U.S. patent application number 15/668619 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for respiratory gas hose system for supplying a respiratory gas.
The applicant listed for this patent is RESMED R&D GERMANY GMBH. Invention is credited to Achim BIENER, Dieter HEIDMANN, Petra HUBER, Bernd Christoph LANG.
Application Number | 20170333663 15/668619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7631481 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170333663 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUBER; Petra ; et
al. |
November 23, 2017 |
RESPIRATORY GAS HOSE SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING A RESPIRATORY GAS
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
HUBER; Petra; (Erding,
DE) ; LANG; Bernd Christoph; (Graefelfing, DE)
; BIENER; Achim; (Aufkirchen, DE) ; HEIDMANN;
Dieter; (Geretsried, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RESMED R&D GERMANY GMBH |
Martinsried |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
7631481 |
Appl. No.: |
15/668619 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12068901 |
Feb 13, 2008 |
|
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15668619 |
|
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11417234 |
May 4, 2006 |
7637288 |
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12068901 |
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10204014 |
Apr 17, 2003 |
7086422 |
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PCT/EP01/01751 |
Feb 16, 2001 |
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11417234 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0875 20130101;
F16L 59/021 20130101; A61M 16/0858 20140204; A61M 16/1095 20140204;
A61M 2205/14 20130101; A61M 16/16 20130101; A61M 16/1075 20130101;
F16L 59/026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/10 20060101
A61M016/10; A61M 16/08 20060101 A61M016/08; F16L 59/02 20060101
F16L059/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 18, 2000 |
DE |
10007506.1 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. An apparatus for treatment of sleep-related respiratory problems
by application of positive pressure gas to the respiratory passages
of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a CPAP device comprising: a
blower configured to deliver gas at a delivery pressure for CPAP
therapy, an electronic controller configured to adjust the delivery
pressure of the gas, a power supply socket provided on the CPAP
device; and a heatable respiratory gas tube arrangement, the tube
arrangement comprising: a heatable respiratory gas tube configured
to deliver the positive pressure gas from the CPAP device to the
patient, a first connector at a first end of the tube and
configured to connect to a breathing mask, and a second connector
at a second end of the tube and configured to connect to the CPAP
device, wherein the second connector is configured to connect to
the power supply socket provided on the CPAP device when the second
connector is engaged into the power supply socket, and comprises a
connector plug providing a respiratory gas passage cross-section
and contact elements configured to supply the heatable respiratory
gas tube with power.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first connector is an
elastomer socket.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second connector is an
elastomer socket.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heatable respiratory gas
tube arrangement further comprises a heat-insulating layer.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the heat-insulating layer
comprises an air-cushion layer.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the respiratory gas tube
comprises a spirally reinforced plastic material configured to
resist kinking.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the heat-insulating layer
comprises a wall thickness in a range of 1-7 mm.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the heat-insulating layer is
glued to the heatable respiratory gas tube.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the heatable respiratory gas
tube comprises an electrical resistance heater.
11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the contact elements extend
parallel to and are radially outwards of the gas passage
cross-section, and the contact elements are integrated with the
second connector.
12. An apparatus for treatment of sleep-related respiratory
problems by application of positive pressure gas to the respiratory
passages of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a CPAP device
comprising: a blower configured to deliver gas at a delivery
pressure for CPAP therapy, and an electronic controller configured
to adjust the delivery pressure of the gas, a humidifier device
comprising: an inlet in fluid communication with the CPAP device, a
humidification flow path configured to humidify the gas, an outlet
connector in fluid communication with the inlet by way of the
humidification flow path, and a power supply socket on the
humidifier device; and a heatable respiratory gas tube arrangement,
the tube arrangement comprising: a heatable respiratory gas tube
configured to deliver the positive pressure gas from the humidifier
device to the patient, a first connector at a first end of the tube
and configured to connect to a breathing mask, and a second
connector at a second end of the tube and configured to connect to
the humidifier device, wherein the second connector is configured
to connect to the power supply socket on the humidifier device when
the second connector is engaged into the power supply socket, and
comprises a connector plug providing a respiratory gas passage
cross-section and contact elements configured to supply the
heatable respiratory gas tube with power.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first connector is an
elastomer socket.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second connector is an
elastomer socket.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the heatable respiratory gas
tube arrangement further comprises a heat-insulating layer.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the heat-insulating layer
comprises an air-cushion layer.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the respiratory gas tube
comprises a spirally reinforced plastic material configured to
resist kinking.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the heat-insulating layer
comprises a wall thickness in a range of 1-7 mm.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the heat-insulating layer is
glued to the heatable respiratory gas tube.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the heatable respiratory gas
tube comprises an electrical resistance heater.
