes to the patient's airway are being utilised. For example, where a nasal cannula is being used to deliver a flow of gas to the nasal passages and where a mask is being used to deliver a flow of gas to the patient's airways via the patient's mouth and/or nose (and may optionally be providing the flow of gas in a manner where the mask is a sealed-type interface, such as by creating a seal between the mask and the patient), the potential for an over-pressure situation to arise may be heightened. A system for recognising the dual application of operating or operational interfaces may allow for a warning to be issued of such a situation or there may be activation or controlling of a part of the respiratory system to prevent both patient interfaces from delivering their respective sources of gas simultaneously. Such a signalled or controlled system may assist in minimising or reducing the likelihood of accidental over-pressurisation of the patient's airway. Alternatively mask detection arrangements may be used to switch between respiratory modes. For example, a first patient interface may provide a first flow of gases to a patient, and once a second patient interface is applied to the patient, detection of the second interface facilitates the switching off of the first flow of gases, to allow a second flow of gases to be provided by the second patient interface.
In some embodiments, a sensor arrangement may be provided, the sensor arrangement comprising one or more sensors. One or more sensors may be located upon, embedded within or provided on parts of one or more of the patient interfaces, or an item associated with such interfaces, used for delivering a flow of gas to a patient.
In some embodiments, a respiratory system may comprise a controller configured to sense the presence of a second patient interface (such as a mask) and alert the user and/or adjust the high flow therapy accordingly, without the placement of any sensors on the first or second patient interfaces. For instance, the controller may sense a change in pressure, change in flow, or change in a fan motor speed of a flow generator as a result of the placement of a mask on the patient. The controller may reduce or cease the administration of high flow therapy in response to the change in pressure, change in flow, or change in motor speed. The controller may additionally or alternatively alert the user via an alarm (such as a visual or audible alarm) in response to the change in pressure, change in flow, or change in motor speed. In an embodiment, the respiratory system comprises a humidifier and a chamber with a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet and the pressure sensor system is positioned at the chamber outlet. In another embodiment, the system comprises a flow sensor at the chamber inlet and/or chamber outlet. The flow sensor may be a heated bead sensor. Alternatively, the flow sensor may be an ultrasonic flow sensor integrated with the controller. Any other flow sensor known to those skilled in the art could be substituted.
According to the various forms of the disclosure herein, and referring to
The sensor or sensors 95 sense an in-situ combination of the first patient interface 91 and the second patient interface 94 upon the patient during delivery of gas to the patient 93; such a sensed combination of interfaces generating a signal or output 97.
The signal or output 97 can be used to directly or indirectly control or activate a further system or device which determines a flow of gases being provided to one or both of the first and second patient interfaces 91, 94, or more particularly to a first patient interface 91, such as but not limited to, a nasal cannula. The signal or output may be provided in the form of a wired connection or a wireless connection.
The signal or output 97 may alternatively be fed to, or activate or control (or activate and control) one or more of the following system outcomes:
Advantageously, the signal or output 97 of the sensed in-situ combination provides for control of the flow (or pressure) of the gas being directed to the first patient interface 91.
The one or more sensors 95 utilised in such configurations may be one or a combination of any one of the following in sensing the in-situ combination:
In various configurations, the one or more sensors 95 may be located upon, embedded within or placed or positioned in a respiratory system at a position other than on a patient interface or an item 96 associated with a patient interface. Such sensors 95 may be utilised as stand-alone sensors or where a plurality of sensors need to each sense the in-situ combination of a first and second patient interface 91, 94 upon a patient 93, such that a positive signal or output 97 is provided to the provide for an activation or controlling of a device or the system (or a warning). In this way, false positive sensed signals may be avoided or minimised.
It may also be contemplated that at least one secondary sensor (not shown) may need to sense the placement of the first patient interface on the patient to determine when the first patient interface is in-situ or another sensed situation in order for the signals or outputs 97 from other sensors 95 to then be utilised in an overall system for providing a signal or output 97 of a sensed in-situ combination. For example, a secondary sensor may be provided on a first patient interface 91, such as a nasal cannula to sense when such an interface is actually provided in an operational position or in-use configuration with the patient 93. This would prevent other sensors from operating when the first patient interface 91 is not in place or operational position on the patient. Preferably, the default system would be such that the sensor 95 did not operate when the secondary sensor indicated that the first patient interface 91 was not in use, but this would not cause cessation of the gas flow.
One example of such a secondary sensor may be a temperature sensor to sense the patient's temperature or skin temperature which may be used as indicative of the first patient interface 91 being placed in position upon the patient's face. The use of such a temperature sensor, or other secondary sensors (such as a proximity sensor, or optical sensors or acoustic sensors) can be used to determine when the first patient interface 91 is in operation and/or in place on the patient 93.
In this variation, once such secondary sensors sense and determine the first patient interface 91 is in place on the patient 93, then any other sensors associated with other patient interfaces or items 96 associated with such interfaces may have their signals or outputs 97 used (i.e. there could be a master or primary signal or output needed in order to allow subsequent sensors to the have their subsequent or secondary signals or outputs used)—however variations of such configuration are contemplated and this is only exemplification of one form.
In a further configuration, one or more sensors 95 may be provided as a part of an item 96 which may be mounted or attached to the patient 93 (e.g. their face). Such an item 96 can be configured to allow for a gas supply conduit 98 to pass through the item, in which case the item 96 can be configured or provide for a lumen 99 so that a gas supply may be fluidly connected from one side of the item to another side from which a further gas supply conduit extends to provide for fluid connection to a first patient interface (e.g. a nasal cannula). Such an item 6 may be a block or pad, for example such as that shown in
In a further configuration, one or more sensors 95 may be provided as a part of or together with a conduit 98 providing a flow of gases to the first patient interface or the second patient interface. The conduit with sensor may sense when a first patient interface 91 is in operation and/or when a second patient interface 94 (e.g. a mask) comes into engagement with at least a part of the conduit 98 (e.g. a seal of a second patient interface 94 becomes engaged or contacts a part of the conduit). In any of these situations, a signal or output 97 can be generated and can be used to control the system or provide for feedback (e.g. warnings or other such ‘system outcomes’ as described above). In some embodiments the conduit may be integrally formed as part of the first patient interface. For example, the first patient interface 91 may be a nasal cannula that comprises a conduit portion for providing a flow of gases to a nasal prong or prongs of the cannula.
In one configuration, at least one of the sensors 95 provided as a part of the item 96 or conduit 98 may be optical sensors (including Infra-Red, IR), radio-frequency tags (RF tags), mechanically activated switch type sensors, acoustic type sensors, electrical resistance devices (e.g. strain gauges), or may use pairs of electrodes to sense changes.
For example, based on a known dielectric constant between a pair of electrodes or based on a change in the known capacitance of a material due to a change in the dielectric, for example such as a result of a second patient interface 94 being placed into contact with the item 96, or at or near to the sensor, a sensed signal or output 97 can be generated.
On one configuration for example as shown in
In another configuration, a sensor 95 may be an optical sensor provided as a part of the item 96. In such a version, see for example
Referring now to
With reference to
In another configuration, a sensor 95 such as an acoustic sensor may be utilised in combination with an item 96 associated with a patient interface. Such a sensor may have application in a gas supply conduit 98 associated with the first patient interface 1. An acoustic wave may be sent down the conduit 98 to sense a closing or other change in parameter or characteristics of the conduit (such as a change in shape of the conduit, e.g. a section of the conduit may collapse, at least partially). An advantage of this arrangement is that existing patient interfaces may be utilised without the need for additional customisation of those interfaces to incorporate sensor systems. Acoustic waves may be sent at any suitable sampling rate, and the sensor 95 can sense either a reflected signal (due to a closure or bulging in shape of the supply conduit) or can sense a change in resonance, i.e. change in the standing wave formed in the conduit due to the conduit being closed, for example the item 96 in the form of a block or pad may collapse to close the conduit 98 between the gas source 92 and the interface 91. See for example
In another configuration, a sensor 95 in the form of an optical sensor may be utilised in combination with an item 96 to be mounted or attached to the patient, or either or both of the first and second patient interfaces 91, 94. An optical sensor system may utilise a transmitter 916 and a receiver 917, the transmitter transmitting a pre-determined code (e.g. a specific binary code) and the receiver receiving and detecting the code. The sensor 95 can be used to analyse or determine and generate a signal or output 97. See
In another configuration, a sensor 95 in the form of a pressure sensitive valve may be utilised to divert a flow of gas being supplied to a patient interface. For example, such a valve may be a pressure relief valve operational once a pre-determined pressure is sensed. Solenoid or mechanical valves may be used having a relatively high spring reaction force when in a closed valve position, and a relatively low spring reaction force when in an open valve position (i.e. pressure of flow venting position). Advantageously, in some configurations the valve can remain open until the pressure within the conduit drops below a threshold value, and then the valve would automatically close. Optionally, in combination with such a sensor, a whistle or audible signal may be provided, using the released flow of gas to operate the whistle. In this way, a sensed pressure opens a valve. The whistle issues as a further signal or output in addition to the controlled venting. Optionally, a supply conduit associated with a patient interface may desirably be provided with sufficient hysteresis so as to maintain the pressure within the tube so that a pressure relief valve remains open, yet without too much pressure that may otherwise force the conduit which is partially or wholly collapsed or squashed to be forced open.
In another example, one or more sensors 95 may be provided as part of the first patient interface 91 (such as a nasal cannula). For example, the first patient interface may comprise any of the sensor arrangements provided with item 96 as described above. For example, item 96 as shown in
Unless the context suggests otherwise, where a pressure sensor is described as being at a particular location, for example at the patient interface, this should be interpreted to mean the system is configured so that the sensor senses pressure at that location. For example, in some embodiments the sensor may be located at the particular location, or may be remote from the particular location but configured to sense pressure at the particular location via a pressure sensing or sampling line, for example like sampling line 829 of
A further sensor arrangement is illustrated in
The arrangement in
In another embodiment, the first and second elements may form an inductive arrangement. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, the sensor may comprise a pressure sensor located within the conduit 98 or a conduit of the first patient interface 91. The conduit may comprise a collapsible portion, as described previously. In some embodiments the sensor 95 may be located downstream of the collapsible portion, for example near a nasal prong of the first patient interface 91. In some embodiments the pressure sensor may be located upstream of the collapsible portion, for example as shown in
In some embodiments, rather than there being a collapsible conduit the system may comprise a valve to close and open the conduit, wherein the valve is operated by the placement of the mask over the first patient interface. When a pressure change is detected a controller may cause a flow or pressure in the conduit to be reduced or stopped. In some embodiments, the system may maintain a small/reduced pressure/flow level within the conduit so that removal of the mask may be detected. For example, if flow was reduced to zero, removal of the mask would not cause any further pressure change and mask removal would not be detected. Once the mask is removed, flow to the first patient interface may resume, for example automatically by a controller.
