Respiratory assist device

Abstract

Respiratory assistance device. Disclosed herein is a device for delivering an air stream, the device having: a housing 3202', the housing having a recess; and an outlet port 3210' for the air stream. The recess is defined by at least one wall 3256, 3262 that is substantially continuous, gas-impermeable and unbroken, in addition to an air flow passage from the recess to the outlet port of the housing.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application for invention titled "Respiratory Assistance Device" with application number 201680036660.2, filed on June 24, 2016. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a flow therapy device for delivering gas to a patient. Background Art

[0003] Respiratory assistance devices are used to deliver an air flow to a user or patient in different environments such as hospitals, medical facilities, home care, or home environments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The applicant has identified that there is a potential fire or explosion risk if some gases (such as high-concentration oxygen) come into contact with the electrical and / or electronic components in a respiratory assistance device.

[0005] The applicant has also identified that there are potential difficulties in inserting and / or holding a liquid chamber in and / or removing it from the chamber base of a respiratory assistance device, especially for users with limited mobility. Complete or correct insertion and / or holding may be required to ensure a satisfactory seal between the liquid chamber and other components forming part of the air flow path.

[0006] The applicant has also identified that there are potential difficulties in keeping the components clean and / or sterile when they are fixed in the housing of a respiratory assistance device.

[0007] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a device for delivering an air flow that isolates the air flow from electrical and / or electronic components.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, it would be desirable to provide a device for delivering an air flow that has one or more features that assist in inserting and / or holding a liquid chamber in and / or removing it from the chamber base.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, it would be desirable to provide a device for delivering an air flow that has one or more removable components that assist in the use, operation, or configuration of the device.

[0010] One or more of the disclosed embodiments aim to provide a device for delivering an air flow that has one or more features that assist in the use, operation, or configuration of the device, or improve the safety of the device, or at least provide useful options for the general public or medical professionals.

[0011] Accordingly, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air flow is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0012] A housing having:

[0013] A recess for a motor and / or a sensor module,

[0014] An outlet port for an air flow, and

[0015] A removable elbow for the air flow; and

[0016] A humidifier having:

[0017] A heater,

[0018] A chamber base for receiving a liquid chamber, and

[0019] A rod and / or a pawl for assisting in inserting and / or holding and / or removing the liquid chamber in and / or from the chamber base.

[0020] In some configurations, the device includes a liquid chamber received in the chamber base, the liquid chamber including an inlet port connectable to the outlet port and an outlet port connectable to the removable elbow. In some configurations, at least one of these ports includes one or more flexible fingers configured to provide a forced engagement between the port and the port to which it is connectable.

[0021] In some configurations, the device includes a user interface.

[0022] In some configurations, the chamber base is formed in the housing.

[0023] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air flow is disclosed, the device including:

[0024] A housing having a recess, and

[0025] An outlet port for an air flow,

[0026] Wherein, except for an air flow passage from the recess to the outlet port of the housing, the recess is defined by at least one wall that is substantially continuous, gas-impermeable, and unbroken.

[0027] In some configurations, the recess includes a recess opening in an outer wall of the housing, wherein the recess extends into the housing from the recess opening. In some configurations, the recess opening is in the bottom of the housing. Alternatively, the recess opening can be in a different part of the housing, such as a side, front, or top of the housing. In some configurations, the recess opening is in the top of the housing.

[0028] In some configurations, the recess is adapted to receive an electric motor and / or a sensor module.

[0029] In some configurations, the device includes an electric motor and / or a sensor module positioned within the recess.

[0030] In some configurations, the device is configured such that gas enters the housing via the recess and exits the housing via the outlet port. In some configurations, the gas is delivered from their inlet to the outlet port of the housing by a gas passage. In some configurations, the gas passage is provided by the electric motor and / or the sensor module.

[0031] In some configurations, the electric motor and / or the sensor module includes a base, a sensing layer, and a cover layer assembled together to form a sub-assembly housing. In some configurations, the sub-assembly housing has a shape complementary to the shape of the recess.

[0032] In some configurations, the electric motor and / or the sensor module includes an electric motor having an impeller, the electric motor being arranged to deliver gas to the outlet port of the housing. In some configurations, the electric motor is positioned on the base of the sub-assembly.

[0033] In some configurations, the base is configured to close the recess opening when the sub-assembly is positioned within the recess.

[0034] In some configurations, the sub-assembly is maintained in place within the recess by fasteners, clamps, or a quick-release arrangement.

[0035] In some configurations, the sensing layer includes an air flow path having one or more sensors. In some configurations, the air flow path is arranged to deliver gas to the outlet port of the housing. In some configurations, the gas is or includes oxygen. In some configurations, the gas includes a blend of oxygen and ambient air.

[0036] In some configurations, the air flow path includes an elongate air flow portion.

[0037] In some configurations, the air flow path has a tangential inlet portion positioned at or adjacent to the inlet end of the elongate air flow portion.

[0038] In some configurations, the electric motor and / or the sensor module includes an air flow path having a meandering arrangement.

[0039] In some configurations, the housing includes electrical and / or electronic components, and wherein the recess is configured to isolate these electrical and / or electronic components from the airflow passing through or from the motor and / or sensor module. In some configurations, the airflow passage is provided by an airflow passage tube, and wherein the airflow passage tube extends through an outer tube integrally formed with a portion of the housing.

[0040] In some configurations, the device is configured such that if a leak occurs in any of the seals of the motor and / or sensor module, oxygen will leak to the atmosphere rather than to these electrical and / or electronic components.

[0041] In some configurations, seals are provided between portions of the motor and / or sensor module and the walls of the recess to seal the module to the housing. In some configurations, the seals include soft seals such as O-rings. In some configurations, the seals are provided between the base of the motor and / or sensor module and the wall of the recess. In some configurations, the base supports a motor having an impeller.

[0042] In some configurations, the motor and / or sensor module is removable from the recess. In some alternative configurations, the motor and / or sensor module may not be removable from the recess.

[0043] In some configurations, the motor and / or sensor module includes a motor having an impeller and a gas outlet port, and the gas outlet port is coupled to an inlet port of an adjacent component by a flexible collar. In some configurations, the motor and / or sensor module includes a collar support member configured to support the collar. In some configurations, the collar support member includes an upright collar support member having an inwardly concave shape and configured to receive and support the periphery of the collar. In some configurations, the gas outlet port end of the collar includes an enlarged diameter that docks on the upper end of the collar support member.

[0044] In some configurations, oxygen or a gas containing oxygen flows through the airflow passage and / or the outlet port. In some configurations, the gas is isolated from the electrical and / or electronic components in the housing. In some configurations, the gas includes a blend of oxygen and ambient air.

[0045] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a motor and / or sensor module for use in the device is disclosed, the motor and / or sensor module having the features listed above.

[0046] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an airflow is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0047] A humidifier having:

[0048] A heater,

[0049] A chamber base for receiving a liquid chamber, and

[0050] A rod for assisting in inserting and / or holding and / or removing the liquid chamber in / from the chamber base.

[0051] In some configurations, the rod is configured to assist in one of insertion, holding, and removal of the liquid chamber. In some configurations, the rod is configured to assist in two of insertion, holding, and removal of the liquid chamber. In some configurations, the rod is configured to assist in all three of insertion, holding, and removal of the liquid chamber.

[0052] Different configurations can be constructed to assist in one, two, or all of inserting, holding in the chamber base, or removing from the chamber base of the liquid chamber.

[0053] In some configurations, the chamber base includes opposing guiding features to assist in guiding the liquid chamber to an appropriate position within the chamber base. In some configurations, these opposing guiding features include opposing guide rails arranged to interact with an outwardly directed annular flange on the liquid chamber.

[0054] In some configurations, the rod is configured such that when the rod is in a first position, the liquid chamber can be inserted into or removed from the chamber base; and is configured such that when the rod is in a second position, the rod inhibits or prevents removal of the liquid chamber from the chamber base.

[0055] In some configurations, the rod includes at least one liquid chamber engaging feature to engage a portion of the liquid chamber and drive the liquid chamber to engage within the chamber base when the rod is moved towards the second position. In some configurations, the device includes two liquid chamber engaging features, where the liquid chamber engaging features include inwardly directed protrusions.

[0056] In some configurations, the device includes a forced engagement feature to hold the handle in the second position.

[0057] In some configurations, the rod includes a handle portion such that the device can be carried when the rod is in a lifted position.

[0058] In some configurations, the rod is pivotally connected to the housing of the device. In some configurations, only one side of the rod is pivotally connected to the housing.

[0059] In some configurations, the rod is pivotally and translationally coupled to the housing of the device. In some configurations, the device includes a rod retainer that is secured to a portion of the housing, where the rod retainer and the portion of the housing together provide pivotal and translational movement of the rod relative to the housing.

[0060] In some configurations, the rod is configured to move relative to the housing with a varying radius of movement.

[0061] In some configurations, the rod includes a first pivot configured to move along a first pivot cavity, and the rod includes a second pivot configured to move along a second pivot cavity.

[0062] In some configurations, the first pivot cavity is oriented in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the housing. In some configurations, the first pivot cavity is substantially straight.

[0063] In some configurations, the second pivot cavity is oriented in a substantially front-to-back direction of the device. In some configurations, the second pivot cavity is arcuate.

[0064] In some configurations, the device includes engagement features to hold the second pivot at or adjacent to the rear end of the second pivot cavity, thereby holding the rod in a lifted position.

[0065] In some configurations, the rod is configured to assist in removing the liquid chamber from the chamber base.

[0066] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device including:

[0067] A humidifier having:

[0068] A heater, and

[0069] A chamber base for a liquid chamber;

[0070] Wherein the device includes at least one pawl for assisting the liquid chamber to be inserted and / or held within the chamber base.

[0071] In some configurations, the device includes only one pawl. In some configurations, the device includes two or more pawls.

[0072] In some configurations, the chamber base includes opposing guiding features to assist in guiding the liquid chamber to an appropriate position within the chamber base.

[0073] In some configurations, the pawl is disposed adjacent to one of these guiding features. In some configurations, two pawls are disposed adjacent to corresponding guiding features.

[0074] In some configurations, the pawl is disposed on one of these guiding features. In some configurations, two pawls are disposed on corresponding guiding features.

[0075] In some configurations, the guiding feature includes opposing guide rails arranged to interact with an outwardly directed annular flange on the liquid chamber, and wherein the pawl includes an enlarged recess in one or both of these guide rails. In some configurations, one or both of these guide rails include an inwardly directed ridge. In some configurations, the inwardly directed ridge has an elastic force sufficient to deform when the liquid chamber is inserted between and / or removed from these guide rails.

[0076] In some configurations, one or both of these guiding features include a protrusion, and wherein the liquid chamber includes a recess for receiving the protrusion.

[0077] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0078] a housing, and

[0079] a removable air stream tube for defining an air stream passage for the air stream, and

[0080] a removable retaining cap configured such that the removable air stream tube can be removed from the housing in the case where the removable retaining cap is removed from the housing, and the removable air stream tube cannot be removed from the housing in the case where the removable retaining cap is connected to the housing.

[0081] In some configurations, the housing includes a retainer for receiving the removable air stream tube, and wherein the removable retaining cap is configured such that the removable air stream tube can be removed from the housing in the case where the removable retaining cap is removed from the retainer, and the removable air stream tube cannot be removed from the retainer in the case where the removable retaining cap is connected to the housing.

[0082] In some configurations, two discrete actions are required to remove the removable gas flow tube from the retainer. In some configurations, the removable retaining cap is removable from the housing by moving the removable cap member in a first direction, where the removable gas flow tube is removable from the retainer by moving the removable gas flow tube in a second direction, and for at least a portion of the movement, the second direction is substantially transverse to the first direction. In some configurations, the removable gas flow tube includes a gas port for coupling to an outlet port on a liquid chamber, the liquid chamber being arranged to be received in a chamber base of the housing, and the second direction corresponds to the direction of removing the liquid chamber from the chamber base.

[0083] In some configurations, the removable gas flow tube includes an electrical connector coupled to one or more sensors and / or power connectors within the removable gas flow tube. In some configurations, the electrical connector includes a male connector portion protruding from a portion of the gas flow tube, where the housing includes a complementary female connector for receiving the male connector when the gas flow tube is connected to the housing. In some configurations, the housing includes a male connector portion, and the removable gas flow tube includes a complementary female connector for receiving the male connector when the gas flow tube is connected to the housing.

[0084] In some configurations, the removable gas flow tube includes a port having an axis, and the electrical connector is oriented at an angle relative to the axis between about -15 degrees and about +30 degrees, in some configurations between about 0 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis, in some configurations between about 0 degrees and about +15 degrees relative to the axis, and in some configurations at an angle of about +15 degrees relative to the axis. In some configurations, the electrical connector is arranged to be oriented at a non-horizontal angle in use. In some configurations, the electrical connector is oriented at an angle non-parallel and non-coaxial relative to the axis. In some configurations, the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about -5 degrees and about -15 degrees relative to the axis, or between about +5 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis. In some configurations, the electrical connector is oriented between about +5 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis, in some configurations between about +5 degrees and about +15 degrees relative to the axis, and in some configurations at an angle of about +15 degrees relative to the axis.

[0085] In some configurations, the electrical connector of the removable gas flow tube is coupled to one or more temperature sensors to determine the temperature of the gas flowing through the gas flow tube.

[0086] In some configurations, the electrical connector of the removable gas flow tube is coupled to a power connector in the removable gas flow tube, the power connector being adapted to be coupled to and power a heating wire of a patient breathing tube, and the removable gas flow tube is configured to provide a pneumatic and electrical connection to the patient tube in a single action when the patient breathing tube is connected to the removable gas flow tube.

[0087] In some configurations, the removable gas flow tube includes a removable elbow.

[0088] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering a gas flow is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0089] a housing including an upper chassis and a lower chassis,

[0090] a gas flow channel defined in the housing between the upper chassis and the lower chassis,

[0091] electrical components located in the housing, and

[0092] a continuous, unbroken wall located in the housing, the wall being adapted to pneumatically isolate the electrical components from the gas flow channel.

[0093] In some configurations, oxygen or a gas containing oxygen flows through the gas flow channel. In some configurations, the gas is isolated from the electrical components. In some configurations, the gas comprises a blend of oxygen and ambient air.

[0094] In some configurations, the device includes a motor having an impeller for delivering a gas through the gas flow channel, wherein the motor is pneumatically isolated from the electrical components. In some configurations, the wall, either alone or in combination with one or more additional continuous, unbroken walls, defines a recess that is pneumatically isolated from the electrical components, wherein the motor is positioned within the recess.

[0095] In some configurations, the motor is removable from the recess.

[0096] In some configurations, the pressure is lower upstream of the motor impeller and higher downstream of the motor impeller, and the motor includes electrical connections positioned upstream of the motor impeller and within the low pressure region.

[0097] In some configurations, the electrical components include a printed circuit board.

[0098] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering a gas flow is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0099] A housing and a rod, wherein only one side of the rod is movably connected to the housing.

[0100] In some configurations, the device includes a heater and a chamber base for receiving a liquid chamber.

[0101] In some configurations, when the rod is in the lifted position, a liquid tube can be fed through the space between the rod and the housing.

[0102] In some configurations, the said side of the rod is pivotally connected to the housing.

[0103] In some configurations, when the rod is in the closed position, the rod encloses a part of the chamber base.

[0104] In some configurations, the said side of the rod is pivotally and translationally connected to the housing.

[0105] In some configurations, when the rod is in the closed position, a part of the rod protrudes sufficiently above the bottom plate of the chamber base to prevent the liquid chamber from being removed from the chamber base.

[0106] In some configurations, the said side of the rod is pivotally and translationally connected to the housing.

[0107] In some configurations, the device includes a rod retainer that is fixed to a part of the housing, wherein the rod retainer and the part of the housing together provide pivotal and translational movement of the rod relative to the housing.

[0108] In some configurations, the rod is configured to move relative to the housing with a varying radius of movement.

[0109] In some configurations, the rod includes a first pivot configured to move along a first pivot cavity, and wherein the rod includes a second pivot configured to move along a second pivot cavity.

[0110] In some configurations, the first pivot cavity is oriented in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the housing. In some configurations, the first pivot cavity is substantially straight.

[0111] In some configurations, the second pivot cavity is oriented in a substantially front - to - back direction of the device. In some configurations, the second pivot cavity is arcuate.

[0112] In some configurations, the device includes engagement features to hold the second pivot at or adjacent to the rear end of the second pivot cavity, thereby holding the rod in the lifted position.

[0113] In some configurations, the rod includes an arm located on the said side of the rod, wherein the arm is pivotally, or pivotally and translationally, connected to the housing. In some configurations, the rod includes a crossbeam connected to the arm.

[0114] In some configurations, when the rod is in the raised position, there is a space between the housing and the crossbeam on the side of the rod opposite the arm.

[0115] In some configurations, the terminal end of the rod is arranged to be generally positioned above the center of mass of the device when the rod is in the fully raised position.

[0116] In some configurations, the rod includes one or more features for guiding a liquid tube to a liquid chamber.

[0117] In some configurations, the rod is configured to assist in inserting and / or holding the liquid chamber in and / or removing from the chamber base.

[0118] In some configurations, the rod is gas injection molded.

[0119] In some configurations, the rod includes an external seal.

[0120] In some configurations, during the entire movement of the rod from the fully lowered position to the fully raised position, the face of the rod abuts against the face of the housing.

[0121] In some configurations, the rod and / or the housing includes one or more magnets to hold the rod in the fully lowered position and / or the fully raised position.

[0122] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0123] A housing having a recess in an outer wall of the housing, and

[0124] A connector arrangement positioned in the recess, wherein the connector arrangement includes one or more ports, and wherein the one or more ports are at a non-horizontal and non-vertical angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to a vertical axis.

[0125] That is, the one or more ports face at least partially downward such that the insertion angle of a plug into the connector is at least partially upward.

[0126] In some configurations, the one or more ports are at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees relative to the vertical axis. In some configurations, the one or more ports are at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees relative to the vertical axis. In some configurations, the one or more ports are at an angle of about 15 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

[0127] In some configurations, the walls of the recesses are inclined relative to the vertical direction at the insertion angle of the one or more ports.

[0128] In some configurations, the one or more ports include communication ports. In some configurations, the one or more ports include USB ports.

[0129] In some configurations, a lip is provided on this or each port to reduce the likelihood of water seeping into the port.

[0130] In some configurations, the device includes a sharp edge or a liquid deflector along the upper edge of the recess to facilitate the dripping of liquid from the sharp edge / liquid deflector rather than flowing into the recess.

[0131] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0132] A housing;

[0133] And a removable air stream tube for the air stream, wherein the removable air stream tube includes a port having an axis and an electrical connector for coupling to a complementary connector when the air stream tube is connected to the housing, wherein the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about -15 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis.

[0134] In some configurations, the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about 0 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis, in some configurations between about 0 degrees and about +15 degrees relative to the axis, and in some configurations at an angle of about +15 degrees relative to the axis.

[0135] In some configurations, the electrical connector is arranged to be oriented at a non-horizontal angle in use.

[0136] In some configurations, the electrical connector is oriented at an angle relative to the axis that is non-parallel and non-coaxial. In some configurations, the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about -5 degrees and about -15 degrees relative to the axis, or between about +5 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis. In some configurations, the electrical connector is oriented between about +5 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis, in some configurations between about +5 degrees and about +15 degrees relative to the axis, and in some configurations at an angle of about +15 degrees relative to the axis.

[0137] In some configurations, the removable gas flow tube includes a removable elbow.

[0138] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering a gas flow is disclosed, the device including:

[0139] a housing;

[0140] and a removable gas flow tube for the gas flow, wherein the removable gas flow tube includes an electrical connector for coupling to a complementary connector when the gas flow tube is connected to the housing, wherein the body of the removable gas flow tube is overmolded onto the electrical connector.

[0141] In some configurations, the removable gas flow tube includes a power connector embedded in a portion of the overmolded gas flow tube body. In some configurations, the power connector includes pin connectors that protrude upward for coupling to and powering a heating wire in a patient breathing tube. In some configurations, the pin connectors extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas outlet port of the elbow.

[0142] In some configurations, the electrical connector includes a PCB electrical connector.

[0143] In some configurations, the removable gas flow tube includes a removable elbow.

[0144] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering a gas flow is disclosed, the device including:

[0145] a housing;

[0146] and a removable gas flow tube for the gas flow, wherein the removable gas flow tube defines a gas flow channel and includes an internal sump region that is in communication with the gas flow channel to allow for the accumulation of liquid.

[0147] In some configurations, the sump region is provided by an enlarged region in the gas flow channel.

[0148] In some configurations, the enlarged region is a recess in the horizontal portion of the airflow passage.

[0149] In some configurations, the airflow tube includes a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the sump region, the temperature sensor being arranged to determine a temperature representative of the airflow passage and / or gas properties.

[0150] In some configurations, the temperature sensor is used to estimate the humidity of the gas.

[0151] In some configurations, the removable airflow tube includes a removable elbow. In some configurations, the sump region is disposed at the intersection of a first port and a second port of the elbow.

[0152] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an airflow is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0153] A housing;

[0154] And a removable airflow tube that defines an airflow passage for an airflow, wherein the removable airflow tube includes a PCB electrical connector for coupling to a complementary connector when the airflow tube is connected to the housing.

[0155] In some configurations, a first end of the removable airflow tube includes a gas port for coupling to an outlet gas port on a liquid chamber. In some configurations, a second end of the removable airflow tube is configured for connection to a patient breathing conduit.

[0156] In some configurations, the PCB electrical connector portion includes a plurality of connector portions at one end for engaging complementary conductors in a female connector. Alternatively, in some configurations, the removable airflow tube includes a female connector for receiving a complementary male connector.

[0157] In some configurations, the removable airflow tube includes one or more electrical connectors for coupling to and powering a heating wire in a patient breathing conduit. In some configurations, the electrical connectors are in electrical communication with the connector portions of the PCB electrical connector.

[0158] In some configurations, the PCB electrical connector includes a surface-mounted temperature sensor. The temperature sensor can be, for example, a thermocouple, a digital temperature sensor, or a thermistor. In some configurations, the temperature sensor is in electrical communication with the connector portions of the PCB electrical connector. In some configurations, the temperature sensor is embedded within the body of the airflow tube.

[0159] In some configurations, the removable airflow tube includes a device configured to provide functionality, which functionality includes one or more of identification, calibration functionality, or information capture. In some configurations, the device is configured to provide information including one or more of the following: tracking data, how long the removable airflow tube has been used, the time of first use of the removable airflow tube, determining the age of the removable airflow tube (e.g., based on the manufacturing date), the number of times the removable airflow tube has been used, determining and recording the connection / disconnection of the removable airflow tube, determining whether disinfection has occurred, the number of times the removable airflow tube has been disinfected, the usage time since the last disinfection, the time when the removable airflow tube should be disinfected, power level, unique ID, calibration, the time when the removable airflow tube should be replaced. In some configurations, the removable airflow tube may have a specified service life stored in the device, such as up to 5 years from manufacture. In some configurations, the removable airflow tube may have a specified maximum number of disinfection cycles stored in the device before the removable airflow tube should be replaced. For example, the maximum number of disinfection cycles may be a specified number of weekly disinfection cycles for a specified number of weeks. For example, for a removable airflow tube with a maximum service life of one year, the maximum number of disinfection cycles may be 52 cycles; one cycle per week for one year. As another example, for a removable airflow tube with a maximum service life of 5 years, the maximum number of disinfection cycles may be 260 cycles; one cycle per week for five years.

[0160] In some configurations, the device includes one or more of a microprocessor, a memory, or a microprocessor with integrated memory. In some configurations, the device is an EEPROM. In some configurations, the device may be a flash memory or some other type of memory. In some configurations, the device may be configured to store functional data or may be configured to communicate functional data to the controller of the device via these connector portions or via a suitable wireless transmission protocol (such as WI-FI, Bluetooth, or GSM).

[0161] In some configurations, the ports of the removable airflow tube include a T-seal or an L-seal. In some configurations, the ports of the removable airflow tube include an O-ring.

[0162] In some configurations, the electronics of the removable airflow tube are sealed to prevent the ingress of liquid and / or gas. In some configurations, the electronics are sealed by, for example, potting.

[0163] In some configurations, the removable airflow tube includes a removable elbow. In some configurations, a temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to the junction of the first and second ports of the elbow.

[0164] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0165] A motor and / or sensor module that includes a motor having an impeller and a gas outlet port, as well as an outlet air stream path and a sensing layer, the sensing layer having a sensing and air stream path that includes an air stream inlet port for receiving gas from the gas outlet port and an air stream outlet port;

[0166] Wherein the pressure drop coefficient from the gas outlet port to the air stream path and sensing layer air stream outlet port is between about 5 mPa (L min -1) ) -2 And about 50 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 Between.

[0167] In some configurations, the pressure drop coefficient is between about 10 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 And about 20 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 Between. In some configurations, the pressure drop coefficient is about 15 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 .

[0168] In some configurations, the gas outlet port is connected to the air stream inlet port by a flexible collar. In some configurations, the motor and / or sensor module includes a collar support member configured to support the collar. In some configurations, the collar support member includes an upright collar support member having an inwardly concave shape and configured to receive and support the collar perimeter. In some configurations, the gas outlet port end of the collar includes an enlarged diameter that docks on the upper end of the collar support member.

[0169] In some configurations, the motor and / or sensor module is removable from the recess. In some alternative configurations, the motor and / or sensor module may not be removable from the recess.

[0170] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a motor and / or sensor module for use in the device is disclosed, the motor and / or sensor module having the features listed above.

[0171] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0172] A shroud for receiving an electrical component, the shroud being configured to at least partially surround and protect the electrical component and to support the electrical component while allowing the electrical component to move within the shroud in at least one dimension.

[0173] In some configurations, the shroud is configured to allow the electrical component to move in one dimension. In some configurations, the shroud is configured to allow the electrical component to move in a first substantially horizontal dimension or in a second substantially horizontal dimension.

[0174] In some configurations, the shroud is configured to allow the electrical component to move in two dimensions. In some configurations, the shroud is configured to allow the electrical component to move in a first substantially horizontal dimension and in a second substantially horizontal dimension.

[0175] In some configurations, the shroud is configured to allow the electrical component to move in three dimensions. In some configurations, the shroud is configured to allow the electrical component to move in a first substantially horizontal dimension, in a second substantially horizontal dimension, and in a substantially vertical dimension.

[0176] In some configurations, the shroud is configured to allow limited movement of the electrical component in at least one dimension, the limited movement being sufficient to accommodate tolerance misalignment in the component.

[0177] In some configurations, the electrical component is an electrical connector.

[0178] In some configurations, the shroud is disposed within a device for delivering an air flow. In some configurations, the shroud is disposed within a motor and / or sensor module.

[0179] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air flow is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0180] A housing,

[0181] A heater within the housing,

[0182] A chamber base within the housing for receiving a liquid chamber, and

[0183] A rod movably connected to the housing, wherein when the rod is in a closed position, the rod encloses a portion of the chamber base.

[0184] In some configurations, when the rod is in the closed position, a portion of the rod protrudes sufficiently above the bottom plate of the chamber base to prevent removal of the liquid chamber from the chamber base.

[0185] In some configurations, only one side of the rod is movably connected to the housing.

[0186] In some configurations, the rod is pivotally connected to the housing.

[0187] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0188] An air stream tube for the air stream, the air stream tube being configured to be coupled to an air stream outlet from a flow generator, wherein the coupling to the air stream outlet is within an outer tube that permits gas to be discharged to the atmosphere but is pneumatically isolated from electrical components by a continuous, unbroken wall.

[0189] In some configurations, the flow generator includes an electric motor having an impeller, wherein the electric motor is pneumatically isolated from the electrical components by a continuous, unbroken wall.

[0190] In some configurations, the wall, either alone or in combination with one or more additional continuous, unbroken walls, defines a recess that is pneumatically isolated from the electrical components, and wherein the electric motor is positioned within the recess.

[0191] In some configurations, the pressure is lower upstream of the motor impeller and higher downstream of the motor impeller, and wherein the electric motor includes electrical connections that are positioned upstream of the motor impeller and within the low-pressure region.

[0192] In some configurations, the connection between the air stream tube and the air stream outlet in the conduit includes at least one seal located between the air stream tube, the air stream outlet, and / or the outer tube. In some configurations, the at least one seal permits lateral movement of the air stream outlet within the outer tube. The seal may include, for example, a face seal located between the air stream outlet and the air stream tube. In some configurations, the at least one seal permits both lateral and axial movement of the air stream outlet within the outer tube. The seal may include, for example, a bellows seal. Thus, depending on the configuration, the seal may include, for example, an O-ring, a T-seal, an L-seal, a face seal, or foam.

[0193] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0194] A housing including an upper chassis and a lower chassis, and a substantially continuous tongue-and-groove arrangement located between the upper chassis and the lower chassis.

[0195] In some configurations, the upper chassis includes left and right sidewalls, and the lower chassis includes left and right sidewalls, and a tenon-and-mortise arrangement is provided between these left and right sidewalls of the upper chassis and the lower chassis.

[0196] In some configurations, the device includes a chamber base for receiving a liquid chamber, and a tenon-and-mortise arrangement is provided between the upper chassis and the lower chassis around substantially the entire perimeter of the chamber base.

[0197] In some configurations, the device includes at least one tenon-and-mortise with beveled edges. In some configurations, the device includes at least one tenon-and-mortise arrangement having a space between a portion of the tongue and a portion of the groove.

[0198] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0199] A housing,

[0200] A mount for mounting the device to a bracket or a strut, and

[0201] A protrusion configured to cause the device to lean against the bracket or the strut when mounted to the bracket or the strut.

