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WO2025114974A1 - Interface patient - Google Patents

Interface patient Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025114974A1
WO2025114974A1 PCT/IB2024/062067 IB2024062067W WO2025114974A1 WO 2025114974 A1 WO2025114974 A1 WO 2025114974A1 IB 2024062067 W IB2024062067 W IB 2024062067W WO 2025114974 A1 WO2025114974 A1 WO 2025114974A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
prong
vent
nasal
patient
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/IB2024/062067
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Benjamin John TAIT
Madeline Rose PARKER
Andrew James HILLIARD
David Robert Kemps
Saeed HOSSEINI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Original Assignee
Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd filed Critical Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Publication of WO2025114974A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025114974A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/06—Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
    • A61M16/0666—Nasal cannulas or tubing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
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    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/021—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators; Tracheal tubes operated by electrical means
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    • A61M16/024—Control means therefor including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
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    • A61M16/1095—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours by influencing the temperature in the connecting tubes
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    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/20—Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
    • A61M16/201—Controlled valves
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    • A61M16/203—Proportional
    • A61M16/204—Proportional used for inhalation control
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    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators; Tracheal tubes
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    • A61M16/208—Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M16/0003—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
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    • A61M2016/0018—Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure inhalation detectors electrical
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    • A61M2210/00—Anatomical parts of the body
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Definitions

  • the present disclosure generally relates to patient interfaces for providing breathable gases to a patient.
  • Assisted breathing systems are available to aid patients in breathing for a number of reasons.
  • the patient may have, or be in recovery from, a medical condition.
  • Breathing assistance may be provided during or following a medical procedure, or otherwise provided for individuals who may require a form of breathing support.
  • respiratory gases are supplied to a patient through a breathing tube.
  • the gases expired by the patient may be channelled through a similar breathing tube and/or expelled to the patient's surroundings.
  • the gases are typically administered to the patient through a patient interface, which may also comprise a short length of dedicated breathing tube to couple the patient interface with the breathing tube.
  • Patient interfaces such as nasal interfaces, for example, can be used to deliver a flow of gases to a patient.
  • Nasal delivery elements, or prongs can be inserted into the nose of a patient to deliver the required therapy in a non-sealing manner i.e. , so a gap is formed between at least part of a prong and an interior of a nare.
  • a first aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for delivering breathable gases to a patient, comprising: a body; a nasal prong comprising a base, the nasal prong extending from the body, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending between the base and terminal end defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet; and a vent extending through the wall of the nasal prong and longitudinally at least partially between the base and terminal end of the nasal prong.
  • the vent extends through the wall of the nasal prong as an aperture that permits fluid communication between the prong lumen and an exterior of the nasal prong.
  • the vent comprises a distal end, closest to the base of the prong, a proximal end, closest to the terminal end of the prong, a vent length defined as a distance between the proximal end and distal end of the vent, and a vent width between a first side and a second side of the vent.
  • the nasal prong comprises a prong length between the base and terminal end of the prong
  • the vent length is configured to be between about 5% to about 80% of the prong length.
  • the vent width comprises between about 1% to about 80% of a length of a perimeter of the prong.
  • a sweep angle of the vent is between about 5 degrees to about 180 degrees.
  • a sweep angle of the vent extends across between about 1 % to about 80% of a perimeter of the prong.
  • a ratio of an area of the vent relative a surface area of the prong wall comprises between about 1 :20 to about 3:5, or between about 1 :15 to about 3:5, or about 1 :10 to about 3:5, or about 1 :8 to about 3:5. or about 1 :6 to about 3:5, or about 1 :4 to about 3:5, or about 1 :3 to about 3:5.
  • at least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance from the base of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length.
  • At least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance from the terminal end of the prong of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length.
  • the nasal prong is configured such that in use, a proportion of the vent length situated inside the nare of a patient is greater than about 5% of the vent length, or, a proportion of the vent length situated outside the nare of a patient is less than about 95% of the vent length.
  • the nasal prong is configured such that at least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance away from the terminal end of the prong that is about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the prong length.
  • the prong is configured such that at least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance away from the inlet of the prong that is about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the prong length.
  • the prong is configured such that in use, a proportion of the length of the vent situated inside the nare of a patient is between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the vent length.
  • the prong is configured such that in use, a proportion of the vent length situated outside the nare of a patient is between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the vent length.
  • the vent length is configured to be between about 0.2mm to about 50mm.
  • the vent length is configured to be between about 0.2mm to about 50mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 45mm, or between about
  • 0.2mm to about 10mm or between about 0.2mm to about 5mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 2mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 1mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 0.5mm.
  • the vent length is configured to be between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the prong length.
  • the width of the vent is between about 0.2mm to about 50mm.
  • the width of the vent is configured to be between about 0.2mm to about 50mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 45mm, or between about
  • 0.2mm to about 10mm or between about 0.2mm to about 5mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 2mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 1mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 0.5mm.
  • the width of the vent comprises between about 5% to about 80%, or between about 5% to about 75%, or between about 5% to about 70%, or between about 5% to about 65%, or between about 5% to about 60%, or between about 5% to about 55%, or between about 5% to about 50%, or between about 5% to about 45%, or between about 5% to about 40%, or between about 5% to about 35%, or between about 5% to about 30%, or between about 5% to about 25%, or between about 5% to about 20%, or between about 5% to about 15%, or between about 5% to about 10%, of a length of a perimeter of the prong.
  • the proximal end of the vent comprises a proximal chamfer
  • the distal end of the at least one vent comprises a distal chamfer
  • the proximal chamfer comprises an angle relative an inner surface of the prong of between about 20deg to less than about 90deg.
  • the distal chamfer comprises an angle relative an inner surface of the prong of between greater than about 90deg to about 160deg.
  • At least a portion of the vent is longitudinally tapered in a direction from its proximal end towards its distal end or in a direction from its distal end towards its proximal end.
  • the vent is configured such that one of the vent width at the distal end or proximal end thereof is greater than the vent width at the other of the distal end or proximal end of the vent.
  • the vent is tapered in a direction from one of its first or second side to the other of its first or second side.
  • the vent length at one of the first or second side is greater than the vent length at the other of the first or second side.
  • the vent is at least partially straight, at least partially curved or at least partially arcuate between its proximal and distal end.
  • the vent is at least in part between its proximal and distal end parallel the prong lumen.
  • the nasal prong comprises a plurality of vents.
  • the plurality of vents comprises two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more vents.