With reference to
With reference to
In various embodiments described that comprise a sensor to determine a change in flow or pressure indicative of a second interface being present, a controller in response to there being a second interface present may cause a flow or pressure in the conduit to the first patient interface to be reduced or stopped. In some embodiments, in response to there being a second interface present, it may be desirable to maintain a reduced pressure/flow within the conduit to the first patient interface, rather than zero pressure/flow, so that when the second patient interface is removed from the user's face the controller via the sensor is able to sense a change in pressure/flow as a result of the second interface being removed. In response to the second interface being removed a controller may re-establish an operational flow (for example a high flow) to the first interface.
The various configurations described herein allow for provision of an automated or controlled respiratory therapy system based on signals or outputs from one or more sensors provided with patient interfaces of items associated with those interfaces. For example, it would be useful to sense the presence of a mask when placed in combination with a nasal cannula on the same patient and to allow for an automated control of the flow of gas to one or both of those interfaces (preferably controlling the flow to the nasal cannula).
Automated control of the system may allow for controlling of valves to reduce or stop flows of gas, or for the regulation or throttling of pressure of gases being supplied to the patient, or yet other alarms or warnings to be issued so as to make aware the presence of an operational first patient interface and an operational second patient interface.
In addition, deactivation or activation, of a signal or output 97, can allow for the high flow therapy to commence or be recommenced.
Further, embodiments described above may be useful together with a single patient interface. For example, a high flow nasal cannula may be utilised together with the item 96 described herein, and/or may comprise the described sensor arrangements, and without a mask present. A change in flow provided by the flow generator may be activated manually by a user depressing item 96 or a collapsible portion of the conduit 98 or patient interface 91 with a finger, or placing a finger over a sensor 95. This may be useful in applications such as endoscopy where a user administering a flow to a patient via a cannula may wish to stop the flow.
Improvements to try and prevent or minimise the likelihood of a Barotrauma being experienced by a patient provide for a highly desirable outcome.
Various embodiments have been described for respiratory therapy systems comprising dual delivery devices, for example a nasal cannula and a face mask as described with reference to
Other embodiments may not comprise a conduit or patient interface with a collapsible portion. For example, those embodiments described above that comprise sensor arrangements for detecting the presence of a face mask may not include a collapsible conduit/interface. In such embodiments the face mask must seal over the top of the first patient interface or conduit when in a normal operating configuration (i.e. when the conduit is not collapsed). Various arrangements are now described to allow a face mask to be used together with another patient interface (e.g. cannula) without a collapsible portion.
In some configurations, the gases supply systems which are in gases communication with the gas conduit 154 and the interface 151 via the aperture or the port 152 respectively, are separate and independent of each other. In one configuration, the gases supply system which is in gases communication with the aperture or the port 152 is a part of an anaesthesia system comprising an anaesthesia machine for delivering gas to the user, whereas the gases supply system which is in gases communication with the gas conduit 154 is a high flow humidified oxygen delivery system. A nasal interface such as a nasal cannula (not shown) may be provided at an end of the gas conduit 154 and within the interior volume of interface 151 for providing for example a high flow of oxygen or blended gases directly into the nares of the user.
With reference to
In some configurations, the interface 151 may comprise a headgear assembly for locating the interface on the face of the user in-use.
Alternatively, the interface 151 may not comprise any fixing means such as a headgear and a medical practitioner places the interface at a suitable position on a user's face and then gently pushes the interface towards the user's face to sealingly engage the interface with the user's face.
According to the disclosure, the interface 151 is configured and adapted to allow intrusion of the gas conduit 154 into the interior volume of the interface 151, while maintaining the substantially gas tight seal between the interface 151 and the user's face and/or the spacer component (e.g. in
The interface 151 comprises one or more accommodation sites or portions 156 adapted to facilitate intrusion of the gas conduit 154 into the interior volume of the body while maintaining the seal between the interface 151 and the user's face. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in
The accommodation sites or portions 156 of the interface may allow for the interface 151 to be used with a nasal cannula.
In some configurations the nasal cannula is used to deliver a relatively high flow of oxygen or a high flow of blended gases or high flow of air. The interface 151 may used for various other respiratory support or for anaesthetics delivery. As mentioned above, the interface 151 comprises a seal 153 to seal against the user's face when in-use.
The accommodation sites or portions 156 allow for the nasal cannula to be used with the interface 151 without compromising or substantially affecting or interfering with the seal between the interface 151 and the user's face. This may allow for a nasal cannula which for example delivers high flow therapy to be used in combination with the interface 151 which is used to provide other respiratory support. A medical practitioner can adjust or choose which respiratory support to be used on the user without irritating the user or medical practitioner by constantly adding or removing the user interfaces such as the mask and the nasal cannula.
In some other configurations, the accommodation sites or portions 156 allow the interface 151 to be put on a user without first removing the nasal cannula from the user's face. Various sealing structures may be utilised to facilitate a greater ease of switching between respiratory support modes without the need to change or remove one, some or any or all patient interfaces.
The accommodation site or portions 156 may be provided directly in the seal 153 and/or the body 155 of the mask such as that shown in
In some configurations, a separate spacer component is provided which rests on the user's face and which assists in locating the conduit 154 on the user's face.
In the embodiment shown in
The spacer component 157 may be integrally formed with the portion of the conduit 154 to which it is attached, or formed as a separate component which can be removably attached to the portion of the conduit 154 such as that shown in
In the configurations shown in
In some configurations, the spacer component 157 is configured to withstand the forces exerted by the accommodation sites or portions 156 and the user's face so it does not impede the gas flow within the conduit 154 after the interface is put on the user's face. In another configuration, the spacer component 157 may be configured to resiliently deform and the portion of the conduit 154 housed therein also deforms. In this configuration, the gases communication via the conduit 154 is stopped or substantially reduced after the interface is worn by the user. Such an embodiment is described with reference to
The spacer component 157 may be made of any deformable or resilient materials such as silicone, foam, rubber, plastic, textile and/or similar thereof.
Advantages of
Advantage of
Advantages of
Advantage of
Where, in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.
Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art also are within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For instance, various components may be repositioned as desired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be defined only by the claims that follow.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27846 | Underwood | Apr 1860 | A |
| 207626 | Sargent | Sep 1878 | A |
| 260959 | Emery | Jul 1882 | A |
| 286561 | Smith et al. | Oct 1883 | A |
| 396528 | Blake | Jan 1889 | A |
| 402632 | Traves | May 1889 | A |
| 495439 | Thacher | Apr 1893 | A |
| 509409 | Totten | Nov 1893 | A |
| 531766 | Block | Jan 1895 | A |
| 538895 | Casgrain | May 1895 | A |
| 540255 | Hirsch | Jun 1895 | A |
| 543125 | Brown | Jul 1895 | A |
| 553000 | Hunt | Jan 1896 | A |
| 584501 | Gates | Jun 1897 | A |
| 596341 | Seymour | Dec 1897 | A |
| 613979 | Eaglesfield | Nov 1898 | A |
| 614676 | Tucker | Nov 1898 | A |
| 639193 | Alliger | Dec 1899 | A |
| 642549 | Kennedy | Jan 1900 | A |
| 727385 | Kops | May 1903 | A |
| 733852 | Lee | Jul 1903 | A |
| 827243 | Larson | Jul 1906 | A |
| 829677 | Sillamn | Aug 1906 | A |
| 897955 | Barrett et al. | Sep 1908 | A |
| 899670 | Hyde, Jr. | Sep 1908 | A |
| 906215 | Gammeter | Dec 1908 | A |
| 939726 | Magdiel | Nov 1909 | A |
| 973242 | Wayson, Jr. | Oct 1910 | A |
| 1125542 | Humphries | Jan 1915 | A |
| 1146111 | Styll | Jul 1915 | A |
| 1156385 | Willson, Jr. | Oct 1915 | A |
| 1364513 | Ono | Jan 1921 | A |
| 1431052 | Shukie | Oct 1922 | A |
| 1471360 | Sangren | Oct 1923 | A |
| 1471726 | Ginty | Oct 1923 | A |
| 1479900 | Dorner et al. | Jan 1924 | A |
| 1560889 | Wearham | Nov 1925 | A |
| 1705115 | Hollestelle | Mar 1929 | A |
| 1706314 | Norris | Mar 1929 | A |
| 1722599 | Test et al. | Jul 1929 | A |
| 1805442 | Wallfisch | May 1931 | A |
| 1806586 | Christmas | May 1931 | A |
| 1824759 | Bainbridge | Sep 1931 | A |
| 1894467 | Heinrich | Jan 1933 | A |
| 1918998 | Wells | Jul 1933 | A |
| 1945617 | Nelson | Feb 1934 | A |
| 1970137 | Harte | Aug 1934 | A |
| 1998560 | Smith | Apr 1935 | A |
| 2013242 | Stinson | Sep 1935 | A |
| 2073471 | Franz | Mar 1937 | A |
| 2111053 | Olsen | Mar 1938 | A |
| 2116488 | Jackson | May 1938 | A |
| 2116490 | Arthur | May 1938 | A |
| 2157061 | Ernst | May 1939 | A |
| 2169968 | Clifford | Aug 1939 | A |
| 2176735 | Freedlander et al. | Oct 1939 | A |
| 2220453 | Lowres | Nov 1940 | A |
| 2234265 | Lowres | Mar 1941 | A |
| 2236304 | Snavely | Mar 1941 | A |
| 2241814 | Hansen | May 1941 | A |
| 2267051 | Stevens | Dec 1941 | A |
| 2277981 | Horton | Mar 1942 | A |
| 2284848 | Ryan | Jun 1942 | A |
| 2287409 | Samuel | Jun 1942 | A |
| 2310622 | Ray | Feb 1943 | A |
| 2314814 | Bruce | Mar 1943 | A |
| 2338145 | Webb | Jan 1944 | A |
| 2348277 | Boothyby et al. | May 1944 | A |
| 2377970 | Rives | Jun 1945 | A |
| 2400077 | Dauster | May 1946 | A |
| 2514432 | Whitford | Jul 1950 | A |
| 2529301 | Lykken | Nov 1950 | A |