[0202] In some configurations, the mount includes a tongue, and the protrusion is provided on the tongue.

[0203] In some configurations, the protrusion is configured to cause the device to lean inwardly against the bracket at a suitable angle (such as 1 - 15°, or 1 - 10°, or 1 - 7°, or 1 - 5°, or 1 - 2°).

[0204] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0205] A housing, and

[0206] A mount for mounting the device to a bracket or a strut, wherein the mount is integrally formed with a portion of the housing.

[0207] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0208] A housing, and

[0209] An air flow tube defining an air flow channel for an air stream, wherein the air flow tube includes a T-shaped seal or an L-shaped seal to assist in sealing a port of the air flow tube to another component.

[0210] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0211] a housing,

[0212] a recess in the housing for receiving a motor and / or a sensor module, and

[0213] a component for providing functionality to the device and securable to the housing, wherein the component includes retention features arranged to extend beneath a base of the motor and / or the sensor module so as to maintain the motor and / or the sensor module in a proper position within the recess in the housing.

[0214] In some configurations, the component includes a battery securable to the housing. In some configurations, the battery includes a base flange or other protruding feature arranged to extend beneath a base of the motor and / or the sensor module. In some configurations, the component includes different functional components.

[0215] Additionally, in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein, a device for delivering an air stream is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0216] a housing,

[0217] an electrical connector including a receiving socket in the housing arranged to receive a plug of a power cord by moving the plug in a first direction, the electrical connector including a retainer to maintain engagement of the plug with the socket by moving the retainer in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction.

[0218] In some configurations, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. In some configurations, the first direction is vertical and the second direction is horizontal.

[0219] Features from one or more embodiments may be combined with features from one or more other embodiments. Additionally, more than one embodiment may be used together during a patient's respiratory support.

[0220] The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", there may also be features other than the feature or features after that term. Related terms, such as "comprise" and "comprises", are interpreted in the same manner.

[0221] It should be understood that alternative embodiments may include any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features shown, described or mentioned in this specification.

[0222] The invention may also be broadly stated as being directed to the parts, elements and features individually or jointly mentioned or indicated in the specification of this application, and to any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features.

[0223] To those skilled in the art of the present invention, many variations in structure and widely differing embodiments and applications of the present invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and descriptions herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting in any sense. When specific integers having known equivalents in the art of the present invention are mentioned herein, such known equivalents are considered to be incorporated herein as if individually listed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0224] From the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate the specific embodiments and modifications thereof, wherein:

[0225] Figure 1 A diagrammatic form of a respiratory assistance device in the form of a flow therapy device is shown.

[0226] Figure 2 is a front view of a flow therapy device having a humidifier chamber and a raised handle / lever in place.

[0227] Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 is a top view.

[0228] Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 2 is a right side view.

[0229] Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 2 is a left side view.

[0230] Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 2 is a rear view.

[0231] Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 2 is a left front perspective view.

[0232] Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 2 is a rear front perspective view.

[0233] Fig. 9corresponds to Figure 2 bottom view

[0234] Fig.10 shows a first configuration of the air and oxygen inlet arrangement of a flow therapy device

[0235] Fig.11 shows a second configuration of the air and oxygen inlet arrangement of a flow therapy device

[0236] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view showing Fig.11 other details of the air and oxygen inlet arrangement

[0237] Fig.13 is a cross-sectional view showing Fig.11 other details of the air and oxygen inlet arrangement

[0238] Fig.14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing Fig.11 other details of the air and oxygen inlet arrangement

[0239] Fig.15 is an exploded view of the upper chassis part and the lower chassis part of the main housing of a flow therapy device

[0240] Fig.16 is a left front perspective view of the lower chassis of the main housing, showing the housing for receiving the motor and / or sensor module subassembly

[0241] Fig.17a is a first bottom perspective view of the main housing of a flow therapy device, showing a recess for the motor and / or sensor module subassembly located inside the housing

[0242] Fig.17b is a second bottom perspective view of the main housing of a flow therapy device, showing a recess for the motor and / or sensor module subassembly

[0243] Fig.18 is a rear exploded perspective view, which schematically shows the air flow path through the flow therapy device by arrows

[0244] Fig.19 is a perspective view of the motor and / or sensor subassembly, the bottom side of the main housing, and the fixed elbow of the flow therapy device

[0245] Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the motor and / or sensor subassembly, which schematically shows the air flow path through the subassembly by arrows

[0246] Fig.21is a bottom side view of the cover and sensing PCB of the motor and / or sensor subassembly, showing the location of the sensor.

[0247] Fig.22a is a rear perspective view of the flow therapy device cut adjacent a rear edge of the device illustrating the arrangement of a portion of the main housing providing a recess for receiving a motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0248] Figure 22b is similar to Fig.22a But closer is a cutaway view of the front of the device.

[0249] Fig.22c is similar to Figure 22b But closer is a cutaway view of the front of the device.

[0250] Fig.22d is similar to Fig.22c But closer is a cutaway view of the front of the device.

[0251] Fig.22e is similar to Fig.22d But closer is a cutaway view of the front of the device.

[0252] Figure 22f is similar to Fig.22e But closer is a cutaway view of the front of the device.

[0253] Fig.23 is a front left perspective view of a fluid chamber for use in a flow therapy device.

[0254] Fig.24 is a front left perspective view of some components of a flow therapy device.

[0255] Fig.25 is similar to Fig.24 , but with the removable elbow retaining cover removed from the main housing.

[0256] Fig.26a yes Fig.25 A top perspective view of a removable elbow retaining cover.

[0257] Figure 26b yes Fig.25 A bottom side perspective view of a removable elbow retaining cover.

[0258] Fig. 27 is a top perspective view of the removable elbow as it is attached to the main housing.

[0259] Fig.28 is a perspective view of a removable elbow.

[0260] Fig.29Is a cross-sectional view of a removable elbow, showing electrical components and an air flow path.

[0261] Fig.30 Is an exploded view of a removable elbow showing disconnection from the electrical connector of the main housing.

[0262] Fig.31 Shows an exemplary electrical connector for use in the main housing.

[0263] Fig.32 Is a view showing Fig.30 and 31 of an electrical connector's connector protective cover in an exploded view.

[0264] Fig.33 Is a front perspective view of a flow therapy device showing a first configuration humidifier base for receiving a humidifier chamber, with the handle / lever in a raised position.

[0265] Fig.34 Is similar to Fig.33 but where the humidifier chamber is partially located in the humidifier base and is positioned by guide rails.

[0266] Fig.35 Is similar to Fig.34 where the handle / lever is partially lowered to further move the humidifier chamber into engagement within the humidifier base.

[0267] Fig.36 Is similar to Fig.35 where the handle / lever is further lowered.

[0268] Fig.37 Is similar to Fig.36 where the handle / lever is almost fully lowered.

[0269] Fig.38 Is similar to Fig.37 where the handle / lever is fully lowered and engaged with a retaining feature.

[0270] Fig.39 Is a top-side front perspective view of a flow therapy device showing a second configuration humidifier base for receiving a humidifier chamber, the second configuration humidifier base having an alternative configuration of guide rails with pawls for positioning the chamber in the humidifier base, and where the handle / lever is configured to assist in removing the liquid chamber from the chamber base.

[0271] Fig.40 Is a top-side front perspective view of the left guide rail and pawl.

[0272] Fig.41 Is a top-side front perspective view of the right guide rail and pawl.

[0273] Fig.42 is a top side perspective view of a retaining feature for engaging a handle / lever in a lowered or closed position.

[0274] Fig.43 is Figures 39 to 42 a top side front perspective view of the left side of the device of , showing a humidifier chamber engaged with a pawl.

[0275] Fig.44 is Figures 39 to 43 a top side front perspective view of the device of , showing an alternative configuration handle / lever in a raised position.

[0276] Fig.45 is Fig.44 a top side front perspective view of the device of , showing a handle / lever in a lowered or closed position.

[0277] Fig.46 is Fig.44 a top side front perspective view of the left side of the device of , showing details of the handle / lever.

[0278] Fig.47 is Fig.44 a top side front perspective view of the left side of the device of , showing exemplary pivot details of the handle / lever.

[0279] Fig.48 is a top side front perspective view showing details of a handle / lever pivot.

[0280] Fig.49 is Fig.44 a top side front perspective view of the left side of the device of , with the handle / lever in a raised position.

[0281] Fig.50 is Fig.44 a top side front perspective view of the device of , showing a chamber located in a humidifier base and with the handle / lever in a raised position.

[0282] Fig.51 shows a chamber located below a guide rail in the device of Fig.44 the device of .

[0283] Fig.52 is Fig.44 a top side front perspective view of the device of , where the chamber is located below the guide rail and the handle / lever is in a fully lowered or closed position.

[0284] Fig.53 is a view of a user interface display of a flow therapy device of any of the above figures.

[0285] Fig.54 is Fig.53 Longitudinal cross-sectional view of a user interface display showing a button configuration.

[0286] Fig.55 Is a top-side front perspective view of a flow therapy device showing an alternative configuration handle / lever where the handle / lever is in a lowered or closed position.

[0287] Fig.56 Is corresponding to Fig.55 View, but where the handle / lever is in a partially lifted position.

[0288] Fig.57 Is corresponding to Fig.55 View, but where the handle is in a fully lifted or open position and where the liquid chamber is positioned within the chamber base.

[0289] Fig.58 Is a right-side view of the flow therapy device, but where the handle / lever is in a partially lifted position and where the liquid chamber is positioned within the chamber base.

[0290] Fig.59 Is corresponding to Fig.55 View, but where the liquid chamber is positioned within the chamber base.

[0291] Fig.60 Is Figures 55 to 59 Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the flow therapy device showing the pivotal mounting of the handle / lever to the main housing when the handle / lever is in a lowered or closed position.

[0292] Fig.61 Is corresponding to Fig.60 View, but where the handle / lever is in a partially lifted position.

[0293] Fig.62 Is corresponding to Fig.60 View, but where the handle / lever is in a fully lifted or open position.

[0294] Fig.63 Is a perspective cross-sectional view where the handle / lever is in the Fig.61 Position.

[0295] Fig.64 Is corresponding to Fig.63 View, but where the handle / lever is in the Fig.62 Fully lifted or open position.

[0296] Fig.65 Is for use in a motor and / or sensor module subassembly for Figure 19-21 Or Figure 78-101 View of the motor.

[0297] Fig.66 is a side perspective view of an alternative removable elbow for use in a flow therapy device, the elbow being shown removed from the main housing.

[0298] Fig.67 is Fig.66 a front / side perspective view of the removable elbow of

[0299] Fig.68 is Fig.66 a bottom side rear perspective view of the removable elbow of

[0300] Fig.69 is Fig.66 a partial cross-sectional view of the removable elbow of

[0301] Fig.70 is Fig.66 a top side perspective view of the PCB electrical connector of the removable elbow of

[0302] Fig.71 is Fig.70 a top side plan view of the PCB electrical connector of

[0303] Fig.72 is a side perspective view of another alternative removable elbow for use in a flow therapy device, the elbow being shown removed from the main housing.

[0304] Fig.73 is Fig.72 a bottom side rear perspective view of the removable elbow of

[0305] Fig.74 is Fig.72 a front / side perspective view of the removable elbow of

[0306] Fig.75 is Fig.72 a top side plan view of the PCB electrical connector of the removable elbow of

[0307] Fig.76 is a partial top side front perspective view of a carrier for a display and user interface module, the carrier being part of the main housing of one of the flow therapy devices and having an elbow receiver configured to receive Fig.66 either the removable elbow of

[0308] Fig.77 is Fig.76 a top side front perspective view of the carrier and elbow receiver of

[0309] Fig.78 is a perspective view of a motor and / or sensor subassembly for use in a flow therapy device.

[0310] Fig.79Yes Fig.78 Perspective view of the base of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0311] Fig.80 Yes Fig.79 Another perspective view of the base of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0312] Fig.81 Is the top side perspective view of the base of the Fig.79 and 80 assembled with the motor / blower unit.

[0313] Fig.82 Yes Fig.81 Another top side perspective view of the base and the motor / blower unit of the

[0314] Fig.83 Yes Fig.78 Bottom view of the base of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0315] Fig.84 Yes Fig.78 Perspective view of the motor and / or sensor subassembly, where a portion of the covering layer is not shown and the connecting pipe or ferrule is shown.

[0316] Fig.85 Yes Fig.78 Perspective view of the middle section of the motor and / or sensor subassembly, and schematically shows the upper part of the air flow path from the covering layer.

[0317] Fig.86 Yes Fig.85 Top view of a portion of the middle section.

[0318] Fig.87 Yes Fig.86 Top side perspective view of these portions.

[0319] Fig.88 Yes Fig.78 Top side perspective view of the outlet air flow path and the sensing layer (which forms the lower part of the air flow path) of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0320] Fig.89 Yes Fig.78 Bottom side perspective view of the covering layer (which forms the upper part of the air flow path) of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0321] Fig.90 Yes, the PCB is in place Fig.78 Top side rear perspective view of the middle section of the motor and / or sensor subassembly, and schematically shows the upper part of the air flow path as seen from the covering layer.

[0322] Fig.91where the PCB is not in place Fig.78 Rear top perspective view of the mid-section of the motor and / or sensor subassembly of Fig.78 .

[0323] Fig.92 is Fig.78 Bottom perspective view of the outlet air flow path and sensing layer of the motor and / or sensor subassembly of Fig.78 .

[0324] Fig.93 is Fig.78 Top view of the cover layer of the motor and sensor subassembly of Fig.78 .

[0325] Fig.94 is Fig.92 Top side perspective view of the cover layer of Fig.92 .

[0326] Fig.95 is Fig.93 Bottom view of the cover layer of Fig.93 .

[0327] Fig.96 is Fig.78 Schematic diagram of the sealing arrangement between the gas outlet port of the motor and / or sensor subassembly of Fig.78 and a part of the housing of the flow therapy device of Figure 1 Figure 1 .

[0328] Fig.97 Shows the air flow path through the motor and / or sensor subassembly of Fig.78 Fig.78 .

[0329] Fig.98 is Fig.78 Another top side perspective view of the motor and / or sensor subassembly of Fig.78 .

[0330] Fig.99 is for Fig.78 Schematic diagram of the sealing arrangement of the PCB for the motor and / or sensor subassembly of Fig.78 .

[0331] Fig.100 is Fig.78 Top side perspective view of the PCB of the motor and / or sensor subassembly of Fig.78 .

[0332] Fig.101 Top side front perspective view of the flow therapy device, showing an alternative configuration handle / lever, where the handle / lever is in a lowered or closed position.

[0333] Fig.102 is Fig.101 Exploded top side front perspective view of some components of the device of Fig.101 .

[0334] Fig.103 is Fig.101 Exploded bottom perspective view of some components of the device of Fig.101 .

[0335] Fig.104 is Fig.101 an exploded top side perspective view of some components of the device.

[0336] Fig.105 is Fig.101 a left side view of some components of the handle / lever arrangement of the device.

[0337] Fig.106 is similar to Fig.105 the left side view, but shows the movement path of the pivot of the handle / lever.

[0338] Fig.107 shows Fig.101 a top side perspective view of the handle / lever of the device.

[0339] Fig.108 is Fig.101 a left side view of a part of the device, in which the handle / lever is in a substantially lowered or closed position.

[0340] Fig.109 corresponds to Fig.108 the view, in which the handle / lever is in a partially lifted position.

[0341] Fig.110 corresponds to Fig.108 the view, in which the handle / lever is in a further lifted position.

[0342] Fig.111 corresponds to Fig.108 the view, in which the handle / lever is in a fully lifted position.

[0343] Fig.112 is Fig.101 a detailed view of a part of the handle / lever arrangement, showing details of the step feature in the pivot cavity of the front pivot for the handle / lever arrangement.

[0344] Fig.113 shows Fig.101 the movement path of the terminal end of the handle / lever arrangement of the device.

[0345] Fig.114 shows Fig.106 and 108 to 112, a view of an alternative configuration of the second pivot cavity of the pivot cavity.

[0346] Fig.115 shows Fig.101 a left side sectional view of the details of the handle / lever arrangement of the device, in which the handle / lever is in a partially lifted position.

[0347] Fig.116 corresponds to Fig.115 View in which the handle / rod is in the fully lifted position.

[0348] Fig.117 is Fig.101 Top left front perspective view of the device, showing the handle / rod in the partially lifted position.

[0349] Fig.118 shows Fig.101 Top front perspective view of the housing, elbow arrangement and removable retaining cover of the device.

[0350] Fig.119 shows Fig.118 Bottom front perspective view of the details of the removable retaining cover.

[0351] Fig.120 shows Fig.101 Top right front perspective view of the housing of the device and an alternative removable retaining cover, with the retaining cover removed from the housing.

[0352] Fig.121 is similar to Fig.120 View, but shows the retaining cover engaged with the housing.

[0353] Fig.122 is Fig.101 Top perspective view of the electrical connector arrangement of the device.

[0354] Fig.123 is Fig.122 Another top perspective view of the electrical connector arrangement.

[0355] Fig.124 is Fig.122 Bottom perspective view of the electrical connector arrangement.

[0356] Fig.125 is Fig.122 Top perspective view of the electrical connector arrangement, showing the steps of connecting the power cord to the socket.

[0357] Fig.126 is Fig.101 Perspective view of a part of the interior of the device, showing the power cord harness guide.

[0358] Fig.127 is Fig.126 Perspective view of the power cord harness guide.

[0359] Fig.128 is from Fig.127 Opposite side perspective view of the power cord harness guide.

[0360] Fig.129 is Fig.101Rear bottom perspective view of the area of the housing of the device that receives the power cord.

[0361] Fig.130 Is a top side front perspective view seen from the inside of the housing, which shows the area of the housing corresponding to the Fig.129 area.

[0362] Fig.131 Is a side cross-sectional view through the Fig.101 USB connector arrangement of the device.

[0363] Fig.132 Is Fig.101 Rear perspective view of the device, which shows the battery pack and the Fig.131 USB connector arrangement.

[0364] Fig.133 Is Fig.101 Side perspective view of the device, which shows the integral mounting for mounting the device to a strut or bracket.

[0365] Fig.134 Is a schematic side perspective view of the Fig.101 device mounted to a strut or bracket.

[0366] Fig.135 Is Fig.101 Perspective view of the PCB electrical connector of the device, where the connector has a molded-over collar.

[0367] Fig.136 Is Fig.101 Top side front perspective view of the lower chassis of the device, which shows the Fig.135 exemplary placement of the PCB electrical connector.

[0368] Fig.137 Is Fig.72 Side view of the removable elbow, where the T-seal is in place on the elbow.

[0369] Fig.138 Is Fig.137 Cross-sectional view when the T-seal shown in

[0370] Fig.139 Is Fig.137 and 138 Schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the T-seal, which shows exemplary dimensions.

[0371] Fig.140 Is a perspective view of an alternative configuration removable elbow and an alternative configuration T-seal for use in a flow treatment device.

[0372] Fig.141 Is Fig.140Perspective cross-sectional view of a removable elbow and a T-shaped seal.

[0373] Fig.142 Is a perspective view of an alternative configuration removable elbow for use in a flow therapy device and an adapted T-shaped seal similar to an L-shaped seal.

[0374] Fig.143 Is Fig.142 Perspective cross-sectional view of a removable elbow and a seal.

[0375] Fig.144 Shows an inlet port of a removable elbow connected to an outlet port of a liquid chamber and shows a mechanical counterweight feature.

[0376] Fig.145 Is Fig.101 Bottom rear perspective view of an alternative configuration of the lower chassis of a flow therapy device in the region where the electrical connector is located.

[0377] Fig.146 Is Fig.145 Bottom side perspective view of a holder for an electrical connector.

[0378] Fig.147 Is Fig.146 Top side view of the holder.

[0379] Fig.148 Is a front top side perspective view of an alternative configuration inlet elbow for use in a flow therapy device.

[0380] Fig.149 Is Fig.148 Bottom rear perspective view of the inlet elbow.

[0381] Fig.150 Is Fig.148 And 149 Front perspective view of the inlet elbow, showing a check valve.

[0382] Fig.151 Is Fig.101 Top side front perspective view of an alternative lower chassis of a flow therapy device, showing a tongue and / or groove feature.

[0383] Fig.152 Is Fig.151 Another top side front perspective view of the lower chassis, showing a tongue and / or groove feature.

[0384] Fig.153 Is Fig.101 Top side rear perspective view of an alternative upper chassis of a flow therapy device, showing a tongue and / or groove feature.

[0385] Fig.154 Is Fig.153Top side front perspective view of the upper chassis, which shows the tongue and / or groove features.

[0386] Fig.155 It is a Figures 151 to 154 upper chassis and lower chassis of Fig.101 Partial side cross-sectional view of the flow therapy device, which shows the position of the tongue and groove arrangement.

[0387] Fig.156 It is a view showing detail D156 of the tongue and groove arrangement in the battery area.

[0388] Fig.157 It is a view showing detail D157 of the tongue and groove arrangement.

[0389] Fig.158 It is a view showing detail D158 of the tongue and groove arrangement.

[0390] Fig.159 It is a view showing detail D159 of the tongue and groove arrangement.

[0391] Fig.160 It is a view showing detail D160 of the tongue and groove arrangement in the communication connector arrangement area.

[0392] Fig.161 It is a schematic diagram of the tongue and groove arrangement of a configuration for use in a flow therapy device.

[0393] Fig.162 It is a schematic diagram of the tongue and groove arrangement of another configuration for use in a flow therapy device.

[0394] Fig.163 It is Fig.101 Rear view of the device, which shows the larger battery in place on the rear of the device.

[0395] Fig.164 It is a Fig.163 Bottom side rear perspective view of the device with the battery shown, which shows the overlap between the base flange of the battery and the motor and / or sensor module.

[0396] Fig.165 Side perspective view of an alternative removable elbow for use in a flow therapy device.

[0397] Fig.166 It is Fig.165 Bottom side view of the removable elbow.

[0398] Fig.167 It is Fig.166 Top side perspective view of the PCB electrical connector of the removable elbow.

[0399] Fig.168 It is Fig.167Plan view of the PCB electrical connector.

[0400] Fig.169 is Fig.165 Partial transparent top side perspective view of the removable elbow, showing some details of the PCB electrical connector.

[0401] Fig.170 is Fig.165 Partial transparent top side perspective view of the removable elbow, showing alternative details of the PCB electrical connector.

[0402] Fig.171 is Fig.165 Partial transparent top side perspective view of the removable elbow, showing alternative details of the PCB electrical connector.

[0403] Fig.172 is Fig.165 Partial transparent top side perspective view of the removable elbow, showing alternative details of the PCB electrical connector.

[0404] Fig.173 Top side perspective view of the carrier for the display and user interface module, which is part of the main housing of one of the flow treatment devices.

[0405] Fig.174 is Fig.173 Bottom side perspective view of the carrier.

[0406] Fig.175 is for use with Fig.173 and 174 Bottom side perspective view of the removable retaining cover for use with the carrier.

[0407] Fig.176 is for attaching Fig.175 the removable retaining cover to Fig.173 and 174 Perspective view of the flexible tether for attaching the removable retaining cover to the carrier

[0408] Fig.177 Perspective view of the motor and / or sensor subassembly for use in a flow treatment device.

[0409] Fig.178 Top side perspective view of the base of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0410] Fig.179 Top side perspective view of the base and middle section of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0411] Fig.180 Bottom side view of the middle section of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0412] Fig.181Is a perspective view of the middle section of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0413] Fig.182 Is a top side perspective view of the cover layer of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0414] Fig.183 Is a partial exploded view of some components of the motor and / or sensor subassembly.

[0415] Fig.184 Is a perspective view of a patient breathing conduit arrangement utilizing a T-shaped seal or an L-shaped seal.

[0416] Fig.185 Shows Fig.184 The internal portion of the connector of the patient breathing conduit arrangement of

[0417] Fig.186 Is Fig.184 And 185 A partially transparent view of the connector of the patient breathing conduit arrangement of Detailed Description

[0418] 1. Introduction

[0419] Figure 1 Shows the flow therapy device 10. Generally speaking, the device 10 includes a main housing 100 that houses a flow generator 11 in the form of a motor / impeller arrangement, an optional humidifier 12, a controller 13, and a user I / O interface 14 (including, for example, display and input devices such as buttons, touchscreens, etc.). The controller 13 is configured or programmed to control the components of the device, including: operating the flow generator 11 to generate an air stream (airflow) for delivery to a patient; operating the humidifier 12 (if present) to humidify and / or heat the generated air stream; receiving user input from the user interface 14 for reconfiguring the device 10 and / or user-defined operations; and outputting information to the user (e.g., on a display). The user can be a patient, a healthcare professional, or any other person interested in using the device.

[0420] The patient breathing conduit 16 is coupled to the gas flow outlet 344 in the housing 100 of the flow therapy device 10 and is coupled to a patient interface 17 (such as a nasal cannula) having a manifold 19 and nasal prongs 18. Additionally or alternatively, the patient breathing conduit 16 may be coupled to a face mask. Additionally or alternatively, the patient breathing conduit may be coupled to a nasal pillow nasal mask, and / or a nasal mask, and / or a tracheostomy interface, or any other suitable type of patient interface. The gas flow generated by the flow therapy device 10 that may be humidified is delivered to the patient through the cannula 17 via the patient breathing conduit 16. The patient breathing conduit 16 may have a heating wire 16a to heat the gas flow passing therethrough to the patient. The heating wire 16a is controlled by the controller 13. The patient breathing conduit 16 and / or the patient interface 17 may be considered part of the flow therapy device 10 or, alternatively, be peripheral to the flow therapy device. The flow therapy device 10, the breathing conduit 16, and the patient interface 17 together form a flow therapy system.

[0421] The general operation of the flow therapy breathing device 10 will be known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in detail herein. Generally speaking, however, the controller 13 controls the flow generator 11 to generate a gas flow having a desired flow rate; controls one or more valves to control the mixing of air and oxygen or other alternative gases; and controls the humidifier 12 (if present) to humidify the gas flow and / or heat the gas flow to an appropriate level. The gas flow is directed to the patient through the patient breathing conduit 16 and the cannula 17. The controller 13 may also control the heating element in the humidifier 12 and / or the heating element 16a in the patient breathing conduit 16 to heat the gas to a desired temperature to achieve a desired level of patient treatment and / or comfort. The controller 13 may be programmed with or may determine a suitable target gas flow temperature.

[0422] Operating sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 20, 25 (such as flow, temperature, humidity, and / or pressure sensors) may be placed at various locations in the flow therapy device 10 and / or the patient breathing conduit 16 and / or the cannula 17. The output from the sensors may be received by the controller 13 to assist the controller in operating the flow therapy device 10 in a manner that provides optimal treatment. In some configurations, providing optimal treatment includes meeting the patient's inspiratory demand. The device 10 may have a transmitter and / or receiver 15 to enable the controller 13 to receive signals from the sensors and / or control different components of the flow therapy device 10, including but not limited to the flow generator 11, the humidifier 12, and the heating wire 16a, or accessories or peripherals associated with the flow therapy device 10. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter and / or receiver 15 may deliver data to a remote server or enable remote control of the device 10.

[0423] The flow therapy device 10 can be any suitable type of device, but in some configurations, high airflow or high-flow therapy (such as air, oxygen, other gas mixtures, or some combination thereof) can be delivered to a patient to assist with breathing and / or treat respiratory disorders. In some configurations, the gas is or contains oxygen. In some configurations, the gas contains a blend of oxygen and ambient air. As used herein, "high-flow therapy" can refer to delivering gas to a patient at a flow rate greater than or equal to about 10 liters per minute (10 LPM). In some configurations, "high-flow therapy" can refer to delivering gas to a patient at a flow rate between: about 10 LPM and about 100 LPM, or about 15 LPM and about 95 LPM, or about 20 LPM and about 90 LPM, or about 25 LPM and about 85 LPM, or about 30 LPM and about 80 LPM, or about 35 LPM and about 75 LPM, or about 40 LPM and about 70 LPM, or about 45 LPM and about 65 LPM, or about 50 LPM and about 60 LPM. The gas delivered can contain a certain percentage of oxygen. In some configurations, the percentage of oxygen in the gas delivered can be between about 20% and about 100%, or about 30% and about 100%, or about 40% and about 100%, or about 50% and about 100%, or about 60% and about 100%, or about 70% and about 100%, or about 80% and about 100%, or about 90% and about 100%, or about 100%, or 100%.

[0424] High-flow therapy has been found to be effective in meeting or exceeding a patient's inspiratory demand, enhancing a patient's oxygenation, and / or reducing the work of breathing. Additionally, high-flow therapy can create a flushing effect in the nasopharynx such that the anatomic dead space of the upper respiratory tract is flushed by the high inflow of gas. This creates a reservoir of fresh gas available for each breath while minimizing rebreathing of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, etc.

[0425] The patient interface can be a non-sealing interface to prevent barotrauma (e.g., tissue damage to the lungs or other organs of the respiratory system due to a pressure differential relative to the atmosphere). The patient interface can be a nasal cannula with a manifold and nasal prongs, and / or a face mask, and / or a nasal pillow nasal mask, and / or a nasal mask, and / or a tracheostomy interface, or any other suitable type of patient interface.

[0426] As Figures 2 to 54 shown and as described below, the flow therapy device 10 has various features to assist with the operation, use, and / or configuration of the device 10.

[0427] 2. Overview of the Description of the Main Housing

[0428] As Figures 2 to 18As shown, the flow therapy device 10 includes a main housing 100. The main housing 100 has a main housing upper chassis 102 and a main housing lower chassis 202.