  • the plurality of vents each extend longitudinally at least partially between the terminal end and base of the nasal prong.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents is at least partially straight, curved or arcuate between its proximal and distal end, and at least one other vent of the plurality of vents is at least partially straight, curved or arcuate between its proximal and distal end.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents comprises a greater or lesser sweep angle than at least one other vent of the plurality of vents.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents comprises a greater or lesser length relative a length of the prong, or width relative a length of a perimeter of the prong, than at least one other vent of the plurality of vents.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents comprises a greater or lesser area relative a surface area of the prong wall, than at least one other vent of the plurality of vents.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents is longitudinally tapered in a direction from its proximal end towards its distal end or in a direction from its distal end towards its proximal end, and at least one other vent of the plurality of vents is tapered in a direction from one of its first or second side to the other of its first or second side.
  • at least one vent of the plurality of vents is at least in part between its proximal end and distal end parallel the prong lumen, and at least one other vent of the plurality of vents is at least in part between its proximal end and distal end angled relative the prong lumen.
  • the plurality of vents are spaced apart substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or spaced apart in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the plurality of vents are spaced apart equidistantly, substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents is positioned offset at least one other vent of the plurality of vents substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the plurality of vents is configured such that, in use, at least one vent of the plurality of vents is situated at least partly within the nare of a patient, and at least one vent of the plurality of vents is situated at least partly outside the nare of a patient.
  • the plurality of vents are aligned substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the plurality of vents is configured such that, in use, at least a portion of at least one vent of the plurality of vents is arranged at a distance away from the base of the nasal prong that is about 5% to about 95% of the prong length, and at least a portion of at least one vent of the plurality of vents is arranged at a distance away from the terminal end of the nasal prong that is about 5% to about 95% of the prong length.
  • the plurality of vents is configured such that a sum of non-overlapping portions of respective lengths of said plurality of vents, comprises between about 5% to about 80% of the prong length.
  • the plurality of vents is configured such that a sum of non-overlapping portions of the respective widths of said plurality of vents, comprises between about 5% to about 80% of a length of a perimeter of the prong.
  • the plurality of vents is configured such that a ratio of a sum of respective areas of the plurality of vents relative a surface area of the prong wall comprises between about 1 :20 to about 3:5.
  • the plurality of vents are disposed in a staggered arrangement about the wall.
  • the plurality of vents are disposed in a non-uniform arrangement about the wall.
  • the plurality of vents are arranged at spaced-apart intervals longitudinally along and/or transversely across the wall.
  • the plurality of vents are arranged at spaced-apart intervals such that they are not aligned in a longitudinal direction along the wall and/or not aligned in a transverse direction across the wall.
  • the plurality of vents are positioned about the wall in a non-uniform or staggered arrangement relative one another.
  • the plurality of vents are spaced apart in a staggered arrangement longitudinally along the wall.
  • the plurality of vents are spaced apart in a staggered arrangement transversely across the wall.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents comprises a different width, area, sweep angle, length and/or is spaced apart at a different distance from a inlet or terminal end of the prong, compared to at least one other vent of the plurality of vents.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents is arranged at a distance away from the terminal end of the prong that is about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the prong length.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents is arranged at a distance away from the base of the prong that is about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the prong length.
  • a sum of non-overlapping portions of lengths of the plurality of vents is configured to be between about 0.2mm to about 50mm.
  • a sum of non-overlapping portions of lengths of the plurality of vents is configured to be between about 0.2mm to about 50mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 45mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 40mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 35mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 30mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 25mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 20mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 15mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 10mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 5mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 2mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 1 mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 0.5mm.
  • a sum of non-overlapping portions of lengths of the plurality of vents is configured to be between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the prong length.
  • a sum of non-overlapping portions of widths of the plurality of vents is between about 0.2mm to about 50mm.
  • a sum of non-overlapping portions of widths of the plurality of vents is configured to be between about 0.2mm to about 50mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 45mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 40mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 35mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 30mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 25mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 20mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 15mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 10mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 5mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 2mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 1 mm, or between about 0.2mm to about 0.5mm.
  • a sum of non-overlapping portions of widths of the plurality of vents is between about 5% to about 80%, or between about 5% to about 75%, or between about 5% to about 70%, or between about 5% to about 65%, or between about 5% to about 60%, or between about 5% to about 55%, or between about 5% to about 50%, or between about 5% to about 45%, or between about 5% to about 40%, or between about 5% to about 35%, or between about 5% to about 30%, or between about 5% to about 25%, or between about 5% to about 20%, or between about 5% to about 15%, or between about 5% to about 10%, of a length of a perimeter of the prong.
  • the plurality of vents are arranged or disposed in an array.
  • the array of the plurality of vents is configured in a series of columns of vents arranged in a longitudinal direction parallel the prong lumen and/or a series of rows of vents arranged in a direction angled, transverse or perpendicular the prong lumen.
  • each column of vents is iteratively smaller in width, length, area, and/or sweep angle, then the next column of vents.
  • each row of vents is iteratively smaller width, length, area, and/or sweep angle, then the next row of vents.
  • the terminal end of the at least one nasal prong comprises an opening.
  • breathable gases move from the nasal cannula into the prong lumen via the inlet.
  • the nasal prong is tapered from its base towards its terminal end.
  • a cross-section of the nasal prong at its base is larger than a cross-section of the nasal prong at its terminal end.
  • the prong lumen is at least partially linear, curved and/or arcuate.
  • the nasal prong is configured such that its terminal end curves laterally inwardly into a nare of a patient in use.
  • the nasal prong is shaped or angled such that it extends inwardly towards a septum of a patient's nose in use.
  • the nasal prong comprises a substantially ovate or substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape.
  • the nasal prong comprises a substantially ovate or substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape, and is less ovate or less elliptical cross- sectional shape at its base than at its terminal end.
  • the nasal prong comprises a substantially circular shape.
  • a thickness of nasal prong comprises a thickness of the wall between an outer surface and inner surface of the wall.
  • the nasal prong is formed at least partially from a soft, flexible and/or elastomeric material.
  • the nasal prong is formed at least partially from any one or more of silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer(s), an elastomeric material(s), and silicone.
  • the wall extends between the base and terminal end of the prong as a single continuous layer of material in a direction at least partially parallel to and/or towards the prong lumen.
  • the wall comprises a mono-layered configuration between the inlet and terminal end of the nasal prong.
  • the outer surface of the wall extends from the base to the terminal end of the prong in a direction at least partially parallel to and/or towards the prong lumen.
  • a thickness of prong may be between about 5% to about 10% of the prong length.
  • a thickness of the prong may be between about 2mm to about 0.2mm.
  • a thickness of the prong may be between about 0.5mm to about 0.1 mm.
  • the nasal prong is configured to maintain a gap between at least part of the outer surface of the wall of the prong and an inner wall of a patient's nare in use.
  • the nasal prong is sized to permit exhaled gases to flow around the outer surface of the wall of the prong to escape out the nare of a patient in use.
  • the nasal prong is configured to maintain a gap between an outer surface of the wall of the prong and an inner wall of a patient's nare sufficient so as to define an area exterior of the prong and interior a nare of a patient in use.
