Method and apparatus for managing moisture buildup in pressurised breathing systems

Abstract

A vent assembly is configured to discharge gas washout from a patient interface that is configured to receive a pressurized flow of breathable gas from a positive airway pressure device. The vent assembly includes a vent base configured to be attached to the patient interface and comprising a plurality of coplanar openings and a hydrophilic material positioned adjacent to the coplanar openings. The hydrophilic material is configured to wick water near the plurality of coplanar openings and/or capture moisture from a gas washout flow adjacent to the plurality of coplanar openings. In addition, the hydrophilic material is configured to release the accumulated moisture and/or water to the pressurized flow of breathable gas for breathing by the patient when the patient inhales.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A vent assembly configured to discharge gas washout from a patient interface that is configured to receive a pressurized flow of breathable gas from a positive airway pressure device, the vent assembly comprising:
 a vent base configured to be attached to the patient interface and comprising a plurality of coplanar openings; and   a hydrophilic material positioned adjacent to the coplanar openings,   wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to wick water near the plurality of coplanar openings and/or capture moisture from a gas washout flow adjacent to the plurality of coplanar openings, and   wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to release the accumulated moisture and/or water to the pressurized flow of breathable gas for breathing by the patient when the patient inhales.   
     
     
         3 . The vent assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to wick moisture away from the plurality of coplanar openings in a direction that is transverse to a direction of airflow through the vent assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The vent assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to be between a patient and the plurality of coplanar openings in use. 
     
     
         5 . The vent assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic material is a textile. 
     
     
         6 . The vent assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the vent base is made of plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The vent assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic material is positioned so that gas washout flows through the hydrophilic material before flowing through the plurality of coplanar openings. 
     
     
         8 . The vent assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to be between a patient and the plurality of coplanar openings in use,
 wherein the hydrophilic material is a textile,   wherein the vent base is made of plastic, and   wherein the hydrophilic material is positioned so that gas washout flows through the hydrophilic material before flowing through the plurality of coplanar openings.   
     
     
         9 . A patient interface assembly configured to receive a pressurized flow of breathable gas from a positive airway pressure device, the patient interface comprising:
 a cushion configured to sealingly engage a patient's face;   a shell with an opening configured to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas and discharge gas washout; and   the vent assembly of  claim 2 ,   wherein the vent assembly is configured to be attached to the shell adjacent to the opening in the shell.   
     
     
         10 . The patient interface assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vent assembly is removable from the shell. 
     
     
         11 . The patient interface assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising an air delivery tube connector configured to be attached to the shell. 
     
     
         12 . A vent assembly configured to discharge gas washout from a patient interface that is configured to receive a pressurized flow of breathable gas from a positive airway pressure device by way of an air delivery tube, the vent assembly comprising:
 a vent base configured to be attached to an air delivery tube connector that is configured to connect the air delivery tube to the patient interface, the vent base comprising a plurality of coplanar air passages; and   a hydrophilic material positioned adjacent to the coplanar air passages so that gas washout flowing from the patient interface flows through the hydrophilic material and the plurality of coplanar air passages, in use,   wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to wick water near the plurality of coplanar air passages and/or capture moisture from the gas washout adjacent to the plurality of coplanar air passages, and   wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to release the accumulated moisture and/or water to the pressurized flow of breathable gas for breathing by the patient when the patient inhales.   
     
     
         13 . The vent assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophilic material is positioned so that some of the gas washout bypasses the hydrophilic material before flowing through the plurality of coplanar air passages in use. 
     
     
         14 . The vent assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to wick moisture away from the plurality of coplanar air passages in a direction that is transverse to a direction of airflow through the vent assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The vent assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to be between a patient and the plurality of coplanar air passages in use. 
     
     
         16 . The vent assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophilic material is a textile. 
     
     
         17 . The vent assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the vent base is made of plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The vent assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophilic material is positioned so that gas washout flows through the hydrophilic material before flowing through the plurality of coplanar air passages. 
     
     
         19 . The vent assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrophilic material is configured to be between a patient and the plurality of coplanar air passages in use,
 wherein the hydrophilic material is a textile,   wherein the vent base is made of plastic, and   wherein the hydrophilic material is positioned so that gas washout flows through the hydrophilic material before flowing through the plurality of coplanar air passages.   
     
     
         20 . A patient interface assembly configured to receive a pressurized flow of breathable gas from a positive airway pressure device, the patient interface comprising:
 a cushion configured to sealingly engage a patient's face;   a shell with an opening configured to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas and discharge gas washout; and   the vent assembly of  claim 12 ,   wherein the vent assembly is configured to be attached to the shell adjacent to the opening in the shell.   
     
     
         21 . The patient interface assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the vent assembly is removable from the shell. 
     
     
         22 . The patient interface assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising an air delivery tube connector configured to be attached to the shell.