System, apparatus and method for supplying gases

Abstract

A system, apparatus and methods are provided for supplying gases to a user. The supply includes a sub-therapeutic mode and a pressure support mode for delivering therapy to a user. A flow diversion device or valve switches from a first mode corresponding with the sub-therapeutic mode of the system to a second mode corresponding with the pressure support mode of the system. In the first mode, the valve opens a larger flow path between the interior of the user interface and ambient air than in the second mode.

1 .- 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A flow diversion device comprising:
 an inlet portion comprising an inlet connector portion,   an outlet portion comprising an outlet connector portion,   a flow path provided through a body from an inlet end of the inlet portion to an outlet end of the outlet portion,   a central portion comprising a flow port extending through a wall of the flow diversion device, wherein the flow path through the flow diversion device can communicate with ambient surroundings through the flow port,   a flexible valve member that extends into the flow path at a location between the inlet end of the inlet portion and the flow port,   wherein the wall defines an inner surface of the flow path, the inner surface comprising an internal perimeter surface surrounding the flow port that acts as a valve seat when the flow diversion device is in a closed condition,   wherein the flow diversion device is configured such that flow through the flow diversion device from the inlet end of the inlet portion to the outlet end of the outlet portion pushes against the flexible valve member to urge the flexible valve member toward the closed condition,   wherein the flow diversion device is configured such that flow through the flow diversion device from the outlet portion to the inlet portion pushes against the flexible valve member to urge it toward the inlet portion and an opened condition,   wherein a gap is provided between at least a portion of the perimeter of the flexible valve member and the inner surface of the wall, and   wherein a substantial portion of the flow path is unimpinged by the flexible valve member in the opened condition.   
     
     
         34 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible valve member comprises a matching but slightly smaller profile than the flow path cross section in the region of the flexible valve member. 
     
     
         35 . The flow diversion device of  claim 34 , wherein the flow path cross section in the region of the flexible valve member is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         36 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein the flow port is located downstream of the flexible valve member. 
     
     
         37 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible valve member is cantilevered from the inside surface of the wall forming the flow path. 
     
     
         38 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible valve member is able to flex toward or away from the closed condition by bending adjacent its connection with the wall forming the flow path or by bending along its length. 
     
     
         39 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein a secured end of the flexible valve member is clamped between two portions of the flow diversion device. 
     
     
         40 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible valve member is formed as a single leaf. 
     
     
         41 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible valve member is formed of a flexible polymeric material. 
     
     
         42 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein an area of the flow port is between about 10% and about 50% of the flow path. 
     
     
         43 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein when in the opened condition, the flexible valve member is configured to bend toward a flow generator during exhalation. 
     
     
         44 . The flow diversion device of  claim 33 , wherein the flexible valve member comprises an embedded portion. 
     
     
         45 . The flow diversion device of  claim 44 , wherein the valve seat is disposed on or near a plane that is spaced away from the embedded portion. 
     
     
         46 . A system comprising:
 a flow generator,   a user interface,   a supply conduit connecting the supply device and the user interface, and   the flow diversion device of  claim 33 .   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the flow diversion device is located at or generally adjacent to the user interface.