  • the body defines a central section of the cannula.
  • the body is configured to connect to or is integrally formed with a supply tube configured to deliver breathable gases to the body.
  • the nasal prong comprises a first nasal prong and a second nasal prong.
  • the body is configured to connect to or is integrally formed with a supply tube.
  • the supply tube is in fluid communication with the inlet of the nasal prong.
  • the supply tube is in fluid communication with the prong lumen of the first nasal prong and/or the prong lumen of the second nasal prong.
  • the body comprises a manifold configured to receive breathable gases.
  • the manifold is in fluid communication with the prong lumen of the nasal prong.
  • the manifold is in fluid communication with the prong lumen of the first nasal prong and/or the prong lumen of the second nasal prong. [0105] In some examples, the manifold is configured to connect to or is integrally formed with a supply tube configured to deliver breathable gases to the manifold.
  • the supply tube is in fluid communication with the prong lumen of the first nasal prong and/or the prong lumen of the second nasal prong, via the manifold.
  • the supply tube is configured to connect to or is integrally formed with a gas delivery conduit configured to deliver breathable gases to the supply tube.
  • the gas delivery conduit comprises a respiratory conduit.
  • the gas delivery conduit is at least partly breathable.
  • the nasal cannula comprises at least one side arm extending laterally from the body.
  • the nasal cannula comprises a first side arm extending laterally from a side of the body and a second side arm extending laterally from an opposing side of the body.
  • the nasal cannula comprises a patient securement system configured to secure the cannula to a patient's head or face.
  • the patient securement system comprises a facial pad located on the at least one side arm of the nasal cannula.
  • the facial pad is configured to be removably attachable to a patient's face so as to secure the nasal cannula thereto.
  • the facial pad is configured to be removably attachable to one or more interface attachment elements located on a patient's face.
  • the one or more interface attachment elements comprise a patient facing side and an interface facing side.
  • the interface facing side is configured to interface with and be removably attachable to the facial pads located on the side arm(s) of the nasal cannula.
  • the interface facing side is configured to interface with and be removably attachable to the facial pad via a releasable coupling comprising: a mechanical fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a magnet or an array of magnets disposed respectively on each of the interface facing side and facial pad and/or an adhesive arrangement.
  • the patient facing side is configured to interface with and be removably attachable to the patient's face.
  • the patient facing side is configured to interface with and be releasably adhered or releasably attached to the patient's face via dermatologically sensitive adhesive comprising any of: a hydrocolloid-based adhesive material; a zinc oxide-based adhesive material; a silicone-based adhesive material; a polyurethane; and/or a hydrogel-based adhesive material.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing port.
  • the sensing port is spaced apart from the vent.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing port spaced apart from the vent and arranged more proximate the terminal end than the at least one vent.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing port arranged at or proximate the terminal end.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing port spaced apart from the terminal end of the prong. [0126] In some examples, the nasal prong comprises a sensing port extending outwardly away from the terminal end of the prong.
  • the sensing port is located on the nasal prong at a distance from the vent that is between about 10% to about 80% of a length of the prong between the base and terminal end.
  • the sensing port is arranged at a port surrounding surface of the nasal prong that is angled relative to a vent surrounding surface of the nasal prong that the vent is arranged at.
  • an angle between the vent surrounding surface and port surrounding surface may be between about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees.
  • the port surrounding surface comprises a flat surface, or a concave surface, or a convex surface, or a conical surface, or a frusto-conical surface, and/or a sectioned flat, or concave, or convex surface.
  • the sensing port comprises an aperture
  • the sensing port comprises a cavity at the terminal end of the prong.
  • the cavity comprises an end wall offset from the terminal end of the prong, and at least one side wall extending from the terminal end of the prong to the end wall.
  • the end wall and at least one side wall may be sealed.
  • the cavity at comprises an opening for fluid communication with an exterior of the prong.
  • the sensing port is positioned at a centre of at the terminal end.
  • the sensing port is concentric with the terminal end.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing lumen in fluid communication with the sensing port.
  • the sensing lumen extends through at least part of the prong lumen towards the sensing port.
  • the sensing lumen extends to the sensing port.
  • the sensing lumen extends substantially centrally or concentrically through the prong lumen.
  • the sensing lumen extends along the inner surface of the wall.
  • the sensing lumen is fluidly sealed from the prong lumen.
  • the sensing port is configured for communication with a sensor.
  • a sensor is located at the sensing port.
  • a sensor is located in the sensing lumen.
  • the sensing lumen is in fluid communication with a sensor.
  • the senor is located at the sensing port or upstream the sensing port.
  • the senor is located at the body of the nasal cannula. [0151] In some examples, the sensor is located inside the manifold of the body.
  • the senor is in communication with a sampling line configured to communicate with a sensing module.
  • the senor comprises any one of: a piezoelectric microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, a light-based sensor, a piezoresistive pressure sensor, an electronic sensor or a transducer.
  • MEMS microelectromechanical system
  • the senor is configured to measure properties of gases at or around the sensing port.
  • the senor is configured to measure pressure.
  • the senor is connected to or in communication with a controller, processor, monitor and/or display.
  • the sensing module comprises a controller, processor, monitor and/or display.
  • a distance that the sensing port extends away from terminal end may at least in part define a scale factor configured for at least in part determining any one or more of: positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP), Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase, of a patient in use.
  • PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PIP Peak Inspiratory Pressure
  • the patient securement system comprises headgear comprising one or more straps.
  • a second aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for delivering breathable gases to a patient, comprising: a body; a nasal prong comprising a base, the nasal prong extending from the body, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending between the base and terminal end defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet, with an outer surface of the wall defining an exterior of the prong; and a vent extending through the wall of the nasal prong; wherein when a gas is received into the prong lumen, at least a portion of the gas exits out of the prong lumen through the vent.
  • a breath cycle of a patient comprises any one or more of: an inhalation phase, an exhalation phase and/or a breath pause phase between the inhalation and exhalation phase.
  • the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient such that the area exterior of the nasal prong to which the at least a portion of the gas exits is interior the nare of the patient, wherein the at least a portion of the gas that exits to said area exterior of the nasal prong and interior the nare of a patient causes an increased resistance, to flow of gas from out of the nare of the patient, during at least part of an exhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient such that the area exterior of the nasal prong to which the at least a portion of the gas exits is interior the nare of the patient, wherein the at least a portion of gas that exits to said area exterior of the nasal prong and interior a nare of a patient causes an increase in patient pressure during at least part of an inhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient such that the area exterior of the nasal prong to which the at least a portion of the gas exits is interior the nare of the patient, wherein the at least a portion of gas that exits to said area exterior of the nasal prong and interior a nare of a patient causes an increase in pressure at or around said area, during at least part of a breath pause phase between an inhalation and an exhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient such that the area exterior of the nasal prong to which the at least a portion of the gas exits is interior the nare of the patient, wherein the at least a portion of gas that exits to said area exterior of the nasal prong and interior a nare of a patient develops a pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the nare, said pressure differential forming at least a partial fluid seal at said area exterior the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient.