[0429] The main housing upper chassis 102 has a peripheral wall arrangement 106. The peripheral wall arrangement defines a humidifier or liquid chamber base 108 for receiving a removable liquid chamber 300. The removable liquid chamber 300 houses a suitable liquid, such as water, for humidifying the gas to be delivered to the patient.

[0430] In the form shown, the peripheral wall arrangement 106 of the main housing upper chassis 102 includes: a substantially vertical left outer wall 110 that is oriented in the front-to-back direction of the main housing 100; a substantially vertical left inner wall 112 that is oriented in the front-to-back direction of the main housing 100; and an interconnecting wall 114 that extends between the upper ends of the left outer wall 110 and the inner wall 112 and interconnects these upper ends. The main housing upper chassis 102 further includes: a substantially vertical right outer wall 116 that is oriented in the front-to-back direction of the main housing 100; a substantially vertical right inner wall 118 that is oriented in the front-to-back direction of the main housing 100; and an interconnecting wall 120 that extends between the upper ends of the right outer wall 116 and the inner wall 118 and interconnects these upper ends. These interconnecting walls 114, 120 are inclined towards the corresponding outer edges of the main housing 100, but may alternatively be substantially horizontal or inclined inwards.

[0431] The main housing upper chassis 102 further includes a substantially vertical rear outer wall 122. The upper portion of the main housing upper chassis 102 includes a forwardly inclined surface 124. The surface 124 has a recess 126 for receiving the display and user interface module 14 shown in more detail in Fig.53 and 54 . An interconnecting wall 128 extends between the upper end of the rear outer wall 122 and the rear edge of the surface 124 and interconnects this upper end and this rear edge.

[0432] A substantially vertical wall portion 130 extends downwardly from the front end of the surface 124. A substantially horizontal wall portion 132 extends forwardly from the lower end of the wall portion 130 to form a lug. A substantially vertical wall portion 134 extends downwardly from the front end of the wall portion 132 and terminates at a substantially horizontal bottom plate portion 136 of the liquid chamber base 108. The left inner wall 112, the right inner wall 118, the wall portion 134, and the bottom plate portion 136 together define the liquid chamber base 108. The bottom plate portion 136 of the liquid chamber base 108 has a recess 138 for receiving a heater arrangement, such as a heating plate 140 or other suitable heating element, for heating the liquid in the liquid chamber 300 for use during the humidification process.

[0433] The bottom plate portion 136 of the liquid chamber base 108 terminates at a location that does not reach the front edges of the left inner wall 112 and the right inner wall 118 to form a downwardly extending lip 142. The lip 142 forms a recessed portion for receiving the handle portion 506 of the rod member 500 for use in assisting the insertion of the liquid chamber 300, as will be further described below. The liquid chamber base 108 further includes opposing guiding features in the form of a left horizontally extending rail 144 and a right horizontally extending rail 146, which extend from the corresponding left inner wall 112 and right inner wall 118 towards the center of the base 108 to assist in guiding the liquid chamber 300 into the proper position in the base 108, as will be described in detail below.

[0434] The main housing lower chassis 202 is attachable to the upper chassis 102 by suitable fasteners or integrated attachment features (such as clamps). The main housing lower chassis 202 includes: a substantially vertical left outer wall 210, which is oriented in the front-to-back direction of the main housing 100 and is connected to the left outer wall 110 of the upper chassis 102; and a substantially vertical right outer wall 216, which is oriented in the front-to-back direction of the main housing 100 and is connected to the right outer wall 116 of the upper chassis 102. The main housing lower chassis 202 further includes a substantially vertical rear outer wall 222, which is connected to the rear outer wall 122 of the upper chassis 102.

[0435] The housing lower chassis 202 has a lip 242, which is connected to the lip 142 of the housing upper chassis 102 and also forms a recessed portion for receiving the handle portion 506 of the rod member 500. The lower lip 242 includes a forwardly oriented protrusion 243, which acts as a retainer for the handle portion 506 of the rod member 500.

[0436] The bottom side of the housing lower chassis 202 includes a bottom wall 230. Corresponding interconnecting walls 214, 220, 228 extend between the substantially vertical walls 210, 216, 222 and the bottom wall 230 and interconnect these walls and the bottom wall. The bottom wall 230 includes a grille 232 having a plurality of apertures to enable drainage of liquid in the event of leakage from the liquid chamber 300 (e.g., due to spillage). The bottom wall 230 additionally includes an elongated front-to-back oriented slot 234. The slot 234 also enables drainage of liquid in the event of leakage from the liquid chamber 300, thereby preventing the liquid from entering the electronic housing. In the illustrated configuration, the heating plate 140 is not supported by the outer portion of the bottom wall 230, and thus, the slot 234 can be wide and elongated relative to the apertures of the grille 232 to maximize liquid drainage.

[0437] As Figures 17a to 22f shown, the lower chassis 202 has a for receiving in Figures 19 to 21The motor recess 250 of the removable motor and / or sensor module 400 shown and described in further detail below. The recess opening 251 is disposed in the bottom wall 230 adjacent its trailing edge to receive the Fig.19 and 21 as well as Figures 22b to 22f the removable motor and / or sensor module 400 shown and described in further detail below. A continuous, gas-impermeable, unbroken peripheral wall 252 is integrally formed with the bottom wall 230 of the lower chassis 202 and extends upwardly from the periphery of the opening 251. A rear portion 254 of the peripheral wall 252 has a first height and a front portion 256 of the peripheral wall 252 has a second height that is greater than the first height. The rear portion 254 of the peripheral wall 252 terminates at a substantially horizontal step 258 which in turn terminates at an upper auxiliary rear portion 260 of the peripheral wall 252. The front portion 256 of the peripheral wall 252 and the upper auxiliary rear portion 260 terminate at a ceiling 262. Except for the air flow passage, the walls and the ceiling 262 are all continuous, gas-impermeable and unbroken. As can be seen more clearly from Figure 22f the tube 264 forming the air flow passage is integrally formed with the ceiling 262, where the ceiling surrounds the tube 264 and extends outwardly from the tube. Thus, except for the air flow passage, the entire motor recess 250 is gas-impermeable and unbroken.

[0438] As Figure 22f shown, the tube 264 forming the air flow passage extends upwardly through an outer downwardly extending tube or conduit 133 integrally formed with the lug 132 of the housing upper chassis 102. The tube 264 extends at least as far as the lug 132 and may extend to a point where it is higher than the lug 132. A soft seal such as an O-ring seal (not shown) is positioned between the outer side of the air flow passage tube 264 and the inner side of the outer downwardly extending tube 133 to provide a seal between these components during assembly. In other configurations, the air flow passage tube 264 and the downwardly extending tube 133 may be configured to mate together via an interference or press-fit arrangement while still providing a seal between these components during assembly. Still other configurations between the air flow passage tube 264 and the downwardly extending tube 133 are envisioned, including but not limited to latch / catch-style fittings and bayonet fittings. The tube 264 terminates below a cover 150 described in further detail below.

[0439] The configuration is such that if any gas leaks from the motor or follows the airflow path of the motor via any seal, then the gas will be discharged to the atmosphere rather than seeping into the interior of the main housing that houses the control board and other electrical components as described below. The electrical components and the electronics board in the housing are pneumatically isolated from the airflow path. The only possibility for gas to leak into the part of the main housing 100 that houses the electronics board and other electrical components would be in the case of a physical crack in the housing 100 or another physical component. The pressure upstream of the impeller in the motor of the motor and / or sensor module 400 can be lower than the pressure in the part of the main housing 100 that houses the electrical / electronic components, which also aids in discharging any gas leakage to the atmosphere.

[0440] There will be a pressure drop in the airflow as it moves through the system due to the formation of gas turbulence and due to friction (e.g., as the gas passes along the walls defining the gas channels).

[0441] If there is a fault (e.g., a crack) in the housing defining the motor and / or sensor module 400, the leakage (to the atmosphere) at the fault will greatly reduce the pressure of the downstream gas (e.g., in the part of the main housing 100 that houses the electrical / electronic components), which reduces the likelihood or severity of leakage into the electrical / electronic components if another fault is encountered downstream.

[0442] In the motor and / or sensor module 400, the pressure upstream / before the motor impeller is lower and the pressure downstream / after the motor impeller is higher. Electrical connections for the motor will be provided upstream of the motor impeller, in the low-pressure region. If the housing has a fault in the part near the electrical connection, air will be sucked into the low-pressure side.

[0443] In an alternative configuration, the motor recesses including items 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 264 can be formed separately from the lower chassis 202. The motor assembly including the recess can be insertable into the recess opening 251 and attachable to the lower chassis 202. When the motor assembly and the recess are inserted into the lower chassis 202, the airflow channel tube 264 will extend through the downward extending tube 133 and be sealed by a soft seal.

[0444] In the shown form, the recess 250 includes a recess opening in the bottom wall of the housing. Alternatively, the recess opening can be located in a different part of the housing, such as the side, front, or top of the housing.

[0445] The desired configuration provides a chamber that is shaped to receive as referenced below Fig.19 and 20The removable motor and / or sensor module 400 described. The inner wall of the recess 250 (including but not limited to portions of the peripheral wall 252) may be provided with guides and / or mounting features to assist in positioning and / or attaching the module 400 within the recess 250. The removable motor and / or sensor module 400 is a flow generator and includes a motor 402 with an impeller that acts as a blower to deliver gas via the liquid chamber 300 to the patient interface 17. It should be understood that the shape of the chamber may change according to the shape of the motor / sensor module 400. However, the chamber will be provided with a continuous, gas-impermeable and unbroken wall and roof to isolate the gas flow from the electrical and electronic components in the main housing 100.

[0446] Reference Fig.23 , the removable liquid chamber 300 includes an outer housing 302 that defines a reservoir, a liquid chamber gas inlet port 306 that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a liquid chamber gas outlet port 308 that is in fluid communication with the reservoir. A baffle 304 is disposed inside the reservoir to define an air flow path through the liquid chamber 300. The lower edge of the liquid chamber 300 includes an outwardly directed annular flange 310 that interacts with the guide rails 144, 146 in the chamber base 108 for positioning and holding the liquid chamber 300 within the chamber base 108. The flange 310 extends outwardly from the base of the peripheral wall 312 of the liquid chamber 300. The bottom wall of the liquid chamber 300 is thermally conductive and is adapted to rest on the heating plate 140 to heat the liquid in the liquid chamber 300.

[0447] The device 10 includes a connection manifold arrangement 320 for fluidly coupling the liquid chamber 300 to the device 10. The liquid chamber 300 may be fluidly coupled to the device 10 by making a linear sliding-in motion in a backward direction as the liquid chamber 300 enters the chamber base 108, i.e., in a direction from a position at the front of the housing 100 towards the rear of the housing 100. The connection manifold arrangement 320 includes a manifold gas outlet port 322 that is in fluid communication with the air flow passage from the motor / impeller unit 402 via a fixed L-shaped elbow 324. As Figure 22f shown, the lower portion 325 of the elbow 324 that forms the air flow inlet port of the elbow extends downward into the interior of the air flow passage tube 264, preferably to a position below the lower end of the air flow passage tube 264. A soft seal such as an O-ring seal is provided between the outer side of the lower portion 325 and the inner side of the air flow passage tube 264 to seal between these components.

[0448] The connection manifold arrangement 320 further includes a manifold gas inlet port 340 (humidified gas return) embodied specifically in a removable elbow 342. The removable elbow 342 is L-shaped and further includes a patient outlet port 344 for connection to the patient breathing conduit 16 to deliver gas to the patient interface 17. The manifold gas outlet port 322, the manifold gas inlet port 340, and the patient outlet port 344 each include a soft seal such as an O-ring seal (not shown) to provide a sealed gas path between the device 10, the liquid chamber 300, and the patient breathing conduit 16.

[0449] The liquid chamber gas inlet port 306 is complementary to the connection manifold gas outlet port 322, and the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308 is complementary to the connection manifold gas inlet port 340. The axes of these ports are preferably parallel to enable insertion of the liquid chamber 300 into the chamber base 108 by linear movement.

[0450] The device 10 has an air and oxygen (or alternative auxiliary gas) inlet in fluid communication with the motor 402 to enable the motor 402 to deliver air, oxygen, or a suitable mixture thereof to the liquid chamber 300 and thus to the patient. In some configurations, the gas comprises a blend of oxygen and ambient air. As Fig.10 shown, the device 10 may have a mixed air / oxygen (or alternative auxiliary gas) inlet arrangement 350. Such an arrangement includes a mixed air / oxygen port 352 leading into the housing 100, a filter 354, and a cover 356 having a laterally extending oxygen tube 358 in fluid communication with an oxygen source. The port 352 is in fluid connection with the motor 402. For example, the port 352 may be connected to the motor and / or the sensor module 400 via an air flow passage between the port 352 and an inlet orifice or port in the motor and / or the sensor module 400 which in turn leads to the motor. Such an arrangement may be of the type described in patent application US 2014 / 0345615, and the content of that specification is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0451] Alternatively, the device 10 may have Figures 11 to 14The arrangement shown enables the motor 402 to deliver air, oxygen (or alternative assist gas), or a suitable mixture thereof to the liquid chamber 300 and thus to the patient. This arrangement includes an air inlet 356' in the rear wall 222 of the lower chassis 202 of the housing 100. The air inlet 356' includes a rigid plate with apertures and / or slots having a suitable grille arrangement. Sound deadening foam may be disposed adjacent the plate on the inner side thereof. An air filter housing 354' is positioned adjacent the air inlet 356' inside the main housing 100 and includes an air outlet port 360 for delivering filtered air to the motor 402 via an air inlet port 404 in the motor and / or sensor module 400. The air filter housing 354' may include a filter configured to remove particles (such as dust) and / or pathogens (such as viruses or bacteria) from the air stream. A soft seal such as an O-ring seal will be provided between the air outlet port 360 and the air inlet port 404 to seal between these components. The device 10 includes a separate oxygen inlet port 358' positioned at the rear end of the housing adjacent one side of the housing 100. The oxygen port 358' is for receiving oxygen from an oxygen source such as a piped oxygen reservoir or source. The oxygen inlet port 358' is in fluid communication with a proportional oxygen valve 362. The oxygen valve 362 will suitably be a solenoid valve that is capable of controlling the amount of oxygen added to the air stream delivered to the liquid chamber 300. It should be understood that in alternative configurations, the oxygen port 358' and the proportional oxygen valve 362 may be used with other assist gases to control the addition of other assist gases to the air stream. Other assist gases may include any one or more of a number of gases useful for gas therapy, including but not limited to heliox and nitric oxide.

[0452] As Figures 13 to 16 As shown in FIGS. 22b through 22f, the housing lower chassis 202 carries a suitable electronic circuit board 272, such as a printed circuit board. The electronic circuit board is positioned adjacent the corresponding outer side walls 210, 216 of the housing lower chassis 202. The electronic circuit board 272 houses or is in electrical communication with suitable electrical or electronic components, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, capacitors, resistors, diodes, operational amplifiers, comparators, and switches. Sensors may be used. Components of the electronic circuit board 272, such as but not limited to one or more microprocessors, act as the controller 13 of the device.

[0453] One or both of the electronic circuit boards 272 are in electrical communication with the electrical components of the device 10, including the display unit and user interface 14, the motor 402, the oxygen valve 362, and the heating plate 140, in order to operate the motor 402 to provide a desired flow rate of gas, operate the humidifier 12 to humidify and heat the air stream to an appropriate level, and supply an appropriate amount of oxygen (or in alternative configurations, an appropriate amount of alternative assist gas) to the air stream.

[0454] The electronic circuit board 272 is in electrical communication with a connector arrangement 274 that protrudes from the rear wall 122 of the upper chassis 102 of the housing. The connector arrangement 274 can be coupled to a care alarm, a pulse oximeter port, and / or other suitable accessories. The electronic circuit board 272 is also in electrical communication with an electrical connector 276 disposed in the rear wall 122 of the upper chassis 102 of the housing to provide mains power or battery power to components of the device 10. The electronic circuit board 272 is also in electrical communication with an electrical connector 278 for the removable elbow 342, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below.

[0455] As mentioned above, operating sensors (such as flow, temperature, humidity, and / or pressure sensors) can be placed at various locations in the flow therapy device 10 and / or the patient breathing conduit 16 and / or the cannula 17. The electronic circuit board 272 will be in electrical communication with these sensors. The output from the sensors can be received by the controller 13 to assist the controller 13 in operating the flow therapy device 10 in a manner that provides optimal therapy (including meeting respiratory demands).

[0456] As outlined above, the electronic circuit board 272 and other electrical and electronic components are pneumatically isolated from the airflow path, thereby reducing or avoiding any risk of fire or explosion that might otherwise occur in the absence of isolation.

[0457] The different aspects of the device will now be described in more detail.

[0458] 3. Motor and / or Sensor Module

[0459] Figures 19 to 22f The removable motor and / or sensor module or subassembly 400 is shown in more detail. As discussed above, the lower chassis 202 includes a recess 250 for receiving the motor and / or sensor module 400.

[0460] In Figures 19 to 21 the form shown, the motor and / or sensor module 400 includes three main components arranged in a stack: a base 403 of the subassembly 400 (on which the motor 402 is positioned), an outlet airflow path and sensing layer 420 positioned above the base 403, and a cover layer 440. The base 403, the sensing layer 420, and the cover layer 440 are assembled together to form a subassembly housing having a shape complementary to the shape of the recess 250, such that the subassembly 400 can be received within the recess 250. The base 403 is configured to close the recess opening 251 when the subassembly 400 is positioned within the recess 250. The subassembly 400 can be maintained in place within the recess in any suitable manner (such as using fasteners, clamps, or a quick-release arrangement).

[0461] The sensing layer includes an airflow path having one or more sensors, the airflow path being arranged to deliver gas to an outlet port of the housing.

[0462] The motor 402 has a body 408 that defines an impeller chamber that houses the impeller. The motor 402 can be any suitable gas blower motor and can be, for example, the type of motor and impeller assembly described in published PCT specification WO2013 / 009193 and shown, for example, Fig.65 in. The content of this specification is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0463] A plurality of vibration isolation structures 412 are positioned at spaced-apart locations around the perimeter of the body 408. The vibration isolation structures 412 are configured to absorb vibrations caused by the movement of the impeller or other components of the motor 402 during operation. Absorbing the vibrations can reduce the flutter of the motor 402 within the subassembly housing, which in turn can reduce the noise emitted by the motor 402. Absorbing the vibrations can also relieve material fatigue on different components of the subassembly 400. The vibration isolation structures 412 can be constructed of a silicone material. In other configurations, other elastic materials can be used, including but not limited to acrylic resin and polyurethane resin. In the form shown, the vibration isolation structures 412 include upright plastic posts that have elastic cylindrical sleeves positioned over the posts. These vibration isolation structures are mounted to the body 408 and are received in recesses located in the base and the sensor layer. Alternatively, this arrangement can be reversed. In another alternative, mounting posts can be provided on the base and the sensor layer, where the posts are mated or connected to each other in the elastic sleeves. In other configurations, the vibration isolation structures 412 can take different forms. For example, in an alternative configuration, the vibration isolation structures 412 can include one or more overmolded features located on the body 408. In still other alternative configurations, the vibration isolation structures 412 can include one or more springs, elastic structures (e.g., threaded joints, protrusions, blocks, sheets, etc.), or foam structures (e.g., encapsulations, "ring" shaped fittings around the perimeter of the body 408, etc.) attached to one or more sides of the body 408. In still other configurations, the inner walls of the base 403 and / or the sensing layer 420 can include vibration isolation structures that isolate the body 408.

[0464] The gas outlet 406 is in fluid communication with an outlet airflow path stacked on top of the motor and a gas inlet of the sensing layer 420. This layer 420 includes a body 422 having a plurality of mounting legs 425 that can be inserted into a plurality of mounting slots (not shown) of the base 403 to fix the body 422 to the base 403. In other configurations, other structures or arrangements can be used to fix the body 422 to the base 403, including but not limited to fasteners, clamps, or quick-release arrangements. In one configuration, the body 422 defines an airflow path that couples the gas outlet 406 with the gas inlet of the airflow path and sensing layer 420. Alternative configurations such as but not limited to connecting pipes can be used to couple the gas outlet 406 with the gas inlet.

[0465] The body 422 defines a lower portion 426 of the sensing and airflow path. The cover layer 440 has a body 442 that defines an upper portion 446 of the sensing and airflow path, where the lower portion 426 and the upper portion 446 are substantially corresponding in shape to each other.

[0466] As Fig. 20 and 21 shown, the airflow path includes linear elongated airflow portions 428, 448. The inlets are in fluid communication with tangential inlet portions 430, 450 of the airflow path, which are positioned at or adjacent to the inlet ends of the linear elongated portions 428, 448 of the airflow path. Recesses 433, 453 and 434, 454 can be provided at opposite ends of the linear elongated portions of the airflow path.

[0467] The airflow outlet port 452 extends vertically through the body 442 of the cover layer 440 and is positioned at or adjacent to the opposite outlet ends of the linear elongated portions 428, 448 of the airflow path. As for example Fig.22d and 22e shown, the gas outlet port 452 is in fluid communication with an upper portion of the motor recess 250, which in turn is in fluid communication with the airflow channel. Also, due to the configuration of the walls 252 and the top plate 262 of the recess 250, if there is gas leakage from the motor / sensor module 400, then the gas will be discharged to the atmosphere rather than into the portion of the main housing 100 that houses a large number of electronic devices and control equipment. The recess 250 can include spacers (such as lugs) protruding downward from the top plate 262 as Fig.17b shown to maintain a suitable spacing for airflow between the gas outlet port 452 and the top plate 262 of the recess.

[0468] From Fig. 20It can be seen that at least the portion of the air flow path that passes through and exits the motor and / or the sensing module 400 has a tortuous or meandering configuration. For example, the direction in which the air flow travels through the elongate portions 428, 448 is generally completely different from the direction in which the air flow travels from the gas outlet port 452 through the elbow 324 to the inlet of the air flow passage.

[0469] As Fig.21 shown, the cover layer 440 includes a sensing printed circuit board (PCB) 456. The cover layer 440 may also include one or more temperature sensors, such as thermistors, located in the elongate portions 428, 448 of the air flow path. One sensor will measure the gas temperature, while the other may act as a redundant temperature sensor. Alternatively, one of these thermistors may be used as a reference flow sensor (e.g., via acting as a constant temperature thermistor), and the measured temperature may be used to determine the flow rate of the gas through portions 428, 448 of the air flow path. The one or more temperature sensors may be positioned on the air flow-facing portion of the sensing PCB 456. The sensing PCB 456 may additionally include other sensors, including but not limited to pressure sensors, humidity sensors, and dew point sensors.

[0470] One or both of the electronic circuit boards 272 will be in electrical communication or coupled with these sensors to process the information received from these sensors and operate the device 10 based on the information received from these sensors.

[0471] The sensing layer 420 and the cover layer 440 include complementary positioning features 438, 458 to correctly position the layers relative to each other. In the form shown, these positioning features include protrusions 438 and complementary recesses 458; however, other features may be provided. The base 403, the sensing layer 420, and the cover layer 440 (and optionally the motor 402) may be fastened together using fasteners (e.g., screws) that extend through apertures in the components of the subassembly 400. Alternatively, different fastening arrangements may be used. For example, the layers 403, 420, 440 may be adhered or fused together.

[0472] The cover layer 440 has a grid arrangement of vertical walls on its upper surface to minimize water infiltration in the event of water leakage from the fixed elbow 324. The grid arrangement can thus help prevent water that may have entered the subassembly 400 (due to, for example, an accidental tilt of the filled liquid chamber 300 located in the chamber base 108) from entering the air outlet port 452 and damaging the electrical components of the subassembly 400. In an alternative configuration, the upper surface of the cover layer 440 may define a basin having a bottom wall that is lower than the upper portion of the air outlet port 452 to receive water.

[0473] In an alternative configuration, the motor / impeller unit can be located remotely from the device 10. In this configuration, the module received in the recess 250 can include only an airflow path and different sensors for delivering gas to the fixed elbow 324 and thus to the liquid chamber 300. In an alternative configuration, the module received in the recess 250 can include only a motor and an airflow path, but no sensors.

[0474] In another alternative configuration, the motor and / or sensor module 400 may not be removable from the recess 250, but instead may be permanently mounted therein. In this configuration, the benefit of isolating the gas from the electrical / electronic components will still be provided.

[0475] The removable motor and / or sensor module allows for cleaning of the module and / or replacement in the event of any malfunction. The removable module allows for a more compact flow path and a flow path with reduced distances. Since the flow does not need to travel as far, this reduces the flow resistance.

[0476] The flow path is compact and has reduced turns / sharp bends, which reduces flow separation and decreases the flow resistance.

[0477] The arrangement of the motor and the flow path provides another layer of isolation due to the wall arrangement.

[0478] Having a modular motor and / or sensor module enables the different parts of the module to be disassembled in the event of a need for cleaning and / or repair.

[0479] There is advantageously no leak path in the motor and / or sensor module. Although the motor and / or sensor module may be a potential leak point, a leak in this area would result in oxygen being discharged into the atmosphere or into the liquid chamber.

[0480] 4. Removable airflow tube or elbow

[0481] As discussed above, the device 10 includes a removable airflow tube in the form of a removable elbow 342 for receiving humidified gas from the liquid chamber 300 and directing the humidified gas towards the patient interface 17 via the patient breathing conduit 16. The elbow 342 and related features will now be described with reference to Figures 24 to 32 The benefit of having a removable tube is that the portion in contact with potential condensate is removable for cleaning, disinfection, and / or sterilization.

[0482] The removable elbow 342 is substantially L-shaped and has a manifold gas inlet port 340 (humidified gas return) and a patient outlet port 344 for connection to the patient breathing conduit 16 to deliver gas to the patient interface 17. As Fig.29As shown, the elbow 342 includes an air flow passage 364 that extends through the elbow from an inlet port 340 to an outlet port 344.

[0483] The upper chassis 102 includes an elbow retainer 160 that extends forward from a wall 130. The retainer 160 includes a base wall 161 and two spaced-apart upright side walls 162. Inwardly directed flanges 163 extend toward each other from the upper ends of the side walls 162, where the spacing between the flanges 163 is large enough such that the patient outlet port 344 can extend upward therebetween. As Fig.28 、 30 and as shown in 32, the body of the elbow 342 includes elongated ribs 365 that extend laterally outward from opposite sides thereof. The ribs 365 and the flanges 163 are advantageously both substantially horizontally oriented. The size and configuration of the ribs 365 and the flanges 163 are set such that the elbow 342 can be engaged with the elbow retainer 160 by moving the elbow 342 backward in the horizontal direction. However, once the elbow 342 is engaged with the elbow retainer 160, it can only be removed by moving the elbow 342 forward in the horizontal direction. The elbow 342 cannot be lifted upward to disengage from the elbow retainer 160 because the ribs 365 and the flanges 163 will prevent such movement.

[0484] The housing upper chassis 102 includes a removable retaining cover 150 as Figure 25-26b shown. In the case where the removable retaining cover 150 is removed from the upper chassis 102, the elbow 342 can be removed from the elbow retainer 160. In the case where the removable retaining cover 150 is connected to the upper chassis 102, the elbow 342 cannot be removed from the elbow retainer 160.

[0485] The cross-section of the retaining cover 150 is generally L-shaped and has an upper top plate portion 151 and a substantially vertical wall portion 152 that extends downward from the front edge of the upper top plate portion. The top plate portion 151 includes a recess 153 for receiving the patient outlet port 344 of the removable elbow 342. The wall portion 152 includes two recesses 154, 155: one for receiving the manifold gas outlet port 322 and one for receiving the manifold gas inlet port 340 (humidified gas return).

[0486] The retaining cover 150 is configured such that it can only be removed from the upper chassis 102 of the housing 100 by moving it in a direction that is at least partially substantially transverse to the removal and insertion direction of the elbow 342. To this end, opposite sides of the retaining cover 150 include retaining features 156 that cooperate with complementary retaining features 170 extending inwardly from the inner walls 112, 118 of the upper chassis 102. In the illustrated form, the retaining features 156 in the cover member 150 include elongate recesses extending substantially vertically, and the retaining features 170 of the upper chassis 102 include elongate slats extending substantially vertically. Alternatively, this configuration can be reversed such that the cover member 150 includes slats and the upper chassis 102 includes recesses. Alternatively, one of these components can have a plurality of protrusions instead of slats. Preferably, the slats and recesses are tapered such that the upper ends of the recesses and slats are narrower than their lower ends to provide a forced engagement between the cover member 150 and the upper chassis 102.

[0487] If the cover member 150 is in place in the housing 100 and the elbow 342 is in place in the elbow retainer 160, attempting to pull the elbow 342 forward will fail because of the engagement between the retaining features 156, 170 between the retaining cover 150 and the upper chassis 102. The cover member 150 must be lifted upward relative to the housing 100 to disengage the retaining features 156, 170 from each other, at which point the cover member 150 can be removed and the elbow 342 can be disengaged from the elbow retainer 160. After cleaning the removable elbow 342, the elbow 342 can be re-engaged with the elbow retainer 160, and the cover member 150 can be moved downward relative to the housing 100 to re-engage with the housing 100 and hold the elbow 342 in place in the housing 100.

[0488] An advantage of this configuration for removal is that removing the elbow 342 from the housing 100 requires two discrete actions: moving the cover member in a first direction to release the cover member 150 from the housing 100, followed by moving the elbow 342 in a second direction transverse to the first direction to remove the elbow 342 from the elbow retainer 160. As a result, it is less likely that the user will accidentally disconnect the elbow 342, but this arrangement enables the easy removal and reconnection of the elbow 342 without the use of fasteners or great force, which is particularly beneficial for users with limited mobility. This arrangement is also beneficial in cases where the direction in which the liquid chamber 300 is connected and disconnected from the main housing 100 (and the ports) corresponds to the direction in which the elbow 342 and the housing 100 are connected and disconnected. The described arrangement will prevent the accidental removal of the removable elbow 342 when removing the liquid chamber 300 from the chamber base 108.

