Method and apparatus for backspill prevention

1. A PAP device comprising:

a blower operable to force air through at least one passageway in response to a first control signal;

a backspill prevention apparatus provided to said at least one passageway, and

a controller to control operation of the backspill prevention apparatus,

wherein said backspill prevention apparatus is positionable in at least first and second positions, operable to block said passageway when in said first position and operable to unblock said passageway when in said second position, the controller being configured to determine that the PAP device is operable outside of normal operating conditions and/or is being transported and provide a second control signal to move the backspill prevention apparatus between the first position and the second position.

2. The PAP device of claim 1 wherein said backspill prevention apparatus includes a solenoid backspill prevention apparatus.

3. The PAP device of claim 2 , wherein the PAP device includes a humidifier attachment and said solenoid backspill prevention apparatus is positioned between the humidifier attachment and a motor powering the blower.

4. The PAP device of claim 2 , wherein the solenoid backspill prevention apparatus further includes:

a cylindrical magnet;

a housing including a plurality of openings;

a solenoid provided with a backspill stop operable to obstruct at least one of said openings when in a first position, said obstruction being at least partially removed when said backspill stop is in a second position; and

a biasing mechanism operable to bias said backspill stop into one of either said first or said second position, wherein said solenoid is operable to move said backspill stop into the other of said first or said second position, and wherein said housing houses said backspill stop and at least one of said cylindrical magnet and said biasing mechanism.

5. The PAP device of claim 4 , wherein said cylindrical magnet further includes a hollow center and said solenoid further includes at least an interface portion interfaced with said hollow center.

6. The PAP device of claim 4 , wherein said backspill stop has sufficient surface area on at least a first surface to obstruct at least one of said openings.

7. The PAP device of claim 4 , wherein said biasing mechanism includes a spring.

8. The PAP device of claim 4 , wherein said biasing mechanism includes a magnet.

9. The PAP device of claim 1 wherein said backspill prevention apparatus is a rotatable divider.

10. The PAP device of claim 1 wherein said backspill prevention apparatus is a hinged divider.

11. The PAP device of claim 1 wherein said backspill prevention apparatus is a slidable divider.

12. The PAP device of claim 1 wherein said backspill prevention apparatus is a flexible flap.

13. The PAP device of claim 1 , wherein said backspill prevention apparatus is a flexible diaphragm having at least a passageway therethrough.

14. A method of opening and closing a passageway provided to a PAP device including a solenoid backspill prevention apparatus connecting a first and second portion of said passageway, comprising:

biasing a backspill stop of a solenoid backspill prevention apparatus, including at least a solenoid in a first position;

powering a solenoid of said solenoid backspill prevention apparatus to create a first magnetic field;

providing a second radial magnetic field aligned with said first magnetic field;

using an interaction between said first magnetic field and said second radial magnetic field to move said backspill stop to a second position, wherein said backspill stop obstructs an opening of said solenoid backspill prevention apparatus, thereby obstructing said passageway, when in one of either said first or said second positions.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said biasing further includes holding said backspill stop in said first position using a spring.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein said backspill prevention apparatus includes at least a first piece of magnetically attractable material and said biasing further includes holding said backspill stop in said first position using a magnet.

17. A method for operating a PAP device having a blower to deliver pressurized gas via a passage to a patient comprising:

providing the PAP device with a backspill prevention apparatus positioned in the passage downstream of the blower;

generating a first control signal to control the blower;

generating a second control signal that results in allowing for unobstructed delivery of pressurized gas in normal operating conditions;

determining that the PAP device is operable outside of normal operating conditions and/or is being transported by using a sensor or a user input; and

adjusting the second control signal to result in at least partially obstructing a path of the passage via the backspill prevention apparatus.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the PAP device includes the user input and the method further includes indicating, using the at least one user input, that the PAP device is to be transported.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the PAP includes the sensor and the method further includes sensing, using the at least one sensor, that the PAP device is operating outside of normal operating conditions.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the sensing further includes sensing that the device is being transported.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the sensing further includes sensing that a PAP device is not in a predesignated orientation.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the sensing further includes sensing that a PAP device is inverted.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the sensing further includes sensing that a PAP device is turned on a side thereof.

24. The method of claim 19 , wherein the sensing further includes sensing at least a predetermined amount of water within the passage.

25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the predetermined amount of water is any amount of water.

26. The method of claim 17 , wherein the adjusting the second control signal includes no longer providing the second control signal.