APPARATUS FOR CPAP THERAPY

摘要

The present invention provides an apparatus 20 for the supply of air for the treatment of sleep apnea. The apparatus 20 of the present invention includes a motor 56 and a fan unit 36. The motor 56 and fan unit 36 are enclosed in an inner case 48 of flexible foam plastics material. The inner case 48 is configured to contain the motor 56 and the fan unit .36,' and the inner case 48 is generally biased against the motor 56 and the fan unit 36. The inner case 48 is, in turn, contained within an intermediate case 52 made of rigid material. The intermediate case 52 conforms to and is substantially filled by the inner case 48 such that the inner case 48 is generally biased against the intermediate case 52. Finally, the intermediate case 52 is contained within an outer case 68 of rigid material. The outer case 68 surrounds the intermediate case 52. The outer case 68 is generally set apart from the intermediate case 52 so that there is a gap 74 between the intermediate case 52 and the outer case 68. The inner case 48, the intermediate case 52, and the outer case 68 are all interconnected to form a blower housing 40 in a manner that reduces the transmission of noise from the fan unit 36 and from the motor 56 to the external environment 71 to the outer case 68. The apparatus may also include a humidifier 202 in fluid communication with the volute outlet 88 so as to impart humidity to compressed air or other gasses provided to the patient. The apparatus 20 may include a microcontroller 220 and may be powered by battery 235. The microcontroller 220 may receive signals from a battery voltage sensor 217, the motor 56 rate of rotation sensor 212, and a pressure sensor 214. The microprocessor 220 may execute an algorithm directed to maintain a constant pressure over a range of battery voltages by regulation of the motor rate of rotation in response to the battery voltage signal 222 and the pressure signal 224. The control algorithm in the microcontroller 220 may also be arranged to adjust a duty cycle of a heater 216 in the humidifier 202 to adjust the level of humidification provided by the humidifier 202.