Respiratory gas hose system for supplying a respiratory gas

Abstract

A flexible respiratory gas tube arrangement for supplying a respiratory gas to a person includes a flexible tube, a heater to heat the gas as it is delivered through the tube, a first connector provided to one end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a breathing mask, and a second connector provided to the other end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a CPAP device. The second connector includes a first portion that provides a respiratory gas passage and a second portion that provides integrated contact elements by which power is supplied to the heater. The contact elements are adapted to be engaged with a power supply provided on the CPAP device for supplying power to said heater.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A flexible respiratory gas tube arrangement for supplying a respiratory gas to a person, the tube arrangement comprising:
 a flexible tube;   a heater to heat the gas as it is delivered through the tube;   a first connector provided to one end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a breathing mask; and   a second connector provided to the other end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a CPAP device, said second connector including a first portion that provides a respiratory gas passage and a second portion that provides integrated contact elements by which power is supplied to said heater,   wherein said contact elements are adapted to be engaged with a power supply provided on the CPAP device for supplying power to said heater.   
   
   
       14 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , further comprising an insulating sheathing body. 
   
   
       15 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the insulating sheathing body is removably attachable to the flexible tube. 
   
   
       16 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the heater is integrated into the sheathing body. 
   
   
       17 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein said sheathing body includes a multi-layered design. 
   
   
       18 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the tube is a heatable respiratory gas tube. 
   
   
       19 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the heater is integrated into the tube. 
   
   
       20 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein said second connector further includes a pressure measuring tube connection. 
   
   
       21 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , further comprising a respiratory gas humidifier. 
   
   
       22 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 21 , wherein said humidifier is adapted to be connected to a water source via a humidification line. 
   
   
       23 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 21 , wherein said humidifier is in the form of a flexible tube piece disposed between the breathing mask and the respiratory gas tube. 
   
   
       24 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the flexible tube is made from a spirally reinforced plastic material. 
   
   
       25 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the heater is an electrical resistance heater. 
   
   
       26 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein each contact element extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gas passage such that both an electric and pneumatic connection is provided when the connector is connected to the CPAP device. 
   
   
       27 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein each contact surface is provided within the second portion. 
   
   
       28 . The gas tube arrangement according to  claim 13 , wherein the first portion is tubular and the second portion extends outwardly from the first portion. 
   
   
       29 . A connector for connecting a CPAP device to a respiratory gas tube arrangement for supplying a respiratory gas to a person, the respiratory gas tube arrangement including a heater, the connector comprising:
 a first portion that provides a respiratory gas passage; and   a second portion that provides integrated contact elements by which power is supplied to the heater,   wherein each contact element extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gas passage such that both an electric and pneumatic connection is provided when the connector is connected to the CPAP device.   
   
   
       30 . A connector according to  claim 29 , wherein each contact surface is provided within the second portion. 
   
   
       31 . A connector according to  claim 29 , wherein the first portion is tubular and the second portion extends outwardly from the first portion. 
   
   
       32 . A CPAP device comprising:
 a blower to deliver a supply of pressurized air;   electronic control means for controlling the delivery pressure of the blower so as to deliver CPAP therapy to a patient for the treatment of sleep-related problems; and   a socket adapted to receive a connector provided to a respiratory gas tube arrangement, the socket being adapted to deliver the supply of pressurized air to the respiratory gas tube arrangement via the connector,   wherein the socket includes a power supply adapted to provide electrical power to contact elements on the connector for the provision of power to a heater provided to heat the gas as it is delivered through the respiratory gas tube arrangement.   
   
   
       33 . A CPAP device, comprising:
 a blower to generate a supply of pressurized air;   a tube provided to the blower; and   a sheathing body structured to cover the blower and the tube.   
   
   
       34 . A CPAP device according to  claim 33 , wherein the blower is in the form of a cartridge. 
   
   
       35 . A CPAP device according to  claim 33  wherein the sheathing body is removably attached to the blower and the tube. 
   
   
       36 . A CPAP device according to  claim 33 , wherein the sheathing body is structured to insulate the tube and/or blower. 
   
   
       37 . A CPAP device according to  claim 33 , further comprising one or more additional elements coupled to the blower and tube in modular fashion and covered by the sheathing body. 
   
   
       38 . A CPAP device according to  claim 37 , wherein the one or more additional elements includes a humidifier, gas analysis module, gas flow sensor, pressure lock, and tube silencer.