[0489] It should be understood that although the direction of movement of the retaining cap 150 is shown as being orthogonal or perpendicular to the direction of movement of the elbow 342, the same result can be achieved with a small relative angle between the two movements, provided that for at least part of the movements, these movements are at least substantially transverse to each other. Additionally, it should be understood that the first direction of movement of the retaining cap 150 does not necessarily need to be vertical. For example, the retaining cap 150 can be removable from and reattachable to the main housing 100 by moving it in a lateral or side direction.

[0490] The electrical connector 366 protrudes from the rear portion of the elbow 342 in a direction opposite to the direction of the gas inlet port 340. The electrical connector 366 is suitably a printed circuit board that forms a male connector portion that projects outwardly from the elbow and is adapted to be received within a female electrical connector 278 located in the upper chassis 102. To avoid difficulties with space constraints in the elbow 342 and for electrical safety to prevent overcurrent, the electrical connector 366 is advantageously a male connector portion. Alternatively, the electrical connector 366 can be or can include a female connector to receive a complementary male connector. The electrical connector 366 is configured to be in electrical communication with an electrical connector 276 disposed in the rear wall 122 of the housing upper chassis 102 so as to receive line power or battery power from the same source as the electrical connector 276. In an alternative configuration, the electrical connector 366 can be connected to a separate line power source or battery power source.

[0491] The connector 366 is coupled to one or more temperature sensors to determine the temperature of the gas flowing through the gas inlet port 340. In one configuration, the temperature sensor can include a thermistor 367 coupled to the electrical connector 366. In an alternative configuration, at least part of the removable elbow 342 can be a material that is transparent to infrared wavelengths (such as clear polycarbonate), and the temperature sensor 367 can include an infrared temperature sensor. This can result in a reduction in the number of wires and provide more accurate sensing. In some alternative configurations, if the portion of the removable elbow 342 has a material that is transparent to infrared wavelengths, the infrared temperature sensor 367 can alternatively be located elsewhere within the wall of the elbow 342, or can be located within the portion of the housing 100 adjacent to the elbow 342. In an alternative configuration, instead of a thermistor, a digital temperature sensor can be used.

[0492] In one configuration, the electrical connector 366 is also coupled to a power connector (including a pin connector or an inductive power connector) 368 for coupling to and powering a heating wire 3c in a patient breathing conduit. The connector 368 is in the form of a chimney portion. The connector 368 extends upwardly adjacent to the air flow outlet 344 and is positioned above the top of the retaining cap 150 and is configured such that when the patient breathing conduit 16 is pneumatically coupled to the air flow outlet, the heating wire 3c is electrically coupled to the connector 368 in the same single movement.

[0493] The elbow includes a recess 370 in a portion of the air flow outlet 344 for engaging a complementary projection on a sliding lock collar attached to the heated patient interface tube 16.

[0494] The electrical connector 366 is electrically coupled to one or both of the electronic circuit boards 272 via a female electrical connector 278 and a cable 279, the cable being detachably connected to one of the electronic circuit boards. This enables the electronic circuit board 272 to power the sensors and the electrical connector 366 in the removable elbow 342 and receive and process data from these sensors.

[0495] A connector protective cover 278a ( Fig.32 ) may be provided and fastened to the female connector 278 to minimize the likelihood of bending the pins of the connector, prevent a user's finger from touching the energized portions of the connector 278, and assist in maintaining the female connector in place.

[0496] The removable elbow 342 includes retaining features 372 located on or adjacent to the gas inlet port 340 for forced engagement with the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308. The gas outlet port may have features (not shown) adapted to receive or mate with the retaining features 372, such as a lip and / or an O-ring seal. In the illustrated form, the retaining features 372 include a plurality of resilient fingers located on a portion of the inlet port 340 adjacent to a recess for receiving an O-ring seal. These resilient fingers are positioned at discrete locations around the perimeter of the inlet port 340. In the illustrated configuration, there are four resilient fingers around the perimeter of the inlet port 340 with a uniform angular spacing between the fingers. Alternatively, there may be two or more resilient fingers positioned at any suitable angular spacing.

[0497] Each of these resilient fingers includes a relatively narrow portion 372a located at the outer end toward the gas inlet port 340, and an enlarged head portion 372b located further from the outer end of the gas inlet port 340. From Fig.28It can be seen that at least the enlarged head 372b protrudes laterally outwardly beyond the portion of the gas inlet port 340 adjacent to these fingers. The liquid chamber gas outlet port 308 has a cylindrical region having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the portion of the gas inlet port 340 adjacent to these fingers. When the gas inlet port 340 is inserted into the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308, the O-ring seal will initially seal against the inner side of the gas outlet port 308. Upon further insertion, the fingers 372 will deform inwardly against the inner side of the gas outlet port 308 until they pass over a lip in the interior, at which point the fingers 372 move outwardly to force engagement against the lip and minimize the likelihood of accidental removal of the liquid chamber 300. When it is desired to remove the liquid chamber 300 from the device 10, it will be necessary to move the chamber 300 outwardly with a force sufficient to force the fingers 372 inwardly to clear the lip.

[0498] The fingers 372 can provide a significant resistance to inward or outward movement of the liquid chamber 300. In some configurations, moving the chamber 300 to engage or disengage from the housing 100 can be entirely manual by the user directly pushing the liquid chamber 300. In alternative configurations, the device 10 can be provided with a handle / lever arrangement as described below to assist in engaging and / or disengaging the liquid chamber 300 with the housing 100.

[0499] In the illustrated form, the manifold gas outlet port 322 is also shown as having resilient fingers 372. The engagement and operation of the resilient fingers 372 with the liquid chamber gas inlet port 306 will be the same as described above. In some configurations, both the manifold gas outlet port 322 and the manifold gas inlet port 340 will have resilient fingers. In other configurations, only one of these ports may have resilient fingers, as this may be sufficient to minimize the likelihood of accidental disengagement of the liquid chamber 300.

[0500] In alternative configurations, the ports 322, 340 on the housing can be larger than the ports 306, 308 on the liquid chamber 300 such that the ports 306, 308 are received within the ports 322, 340. Soft seals such as O-ring seals will also be provided to seal between these ports. In this configuration, if these resilient fingers are provided, they can be provided on one or both of the ports 306, 308. Alternatively, these resilient fingers can be provided on one or both of the larger ports and be directed inwardly to interact with the outer surface of the smaller ports. The device 10 can have any combination of these alternatives.

[0501] In alternative configurations, instead of these resilient fingers, snap-fit features, bayonet connectors or other features can be provided.

[0502] Depending on the configuration of the device, the air flow tube is not in the form of a bent tube, but can have any other suitable configuration. For example, the air flow tube can be in a substantially linear or non-linear configuration, where the manifold gas inlet port 340 and the patient outlet port 344 are located at the ends of the tube. The inlet port and the outlet port will typically be offset from each other. The direction in which the air flow tube is inserted into and removed from the retainer 160 (e.g., forward and backward) will be at an angle to the direction of movement of the retaining cap 150 as described above. The retainer 160 can be modified as needed depending on the configuration of the air flow tube.

[0503] 5. Humidifier / Liquid Chamber Base

[0504] Reference will now be made to Figures 33 to 52 the liquid chamber base 108 and the handle / rod arrangement in more detail.

[0505] As discussed, the liquid chamber base 108 includes opposing left and right guide rails 144 and 146 that extend from corresponding left and right inner walls 112 and 118 towards the center of the base 108. The guide rails 144, 146 assist in guiding the liquid chamber 300 into a proper position within the base 108. The guide rails 144, 146 are parallel to the bottom plate 136 of the liquid chamber 300 and / or the upper surface of the heating plate 140 so that the flange 310 of the liquid chamber 300 can slide therebetween. Figures 34 to 38 The insertion of the liquid chamber 300 into the base 108 is shown.

[0506] The main housing 100 includes a handle / rod 500 that is used to assist in inserting and / or holding the liquid chamber 300 within and / or removing it from the chamber base 108. Different configurations can be constructed to assist in one, two, or all of inserting, holding, and removing the liquid chamber 300 within the chamber base 108. Reference is made below to Figures 44 to 52 an exemplary configuration.

[0507] The handle / rod 500 is pivotally attached to the main housing 100 and is movable from a first, lifted or open position as shown, for example, to a second, lowered or closed position as shown, for example. Fig.33 shown first, lifted or open position to a second, lowered or closed position as shown, for example Fig.38In the second, lowered or closed position shown. The handle / lever has: a left arm 502 pivotally attached to the left inner wall 112 of the upper chassis 102; a right arm 504 pivotally attached to the right inner wall 118 of the upper chassis 102; and a crossbar handle portion 506 interconnecting the free ends of the left arm 502 and the right arm 504 and forming a gripping area for the user's fingers. When the handle 500 is in the raised position, the crossbar 506 can serve as a carrying handle for the device 10. The liquid chamber 300 can be inserted into or removed from the chamber base 108 when the handle / lever 500 is lifted. When the handle / lever 500 is in the lowered position, the handle / lever inhibits or prevents the removal of the liquid chamber 300 from the chamber base 108. Since the lever surrounds a portion of the chamber base when the handle / lever is in the closed or fully lowered position, a large space is formed between the crossbar of the handle / lever and the housing of the device when the handle / lever is in the fully raised position, including a large opening located at the front of the chamber base and surrounding the liquid chamber, thereby allowing the liquid chamber to be easily inserted into and removed from the chamber base because the user's fingers can be easily inserted between the housing wall and the liquid chamber.

[0508] Reference is made below to Figures 44 to 51 an exemplary pivot arrangement of the handle / lever 500 is described. The pivot arrangement enables the handle / lever 500 to pivotally move but prevents the handle / lever from translating.

[0509] The left arm 502 and the right arm 504 of the handle / lever 500 include liquid chamber engaging features in the form of inwardly directed protrusions 510, 512. The spacing between the arms 502, 504 is sufficient such that the widest part of the body 302 of the liquid chamber 300 above the flange 310 can be received therebetween. However, the spacing between the protrusions 510, 512 is not sufficient such that the widest part of the body 302 of the liquid chamber 300 can be received therebetween.

[0510] In some configurations, the edges of the protrusions 510, 512 may be chamfered, curved or inclined such that they can more easily ride along and push the chamber 300.

[0511] In some configurations, the protrusions 510, 512 may be formed of (or at least softer than the handle 500) a soft elastic material or component (e.g., as a co-molded layer) or include the soft elastic material or component in order to prevent damage to the chamber 300 that may occur if the handle 500 is closed too forcefully against the chamber 300.

[0512] To insert the liquid chamber 300 into the chamber base 108, the handle / lever 500 is initially in as Fig.33among the lifting positions shown. The liquid chamber 300 is partially inserted into the base 108, where the bottom surface of the liquid chamber rests on the heating plate 140 and its flange 310 is positioned below the guide rails 144, 146, as Fig.34 shown. The chamber 300 will be manually moved backward in the housing by an amount sufficient to at least partially engage the ports 322, 340, 306, 308. For example, the O-ring seals between the ports 322, 340, 306, 308 may engage, but the resilient fingers 372 may not engage.

[0513] The handle / lever 500 can then be pivoted downward toward its lowered position, as Fig.35 shown. In this intermediate position, the protrusions 510, 512 have engaged the widest part of the housing 302 of the liquid chamber 300. Further downward movement of the handle / lever 500 progressively drives the liquid chamber 300 backward through the Fig.36 、 37 and positions shown in 38 to engage the ports 322, 340 of the device 10 until the resilient fingers 372 (if present) engage the lips in the ports 306, 308 in the liquid chamber 300.

[0514] In Fig.38 the closed or fully lowered position of the handle / lever 500 shown, the crossbar 506 is positioned in the recesses 142, 242' located at the front of the upper chassis portion and the lower chassis portion and surrounds a portion of the chamber base. The forwardly directed protrusion 243 of the lower chassis 202 is positioned in the complementary recess 507 in the crossbar and serves as a forced engagement feature to force the handle / lever 500 into the lowered position. With the handle / lever 500 in the lowered position, a portion of the crossbar 506 protrudes sufficiently above the bottom plate of the chamber base 108 and above the flange 310 of the liquid chamber such that it prevents the liquid chamber 300 from being slid forward and removed from the liquid chamber base 108. The guide rails 144, 146 prevent the liquid chamber 300 from being lifted vertically and removed from the liquid chamber base 108.

[0515] The crossbar 506 of the handle / lever is elastic such that it can flex sufficiently to allow the protrusion 243 to be inserted into or removed from the recess or orifice 507.

[0516] To remove the liquid chamber 300 from the chamber base 108, Figures 33 to 38The steps shown are reversed. When the handle / lever 500 is lifted a sufficient amount, the protrusions 510, 512 will clear the liquid chamber 300, such that the liquid chamber 300 can be slid forward until the flange 310 clears the guide rails 144, 146 and the ports 322, 340, 305, 308 are disconnected. Then the liquid chamber 300 can be removed from the housing 100.

[0517] In an alternative configuration of the handle / lever 500, rather than having protrusions 510, 512, a single protrusion or other liquid chamber engagement features can be provided. In another alternative configuration, portions of the crossbar 506 can be configured to press against the liquid chamber 300 and act as liquid chamber engagement features.

[0518] In an alternative configuration, the crossbar 506 may not be sized to act as a carrying handle for the device when in the lifted position.

[0519] The handle / lever 500 can be gas injection molded such that it has a smooth outer surface to assist in cleaning the handle / lever. The handle / lever can include an external seal to seal between the handle / lever and the housing. The seal between the handle and the housing can be within the handle retainer and around the orifice (in the Fig.117 area of item 4498) through which the handle moves in and out as it is lifted / lowered. The seal can be used to seal between the handle and the upper chassis.

[0520] Figures 39 to 43 An alternative guide rail configuration is shown for assisting in inserting and / or retaining the liquid chamber 300 in the chamber base 108. In this configuration, the guide rails 144’, 146’ include detents 144a, 146a. The detents 144a, 146a include enlarged recesses that typically have a size and configuration substantially corresponding to the maximum dimensions of the body 302 of the liquid chamber 300. The detents 144a, 146a are positioned corresponding to the fully inserted position of the liquid chamber 300 in the chamber base 108 and the fully engaged position of the ports 322, 340, 305, 308.

[0521] The portions 144b, 146b of each of the guide rails 144’, 146’ that are positioned between the pawls 144a, 146a and the front portion of the chamber base 108 form inwardly directed ridges, where these ridges have a spacing therebetween that is less than the maximum dimension of the body 302 of the liquid chamber 300. At least the ridges 144b, 146b of the guide rails 144’, 146’ are sufficiently resilient such that when the liquid chamber 300 is inserted between the guide rails 144’, 146’ (where the flange 310 of the liquid chamber is positioned below the guide rails 144’, 146’), the ridges 144b, 146b deform or flex outwardly (relative to the main housing 100) until the chamber 300 is fully engaged in the pawls 144a, 146a between the guide rails 144’, 146’, after which the ridges 144b, 146b flex back inwardly. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid chamber 300 can be somewhat resilient and can deform to pass over the ridges 144b, 146b and can “snap” back to its original shape once the liquid chamber is fully engaged in the pawls 144a, 146a. Similarly, when the chamber 300 is removed from the pawls 144a, 146a, the ridges 144b, 146b deform or flex outwardly, and / or the liquid chamber 300 deforms inwardly. These guide rails, and specifically the pawls 144a, 146a and the ridges 144b, 146b, provide tactile feedback to the user so that the user can easily determine when the liquid chamber 300 is fully engaged within the chamber base 108. At the ports, in addition to the resilient fingers, the pawls 144a, 146a and the ridges 144b, 146b can be provided, or these pawls and ridges can be provided in place of these resilient fingers.

[0522] The heating plate 140 is elastically mounted; for example, on a biasing device such as a spring. The elastic mounting enables the heating plate to move downwardly once the chamber is inserted in the chamber base so as to receive the liquid chamber in the chamber base while maintaining good contact between the heating plate 140 and the base of the liquid chamber.

[0523] The handle / lever arrangement in combination with the guide rails positions and holds the liquid chamber in the correct position. These guide rails also enable the liquid chamber to be turned or rotated so as to align its ports with the ports in the main housing.

[0524] The rear portions of the guide rails 144’, 146’ may have ridges as shown in order to allow for the precise positioning of the liquid chamber 300 within the chamber base 108. However, rather than these guide rails defining the rearmost position of the liquid chamber 300 within the chamber base 108, the rearmost position of the liquid chamber 300 within the chamber base 108 may alternatively be defined by the engagement of the ports 322, 340, 305, 308 or by the engagement of portions of the liquid chamber 300 with portions of the housing 100 (e.g., the engagement of the rear portion of the flange 310 with the wall 134 of the housing 100).

[0525] Rather than having depressions located on these guide rails, these detents may be configured in a different manner. For example, these guide rails may include protrusions while the liquid chamber has depressions for receiving these protrusions when the liquid chamber is fully engaged within the chamber base.

[0526] In an alternative configuration, these detents may be provided adjacent to these guide rails rather than being integrated into these guide rails. For example, these protrusions or depressions may be provided in portions of the chamber base 108 of the main housing adjacent to these guide rails (e.g., above or below these guide rails), while the liquid chamber is configured to engage with these detents when inserted into the chamber base 108. These detents will be aligned with the direction in which the liquid chamber is inserted into or removed from the chamber base in order to effect this engagement. For example, if the liquid chamber is arranged to be inserted vertically into the chamber base, these detents will be configured accordingly.

[0527] In an alternative configuration, only a single detent may be provided. For example, only one of the guide rails may have depressions and ridges. Alternatively, only one of the guide rails may have protrusions for being received within depressions on the liquid chamber. Alternatively, a single detent may be provided adjacent to only one of these guide rails.

[0528] This configuration also differs from the above-described configuration in that rather than providing the protrusion 243 on the front portion of the lower chassis 202, a depression 243’ is provided in the main housing. The crossbar 506’ of the handle / lever 500’ may be provided with hooks or protrusions (not shown) for engaging within the depression 243’.

[0529] This configuration also differs in that the left and right arms 502’, 504’ of the handle / lever 500’ include orifices 502a, 504a for guiding a liquid tube from above into the liquid chamber 300 in order to enable the liquid chamber 300 to be refilled and / or emptied as needed. The orifices 502a, 504a are provided in bosses within the push blocks 503, 505 described below, but may be provided elsewhere on the handle / lever 500’.

[0530] The handle / lever 500' also aids in disengaging the liquid chamber 300 from the chamber base 108. The handle / lever 500' includes a left pusher 503 and a right pusher 505 to facilitate this disengagement. The left pusher 503 is connected to and extends inwardly from the left arm 502', and the right pusher 505 is connected to and extends inwardly from the right arm 504', such that the pushers 503, 505 extend toward each other. As Fig.45 shown, the pushers 503, 505 are positioned on the side arms 502', 504' such that when the handle / lever 500' is in its lowered or closed position, the pushers 503, 505 are positioned adjacent the vertical wall portion 134 at the rear of the chamber base 108.

[0531] Each of the pushers 503, 505 includes a platform portion 503a, 505a that is substantially horizontal when the handle / lever 500' is in the lowered or closed position. Each pusher 503, 505 also includes at least one engagement member 503b, 503c, 505b, 505c that is arranged to engage against the liquid chamber 300 and push the liquid chamber 300 out of engagement with the pawls 144a, 146a of the guide rails 144', 146' when the handle / lever 500' is lifted from the lowered or closed position. As Fig.45 shown, when the handle / lever 500' is in the lowered or closed position, the engagement members 503b, 503c, 505b, 505c extend vertically downward from the platform portions 503a, 505a.

[0532] In some configurations, the edges of the engagement members 503b, 503c, 505b, 505c may be chamfered, curved, or angled such that they can more easily ride along and push on the liquid chamber.

[0533] In some configurations, the engagement members 503b, 503c, 505b, 505c may be formed of (or include) a soft (or at least softer than the handle 500') elastomeric material or component (e.g., as a overmolded layer) to prevent damage to the liquid chamber 300 that may occur if the handle is moved too forcefully.

[0534] Each inner engagement member 503b, 505b positioned toward the center of the liquid chamber 300 has a depth D1 that is shorter compared to the front / rear depth D2 of the outer engagement members 503c, 505c positioned toward the side walls 112, 118 of the housing 100 ( Fig.49)。Each inner engaging member 503b, 505b positioned towards the center of the liquid chamber 300 has a height H1 that is smaller compared to the height H2 of the outer engaging members 503c, 503d positioned towards the side walls 112, 118 of the housing 100. Fig.49 )。Each engaging member 503b, 503c, 505b, 505c has an arcuate engaging surface 503b’, 503c’, 505b’, 505c’ for engaging against the liquid chamber 300 when the handle / lever 500’ is lifted. The inner engaging surfaces 503b’, 505b’ have a steeper, more vertical angle and a larger radius of curvature compared to the corresponding outer engaging surfaces 503c’, 505c’.

[0535] When the handle / lever 500’ is lifted from the lowered / closed position, the outer engaging members 503c, 505c are arranged to engage against the flange 310 of the liquid chamber 300, and the inner engaging members 503b, 505b are arranged to engage against the housing 302 of the liquid chamber 300. This will push the liquid chamber 300 out of engagement with the guide rail recesses 144a, 146a and overcome the force of the guide rail ridges 144b, 146b so that the user can easily remove the liquid chamber 300 from the chamber base 108. The shape of the engaging members 503b, 503c, 505b, 505c, and specifically the curvature, is such that when the handle / lever 500’ is lowered from its lifted / open position to insert the liquid chamber 300 into the chamber base 108, they will not interfere with the insertion of the liquid chamber 300 into the chamber base 108.

[0536] The front inner edges 503d, 505d of each pusher platform are provided as arcuate surfaces that at least generally correspond to the curvature of the housing 302 of the liquid chamber 300. When the handle / lever 500’ is in the lowered / closed position, the edges 503d, 505d act as rear stops for the liquid chamber 300.

[0537] In the form shown, each pusher 503, 505 has two engaging members 503b, 503c, 505b, 505c; however, only a single engaging member can be provided on each pusher. The handle / lever 500’ can have only a single pusher, but two spaced-apart pushers will disengage the liquid chamber 300 from the guide rails 144’, 146’ more evenly.

[0538] In this configuration, there are no inwardly directed protrusions to force the liquid chamber 300 to fully engage within the chamber base 108, but one or both of these protrusions or other liquid chamber engagement features may be provided. Alternatively, as discussed above for the previous configuration, this handle / lever 500' does not have inwardly directed protrusions, but may have features on its crossbar 506' to drive the liquid chamber 300 to engage within the chamber base 108.

[0539] Similarly, this handle 500' may be provided with features to assist in disengaging the liquid chamber 300 from the pawls 144a, 146a.

[0540] It should be understood that the pawls 144a, 146a may alternatively be used in a configuration of the handle / lever 500 having an earlier configuration.

[0541] Figures 45-48 A pivot arrangement of the handle 500' is shown, which pivot arrangement may also be used for the handle 500. The rear portions of each side arm 502', 504' include inwardly directed pivot protrusions 502b, 504b, which are received within corresponding pivot cavities 502c, 504c in the lugs 132. The arms 502', 504' are laterally captured between the lugs 132 and the corresponding inner side walls 112, 118 such that the pivot cannot move laterally but the arms 502', 504' can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis. Lugs 114a, 120a extend inwardly from the interconnecting walls 114, 120 to prevent the pivots from being lifted vertically.

[0542] Fig.53 and 54 A display and user interface module 14 of the device 10 is shown. The module 14 includes a touchscreen display 600, which provides information to a user of the device 10 regarding the status of the device 10, the status of the treatment being provided, the status of the patient, and / or the status of an accessory or peripheral device associated with the device 10. The display 600 may include one or more markers 602a, 602b, 602c, each of which provides information regarding a corresponding aspect of the treatment; for example, gas temperature, oxygen concentration, air flow rate, blood oxygen concentration (SpO2), and heart rate. Other markers may also be provided. These markers may also act as touchscreen "buttons", where pressing one of these markers enables the user to change a setting of one aspect of the treatment, the device 10, and / or an accessory or peripheral device associated with the device 10, which then causes the controller 13 to adjust the device 10 or the accessory or peripheral device to the new setting.

[0543] The touchscreen 600 may be in electrical communication with an interface printed circuit board 604, which in turn is in electrical communication with one or both of the electronic circuit boards 272.

[0544] Interface 14 may also have one or more physical buttons to enable a user to power on or off the device 10 or change settings. Advantageously, the upper wall 124 is inclined towards the front of the device 10 at an angle of, for example, 10 degrees relative to the horizontal line. This makes it easy to use the interface from the front of the device 10.

[0545] A portion of the upper wall 124 defines a cavity 606 formed integrally, which cavity includes an outer cylindrical portion 608, an inner cylindrical portion 610, and an annular wall 612 that extends between and interconnects the bottom edges of the two cylindrical wall portions 608, 610. The axial directions of the cylindrical portions 608, 610 correspond to the opening / closing direction of the injection molding tool to enable injection molding of the component.

[0546] The flexible button 614 is positioned adjacent to the top of the outer cylindrical wall portion 608 and is substantially aligned with the upper wall 124. The bottom side of the button 614 includes an elongated push block 616 that extends through the inner cylindrical wall portion 610 and interacts with the microswitch 618 on the PCB 604. The outer cylindrical wall portion 608, the annular wall 612, and the inner cylindrical wall portion 610 form a continuous, unbroken, liquid-impermeable configuration that acts as a reservoir to capture any liquid that may enter the button arrangement around the flexible button 614 and prevent the liquid from reaching the underlying PCB 604.

[0547] Interface 14 may include one, two, or more buttons having such a configuration. Alternatively, interface 14 may be only touch screen controlled and not have buttons.

[0548] Figures 55 to 64 An alternative configuration flow therapy device 10' is shown, which shows an alternative configuration handle / lever 1500. The flow therapy device 10' will have the features and functionality described with respect to the different configurations above, but for simplicity, these features are not repeated here. For the features shown, for most components, similar numerals are indicated for similar parts by adding a prime (') thereto, and for the handle / lever, similar numerals are indicated for similar parts by adding 1500 thereto.

[0549] This configuration differs from the above-described configuration in that the handle / lever 1500 is a single-sided configuration. That is, only one side of the handle / lever 1500 is pivotally connected to the main housing of the flow therapy device 10', while the other side of the handle / lever 1500 is not pivotally connected to the main housing. In the shown form, the left side of the handle / lever 1500 is pivotally connected to the main housing. However, in an alternative configuration, only the right side may be pivotally connected to the main housing.

[0550] The handle / lever 1500 and the main housing are modified from those described above to provide this mounting.

[0551] The handle / lever has a left arm 1502 that is pivotally attached to the left inner wall 112' of the upper chassis 102'. The left arm 1502 is configured to be substantially flush with the interconnecting wall 114' when the handle 1500 is in Fig.55 its lowered or closed position. The handle / lever further includes a right member 1504 instead of a right arm, the right member being shorter than the left arm 1502 and not pivotally attached to the right inner wall 118' of the upper chassis 102'. The right member 1504 is configured to be substantially flush with the interconnecting wall 120' when the handle 1500 is in Fig.55 its lowered or closed position. The main housing is provided with a recess so that the left arm 1502 and the right member 1504 can be substantially flush with these interconnecting walls. Due to the shorter right member 1504, the right interconnecting wall 120' extends further towards the front of the device 10' compared to the left interconnecting wall 114'.

[0552] The crossbar handle portion 1506 interconnects the front end portions of the left arm 1502 and the right member 1504 and forms a gripping area for the user's fingers. When the handle 1500 is in the lifted position as shown for example Fig.57 the crossbar 1506 can act as a carrying handle for the device 10'. The liquid chamber 300' can be inserted into or removed from the chamber base 108' when the handle / lever 1500 is lifted. When the handle / lever 1500 is in the lowered position, the handle / lever inhibits or prevents the removal of the liquid chamber 300' from the chamber base 108'.

[0553] The handle / lever 1500 can terminate at the right side of the crossbar 1506 instead of having the right member 1504. However, having the rearwardly directed member 1504 is preferred as this reduces the likelihood of the device 10' dropping when it is being carried.

[0554] In Fig.55In the closed or fully lowered position of the handle / lever 1500 shown, the crossbar 1506 is positioned within a recess 242' located at the front portion of the main housing and surrounds a portion of the chamber base. Although seams are not shown in the drawings, the main housing can be formed to have an upper chassis portion 102' and a lower chassis portion 202', and the recess 242' will be formed in the appropriate chassis portion. The handle / lever 1500 and / or the recess 242' can have a forced engagement feature (such as one of those described above) to forcefully engage the handle / lever 1500 in the lowered or closed position. With the handle / lever 1500 in the lowered or closed position, a portion of the crossbar 1506 protrudes sufficiently above the bottom plate of the chamber base 108' and above the flange 310' of the liquid chamber 300' such that it prevents the liquid chamber 300' from being slid forward and removed from the liquid chamber base 108'. Although not shown in this configuration, the liquid chamber 108' will include guide rails to prevent the liquid chamber 300' from being lifted vertically and removed from the liquid chamber base 108' when the handle / lever 1500 is in the lowered or closed position. Since the lever surrounds a portion of the chamber base when the handle / lever is in the closed or fully lowered position, a large space is formed between the crossbar of the handle / lever and the housing of the device when the handle / lever is in the fully lifted position, including a large opening located at the front portion of the chamber base and surrounding the liquid chamber, thereby allowing the liquid chamber to be easily inserted into and removed from the chamber base as the user's fingers can be easily inserted between the housing wall and the liquid chamber.