| 2533271 | Livermon | Dec 1950 | A |
| 2564326 | Dray | Aug 1951 | A |
| 2567150 | Frazier et al. | Sep 1951 | A |
| 2576154 | Trautvetter | Nov 1951 | A |
| 2589439 | Seidel | Mar 1952 | A |
| 2601083 | Brouse | Jun 1952 | A |
| 2609699 | Rohn | Sep 1952 | A |
| 2620513 | Cryor et al. | Dec 1952 | A |
| 2643380 | David | Jun 1953 | A |
| 2661503 | Longstreet | Dec 1953 | A |
| 2669127 | Raser, Jr. | Feb 1954 | A |
| 2687333 | Kostolnik | Aug 1954 | A |
| 2690591 | Wallace | Oct 1954 | A |
| 2831487 | Tafilaw | Dec 1954 | A |
| 2709371 | Hale | May 1955 | A |
| 2718255 | Samuel | Sep 1955 | A |
| 2735432 | Hudson | Feb 1956 | A |
| 2738688 | Eaton | Mar 1956 | A |
| 2801547 | Guibert | Aug 1957 | A |
| 2811967 | Stampe | Nov 1957 | A |
| 2819780 | Fallon et al. | Jan 1958 | A |
| 2868199 | Hudson | Jan 1959 | A |
| 2931277 | La Bombard | Apr 1960 | A |
| 2943775 | Mack et al. | Jul 1960 | A |
| 2969081 | Pipes | Jan 1961 | A |
| 2986276 | Perine | May 1961 | A |
| 2998818 | Tabor et al. | Sep 1961 | A |
| 3002304 | Drese et al. | Oct 1961 | A |
| 3004535 | Nielson | Oct 1961 | A |
| 3095876 | Neal | Jul 1963 | A |
| 3096279 | Komline | Jul 1963 | A |
| 3101029 | Johnston et al. | Aug 1963 | A |
| 3197201 | Craig | Jul 1965 | A |
| 3208505 | Craemer | Sep 1965 | A |
| 3234806 | Albrecht et al. | Feb 1966 | A |
| 3245276 | Daon | Apr 1966 | A |
| 3263292 | Fekete | Aug 1966 | A |
| 3362403 | Fleming et al. | Jan 1968 | A |
| 3365966 | Heyer | Jan 1968 | A |
| 3365967 | Moogk | Jan 1968 | A |
| 3377712 | Farkas et al. | Apr 1968 | A |
| 3429761 | Bleher | Feb 1969 | A |
| 3446880 | Enicks | May 1969 | A |
| 3513844 | Smith | May 1970 | A |
| 3542116 | Machlin | Nov 1970 | A |
| 3563166 | Bajak et al. | Feb 1971 | A |
| 3576138 | Wildhagen | Apr 1971 | A |
| 3585639 | Enicks | Jun 1971 | A |
| 3603384 | Huggins et al. | Sep 1971 | A |
| 3616818 | Case et al. | Nov 1971 | A |
| 3623377 | Lewis et al. | Nov 1971 | A |
| 3632932 | Beaudoin et al. | Jan 1972 | A |
| 3640143 | Krohn-Holm | Feb 1972 | A |
| 3654640 | Katzman | Apr 1972 | A |
| 3656359 | Dorf et al. | Apr 1972 | A |
| 3677801 | Hardy | Jul 1972 | A |
| 3679214 | Boyte | Jul 1972 | A |
| 3682171 | Dali et al. | Aug 1972 | A |
| 3695264 | Laeral | Oct 1972 | A |
| 3718137 | Gaylord | Feb 1973 | A |
| 3734270 | Foody | May 1973 | A |
| 3754552 | King | Aug 1973 | A |
| 3783705 | Moogk | Jan 1974 | A |
| 3799164 | Rollins | Mar 1974 | A |
| 3802824 | Amster et al. | Apr 1974 | A |
| 3834439 | Mirtain | Sep 1974 | A |
| 3839738 | Coslett | Oct 1974 | A |
| 3857295 | Hall et al. | Dec 1974 | A |
| 3858615 | Weigl | Jan 1975 | A |
| 3869933 | Dorf | Mar 1975 | A |
| 3894900 | Redmond, Jr. | Jul 1975 | A |
| 3910025 | Takai | Oct 1975 | A |
| 3915075 | Luke et al. | Oct 1975 | A |
| 3941637 | Masuda et al. | Mar 1976 | A |
| 3944432 | Brinkmann et al. | Mar 1976 | A |
| 3957282 | Finnigan | May 1976 | A |
| 3964328 | Redmond, Jr. | Jun 1976 | A |
| 3968701 | Maruyama | Jul 1976 | A |
| 4007644 | Weinberger | Feb 1977 | A |
| 4019399 | Waugh | Apr 1977 | A |
| 4030300 | Thompson | Jun 1977 | A |
| 4033360 | Nienow et al. | Jul 1977 | A |
| 4049300 | Schneider | Sep 1977 | A |
| 4051741 | Marczewski | Oct 1977 | A |
| 4079633 | Cheema et al. | Mar 1978 | A |
| 4106505 | Salter et al. | Aug 1978 | A |
| 4108011 | Gregg et al. | Aug 1978 | A |
| 4120324 | Pahl | Oct 1978 | A |
| 4147069 | Derner | Apr 1979 | A |
| 4168024 | D'Alo | Sep 1979 | A |
| 4196760 | McDaniel et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
| 4198167 | Deal et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
| 4201205 | Bartholomew | May 1980 | A |
| 4202344 | Mills et al. | May 1980 | A |
| 4241775 | Jackson | Dec 1980 | A |
| 4262406 | Fredrickson et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
| 4263908 | Mizerak | Apr 1981 | A |
| 4266912 | Roman | May 1981 | A |
| 4270888 | Kane et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
| 4274069 | Troebel et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
| 4289230 | McGee | Sep 1981 | A |
| 4292365 | Kane et al. | Sep 1981 | A |
| 4330287 | Fischer | May 1982 | A |
| 4337056 | Bruns | Jun 1982 | A |
| 4355741 | Kayss | Oct 1982 | A |
| 4359445 | Kane et al. | Nov 1982 | A |
| 4367067 | Chao | Jan 1983 | A |
| 4377162 | Staver | Mar 1983 | A |
| 4409995 | Nichols | Oct 1983 | A |
| 4416368 | Muramatsu et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
| 4417800 | Hirose et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
| 4422456 | Tiep | Dec 1983 | A |
| 4427226 | Shartzer | Jan 1984 | A |
| 4449959 | Matsumura | May 1984 | A |
| 4465067 | Koch et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
| 4475248 | L'Abbe et al. | Oct 1984 | A |
| 4498480 | Mortensen | Feb 1985 | A |
| 4515577 | Cathey et al. | May 1985 | A |
| 4535767 | Tiep et al. | Aug 1985 | A |
| 4569468 | Neer | Feb 1986 | A |
| 4575042 | Grimland et al. | Mar 1986 | A |
| 4586915 | Cathey et al. | May 1986 | A |
| 4599074 | Beckly | Jul 1986 | A |
| 4603442 | Barfield | Aug 1986 | A |
| 4643701 | Meyer et al. | Feb 1987 | A |
| 4655381 | Fontana | Apr 1987 | A |
| 4674994 | Tomiyori et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4706683 | Chilton | Nov 1987 | A |
| 4753233 | Grimes | Jun 1988 | A |
| 4786274 | Robecchi et al. | Nov 1988 | A |
| 4793342 | Haber et al. | Dec 1988 | A |
| 4809640 | Pilley et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4810153 | Armelin | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4810237 | Mantovaara | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4824502 | Nagayoshi et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
| 4866816 | Caveney | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4873100 | Dirksing et al. | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4878491 | McGilvray, III | Nov 1989 | A |
| 4879117 | Rombi | Nov 1989 | A |
| 4885127 | Yokoyama | Dec 1989 | A |
| 4893999 | Chmelir et al. | Jan 1990 | A |
| 4915105 | Lee | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4944442 | Buchko | Jul 1990 | A |
| 4960121 | Nelson et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4960476 | White, Jr. et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
| 4981462 | White, Jr. et al. | Jan 1991 | A |
| 4983184 | Steinemann | Jan 1991 | A |
| 4989599 | Carter | Feb 1991 | A |
| 4993998 | Tanaka et al. | Feb 1991 | A |
| 5005571 | Dietz | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5007462 | Kanao | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5018471 | Stevens | May 1991 | A |
| 5023023 | Elenewski | Jun 1991 | A |
| 5030174 | Eguchi | Jul 1991 | A |
| 5046993 | Macchiarulo et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5052084 | Braun | Oct 1991 | A |
| 5088162 | Allan | Feb 1992 | A |
| 5089189 | Staneluis et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
| 5121916 | Sanchez | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5138666 | Bauer et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
| 5145188 | Bartelt et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5154446 | Blake | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5171310 | Chisena | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5176249 | Esterson et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
| 5192178 | Silbernagel | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5201398 | Clugston | Apr 1993 | A |
| 5214986 | Roberts | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5224719 | Goodspeed | Jul 1993 | A |
| 5237986 | Seppala et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
| 5254049 | Gregg | Oct 1993 | A |
| 5269296 | Landis | Dec 1993 | A |
| 5291880 | Almovist et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
| 5348000 | Teves | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5349949 | Schegerin | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5355184 | Varveris et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5373980 | Rowell et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5390373 | Flory | Feb 1995 | A |
| 5400776 | Bartholomew | Mar 1995 | A |
| 5435321 | McMillen et al. | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5441046 | Starr et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5444750 | Stewart et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5457891 | Taylor | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5458831 | Saeki et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5477852 | Landis et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
| 5485850 | Dietz | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5487461 | Focke et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5488948 | Dubruille et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
| 5509409 | Weatherholt | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5510721 | Walles et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5533506 | Wood | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5538000 | Rudolph | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5618266 | Liprie | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5618267 | Palestrant | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5632837 | Carmien | May 1997 | A |
| 5640744 | Allan | Jun 1997 | A |
| 5655643 | Bonnet | Aug 1997 | A |
| 5697107 | Takimoto | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5697362 | Albrecht | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5697363 | Hart | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5713542 | Benoit | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5722218 | Lerner | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5762373 | Sugimoto | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5771886 | Maire et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5734995 | Chiang | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5792018 | Winninger | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5827243 | Palestrant | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5861116 | Mandich | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5868639 | Hormann | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5901607 | Kimura | May 1999 | A |
| 5911369 | Yamazaki | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5915542 | Swiet | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5924546 | Funaya | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5934275 | Gazzara | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5935086 | Beacon et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
| 6010304 | Moniz et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6019101 | Cotner et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6035852 | Hoftman | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6038706 | Seiler | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6044844 | Kwok et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6050916 | Hunkert | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6065756 | Eignor | May 2000 | A |
