Retractable tube for cpap

Abstract

A retractable tube for use in a respiratory apparatus for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient has an internal diameter of about 30 mm or less, a weight of about 500 g / m or less, and an unextended length of about 2 m or less. The retractable tube includes a portion that is extensible in a range of about 40%-400% of its unextended length in response to force applied to the tube, and the extensible portion is configured to return the tube to its unextended length in the absence of force, or reduced force, applied to the tube.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 211,896, filed Sep. 17, 2008, currently pending, which claims priority to U.S. Applications 60 / 973,902, filed Sep. 20, 2007, 60 / 987,825, filed Nov. 14, 2007, and 61 / 031,407, filed Feb. 26, 2008, the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a retractable tube for use in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy used to treat, for example, Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The application of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) for therapy of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was first taught by Sullivan in U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310. In CPAP treatment of OSA, pressurized air or other breathable gas is provided to the entrance of a patients' airways at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure, for exampl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a retractable tube for use in a CPAP apparatus that has several technical benefits. First, it reduces or eliminates any drag force on the patient interface, such as nasal obstruction or difficulty with air flow. Second, it reduces tangling of the air delivery hose or conduit, which makes it easier to use and maintain. Third, it reduces the weight and bulk of the retractable tube, which makes it more portable and easier to transport. Finally, it allows for better strapping of the headgear to the patient's face, resulting in less strain and a better seal between the patient interface and the patient's face.

Problems solved by technology

Undesirable forces applied to the mask, for example, tube drag or the weight of the mask, or components attached to the mask, tend to disrupt the seal formed between the patient interface and the patient.

Some prior art swivel and elbow arrangements use tight tolerances, which might result in friction in the movement of the swivel elbow, thus reducing the mobility and flexibility of the elbow swivel joint.

Such headgear assemblies may be uncomfortable for the patient and difficult to adjust to obtain a substantially leak proof seal.