[0555] Fig.55 , 56 Figures 60 - 64 illustrate details of the pivot arrangement of the handle / lever 1500. The rear portion of the left arm 1502 is connected to a pivot arm 1502d. The pivot arm includes a front arcuate portion 1502e that extends downward and rearward from the left arm 1502 when the handle is in the lowered or closed position. The rear portion of the front arcuate portion 1502e is connected to a linear portion 1502f that extends upward and forward from the rear portion when the handle is in the lowered or closed position. The upper end of the linear portion 1502f is coupled to an inwardly and / or outwardly directed pivot projection 1502b received within one or more pivot cavities 1502c located in a portion of the housing corresponding to the lug 132' and / or within the left inner wall 112'. The arm 1502 is laterally captured between the lug 132' and the inner wall 112' such that the pivot projection 1502b cannot move laterally but the arm 1502 can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis.

[0556] As Fig.56 , 61As shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, the left inner wall 112' is provided with a formed recess 112a' for receiving the pivot arm 1502d. The recess 112a' enables the pivot arm 1502d to travel through its range of motion from the position shown in Fig.60 to the position shown in Fig.62 without significantly encroaching on the space in the liquid chamber base 108'.

[0557] The upper front portion of the main housing includes a platform 150'. The platform 150' may also include an aperture and may be removable so as to serve as a removable retaining cap for a removable elbow tube as described for the above configuration. The upper portion 151' of the platform forms a substantial continuation of the forwardly inclined surface 124' and extends forwardly and downwardly from this surface 124'. The front edge 151a' of the upper portion 151' extends in a more horizontal or upward orientation than the remainder of the upper portion 151'.

[0558] This configuration is suitable for use with a liquid chamber 300' that is filled from a flexible liquid bag. While hospitals and medical facilities will generally have a bag holder for supporting the liquid bag, in a home environment, people typically do not have a suitable bag holder. This configuration enables the liquid bag to dock on top of the main housing and specifically on the platform 150'. The front edge 151a' will reduce the likelihood of the bag sliding forward off the housing. The single-sided handle / rod 1500 will enable the handle / rod 1500 to be lifted and lowered while enabling the liquid bag and / or the liquid tube for delivering liquid from the liquid bag to the liquid chamber 300' to be fed through the space between the right side member 1504 of the handle / rod 1500 and the main housing when the handle / rod 1500 is in the lifted position. There is no need to provide a long tube.

[0559] The handle / rod 1500 may include one or more features such as apertures 502a, 504a as shown in Fig.52 for guiding the liquid tube from above into the liquid chamber. The tube will be coupled to the liquid chamber. The liquid chamber may include a float valve for controlling the flow of liquid from the tube into the liquid chamber.

[0560] As Figures 57 to 59 shown, the front edge 151a' preferably also forms a recess for receiving the upper rear edge of the liquid chamber 300' when the liquid chamber 300' is fully engaged in the liquid chamber base 108'.

[0561] The handle / rod 1500 will be provided with one or more features to assist in inserting, holding in and / or removing the liquid chamber 300' from the chamber base 108'. These features may be any one or more of those described for the above configuration.

[0562] By providing a handle / lever for assisting in inserting and / or holding a liquid chamber in and / or removing it from a chamber base, a user can easily ensure that the liquid chamber is fully inserted in the chamber base while still being able to easily remove the liquid chamber from the chamber base when desired. This is particularly advantageous for users with limited mobility. Similarly, by providing a pawl for assisting in inserting and / or holding a liquid chamber in a chamber base, a user can easily ensure that the liquid chamber is fully inserted within the chamber base. Complete or correct insertion and / or holding may be required to ensure a satisfactory seal between the liquid chamber and other components that form part of the gas flow path.

[0563] 6. Removable gas flow tube or elbow and receiver - alternative configurations

[0564] Figures 66 to 71 Figures 72 to 75 correspondingly show two alternative gas flow tubes or elbows 1342 and 2342 that can be used in the flow therapy devices described herein. Unless otherwise described below, the gas flow tubes or elbows 1342 and 2342 have the features and functionality described above for the removable elbow 342, and like reference numerals are indicated by adding 1000 and 2000 respectively to each reference numeral for like parts.

[0565] Figures 66 to 71 The removable elbow 1342 of... has an internal sump region 1371 provided in the gas flow channel at the intersection of the two arms of a substantially L - shape (i.e., at the intersection of the gas flow channel of the manifold gas inlet port 1340 (humidified gas return) and the gas flow channel of the patient outlet port 1344). As Fig.69 shown, the sump region 1371 is provided by an enlarged region in the gas flow channel. The sump region is positioned vertically below the adjacent base wall portion 1340a of the manifold gas inlet port such that liquid can accumulate in the sump region 1371 up to the depth of the adjacent base wall portion 1340a. The sump region 1371 allows liquid to accumulate to assist the thermistor 1366d (described below) on the PCB connector 1366 in determining the temperature representative of the gas flow channel 1364 / gas characteristics. This can assist in determining the wet - bulb temperature of the gas passing through the elbow 1342.

[0566] The body of the removable elbow is provided with an arcuate transition region 1372 that extends downward and away from the adjacent base wall portion 1340a at a relatively shallow angle. The arcuate transition region 1372 forms the front portion of the recessed pool region 1371. The rearmost portion of the transition region 1372 terminates at the upper end of a wall portion 1373 that extends downward and rearward at a second relatively steep angle. The wall portion 1373 forms the front wall of a support portion 1374 of the body. The upper inner portion of the support portion 1374 forms the rear portion of the recessed pool region 1371 that extends upward and rearward from the intersection of the recessed pool region and the transition region 1372.

[0567] The lower sloping outer edge 1375 of the support portion 1374 extends upward and rearward from the base of the front wall 1373. The support portion 1374 of the elbow serves two purposes. The first is to provide a mounting body for the PCB electrical connector 1366 to the removable elbow 1342, as described below. The second is to provide a support surface to assist in aligning the PCB connector 1366 during the insertion of the removable elbow into its proper position in the main housing of the device.

[0568] As can be seen from Fig.69It can be seen most clearly that the downwardly inclined outer edge 1375 is oriented at an angle α that is non-parallel and non-coaxial with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A of the manifold gas inlet port 1340. This angle can be between approximately -15 degrees (downward) and approximately +30 degrees (upward) with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A. In one form, the angle is between approximately 0 degrees and approximately +30 degrees upward with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A. Advantageously, the upper limit is 30 degrees because tilting the PCB electrical connector 1366 too much may result in the elbow providing an undesirably shallow flow path through the elbow and preventing the provision of a useful sedimentation area. In one form, the angle is between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 15 degrees upward with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A. In one form, the angle is approximately 15 degrees upward with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A. Within these ranges, the angle can be non-parallel and non-coaxial with respect to the longitudinal axis and can be oriented at least + / -5 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A. In an alternative form, the angle can be parallel or coaxial with the longitudinal axis 1340A. The PCB electrical connector 1366 is mounted on the support portion 1374 so as to be collinear or parallel with the downwardly inclined outer edge 1375. Thus, the PCB connector advantageously also extends upward and rearward at an angle between approximately -15 degrees and approximately +30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A, in one form between approximately 0 degrees and approximately +30 degrees, in one form between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 15 degrees, and in one form at approximately +15 degrees. Also, within these ranges, the angle can be non-zero and can be, for example, at least + / -5 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. The base portion 1368b of the electrical connector portion can be aligned with the lower wall portion 1375. It can be seen in this variant that the intersection of the PCB electrical connector with the elbow body is lower than in Fig.29 the variant shown.

[0569] Fig.76 and 77 shows an alternative configuration of the main chassis / display and user interface carrier 2102 for the main housing that can be combined with the removable elbow 1342 or 2342 for use in the flow treatment device described above. Unless otherwise described below, the features and functionality will be the same as those described for the flow treatment device, and like reference numerals indicate like parts by adding 2000 to each reference numeral.

[0570] The upper chassis / vehicle 2102 includes an elbow holder 2160 that extends forward from the wall 2130. The holder 2160 includes a base wall 2161 and two spaced-apart upright side walls 2162. Inwardly directed flanges 2163 extend toward each other from the upper ends of the side walls 2162, where the spacing between the flanges 2163 is large enough such that the patient outlet port 1344 can extend upward therebetween. The upright ridges 2163a are formed by substantially vertical wall portions located at the inner edges of each flange 2163. The flanges 2163 and the ridges 2163a are arcuate so as to form a mouth to receive the patient outlet port 1344. The upright ridges are arranged to be in close contact with the periphery of the patient outlet port 1344 when the removable elbow is received in the holder 2160. The rear portion 2164 of the holder has a size smaller than that of the patient outlet port 1344 and is provided for enabling the power connector portion 1368a of the body to project upward therefrom.

[0571] The walls 2162, the flanges 2163, and the ridges 2163a form a shroud area that substantially matches the shape of the removable elbow when the removable elbows 1342, 2342 are inserted into the elbow holder. The shroud area aids in holding the elbow in place and helps reduce the ingress of liquid to the elbow or the PCB connector and encapsulates the PCB connector. The ridges 2163a further aid in guiding liquid away from the connection between the PCB connector and the connector 278.

[0572] To insert the elbow into the holder 2160, the elbow is oriented such that the lower wall portion 1375 of the support portion abuts against the base wall 2161 of the holder. The elbow is moved backward such that the patient outlet port 1344 is positioned between the flanges, and the connector 1366 is inserted so as to extend through a slot in the holder such that it can be inserted into the female connector 278 located at the rear of the holder 2160 in the upper chassis. The holder is oriented at an angle corresponding to the angle α of the PCB connector such that the PCB connector is parallel to the base wall 2161. The orientation of the manifold gas inlet port 1340 relative to the PCB connector allows for a horizontal connection to the liquid chamber. Thus, the PCB connector can be directly inserted into the holder 2160 without tilting or adjusting the elbow to effect the insertion. In an alternative configuration, the PCB connector and the elbow holder 2160 can be oriented at different angles, such as those described above with respect to the elbow.

[0573] By angling the PCB connector out of horizontal in use, any liquid that might seep into the main housing will drain away from the connector. The removable retaining cap 150 will also serve to help maintain the removable elbow in proper position within the housing, and the operation of the cap and the interaction of the elbow and the liquid chamber will be as described above. The protective cover provides a retainer 2160 with a profile lower than that of the Fig.30 variant shown, where the protective cover is sized to receive only the lower portion of the elbow 1342 that houses the PCB connector, rather than the entire height of the manifold gas inlet port.

[0574] In this configuration, the port 1344 is positioned closer to the liquid chamber compared to the Fig.24 device, which means that the breathing conduit 16 will obstruct the user display and user interface module less compared to the Fig.24 device. Accordingly, the length of this elbow is shorter than that of the Fig.28 elbow.

[0575] Fig.70 and 71 show details of the PCB electrical connector 1366 of the removable elbow 1342. The connector 1366 includes a plastic board 1366a having a plurality of conductive traces 1366b embedded therein. A plurality of conductive connector portions or pins 1366c are provided at one end of the PCB, the end that protrudes from the elbow. These traces are configured to engage complementary conductors in the female connector 278 to provide an electrical and / or communication coupling of the PCB connector to other components of the device. The connector portions 1366c and the traces 1366b may all be provided on one side of the PCB connector, or some may be provided on opposite sides of the PCB connector to reduce the risk of electrical short circuits.

[0576] In the Fig.71 form shown, four of the conductive connector portions 1366c are in electrical communication with thermistors 1366d that are positioned at or adjacent to the opposite end of the PCB connector and are embedded within the elbow body. The remaining two connector portions 1366c are in electrical communication with connectors 1366e that receive the bases of two substantially rigid upwardly protruding pin connectors 1368 that are used to couple to and power a heating wire 3c in a patient breathing conduit. As Fig.70 shown, the pin connector 1368 may be a rigid member that extends from the top of the PCB at a non-vertical angle that corresponds to the angle α of the PCB connector relative to the longitudinal axis 1340A ( Fig.69)。These pin connectors can be at any suitable angle relative to the PCB connector, including perpendicular. Advantageously, these pin connectors extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the patient outlet port 1344.

[0577] Two thermistors 1366d are surface-mounted at the front of the PCB connector and embedded within the body of the removable elbow. They are approximately positioned at Fig.69 the positions 1366d shown, very close to the deposition region 1371. By positioning them close to the deposition region, they can provide a more representative gas measurement. Instead of thermistors, digital temperature sensors can be used.

[0578] The PCB connector can be mounted within the elbow body in any suitable manner. In one example, when surface-mounted thermistors 1366d are used in the PCB connector, to simplify manufacturing, single-shot overmolding can be used to fabricate the elbow on the PCB connector. The single-shot overmolding can also enclose the elongate pin connectors 1368 within the chimney portion 1368a. Holes 1366g in the PCB can allow the overmolding material to flow through the PCB, thereby reducing or preventing deflection of the PCB connector that might otherwise occur due to molding pressure. The lower portion 1368b of the elbow body that lies beneath the electrical connector portion of the PCB connector serves to cover the solder joints at the base of the pin connectors.

[0579] The shape of the deposition region and the surrounding elbow body is configured to remove as much mass as possible from around the thermistors to improve their performance. The deposition region can also assist the airflow through the removable elbow by preventing gas from "sticking" tightly to the inner wall.

[0580] The removable elbow 1342 will be provided with suitable seals. For example, a T-shaped seal can be provided on the manifold gas inlet port 1340 to seal between this port and the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308, and an O-ring seal can be provided on the patient outlet port 1344.

[0581] Similar to the elbow 1342 described above, the removable elbow 2342 is provided at its base at the intersection of the two arms of a substantially L-shape (i.e., substantially at the intersection of the manifold gas inlet port 1340 and the patient outlet port 1344) with a support portion 2374 that extends generally rearward from the elbow body. The support portion includes a body portion having a front wall 2373 and a lower sloping outer edge 2375 that extends rearward from the front wall. The shape and configuration of the body portion are set to receive the PCB electrical connector 2366.

[0582] The downwardly inclined outer edge 2375 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the base of the front wall 2373. The support portion 2374 of the elbow serves two purposes. The first is to provide a mounting body and support for the PCB electrical connector 2366 to the removable elbow 2342, as described below. The second is to provide a support surface to assist in aligning the PCB connector during insertion of the removable elbow into the appropriate position in the main housing of the device.

[0583] The support portion 2374 provides additional plastic around the PCB connector to encapsulate the PCB connector. When the elbow 2342 is connected to the retainer 2160, the support portion 2374 interacts with the underside of the protective cover to reduce or prevent vertical movement of the elbow and rotation about the axis 1340A.

[0584] As can be seen most clearly from Fig.72 the downwardly inclined outer edge 2375 is oriented at an angle α that is non - parallel and non - coaxial with the longitudinal axis 2340A of the manifold gas inlet port 2340. The angle can be between approximately - 15 degrees (downward) and approximately + 30 degrees (upward) relative to the longitudinal axis 1340A. In one form, the angle is between approximately 0 degrees (upward) and approximately 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 2340A. Advantageously, the upper limit is 30 degrees because making the PCB electrical connector 2366 too inclined may result in the elbow providing an undesirably shallow flow path through the elbow and preventing the provision of a useful sedimentation area. In one form, the angle is between approximately 0 degrees (upward) and approximately 15 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 2340A. In one form, the angle is approximately 15 degrees upward relative to the longitudinal axis 1340. Within these ranges, the angle can be non - parallel and non - coaxial with the longitudinal axis and can be oriented at least + / - 5 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 2340A. In an alternative form, the angle can be parallel or coaxial with the longitudinal axis 2340A. The PCB electrical connector 2366 is mounted on the support portion 2374 such that it is parallel to the downwardly inclined outer edge 2375. Thus, the PCB connector advantageously also extends upwardly and rearwardly at an angle between approximately - 15 degrees and approximately + 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 2340A, in one form between approximately 0 degrees and approximately + 30 degrees, in one form between approximately 0 degrees and approximately + 15 degrees, and in one form at approximately + 15 degrees. Also, within these ranges, the angle can be non - zero and, for example, can be at least + / - 5 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0585] This enables the removable elbow 2342 to be inserted into Fig.76 and 77 the elbow retainer 2160 of the upper main chassis in the same manner as described above for the elbow 1342.

[0586] Figures 72 to 75The removable elbow 2342 is shown as not having an internal recessed pool area, however a recessed pool area may be provided generally as for the elbow of Figures 66 to 71 . In one configuration, the recessed pool area may be provided inside the elbow 2342 without changing the external shape of the elbow. By not including a recessed pool area, the inner surface in the elbow may be smoother (and configured as shown for example in Fig.29 ). This also enables a more uniform wall thickness, which may strengthen the elbow.

[0587] Fig.75 Details of the PCB electrical connector 2366 of the removable elbow 2342 are shown. The connector 2366 includes a plastic board 2366a having a plurality of embedded conductive traces 2366b. A plurality of conductive connector portions or pins 2366c are provided at one end of the PCB, which is the end that protrudes from the elbow in use. These connector portions are configured to engage complementary conductors in the female connector 278 to provide an electrical and / or communication connection of the PCB to other components of the device. In the form shown, some of the connector portions 2366c are in electrical communication with thermistors 2366d, which are positioned at or adjacent to the opposite end of the PCB connector and embedded within the elbow body. Each thermistor has two traces extending from the connector portion 2366c to the thermistor, where the two traces extending to the thermistor are positioned on opposite sides of the PCB to reduce the risk of an electrical short between these traces. Two connector portions 2366c are in electrical communication with connectors 2366e, which receive the bases of two upwardly protruding substantially rigid pin connectors 2368 for connection to and power supply to the heating wire 3c in a patient breathing conduit. Again, these traces may be provided on opposite sides of the PCB to reduce the risk of an electrical short. The configuration and angle of these pin connectors will be set as shown in Fig.70 . Additional connector portions 2366c may be used to power other components or provide a communication connection.

[0588] Two of these traces are coupled to a device 2366f configured to provide functionality, which may include, for example, one or more of identification, calibration functionality, and information capture (such as usage duration, power level, and disinfection). For example, device 2366f may be configured to store and / or communicate usage / usage period information of a removable airflow tube / elbow. Exemplary information may include one or more of the following: tracking data, how long the removable airflow tube / elbow has been used, the time of first use of the removable airflow tube / elbow, determining the age of the removable airflow tube / elbow (e.g., based on the manufacturing date), the number of times the removable airflow tube / elbow has been used, determining and recording the connection / disconnection of the removable airflow tube / elbow, determining whether disinfection has occurred, the number of times the removable airflow tube / elbow has been disinfected, the usage time since the last disinfection, the time when the removable airflow tube / elbow should be disinfected, power level, unique ID, calibration, the time when the removable airflow tube / elbow should be replaced. The elbow may have a specified service life stored in device 2366f, such as up to 5 years from manufacture, or a shorter time period, such as a 1-year life. In some configurations, the removable airflow tube / elbow may have a specified maximum number of disinfection cycles stored in device 2366f before the removable airflow tube / elbow should be replaced. For example, the maximum number of disinfection cycles may be a specified number of weekly disinfection cycles for a specified number of weeks. For example, for a removable airflow tube / elbow with a maximum service life of one year, the maximum number of disinfection cycles may be 52 cycles; once a week for one year. As another example, for a removable airflow tube / elbow with a maximum service life of 5 years, the maximum number of disinfection cycles may be 260 cycles; once a week for five years.

[0589] Device 2366f may include, for example, one or more of a microprocessor, a memory, or a microprocessor with integrated memory. In one form, device 2366f is an EEPROM. In some configurations, device 2366f may be a flash memory or some other type of memory. Device 2366f may be configured to store functional data, or may be configured to communicate functional data to the controller 13 of the device via the connector portion 2366c or via a suitable wireless transmission protocol (such as WI-FI, Bluetooth, or GSM).

[0590] The electronics of the removable elbow may be sealed by potting to prevent liquid or gas ingress.

[0591] The PCB electrical connector can be provided with one or more orifices 2366g to assist in mounting the PCB connector to the elbow body and / or reduce the ingress of liquid to the PCB. In the form shown, the PCB is provided with two sets of orifices; a relatively large orifice near the narrow end of the PCB, adjacent to the thermistor 2366d, and five smaller orifices positioned closer to the wider end of the PCB having the connector 2366c. There are also two smaller orifices positioned between the larger orifice and these smaller orifices. However, this configuration can be varied.

[0592] Two thermistors 2366d are surface-mounted at the front of the PCB connector and are embedded within the body of the removable elbow. They are approximately positioned at Fig.72 the positions 2366d shown, in close proximity to the air flow channel 2364. The plastic covering these thermistors can be thinned to enhance temperature measurement, which can cause a slight change in the inner curvature of the elbow from the internal curvature shown.

[0593] The PCB connector 2366 can be mounted within the elbow body in any suitable manner. In one example, when surface-mounted thermistors 2366d are used in the PCB connector, single-shot overmolding can be used to fabricate the elbow on the PCB connector to simplify manufacturing. Single-shot overmolding can also encapsulate the elongated pin connector 2368 within the chimney portion 2368a. The holes in the PCB can allow the overmolding material to flow through the PCB, thereby reducing or preventing deflection of the PCB that might otherwise occur due to the molding pressure.

[0594] Instead of thermistors, digital temperature sensors can be used.

[0595] The support portion 2374 provides protection for the PCB. Together with an optional seal (if desired or required), the support portion can be used to reduce the ingress of liquid to the PCB by plugging the connection between the PCB connector and the main control board. The support portion 2374 helps to fill the slot that receives the PCB when the PCB is coupled to the elbow retainer. Thus, if liquid is to drip / splash into the coupling area, the support portion abuts the retainer plastic surrounding the slot and reduces the likelihood that the liquid can reach the internal PCB connector. If there is no support portion, there is a higher chance that liquid can enter through the gap between the PCB and the retainer slot when the PCB and the retainer are coupled.

[0596] This also helps to keep water away from the electrical connectors and / or control board within the elbow retainer.

[0597] The portion of the seal that can press against the elbow retainer slot when inserted around the PCB connector / support portion is positioned on additional plastic of the support portion 2374 or around the electrical connector within the slot to assist in sealing between the PCB connector and the connector of the retainer.

[0598] Combinations of seals can be used.

[0599] In combination with the non-horizontal angle of the PCB connector in use, these features assist in draining liquid from the PCB connector. The plastic surrounds the side and upper portions of the PCB such that there is no junction between the PCB and the elbow where liquid can seep in. The support portion 2374 also provides protection for the thin-walled section at the base of the portion 2368a, and the plastic of the support portion encapsulates the PCB connector. It also provides a flat base to assist in alignment during insertion of the PCB connector into the elbow retainer.

[0600] The PCB connector can be plasma treated or coated with a conformal coating to assist in the bonding between the PCB and the overmolded elbow.

[0601] The removable elbow 2342 will be provided with suitable seals. For example, a T-seal can be provided on the manifold gas inlet port 2340 to seal between this port and the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308, and an O-ring seal or other seal can be provided on the patient outlet port 2344. The T-seal can provide a more easily manufacturable symmetric seal. The T-seal can deflect in both the insertion and removal directions over a wide range of heights (where the seal is contacted by the insertion / removal portion), which makes the T-seal more versatile than an O-ring seal.

[0602] Fig.137 An exemplary T-seal 2342T is shown in place on the manifold gas inlet port 2340 of the removable elbow 2342. The T-seal 2342T is received in an annular recess 2340R adjacent the outer end of the manifold gas inlet port 2340. As Fig.138 shown, the T-seal has a relatively wide annular base or body 2342T1, the size and configuration of which are sized to be received within the annular recess of the elbow 2342. The body 2342T1 defines a recess 2342T2 that mates with the annular body portion within the annular recess of the elbow 2342. The radial thickness of the body 2342T1 can be sized to be slightly thinner than the radial thickness of the recess.

[0603] The annular seal projection 2342T3 projects radially outward from the body 2342T1 and extends beyond the perimeter of the manifold gas inlet port 2340 so as to seal against the inner surface of the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308. The annular seal projection 2342T3 includes a relatively narrow resilient annular rib 2342T4 that extends radially outward from the body and includes a wider pompom end or annular head 2342T5 having a bulbous cross-sectional shape so as to provide a seal against the inner surface of the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308.

[0604] The pompom end 2342T5 provides a smooth / continuous sealing surface and advantageously reduces jamming or folding of the seal when it changes the direction in which it is deflected. The pompom end also provides resistance to blow-over that occurs due to gas pressure in the circuit. If there is any flash on the pompom end after manufacture, the effect of this flash on the effective seal will be reduced because the flash location will not be on the contact surface of the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308 when the T-shaped seal is deflected. The T-shaped seal can be molded in the axial direction such that the flash will not affect the seal. The pompom end 2342T5 can have a non-stick surface finish so as to prevent the pompom end from sticking to the surface against which it seals.

[0605] The following references Fig.139 Outlined are selected exemplary dimensions and parameters for a T-shaped seal 2342T for use on the manifold gas inlet port 2340 of a removable elbow, which have been found to improve the positioning and sealing between the liquid chamber and the removable elbow. The exemplary dimensions and parameters are selected for the specific embodiment described, but different values or combinations of dimensions and parameters can be used for different embodiments, applications, and / or materials.

[0606] Base width 2342T1’: 2.3 mm - 6 mm, e.g., 6 mm - Generally, it is preferred to maximize the base width for a specific application so as to minimize the lifting of the seal base. The width of the base can be optimized for the stability of the seal. The base width will be selected to be thick enough to prevent the base from wobbling or lifting during use, which could compromise the seal.

[0607] Base thickness 2342T1”: 0.5 mm - 0.9 mm, e.g., 0.9 mm - is selected to balance minimizing lifting of the base and allowing room for the T - seal to deflect into during assembly. An overly thick base may result in a compression fit between the base 2342T1 and the pom - pom tip 2342T5 during assembly. If the base is too thick, deflection of the T may be restricted and result in a compression seal with the base rather than a deflection seal. This may cause the shape to remain distorted over time, which may lead to increased sealing force and potentially failure over time. A thick base will allow greater T - deflection because the base is less likely to wobble or lift when the T is deflected.

[0608] Stretchability: e.g., 10% - This configuration is selected to allow the T - seal 2342T to stretch over the recess 2342R of the manifold gas inlet port 2340. If the seal is over - stretched, it will have increased stress, which may cause tearing; and the height of the seal may decrease, which may cause sealing problems. If the seal is under - stretched, it may not hold well to the part. Stretchability depends on the base thickness, and any suitable range can be selected to optimize the seal.

[0609] T - section / annular rib thickness 2342T4’: 0.35 mm - 0.7 mm, e.g., 0.7 mm - Having a relatively thin thickness reduces the stiffness of the seal and helps prevent lifting of the seal base. The thicker the T, the thicker the base needs to be in order to prevent the base from lifting or wobbling during use. Other materials can be used and different results will be obtained.

[0610] Pom - pom tip diameter 2342T5’: 0.6 mm - 0.9 mm, e.g., 0.9 mm - This size is selected for a combination of maximum resistance to “blow - off” while still providing an acceptable user insertion force and avoiding a compression fit against the seal base 2342T1 during assembly. Blow - off can occur if gas can force the pom - pom tip past the sealed position and out of contact with the sealing surface. This “pom - pom” geometry provides a smooth sealing surface and reduces jamming or folding of the seal when it changes the direction in which it is deflected.

[0611] Shore A hardness: e.g., 60 Shore A - In the testing of O-rings, this hardness was found to provide the best trade-off between a softer material that is "sticky" and causes the seal to extrude from its recess during insertion and a harder material that is too plastic and prone to tearing during assembly. For a given material (silicone), 60 Shore A provides a smooth insertion feel. This material also has a higher elongation at break and tear resistance when compared to an equivalent 70 Shore A grade. A non-sticky surface finish will inhibit the seal from bonding to the liquid chamber port over time. Shore hardness is specific to material selection, so it should be understood that different Shore hardnesses will be suitable for different materials, such as nitrile rubber, PTFE, EPDM rubber, fluorocarbons. Depending on the desired properties, different Shore hardnesses may also be suitable.

[0612] Tensile, non-sticky, and tough are the desired material properties for the T-seal.

[0613] By inserting the base 2342T1 of the T-seal into the recess 2340R of the manifold gas outlet port 2340 of the removable elbow 2342, during use, the airflow is blocked from reaching beneath the seal and lifts the base 2342T1 of the seal off the elbow. The ridges provided by the end walls at either end of the recess minimize the likelihood of the seal base being lifted or damaged during the assembly of the liquid chamber with the removable elbow, thus helping to correctly position the seal and prevent seal movement. The T-shape of the seal provides good resistance to leakage.

[0614] The T-seal 2342T can be removable from the elbow 2342 to enable seal replacement when required.

[0615] In an alternative configuration, the seal can be overmolded onto the removable elbow 2342 or other suitable component. By overmolding the seal onto the component, there is more room for changing the dimensions discussed above. For example, the base width 2342T1' can be significantly reduced. The T-seal may no longer rest within the recess 2340R in the removable elbow 2342, which means that the seal can occur closer to the outer end of the manifold gas outlet port 2340 without requiring the manifold gas inlet port 2340 of the elbow to be pushed as far into the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308; and / or the base 2342T1 of the seal will not be lifted during the insertion / removal process or due to flow beneath the seal.

[0616] Fig.140 and 141 An alternative configuration T-seal 2342T' is shown in place on the gas inlet port 2340 of a modified removable elbow 2342'. Unless described otherwise below, the features and functionality are as described above, and like reference numerals indicate like parts.

