US 12,268,817 B2
Hyperthermic humidification system
William F. Niland, Arnold, MD (US); Owen S. Bamford, Linthicum, MD (US); and Felino V. Cortez, Jr., Bowie, MD (US)
Assigned to VAPOTHERM, INC., Exeter, NH (US)
Filed by Vapotherm, Inc., Exeter, NH (US)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/132,622.
Application 18/132,622 is a continuation of application No. 17/227,047, filed on Apr. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,648,368.
Application 17/227,047 is a continuation of application No. 17/099,007, filed on Nov. 16, 2020, granted, now 10,974,014, issued on Apr. 13, 2021.
Application 17/099,007 is a continuation of application No. 17/001,257, filed on Aug. 24, 2020, granted, now 10,894,141, issued on Jan. 19, 2021.
Application 17/001,257 is a continuation of application No. 16/120,923, filed on Sep. 4, 2018, granted, now 10,933,212, issued on Mar. 2, 2021.
Application 16/120,923 is a continuation of application No. 14/547,012, filed on Nov. 18, 2014, granted, now 10,092,722, issued on Oct. 9, 2018.
Application 14/547,012 is a continuation of application No. 11/973,061, filed on Oct. 5, 2007, granted, now 8,905,023, issued on Dec. 9, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0082531 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 16/16 (2006.01); A61M 5/36 (2006.01); A61M 11/00 (2006.01); A61M 11/04 (2006.01); A61M 16/00 (2006.01); A61M 16/06 (2006.01); A61M 16/10 (2006.01); A61M 16/12 (2006.01); A61M 16/20 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 16/16 (2013.01) [A61M 11/006 (2014.02); A61M 11/042 (2014.02); A61M 16/0051 (2013.01); A61M 16/0057 (2013.01); A61M 16/026 (2017.08); A61M 16/1075 (2013.01); A61M 16/109 (2014.02); A61M 16/12 (2013.01); A61M 16/122 (2014.02); A61M 16/203 (2014.02); A61M 16/209 (2014.02); A61M 5/365 (2013.01); A61M 2016/0027 (2013.01); A61M 2016/0039 (2013.01); A61M 16/0666 (2013.01); A61M 2016/1025 (2013.01); A61M 16/107 (2014.02); A61M 16/162 (2013.01); A61M 2202/0208 (2013.01); A61M 2202/0225 (2013.01); A61M 2202/025 (2013.01); A61M 2202/0275 (2013.01); A61M 2205/121 (2013.01); A61M 2205/123 (2013.01); A61M 2205/14 (2013.01); A61M 2205/18 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3313 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3331 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3368 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3382 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3386 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3389 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3673 (2013.01); A61M 2205/502 (2013.01); A61M 2205/6072 (2013.01); A61M 2205/70 (2013.01); A61M 2205/8212 (2013.01); A61M 2205/8262 (2013.01); A61M 2209/08 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vapor transfer unit for delivering breathing gas, the vapor transfer unit comprising:
a housing comprising a releasable interface configured to couple the vapor transfer unit to a base unit that has a pump driving portion and a heater interface;
a liquid passage comprising a liquid inlet configured to receive liquid from a liquid supply line;
a breathing gas passage comprising a gas inlet configured to receive gas from a gas outlet on the base unit, the gas inlet having a proximal opening through which the breathing gas is able to flow in from the base unit, and a distal opening through which the breathing gas is able to flow out of the gas inlet;
a breathing gas outlet configured to receive a patient delivery tube;
a cylindrical vapor transfer device releasably mounted to the vapor transfer unit, the cylindrical vapor transfer device comprising a cartridge, the cartridge being configured to releasably mount to the housing, the cartridge having an exterior frame with a first gas passage configured to releasably mate with the distal opening of the gas inlet and receive the breathing gas flowing from the base unit, and a second gas passage configured to releasably mate with the breathing gas outlet, the cartridge having a vapor transfer region configured to combine the flowing breathing gas with heated vapor to produce heated and humidified breathing gas for delivery through the breathing gas outlet;
a liquid reservoir within the housing, the reservoir having a top end and a bottom end in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and the vapor transfer device;
a liquid level detection device for monitoring a liquid level in the liquid reservoir;
a heater adapted to heat a liquid in the vapor transfer unit;
a temperature measurement device for measuring a liquid temperature in the vapor transfer unit; and
a first pump portion disposed at the bottom end of the liquid reservoir and configured to be operationally coupled to the pump driving portion in the base unit when the vapor transfer unit is mounted to the base unit.