21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the contact elements extend
parallel to and are radially outwards of the gas passage
cross-section, and the contact elements are integrated with the
second connector.
22. A heatable respiratory gas tube arrangement, the tube
arrangement comprising: a heatable respiratory gas tube configured
to deliver positive pressure gas from the a CPAP device to a
patient, a first connector at a first end of the tube and
configured to connect to a breathing mask, and a second connector
at a second end of the tube and configured to connect to a CPAP
device or a humidifier device, wherein the second connector is
configured to connect to a power supply socket on the CPAP device
or the humidifier device when the second connector is engaged into
the power supply socket, and comprises a connector plug providing a
respiratory gas passage cross-section and contact elements
configured to supply the heatable respiratory gas tube with
power.
23. The tube arrangement of claim 22, wherein the first connector
is an elastomer socket.
24. The tube arrangement of claim 23, wherein the second connector
is an elastomer socket.
25. The tube arrangement of claim 22, wherein the heatable
respiratory gas tube arrangement further comprises a
heat-insulating layer.
26. The tube arrangement of claim 25, wherein the heat-insulating
layer comprises an air-cushion layer.
27. The tube arrangement of claim 26, wherein the respiratory gas
tube comprises a spirally reinforced plastic material configured to
resist kinking.
28. The tube arrangement of claim 27, wherein the heat-insulating
layer comprises a wall thickness in a range of 1-7 mm.
29. The tube arrangement of claim 27, wherein the heat-insulating
layer is glued to the heatable respiratory gas tube.
30. The tube arrangement of claim 29, wherein the heatable
respiratory gas tube comprises an electrical resistance heater.
31. The tube arrangement of claim 22, wherein the contact elements
extend parallel to and are radially outwards of the gas passage
cross-section, and the contact elements are integrated with the
second connector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/068,901, filed Feb. 13, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/417,234, filed May 4, 2006, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,637,288, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
10/204,014, filed Apr. 17, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,422, which
is the National Phase of International Application PCT/EP01/01751,
filed Feb. 16, 2001, which designated the U.S., each of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] The invention relates to a respiratory gas tube arrangement
for supplying a respiratory gas to a person.
[0003] Such respiratory gas tube arrangements are used in
particular in the field of sleep medicine for the treatment of
sleep-related respiratory problems. Thus, for example, even a
comparatively low positive pressure of the respiratory gas is
capable of providing a pneumatic splint for the upper respiratory
tract, this making it possible in effective manner to prevent the
risk of obstructions of the respiratory passages.
[0004] The treatment of sleep-related respiratory problems by the
application of continuous positive pressure to the respiratory
passages is generally referred to as CPAP therapy. In the known
CPAP devices used for this purpose, conventionally a
sound-insulated housing is provided with a delivery means,
especially a blower, the delivery pressure of which is adjusted, if
necessary by means of an electronic control means, to the breathing
of the patient. The respiratory gas delivered by the delivery
means, usually ambient air, is supplied to the patient through a
flexible respiratory gas tube arrangement. Normally used for this
purpose are breathing masks which are placed on the nose of the
patient without covering the patient's mouth. CPAP therapy has been
shown to represent an effective and physiologically well compatible
method for the treatment of sleep-related respiratory problems.
However, the flexible tube provided for connecting the patient's
breathing mask to the CPAP device is often found to be
bothersome.
[0005] The object of the invention is to create a device for
supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, said device being
characterized by an increased convenience of use.
[0006] The object of the invention is achieved by the respiratory
gas tube arrangement indicated in claim 1.