[0617] This configuration differs in that the T-shaped seal 2342T' has an asymmetric shape, with one side of the base 2342T1 being narrower than the other side of the base 2342T1. In the illustrated configuration, the width of the base 2342T1 on the side of the seal adjacent to the outer end of the inlet port 2340 is shorter than the width of the base 2342T1 on the side of the seal positioned further away from the outer end of the inlet port. In other respects, these dimensions and parameters can be the same as those described above. When the recess 2340R is provided in the inlet port, the recess is a one-sided recess. The recess leads to the outer end of the inlet port 2340, and the inner edge of the recess 2340R forms a shoulder against the edge of the T-shaped seal 2342T'. Overmolding the T-shaped seal onto the inlet port 2340 means that when the outlet port 2340 is inserted into or removed from the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308, the base 2342T1 of the T-shaped seal 2342T' does not lift away from the inlet port 2340. Alternatively, the recess 2340R may not be provided in the inlet port, and the T-shaped seal may be directly overmolded onto the outside of the port.

[0618] Fig.142 and 143 An alternative configuration seal 2342T" is shown in place on the gas inlet port 2340 of the modified removable elbow 2342". Unless described below, the features and functionality are as described above, and like reference numerals indicate like parts.

[0619] This seal 2342T" is an adapted T-shaped seal similar to an L-shaped seal and having an overall L-shaped configuration, where the annular base 2342T1 of the seal extends only from one side of the radially extending annular rib 2342T3. In the illustrated configuration, the base 2342T1 extends only in the direction away from the edge of the inlet port 2340 from the rib 2342T3. In the case of this configuration, sealing can occur exactly at the outer edge of the inlet port 2340. In other respects, these dimensions and parameters can be the same as those described above. When the recess 2340R is provided in the inlet port, the recess is a one-sided recess. The recess leads to the edge of the inlet port 2340, and the inner edge of the recess 2340 forms a shoulder against the edge of the T-shaped seal 2342T". Overmolding the seal 2342T" onto the inlet port 2340 means that when the outlet port 2340 is inserted into or removed from the liquid chamber gas outlet port 308, the base 2342T1 of the seal 2342T" does not lift away from the inlet port 2340. Alternatively, the recess 2340R may not be provided in the inlet port, and the T-shaped seal may be directly overmolded onto the outside of the port.

[0620] The liquid chamber gas outlet port 308 and / or the gas inlet port 2340 may be provided with one or more alignment features to limit the eccentricity between the two ports and thus reduce the load on the seal. Fig.144 An example is shown in which the alignment feature includes a mechanical balance in the gas inlet port 2340. In the form shown, the mechanical balance is provided by the inner shoulder 2340RS of the sealing recess 2340R, which serves to position and align the ports during insertion such that the seal only has to seal the ports, rather than align the ports or accommodate significant loads from the ports. The mechanical balance may be positioned in front of or behind the sealing surface of the seal and may have any suitable form.

[0621] The use of a flexible T-seal or L-seal provides a good seal without requiring a high force to couple the liquid chamber to the removable elbow. An effective seal can be maintained over time, whereas other types of seals such as O-ring seals may creep or degrade over time and require a compression fit.

[0622] Depending on the configuration of the device, the gas flow tubes 1342, 2342, 2342', 2342'' are not in the form of elbows, but may have any other suitable configuration. For example, the gas flow tubes may be of a substantially linear or non-linear configuration, where the manifold gas inlet port and the patient outlet port are located at the ends of the tube. The inlet port and the outlet port will typically be offset from each other. The direction of insertion of the gas flow tube into and removal from the retainer (e.g., forward and backward) may be at an angle to the longitudinal axes 1340A, 2340A such that the elbow can form a connection in the desired orientation when coupled to the liquid chamber. The retainer may be modified as needed according to the configuration of the gas flow tube.

[0623] 7. Motor and / or Sensor Module - Alternative Configurations

[0624] Figures 78 to 100 An alternative configuration removable motor and / or sensor module or subassembly 1400 that can be used as a flow generator in the flow therapy device described herein is shown. Unless otherwise described below, the subassembly has the features and functionality described for the Figures 16 to 22f subassembly, and like reference numerals indicate like parts by adding 1000 to each reference numeral.

[0625] As discussed above, the motor and / or sensor module or subassembly 1400 has been designed as a separate and sealed component. Any breached seal will cause gas (such as oxygen) to leak into the atmosphere rather than into the electronics of the device. Module 1400 is positioned slightly eccentrically within the device such that the module mates with the filter and oxygen manifold; and the module is positioned near the air / oxygen inlet arrangement 350 of the device. Module 1400 is configured to be replaceable, so that if a sensor fails, the entire module can be replaced. The module may house only the electronics related to sensing.

[0626] The motor and / or sensor module 1400 includes three main components in a stacked arrangement: a base 1403 of the subassembly 1400 (on which is positioned a motor 1402 with an impeller that forms a blower), an outlet air flow path and sensing layer 1420 positioned above the base 1403, and a cover layer 1440. The cover layer 1440 and the outlet air flow path and sensing layer 1420 will typically be assembled together in use to form the sensing layer. Gas moves through module 1400 substantially as described above with reference to Figures 16 to 22f the description. An opening formed between the blower 1402 and the outlet air flow path and sensing layer 1420 provides an inlet for gas into the module and enables the measurement of the temperature of the incoming gas.

[0627] The base 1403 includes an area 1403A for receiving the gas blower motor 1402. Area 1403A may be concave. The diameter of the concave area is selected to correspond to the shape of the underside of the body 1408 of the motor 1402. Area 1403A directs the air flow to the blower. In combination with the shape of the concave area, ribs located on the underside of the base 1403 give the area rigidity and reduce noise. In an alternative configuration, area 1403A may be a different shape, such as a non-concave shape.

[0628] As Fig.79 shown, the base 1403 includes a plurality of flexible mounts 1411. These flexible mounts act as vibration isolation structures. A mating plate 1411A is held by the upper housing of the motor / blower body 1408 and provides slots into which the mounts can slide. Any suitable number of flexible mounts 1411 may be provided. The upper ends of these mounts are received in complementary receiving portions (such as cup sockets) in the body 1422 of the outlet air flow path and sensing layer 1420.

[0629] As Figures 78-82As shown at 84, 85, and 88, the base 1403, the outlet air flow path, and the body 1422 of the sensing layer 1420 are provided with complementary securing features 1405, 1425 for securing the body 1422 to the base 1403. The base 1403 includes a plurality of upright clamps 1405 positioned at spaced apart locations around the perimeter of the base. The upper ends of these clamps include heads 1405A that are tapered towards their upper ends. These heads are provided with recesses or notches to provide a substantially uniform cross-sectional area in the plastic, allowing the plastic to cool quickly.

[0630] The body 1422 includes a corresponding plurality of receiver members 1425 positioned at spaced apart locations around the perimeter of the body. These receiver members include apertures 1425A towards their lower ends, and the sizes and configurations of these apertures 1425A are set to receive the tapered heads 1405A of the clamps. The body 1422 can be secured to the base 1403 by moving the body and the base towards each other such that the clamp heads 1405A are received within the apertures 1425A. The body can be separated from the base by laterally moving the heads 1405A such that they are disengaged from the apertures 1425A, and then moving the body away from the base.

[0631] The clamps 1405 and the receiver members 1425 can be positioned at or near the outer edges of the base 1403 and the body 1422. Suitably there will be at least two clamps and receiver members, but there can be three or more clamps and receiver members. In the form shown, the clamps 1405 are positioned on opposite sides of the base 1403, and the receiver members 1425 are positioned on opposite sides of the body 1422. These clamps can alternatively be part of the body 1422 and these receiver members be part of the base 1403, or there can be a combination of clamps and receiver members mounted in the base 1403 and the body 1422.

[0632] The clamps 1405 and the receiver members 1425 are constructed to be strong enough such that the removable motor and / or sensor module or subassembly 1400 can be removed from the housing as a single piece, but do not need to carry loads during assembly. These clamps and receiver members can be used as the sole method of securing the base and the body, or they can be used in combination with other fasteners (such as screws, etc.). Alternatively, different securing methods can be used.

[0633] The base 1403 and the body 1422 include a plurality of vertically extending wall members 1407, 1427. These wall members are complementary to each other, and when the base 1403 is fixed to the body 1422, the upper end of the lower wall member 1407 engages with the lower end of the upper wall member 1427 to prevent the body 1422 from wobbling relative to the base 1403. There will be at least two wall members located at spaced positions around the body and the base, but there can be three or more wall members. These wall members can be provided on either side of these clamps to help these clamps engage more firmly, thus providing a more stable assembly that is less likely to wobble. The length and / or shape of these wall members can be changed. The orifice 1427A is positioned in one of these wall members or between two of these wall members to receive a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the inflowing gas. Alternatively, the temperature sensor can be positioned elsewhere.

[0634] The base 1403 and / or the body 1422 also include a plurality of alignment pins 1412 to guide the base and the body together during the coupling process. Suitably, there will be at least two alignment pins 1412 to provide rotational and vertical alignment, but there can be three or more pins 1412.

[0635] The perimeter 1403B of the base 1403 is provided with a recess for receiving a soft seal (such as an O-ring seal) 1403C. The seal 1403C seals against the housing of the device's seal module 1400 and prevents entrained atmosphere that might bypass the filter. Specifically, the seal 1403C seals between the base 1403 and the peripheral wall of the recess 250 in the device housing. The seal 1403C also provides a force that must be overcome to remove the module 1400 from the housing between the module 1400 and the housing of the device.

[0636] As Fig.83 shown, the bottom side of the base 1403 is fan-shaped and is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 1403D to provide structural strength and stability. These ribs are shown in a radial arrangement, but can be in any suitable configuration. One edge of the perimeter 1403B ( Fig.83 the lower edge as shown) is substantially linear to conform to the shape of the oxygen inlet manifold in the device. The multiple sides of the peripheral edge can be tapered to assist in tooling. An orifice 1403E is provided in the protruding portion of the base 1403 to enable the use of fasteners (such as screws) to fasten the module 1400 to the housing of the device.

[0637] Once the gases enter the module 1400 via the inlet region, these gases move to the blower inlet, which is positioned below the blower 1402 in the concave portion 1403A of the base 1403. The gases entering the module can serve to cool the electric motor. The gases then move through the blower 1402 and exit via the blower gas outlet port 1406. The gases exiting the blower gas outlet port 1406 enter a pipe or collar 1409, which couples the blower gas outlet port 1406 to the outlet gas flow path and the gas inlet port 1430 of the sensing layer 1420. The collar has a gas inlet port 1409A coupled to the blower outlet port 1406, an arcuate body portion 1409B that directs the gases upwardly away from the gas inlet port 1409A, and a gas outlet port 1409C that delivers the gases to the gas inlet port 1430 of the outlet gas flow path and the sensing layer 1420. The arcuate body portion of the collar directs the gases through an angular change of approximately 90 degrees from the blower outlet port 1406 to the gas inlet port 1430, but over a short horizontal distance while minimizing the pressure drop. In one configuration, the maximum pressure drop between the blower outlet port 1406 and the midpoint of the gas flow paths 1426, 1446 is a maximum of 2.5 cm H2O.

[0638] It should be understood that depending on the required configuration, the collar can be configured to direct the gases through different angles. The inlet 1409A and the outlet port 1409C of the collar 1409 will be sealed to the blower outlet port 1406 and the gas inlet port 1430 using a suitable sealing arrangement (e.g., a soft seal such as an O-ring seal).

[0639] The collar 1409 is configured to minimize the pressure drop of the gases passing through the collar and to isolate the blower vibrations from the housing of the unit under strict space constraints. The collar is made of a soft flexible material and has a limited area that acts as a diaphragm and serves as a vibration isolator. Some regions of the collar can be thinned in order to provide isolation so as to prevent any vibrations from being transmitted to the structural parts or to minimize them. This can be achieved by molding a thinner section into the collar. Additionally or alternatively, a telescoping tube can be provided in the collar in order to assist in isolating the vibrations from the housing of the unit while allowing the module 1400 to make more movement within the housing.

[0640] The base 1403 includes upwardly protruding upright collar support members 1407A located at or near the perimeter of the base. The collar support members 1407A have a shape that is concave inward when viewed from a top side plan view and are configured to receive and support the perimeter of the collar 1409. As for example Fig.82As shown, the gas outlet port end 1409C of the ferrule includes an enlarged diameter that docks on the upper end of the ferrule support member 1407A. The ferrule support member 1407A holds the flexible ferrule 1409 in the desired position and helps prevent the ferrule from being blown off the inlet 1430 under a pressurized flow. The flexibility of the middle of the ferrule can be greater than that of either end of the ferrule. The ferrule can be made of a low compression deformation material that reduces creep and allows the neck of the ferrule to stretch over and onto the port and hold it firmly in place. The ferrule can be provided with one or more grasping tabs to assist in the assembly process. The grasping tabs can be provided in any suitable area of the ferrule. However, the grasping tabs will generally be positioned so as not to obstruct / interfere with the airflow in the area where air and / or oxygen or other gases enter the motor and / or sensor module 1400. In one example, the grasping tabs can be positioned near the upper edge of the ferrule. In another example, the grasping tabs can be positioned elsewhere on the ferrule.

[0641] As an alternative to the grasping tabs, the edge of the ferrule can be beveled to assist in positioning the ferrule in place.

[0642] The airflow path and sensing layer 1420 includes an airflow path having one or more sensors and is arranged to deliver gas to the outlet port of the housing.

[0643] The body 1422 of the airflow path and sensing layer 1420 defines the lower part 1426 of the sensing and airflow path. The cover layer 1440 has a body 1442 that defines the upper part 1446 of the sensing and airflow path, where the shape of the lower part 1426 and the upper part 1446 substantially corresponds to each other. Thus, although Fig.84 and 85 schematically shows the upper part 1446 of the sensing and airflow path, the upper part will only exist when the cover layer 1440 is attached to the body 1442, as can be clearly seen from the Figures 93 to 95 cover layer shown.

[0644] As Fig.88 and 89 shown, the sensing and airflow path includes arcuate elongated airflow portions 1428, 1448. Depressions 1433, 1453, 1434, 1454 can be provided adjacent to opposite ends of the arcuate elongated portions of the sensing and airflow path.

[0645] In the illustrated form, the arcuate elongate airflow portions 1428, 1448 are curved. In the illustrated form, the arcuate elongate airflow portion has a length of approximately 85 mm. In the illustrated form, the curvature of the ends of the airflow path is greater than that of the middle portion (i.e., has a smaller radius), and the middle portion is still arcuate but more linear. The airflow path is curved to minimize the pressure drop of the gases as they travel along the airflow path, yet direct these gases through the module, which requires the gases to make several sharp turns. The curvature helps to smooth the sharp turns as the gases move through the module. The gases enter the arcuate airflow path shortly after they leave the ferrule 1409 / when they leave the ferrule.

[0646] The middle portions 1428A, 1448A of the airflow path have a smaller diameter compared to the portions on either end of these middle portions. Accordingly, the airflow path slightly tapers inward and then widens again to accelerate the flow through the flow path.

[0647] The airflow outlet port 1452 extends vertically through the body 1442 of the cover layer 1440 and is positioned at or adjacent to the end of the arcuate elongate airflow portions 1428, 1448 opposite the inlet port 1430.

[0648] The sensing and airflow path has a curved shape. The airflow enters at the inlet port 1430, flows along the curved sensing and airflow path, and exits the sensing and airflow path from the opposite side at the outlet port 1452. In some configurations, the inlet and the outlet may be positioned in vertically opposite directions, and the airflow may enter the path in a vertically upward direction, then bend to a horizontal direction, and then bend again to a vertically upward direction. In some configurations, the sensing and airflow path does not have sharp turns. In some configurations, the sensing and airflow path has curved ends with a relatively straight middle section. In some configurations, the sensing and airflow path maintains a consistent cross-sectional shape throughout the length of the flow path. In some configurations, the sensing and airflow path slightly tapers inward from the first end of the sensing and airflow path and widens again toward the second end of the sensing and airflow path, which can accelerate the flow. In some configurations, the surface of the sensing and airflow path is lined with a surface modifier / lubricant to reduce friction within the sensing and airflow path. The curved flow path shape can reduce the pressure drop of the airflow. Several different flow path configurations may be used.

[0649] The sensing and airflow paths 1426, 1446 have a total distance between opposite ends of the arcuate elongated airflow portions 1428, 1448 (between the closest approaching portions of the recesses 1433, 1453, 1434, 1454) that is between about 10 mm and about 1000 mm, between about 40 mm and about 200 mm, between about 50 mm and about 150 mm, between about 70 mm and about 120 mm, between about 80 mm and 100 mm, or between any of the foregoing values, or about 95 mm.

[0650] The sensing and airflow paths 1426, 1446 can have a diameter greater than about 2 mm and less than about 100 mm, between about 5 mm and about 50 mm, between about 10 and about 30 mm, between about 15 and about 25 mm, between any of the foregoing values, or about 16 mm. Reducing the diameter of the flow path will increase the gas velocity beyond a useful velocity at high flow rates and will result in a pressure drop. Increasing the diameter of the flow path will occupy more space in the system. Thus, an optimal balance can be obtained according to the ranges described above. Equivalent ranges can be used with devices having different flow patterns.

[0651] The slot 1422C is provided in the body 1422 to conduct wires from the blower 1402 to the sensing printed circuit board (PCB) 1456. At least a portion of the PCB overlaps the airflow path passing through the airflow path and the sensing layer 1420. The PCB 1456 is sandwiched between the airflow path sensing layer 1420 and the cover layer 1440. The temperature sensor will be positioned on the portion of the PCB that is within / overlaps the airflow path. As Fig.100 shown, the PCB 1456 includes a recess 1457 having an arcuate portion 1457A that is complementary in shape to the curvature of the outer edges of the arcuate elongated airflow portions 1428, 1448. The protruding portion 1456A of the PCB carries the electronics of the PCB and is configured to be positioned outside the flow path.

[0652] As Fig.88 and 89 shown, the upper side of the body 1422 of the layer 1420 is provided with a groove 1423 for receiving a soft seal (such as an O-ring) 1423A to seal against the bottom side of the PCB 1456. The lower side of the body 1442 of the cover layer 1440 is provided with a groove 1443 for receiving a soft seal (such as an O-ring) 1443A to seal against the upper side of the PCB 1456. The grooves 1423, 1443 are advantageously provided with inwardly directed protrusions 1423B, 1443B (more clearly shown in Fig.99 to assist in maintaining the O-ring seal in place within these grooves.

[0653] The soft seals 1423A, 1443A seal the high-pressure regions of the module since the gas passing through the air flow path has been pressurized by the blower. The seals 1423A, 1443A prevent the gas from escaping and moving towards the electronics of the device. These soft seals may alternatively be co-molded onto the bodies 1422 and 1442, where the soft layers are co-molded onto these bodies.

[0654] As Fig.92 shown, the lower surface of the body 1422 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 1422B in any suitable configuration to reduce warping.

[0655] As discussed above with respect to these configurations, the electronics of the device are positioned in the low-pressure region of the housing, creating a tortuous path that reduces the likelihood of liquid or oxygen infiltrating into these electronics. The portion 1456A of the PCB that includes these electronic components is positioned "outside" the O-ring. The portion of the PCB 1456 that includes the sensors is located inside the flow path and is tightly pressed against the PCB 1456 by the O-rings 1423A, 1443A to be sealed off from the outside. Thus, infiltration of liquid or oxygen can be at least substantially prevented.

[0656] The cover layer 1440 can be coupled to the air flow path and the sensing layer 1420 using fasteners such as screws. These fasteners clamp the two parts together, providing a compressive force to seal the soft seals 1423A, 1443A against the PCB board 1456. Any suitable number of orifices 1422A, 1442A ( Fig.88 and 89 ) can be provided for receiving the screws. Washers can be used on the underside of the screws. To minimize the chance of leakage around the screws into the low-pressure region, which could affect performance, ridges can be added to the bosses on which the heads of the screws will sit once inserted. Alternatively, an adhesive or filler can be used to seal any possible openings once the screws have been inserted. Alternatively, the cover layer 1440 can include clamping or bonding features to couple to the air flow path and the sensing layer 1420 when a force is applied, thereby sealing between these layers.

[0657] As Fig.93 and 94 shown, the upper surface of the cover layer 1440 is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 1442B in any suitable configuration to reduce warping. The cover layer 1440 is provided with a protruding portion 1441A that covers the protruding portion 1456A of the PCB to protect the electronics of the PCB. The cover layer 1440 also has a protruding portion 1441B to cover and protect the electrical connection to the PCB.

[0658] The cover layer 1440 is provided with a shield 1441C located on the protruding portion 1441A for receiving electrical components of the PCB 1456 such as edge cards / connectors. The edge card / connector can be directly connected to the PCB 1456 or can be connected by wires. The edge card / connector can be used to electrically connect the blower motor to the electronics of the main device. The shield is most clearly shown in Figures 93-95 and is configured to at least partially surround and protect the electrical components. The shield can be configured to support the electrical components but allow the electrical components to move within the shield in at least one dimension. In the shown form, the upper portion of the shield 1441C is open.

[0659] The shield 1441C includes an elongated body having a long dimension 1441D and a short dimension 1441E. Slots 1441F are provided near each end of the body for receiving the ends of the edge card / PCB. The sides of the body are provided by two resilient supports 1441G that support opposite faces of the edge card / connector.

[0660] In some configurations, the shield 1441C is configured such that the edge card / connector can move in one dimension. For example, the shield 1441C can be configured such that the edge card / connector can move laterally (in the short dimension 1441E of the shield) due to the resilient supports 1441G; or can be configured such that the edge card / connector can move in the long dimension 1441D of the shield if the length of the edge card / connector is shorter than the distance between the ends of the slots 1441F. The PCB / edge card can alternatively be the same length as the long distance 1441D between these slots and thus have less freedom of movement.

[0661] In some configurations, the shield 1441C is configured such that the electrical components can move in two dimensions. For example, the shield can be configured such that the edge card / connector can move laterally (in the short dimension 1441E of the shield) due to the resilient supports 1441G; and can be configured such that the edge card / connector can move in the long dimension 1441D of the shield if the length of the edge card / connector is shorter than the distance between the ends of the slots 1441F. The PCB / edge card can alternatively be the same length as the long distance 1441D between these slots and thus have less freedom of movement.

[0662] In the present application, the shroud does not permit vertical movement of the edge card / connector. In an alternative configuration, the shroud 1441C is configured such that the electrical component can move in three dimensions. For example, the shroud can be configured such that the edge card / connector can move laterally (in the short dimension 1441E of the shroud) due to the resilient support 1441G; can be configured such that the edge card / connector can move in the long dimension 1441D of the shroud if the length of the edge card / connector is shorter than the distance between the ends of the slot 1441F; and can be configured such that the edge card / connector can move vertically. The PCB / edge card can alternatively be the same length as the long distance 1441D between these slots and thus have fewer degrees of freedom of movement.

[0663] The shroud can be configured to permit limited movement of the edge card / connector in at least one dimension, the limited movement being sufficient to accommodate tolerance misalignment in the component.

[0664] Once the gases have passed through the airflow path and the sensing layer 1420, they leave the module 1400 via the airflow outlet port 1452 that is coupled to the airflow inlet elbow 324. A soft seal (such as an O-ring seal) 1452A can be provided to seal the airflow outlet port 1452 of the module 1400. As Fig.96 shown, the soft seal 1452A seals against the inner wall of the outer downwardly extending tube or conduit 133 of the housing, or another part of the housing. A soft seal (such as an O-ring seal) 324A can be provided to seal between the elbow 324 and the inner wall of the downwardly extending tube 133 of the housing, or another part of the housing. These soft seals function to keep the module 1400 sealed and reduce the likelihood of pressurized airflow entering the housing of the device. These soft seals can be disposed in the annular grooves in the airflow outlet port 1452 and the airflow inlet elbow 324. Alternatively, one or both of these components can be provided with outwardly directed shoulders to provide a docking surface for these soft seals. For example, the seal 1452A can dock on top of the shoulder 1452B on the airflow outlet port 1452, and the soft seal 324A can dock beneath the shoulder 324B on the airflow inlet elbow 324, as Fig.96 shown.

[0665] In another configuration, different types of seals can be provided to seal between the air flow outlet port 1452, the air flow inlet elbow 324, and / or the outer extension tube / housing 133. For example, instead of using an O-ring, a face seal, a foam, or a bellows seal can be used, which will allow some relative movement between these components in a direction transverse to the direction of the air flow through these components without breaking the seal. The seal that enables this movement will not overly constrain the module 1400 when the module is in place in the lower chassis, but will instead effect a seal between the upper surface of the air flow outlet port 1452 and the bottom surface of the inlet elbow 324 while enabling some lateral movement between the air flow outlet port 1452 of the module 1400 and the inlet elbow 324. If a bellows seal is used to seal between the air flow outlet port 1452 and the inlet elbow 324, the bellows seal will effect both some lateral movement and some axial movement between the air flow outlet port 1452 of the module 1400 and the inlet elbow 324.

[0666] The connection between the air flow outlet port 1452 and the air flow inlet elbow 324 is formed external to the motor and / or sensor module 1400 such that any leakage that occurs due to this connection will be directed outside the housing of the device. Since the lower chassis extends upward around the inlet elbow 324 and is formed as a single integral part including the walls and top plate that define the recess 250 and the air flow tube 264, in the case of a leak, the gas will follow the path of least resistance, accumulating outside the leak area and exiting to the atmosphere via the outside of the inlet elbow 324. It is highly unlikely that the gas will flow into the housing and reach the electronics of the device via a tortuous path.

[0667] The PCB and other components of the module 1400 can be provided with the protrusions or recesses shown in the different figures to assist in mounting these components or to provide protrusions or recesses for other adjacent components.

[0668] Once the gas has entered the module, the overall flow of the gas through the module 1400 is indicated by the arrows in Fig.97 If it is assumed that the pressure drop has the form P = kQ 2 , where Q is the flow rate in L min -1 , P is the pressure in Pa, and k is the pressure drop coefficient, then the pressure drop coefficient from the blower outlet port 1406 to the air flow outlet port 1452 of the module will be between approximately 5 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 and approximately 50 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 in one configuration, and between approximately 10 mPa (L min -1 ) -2between about 20 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 and, in one configuration, about 15 mPa (L min -1 ) -2 . Equivalently, at 100 L min -1 the pressure drop will be between about 50 Pa and about 500 Pa, in one configuration between about 100 Pa and about 200 Pa, and in another configuration about 150 Pa. The inlet to the module / blower can add a small pressure drop, but this small decrease can be negligible.

[0669] It should be understood that module 1400 can have any of the alternative configurations described above for module 400.

[0670] 8. Alternative Configurations

[0671] Figures 101 to 179 features of the alternative configuration flow therapy device 3010' are presented. The flow therapy device 3010' can have any of the features and / or functionality described herein with respect to the other configurations, but for simplicity these features are not repeated here. Generally, similar numbers are used to indicate Figures 2 to 54 the analogous portions of the configuration of 55 to 64 by adding 3000 to each reference number. Similarly, the features and / or functionality of this alternative configuration device 3010' can be used for the other devices described herein.

[0672] Figures 101 to 117 Details of the handle arrangement of the flow therapy device 3010' are shown, where the handle arrangement has an alternative configuration handle / lever 4500. For the features shown in these figures, similar numbers are used to indicate Figures 55 to 64 the analogous portions of

[0673] Similar to Figures 55 to 64 the configuration of, the handle / lever 4500 is a single-sided configuration. That is, only one side of the handle / lever 4500 is movably connected to the main housing of the flow therapy device 3010', while the other side of the handle / lever 4500 is not pivotally connected to the main housing. In the form shown, the left side of the handle / lever 4500 is pivotally connected relative to the main housing. However, in an alternative configuration, only the right side can be pivotally connected to the main housing. This configuration differs from Figures 55 to 64 the configuration of in that the handle is pivotally and translationally connected to the main housing such that the handle moves along a path having a varying radius relative to the main housing. The handle / lever 4500 and the main housing are modified from those described above to provide the pivotal and translational connection.

[0674] The handle / lever 4500 has a left arm 4502 which is pivotally and translationally attached relative to the left inner wall 3112' of the upper chassis 3102'. The left arm 4502 is configured to be substantially flush with the interconnecting wall 3114' when the handle 4500 is in Fig.101 its lowered or closed position. The handle / lever further includes a right member 4504 instead of a right arm, the right member being shorter than the left arm 4502 and not pivotally attached to the right inner wall 3118' of the upper chassis 3102'. The right member 4504 is configured to be substantially flush with the interconnecting wall 3120' when the handle 4500 is in Fig.101 its lowered or closed position. The main housing is provided with recesses to enable the left arm 4502 and the right member 4504 to be substantially flush with these interconnecting walls. In the illustrated form, the left member 4502 is longer than the right member 4504, so the spacer member 3120'' is mounted to the upper chassis 3102' and sits substantially flush with the interconnecting wall 3120' and the right member 4504 when the handle 4500 is in the lowered or closed position. The spacer member 3120'' may carry a label or other marking having information about the device and / or its user.