  • a third aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for delivering breathable gases to a patient, comprising: a body; a nasal prong comprising a base, the nasal prong extending from the body, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending between the base and terminal end defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet, with an outer surface of the wall defining an exterior of the prong; a vent extending through the wall of the nasal prong and defining a vent gas pathway; and an opening at the terminal end of the prong defining an opening gas pathway, wherein when a gas is received by the prong lumen: at least a portion of the gas exits from out of the prong lumen through the vent in a direction of the vent gas pathway; at least a portion of the gas exits from out of the prong lumen through the opening in a direction of the opening gas pathway; and when the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient, in use
  • a flow rate of gas that exits through the vent in a direction of the vent gas pathway is between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas received by the prong lumen.
  • a flow rate of gas that exits through the opening in a direction of the opening gas pathway is between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas received by the prong lumen.
  • the nasal prong is configured such that at least a portion of the vent is situated outside the nare of a patient in use, said at least a portion of the vent defining an auxiliary gas pathway.
  • At least a portion of said gas exits from the prong lumen through the at least a portion of the vent in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway.
  • gas that exits in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway exits towards outside the nare of a patient in use.
  • between about 1 % to about 99% of gas received by the prong lumen exits through the at least a portion of the vent in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway.
  • a flow rate of gas that exits through the at least a portion of the vent in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway is between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas received by the prong lumen.
  • the vent comprises a proximal end, closest to the terminal end of the prong, a distal end, closest to the base of the prong, a vent length defined as a distance between the proximal and distal ends of the vent, and a vent width between a first side and a second side of the vent.
  • the vent length is configured to be between about 5% to about 80% of the prong length.
  • the vent width comprises between about 5% to about 80% of a length of a perimeter of the prong.
  • a sweep angle of the vent is between about 5 degrees to about 180 degrees.
  • a sweep angle of the vent extends across between about 5% to about 80% of a perimeter of the prong.
  • a ratio of an area of the vent relative a surface area of the prong wall comprises between about 1 :20 to about 3:5.
  • At least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance from the base of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length.
  • At least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance from the terminal end of the prong of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length.
  • the prong is configured such that in use, a proportion of the vent length situated inside the nare of a patient is greater than about 5% of the vent length, or, a proportion of the vent length situated outside the nare of a patient is less than about 95% of the vent length.
  • any of the aforementioned examples of the first to second aspect may apply equally to the third aspect and/or the examples thereof.
  • a fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for delivering breathable gases to a patient, comprising: a nasal prong comprising a base, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending therebetween defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet, with an outer surface of the wall defining an exterior of the prong; and a vent extending through the wall of the prong; wherein the nasal prong is configured such that in use a first portion of the vent is situated inside a nare of the patient, and a second portion of the vent is situated outside the nare of the patient, the first portion of the vent defining a vent gas pathway and the second portion of the vent defining an auxiliary gas pathway; wherein when a gas is received by the prong lumen: at least a portion of said gas exits from out of the prong lumen through the first portion in a direction of the vent gas pathway, at least a portion of said gas exits from out of the prong lumen through the
  • a fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula comprising: at least one nasal prong comprising a base, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending therebetween defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet, with an outer surface of the wall defining an exterior of the prong; and a vent extending through the wall of the prong; wherein the nasal prong is configured such that in use, when the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient, at least a portion of the vent is situated outside the nare of the patient, and at least a portion of the vent is situated inside the nare of the patient.
  • the portion of the vent situated outside the nare of the patient is configured to at least partially reduce an inhibition to flow of gas in a direction out of the nare of the patient, during at least part of at least an exhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • a gas when a gas is received by the prong lumen, at least a portion of said gas exits from the prong lumen through the at least a portion of the vent to an area exterior of the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient.
  • At least a portion of gas that exits to said area exterior of the nasal prong and interior a nare of a patient develops a pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the nare.
  • the pressure differential may form at least a partial fluid seal between the nasal prong exterior and interior the patient nare.
  • the nasal prong is configured such that at least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance from the terminal end of the prong of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length, and wherein the prong is configured such that at least a portion of the vent is arranged at a distance from the base of the prong of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length.
  • the nasal prong is configured such that in use, a proportion of the vent length situated inside the nare of the patient is between about 5% to about 95% of the vent length.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare comprises a length that is between about 5% to about 80%, or between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, of the prong length.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare comprises a width that is between about 5% to about 80% of a length of a perimeter of the prong.
  • a ratio of an area of the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall comprises between about 1 :20 to about 3:5.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare is at least partially straight, curved and/or arcuate.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare is at least in part parallel the prong lumen or angled relative the prong lumen.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare comprises a greater or lesser width compared to the at least a portion of the at least one vent situated inside the nare.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare comprises a substantially equal width compared to the at least a portion of the at least one vent situated inside the nare.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare comprises a greater or lesser sweep angle to the at least a portion of the at least one vent situated inside the nare.
  • the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare comprises a substantially equal sweep angle to the at least a portion of the at least one vent situated inside the nare.
  • a ratio of an area of the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall is greater or lesser than a ratio of an area of the at least a portion of the vent situated inside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall.
  • a ratio of an area of the at least a portion of the vent situated outside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall is substantially equal to a ratio of an area of the at least a portion of the vent situated inside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall.
  • the nasal prong comprises a plurality of vents extending through the wall of the prong.
  • the plurality of vents is configured such that in use when the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient, at least one vent of the plurality of vents is situated at least partly within the nare of the patient, and at least one vent of the plurality of vents is situated at least partly outside the nare of the patient.
  • a gas when a gas is received by the prong lumen, at least a portion of said gas exits from out of the prong lumen through the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly within the nare of the patient to an area exterior of the nasal prong and interior a nare of a patient in use, wherein the at least a portion of gas that exits to said area exterior of the nasal prong and interior a nare of a patient develops a pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the nare, said pressure differential forming at least a partial fluid seal at said area exterior the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient.
  • the at least a portion of gas that exits to said area exterior of the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient causes an increase in patient pressure during at least part of an inhalation phase of the breath cycle, and an increase in pressure at or around said area, during at least a breath pause phase between the inhalation and exhalation phases of the breath cycle of the patient.
  • the plurality of vents is configured such that at least a portion of at least one vent of the plurality of vents is arranged at a distance from the base of the prong of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length, and wherein the plurality of vents is configured such that at least a portion of at least one vent of the plurality of vents is arranged at a distance from the terminal end of the prong of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly within the nare of a patient comprises a greater or lesser length along the wall of the prong to the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare of a patient.