[0007] This makes it possible in advantageous manner to avoid
direct contact of the tube with the patient and to conceal the tube
in a manner advantageous with respect to aesthetic considerations.
In especially advantageous manner, the formation of condensation in
the tube is also prevented, with the result that, even in the case
of high absolute humidity of the respiratory gas, it is not
possible for any drops of condensation to form inside the flexible
tube.
[0008] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, the flexible sheathing body is made from a soft textile
material, especially fleece material.
[0009] In advantageous manner, the flexible sheathing body is of
such dimensions that the flexible tube is loosely held therein.
Preferably, the inside diameter of the flexible sheathing body is
at least 1.3 times the outside diameter of the flexible tube. The
air cushion formed between the outside wall of the flexible tube
and the flexible sheathing body results in a further improvement of
convenience of use as well as insulating effect.
[0010] It is possible for the flexible sheathing body to be formed
of a multi-layered material which only in the outer region
comprises a pleasing outer layer selected with respect to aesthetic
considerations.
[0011] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, the flexible sheathing body comprises in the region of
its ends a closing means by which the end region of the flexible
sheathing body can be narrowed--e.g. drawn together--and can be
fixed with a comparatively tight fit to the flexible tube.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention,
used as a suitable fixing means is a lashing cord which is passed
through eyes and/or a hollow seam and which allows the
corresponding end of the flexible sheathing body to be drawn
together. Alternatively thereto or in combination therewith, it is
possible to provide the end region of the flexible sheathing body
with a VELCRO.TM. (hook and loop) fastener means which allows the
end of the flexible sheathing body to be suitably narrowed.
[0012] The wall thickness of the flexible sheathing body is
preferably in the range from 1-7 mm. The material used may be, for
example, a solid material (fleece material) or a multi-layered
material. In particularly advantageous manner, a flexible textile
layer is laminated onto a padding layer, e.g. of foam plastic
material.
[0013] The flexible sheathing body is preferably in the form of a
tube-like body and is slipped onto the flexible tube.
[0014] Alternatively, it is also possible for the flexible
sheathing body to be formed of a strip material comprising a
joining means extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip
material. Said joining means is advantageously a VELCRO.TM. (hook
and loop) fastener tape. Alternatively, it is also possible to use
zip fasteners, button-hole arrangements or press studs.
[0015] In particularly advantageous manner, it is possible, in the
region of the CPAP device as well as preferably also in the region
of the breathing mask, to provide joining means by which the
flexible sheathing body can be reliably fixed. In advantageous
manner, said fixing means consist of a hook or pile tape which is
fixed, preferably glued or clipped, to the tube in the respective
end region (mask or CPAP device).
[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, it is also possible, in the region of the ends of the
sheathing body, to provide elastic cuffs by which the sheathing
material of the sheathing body is forced onto the tube or end
pieces of the tube. For this purpose, it is possible, for example,
to provide a rubber band in the end region of the sheathing body,
the rubber band preferably being accommodated in a hollow seam.
[0017] It is possible in advantageous manner to provide a non-slip,
e.g. rubberized, layer in the region of the contact zones of the
sheathing body on the tube.
[0018] The heat- and sound-insulating effect can in advantageous
manner be adjusted to suit the requirements by means of the
material characteristics and construction of the sheathing body. An
especially great heat-insulating effect is achieved by using two or
more layers of fleece material. It is possible to topstitch or
quilt the layers of fleece material preferably in connection with
covering and lining layers.
[0019] At least the outer region of the sheathing body is
preferably multi-coloured. Such multi-colouring is achieved
preferably by stitching together multi-coloured textile portions,
the joining seams simultaneously serving as quilting seams.
[0020] It is possible to incorporate a band- or rod-like stiffening
insert into the sheathing body, this providing a fitting aid if the
sheathing body is in the form of a tube.
[0021] If the sheathing body is split longitudinally, it is
possible, as an alternative to VELCRO.TM. (hook and loop) or stud,
especially press stud, fasteners, to employ a longitudinal zip
fastener. Such longitudinal zip fastener is preferably overlapped
such that the structure of the zip fastener is concealed on the
outside. It is also possible to provide a magnetic closing
means.
[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, a heating means is integrated into the sheathing body.