[0675] The terminal portion of the handle has a crossbar handle portion 4506 which interconnects the front end portions of the left arm 4502 and the right member 4504 and forms a gripping area for the user's fingers. When the handle 4500 is in the lifted position as shown for example in Fig.111 , the crossbar 4506 can act as a carrying handle for the device 3010'. In the case of the illustrated configuration, when the handle is in the fully lifted position, the crossbar 4506 is positioned generally above and generally aligned with the center of gravity of the device (including the liquid chamber). In one configuration, the crossbar 4506 can be positioned substantially directly above and substantially aligned with the center of gravity of the device. The liquid chamber 300' as shown for example in Fig.55 can be inserted into or removed from the chamber base 3108' when the handle / lever 4500 is lifted. When the handle / lever 4500 is in the lowered position, the handle / lever inhibits or prevents removal of the liquid chamber 300' from the chamber base 3108'.

[0676] The handle / lever 4500 may terminate at the right side of the crossbar 4506 instead of having the right member 4504. However, having the rearwardly directed member 4504 is preferred as this reduces the likelihood of the device 3010' dropping when it is being carried.

[0677] In Fig.101In the closed or fully lowered position of the handle / lever 4500 shown, the crossbeam 4506 is positioned in a recess 3242' located at the front portion of the main housing and surrounds a portion of the chamber base. The main housing may be formed to have an upper chassis portion 3102' and a lower chassis portion 3202', and the recess 3242' will be formed in the appropriate chassis portion. In the form shown, the two chassis portions have corresponding recesses. The handle / lever 4500 and / or the recess 3242' may have forced engagement features (such as one of those described above) to forcefully engage the handle / lever 4500 in the lowered or closed position. When the handle / lever 4500 is in the lowered or closed position, a portion of the crossbeam 4506 protrudes sufficiently above the bottom plate of the chamber base 3108' and above the flange 310' of the liquid chamber 300' such that it prevents the liquid chamber 300' from being slid forward and removed from the liquid chamber base 3108'. The liquid chamber base 3108' includes guide rails 3144, 3146 to prevent the liquid chamber 300' from being vertically lifted and removed from the liquid chamber base 3108' when the handle / lever 4500 is in the lowered or closed position.

[0678] The guide rails 3144, 3146 may have a curved shape and / or an upwardly inclined leading edge portion 3144a( Fig.102 ) to assist in facilitating the entry of the liquid chamber 300' into the liquid chamber base 3108'. Alternatively or additionally, the guide rails 3144, 3146 may be oriented not parallel to the base of the chamber base 3108' and thus not parallel to the heating plate. Specifically, these guide rails may be oriented such that most of the length of these guide rails is oriented such that the front portion of this most part is positioned further from the base of the liquid chamber 3108' than the rear portion of this most part. That is, the front portion of this most part is higher than the rear portion of this most part so as to guide the base of the liquid chamber 300' to engage more closely with the heating plate when the liquid chamber is inserted into the chamber base 3108'. This may replace or supplement the upwardly inclined leading edge portion 3144a of these guide rails. Since these guide rails guide the user when inserting the liquid chamber 300' into the liquid chamber base 3108', these guide rails contribute to the usability of the device.

[0679] Figures 102 to 114Shows details of the pivot arrangement of the handle / lever 4500. The rear portion of the left arm 4502 is connected to the pivot arm 4502d. The pivot arm 4502d includes a front arcuate portion 4502e that extends downward and rearward from the left arm 4502 when the handle is in the lowered or closed position. The rear portion of the front arcuate portion 4502e is connected to a body portion 4502f that extends upward and forward from the rear portion when the handle is in the lowered or closed position. The body portion 4502f has a tapered configuration where the base of the body portion is relatively small and the upper terminal portion of the body portion is relatively large. The body portion 4502f is relatively large to provide additional mass to help stabilize the handle in the lifted position and reduce lateral movement of the handle in that position.

[0680] There is a space provided between most of the pivot arm 4502d and the body portion 4502f. The upper end of the body portion 4502f includes two pivot protrusions: a rear, outwardly directed, first pivot protrusion 4502b' and a front, inwardly directed, pivot protrusion 4502b".

[0681] The rear pivot protrusion 4502b' is received within a first pivot cavity 4502c'. The first pivot cavity 4502c' includes a slot or channel and is a pivot cavity that extends substantially vertically. The first pivot cavity is generally straight such that when moving the handle between the lowered and lifted positions, the rear pivot protrusion 4502b' follows a substantially linear path LP. The rear pivot protrusion 4502b' is configured to be held within the first pivot cavity 4502c' but is substantially free to move along the length of the pivot cavity.

[0682] The front pivot protrusion 4502b" is received within a second pivot cavity 4502c". The second pivot cavity includes a slot or channel and is a relatively horizontal pivot cavity that extends substantially in the front-to-back direction of the device. The second pivot cavity 4502c" is generally arcuate such that when moving the handle between the lowered and lifted positions, the front pivot protrusion 4502b" follows a substantially arcuate path AP. In the form shown, the second pivot cavity 4502c" generally follows the curvature of the left interconnecting wall 3114' and has a convex curvature relative to the position above the pivot cavity. The front pivot protrusion 4502b" is configured to be held within the second pivot cavity 4502c" but is substantially free to move along the length of the pivot cavity.

[0683] In Fig.106 the form shown, the upper end of the first pivot cavity 4502c' is positioned at a location where in a side view the two pivot cavities overlap (by Fig.106at a height corresponding to the height of the respective portion of the second pivot cavity 4502c (represented by X in). The position represented by X is referred to as the origin.

[0684] The rear pivot projection 4502b' and the front pivot projection 4502b'' may include pins that are received in respective apertures of the body portion 4502f of the handle. Alternatively, these pivot projections may be integrally formed with the body portion 4502f.

[0685] The device includes a handle retainer 4498 most clearly shown in Fig.102 , 103 and 104. The handle retainer includes a substantially hollow body having an upper edge 4498a that is substantially corresponding in shape to the underside of the interconnecting wall 3114'. However, the handle retainer 4498 protrudes further forward than the front edge of the interconnecting wall 3114' such that the aperture 4498b in the handle retainer 4498 is positioned in front of the interconnecting wall 3114'. The shape of the aperture 4498 is substantially corresponding to the shape of the front arcuate portion 4502e of the pivot arm. The size of the aperture 4498b is set to be only slightly larger than the size of the front arcuate portion 4502e of the pivot arm such that when the handle is lifted, there is no space for foreign objects to enter the aperture. The positioning of the handle 4500 relative to the aperture 4498b is shown in Fig.115 , 116 and 117.

[0686] The handle retainer 4498 includes a base wall that leads to a liquid discharge channel 4498c that extends along the side of the housing. The liquid discharge channel 4498c may communicate with a cavity in the base of the main housing (as shown in Fig.115 and 116 ) such that any liquid that enters the handle mechanism can be discharged through the liquid discharge channel 4498c and exit through the base of the main housing. The handle retainer provides a diffusion-based mechanism for removing liquid / gas. Additionally, the apertures in these chassis portions for receiving the handle retainer / handle are small and independent and spaced from the gas source to reduce the likelihood of gas leakage into the enclosure of the device. The apertures do not have to be punched into the walls of these chassis portions for receiving these handle pivots.

[0687] The handle retainer 4498 seals between the upper chassis 3102' and the lower chassis 3202' in the region of the handle retainer. In an alternative configuration, the handle retainer 4498 may seal against the upper chassis 3102' and / or the handle 4500 to prevent liquid / gas from entering the enclosure or the handle retainer. For example, a face seal, a winding path seal, and / or a tongue and groove arrangement may be provided.

[0688] As Fig.104 As shown, the inner portion of the left side wall of the handle retainer 4498 includes a channel in a base 4498d' that forms a first pivot cavity 4502c'. As Fig.103 shown, the bottom side 4498d" of the outer wall portion of the upper chassis part 3102' forms the upper edge of the first pivot cavity 4502c'.

[0689] As Fig.104 shown, the inner portion of the right side wall of the handle retainer includes a lug 4498e' of the base that forms a second pivot cavity 4502c". As Fig.103 shown, the bottom side 4498e" of the inner wall portion of the upper chassis part 3102' forms the upper edge of the second pivot cavity 4502c".

[0690] To mount the handle 4500 to the device, the handle 4500 is positioned in the handle retainer 4498 such that the second pivot projection 4502b" is positioned on the lug 4498e' and such that the first pivot projection 4502b' is positioned within the channel 4498d'. The handle and the handle retainer can then be moved to engage the upper chassis part 3102' such that the aperture 4498f' in the handle retainer is aligned with the aperture 4498f" in the upper chassis part 3102', and fasteners (such as screws, etc.) are used to fasten the components together. Thus, when the handle retainer 4498 is fixed to the upper chassis part, the handle retainer becomes part of the main housing of the device.

[0691] The movement of the pivot projections 4502b', 4502b" and the handle 4500 can be divided into several stages. These stages are shown in Figures 108 to 112 and are graphically represented in Fig.113 . Referring to Fig.113 , the movement path of the terminal end 4506 of the handle relative to the device housing is shown by the curve TEP. The path has a varying radius of movement of the terminal end of the handle from a fully lowered position to a fully raised position. In the form shown, the path is generally elliptical; that is, the path follows the shape of a portion of an ellipse. In the form shown, the path corresponds to slightly more than one quarter of an ellipse. Radial lines indicate the transition points from one stage to another, or the starting and ending points indicating the position of one stage relative to the end of the handle.

[0692] Fig.108The handle is shown when it has moved away from the fully lowered position. During this first movement phase P1, the second pivot protrusion 4502b” remains located at the front terminal end of the second pivot cavity 4502c”. The first pivot protrusion 4502b’ is caused to translate downwardly toward the origin X. This forces the end 4506 of the handle to move forward and upward away from the lowered / closed position. Since the first pivot protrusion 4502b’ is initially positioned above the origin X, the initial movement of the terminal end of the handle 4500 is out of and away from the housing such that the handle does not collide with the housing at either end.

[0693] Fig.109 The handle is shown when it has moved further away from the closed position. During this second movement phase P2, the first pivot protrusion 4502b’ has translated further downward in the first pivot cavity 4502c’ relative to the housing toward the lower terminal end of the first pivot cavity 4502c’. The second pivot protrusion 4502b” has begun to translate backward along the second pivot cavity 4502c”. This results in a relatively steep upward and backward movement of the terminal end 4506 of the handle relative to the housing.

[0694] Fig.110 The handle is shown when it has moved further away from the closed position. During this third movement phase P3, the first pivot protrusion 4502b’ has reached the lower terminal end of the first pivot cavity 4502c’. The second pivot protrusion 4502b” has translated further backward in the second pivot cavity 4502c” so as to pass the origin X. This results in a relatively flat upward and backward movement of the terminal end 4506 of the handle relative to the housing.

[0695] As Fig.111 shown, during the third movement phase P3, after passing the origin X, the second pivot protrusion 4502b” has reached the engagement feature 4502ef located at or adjacent to the rear end of the second pivot cavity 4502c”. The purpose of the engagement feature 4502ef is to hold the second pivot protrusion 4502b” in a position located at or adjacent to the rear end of the second pivot cavity 4502c”.

[0696] Fig.112The engagement feature 4502ef is shown in more detail. In the form shown, the engagement feature includes a step 4502ef' located at the base of the second pivot cavity 4502c", followed by a region 4502ef" of reduced depth. When the handle 4500 reaches its fully lifted position, the second pivot projection 4502b" moves above the step 4502ef' and engages with the region 4502ef" of reduced depth. Although the second pivot projection can move substantially freely along most of the length of the second pivot cavity 4502c", the second pivot projection 4502b" fits tightly within the region 4502ef" of reduced depth. This arrangement biases the handle into the fully lifted position, where the user can carry the device without fear of the handle moving from the fully lifted position. When the user has finished transporting the device, a force can be applied to the handle in the forward direction of the device to move the second pivot projection 4502b" out of the region 4502ef" of reduced depth.

[0697] An exemplary engagement feature 4502ef has been described above, and other features can be used. For example, a spring-loaded retainer can be provided to engage the handle in the fully lifted position. Additionally or alternatively, the handle can be provided with an actuator, such as a user-actuable button, to enable the user to force the first pivot projection away from the engagement feature and / or release the spring-loaded retainer. As another example, in addition to or instead of holding the handle in the fully lifted position, engagement features (such as any of those described) can be used to hold the handle in the fully lowered position.

[0698] The handle 4500 is designed such that when the handle is in the fully lifted position and is used to carry the device 3010', the handle is generally positioned above the center of gravity of the device (including the liquid chamber containing the liquid). This reduces the swaying of the device when the device is being carried, making the device easier to carry and reducing the likelihood that liquid will enter the device from the liquid chamber. The device can be configured such that the lifted handle is located or generally located above the center of mass in the case where a full liquid chamber is inserted. The device is heaviest when it has a full liquid chamber, and thus heaviest when liquid is most likely to spill back into the device. Alternatively, the device can be configured such that the lifted handle is located or generally located above the center of mass in the case where a partially filled liquid chamber (such as a half-full liquid chamber) is inserted.

[0699] Depending on whether the fully lifted handle is directly above the centroid of the device or close to that position, the base of the device can sit substantially flat when the device is being carried, or alternatively, can be slightly tilted when the device is being carried. The force provided by the user to grasp the device does not deviate significantly from the centroid. This also means that the liquid in the liquid chamber 300' remains substantially horizontal, thus reducing the risk of liquid flowing into the airflow path. The generally oval movement path of the handle 4500 enables the handle to move from the fully lowered position to the fully lifted position that is generally above and generally aligned with the centroid. Additionally, the movement path is such that there is a substantially consistent spacing between the handle and the upper portion of the housing at least between the semi-lifted position of the handle ( Fig.117 ) and the fully lifted position ( Fig.116 ) to minimize the pinch point between the handle and the housing.

[0700] The handle is designed such that when the handle is in the fully lowered position or in the fully lifted position, the pivot protrusions 4502b', 4502b'' do not carry the device load. When the handle is in the fully lowered position, the load is carried by the front wall 4498g of the handle retainer, which engages against the lower edge of the front arcuate portion 4502e of the handle. When the handle is in the fully lifted position, the load is carried by the upper edge 3114a' of the interconnecting wall 3114', which engages against the opposite edge of the front arcuate portion 4502e of the handle. Additionally or alternatively, when the handle is in the fully lifted position, the load can be carried by the underside of the interconnecting wall 3114', which contacts the upper surface of the body portion 4502f of the handle, and the upper surface is shown in Fig.116 as contacting the underside of the interconnecting wall 3114'. The handle arrangement is configured to carry the entire device load, including the liquid chamber 300' that contains liquid. The handle can include honeycomb or rib features or fiber reinforcements to strengthen and reinforce the handle. The handle can be made of a suitable hard and strong material. For example, the material can be a plastic material such as polycarbonate.

[0701] When the handle is in the fully lifted position, the second pivot protrusion 4502b'' is located at the upper rear end of the second pivot cavity 4502c''. The handle is held in this position due to the angle of the second pivot cavity 4502c''. When the handle is in the fully lifted position, the second pivot protrusion 4502b'' will attempt to move upward, and the top wall of the second pivot cavity 4502c'' will interact with the chassis of the device. To move the handle to the lowered position, move the handle horizontally and downward to release the handle from its fully lifted position.

[0702] This required movement is highlighted by the shape and position of the region 4502ef” of decreasing depth. Alternatively, this region of decreasing depth may not be provided. As another alternative, the required movement may be highlighted by raising the portion 4502ef” further relative to the adjacent portion of the second pivot cavity 4502c” such that the upper and lower walls of the portion 4502ef” are positioned higher than the corresponding upper and lower walls of the adjacent portion of the second pivot cavity. Fig.114 This configuration is shown. Instead of providing a step, the portion 4502ef’ forms a ramp between the rear portion 4502ef” and the adjacent portion of the second pivot cavity 4502c”. Although Fig.114 the first pivot cavity 4502c’ is not shown, it should be understood that this first pivot cavity will be provided.

[0703] In the form shown, the first pivot projection 4502b’ and the first pivot cavity 4502c’ are positioned towards the outer part of the device, and the second pivot projection 4502b” and the second pivot cavity 4502c” are positioned towards the centre of the device. In an alternative configuration, these sides may be reversed. By having these pivot projections and pivots on opposite sides of the handle, the handle mechanism is less likely to be constrained during movement of the handle 4500, particularly at the intersection of the first pivot cavity 4502c’ and the second pivot cavity 4502c” (adjacent the step 4502ef’). Alternatively, the pivot projections 4502b’, 4502b” and the pivot cavities 4502c’, 4502c” may be provided on one side of the device (towards the centre or towards the outside), with a more rounded edge provided at the intersection between the first pivot cavity and the second pivot cavity to reduce the likelihood of constraint.

[0704] Throughout the movement of the handle 4500 from the fully lowered position to the fully raised position, the surface of the handle abuts against the surface of the handle retainer 4498 in order to support the handle and prevent it from swinging. For example, throughout this movement, the left side surface of the body portion 4502f of the handle may abut against the left side wall of the handle retainer. Alternatively, throughout this movement, the right side surface of the 4502e, 4502f of the handle may abut against the right side wall of the handle retainer. These surfaces abutting against each other are load-bearing and remain load-bearing throughout the movement of the handle.

[0705] The body portion 4502e and the arcuate portion 4502f are wide in order to cope with the bending moment of the single-sided handle. The length of the base of the handle (between the pivot projections 4502b’, 4502b” and extending beyond these pivot projections) may be made as long as possible in order to reduce the swing of the handle.

[0706] As Fig.101As shown, when the handle 4500 is in the fully lowered position, the handle is flush with the upper portion of the housing. That is, a substantially continuous surface is formed around the upper, front, and rear sides of the upper chassis 3102' of the housing (including the handle 4500).

[0707] When an upward / downward force is applied to the handle 4500 to lower the handle from the fully lifted position, the force is applied via the handle to the handle retainer 4498 rather than being directly applied to the upper chassis or the lower chassis. The force is not carried by the pivot protrusions in these pivot cavities.

[0708] In some configurations, the main housing and / or the handle 4500 may be provided with one or more magnets to hold the handle in the fully lowered and / or fully lifted positions. For example, the handle may include a magnet and the housing may include a magnet or a conductive component attracted by the magnet, or vice versa. Fig.103 A recess 4506' located on or near the crossbar 4506 in the bottom side of the handle 4500 is shown, and Fig.104 A corresponding recess 4506'' in the upper chassis portion 3102' of the housing is shown. Each recess may include a suitable magnet or conductive component. The device may include one or more sensors (such as Hall effect sensors) to determine whether the handle is in the lowered position or in the lifted position.

[0709] These magnets can provide a tactile and / or audible indication that the handle is engaged in the fully lifted and / or lowered positions. When using magnets, there is less likelihood of the liquid supply tube leading to the chamber being compressed and stopping the liquid flow as may be the case in a mechanical latch (wherein the liquid supply tube may potentially be trapped between the handle and the main housing and the water flow is cut off and / or the tube is damaged). Magnets also have the benefit of reduced wear compared to mechanical engagement features.

[0710] The single-sided handle / rod 4500 enables the tube connecting the liquid bag to the liquid chamber 300' to be fed through the space between the right member 4504 of the handle / rod 4500 and the main housing when the handle / rod 4500 is in the lifted position.

[0711] Instead of the pivot cavities 4502c' 4502c'' being provided between the upper chassis portion of the housing and the handle retainer 4498, these pivot cavities may alternatively be provided in the upper chassis portion 3102' or between the upper chassis portion 3102' and the lower chassis portion 3202' of the housing, and the handle retainer 4498 is not used.

[0712] The upper portion of the main housing includes a forwardly inclined surface 3124'. The surface 3124' is configured to receive the display and user interface module 14. As Fig.101 , 102 and 104 show, the surface 3124' has elongated discharge channels 3124a', 3124a" extending in the front / rear direction of the device. These channels are provided outside corresponding upright walls 3124b', 3124b". The walls 3124b', 3124b" are connected at their rear ends by a rear transverse upright wall arrangement 3124c and at their front ends by a front transverse upright wall arrangement 3124d. The front transverse upright wall arrangement 3124d has an arcuate shape corresponding to the curvature of the wall 3134'. The upright walls 3124b', 3124b", 3124c, 3124d form a continuous wall and are configured such that any liquid falling on the top of the device is discharged towards the base of the chamber base 3108' and exits the base of the device through an orifice rather than entering an area of the device having an airflow path or electrical or electronic components. An adhesive may be provided between the display 14 and the surface 3124' to minimize liquid infiltration.

[0713] This configuration is also suitable for use with a liquid chamber 300' filled from a flexible liquid bag, as discussed with respect to the configuration of Figures 55 to 64 .

[0714] The handle / lever 4500 may include one or more features, such as orifices 502a, 504a as shown for example in Fig.52 , for guiding a liquid tube into the liquid chamber from above. The tube will be coupled to the liquid chamber. The liquid chamber may include a float valve that controls the flow of liquid from the tube into the liquid chamber.

[0715] The handle / lever 4500 will be provided with one or more features to assist in inserting, holding in and / or removing the liquid chamber 300' from the chamber base 3108'. These features may be any one or more of those described with respect to the above configuration.

[0716] By providing a handle / lever 4500 that aids in inserting and / or holding the liquid chamber in and / or removing it from the chamber base, the user can easily ensure that the liquid chamber 300' is fully inserted in the chamber base 3108', while still being able to easily remove the liquid chamber from the chamber base when desired. This is particularly advantageous for users with limited mobility. The handle / lever also obviates the use of a separate finger cot. The chamber base can have a pawl to aid in inserting and / or holding the liquid chamber in the chamber base, such as those described above with respect to other configurations. These details will enable the user to easily ensure that the liquid chamber is fully inserted in the chamber base. Complete or correct insertion and / or holding may be required to ensure a satisfactory seal between the liquid chamber and other components that form part of the airflow path. Since the lever surrounds a portion of the chamber base when the handle / lever is in the closed or fully lowered position, a large space is formed between the crossbar of the handle / lever and the housing of the device when the handle / lever is in the fully raised position, including a large opening located at the front of the chamber base and surrounding the liquid chamber, thereby allowing easy insertion of and removal of the liquid chamber from the chamber base as the user's fingers can easily be inserted between the housing wall and the liquid chamber.

[0717] The handle / lever 4500 can be configured such that when the handle / lever is in the raised position, the liquid chamber 300' can be inserted into the chamber base 3108'. When the handle / lever 4500 is in the lowered position, the handle / lever will act as a chamber protector to both prevent the liquid chamber 300' from being removed from the chamber base 3108' and prevent the user from touching the heating plate in the base of the liquid chamber.

[0718] Removal of the liquid chamber 300' from the chamber base 3108' is a two-step procedure. First, the user lifts the handle 4500 to the fully raised position. Second, the user removes the liquid chamber 300' from the chamber base 3108'. Each of these steps can be accomplished with one hand, and the force required to perform each of these steps is low. This makes the device particularly suitable for use at home by users who are physically unwell.

[0719] Figures 118 to 119 An alternative configuration removable retaining cap 4150a for holding a removable airflow tube or elbow 1342 in place in the device is shown. The device has Figures 66 to 77 a removable airflow tube or elbow configuration, but can have any other suitable configuration, such as Figures 25 to 33 the configuration of.

[0720] Similar to Figures 25 to 26bConfiguration, in the case where the removable retaining cover 4150a is removed from the upper chassis 3102', the elbow 1342 can be removed from the elbow retainer 2160. In the case where the removable retaining cover 4150a is connected to the upper chassis 3102, the elbow 1342 cannot be removed from the elbow retainer 2160.

[0721] The retaining cover 4150a includes an upper top plate portion 4151 having a curved configuration and two substantially vertical side wall portions 4152. The top plate portion 4151 includes a recess 4153 for receiving the patient outlet port of the removable elbow 1342.

[0722] The removable retaining cover 4150a is configured such that it can only be removed from the upper chassis 3102' of the housing by moving it in a direction transverse to the removal and insertion direction of the elbow 1342. For this purpose, each side wall portion includes at least one guiding recess 4156a located at its base. In the shown form, two spaced-apart guiding recesses 4156a are provided at the base of each side wall portion 4152. These guiding recesses are shown as being square or rectangular, but can be of any suitable shape. The forwardly inclined surface 3124' of the upper chassis 3102' includes complementary guiding protrusions 3125a sized and configured to engage with these guiding recesses 4156a.

[0723] Each side wall portion of the removable retaining cover 4150a also has a guiding protrusion 4156b located between these guiding recesses 4156a. The forwardly inclined surface 3124' of the upper chassis 3102' includes complementary guiding recesses 3125b sized and configured to engage with these guiding protrusions 4156b. These guiding protrusions 4156b of the removable retaining cover have an enlarged portion or barb 4156b', which engages under the lip of these guiding recesses 3125b when the removable retaining cover engages with the housing of the device, so as to provide a forced engagement of these components.

[0724] The configuration of these guiding recesses and guiding protrusions is such that the removable retaining cover 4150a can only engage and disengage with the upper chassis 3102' by a substantially vertical movement of the removable retaining cover relative to the main chassis, the substantially vertical movement being transverse to the direction of inserting and removing the removable elbow 1342 into and from the elbow retainer 2160. Alternatively, the retaining cover can be configured to engage and disengage with the upper chassis by a lateral movement, the lateral movement being transverse to the direction of inserting and removing the removable elbow into and from the elbow retainer.

[0725] The upper portion of the air inlet elbow 324 is provided with a mating feature 324a that mates with a complementary mating feature 4156c on the underside of the removable retaining cap 4150a to assist in positioning the removable retaining cap in place on the upper chassis. In the illustrated form, the mating feature 324a includes an intersecting protrusion and the mating feature 4156c includes a complementary intersecting recess. However, any suitable shape may be used.

[0726] If the retaining cap 4150a is in place in the upper chassis 3102’ and the elbow 1342 is in place in the elbow retainer 2160, attempting to pull the elbow 1342 forward will fail due to the engagement between the cap member 4150 and the upper chassis 3102’. The electrical connection between the removable elbow 1342 and the elbow retainer 2160 and the associated electrical receiver will also provide some structural coupling between the removable elbow and the housing.

[0727] A flexible tether (not shown), such as a silicon wire, may couple the retaining cap 4150a to the housing to minimize the likelihood of the retaining cap being lost.

[0728] In an alternative configuration, the removable retaining cap may be arranged to slide on the upper chassis portion in a plane substantially the same as the insertion and removal of the removable air flow tube or elbow 1342 into and out of the elbow retainer 2160. Fig.120 and 121 An alternative removable retaining cap 4150b having this configuration is shown. The device may have Figures 66 to 77 a removable elbow 1342 configuration, but may have any other suitable configuration, such as Figures 25 to 33 the configuration of.

[0729] The retaining cap 4150b includes an upper top plate portion 4151 having a curved configuration and two substantially vertical sidewall portions 4152. The top plate portion 4151 includes a recess 4153 for receiving the patient outlet port of the removable elbow 1342.

[0730] In this configuration, the upper chassis 3102’ includes an elongated guiding recess 3125a’ in the form of a channel that extends substantially in the front-to-back direction of the device. These side wall portions 4152 of the retaining cover 4150b have complementary protrusions 4152a in the form of elongated tracks that protrude outwardly from these side wall portions 4152 and are sized and configured to slidably engage with these guiding recesses 3125a’. In another configuration, these recesses may be provided in these side wall portions 4152, and these tracks may be provided within the upper chassis 3102’. Alternatively, these tracks and recesses may be provided elsewhere. For example, these tracks may be provided on the base of the forwardly inclined surface 3124’, and the recesses may be provided on these side wall portions 4152, or vice versa. The handle / lever 4500 ( Fig.120 and 121 not shown in) tapers slightly such that when the handle / lever 4500 is in the lifted position, the retaining cover 4150b can be inserted / removed.

[0731] To insert the removable elbow 1342 and the retaining cover 4150b into the housing, the elbow can be inserted through the aperture 4153 in the retaining cover 4150b. The elbow 1342 and the cover member 4150b can then be slid as a unit into the main housing such that the elbow 1342 is received in the elbow retainer 2160 and the retaining cover 4150b engages with the guide rail 3125a’. This allows for easier assembly of the elbow and the retaining cover into the housing with a single degree of freedom of movement.

[0732] As discussed above, the PCB connector 1366 of the elbow 1342 can be oriented at a suitable non-parallel and non-coaxial angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 1340A of the manifold gas inlet port 1340 of the removable elbow. These guide rails 3125a’ and the PCB connector 1366 will be located in substantially the same plane such that the retaining cover 4150b and the elbow 1342 can be inserted together in one movement. These guide rails 3125a’ and the PCB connector can function to guide the retaining cover and the elbow to engage successfully.

[0733] The difference between the insertion angle of the elbow 1342 and the retaining cover 4150b into the housing and the insertion angle of the chamber 300’ into the chamber base 3108’ means that removing the chamber 300’ from the chamber base 3108’ will not cause the elbow 1342 or the retaining cover 4150b to be removed from the upper chassis.

[0734] The retaining cap 4150b and / or the removable elbow 1342 may have one or more features to assist in maintaining the engagement of the removable elbow 1342 with the retaining cap. The features may assist in aligning the retaining cap 4150b and the elbow 1342 with each other so that they are properly aligned for insertion into the device. The features may include, for example, protrusions and / or recesses, or an interference fit between the retaining cap 4150b and the elbow 1342.

[0735] The handle / lever 4500 may include features that prevent the removable retaining caps 4150a, 4150b from being removed from the device housing when the handle is in the fully lowered position, but allow the retaining caps 4150a, 4150b to be removed from the device housing when the handle is in the fully raised position. Alternatively, in some configurations, the retaining caps 4150a, 4150b may be inserted or removed from the device housing when the handle 4500 is in any position.

[0736] The removable retaining caps 4150a, 4150b are shown as being substantially open at their front ends. The rear ends of either retaining cap 4150a, 4150b may be arranged to provide a spaced-apart rearwardly directed exposed area above the device display. The open front end and / or the exposed area may be used as an additional handle to assist in carrying the device 3010'.