  • the plurality of vents are spaced apart substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or spaced apart in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the plurality of vents are spaced apart equidistantly, substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen. [0216] In some examples, the plurality of vents are spaced apart equidistantly along the wall substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or spaced apart equidistantly across the wall in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • At least one vent of the plurality of vents is positioned offset at least one other vent of the plurality of vents substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly within the nare of a patient comprises a substantially equal length compared to the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare of a patient.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly within the nare of a patient comprises a greater or lesser width compared to the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare of a patient.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly within the nare of a patient comprises a substantially equal width compared to the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare of a patient.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly within the nare of a patient comprises a greater or lesser sweep angle to the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare of a patient.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly within the nare of a patient comprises a substantially equal sweep angle to the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare of a patient.
  • a ratio of an area of the at least one vent situated at least partly outside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall is greater or lesser than a ratio of an area of the at least one vent situated inside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall.
  • a ratio of an area of the at least one vent situated at least partly outside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall is substantially equal to a ratio of an area of the at least one vent situated at least partly inside the nare relative a surface area of the prong wall.
  • the at least one vent situated at least partly outside the nare is positioned offset at least one other vent of the plurality of vents substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare is aligned substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly outside the nare is positioned substantially offset a direction of the prong lumen and/or positioned offset a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly inside the nare is aligned substantially in a direction of the prong lumen and/or aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • the at least one vent of the plurality of vents situated at least partly inside the nare is positioned substantially offset a direction of the prong lumen and/or positioned offset a direction substantially perpendicular to the prong lumen.
  • a sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for delivering breathable gases to a patient, comprising: a body; at least one nasal prong comprising a base, the nasal prong extending from the body, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending between the base and terminal end defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet; a vent extending through the wall of the prong; and a sensing port arranged at the wall or the terminal end of the nasal prong.
  • the sensing port comprises an aperture
  • the sensing port is located on the nasal prong at a distance from the vent that is between about 10% to about 80% of a length of the prong between the base and terminal end.
  • the sensing port is arranged at a port surrounding surface of the nasal prong that is angled relative to a vent surrounding surface of the nasal prong that the vent is arranged at.
  • an angle between the vent surrounding surface and port surrounding surface may be between about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees.
  • the port surrounding surface comprises a flat surface, a concave surface, a convex surface, a conical surface, a frusto-conical surface, and/or a sectioned flat, concave, or convex surface, of the at least one nasal prong.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing lumen in fluid communication with the sensing port.
  • the senor is in communication with a sampling line configured to communicate with a sensing module.
  • the sensing lumen extends through at least part of the prong lumen towards the sensing port.
  • the sensing lumen extends to the sensing port. [0241] In some examples, the sensing lumen is fluidly sealed from the prong lumen.
  • the sensing lumen extends substantially centrally or concentrically through the prong lumen.
  • the sensing lumen extends along the inner surface of the wall of the nasal prong.
  • the sensing port is positioned at a centre of the terminal end.
  • the sensing port is concentric with the terminal end.
  • the sensing port is configured for communication with a sensor.
  • the senor is located at the sensing port or upstream the sensing port.
  • the senor is located at the body of the nasal cannula.
  • the senor is located inside the manifold of the body.
  • a sensor is located at the sensing port.
  • the senor comprises any one of: a piezoelectric microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, a light-based sensor, a piezoresistive pressure sensor, an electronic sensor or a transducer.
  • MEMS microelectromechanical system
  • the senor is configured to measure properties of gases at or around the sensing port.
  • the senor is configured to measure pressure.
  • the senor is connected to or in communication with a controller, processor, monitor and/or display.
  • the sensing module comprises a controller, processor, monitor and/or display.
  • a seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for delivering breathable gases to a patient, comprising: a nasal prong comprising an base, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending between the base and terminal end defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet; a vent extending through the wall of the prong; and a sensing port spaced apart from the terminal end of the prong.
  • the sensing port extends outwardly away from the terminal end.
  • the sensing port comprises an aperture
  • the sensing port is arranged at an end of a probe extending outwardly away from the terminal end of the prong.
  • a sensing lumen extends through at least part of the prong lumen towards the sensing port.
  • the sensing lumen extends to the sensing port.
  • the sensing lumen extends to the probe.
  • the sensing lumen is fluidly sealed from the prong lumen.
  • the sensing lumen extends substantially centrally or concentrically through the prong lumen.
  • the sensing lumen extends along the inner surface of the wall of the nasal prong. [0267] In some examples, the sensing port is configured for communication with a sensor.
  • a sensor is located at the sensing port.
  • the senor is located at the sensing port or upstream the sensing port.
  • the senor is located at the body of the nasal cannula.
  • the senor is located inside the manifold of the body.
  • the senor comprises any one of: a piezoelectric microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, a light-based sensor, a piezoresistive pressure sensor, an electronic sensor or a transducer.
  • MEMS microelectromechanical system
  • the senor is configured to measure properties of gases at or around the sensing port.
  • the senor is configured to measure pressure.
  • the senor is connected to or in communication with a controller, processor, monitor and/or display.
  • a distance that the sensing port is spaced apart from the terminal end may at least in part define a scale factor configured to at least in part determine any one or more of: positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP), Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase, of a patient in use.
  • PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PIP Peak Inspiratory Pressure
  • An eighth aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for delivering breathable gases to a patient, comprising: a nasal prong comprising a base, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending between the base and terminal defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet; a vent extending through the wall of the prong; and a sensing port arranged more proximate the terminal end than the vent and spaced apart from the vent.
  • any of the aforementioned examples of the first to seventh aspects may apply equally to the eight aspect and/or the examples thereof.
  • a ninth aspect of the present disclosure provides a respiratory therapy system, the system comprising: a flow source for providing a flow of gas; a gas delivery conduit for receiving the flow of gas from the flow source; and a patient interface for receiving the flow of gas from the delivery conduit and delivering the flow of gas to a patient; wherein the patient interface comprises the nasal cannula of any one of the first to fifth aspects and/or any of the aforementioned examples of the first to eighth aspects.
  • a tenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a respiratory therapy system, the system comprising: a flow source for providing a flow of gas; a gas delivery conduit for receiving the flow of gas from the flow source; and a patient interface for receiving the flow of gas from the delivery conduit and delivering the flow of gas to a patient; wherein the patient interface comprises a nasal prong comprising a vent extending through a wall of the prong.
  • the vent is configured to increase a patient pressure
  • the vent is configured to increase pressure in at least part of a nare of the patient, during at least a breath pause phase between an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • a pressure differential forms between an exterior and interior of the nare.
  • said pressure differential forms at least a partial fluid seal at an area exterior the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient.