| 6070579 | Bryant et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6109578 | Guthrie et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6116637 | Takeuchi et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6123071 | Berthon-Jones et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6148817 | Bryant et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6170249 | Blase et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6196090 | Dumont | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6202957 | Bannert et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6209705 | Drewitz | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6216853 | Fujita | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6244621 | Kameyoshi et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6270595 | Takayama et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6332465 | Xue et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6341383 | Beltrani | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6346800 | Mano et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6364086 | Blaurock et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6367732 | Bobren et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6390915 | Brantley et al. | May 2002 | B2 |
| 6402194 | Takeuchi | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6422240 | Levitsky et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6431172 | Bordewick | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6443507 | Korvemaker | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6443552 | Inoue et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6454899 | Campbell et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6478025 | Yort et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6478026 | Wood | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6484871 | van Leeuwen | Nov 2002 | B2 |
| 6485384 | Ochiai et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6488026 | Lauer | Dec 2002 | B2 |
| 6527474 | Nabeshima | Mar 2003 | B2 |
| 6536435 | Fecteau et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6561344 | Basse | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6571797 | Magidson et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6574449 | Yoda et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
| 6580894 | Kobashigawa | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6588424 | Bardel | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6595215 | Wood | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6597888 | Abe et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6631253 | Nakafuji et al. | Oct 2003 | B2 |
| 6637434 | Noble | Oct 2003 | B2 |
| 6652691 | Yu et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6669712 | Cardoso | Dec 2003 | B1 |
| 6679265 | Strickland et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6684882 | Morine | Feb 2004 | B1 |
| 6688843 | Saeki | Feb 2004 | B2 |
| 6695771 | Takada | Feb 2004 | B2 |
| 6709552 | Sakuma et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6745770 | McAuliffe et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6776162 | Wood | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6783186 | McGanty | Aug 2004 | B1 |
| 6792787 | Coalson | Sep 2004 | B1 |
| 6877792 | Kanie et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
| 6886564 | Sullivan et al. | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6938806 | James | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6941710 | Eden | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6962101 | Granger | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6981503 | Shapiro | Jan 2006 | B1 |
| 6999732 | Fukuda | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7017577 | Matich | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7036503 | Miyazawa et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7073688 | Choi et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
| 7128070 | Wiener et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7132120 | Okaizumi et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7134433 | Sato | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7146898 | O'Dwyer | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7178528 | Lau et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7185653 | Lee | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7190915 | Akizuki et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7201169 | Wilkie et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
| 7225811 | Ruiz et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
| 7242895 | Inada et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7243649 | Moenning et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7254353 | Koyama et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7255107 | Gomez | Aug 2007 | B1 |
| 7257341 | Hanamoto et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7260337 | Koyama et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7261105 | Fukunaga et al. | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7275541 | Fukunaga et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7277651 | Hanamoto et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7283763 | Akizuki et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7305988 | Acker et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7308968 | Denison | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7331349 | Brady et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7391983 | Tatematsu et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
| 7406966 | Wondka | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 7407279 | Nakashima | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 7416073 | Talken et al. | Aug 2008 | B1 |
| 7426950 | Takagi | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7462154 | Yamamori et al. | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7472707 | Wood et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7481219 | Lewis et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7481220 | Meyer et al. | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7490359 | Landis | Feb 2009 | B2 |
| 7491351 | Taylor et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
| 7493900 | Japuntich et al. | Feb 2009 | B1 |
| 7493902 | White et al. | Feb 2009 | B2 |
| 7550243 | Matsumoto et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
| D597200 | Grimsley | Jul 2009 | S |
| 7588139 | Campbell, III | Sep 2009 | B1 |
| 7597190 | Lee | Oct 2009 | B2 |
| 7618431 | Roehm, III et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
| 7635323 | Halbridge | Dec 2009 | B2 |
| 7661309 | Lan et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
| 7726309 | Ho et al. | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7726314 | Ming | Jun 2010 | B1 |
| 7735490 | Rinaldi | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7753051 | Burrow et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
| 7768473 | Kardohely | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 7814911 | Bordewick et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
| 7841026 | Makris et al. | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 7845352 | Sleeper et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7850052 | Thatcher | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7856979 | Doshi et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7856982 | Matula, Jr. et al. | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7874293 | Gunaratnam et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7878200 | Zollinger et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
| 7905028 | Sieber | Mar 2011 | B2 |
| 7907882 | Hara | Mar 2011 | B2 |
| 7971590 | Frater et al. | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 7975693 | Geiselhart et al. | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 7993553 | Brown | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| 8042691 | Brosseuk et al. | Oct 2011 | B2 |
| 8136527 | Wondka | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 8171934 | Ho | May 2012 | B1 |
| 8171935 | Cortez et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
| 8211152 | Snyder et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8224219 | Ishino et al. | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8256421 | Ho et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| 8262864 | Takamura | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| 8290387 | Hara | Oct 2012 | B2 |
| 8297285 | Henry et al. | Oct 2012 | B2 |
| 8346140 | Yasumoto | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8353294 | Frater et al. | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8573201 | Rummery et al. | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8365735 | Chang | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8365736 | Doshi et al. | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8385801 | Sugaya | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8393324 | Saad | Mar 2013 | B1 |
| 8393327 | Omura et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8402966 | Morgan, III et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8434249 | Wieneke | May 2013 | B2 |
| 8434485 | Osier et al. | May 2013 | B2 |
| 8464709 | Wedemeyer | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8478180 | Arimoto et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8483603 | Nihonyanagi et al. | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8509668 | Takemura | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8517022 | Halling et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8573219 | Wondka | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8596271 | Matula, Jr. et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8616209 | Amarasinghe | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8631793 | Omura et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8631799 | Davenport et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8632455 | Woodruff et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8636007 | Rummery et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8639313 | Westbrook et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8640697 | Reed | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8640710 | Matthews | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8667964 | Ho | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8673433 | Reif et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8701667 | Ho et al. | Apr 2014 | B1 |