[0737] Figures 122 to 125 An electrical connector 3276 is shown in the bottom rear corner of the lower chassis 3202' of the main housing of the device 3010'. The electrical connector 3276 is arranged to provide mains power or battery power to components of the device 3010' such as the electronic circuit board 272 and other electrical components.

[0738] The electrical connector 3276 includes a receiving socket 3276a that is arranged to receive the plug 3277 of a power cord. The receiving socket 3276a of the electrical connector and other components are oriented in the main housing such that the power cord can be inserted into the electrical connector 3276 in a plane coplanar with or parallel to the base of the device (i.e., with horizontal movement).

[0739] The electrical connector 3276 includes a retainer 3276b to maintain the engagement of the power cord 3277 with the socket 3276a. As Fig.125As shown, the retainer 3276b includes a generally U-shaped body for receiving the underside of the plug 3277 of the power cord. The inlet end 3276c of the retainer includes at least one upright member 3276c' that forms a protrusion for engaging a recess in the plug of the power cord. In the form shown, the retainer includes a pair of upright members that are configured and sized to receive the necked-down portion 3277a of the plug of the power cord. Once the plug 3277 of the power cord is inserted into the socket 3276a and the retainer 3276 engages the plug, if the power cord is pulled, the protrusion 3276c' will prevent the plug of the power cord from being removed from the socket by engaging against a widened surface adjacent the necked-down region 3277a of the power cord.

[0740] Fastener apertures 3276d are provided in the base of the retainer 3276a so that the retainer can be attached to the lower chassis portion 3202' with a suitable fastener such as a screw.

[0741] Mounting feet 3276e extend from the bottom of the retainer to minimize the possibility of sliding on the support surface.

[0742] The retainer 3276b includes at least one protruding wing 3276f and, in the form shown, has two protruding wings. These wings extend transversely to the direction of insertion of the plug 3277 of the power cord into the electrical connector 3276. These wings 3276f interact with complementary recesses in the lower chassis to prevent horizontal movement of the retainer 3276b.

[0743] To insert the power cord into the device, the plug 3277 of the power cord is inserted into the electrical connector 3276 in the horizontal insertion direction ( Fig.125 direction 1). Once the plug of the power cord is inserted into the socket 3276a, the retainer 3276b is vertically inserted into the base of the lower chassis portion 3202' in the insertion direction 2. These wings 3276f of the retainer engage in these recesses of the lower chassis, and these protrusions of the retainer engage the necked-down portion 3277a of the power cord so that the power cord cannot be removed from the electrical connector. The retainer is then fastened to the lower chassis using a fastener. To remove the power cord from the electrical connector, the process needs to be reversed.

[0744] Horizontal entry into the electrical connector makes it easier to hold the power cord in the device and makes it easier to hide most of the power plug when inserted. Horizontal entry also positions the wire closer to the trunk entry and allows the electrical connector to occupy only a small space in the device.

[0745] Rather than in a horizontal orientation, the described electrical connector 3276 features may be used in an inclined orientation that is non-horizontal and non-vertical relative to the main housing of the device. The inclined orientation can reduce the likelihood of liquid ingress and can cause the power cord to protrude less from the device, which is beneficial when the device is to be mounted on a stanchion. The power cord may have a bent plug held in place with retention features similar to those described above.

[0746] In addition to the power cord retainer 3276b described above, the device 3010’ may have Figures 126 to 130 the power cord harness guide 4276 shown. The power cord harness guide 4276 will suitably be made of a plastic material and is for positioning a wire or power cord harness that is connected to an interior portion of the receiving socket 3276a.

[0747] The power cord harness guide 4276 includes an inverted generally C-shaped base portion 4276a that defines a recess 4276a’ for receiving the body of the receiving socket 3276a. The base portion 4276a has a pair of inwardly directed flanges 4276a” that receive the receiving socket 3276a when the receiving socket 3276a is positioned within the base portion 4276a. Support arms 4276b extend from the base portion 4276a and have a generally L-shaped cross-section. The support arms 4276b have a generally linear portion 4276p’ adjacent the base portion and a generally arcuate portion 4276p” remote from the base portion. A plurality of retainers 4276b’ are provided along the support arms 4276b for receiving and holding a wire or cable. Although two retainers are shown, any suitable number of retainers may be provided.

[0748] A channel 4276b” is located in a portion of the support arm 4276b remote from the base portion 4276a and enables a wire or cable to be led out of the support arm 4276b and connected to a portion of the device to be powered (such as the PCB 272). The portion 4276tp of the arm adjacent the channel is tapered to provide a smooth surface for leading a wire or cable out of the support arm.

[0749] A locator / connector 4276d is positioned at the end of the support arm 4276b opposite the base portion for positioning and coupling the power cord harness guide 4276 to the PCB 272. The generally linear portion 4276p’ is oriented to be substantially parallel to the plane of the PCB 272 in use.

[0750] The power cord harness guide 4276 couples wires or cables from the receiving socket 3276a to the PCB 272 to control the position of these wires or cables and allows for easy assembly of the device since the PCB 272 assembly can be inserted into the main housing in one movement.

[0751] Fig.129 and 130 Details of the lower chassis 3202’ in the region where the electrical connector 3276 is located are shown. The lower chassis 3202’ defines an aperture 3800 through which the power cord plug 3277 can be inserted into the receiving socket 3276a. The outer base portion is provided with a curved cavity 3802 to receive the power cord plug 3277. Lateral recesses 3804 are provided on either side of the cavity 3802 to receive the protruding wings 3276f of the retainer 3276b. These recesses have threaded apertures to receive fasteners.

[0752] As Fig.130 shown, the lower chassis is provided with an upright member 3806 having channels 3808 at either end thereof. The upright member has a height slightly greater than the height of the receiving socket 3276a. These channels are complementary to the front flange 3276a’ on the receiving socket 3276a such that the receiving socket 3276a can be inserted into the upright member 3806 from above. Base ribs 3810 are provided to engage behind the front flange of the receiving socket 3276a to prevent liquid from reaching below the receiving socket 3276a. Recesses 3812 are provided on either side of the rib 3810 such that liquid will drip from the bottom of the front flange 3276a’ rather than wicking under the flange into the main housing of the device. Channels 3814 are provided in the lower chassis between the curved cavity 3802 and the aperture 3800 to prevent liquid from bridging from the cavity 3802 to the receiving socket 3276a.

[0753] Fig.146 and 147 An alternative retainer 3276b’ for use in the electrical connector 3276 is shown. Unless described below, features and functionality are as described above and like reference numerals indicate like parts. The shape of the retainer 3276b’ has been modified to correspond to the shape of the housing of the lower chassis. The retainer 3286b’ has two fastener apertures 3276d; one aperture on either side of the retainer. This provides a more symmetric load through the retainer; however, a single aperture may alternatively be provided.

[0754] Fig.145 The region of an alternative configuration of the lower chassis 3202” in which the electrical connector 3276 is located is shown. Unless described below, features and functionality are as in the above reference Fig.129 and130 as described, and like reference numerals indicate like parts. The shape of the cavity 3802 is configured to receive a power cord plug and to receive the retainer 3276b'. The discharge orifice 3809 is provided through the base of the lower chassis 3202" on the inside of the retainer 3276b'. When the power cord plug is inserted into the electrical connector, the discharge orifice is positioned below the power cord plug. The discharge orifice 3809 is configured such that liquid can drain from the lower chassis to the exterior of the housing if any liquid enters the lower chassis. The orifice forms an interruption in the wall to help prevent water from tracing from the interior to the exterior of the housing, or vice versa.

[0755] Fig.131 and 132 shows details of the communication connector arrangement 3274 in the upper portion of the rear wall of the lower chassis 3202'. The connector arrangement 3274 is in electrical communication with the electronic circuit board 272.

[0756] In the form shown, the connector arrangement 3274 includes three USB ports. Although three ports are shown, any suitable number of ports may be used. The ports may be different types of communication ports.

[0757] The ports may be positioned at any suitable angle relative to the vertical axis of the device. The insertion angle of the plug into the connector may be between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the vertical axis. The angle may be non-horizontal to reduce the likelihood of the inserted plug being struck, and may be non-horizontal and non-vertical to reduce the likelihood of liquid ingress; i.e., the ports may be at least partially angled downward such that the insertion angle of the plug into the connector is at least partially upward. Another benefit of the angled USB connection is that the PCB can be larger. In the configuration shown, the plug is inserted into the connector at an angle perpendicular to the PCB, and thus the PCB can better utilize the space within the housing if the configuration is angled. In one form, the ports may be at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees relative to the vertical axis. In one form, the ports may be at an angle between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees relative to the vertical axis. In one form, the angle is about 15 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the device to allow the USB plug to be at a 90-degree angle relative to the PCB 272 when inserted into the port. As Fig.132 shown, the lower chassis portion may have a recess having a wall 3274d that is angled relative to the vertical direction at the insertion angle of the plug into the connector to provide support for the plug once it is inserted. A lip may be provided on each port to reduce the likelihood of water ingress into the port.

[0758] As Fig.131As shown, each connector of the connector arrangement 3274 preferably has chamfered entry ribs 3274b that are positioned above and below the inlet of the USB port 3274a to assist in inserting the USB plug 3274c into the port 3274a. These entry ribs 3274b can be positioned above and below, and / or on either side of, the USB port.

[0759] The recessed upper outer horizontal edge 3274e of the communication connector arrangement 3274 can include a sharp edge or a liquid deflector to minimize the likelihood of liquid seeping into the connectors of the connector arrangement by facilitating the dripping of liquid from the sharp edge or liquid deflector rather than flowing into the recess. For example, the sharp edge can be provided by an inwardly directed wall portion that extends toward or beneath the connectors and intersects the rear wall portion 3222 of the lower chassis at a sharp angle (such as a right angle). Alternatively, a liquid deflector can be provided by extending the rear wall portion 3222 downward beyond the connectors, or by providing louvers or ramps that hang over the connectors to deflect liquid away from the connectors.

[0760] As Fig.132 shown, the device 3010' can have a battery 3222a to provide power to the device in the event of a power interruption. The battery can be replaceable.

[0761] In the form shown, the battery is coupled to the exterior of the back wall of the device. This provides a large surface area for cooling the battery and reduces the amount of heat entering the device from the battery. Additionally, this configuration reduces the impact of heat generated by the components of the device on the battery, especially when the battery is being charged. In an alternative configuration, the battery can be mounted inside the main housing.

[0762] The back wall can include a recess and / or electrical connectors for connection to the battery terminals, and the electrical connectors are in electrical communication with the PCB 272. A wall can be provided around the electrical connection to reduce liquid ingress in this area.

[0763] As Fig.133 and 134 shown, the device 3010' can have a mount 3700 for mounting the device to a bracket or post 3701. This enables the device to be used in an elevated position, thus not occupying the flat storage space on a bedside table.

[0764] The mounting member 3700 can be integrally formed with a portion of the main housing of the device. In the illustrated form, the mounting member 3700 is integrally formed with the left side wall 3210' of the lower chassis 3202' of the housing. The mounting member can alternatively be integrally formed with any other wall of the housing (such as the rear wall, the right side wall, or other walls).

[0765] The side of the device includes a recess 3702. A downwardly protruding tongue 3704 has an upper end integrally formed with the wall and is positioned within the recess. The free lower end of the tongue 3704 is provided with a protruding projection 3706. The projection protrudes a greater distance outwardly compared to the remainder of the tongue.

[0766] When the device is mounted to a bracket using the mounting member 3700, the projection 3706 causes the device to lean against the bracket, as Fig.134 schematically shown. In the absence of the projection, the user may perceive that the device is tilted away from the bracket (due to the base of the device swinging inwardly towards the bracket), and be concerned that the device is not securely held. Thus, the projection 3706 positions the device such that it leans inwardly towards the bracket, such that the user is less likely to be concerned about the connection between the bracket and the device.

[0767] Regardless of whether the projection exists, the mounting body 3700 will be sufficient to securely hold the device 3010' and have a reasonable buffering strength to hold the device under possible usage conditions (e.g., the user leaning on the device, the device being accidentally impacted). The projection addresses the visual appearance and the user's perception of the situation.

[0768] The projection 3706 can be configured to cause the unit device to lean inwardly towards the bracket 3701 at any suitable angle. For example, the angle θ1 can be approximately 1 - 15°, or approximately 1 - 10°, or approximately 1 - 7°, or approximately 1 - 5°, or approximately 1 - 2°. Thus θ2≥0°.

[0769] The main housing of the device can be formed of any suitable material that will allow the mounting 3700 to be integrally formed. For example, the outer housing can be formed of polycarbonate.

[0770] Compared to additional, screwed-in parts, the integral mounting member 3700 has greater impact strength. The reinforcement of the mounting member 3700 can also be accomplished, for example, by changing the wall thickness, ribbing, or changing the internal geometry.

[0771] The device can be held by a C - clip 3707 (such as Figures 102 to 104 and Fig.117The C-shaped clip shown is mounted to a strut or bracket. The C-shaped clip 3707 has an arcuate recess 3707a configured to snap-fit onto a suitable strut or bracket 3701. One side of the C-shaped clip includes an engagement area 3707b having two inwardly directed flanges configured to receive a tongue 3704. A protrusion 3706 on the bottom of the tongue can engage a protrusion 3707c at the base of the engagement area 3707b. Fig.102 and 104 These features are shown.

[0772] To mount the device to a strut or bracket 3701, the C-shaped clip 3707 will be secured to the strut or bracket at a suitable height by inserting the strut or bracket into the arcuate recess 3707a. The device 3010’ is then mounted to the C-shaped clip 3707 and thus to the strut or bracket 3701 by inserting the tongue 3704 into the engagement area 3707b of the C-shaped clip until the protrusions 3706, 3707c engage. The C-shaped clip 3707 can have two engagement areas 3707b so that two devices 3010’ can be supported by one C-shaped clip. The devices 3010’ can be lifted vertically relative to the C-shaped clip 3707 to disengage them from the C-shaped clip and the bracket or strut.

[0773] Alternatively, the integral mount 3707 can be coupled to any complementary structure such that the device 3010’ can be mounted to any suitable support (such as a wall, shelf or strut).

[0774] Fig.135 and 136 An electrical connection arrangement 3722 that can be used in the device 3010’ is shown. Electrical connections will occur between the PCB and components of the device.

[0775] To form each electrical connection, a PCB 3722a is provided. An overall annular collar 3722b made of a suitable plastic material is then overmolded onto the PCB 3722a. As Fig.135 shown, the PCB will be provided with suitable apertures 3722c to enable the collar material to flow through the PCB during the overmolding process, thus providing a strong connection between the collar 3722b and the PCB 3722a.

[0776] The collar 3722b and PCB 3722a assembly is then overmolded onto a portion of the main housing, such as onto the wall or floor of the main housing, to form a structural connection and seal between the PCB 3722a and the main housing of the device.

[0777] The collar can be formed of any suitable plastic material. In one example, the collar is formed of polycarbonate. The formed collar is substantially rigid, which means that unlike a soft cable tie that might potentially be pushed by a user, the PCB 3722a will need to be pried out of the collar 3722b in order to be removed from the housing. The collar will provide a better seal compared to a soft cable tie that might be torn or damaged.

[0778] The PCB 3722 can be plasma treated to facilitate the bonding between the overmolded collar 3722b and the PCB 3722a. This can also assist in providing a seal to prevent oxygen from leaking into the area of the housing that houses the electrical and / or electronic components.

[0779] The exposed portion of the PCB 3722a will be coupled to a suitable electrical connector.

[0780] Fig.136 Two exemplary positions of the PCB and collar assemblies 3722, 3722' in the lower chassis 3202' of the device are shown. Alternative positions are possible.

[0781] Figures 148 to 150 An alternative configuration airflow inlet elbow 1324 for delivering gas from the outlet port 1452 of the motor and / or sensor module 1400 to the liquid chamber gas inlet port 306 of the liquid chamber in a flow therapy device is shown. Unless otherwise described below, the airflow inlet elbow 1324 has the features and functionality described above for the elbow 324, and like numerals indicate like parts by adding 1000 to each numeral.

[0782] The inlet elbow 1324 includes a first body member 1324' and a second body member 1324". The first body member and the second body member are injection molded plastic parts. The first body member includes a tube forming a manifold gas outlet port 1322 and a first interface portion 1324A.

[0783] The first interface portion 1324A is disposed at the base of the manifold gas outlet port 1322 and includes a stepped arrangement that includes an upper inclined section 1324A1 and a lower inclined section 1324A2 that are oriented at any suitable angle (e.g., between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, or 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis 1322A of the airflow outlet port. The first interface portion also includes a section 1324A3 that extends forward from the base of the upper inclined section, a section 1324A4 that extends upward from the top of the lower inclined section, and an inclined transition section 1324A5 located between the sections 1324A3, 1324A4.

[0784] The second body part 1324” includes a second interface portion 1324A’ located at the upper end of the air inlet port 1325. The second interface portion includes a stepped arrangement that includes an upper inclined section 1324A1’ and a lower inclined section 1324A2’ that are oriented at any suitable angle (such as between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, or 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis 1322A of the air outlet port. The second interface portion also includes a section 1324A3’ that extends forward from the base of the upper inclined section, a section 1324A4’ that extends upward from the top of the lower inclined section, and an inclined transition section 1324A5’ located between sections 1324A3’ and 1324A4’. The first interface portion and the second interface portion are complementary such that they can be paired together. A suitable soft seal (such as an O-ring seal) will be provided between the first interface portion and the second interface portion. The first interface portion and the second interface portion can be fastened together by a clamp or suitable fastener 1324F (such as a screw).

[0785] The first interface portion 1324A and the second interface portion 1324A’ include recesses 1324R to receive fasteners or to locate protrusions on the main housing of the device, thereby preventing the inlet elbow 1324 from rotating relative to the housing and / or preventing the elbow from being pulled out of the housing. The inlet elbow 1324 can be configured to be mounted to the upper chassis and / or lower chassis of the housing. Alternatively, the inlet elbow 1324 can be configured to be mounted to the forwardly inclined surfaces 124, 124’, 3124’ and / or the display carrier of the device.

[0786] A one-way valve 1326 is mounted inside the elbow 1324 at or adjacent to the intersection between the manifold gas outlet port 1322 tube and the air inlet port 1325 tube. In the illustrated form, the check valve 1326 includes a plate that is movably mounted in the elbow such that gas can flow in the direction from the inlet port 1325 to the outlet port 1322, but not in the reverse direction. The check valve can be biased to a closed position in the absence of air flow, or can be configured to close under pressure if gas attempts to flow in the direction from the outlet port 1322 to the inlet port 1325. The valve is configured to prevent liquid from flowing back through the elbow and into the housing.

[0787] The outlet port 1322 is provided with a recess 1322R to receive a T-shaped seal or an L-shaped seal as described herein, and the inlet port 1325 is provided with a recess 1325R to receive a suitable soft seal (such as an O-ring).

[0788] The smoother external shape of the inlet elbow 1324 will likely make it easier to clean than the inlet elbow 324.

[0789] Fig.101 The device advantageously has a tenon-and-mortise arrangement between components of the device to reduce ingress of water and oxygen into the unit. As Figures 151 to 160 shown, the device advantageously has a tenon-and-mortise arrangement between the top of the rear outer wall 3222' of the lower chassis 3202' and the bottom of the rear outer wall 3122' of the upper chassis 3102', between the top of the left outer wall 3210' of the lower chassis and the bottom of the left outer wall 3110' of the upper chassis, between the top of the right outer wall 3216' of the lower chassis and the bottom of the right outer wall 3116 of the upper chassis, and between the top of the front lip 3242' of the lower chassis and the bottom of the front lip 3142 of the upper chassis.

[0790] These tenon-and-mortise arrangements provide a substantially continuous liquid / gas flow-proof connection around the perimeter of the upper chassis portion 3102' and the lower chassis portion 3202'. In the form shown, the lower chassis 3202' is provided with grooves 3210G, 3222G, 3216G, 3242G, and the upper chassis 3102' is provided with complementary tongues 3110T, 3122T, 3116T, 3142T that are configured to be at least partially received in the corresponding grooves when the upper chassis portion and the lower chassis portion are assembled together. The continuous connection advantageously extends along at least most of the front, side, and rear of these chassis portions, as shown, including around any corners between these surfaces. Advantageously, a tenon-and-mortise arrangement is also provided around the communication connection portion 3274, as will be referenced below Fig.160 as described.

[0791] Fig.156 Details of the tenon-and-mortise arrangement between the top of the rear outer wall 3222' of the lower chassis 3202' and the bottom of the rear outer wall 3122' of the upper chassis 3102' are shown. The top of the rear outer wall 3222' is provided with a groove 3222G, and the bottom of the rear outer wall 3122' is provided with a tongue 3122T sized and configured to be received in the groove. The bottom of the rear outer wall 3122' of the upper chassis 3102' may also be provided with a groove 3222G' to receive a tongue 3222aT of a battery, thereby mounting the battery to the housing.

[0792] The tops of the side walls 3210', 3216' of the lower chassis 3202' are also provided with grooves 3210G, 3216G, and the bottoms of the side walls 3110, 3116 of the upper chassis 3102' are provided with tongues 3110T, 3116T sized and configured to be received in these grooves.

[0793] As Fig.159As shown, a groove 3242G is provided at the top of the front lip 3242' of the lower chassis, and a tongue 3142T is provided on the front lip 3142' of the upper chassis, the size and configuration of which are set to be received in the groove 3242G.

[0794] The portion of the upper chassis 3102' located in the front part of the bottom plate portion 3136 of the chamber base (which defines a recess 3138 for receiving the heater arrangement) includes a downwardly oriented laterally extending groove 3136G, and the bottom wall 3230 of the lower chassis 3202' includes an upwardly extending tongue 3230T, the size and configuration of which are set to be received in the groove 3136G.

[0795] The sides and rear of this heater arrangement receiving area also include a tongue-and-groove arrangement. As Figures 151 to 154 shown, the upper chassis 3102' includes a downwardly extending tongue 3136T that extends around the sides and rear of this heater arrangement receiving area. The end of the tongue 3136T converges with the end of the groove 3136G. The lower chassis 3202' includes an upwardly oriented groove 3230G that extends around the sides and rear of this heater arrangement receiving area. The end of the groove 3230G converges with the end of the tongue 3230T. Thus, a continuous tongue-and-groove arrangement exists around the substantially integrated perimeter of the chamber base.

[0796] Figure 158 An alternative configuration of the tongue-and-groove arrangement at the rear of this heater arrangement receiving area between the upper chassis portion and the lower chassis portion is shown. In this configuration, the lower chassis portion includes an upwardly extending tongue 3230T', and the upper chassis portion includes a downwardly oriented groove 3134G located at the base of the wall 3134, wherein the size and configuration of the tongue 3230T' are set to be received in the groove 3134G.

[0797] In one configuration, in the rear portion of the housing, the upper chassis portion and the lower chassis portion may have a downwardly protruding tongue and an upwardly protruding groove, and in the front portion of the housing (e.g., in Figure 117 starting from approximately the area where the handle mechanism is connected to the upper chassis), this configuration may be reversed.

[0798] Figure 151 、 152Figures 159 and 160 illustrate details of the tongue-and-groove arrangement between the communication coupling portion 3274 and the upper and lower chassis portions. The bottom of the rear outer wall portion 3122 of the upper chassis is provided with a downwardly extending tongue 3122T, and the top of the outer wall of the communication coupling portion 3274 includes an upwardly oriented groove 3274G sized and configured to receive the tongue 3122T. The top of the rear outer wall portion 3222 of the lower chassis is provided with an upwardly extending tongue 3222T, and the bottom of the outer wall of the communication coupling portion 3274 includes a downwardly oriented groove 3274G' sized and configured to receive the tongue 3222T. Two surfaces (e.g., T2B and G2B) are configured to converge to seal the upper and lower chassis together. Alternatively or in addition, other surfaces may be configured to converge. The inner wall of the groove 3274G' is advantageously shorter than the outer wall of the groove to enable the communication coupling portion to snap into place on the lower chassis. The tongue-and-groove arrangement preferably extends around the entire perimeter of the communication coupling portion 3274. For example, the lower chassis portion may include a tongue 3222T sized and configured to be received in the groove 3274G', which extends along the base of the communication coupling portion 3274 and up to the side.

[0799] As Figure 157 shown, a tongue-and-groove arrangement is also provided between the outer extension tube or conduit 3133 of the upper chassis 3102' and the air flow channel tube 3264 of the lower chassis 3202'. The outer wall portion of the air flow channel tube 3264 includes an upwardly oriented annular groove 3264G that is spaced from the ...

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering a gas stream, the apparatus comprising: a housing including a retainer and a chamber base for receiving a liquid chamber; and a removable gas stream tube defining a gas stream passage for the gas stream, wherein the removable gas stream tube includes a removable elbow that can be received in the retainer and attached to the housing, wherein a first end of the removable elbow includes a gas inlet port for coupling to an outlet port on the liquid chamber, and a second end of the removable elbow includes a patient outlet port for coupling to a patient breathing conduit; and a removable retaining cap including a recess through which a portion of the removable elbow including the second end extends; the removable retaining cap being configured such that the removable elbow can be removed from the retainer when the removable retaining cap is removed from the housing and the removable elbow cannot be removed from the retainer when the removable retaining cap is attached to the housing; wherein the removable elbow can be attached to and held by the housing when the chamber base does not receive the liquid chamber; wherein two discrete actions are required to remove the removable elbow from the retainer; wherein the removable retaining cap is removable from the housing by moving the removable retaining cap in a first direction, and the removable elbow is removable from the retainer by moving the removable elbow in a second direction, the second direction being substantially transverse to the first direction for at least part of the movement; wherein the second direction corresponds to the direction of removing the liquid chamber from the chamber base.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The removable elbow includes an electrical connector coupled to one or more sensors and / or power connectors in the removable elbow.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The electrical connector includes a male connector portion protruding from a portion of the removable elbow, and the housing includes a complementary female connector for receiving the male connector when the removable elbow is attached to the housing.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The housing includes a male connector portion, and the removable elbow includes a complementary female connector for receiving the male connector when the removable elbow is attached to the housing.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein The removable elbow includes a port having an axis, and the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about -15 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about 0 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about 0 degrees and about +15 degrees relative to the axis.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein The electrical connector is oriented at an angle of about +15 degrees relative to the axis.

9. The device according to claim 5, wherein, The electrical connector is arranged to be oriented at a non-horizontal angle in use.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein The electrical connector is oriented at a non-parallel and non-coaxial angle relative to the axis.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about -5 degrees and about -15 degrees relative to the axis.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about +5 degrees and about +30 degrees relative to the axis.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between about +5 degrees and about +15 degrees relative to the axis.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle of about +15 degrees relative to the axis.

15. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The electrical connector of the removable elbow is coupled to one or more temperature sensors to determine the temperature of the gas flowing through the removable elbow.

16. The device according to claim 2, wherein The electrical connector of the removable elbow is coupled to a power connector in the removable elbow, which is for coupling to and powering the heating wire of the patient breathing conduit. The removable elbow is configured to provide pneumatic and electrical connections to the patient breathing conduit in a single action when the patient breathing conduit is connected to the removable elbow.

17. A component including a removable airflow tube and a removable retaining cap, wherein, The removable airflow tube includes a removable elbow, and the removable retaining cap includes a recess through which a portion of the removable elbow extends. The said portion of the removable elbow is configured to be coupled to the patient breathing conduit. The removable elbow and the removable retaining cap are configured to be connected or connectable to the device according to claim 1.

18. The component according to claim 17, wherein, The removable retaining cap is configured such that the removable elbow can be removed from the housing when the removable retaining cap is removed from the housing of the device, and the removable elbow cannot be removed from the housing when the removable retaining cap is connected to the housing.

19. The component according to claim 17, wherein, The removable elbow includes an electrical connector that is coupled to one or more sensors and / or power connectors in the removable elbow.

20. The component according to claim 19, wherein, The removable elbow includes a port having an axis, and the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between approximately -15 degrees and approximately +30 degrees relative to the axis.

21. The component according to claim 20, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between approximately 0 degrees and approximately +30 degrees relative to the axis.

22. The component according to claim 21, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between approximately 0 degrees and approximately +15 degrees relative to the axis.

23. The component according to claim 22, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle of approximately +15 degrees relative to the axis.

24. The component according to claim 19, wherein The electrical connector is arranged to be oriented at a non-horizontal angle in use.

25. The component according to claim 24, wherein, The removable elbow includes a port having an axis, and the electrical connector is oriented at a non-parallel and non-coaxial angle relative to the axis.

26. The component according to claim 24, wherein, The removable elbow includes a port having an axis, and the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between approximately -5 degrees and approximately -15 degrees relative to the axis.

27. The component according to claim 24, wherein, The removable elbow includes a port having an axis, and the electrical connector is oriented at an angle between approximately +5 degrees and approximately +30 degrees relative to the axis.

28. The component according to claim 27, wherein, The electrical connector is oriented at an angle between approximately +5 degrees and approximately +15 degrees relative to the axis.

29. The component according to claim 28, wherein The electrical connector is oriented at an angle of approximately +15 degrees relative to the axis.

30. The component according to claim 19, wherein, The electrical connector of the removable elbow is coupled to one or more temperature sensors to determine the temperature of the gas flowing through the removable elbow.

31. The component according to claim 19, wherein The electrical connector of the removable elbow is coupled to a power connector in the removable elbow, which is for coupling to and powering the heating wire of the patient breathing conduit. The removable elbow is configured to provide pneumatic and electrical connections to the patient breathing conduit in a single action when the patient breathing conduit is connected to the removable elbow.

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