Respiratory gas hose system for supplying a respiratory gas
A flexible respiratory gas tube arrangement for supplying a respiratory gas to a person includes a flexible tube, a heater to heat the gas as it is delivered through the tube, a first connector provided to one end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a breathing mask, and a second connector provided to the other end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a CPAP device. The second connector includes a first portion that provides a respiratory gas passage and a second portion that provides integrated contact elements by which power is supplied to the heater. The contact elements are adapted to be engaged with a power supply provided on the CPAP device for supplying power to said heater.
1 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . A flexible respiratory gas tube arrangement for supplying a respiratory gas to a person, the tube arrangement comprising:
a flexible tube;
a heater to heat the gas as it is delivered through the tube;
a first connector provided to one end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a breathing mask; and
a second connector provided to the other end of the tube and adapted to connect the tube with a CPAP device, said second connector including a first portion that provides a respiratory gas passage and a second portion that provides integrated contact elements by which power is supplied to said heater,
wherein said contact elements are adapted to be engaged with a power supply provided on the CPAP device for supplying power to said heater.
14 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , further comprising an insulating sheathing body.
15 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the insulating sheathing body is removably attachable to the flexible tube.
16 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the heater is integrated into the sheathing body.
17 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein said sheathing body includes a multi-layered design.
18 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the tube is a heatable respiratory gas tube.
19 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the heater is integrated into the tube.
20 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein said second connector further includes a pressure measuring tube connection.
21 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , further comprising a respiratory gas humidifier.
22 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 21 , wherein said humidifier is adapted to be connected to a water source via a humidification line.
23 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 21 , wherein said humidifier is in the form of a flexible tube piece disposed between the breathing mask and the respiratory gas tube.
24 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the flexible tube is made from a spirally reinforced plastic material.
25 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the heater is an electrical resistance heater.
26 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein each contact element extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gas passage such that both an electric and pneumatic connection is provided when the connector is connected to the CPAP device.
27 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein each contact surface is provided within the second portion.
28 . The gas tube arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the first portion is tubular and the second portion extends outwardly from the first portion.
29 . A connector for connecting a CPAP device to a respiratory gas tube arrangement for supplying a respiratory gas to a person, the respiratory gas tube arrangement including a heater, the connector comprising:
a first portion that provides a respiratory gas passage; and
a second portion that provides integrated contact elements by which power is supplied to the heater,
wherein each contact element extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gas passage such that both an electric and pneumatic connection is provided when the connector is connected to the CPAP device.
30 . A connector according to claim 29 , wherein each contact surface is provided within the second portion.
31 . A connector according to claim 29 , wherein the first portion is tubular and the second portion extends outwardly from the first portion.
32 . A CPAP device comprising:
a blower to deliver a supply of pressurized air;
electronic control means for controlling the delivery pressure of the blower so as to deliver CPAP therapy to a patient for the treatment of sleep-related problems; and
a socket adapted to receive a connector provided to a respiratory gas tube arrangement, the socket being adapted to deliver the supply of pressurized air to the respiratory gas tube arrangement via the connector,
wherein the socket includes a power supply adapted to provide electrical power to contact elements on the connector for the provision of power to a heater provided to heat the gas as it is delivered through the respiratory gas tube arrangement.
33 . A CPAP device, comprising:
a blower to generate a supply of pressurized air;
a tube provided to the blower; and
a sheathing body structured to cover the blower and the tube.
34 . A CPAP device according to claim 33 , wherein the blower is in the form of a cartridge.
35 . A CPAP device according to claim 33 wherein the sheathing body is removably attached to the blower and the tube.
36 . A CPAP device according to claim 33 , wherein the sheathing body is structured to insulate the tube and/or blower.
37 . A CPAP device according to claim 33 , further comprising one or more additional elements coupled to the blower and tube in modular fashion and covered by the sheathing body.
38 . A CPAP device according to claim 37 , wherein the one or more additional elements includes a humidifier, gas analysis module, gas flow sensor, pressure lock, and tube silencer.