Apparatus and methods for providing humidity in respiratory therapy

摘要

A respiratory therapy apparatus that introduces water into the pressurized air delivered to a user during various positive airway pressure therapies and corresponding methods. The respiratory therapy apparatus may be configured to administer one or more positive airway pressure therapies, including: continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), hi-level positive airway pressure therapy (BPAP), auto positive airway pressure therapy (autoPAP), proportional positive airway pressure therapy (PPAP), and/or other positive airway pressure therapies. The respiratory therapy apparatus may include a user interface that defines an interface passage to communicate pressurized air to the user for inhalation and a humidifier that introduces water into the pressurized air generally at the interface passage. Methods may include introducing water into the interface passage at one or more humidifier ports disposed about the interface passage.

主权项

1. A respiratory therapy apparatus for providing positive pressure treatment to an airway of a user, the apparatus comprising:
a flow generator comprising a housing defining an outlet, the flow generator adapted to provide pressurized air at the outlet; a user interface defining an interface passage in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow generator, wherein the interface passage is adapted to deliver the pressurized air from the flow generator to a mask of the user interface, and wherein the interface passage defines a vent at or near the mask; and a humidifier adapted to introduce water into the pressurized air passing through the interface passage, the water introduced into the pressurized air: at a location distal of the vent; and in synchronization with a phase of a breathing cycle of the user.