Breathing assistance apparatus

Abstract

A pressure regulating device includes a housing having a gases inlet adapted to in use be in fluid communication or integrated with a breathing assistance apparatus which conveys gases to an infant or a neonate requiring breathing assistance, an outlet adapted to be in use in fluid communication with said infant, and an aperture which enables the venting of a portion of gases that in use are passing through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. A tube inlet on the housing is adapted to receive a surfactant delivery device therethrough to enable administration of surfactant to the infant or neonate. A sealing mechanism seals around the surfactant delivery device and is adapted to normally fluidically seal the tube inlet and in use allow the surfactant delivery device to pass through the tube inlet.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A pressure regulating device for use with a breathing assistance apparatus that conveys gases to an infant or a neonate requiring breathing assistance, the pressure regulating device comprising:
 a housing comprising:
 a gases inlet adapted to in use be in fluid communication or integrated with the breathing assistance apparatus; 
 a gases outlet adapted to in use be in fluid communication with the infant or the neonate, a gas passageway defined between said gases inlet and said gases outlet; 
 an orifice branch extending from a side of said housing, said orifice branch including a screw thread; 
 a screw-on cap configured to be screwed onto said screw thread of said orifice branch, said screw-on cap including an external aperture that is separate and distinct from said gases inlet and said gases outlet, said external aperture providing a vent to atmosphere; and 
 a jet outlet positioned in said orifice branch between said gases inlet and said external aperture, said external aperture being fluidly connected to said gas passageway through said jet outlet; 
 wherein a flow rate of gases through said jet outlet is controlled by the proximity of said screw-on cap to said jet outlet, 
 wherein the proximity of said screw-on cap to said jet outlet establishes a peak end expiratory pressure at said gases outlet of said pressure regulating device while said external aperture is configured to be occluded and un-occluded by a user to vary a pressure at said gases outlet between a peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) with said external aperture occluded and said peak end expiratory pressure (PEEP) with said external aperture un-occluded such that a portion of said gases flows through said external aperture to vent externally. 
   
     
     
         3 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said gases inlet is located substantially on an opposite side of said housing from said orifice branch. 
     
     
         4 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said orifice branch extends at an angle with respect to said gases outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said gases inlet extends at an angle with respect to said gases outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said orifice branch extends at an angle with respect to said gases inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said housing comprises a flange at said gases outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said flange is configured to contact a mask in use. 
     
     
         9 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said housing is disposed within a mask. 
     
     
         10 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said housing is configured to be used with a mask. 
     
     
         11 . The pressure regulating device of  claim 2 , wherein said housing is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         12 . A manifold for a pressure regulating device for use with a breathing assistance apparatus configured to convey gases to an infant or a neonate, the manifold comprising:
 a gases inlet adapted to in use be in fluid communication or integrated with the breathing assistance apparatus;   a gases outlet adapted to in use be in fluid communication with the infant or the neonate;   a gas passageway defined between said gases inlet and said gases outlet;   an orifice branch comprising a screw thread;   a screw-on cap configured to be screwed onto said screw thread of said orifice branch, said screw-on cap including an external aperture that is separate and distinct from said gases inlet and said gases outlet, said external aperture providing a vent to atmosphere; and   a jet outlet positioned in said orifice branch, said external aperture being fluidly connected to said gas passageway through said jet outlet;   wherein a flow rate of gases through said jet outlet is controlled by the proximity of said screw-on cap to said jet outlet,   wherein the proximity of said screw-on cap to said jet outlet establishes a peak end expiratory pressure (PEEP) at said gases outlet and said external aperture is configured to be occluded and un-occluded by a user to vary a pressure at said gases outlet between a peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) with said external aperture occluded and said peak end expiratory pressure (PEEP) with said external aperture un-occluded such that a portion of said gases flows through said external aperture to vent externally.   
     
     
         13 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein said manifold is disposed within a mask. 
     
     
         14 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein said manifold is configured to be used with a mask. 
     
     
         15 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein said gases inlet extends at an angle with respect to said gases outlet. 
     
     
         16 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein said orifice branch extends at an angle with respect to said gases outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein said orifice branch extends at an angle with respect to said gases inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein said gases inlet is located substantially on an opposite side of said manifold from said orifice branch. 
     
     
         19 . The manifold of  claim 12 , further comprising a flange at said gases outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The manifold of  claim 19 , wherein said flange is configured to contact a mask in use. 
     
     
         21 . The manifold of  claim 12 , wherein said manifold is generally cylindrical.