  • the nasal prong in use, when the nasal prong is situated at least partly inside a nare of a patient, the nasal prong is configured such that at least a portion of the vent is situated outside the nare of the patient.
  • kits comprising: the nasal cannula of any one of the first to fifth aspects; and a gas delivery conduit connected to or integrally formed with the nasal cannula, and/or an adapter for connecting the gas delivery conduit with an inspiratory tube, a dry line and/or heated breathing tube.
  • the gas delivery conduit comprises a respiratory conduit.
  • the gas delivery conduit is removably connected to the nasal cannula.
  • the kit further comprises any one or more of: a filter, a pressure relief valve and/or a humidification chamber.
  • the filter is configured to filter impurities from breathable gases delivered to the nasal cannula and/or delivered to a patient via the nasal cannula.
  • the pressure relief valve is configured to regulate pressure of supplied breathable gases delivered to the nasal cannula and/or delivered to a patient via the nasal cannula.
  • the humidification chamber is configured to humidify breathable gases delivered to the nasal cannula and/or delivered to a patient via the nasal cannula.
  • the gas delivery conduit is at least in part integrally formed with the nasal cannula.
  • a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of providing respiratory support to a patient comprising: providing a nasal cannula comprising a nasal prong comprising a vent extending through a wall of the prong and a sensing port arranged at or proximate a terminal end of the nasal prong; positioning the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent is situated at least partially inside the nare of the patient and such that the sensing port is situated within the nare of the patient; providing a flow of breathable gases to one or more nares of the patient through the nasal prong of the nasal cannula; and measuring at least pressure of gases at or around the sensing port.
  • the method further comprises a step e) of: determining any one or more of: positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP), Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase, of the patient.
  • PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PIP Peak Inspiratory Pressure
  • step e) includes applying a scale factor to the pressure measured in step d).
  • the scale factor is applied at at least one point in time.
  • the sensing port extends outwardly away from the terminal end. [0303] In some examples, said scale factor is at least partly defined by a distance that the sensing port extends away from terminal end.
  • a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of delivering respiratory support to a patient, comprising: providing a nasal cannula comprising a nasal prong comprising a vent extending through a wall of the prong; positioning the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent is situated at least partially inside the nare of the patient; providing a flow of breathable gases to one or more nares of the patient through the nasal prong of the nasal cannula.
  • situating the vent at least partially inside the nare of the patient and providing said flow of gases causes an increased resistance to a flow of gas from out of the nare of the patient during at least part of an exhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • situating the vent at least partially inside the nare of the patient and providing said flow of gases causes an increased patient pressure during at least part of an inhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • situating the vent at least partially inside the nare of the patient and providing said flow of gases causes a pressure differential to form between an exterior and interior of the nare, said pressure differential forming at least a partial fluid seal at an area exterior the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient.
  • step b) comprises positioning the nasal prong such that the vent is situated at least partially outside the nare of the patient.
  • a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of delivering respiratory support to a patient, comprising: providing a nasal cannula comprising a nasal prong comprising a vent extending through a wall of the nasal prong, the nasal prong configured to maintain a gap between an exterior of the nasal prong and an inner wall of a patient's nare in use; positioning the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent is situated at least partially inside the nare of the patient and in a manner that permits exhaled gases to flow around the exterior of the nasal prong to escape out the nare of a patient in use; providing a flow of breathable gases to one or more nares of the patient through the nasal prong of the nasal cannula so as to form a pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the nare, said pressure differential forming at least a partial fluid seal between the prong exterior and the inner wall of the nare.
  • step b) includes positioning the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent is situated at least partially outside the nare of the patient in use.
  • a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of delivering respiratory support to a patient, comprising: providing the nasal cannula of any one of the first to fifth aspects; positioning the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent is situated at least partially inside the nare of the patient; providing a flow of breathable gases to one or more nares of the patient through the nasal prong of the nasal cannula.
  • a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a patient interface for delivery of breathable gases to a patient, the patient interface comprising: a body comprising a nasal prong configured to deliver gases to a nare of the patient; the prong comprising a wall defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with an inlet of the prong and at least one vent extending through the wall of the prong, an outer surface of the wall defining an exterior of the prong; wherein, in use, when a gas is received into the prong lumen via the inlet and the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of the patient, at least a portion of the gas exits from the prong lumen through the vent to an area exterior the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient to develop a pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the nare, said pressure differential forming at least a partial fluid seal at said area exterior the nasal prong and interior the nare of the patient.
  • the nasal prong is configured to maintain a gap between at least part of the outer surface of the wall of the nasal prong and an inner wall of a patient's nare in use.
  • the nasal prong is sized to permit exhaled gases to flow around the outer surface of the wall of the nasal prong to escape out the nare of a patient in use.
  • a volumetric flow rate of gas that exits through the vent is between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas flowing in the prong lumen from the inlet.
  • patient interface comprises a gas delivery conduit in fluid communication with the inlet of the nasal prong to deliver breathable gases to the nasal prong.
  • At least part of the gas delivery conduit is breathable.
  • Described herein is a patient interface comprising a nasal cannula as described in any one or more of the aspects, configurations and/or examples provided herein.
  • Described herein is also a patient interface comprising a nasal prong as described in any one or more of the aspects, configurations and/or examples provided herein.
  • Described herein are also patient interface(s), nasal cannula(s) and/or respiratory therapy system(s) comprising vented prongs described in any one or more of the aspects, configurations and/or examples provided herein.
  • Described herein are also method(s) for providing respiratory support using a patient interface(s), nasal cannula(s) and/or respiratory therapy system(s) comprising vented prongs described in any one or more of the aspects, configurations and/or examples provided herein.
  • the method may comprise a patient interface as disclosed herein.
  • the patient interface may be a nasal interface, for example a nasal cannula.
  • the method may comprise a respiratory therapy system as disclosed herein.
  • a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a patient interface for delivery of breathable gases to a patient, the patient interface comprising: a body; a nasal prong comprising a base, the nasal prong extending from the body, an inlet at the base, a terminal end, and a wall extending between the base and terminal end defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with the inlet; and a vent extending through the wall of the prong; wherein, in use, when a gas is received into the prong lumen via the inlet and the nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of the patient, at least a portion of the gas exits from the prong lumen through the vent to form at least a partial gaseous seal between the nasal prong and the patient nare.
  • An eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure provides a nasal cannula for use in a respiratory support system to deliver a flow of breathable gases to a patient
  • the nasal cannula comprising: a cannula body, the cannula body comprising an inlet configured to receive the flow of breathable gases; a nasal prong extending from the cannula body, the nasal prong configured to extend into a patient naris when the nasal cannula is fitted to the patient, the nasal prong comprising: a prong wall, the prong wall at least in part defining a prong lumen configured to receive and convey the flow of breathable gases from the cannula body; at least one vent extending through the prong wall, the at least one vent configured to deliver the flow of breathable gases to the patient; and wherein in use, when a flow of breathable gas is delivered into the nasal cannula, at least a portion of the flow of breathable gas delivered through the at least one vent forms at least a partial gaseous
  • the vent is configured to increase pressure in at least part of a nare of the patient, during at least a breath pause phase between an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient.
