Humidification using HME and heated air delivery tubes

The integration of a heat-moisture exchanger and heated air delivery tubes in CPAP systems addresses patient discomfort and compliance issues, enhancing the efficacy and comfort of respiratory treatments by improving humidification and fit.

JP7885267B2Active Publication Date: 2026-07-06RESMED PTY LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024032957
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2018-11-14
Filing Date
2024-03-05
Publication Date
2026-07-06
Estimated Expiration
2039-11-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing respiratory treatment systems, such as CPAP devices and humidifiers, face challenges related to patient discomfort, poor fit, high cost, complexity, and reduced compliance due to issues with patient interfaces and humidification, leading to suboptimal treatment efficacy and patient experience.

Method used

A CPAP system incorporating a heat-moisture exchanger (HME) and heated air delivery tubes to improve patient comfort and compliance, featuring a patient interface with a seal-forming structure and a controllable heater to regulate moisture and humidity levels in the airflow.

Benefits of technology

Enhances patient comfort and compliance by providing effective humidification and reducing airway dryness, thus improving the overall effectiveness and usability of respiratory therapy systems.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a CPAP system for providing air at positive pressure for respiratory therapy to a patient.SOLUTION: The CPAP system includes an RPT device configured to supply a flow of air at a therapeutic pressure, a patient interface forming a plenum chamber pressurizable to the therapeutic pressure, an air delivery tube configured to pass the flow of air at the therapeutic pressure from the RPT device to the patient interface, a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) constructed and arranged to retain moisture from a flow of expiratory air from the patient, where retained moisture from the HME is returned to the flow of air for humidification, a controllable heater configured and arranged to heat the HME and / or heat incoming air to the HME, and a controller configured to adjust heating of the controllable heater to adjust the moisture returned from the HME to the flow of air for humidification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • heaters and heated devices

    JP1996509883A

  • Automatic temperature control in patient circuits

    JP2013526996A

  • Humidifying breathing apparatus control

    JP2015533560A

  • Heating system for subject interface equipment

    JP2016502903A