Said heating means may be in the form of an electrical resistance
heating means. According to a particularly preferred embodiment,
the heating means comprises a low-voltage heating foil, the power
consumption characteristics of said heating foil being so selected
that the heating foil is self-regulating and does not exceed a
predetermined heating temperature. The heating foil may be sewn
into the sheathing body, it preferably being the case that the
heat-insulating capacity of the sheathing body outside the heating
foil is greater than in the region between heating foil and tube.
Alternatively, it is also possible for the tube to be in the form
of a heatable respiratory gas tube.
[0023] The power supply to the heating means is preferably by means
of a low-voltage cable provided with a connector which can be
plugged into a corresponding power supply socket of a power supply
unit--or preferably into a power supply socket provided on a CPAP
device or air humidifier. Such a heatable sheathing body not only
reliably prevents condensation, but also allows temperature
stabilization of the respiratory gas.
[0024] It is possible for insulation means to be provided in the
region of the sheathing body in order to shield against heat
radiation. Preferably, the inside of the sheathing body adjoining
the tube is provided with a metallized, e.g. aluminium-, silver- or
gold-vapour-deposited, super-insulating foil.
[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, the sheathing body is provided with at least
one--preferably a plurality of--fixing points by which the
sheathing body--and thus the entire tube arrangement--can be
suspended or fixed in a defined manner with regard to its spatial
mobility. Such fixing points may, for example, be in the form of
eyes. Preferably, between two and four such eyes are arranged at
intervals from each other along the tube.
[0026] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, the sheathing body is so designed that it forms a
container section into which the other part of the sheathing body
can be inserted. This container section which is integrated into
the sheathing body may be in the form of a flat bag or pocket
region formed by sewing a flexible layer onto an outside surface of
the sheathing body. It is also possible for the majority of the
sheathing body to be forced into the inside region of one of its
longitudinal end sections. For this purpose, one longitudinal
section of the sheathing body is preferably in the form of a
bag.
[0027] An especially weight-saving embodiment of the sheathing body
is achieved in that at least one of the insulating layers is in the
form of an air-cushion layer.
[0028] According to a special aspect of the present invention, the
sheathing body is of such design that its bending characteristics
vary as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the sheathing body.
Thus, for example, it is possible to provide the near-mask region
of the sheathing body with a high degree of flexibility, whereas,
in the near-device region, the sheathing body is of stiffer design.
The deformation characteristics of the sheathing body can be
determined by inserts of articulated and/or bending material.
[0029] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, the sheathing body is provided with an anti-kinking
means, for example in the form of spiral or wavy inserts. This
makes it possible for the respiratory gas tube, accommodated in the
sheathing body, to be of thin-walled design--possibly in the form
of a disposable lightweight tube.
[0030] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention, the sheathing body may also be longer than the actual
tube. This makes it possible for additional functional elements to
be covered by the sheathing body. Thus, in connection with the
sheathing body it is possible for elements coupled in modular
fashion, for example, to the tube to be covered by the sheathing
body and for them to be combined to form apparently one single
unit.
[0031] In particular, it is possible for a pipe- or tube-shaped air
humidifier, gas analysis module, gas flow sensor, pressure lock or
similar to be coupled in modular fashion to the tube in the
vicinity of the mask and for such device to be covered and, if
required, insulated by the sheathing body. In this connection, any
additional lines of an electrical, optical or pneumatic nature are
advantageously covered by the sheathing body.
[0032] The sheathing body forms a flexible, preferably heat- and
sound-insulating housing component covering and combining the
individual modules.
[0033] The sheathing body may be provided with a plurality of
openings through which lines, for example of a water trap, can be
brought out of the sheathing body. Such openings are preferably
closable by means of covers.