  • the nasal prong is configured such that a portion of the vent is situated outside the nare of the patient.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing port.
  • the sensing port is arranged at or proximate the terminal end.
  • the sensing port is located on the nasal prong at a distance from the vent that is between about 10% to about 80% of the prong length.
  • the port surrounding surface comprises a flat surface, or a concave surface, or a convex surface, or a conical surface, or a frusto-conical surface, and/or a sectioned flat, or concave, or convex surface.
  • the sensing port comprises an aperture
  • the sensing port is positioned centrally at the terminal end.
  • the nasal prong comprises a sensing lumen in fluid communication with the sensing port.
  • the sensing port is configured for communication with a sensor.
  • a sensor is located at the sensing port or upstream the sensing port. [0339] In some examples, the sensor is configured to measure a property of gases at or around the sensing port.
  • the senor is configured to measure pressure.
  • any of the aforementioned examples of the eighteenth aspect may apply equally to the seventeenth aspect.
  • Any of the aforementioned examples of the first aspect may apply equally to the eighteenth and/or seventeenth aspect.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a respiratory support system
  • Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a body of an example nasal cannula
  • Figure 3 shows a front perspective view of an example nasal cannula affixed to a neonatal patient
  • Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the example nasal cannula of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of an example nasal cannula
  • Figures 6 to 8 show perspective views of example nasal prongs comprising vent(s) extending through a wall of the prongs;
  • Figure 9 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an example nasal prong situated at least partly within the nare of a patient
  • Figures 10 to 12 show schematic cross sectional views of the example nasal prong of Figure 9 during different phases of a breath cycle of the patient;
  • Figure 13 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an example nasal prong situated at least partly within the nare of a patient with the vent(s) thereof situated entirely within the nare of the patient;
  • Figures 14 to 16 show schematic cross sectional views of example nasal prongs situated at least partly within the nare of a patient and comprising various vent arrangements;
  • Figures 17 to 20 show schematic cross sectional views of example nasal prongs situated at least partly within the nare of a patient and comprising various vent arrangements;
  • Figure 21 shows a side view of an example nasal prong comprising a tapered vent extending through the wall thereof;
  • Figure 22 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an example nasal prong comprising chamfers at the distal and proximal ends of the vent(s) thereof;
  • Figure 23 shows a perspective view of an example nasal prong comprising a vent and a sensing port
  • Figure 24 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an example nasal prong comprising vents, a sensing port and a sensing lumen;
  • Figure 25 shows a perspective view of an example nasal prong comprising at a vent and a sensing port extending away from the terminal end of the prong;
  • Figures 26 to 28 show perspective views of example nasal prongs comprising a sensing port arranged at different surfaces of the prongs;
  • Figure 29 shows a schematic cross sectional view of an example nasal prong comprising a blind end
  • Figure 30 shows a perspective view of an example nasal prong comprising a vent and a sensing port arranged at a cavity.
  • Patient interfaces can be used for delivering breathing gases to airways of a patient.
  • the patient interfaces may comprise nasal interfaces that can be used to deliver a flow of gases to a patient.
  • Nasal delivery elements such as nasal prongs, may be inserted into one or both nares of a patient to deliver respiratory therapy.
  • the nasal delivery elements may be desired to be non-sealing, or semi-sealing, at one or both nares to deliver the therapy.
  • 'unsealed' or 'non-sealing' patient interfaces are described herein, they may be understood to be configured, when engaged with the patient in use (i.e. , when nasal prong(s) thereof are positioned at least partly into the nare(s) of the patient), to not fully occlude or physically or mechanically seal or block the nare(s) of the patient.
  • Respiratory gases may include gas mixture compositions including supplemental oxygen and/or administration of therapeutic medicaments.
  • the system may utilise a non-sealing nasal interface to deliver a flow of gases to the patient.
  • the system may provide a non-invasive therapy.
  • the therapy may be flow rate based and/or may be delivered by setting a flow rate. A predictable pressure or pressure range may be achieved at a given flow rate.
  • the system may be configured to deliver high flow therapy.
  • High flow therapy as discussed herein is intended to be given its typical ordinary meaning, which generally refers to a respiratory system delivering a targeted flow of respiratory gases via an intentionally unsealed patient interface, with flow rates generally intended to meet or exceed inspiratory flow of a patient.
  • High flow therapy is a flow-based therapy or form of respiratory support that may include a flow source to provide a flow of gases comprising air and/or oxygen and a patient interface to deliver breathable gas to the patient.
  • a humidifier may be used to heat and/or humidify the flow of gases.
  • Typical flow rates for adults may range from, but are not limited to, about 15 litres per minute to about 60 litres per minute or greater.
  • Typical flow rates for paediatric users such as neonates, infants and children, often range from, but are not limited to, about 0.8 to 1 litre per minute per kilogram of patient mass to about 3 litres per minute per kilogram of patient mass or greater.
  • the flowrate may be set at 1 litre per minute or less.
  • a flow of gas delivered to the patient can be prescribed and set.
  • the clinician may prescribe a flow rate of gas for patient treatment.
  • the gases flow may be set at the wall with a flow meter or selected and set on a flow generator.
  • a level of positive airway pressure may be generated as a result of the flow delivered to the patient airway.
  • pressure delivered to the patient may be inherently variable due to the breathing cycle causing a drop in pressure on inspiration. It may be beneficial to provide better stability of patient pressure throughout the breathing cycle in high flow and similar non-sealing therapy systems.
  • patient pressure is used herein, it should be understood as referring to pressures within the patient. Conversely, patient pressure may also reflect the pressure a patient must generate to breath out against gas supplied, via respiratory therapy systems and apparatus described herein, and the occlusion of any nasal prong(s) in the nare of the patient (which nare occlusion is defined in more detail below).
  • Knowing the pressure delivered by a non-sealing interface may provide a clinician with information to be able to modify therapy as needed. It may provide a clinician with the confidence that a change of settings will benefit the patient without adverse effect. For example, the clinician may increase flow rate setting without over delivering pressure to the patient.
  • each nasal prong according to the present disclosure may be inserted into a nare of the patient.
  • a terminal end of the nasal prong is located inside the nare of the patient.
  • a base of the prong may be located adjacent to the opening of the nare.
  • a flow of breathable gas is delivered to the patient through a prong lumen.
  • a flow of exhaled gas will pass between the outer surface of the prong wall and the inner surface of the nare, to exit the nare.