| 8728280 | Eagles et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8746743 | Kawai et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8752551 | Chandran et al. | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8764927 | Bäck | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8813749 | Hernandez et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8820377 | Ueda et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8826909 | Nashed | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8838000 | Tamura | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8851078 | Newman et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8857435 | Matula, Jr. et al. | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8887725 | Hernandez et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8910626 | Matula, Jr. et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8950404 | Formica et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8956373 | Ford et al. | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8958735 | Arimoto | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8978648 | Formica et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8985115 | Baecke et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8985117 | Gunaratnam et al. | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8997747 | Hobson et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9010330 | Barlow et al. | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9044562 | Dillingham et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9061113 | Thomas et al. | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9072855 | McAuley et al. | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| 9119708 | Wanderer et al. | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9119975 | Hu et al. | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9126767 | Carter | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9131894 | Kato et al. | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9138554 | Colbaugh | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9162034 | Veliss et al. | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9179209 | Emilsson | Nov 2015 | B2 |
| 9182062 | Kwok et al. | Nov 2015 | B2 |
| 9199053 | Allum et al. | Dec 2015 | B1 |
| 9199512 | Ueyoko et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9215998 | Reinhold, Jr. et al. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9216264 | Ho | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9247775 | Suzuki et al. | Feb 2016 | B2 |
| 9248251 | Gunaratnam | Feb 2016 | B2 |
| 9259542 | Acker et al. | Feb 2016 | B2 |
| 9273738 | Rehfus et al. | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9274555 | Otsuka et al. | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9302064 | Hussain | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| 9316974 | Yamaguchi et al. | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| 9320923 | Koehler | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| 9375545 | Darkin et al. | Jun 2016 | B2 |
| 9381106 | Gilmer et al. | Jul 2016 | B2 |
| 9387300 | Javier et al. | Jul 2016 | B2 |
| 9393378 | Fearnot et al. | Jul 2016 | B2 |
| 9415182 | Schneider et al. | Aug 2016 | B2 |
| 9480958 | Hollmann et al. | Nov 2016 | B2 |
| 9492627 | Amarasinghe | Nov 2016 | B2 |
| 9526857 | Rummery et al. | Dec 2016 | B2 |
| 9541235 | Travis | Jan 2017 | B2 |
| 9562636 | Zivanovic et al. | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9582035 | Connor | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9597541 | Hinds et al. | Mar 2017 | B2 |
| 9599009 | Smemo et al. | Mar 2017 | B2 |
| 9600030 | Bailey et al. | Mar 2017 | B2 |
| 9625065 | Feldhahn et al. | Apr 2017 | B2 |
| 9651278 | Palmieri et al. | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9655783 | McNeal | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9656037 | Guyette | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9668694 | Badower | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9685265 | Stutz | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9687195 | Sims et al. | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9687619 | Stuebiger et al. | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9687624 | Haas | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9694930 | Lane et al. | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9704412 | Wells et al. | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9707366 | Metelits | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9707393 | Hsueh et al. | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9724546 | Huggins et al. | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9731090 | Ovinsky et al. | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9737678 | Formica et al. | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9744325 | Ho | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9754079 | Knight et al. | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9763580 | Sadleir et al. | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9802018 | Ging et al. | Oct 2017 | B2 |
| 9808589 | Gunaratnam et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
| 9826789 | Dey et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
| 9826935 | Martinez et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
| 9827391 | Kwok et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
| 9833591 | Ormrod | Dec 2017 | B1 |
| 9833938 | Lane et al. | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9839798 | Franke et al. | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9867571 | Aimone et al. | Jan 2018 | B2 |
| D811581 | Danford | Feb 2018 | S |
| 9889267 | Wells et al. | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 9901699 | Veliss et al. | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 9909953 | Shen et al. | Mar 2018 | B2 |
| 9925348 | Payton et al. | Mar 2018 | B2 |
| 9937312 | Kwok et al. | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9943443 | Schwartz | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9949688 | Goldman et al. | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9961969 | Kawabata et al. | May 2018 | B2 |
| 9981102 | Veliss et al. | May 2018 | B2 |
| 9993605 | Barlow et al. | Jun 2018 | B2 |
| 9999392 | Wordham et al. | Jun 2018 | B1 |
| 9999738 | Chimenti et al. | Jun 2018 | B2 |
| 10004866 | Davis | Jun 2018 | B2 |
| 10016572 | Haibach | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10022073 | Baxi et al. | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10029062 | Kwok et al. | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10039893 | Frater et al. | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 10039894 | Walls et al. | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 10046132 | Eifler et al. | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 10046251 | Grave et al. | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 10052448 | Barlow et al. | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 10058259 | Kryzpow et al. | Aug 2018 | B1 |
| 10061352 | Trail | Aug 2018 | B1 |
| D828917 | Prentice et al. | Sep 2018 | S |
| 10076251 | Tu et al. | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| 10076624 | Ozolins et al. | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| 10080858 | Chodkowski et al. | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| 10086220 | Dolan et al. | Oct 2018 | B2 |
| 10117599 | Orr et al. | Nov 2018 | B2 |
| 10130785 | Dravitzki et al. | Nov 2018 | B2 |
| 10137271 | McAuley et al. | Nov 2018 | B2 |
| 10155096 | Amarasinghe | Dec 2018 | B2 |
| 10159779 | Olivarez | Dec 2018 | B2 |
| 10166358 | Swift et al. | Jan 2019 | B2 |
| 10172533 | Kulach et al. | Jan 2019 | B2 |
| D841149 | Collazo et al. | Feb 2019 | S |
| D841150 | Collazo et al. | Feb 2019 | S |
| 10194702 | Cobbett et al. | Feb 2019 | B2 |
| 10195385 | Lang et al. | Feb 2019 | B2 |
| 10198930 | Melton et al. | Feb 2019 | B2 |
| 10207071 | Hobson et al. | Feb 2019 | B2 |
| 10226208 | Emery et al. | Mar 2019 | B2 |
| 10231669 | Wordham et al. | Mar 2019 | B2 |
| 10232136 | Kapust et al. | Mar 2019 | B2 |
| D849933 | Collazo et al. | May 2019 | S |
| 10279138 | Ovzinsky et al. | May 2019 | B2 |
| D851750 | Collazo et al. | Jun 2019 | S |
| D863544 | Collazo et al. | Oct 2019 | S |
| 10500424 | Rummery et al. | Dec 2019 | B2 |
| D885559 | Gabriel | May 2020 | S |
| 10716912 | Holyoake et al. | Jul 2020 | B2 |
| 11040165 | Kooij et al. | Jun 2021 | B2 |
| D950709 | Holyoake et al. | May 2022 | S |
| 11324908 | Holyoake et al. | May 2022 | B2 |
| 20010022180 | Serneia | Sep 2001 | A1 |
| 20020055685 | Levitsky et al. | May 2002 | A1 |
| 20020068654 | Luk et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
| 20020086752 | Friedrich et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020096173 | Berthon-Jones et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020115513 | Yuan | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020155911 | Hummel et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20030004025 | Okuno et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
| 20030006646 | Musselman et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
| 20030092522 | Sauter et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20030154980 | Berthon-Jones et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
| 20040016432 | Genger et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040094149 | Natale | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040106485 | Prinsen et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
| 20040129273 | Hickle | Jul 2004 | A1 |
| 20040134250 | Durney et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
| 20040164613 | Konickson et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
| 20040244799 | Landis | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20050000024 | Jakubowski | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050009655 | Kubo et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050011522 | Ho et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050028822 | Sleeper et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
| 20050090618 | Okuno | Apr 2005 | A1 |
| 20050113200 | Okuno et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20050199239 | Lang et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050205096 | Matula et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050215373 | Lodge | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050265151 | Kimura et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20050279351 | Lewis et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060084542 | Kubo et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060112962 | Tebbutt et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060163039 | Marshall et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
| 20060213521 | Radney | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060270504 | Krause | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20070045152 | Kwok et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070060429 | Ono et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070087878 | Ogawa et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070105674 | Hogn | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070107732 | Dennis et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
| 20070235034 | Weaver | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070246043 | Kwok et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070277828 | Ho et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20070290248 | Weis | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20080000472 | Wall | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080011305 | Chandran et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080038101 | Klatt | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080047560 | Veliss et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080060649 | Veliss et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080064548 | Abate et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080099022 | Gebrewold et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080142015 | Groll | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20080194997 | Zhang | Aug 2008 | A1 |