[0034] Further details of the invention will become apparent from
the following description, in which reference is made to the
appended drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a CPAP respiratory gas
tube arrangement, with the sheathing body proposed according to the
invention, said sheathing body being made of a soft textile
material;
[0036] FIG. 2a shows a simplified sectional view through a portion
of a multi-layered sheathing body;
[0037] FIG. 2b shows a simplified sectional view through a portion
of a single-layered sheathing body;
[0038] FIG. 2c shows a simplified sectional view through a portion
of a two-layered sheathing body with a textile covering layer;
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view for elucidating a fixing
means provided in the end region of the flexible sheathing
body;
[0040] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the flexible sheathing body in
the form of a longitudinally split body including the joining means
extending along the corresponding longitudinal edge, said joining
means here being in the form of a VELCRO.TM. (hook and loop)
fastener;
[0041] FIG. 5 shows a perspective sketch for elucidating a further
embodiment of a respiratory gas tube arrangement;
[0042] FIG. 6 shows a sketch of a portion of the sheathing body,
here with eye portions for suspending the sheathing body;
[0043] FIG. 7 shows a sketch for elucidating an articulated insert
which can be inserted section-wise into the sheathing body;
[0044] FIG. 8 shows a sketch of a blower means (CPAP pressure
source), in the form of a cartridge, for insertion into the
sheathing body.
[0045] The respiratory gas tube arrangement shown in FIG. 1
comprises a flexible tube (not visible here), made from a spirally
reinforced plastic material, and an insulating sheathing body 1,
made from an insulating textile material--fleece material, in this
case. The sheathing body 1 is formed of a narrow strip of material
stitched along one longitudinal seam (overlock seam) to form a
tube. In the embodiment shown here, formed in each end region of
the sheathing body 1 is a hollow seam 2, 3 through which is passed
a cord 4, 5. Through corresponding pulling of the cords 4, 5 it is
possible to draw together the end regions of the sheathing body 1,
this advantageously fixing the sheathing body 1 to the flexible
tube. In order to connect the flexible tube to a CPAP device and to
a breathing mask, the respective end regions of the tube are
provided with elastomer sockets 6, 7 which can be elastically
plugged onto or into correspondingly matching connectors.
[0046] The sheathing body 1 is of such dimensions that the flexible
tube is more or less loosely held therein. The air cushion formed
between the inside surface of the sheathing body 1 and the outside
surface of the flexible tube results in improved thermal insulation
without increase in weight and additionally provides the
respiratory gas tube arrangement with a pleasant cushioning
effect.
[0047] In order to fix the cords 4, 5 in a corresponding lashing
position--as will be explained in detail hereinbelow with reference
to FIG. 3--fixing means (not visible here) are preferably
provided.
[0048] As indicated in FIG. 2a, the sheathing body 1 is preferably
of multi-layered design. Thus, for example, as the uppermost or
outer covering layer, a textile covering layer 8, selected with
respect to aesthetic considerations, can be laminated onto a
cushioning and insulating substrate, which, in this case, consists
of a foam plastic layer 9 and a blister film 10. The individual
layers may be joined by corresponding glueing, by stitching or,
preferably, by hot-laminating. Thus, for example, it is possible to
form the insulating foam plastic layer 9 on a foam plastic material
whose covering surface welds at a predetermined melting temperature
with the outer layer 8 and the blister film 10.
[0049] Alternatively to the multi-layered construction just
described, it is also possible for the sheathing body 1 to be
formed from a solid material, preferably from a fleece or felt
material, as shown in FIG. 2b. Preferably, use is made in this
connection of materials which permit simple cleaning, preferably
washing by boiling.
[0050] FIG. 2c shows a further embodiment of the wall material of
the flexible sheathing body 1, which consists in this case of a
cushioning and heat-insulating foam plastic layer 9 and a covering
layer 8 formed of a decorative fabric material. The joining of the
covering layer 8 to the foam plastic material 9 is achieved in this
case by means of flame-laminating.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a fixing means for
fixing the flexible sheathing body 1 in the end region of the
flexible respiratory gas tube. Here, the fixing means comprises a
cord 4 which is passed through a hollow seam 2 and which is
provided with a knot 12 in the region of each of its protruding
ends. Through corresponding pulling on the protruding portion of
the cord 4 or on the knot 12 it is possible to draw together the
end of the flexible sheathing body 1.
