Compliant coupler or adaptor
View Patent ↗A CPAP device includes a flow generator including an outlet, a humidifier including an inlet, and an adaptor connector between the outlet of the flow generator and the inlet of the humidifier. The connector includes a flexible and conformable sealing portion that is movable to accommodate misalignment.
1. A connector for a CPAP system, the CPAP system including a flow generator configured to generate a flow of breathable gas to be delivered to a patient and a tub configured to contain a supply of liquid, the connector comprising:
an attaching portion having an attachment structure adapted to attach to the flow generator, the attaching portion constructed of a plastic material;
a flexible sealing portion constructed of silicone, the flexible sealing portion comprising at least one bellows convolution, said bellows convolution shaped and arranged such that, in use, said bellows convolution will fill with breathable gas and expand due to the breathable gas to establish a face seal wherein a flat facing surface of said at least one bellows convolution is pressurized against a surface surrounding an opening of the tub, said flat facing surface surrounding a bellows aperture; and
a channel extending through the attaching portion and the flexible sealing portion, and the channel configured to deliver the flow of breathable gas.
2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the attaching portion and the flexible sealing portion are joined in one piece.
3. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the face seal is axially, laterally, angularly, pivotally, and/or rotationally flexible.
4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the face seal is axially flexible within a range of about 1 mm to 5 mm.
5. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein the face seal is axially flexible within a range of about 2 mm to 3 mm.
6. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible sealing portion and the attaching portion have differing flexibility characteristics.
7. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the channel extends axially through the attaching portion and the flexible sealing portion along a straight path.
8. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment structure comprises a snap-fit clip including at least one protrusion adapted to engage within a groove provided in an outlet of the flow generator with a snap fit.
9. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the bellows aperture is open when the flat facing surface is not in contact with the tub.
10. A CPAP system comprising:
a first CPAP component and a second CPAP component; and
a connector positioned between the first CPAP component and the second CPAP component, the connector configured to provide a sealed flow path for breathable pressurized gas passing between said first CPAP component and said second CPAP component,
wherein the connector comprises an attaching portion having an attachment structure adapted to attach to one of the first CPAP component and the second CPAP component, the attaching portion constructed of a plastic material,
wherein the connector comprises a flexible bellows sealing portion, the flexible bellows sealing portion comprising at least one bellows convolution adapted to sealingly engage a facing portion surrounding a port in the first CPAP component, the flexible bellows sealing portion being constructed of silicone, and
wherein said at least one bellows convolution includes an aperture having a diameter that, prior to engaging with said facing portion, is larger than a diameter of said port, such that said at least one bellows convolution will, in use, fill with breathable gas and expand due to the breathable gas to thereby pressurize said at least one bellows convolution against said facing portion surrounding said port and form a pressurized seal therewith.
11. The CPAP system according to claim 10 , wherein the attaching portion and the flexible bellows sealing portion are joined in one piece.
12. The CPAP system according to claim 11 , wherein said flexible bellows sealing portion is axially flexible within a range of about 1 millimeter to 5 millimeters.
13. The CPAP system according to claim 10 , wherein said flexible bellows sealing portion and said attaching portion have different flexibility characteristics.
14. The CPAP system according to claim 10 , wherein said flexible bellows sealing portion has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the attaching portion.
15. The CPAP system according to claim 10 , wherein the first CPAP component is a humidifier tub.
16. The CPAP system according to claim 15 , wherein the second CPAP component is a flow generator.
17. The CPAP system according to claim 10 , wherein the attaching portion is adapted to attach to the second CPAP component.
18. The CPAP system according to claim 10 , wherein the aperture is open when said at least one bellows convolution is not in contact with said facing portion.
19. The CPAP system according to claim 10 , wherein the facing portion surrounding the port in the first CPAP component is a flat surface.
20. A CPAP device, comprising:
a flow generator configured to generate a flow of breathable gas to be delivered to a patient and adapted to be coupled to a humidifier tub; and
a connector configured to engage with an opening in a facing surface of the humidifier tub, the connector comprising:
an attaching portion having an attachment structure adapted to attach to the flow generator, the attaching portion constructed of a plastic material;
a flexible bellows sealing portion constructed of silicone, the flexible bellows sealing portion comprising at least one bellows convolution having a sealing face surrounding a bellows aperture that, prior to engagement with said facing surface, is larger than said opening, such that said sealing face will, in use, fill with breathable gas and expand due to the breathable gas so as to establish a pressurized face seal with said facing surface, about said opening; and
a channel extending through the attaching portion and the flexible sealing portion, and the channel configured to deliver the flow of breathable gas.
21. The CPAP device according to claim 20 , wherein the sealing face is axially, laterally, angularly, pivotally, and/or rotationally flexible.
22. The CPAP device according to claim 20 , wherein the flow generator further comprises an outlet and a groove provided at the outlet, and
wherein the attachment structure comprises a snap-fit clip including at least one protrusion adapted to engage within the groove with a snap fit.
23. The CPAP device according to claim 20 , wherein the attaching portion and the flexible sealing portion are joined in one piece.
24. The CPAP device according to claim 20 , wherein the flexible sealing portion and the attaching portion have differing flexibility characteristics.
25. The CPAP device according to claim 20 , wherein the channel extends axially through the attaching portion and the flexible sealing portion along a straight path.
26. The CPAP device according to claim 20 , wherein said bellows aperture is open when said sealing face is not in contact with said facing surface.
27. The CPAP device according to claim 20 , wherein the facing surface is a flat surface.