| 20090028617 | Katakabe et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090042683 | Tohara | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090054189 | Tani et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090055999 | Garcia | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20090078259 | Kooij et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20090091432 | Koser et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
| 20090183739 | Wondka | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20090191998 | De Meco et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
| 20090199610 | Sato et al. | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20090223518 | Kwok et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20090234201 | Huang et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20090254012 | Gavriely et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
| 20090283096 | Cerbini | Nov 2009 | A1 |
| 20090291796 | Mitsutomi et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
| 20090321191 | Broyan | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| 20100012221 | Lien | Jan 2010 | A1 |
| 20100018534 | Veliss et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
| 20100122704 | Moenning, Jr. | May 2010 | A1 |
| 20100152564 | Nguyen et al. | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100261019 | Sano et al. | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| 20100313891 | Veliss et al. | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20110067704 | Kooij et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
| 20110108041 | Sather et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110120460 | Wallnewitz et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110185541 | Guptill | Aug 2011 | A1 |
| 20110197893 | Ziv et al. | Aug 2011 | A1 |
| 20110247619 | Formica et al. | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20110259331 | Witt | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20110259335 | Sullivan | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20110265796 | Amarasinghe et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20110272986 | Iacovoni et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20110284347 | MacLachlan et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20110308517 | Emilsson et al. | Dec 2011 | A1 |
| 20120017901 | Mainusch et al. | Jan 2012 | A1 |
| 20120029145 | Brown | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120030912 | Turdjian et al. | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120035435 | Choi et al. | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120047614 | Choi | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120049533 | Kelly | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120065621 | Steegers et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120067349 | Barlow et al. | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120071285 | Tay | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120094795 | Wang | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120125338 | Yarahmadi | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120150119 | Schaeffer | Jun 2012 | A1 |
| 20120198952 | Mamba | Aug 2012 | A1 |
| 20120298104 | Müller et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
| 20120318270 | McAuley et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20120318271 | Ho | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20120318274 | Ho | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20120325219 | Smith et al. | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20130008448 | Todd | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130019870 | Collazo et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130052014 | Kelly | Feb 2013 | A1 |
| 20130133646 | Rose et al. | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130199537 | Formica | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130206139 | Krepel et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130211208 | Varadan et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130230674 | Curti et al. | Sep 2013 | A1 |
| 20130237355 | Lubojatzky | Sep 2013 | A1 |
| 20130237397 | Seiler | Sep 2013 | A1 |
| 20130276781 | Steelman et al. | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20140053844 | Rummery et al. | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| 20140102456 | Ovizinsky et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140116429 | Patil et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140137870 | Barlow et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
| 20140186909 | Calzia et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140261440 | Chodkowski | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140264975 | Bath et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140283841 | Chodkowski et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140299131 | Chodkowski et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140311492 | Stuebiger et al. | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140345604 | Wang et al. | Nov 2014 | A1 |
| 20150059764 | Metelits | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150065904 | Stenzler et al. | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150075524 | Millar | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150139703 | Takazawa | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150151070 | Capra et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150151071 | Von Moger et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150157220 | Fish et al. | Jun 2015 | A1 |
| 20150201867 | Peindl et al. | Jul 2015 | A1 |
| 20150231355 | Kuo | Aug 2015 | A1 |
| 20150246198 | Bearne et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150246200 | Neff et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150250237 | Shoham et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150258823 | Otsuka et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20150352306 | Scheiner et al. | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20150355585 | Suzuki et al. | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20150360060 | Dehmke et al. | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| 20160022954 | Bath et al. | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| 20160030696 | Klenner et al. | Feb 2016 | A1 |
| 20160089261 | Quinn | Mar 2016 | A1 |
| 20160106367 | Jorov et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160114118 | Gunaratnam et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
| 20160135734 | Schindhelm | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160144144 | Smith et al. | May 2016 | A1 |
| 20160150958 | Kranz | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160153853 | Brenner et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160157779 | Baxi et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160199612 | Foote et al. | Jul 2016 | A1 |
| 20160228666 | Sullivan et al. | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20160256653 | McAuley et al. | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| 20160256655 | Mah et al. | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| 20160297505 | Caprice et al. | Oct 2016 | A1 |
| 20160317770 | Kushida et al. | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| 20160324487 | Guo et al. | Nov 2016 | A1 |
| 20160346530 | Jeffrey et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20160361512 | Lawrenson et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20160367189 | Aimone et al. | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20160375205 | Cressman | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20160377149 | Furusawa | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20170002905 | Sessions | Jan 2017 | A1 |
| 20170028150 | McNulty | Feb 2017 | A1 |
| 20170042478 | Zheng et al. | Feb 2017 | A1 |
| 20170043113 | Ng et al. | Feb 2017 | A1 |
| 20170065785 | Roberts | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170065787 | Rummery et al. | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170081124 | Steinhert | Mar 2017 | A1 |
| 20170151408 | Lun et al. | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170157435 | Choi | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170157436 | Hosmer | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170173290 | Pedro et al. | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170202514 | Nousiainen et al. | Jul 2017 | A1 |
| 20170203070 | Lei | Jul 2017 | A1 |
| 20170203071 | Lawrenson et al. | Jul 2017 | A1 |
| 20170224065 | Nipke et al. | Aug 2017 | A1 |
| 20170224943 | Creusot | Aug 2017 | A1 |
| 20170266403 | Prentice et al. | Sep 2017 | A1 |
| 20170274167 | Huddart et al. | Sep 2017 | A1 |
| 20170281394 | Viken | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| 20170304576 | Lawrenson et al. | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| 20170304577 | Bearne et al. | Oct 2017 | A1 |
| 20170312465 | Kwok et al. | Nov 2017 | A1 |
| 20170312468 | Formica et al. | Nov 2017 | A1 |
| 20170314641 | Kamba et al. | Nov 2017 | A1 |
| 20170333662 | Ovizinsky et al. | Nov 2017 | A1 |
| 20170347923 | Roh | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20170348500 | Johnson et al. | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20180001046 | Rummery et al. | Jan 2018 | A1 |
| 20180036503 | Mohamed | Feb 2018 | A1 |
| 20180036505 | Bornholdt et al. | Feb 2018 | A1 |
| 20180043121 | Goulitski et al. | Feb 2018 | A1 |
| 20180043123 | Lei | Feb 2018 | A1 |
| 20180064897 | Kwok et al. | Mar 2018 | A1 |
| 20180064968 | Taslagyan | Mar 2018 | A1 |
| 20180071476 | Neff | Mar 2018 | A1 |
| 20180077481 | Kim | Mar 2018 | A1 |
| 20180078727 | Johnson et al. | Mar 2018 | A1 |
| 20180085544 | Holyoake et al. | Mar 2018 | A1 |
| 20180099112 | Belenkiy | Apr 2018 | A1 |
| 20180160749 | Kim | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20180162697 | Schmidt et al. | Jun 2018 | A1 |
| 20180185598 | Olsen et al. | Jul 2018 | A1 |
| 20180192727 | Chen | Jul 2018 | A1 |
| 20180192954 | Lumme et al. | Jul 2018 | A1 |
| 20180193581 | Frater et al. | Jul 2018 | A1 |
| 20180207385 | Freestone et al. | Jul 2018 | A1 |
| 20180213918 | Graves | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180214655 | Kooij et al. | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180214656 | McLaren | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180221191 | Scott et al. | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180236198 | Veliss et al. | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180236276 | Moon | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180244499 | Zapf | Aug 2018 | A1 |
| 20180250482 | Barlow et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20180256844 | Galgali et al. | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20180264220 | Hurt | Sep 2018 | A1 |
| 20180289914 | Kwok et al. | Oct 2018 | A1 |
| 20180301224 | Matichuk et al. | Oct 2018 | A1 |
| 20180318540 | Barlow et al. | Nov 2018 | A1 |
| 20180338704 | Laman et al. | Nov 2018 | A1 |
