Breathing assistance apparatus

Abstract

A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheostomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A patient interface for respiratory therapy comprising:
 a tracheotomy connector comprising:
 a tracheotomy port configured to be in fluid communication with a tracheotomy tube or mount, 
 an inlet port, and 
 an expiratory port; and 
   an interface conduit configured to couple with the inlet port, wherein the interface conduit is configured to receive and deliver a high flow of gases to the patient via the tracheotomy connector.   
     
     
         3 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the tracheotomy port couples directly with the tracheotomy tube or mount. 
     
     
         4 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the interface conduit comprises a breathable material. 
     
     
         5 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the tracheotomy port and the expiratory port share a first axis. 
     
     
         6 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the tracheotomy port and the expiratory port are arranged at opposite ends of the tracheotomy connector. 
     
     
         7 . The patient interface of  claim 6 , wherein the inlet port is arranged on a second axis which intersects the first axis of the tracheotomy connector. 
     
     
         8 . The patient interface of  claim 8 , wherein the angle between the first axis and the second axis is less than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the inlet port is angled away from the tracheotomy port. 
     
     
         10 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the interface conduit is configured to engage the inlet port at a first end and a second connector at a second end. 
     
     
         11 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the patient interface further comprises a first support configured to retain the tracheotomy connector to the patient's neck. 
     
     
         12 . The patient interface of  claim 11 , wherein the patient interface further comprises a second support configured to transfer the weight of the interface conduit onto the patient's neck. 
     
     
         13 . The patient interface of  claim 12 , wherein the first support or the second support comprises a tie or a lanyard. 
     
     
         14 . The patient interface of  claim 13 , wherein the tie or lanyard is configured to minimize the load acting on the tracheotomy tube or mount. 
     
     
         15 . The patient interface of  claim 13 , wherein the tie or lanyard is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . A patient interface for respiratory therapy comprising:
 a tracheotomy connector configured to be in fluid communication with a tracheotomy tube or mount;   an interface conduit constructed from a breathable material; and   a tie or lanyard configured to minimize the load acting upon the tracheotomy mount.   
     
     
         17 . The patient interface of  claim 16  wherein the breathable material of the interface conduit is configured to minimize the condensation in the interface conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The patient interface of  claim 16  wherein the tracheotomy connector comprises a tracheotomy port, an inlet port, and an expiratory port. 
     
     
         19 . The patient interface of  claim 18  wherein the interface conduit is configured to engage the inlet port at a first end and a second connector at a second end. 
     
     
         20 . A system for respiratory therapy comprising:
 a gas supply;   a humidifier; and   a patient interface comprising:
 a tracheotomy connector comprising:
 a tracheotomy port configured to be in fluid communication with a tracheotomy tube or mount, 
 an inlet port, and 
 an expiratory port, and 
 
 an interface conduit configured to couple with the inlet port, wherein the interface conduit is configured to receive and deliver a high flow of gases to the patient via the tracheotomy connector. 
   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the interface conduit is constructed from a breathable material. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a heated inspiratory tube configured to couple with the interface conduit and the humidifier. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the system is configured to deliver flow rates up to 60 LPM to a patient.