[0052] By means of a fixing means 14 it is possible for the cord 4
to be kept in the tightened position. By actuating a releasing
means, here in the form of a press button 15, it is possible to
loosen the cord 4 and to widen the previously narrowed end of the
sheathing body 1. Especially reliable fixing of the sheathing body
1 to the flexible tube can be achieved in that formed in the region
of the terminating element, here in the form of the elastomer
socket 6, is a structure which is adapted to be brought into
engagement with the corresponding end portion of the sheathing body
1. For example, the elastomer socket 6 may be provided with a
circumferential groove or circumferential bead to which the
suitably drawn-together textile sheathing body 1 can be fixed.
[0053] Alternatively to the lashing arrangement shown here, it is
also possible to fix the end of the sheathing body 1 to the
flexible tube (not shown), for example, by means of a VELCRO.TM.
(hook and loop) fastener means or by means of clasps.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the respiratory gas
tube arrangement which, in this case, comprises a flexible tube 16
provided at its end regions with the elastomer sockets 6, 7. In
contrast to the embodiment previously described in connection with
FIG. 1, in this case the flexible sheathing body 1 is formed from a
flexible textile strip which is guided around the flexible tube 16
and is provided along its longitudinal edge with a joining means
17, with the result that the material strip guided around the tube
16 surrounds the flexible tube 16 likewise in the manner of a tube.
In particularly advantageous manner, provided for this purpose in
the region of one of the longitudinal edges of the textile material
strip is a VELCRO.TM. (hook and loop) fastener tape.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the respiratory gas
tube arrangement, formed in connection with the sheathing body 1,
including breathing mask 112.
[0056] The breathing mask 112 is connected to an articulated piece
116 through the intermediary of a washing valve 115 integrated into
a forehead spacer 114. Formed in the region of the articulated
piece 116 is a circumferential groove 117 in which a front collar
region 119 of the sheathing body 1 can be fixed by means of a
lashing tape 118.
[0057] The articulated piece 116 is adjoined by a respiratory gas
flowrate measuring member 120, which can be connected to a
respiratory gas pressure source, such as a CPAP device, via a
measuring line (not visible here).
[0058] The respiratory gas tube apparatus additionally comprises a
respiratory gas humidifier 121 which can be connected to a water
source via a humidification line 122. The respiratory gas
humidifier 121 is in the form of a flexible tube piece and is
disposed between the breathing mask 112 and the main part of the
respiratory gas tube 23.
[0059] In the region of the respiratory gas humidifier 121, the
sheathing body 1 is provided with a super-insulating foil, with the
result that a great thermal insulation effect is achieved in the
region of the humidifier. This makes it possible for the heat
required for evaporating the humidification water to be drawn
exclusively--or at least predominantly--from the respiratory
air.
[0060] In the closed position, the sheathing body 1 surrounds the
respiratory gas tube, composed of a plurality of modules, in the
manner of a tube and closes off the respiratory gas tube to the
outside. The sheathing body 1 is provided with a VELCRO.TM. (hook
and loop) fastener tape 125 in the example embodiment shown.
[0061] The respiratory gas tube further comprises a tube silencer
126, which, in this case, has a length of between approximately 80
and 120 cm and which permits the further absorption of any noises
from a respiratory gas pressure source. In the embodiment shown
here, said silencer 126, too, is surrounded by the sheathing body
1.
[0062] A heating means 127 is integrated into the sheathing body 1.
The power supply to said heating means 127 is by means of contact
elements 128 which are integrated into a connector 129. The
connector 129 comprises a respiratory-gas passage cross-section 130
as well as a pressure measuring tube connection cross-section
131.
[0063] FIG. 6 shows a portion of the sheathing body 1 which is here
provided with an eye 132 by means of which the sheathing body 1 can
be suspended.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows an articulated members element 133 which can be
inserted into the sheathing body 1 coaxially with the respiratory
gas tube. The articulated members element 133 comprises a
multiplicity of articulated members which are coupled together with
such a tight fit that the respiratory gas tube arrangement can be
bent into a desired form.
[0065] FIG. 8 shows a blower means 134, the outer dimensions of
which are such that said blower means can likewise be inserted into
the sheathing body 1. This makes it possible to create a CPAP
apparatus which is spiral or wavy in form and which is adapted in
modular fashion to the respective user.
* * * * *