| 20180355682 | Pessin et al. | Dec 2018 | A1 |
| 20180361096 | Grashow et al. | Dec 2018 | A1 |
| 20180361099 | Wells | Dec 2018 | A1 |
| 20190009046 | Kooij et al. | Jan 2019 | A1 |
| 20190021668 | Fujita | Jan 2019 | A1 |
| 20190038226 | Davidson et al. | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| 20190053568 | Choukeir | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| 20190062118 | Valjus et al. | Feb 2019 | A1 |
| 20190076613 | Amarasinghe | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190082968 | Karnik et al. | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190083733 | Gulliver et al. | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190090763 | Woerlee et al. | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190091068 | Schwartz | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190091430 | Barlow et al. | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190091433 | Barlow et al. | Mar 2019 | A1 |
| 20190134332 | Kwok et al. | May 2019 | A1 |
| 20190151589 | Kwok et al. | May 2019 | A1 |
| 20190175861 | Holyoake et al. | Jun 2019 | A1 |
| 20190209799 | Ovzinsky et al. | Jun 2019 | A1 |
| 20190344036 | O'Donnell et al. | Nov 2019 | A1 |
| 20200368471 | Holyoake et al. | Nov 2020 | A1 |
| 20200368479 | Flynn et al. | Nov 2020 | A1 |
| 20220323708 | Holyoake et al. | Oct 2022 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2528471 | Aug 1972 | AU |
| 479953 | May 1973 | AU |
| 505422 | Nov 1979 | AU |
| 198317585 | Feb 1984 | AU |
| 542540 | Feb 1985 | AU |
| 543022 | Mar 1985 | AU |
| 580417 | Jan 1989 | AU |
| 587397 | Aug 1989 | AU |
| 1999063955 | Mar 2001 | AU |
| 2002330895 | May 2003 | AU |
| 2004203100 | Jul 2004 | AU |
| 2004202274 | Dec 2004 | AU |
| 20042666693 | Mar 2005 | AU |
| 2004303643 | Jul 2005 | AU |
| 784321 | Mar 2006 | AU |
| 2005287747 | Mar 2006 | AU |
| 2008203174 | Aug 2008 | AU |
| 2005206344 | Sep 2009 | AU |
| 2007245691 | Dec 2010 | AU |
| 2006299938 | May 2011 | AU |
| 2005253641 | Dec 2011 | AU |
| 2009326861 | Dec 2013 | AU |
| 2013200267 | Apr 2014 | AU |
| 2011308094 | May 2014 | AU |
| 2011308095 | Oct 2014 | AU |
| 2008316306 | Feb 2015 | AU |
| 2014201200 | Aug 2015 | AU |
| 2014224136 | Apr 2016 | AU |
| 2016101634 | Oct 2016 | AU |
| 2017216448 | Mar 2018 | AU |
| 2018100107 | Mar 2018 | AU |
| 2018201087 | Apr 2018 | AU |
| 1058914 | Jul 1979 | CA |
| 1137793 | Dec 1982 | CA |
| 1142234 | Mar 1983 | CA |
| 1158071 | Dec 1983 | CA |
| 1165593 | Apr 1984 | CA |
| 1178752 | Dec 1984 | CA |
| 1267257 | Apr 1990 | CA |
| 2004020 | May 1990 | CA |
| 1291349 | Oct 1991 | CA |
| 1307395 | Sep 1992 | CA |
| 2087812 | Dec 1995 | CA |
| 2269819 | Jun 1998 | CA |
| 2246823 | Mar 1999 | CA |
| 2263627 | Sep 1999 | CA |
| 2214732 | May 2002 | CA |
| 2310350 | Dec 2004 | CA |
| 2587526 | May 2006 | CA |
| 2798822 | Nov 2011 | CA |
| 2750638 | Feb 2013 | CA |
| 2602653 | Jan 2016 | CA |
| 701564 | Jan 2011 | CH |
| 701918 | Mar 2011 | CH |
| 2114727 | Sep 1992 | CN |
| 2116121 | Sep 1992 | CN |
| 2305523 | Jan 1999 | CN |
| 2334953 | Aug 1999 | CN |
| 1432416 | Jul 2003 | CN |
| 1826151 | Aug 2006 | CN |
| 2903582 | May 2007 | CN |
| 101024105 | Aug 2007 | CN |
| 201043586 | Apr 2008 | CN |
| 101204328 | Jun 2008 | CN |
| 101495170 | Jul 2009 | CN |
| 101516427 | Aug 2009 | CN |
| 101629612 | Jan 2010 | CN |
| 201496473 | Jun 2010 | CN |
| 202040271 | Nov 2011 | CN |
| 202251664 | May 2012 | CN |
| 102537208 | Jul 2012 | CN |
| 102665811 | Sep 2012 | CN |
| 102762249 | Oct 2012 | CN |
| 103153379 | Jun 2013 | CN |
| 203033307 | Jul 2013 | CN |
| 203486450 | Mar 2014 | CN |
| 203614658 | May 2014 | CN |
| 203614659 | May 2014 | CN |
| 104114637 | Oct 2014 | CN |
| 104254709 | Dec 2014 | CN |
| 104295665 | Jan 2015 | CN |
| 104295710 | Jan 2015 | CN |
| 104302337 | Jan 2015 | CN |
| 104315082 | Jan 2015 | CN |
| 104455310 | Mar 2015 | CN |
| 204200955 | Mar 2015 | CN |
| 104476789 | Apr 2015 | CN |
| 104524675 | Apr 2015 | CN |
| 204312619 | May 2015 | CN |
| 204327859 | May 2015 | CN |
| 204344806 | May 2015 | CN |
| 105102048 | Nov 2015 | CN |
| 204736990 | Nov 2015 | CN |
| 204805430 | Nov 2015 | CN |
| 105190089 | Dec 2015 | CN |
| 204985507 | Jan 2016 | CN |
| 205226231 | May 2016 | CN |
| 105752809 | Jul 2016 | CN |
| 205534007 | Aug 2016 | CN |
| 205555824 | Sep 2016 | CN |
| 106005898 | Oct 2016 | CN |
| 205639467 | Oct 2016 | CN |
| 106170641 | Nov 2016 | CN |
| 106352034 | Jan 2017 | CN |
| 205859041 | Jan 2017 | CN |
| 106438881 | Feb 2017 | CN |
| 106763488 | May 2017 | CN |
| 106969092 | Jul 2017 | CN |
| 107191539 | Sep 2017 | CN |
| 206592477 | Oct 2017 | CN |
| 206770516 | Dec 2017 | CN |
| 206988367 | Feb 2018 | CN |
| 108087494 | May 2018 | CN |
| 207406705 | May 2018 | CN |
| 108180254 | Jun 2018 | CN |
| 108506433 | Sep 2018 | CN |
| 108996374 | Dec 2018 | CN |
| 109073041 | Dec 2018 | CN |
| 208237006 | Dec 2018 | CN |
| 208381203 | Jan 2019 | CN |
| 208381207 | Jan 2019 | CN |
| 208417402 | Jan 2019 | CN |
| 208457110 | Feb 2019 | CN |
| 208519118 | Feb 2019 | CN |
| 2726319 | Dec 1978 | DE |
| 2836030 | Mar 1979 | DE |
| 3542990 | Jun 1987 | DE |
| 3719009 | Dec 1988 | DE |
| 4101293 | Oct 1991 | DE |
| 10315636 | Oct 2004 | DE |
| 102011011500 | Dec 2011 | DE |
| 434583 | Mar 1985 | DK |
| 198304345 | Mar 1985 | DK |
| 0 001 518 | Apr 1979 | EP |
| 0 011 986 | Dec 1982 | EP |
| 0 087 969 | Sep 1983 | EP |
| 0125424 | Nov 1984 | EP |
| 0 050 174 | May 1985 | EP |
| 0151396 | Aug 1985 | EP |
| 0180143 | May 1986 | EP |
| 0201562 | Nov 1986 | EP |
| 0255333 | Feb 1988 | EP |
| 0278545 | Aug 1988 | EP |
| 0285406 | Oct 1988 | EP |
| 0316197 | May 1989 | EP |
| 0320698 | Jun 1989 | EP |
| 0327873 | Aug 1989 | EP |
| 0384049 | Aug 1990 | EP |
| 0 398 562 | Nov 1990 | EP |
| 0 412 453 | Feb 1991 | EP |
| 0 482 735 | Apr 1992 | EP |
| 0 506 490 | Sep 1992 | EP |
| 0571178 | Nov 1993 | EP |
| 0633408 | Jan 1995 | EP |
| 0677682 | Oct 1995 | EP |
| 0933094 | Jan 1998 | EP |
| 0 847 940 | May 1999 | EP |
| 0 529 053 | Jan 2000 | EP |
| 0697225 | May 2000 | EP |
| 0 928 757 | Apr 2002 | EP |
| 0 917 692 | Sep 2002 | EP |
| 1 239 184 | Sep 2002 | EP |
| 1190616 | Dec 2002 | EP |
| 1026038 | Sep 2004 | EP |
| 1660004 | May 2006 | EP |
| 1391222 | Oct 2006 | EP |
| 1749705 | Feb 2007 | EP |
| 1452770 | Sep 2007 | EP |
| 1837439 | Sep 2007 | EP |
| 0 965 670 | Jan 2008 | EP |
| 1929179 | Jun 2008 | EP |
| 2159448 | Mar 2010 | EP |
| 2163424 | Mar 2010 | EP |
| 2489899 | Aug 2012 | EP |
| 1481702 | Sep 2012 | EP |
| 1740247 | Sep 2012 | EP |
| 1787670 | Oct 2012 | EP |
| 2605993 | Jun 2013 | EP |
| 2101855 | Aug 2013 | EP |
| 2621572 | Aug 2013 | EP |
| 2670491 | Dec 2013 | EP |
| 2051760 | Mar 2014 | EP |
| 2717954 | Apr 2014 | EP |
| 2744554 | Jun 2014 | EP |
| 1623745 | Jul 2014 | EP |
| 2425868 | Nov 2014 | EP |
| 2844325 | Mar 2015 | EP |
| 2846064 | Mar 2015 | EP |
| 2894115 | Jul 2015 | EP |
| 2519295 | Sep 2015 | EP |
| 2717806 | Sep 2015 | EP |
| 2928532 | Oct 2015 | EP |
| 2428240 | Feb 2016 | EP |
| 2481435 | Feb 2016 | EP |
| 2022528 | Mar 2016 | EP |
| 2046430 | Apr 2016 | EP |
| 2481434 | Apr 2016 | EP |
| 2428241 | Jul 2016 | EP |
| 3053621 | Aug 2016 | EP |
| 3085405 | Oct 2016 | EP |
| 2621573 | Dec 2016 | EP |
| 3130371 | Feb 2017 | EP |
| 3157601 | Apr 2017 | EP |
| 2723430 | Jul 2017 | EP |
| 1773195 | Aug 2017 | EP |
| 3231470 | Oct 2017 | EP |
| 3266482 | Jan 2018 | EP |
| 3034286 | May 2018 | EP |
| 3323458 | May 2018 | EP |
| 3235544 | Aug 2018 | EP |
| 1765443 | Jan 2019 | EP |
| 2828183 | Mar 2019 | EP |
| 2114500 | Jun 2019 | EP |
| 2844325 | Nov 2019 | EP |
| 2394457 | Jan 1979 | FR |
| 2660039 | Sep 1991 | FR |
| 2861445 | Apr 2005 | FR |
| 190419761 | Jul 1905 | GB |
| 190826914 | Jul 1909 | GB |
| 191228764 | May 1913 | GB |
| 155079 | Dec 1920 | GB |
| 216224 | May 1924 | GB |
| 268133 | Mar 1927 | GB |
| 311747 | May 1929 | GB |
| 344485 | Mar 1931 | GB |
| 353777 | Jul 1931 | GB |
| 390005 | Mar 1933 | GB |
| 395932 | Jul 1933 | GB |
| 425152 | Mar 1935 | GB |
| 443649 | Mar 1936 | GB |
| 474843 | Nov 1937 | GB |
| 477368 | Dec 1937 | GB |
| 486401 | Jun 1938 | GB |
| 500525 | Feb 1939 | GB |
| 505229 | May 1939 | GB |
| 506795 | Jun 1939 | GB |
| 509048 | Jun 1939 | GB |
| 514910 | Nov 1939 | GB |
| 566171 | Dec 1944 | GB |
| 570861 | Jul 1945 | GB |
| 571283 | Aug 1945 | GB |
| 573704 | Dec 1945 | GB |
| 746711 | Mar 1956 | GB |
| 755865 | Aug 1956 | GB |
| 814268 | Jun 1959 | GB |
| 840638 | Jul 1960 | GB |
| 843810 | Aug 1960 | GB |
| 877472 | Sep 1961 | GB |
| 877473 | Sep 1961 | GB |
| 915886 | Jan 1963 | GB |
| 925067 | May 1963 | GB |
| 945622 | Jan 1964 | GB |
| 962714 | Jul 1964 | GB |
| 971939 | Oct 1964 | GB |
| 1095321 | Dec 1966 | GB |
| 1065362 | Apr 1967 | GB |
| 1073129 | Jun 1967 | GB |
| 1105267 | Mar 1968 | GB |
| 1197700 | Jul 1970 | GB |
| 1215682 | Dec 1970 | GB |
| 1229390 | Apr 1971 | GB |
| 1265008 | Mar 1972 | GB |
| 1294104 | Oct 1972 | GB |
| 1357935 | Jun 1974 | GB |
| 1364838 | Aug 1974 | GB |
| 1369198 | Oct 1974 | GB |
| 1369199 | Oct 1974 | GB |
| 1369348 | Oct 1974 | GB |
| 1380573 | Jan 1975 | GB |
| 1400431 | Jul 1975 | GB |
| 1427985 | Mar 1976 | GB |
| 1483216 | Aug 1977 | GB |
| 1492009 | Nov 1977 | GB |
| 1498893 | Jan 1978 | GB |
| 1499105 | Jan 1978 | GB |
| 2011577 | Jul 1979 | GB |
| 2024605 | Jan 1980 | GB |
| 1603557 | Nov 1981 | GB |
| 2092704 | Aug 1982 | GB |
| 2116287 | Sep 1983 | GB |
| 2155134 | Sep 1985 | GB |
| 2194207 | Mar 1988 | GB |
| 2218726 | Nov 1989 | GB |
| 2266614 | Nov 1993 | GB |
| 2266671 | Nov 1993 | GB |
| 2373777 | Oct 2002 | GB |
| 2439152 | Dec 2007 | GB |
| 2467122 | Jul 2010 | GB |
| 2475044 | May 2011 | GB |
| 2500860 | Oct 2013 | GB |
| 2529238 | Feb 2016 | GB |
| 2540153 | Oct 2018 | GB |
| 1117812 | Feb 1986 | IT |
| S51151844 | Dec 1976 | JP |
| S52160041 | Dec 1977 | JP |
| S55119441 | Sep 1980 | JP |
| S55152945 | Nov 1980 | JP |
| S55161948 | Dec 1980 | JP |
| S55175650 | Dec 1980 | JP |
| S564057 | Jan 1981 | JP |
| S5683635 | Jul 1981 | JP |
| S5684146 | Jul 1981 | JP |
| S5689057 | Jul 1981 | JP |
| S56109939 | Aug 1981 | JP |
| S56141245 | Oct 1981 | JP |
| S56167955 | Dec 1981 | JP |
| S5723451 | Feb 1982 | JP |
| S5794153 | Jun 1982 | JP |
| S58106642 | Jul 1983 | JP |
| S58134249 | Aug 1983 | JP |
| S58169244 | Oct 1983 | JP |
| S58184338 | Oct 1983 | JP |
| S58187637 | Nov 1983 | JP |
| S58220720 | Dec 1983 | JP |
| S5945346 | Mar 1984 | JP |
| S5977146 | May 1984 | JP |
| S6040846 | Mar 1985 | JP |
| S6095233 | May 1985 | JP |
| S60113843 | Jun 1985 | JP |
| S60234172 | Nov 1985 | JP |
| H0126928 | Feb 1986 | JP |
| S61127942 | Jun 1986 | JP |
| S6280321 | Apr 1987 | JP |
| S62159857 | Jul 1987 | JP |
| S636246 | Jan 1988 | JP |
| H0159888 | Dec 1989 | JP |
| H01307544 | Dec 1989 | JP |
| H0221046 | Jan 1990 | JP |
| H0242230 | Feb 1990 | JP |
| H0269225 | Mar 1990 | JP |
| H0299236 | Apr 1990 | JP |
| H02122910 | May 1990 | JP |
| H02199339 | Aug 1990 | JP |
| H0248773 | Oct 1990 | JP |
| H02248740 | Oct 1990 | JP |
| H0362536 | Sep 1991 | JP |
| H0449076 | Feb 1992 | JP |
| H0513821 | Feb 1993 | JP |
| H0557457 | Aug 1993 | JP |
| H0562656 | Sep 1993 | JP |
| H0650398 | Feb 1994 | JP |
| H0627528 | Apr 1994 | JP |
| H0630548 | Apr 1994 | JP |
| H0694081 | Apr 1994 | JP |
