Infant cpap device, interface and system

Abstract

An infant positive airway pressure (PAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device and related patient interface and system, which can provide a flow of breathing gas to the patient interface. The device can be incorporated into the patient interface and includes at least one interior passage in the shape of a nozzle having a throat, a first portion upstream of the throat and a second portion downstream of the throat relative to the flow of breathing gas. The passage has a vent opening within the second portion and the interior passage defines a continuously curved surface extending between the throat and the vent opening. The second portion of the nozzle preferably is divergent and the first portion can be convergent or non-convergent (e.g., constant cross-section).

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A positive airway pressure device comprising:
 a conduit portion defining an interior passage having a first end and a second end, wherein the interior passage comprises an asymmetric transition surface portion, a first portion upstream of the asymmetric transition surface portion, and a second portion downstream of the asymmetric transition surface portion,   wherein the conduit portion comprises a vent opening in communication with the interior passage between the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         25 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the asymmetric transition surface portion diverges toward the second portion. 
     
     
         26 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the asymmetric transition surface portion converges from the first portion. 
     
     
         27 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein an exit of a jet of gases from the asymmetric transition surface portion creates an unstable jet within the second portion. 
     
     
         28 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the asymmetric transition surface portion is asymmetric about at least one axis or plane that passes through the interior passage. 
     
     
         29 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the convergence angle of the first portion is greater than the expansion angle of the second portion. 
     
     
         30 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the interior passage has asymmetry between a portion at or near the vent opening and a portion generally opposite the vent opening. 
     
     
         31 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the interior passage defines a curved surface portion. 
     
     
         32 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the length of a curved surface portion extending between the first portion and the vent opening is equal to or greater than the diameter of the asymmetric transition surface portion. 
     
     
         33 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the first portion is substantially constant in cross-sectional size and/or shape. 
     
     
         34 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein a vent axis of the vent opening is angled relative to a first axis of the first portion or angled relative to a second axis of the second portion. 
     
     
         35 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the asymmetric nozzle is configured to create pressure fluctuations during an inhalation phase, an exhalation phase, or both an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase. 
     
     
         36 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 24 , wherein the interior passage defines a continuously curved, non-movable surface extending between the first portion and the vent opening. 
     
     
         37 . A positive airway pressure device comprising:
 a conduit portion defining an interior passage having a first end and a second end, wherein the interior passage comprises a throat, a first portion upstream of the throat, and a second portion downstream of the throat,   wherein the conduit portion comprises a vent opening in communication with the interior passage between the first end and the second end, wherein the interior passage is asymmetric between a lower portion on a side opposite the vent opening and an upper portion on same side as vent opening.   
     
     
         38 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 37 , wherein the asymmetry is configured to create an unstable jet that rapidly attaches and detaches from the second portion of the conduit portion. 
     
     
         39 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 37 , wherein the length of a curved surface portion extending between the first portion and the vent opening is equal to or greater than the diameter of the second portion. 
     
     
         40 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 37 , wherein the transition between the interior passage and the vent opening comprises a reduced cross-sectional area or pinched geometry. 
     
     
         41 . The positive airway pressure device of  claim 37 , wherein the conduit portion is upstream from a patient interface, wherein the asymmetry is configured to provide more constant pressure to the patient interface. 
     
     
         42 . A patient respiratory therapy system, comprising:
 a patient interface;   a first supply tube and a second supply tube, each of which supplies a flow of breathing gas to the patient interface; and   a pair of connectors that each connect one of the first and second supply tubes to the patient interface, each connector defining an interior passage having a first end and a second end, wherein the interior passage comprises an asymmetric transition surface portion, a first portion upstream of the asymmetric transition surface portion, and a second portion downstream of the asymmetric transition surface portion, wherein each connector comprises a vent opening in communication with the interior passage between the first end and the second end.   
     
     
         43 . The patient respiratory therapy system of  claim 42 , wherein the asymmetric transition surface portion is configured to create an unsteady jet that produces a spectrum of frequencies. 
     
     
         44 . The patient respiratory therapy system of  claim 42 , wherein the length of a curved surface portion extending between the first portion and the vent opening is equal to or greater than the diameter of the vent opening. 
     
     
         45 . The patient respiratory therapy system of  claim 42 , wherein the maximum diameter of the first portion, the second portion, and the vent opening is greater than the minimum throat diameter. 
     
     
         46 . The patient respiratory therapy system of  claim 42 , wherein the asymmetric transition surface portion is configured to provide pressure oscillations with a greater amplitude due at least in part to the geometry of the interior passage.