Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

The present disclosure relates to a nasal cannula interface for supplying a gases flow to a patient, comprising: a nasal cannula defining at least a portion of a gases flow path and comprising a body having a base portion and at least one prong extending from the base portion, the at least one prong being configured to direct the gases flow to an orifice of the patient, and one or more sensors configured to measure a parameter, wherein the body further comprises a top surface and a rear surface, the rear surface being adjacent the patient in use of the nasal cannula interface; and wherein an outer surface of the one or more sensors is flush with the top surface or the rear surface.

In one embodiment, a medical circuit component for use with humidified gases is described. The medical circuit conduit includes: a body comprising a wall having an inner surface that defines a space within which humidified gases may flow and/or be contained; and moisture transport means and/or element(s) at least partially coupled to and/or at least partially integrated into at least a part of the wall, the moisture transport means and/or element(s) being configured to receive moisture from vapors and/or liquid inside the space and transport at least some of said moisture away from where it was received.

Systems and methods for non-invasive ventilation are provided. The systems may include a gas source that provides breathing gases to a patient through one or more of a primary flow path (PFP) and a flushing flow path (FFP). The system may include a control assembly configured to open and restrict gas flow through the PFP. When the PFP is open, a significant portion of the gas flows through the PFP while the remaining gas flows through the FFP. When the PFP is restricted, a significant portion of the gas flows through the FFP. Increased flow through the FFP may have a high velocity (especially relative to the flow through the PFP). Gas delivered through the FFP may be used to flush dead space. One or both flow paths may contribute to inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP), expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), and/or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).

A gases flow rate sensing system may be configured to operate in at least two different target temperature modes, based upon a measured temperature of the gases flow. In some embodiments, the gases flow sensing system may have a voltage divider containing a thermistor. The gases flow rate may be determined based upon a voltage output indicating an amount of power needed to maintain the thermistor at a target temperature as specified by the target temperature mode, and a measured temperature of the gases flow.

According to this disclosure there is provided a respiratory support apparatus configured to provide a gases flow to a patient, the respiratory support apparatus comprising:a flow generator configured to generate the gases flow;a humidifier configured to humidify the gases flow; anda controller.The apparatus is controlled by the controller to function in at least two modes, being a normal mode and a high-temperature mode. In the high-temperature mode the temperature of gases delivered to the patient is higher than the temperature of gases delivered to the patient when in the normal mode.In the high-temperature mode, the controller controls one or more parameters of the gases flow to be different to that in the normal mode, whilst providing higher temperatures.The apparatus is also operative in a cool-down mode in which one or more parameters of the gases flow are controlled.The apparatus includes safety features to ensure the temperature, dew-point, enthalpy, and/or energy of the gases flow do not exceed safe limits.

A respiratory apparatus that is configured to provide a flow of gases to a user for respiratory therapy. A flow generator is operable to generate a flow of gases. A controller is operable to control one or more properties of the flow of gases provided to the user by controlling a motor speed of the flow generator. The controller is configured to receive one or more input therapy settings that represents one or more properties desired for the generated flow of gases during a therapy session. The controller predicts if a steady-state temperature of the apparatus will exceed a high-temperature-condition threshold, based at least partly on input therapy setting(s) and a heat model of the apparatus. The controller may generate an alarm and/or initiate an alarm response counteraction control measure in response to the prediction to reduce the risk of the apparatus exceeding the high-temperature-condition threshold,.

A respiratory mask system includes a mask interface and a headgear assembly. The headgear assembly is adjustable and comprised of an elastic portion, a non-elastic portion and a restriction mechanism configured to provide a force resisting movement of the non-elastic portion when the elastic portion is extended. There is a support beam coupled to the non-elastic portion and extending along a portion of the headgear that is curved along its longitudinal extent. In this way particular seal modules can be comfortably fitted to a user and any blow off force is mitigated. A particular example of the respiratory mask system includes provision for removable attachment between the seal and a mask frame, the mask frame and a yoke of the headgear; and between a conduit and the mask frame.

A respiratory assistance apparatus configured to provide a heated and humidified gases stream, comprising: a gases inlet configured to receive a supply of gases; a blower unit configured to generate a pressurised gases stream from the supply of gases; a humidification unit configured to heat and humidify the pressurised gases stream; a gases outlet for the heated and humidified gases stream; a flow path for the gases stream through the respiratory device from the gases inlet through the blower unit and humidification unit to the gases outlet; a sensor assembly provided in the flow path before the humidification unit, the sensor assembly comprising an ultrasound gas composition sensor system for sensing one or more gas concentrations within the gases stream.

In one embodiment, there is provided a humidification chamber for use in a medical humidification system. The humidification chamber may comprise: a base and a top linked by a side wall to define the chamber, the chamber being configured to contain a volume of water; a gases inlet configured to receive a gases flow from a gases source; and a gases outlet, wherein the gases inlet is orientated relative to the side wall to introduce the gases flow to the humidification chamber at a direction substantially tangential to the side wall of the humidification chamber.

In one embodiment, there is provided an inlet for a humidification chamber for use in a medical humidification system, the inlet comprising an inlet end configured to receive gases flow from a gases source, an outlet end configured to introduce the gases flow to the inside of the humidification chamber, and at least one wall defining, at least in part, a passageway between the inlet end and the outlet end for conveying gases therebetween. The outlet end of the inlet is configured to terminate in the humidification chamber or at a wall of the humidification chamber, and the passageway is configured to guide the gases flow such that the center of the gases flow at the inlet end and at the outlet end are substantially aligned along a common axis or the outlet end defines a profile of the passageway thereat that has a width and a height, a ratio of the width to height being between about 1:20 and 1:5.