| H0640503 | May 1994 | JP |
| H06123333 | May 1994 | JP |
| H0665650 | Sep 1994 | JP |
| H0640352 | Oct 1994 | JP |
| H06328590 | Nov 1994 | JP |
| H074469 | Jan 1995 | JP |
| H07243483 | Sep 1995 | JP |
| 2500290 | May 1996 | JP |
| 2516855 | Jul 1996 | JP |
| 2534192 | Sep 1996 | JP |
| 2566319 | Dec 1996 | JP |
| H08326851 | Dec 1996 | JP |
| H0942381 | Feb 1997 | JP |
| H09257103 | Sep 1997 | JP |
| H09329205 | Dec 1997 | JP |
| H1078086 | Mar 1998 | JP |
| H10132031 | May 1998 | JP |
| H10132061 | May 1998 | JP |
| H10141446 | May 1998 | JP |
| H10153239 | Jun 1998 | JP |
| H10153243 | Jun 1998 | JP |
| H10205584 | Aug 1998 | JP |
| H10213183 | Aug 1998 | JP |
| 2802039 | Sep 1998 | JP |
| H10235742 | Sep 1998 | JP |
| H10311390 | Nov 1998 | JP |
| H10318336 | Dec 1998 | JP |
| H11132291 | May 1999 | JP |
| H11166596 | Jun 1999 | JP |
| 2002-098195 | Apr 2002 | JP |
| 2002-098196 | Apr 2002 | JP |
| 2002-098201 | Apr 2002 | JP |
| 2002-098202 | Apr 2002 | JP |
| 2004-225749 | Aug 2004 | JP |
| 3143503 | Jul 2008 | JP |
| 2010-131400 | Jun 2010 | JP |
| 2013-514821 | May 2013 | JP |
| 2014-516601 | Jul 2014 | JP |
| 2014-521471 | Aug 2014 | JP |
| 2016-517765 | Jun 2016 | JP |
| 2016-124160 | Jul 2016 | JP |
| 2016-135213 | Jul 2016 | JP |
| 2016-183707 | Oct 2016 | JP |
| 2016-183779 | Oct 2016 | JP |
| 6159907 | Jul 2017 | JP |
| WO2016047052 | Jul 2017 | JP |
| 2017-177545 | Oct 2017 | JP |
| 2018-025296 | Feb 2018 | JP |
| 2017-082377 | Jun 2018 | JP |
| 6371763 | Aug 2018 | JP |
| 2018-146048 | Sep 2018 | JP |
| 2018-170841 | Nov 2018 | JP |
| 2018-185040 | Nov 2018 | JP |
| 2018-193710 | Dec 2018 | JP |
| 2018-197496 | Dec 2018 | JP |
| 2019-011861 | Jan 2019 | JP |
| 10-0505555 | Nov 2005 | KR |
| 10-0655193 | Dec 2006 | KR |
| 10-0735214 | Jul 2007 | KR |
| 10-2007-0104332 | Oct 2007 | KR |
| 10-2013-0035156 | Apr 2013 | KR |
| 10-1265565 | May 2013 | KR |
| 10-2013-0138733 | Dec 2013 | KR |
| 10-1399680 | May 2014 | KR |
| 10-1454053 | Oct 2014 | KR |
| 10-1476013 | Dec 2014 | KR |
| 10-1495453 | Feb 2015 | KR |
| 10-2017-0063917 | Jun 2017 | KR |
| 10-2018-0029646 | Mar 2018 | KR |
| 10-2018-0137524 | Dec 2018 | KR |
| 10-1927274 | Dec 2018 | KR |
| 10-1933204 | Dec 2018 | KR |
| 552296 | Nov 2010 | NZ |
| 550423 | Jan 2011 | NZ |
| 551715 | Feb 2011 | NZ |
| 567432 | Mar 2012 | NZ |
| 587820 | Mar 2012 | NZ |
| 583929 | Apr 2012 | NZ |
| 580173 | Jun 2012 | NZ |
| 575405 | Sep 2012 | NZ |
| 595133 | Jun 2013 | NZ |
| 597302 | Aug 2013 | NZ |
| 599372 | Oct 2013 | NZ |
| 596570 | Feb 2014 | NZ |
| 596802 | Feb 2014 | NZ |
| 607679 | Jul 2014 | NZ |
| 608551 | Oct 2014 | NZ |
| 607879 | Nov 2014 | NZ |
| 612086 | Dec 2014 | NZ |
| 610731 | Feb 2015 | NZ |
| 610755 | Mar 2015 | NZ |
| 615330 | Mar 2015 | NZ |
| 618892 | Jul 2015 | NZ |
| 701074 | Oct 2015 | NZ |
| 701501 | Oct 2015 | NZ |
| 625429 | Dec 2015 | NZ |
| 630741 | Mar 2016 | NZ |
| 702644 | Jun 2016 | NZ |
| 701722 | Jul 2016 | NZ |
| 700217 | Nov 2016 | NZ |
| 709784 | Feb 2017 | NZ |
| 713055 | Apr 2017 | NZ |
| 713455 | Apr 2017 | NZ |
| 714595 | Jun 2017 | NZ |
| 720629 | Dec 2017 | NZ |
| 721025 | Jan 2018 | NZ |
| 727624 | Jul 2018 | NZ |
| 728600 | Oct 2018 | NZ |
| 730762 | Oct 2018 | NZ |
| 732004 | Nov 2018 | NZ |
| 736962 | May 2019 | NZ |
| 738046 | Jun 2019 | NZ |
| 739208 | Jul 2019 | NZ |
| 201840 | May 2009 | PL |
| 2141979 | Nov 1999 | RU |
| 2253773 | Jun 2005 | RU |
| 92605 | Mar 2010 | RU |
| 125225 | Feb 2013 | RU |
| 159556 | Feb 2016 | RU |
| 2015117275 | Nov 2016 | RU |
| 172161 | Jun 2017 | RU |
| 201007027 | Feb 2010 | TW |
| 201114647 | May 2011 | TW |
| 201328933 | Jul 2013 | TW |
| 201343213 | Nov 2013 | TW |
| WO 1985004844 | Nov 1985 | WO |
| WO 1988003036 | May 1988 | WO |
| WO 1993018813 | Sep 1993 | WO |
| WO 1995016865 | Jun 1995 | WO |
| WO 1996000181 | Jan 1996 | WO |
| WO 2000053389 | Sep 2000 | WO |
| WO 2000074612 | Dec 2000 | WO |
| WO 2001075834 | Oct 2001 | WO |
| WO 2003026808 | Apr 2003 | WO |
| WO 2003066145 | Aug 2003 | WO |
| WO 2004028897 | Apr 2004 | WO |
| WO 2004030723 | Apr 2004 | WO |
| WO 2005065480 | Jul 2005 | WO |
| WO 2005075732 | Aug 2005 | WO |
| WO 2005075736 | Aug 2005 | WO |
| WO 2005076874 | Aug 2005 | WO |
| WO 2005079726 | Sep 2005 | WO |
| WO 2005099801 | Oct 2005 | WO |
| WO 2006111875 | Oct 2006 | WO |
| WO 2006114327 | Nov 2006 | WO |
| WO 2007019624 | Feb 2007 | WO |
| WO 2007036959 | Apr 2007 | WO |
| WO 2007041786 | Apr 2007 | WO |
| WO 2007124966 | Nov 2007 | WO |
| WO 2007139890 | Dec 2007 | WO |
| WO 2007142318 | Dec 2007 | WO |
| WO 2008011683 | Jan 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008040050 | Apr 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008078558 | Jul 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008100150 | Aug 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008102459 | Aug 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008106716 | Sep 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008117695 | Oct 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008142766 | Nov 2008 | WO |
| WO 2009003137 | Dec 2008 | WO |
| WO 2009011344 | Jan 2009 | WO |
| WO 2009109005 | Sep 2009 | WO |
| WO 2010021645 | Feb 2010 | WO |
| WO 2010035645 | Apr 2010 | WO |
| WO 2010047051 | Apr 2010 | WO |
| WO 2010061599 | Jun 2010 | WO |
| WO 2010131189 | Nov 2010 | WO |
| WO 2010139087 | Dec 2010 | WO |
| WO 2011019582 | Feb 2011 | WO |
| WO 2011077274 | Jun 2011 | WO |
| WO 2011078703 | Jun 2011 | WO |
| WO 2011085427 | Jul 2011 | WO |
| WO 2012040791 | Apr 2012 | WO |
| WO 2012040792 | Apr 2012 | WO |
| WO 2012066984 | May 2012 | WO |
| WO 2012106373 | Aug 2012 | WO |
| WO 2012132567 | Oct 2012 | WO |
| WO 2012133922 | Oct 2012 | WO |
| WO 2012174602 | Dec 2012 | WO |
| WO 2013022356 | Feb 2013 | WO |
| WO 2013061538 | May 2013 | WO |
| WO 2013088439 | Jun 2013 | WO |
| WO 2013163685 | Nov 2013 | WO |
| WO 2014015382 | Jan 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014025591 | Feb 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014069588 | May 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014089506 | Jun 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014138804 | Sep 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014142681 | Sep 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014169241 | Oct 2014 | WO |
| WO 2014208628 | Dec 2014 | WO |
| WO 2015005055 | Jan 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015025318 | Feb 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015029840 | Mar 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015031349 | Mar 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015034942 | Mar 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015043119 | Apr 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015043229 | Apr 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015106726 | Jul 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015122113 | Aug 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015178391 | Nov 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015178615 | Nov 2015 | WO |
| WO 2015192186 | Dec 2015 | WO |
| WO 2016024373 | Feb 2016 | WO |
| WO 2016044881 | Mar 2016 | WO |
| WO 2016046776 | Mar 2016 | WO |
| WO 2016051160 | Apr 2016 | WO |
| WO 2016114079 | Jul 2016 | WO |
| WO 2016157105 | Oct 2016 | WO |
| WO 2016203211 | Dec 2016 | WO |
| WO 2017073647 | May 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017110784 | Jun 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017110790 | Jun 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017121662 | Jul 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017150990 | Sep 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017158476 | Sep 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017168920 | Oct 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017182987 | Oct 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017185140 | Nov 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017204207 | Nov 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017204250 | Nov 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017206104 | Dec 2017 | WO |
| WO 2017213297 | Dec 2017 | WO |
| WO 2018008204 | Jan 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018017209 | Jan 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018021454 | Feb 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018025853 | Feb 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018029638 | Feb 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018029689 | Feb 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018042376 | Mar 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018085951 | May 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018124889 | Jul 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018134767 | Jul 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018155722 | Aug 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018159627 | Sep 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018179636 | Oct 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018198657 | Nov 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018202952 | Nov 2018 | WO |
| WO 2018204969 | Nov 2018 | WO |
| WO 2019042486 | Mar 2019 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Optiflow™ + Nasal Cannula Interface, posted at fphcare.com, earliest date available on Jun. 24, 2018, [online], acquired on 11/18/u 2021, Available on internet. url:https://www.fphcare.com/US/hospital/adult-respiratory/optiflow/optiflow-plus-nasal-cannula/ (Year:2018). |
| U.S. Appl. No. 16/185,163 filed Nov. 9, 2018, Amarasinghe. |
| U.S. Appl. No. 60/808,034 filed May 23, 2006, Doshi et al. |
| European Supplemental Search Report for Application No. EP 16 77 1501, dated Oct. 9, 2018 in 7 pages. |
| Extended European Search Report for Application No. 17838905.2 dated Mar. 2, 2020 in 4 pages. |
| International Search Report, PCT/IB2017/054896; Dec. 18, 2017; 12 pages. |
| International Search Report for Application No. PCT/IB2016/051819, mailed Jun. 29, 2016 in 7 pages. |
| Japanese Exam Report for Japanese Application No. 2017-551052 dated Jan. 27, 2020. |
| United Kingdom Examination Report in Application No. GB1715236.4, dated Mar. 26, 2020, in 3 pages. |
| European Search Report for Application No. 16771501.0 dated May 25, 2020, 4 pages. |
| Japanese Office Action for Japanese Application No. 2022-089402 dated Apr. 6, 2023. |
| Australian Examination Report in Application No. 2016241572, dated Feb. 15, 2021, in 4 pages. |
| European Search Report for Application No. 22205879.4 dated Feb. 6, 2023. |
| Japanese Office Action for Application No. 2022-113710. |
| Taiwanese Examination Report for Patent Application No. 108104857. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200360637 A1 | Nov 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62140593 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62140613 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62140625 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62140650 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62193213 | Jul 2015 | US | |
| 62196248 | Jul 2015 | US | |
| 62196256 | Jul 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15563085 | US | |
| Child | 16897766 | US |