  • the flow of exhaled gas may travel generally in a substantially longitudinal direction and between the outer surface of the prong wall and the inner wall or surface(s) of the nare.
  • An average flow direction of the exhaled gas may be towards the entrance of the nare.
  • the average flow direction may be generally longitudinally from the terminal end to the base of the prong when the nasal prong is inserted in the nare.
  • the flow of exhaled gas that flows between the outer surface of the prong and the inner surface of the nare will have an average flow direction, an average flow velocity and/or an average flow rate.
  • the average flow direction within the nare is substantially longitudinal within the nare towards the opening of the nare.
  • portions of the flow of exhaled air may have higher or lower velocities than the average flow velocity.
  • One or more portions of the flow of exhaled air may flow in a direction that is different to the average flow direction, and variability in flow rate may be present that is different to the average flow rate.
  • the following description may include reference to features of the nasal prong relative to a flow of gas. In those references it is understood that they relate to the prong when in use at least partly situated in a nare of a person. It is understood that any interaction or effect the nasal prong has with the flow of gas is at least partly due to the nasal prong being configured to provide that interaction or effect.
  • the present disclosure includes a method of providing respiratory support to a patient or providing breathable gases to a patient.
  • the method may comprise providing a respiratory therapy system.
  • the respiratory system may be as substantially described herein or otherwise.
  • the respiratory therapy system may comprise at least one of a flow source including a source for respiratory gases, a gas delivery conduit e.g., breathing tube to receive the respiratory gases, and a patient interface.
  • the patient interface may be a nasal interface, such as a nasal cannula.
  • the patient interface may be in fluid communication with the gas delivery conduit to deliver the respiratory gases to a patient.
  • the patient interface may comprise a nasal prong comprising a base, a terminal end, and a wall extending therebetween, and a vent extending through the wall of the prong.
  • vent' is used herein in relation to example nasal prongs, it will be understood to refer to an opening or aperture in the wall of the prong for the purpose of delivering gas to a patient, in use, as opposed to the typical purpose of vents in a respiratory system being to exhaust gas away from a patient.
  • the method of providing respiratory support may include locating the nasal prong at least partly in a nare of the patient in a non-sealing manner.
  • the method may include operating the respiratory therapy system to provide a flow of gases to the patient interface.
  • a flow of gases from the respiratory therapy system may be delivered through the nasal prong at a nare of the patient.
  • the term 'user' may be used herein in relation to a user of a nasal cannula, where such a user may often be a patient undergoing high-flow therapy and/or another form of respiratory therapy. It will be appreciated that the terms 'user' and 'patient' may be used herein interchangeably. In some instances, a patient of a respiratory therapy method(s) and/or system(s) as described herein may likewise be a user of a patient interface(s) and/or nasal cannula(s) as described herein, and again, the terms 'user' and 'patient' may also be used interchangeably respect of said method(s), system(s) and/or patient interface(s).
  • FIG. 1 A schematic representation of an example respiratory therapy system that may be used with a patient interface having a nasal prong according to the present disclosure is shown in Figure 1 .
  • the respiratory therapy system 1000 may provide respiratory therapy or support to a patient and/or provide breathable gases to a patient.
  • the respiratory therapy system 1000 may comprise a respiratory therapy apparatus 6000 and patient interface 2000.
  • the respiratory therapy apparatus 6000 may include a combination of components selected from, but not limited to, one or more of: a flow source 150 (which may comprise a flow generating device 15, an electronic controller 18, and/or gas source 15B, for example), a humidifier 8 for humidifying and/or warming a flow of gas, and/or gas delivery conduit(s) (e.g. dry line and/or heated breathing tube 3, for example).
  • a flow source 150 which may comprise a flow generating device 15, an electronic controller 18, and/or gas source 15B, for example
  • a humidifier 8 for humidifying and/or warming a flow of gas
  • gas delivery conduit(s) e.g. dry line and/or heated breathing tube 3, for example.
  • the flow source 150 may provide a gas, such as air, oxygen, air blended with oxygen, or a mix of air and/or oxygen and one or more other gases.
  • the flow source 150 may draw a primary source of gas from the ambient environment, an in-wall supply and/or a tank.
  • the flow source 150 may draw a supplementary source of gas from a gas source, which may be an in-wall supply, gas generator, and/or a tank, for example, separate from the primary source of gas.
  • the flow source 150 provides a flow of gas that can be delivered to a patient, for example via an inspiratory conduit 3 and patient interface 2000.
  • the flow source 150 may provide a gas flow rate of between about 0.5 LPM and about 375 LPM or any suitable sub-range within that range.
  • the flow source 150 may comprise a flow generator 15.
  • the flow generator 15 may draw a primary source of gas from the ambient environment and/or may connect to a supplementary gas source.
  • the flow generator 15 may comprise a blower 15.
  • the blower 15 may draw air from ambient environment via a blower inlet 17.
  • the blower 15 may have a second inlet 17B to receive gas from a supplementary gas source 15B as shown in Figure 1 , which may deliver oxygen, for example.
  • the flow source 150 may comprise an electronic controller 18 which may control flows delivered to the patient and/or adjust properties of gas delivered to the patient. Properties of gas delivered may include flow rate, pressure and/or gas concentration. Where the flow source 150 comprises a flow generator 15 for example, the electronic controller 18 may be in electronic communication with the flow generator 15 to control flows delivered to the patient.
  • the flow generator 15 may include a valve(s), for example a proportional valve.
  • the electronic controller 18 may control the valve(s) to adjust the flow of gas from a primary gas source and/or supplementary gas source.
  • the electronic controller 18 may use valve(s) to adjust a flow of gas received from the ambient environment via blower inlet 17, and/or use valve(s) to adjust a flow of gas received from the supplementary gas source 15B via second inlet 17B.
  • the blower 15 may be provided with a variable speed compressor or fan or impeller 2 driven by a motor.
  • the impeller 2 may draw ambient gas or air through the blower inlet 17.
  • the impeller 2 may also control the overall flow of gases outputted by the blower 15.
  • the electronic controller 18 may control the impeller 2 to adjust properties of gas delivered to the patient.
  • the speed of the variable speed compressor or fan or impeller 2 may be controlled by the electronic controller 18.
  • Properties of gas delivered to the patient may be set by a user using a user interface 19 (comprising a graphic user interface, dial(s) or button(s) etc) communicating with the electronic controller 18.
  • the current delivered to motor driving the impeller 2 may be increased or decreased to change the rpm of the impeller to increase or decrease flow rate or pressure of the gases delivered.
  • the electronic controller 18 may adjust properties of gas delivered to the patient (via, eg, control of the motor of the fan or impeller 2, or control of the valves of the blower 15) in response to user-set predetermined values (pre-set values) of pressure and/or flow rate and/or fan speed and/or gas concentration inputted via the user interface 19.
  • pre-set values predetermined values
  • the electronic controller 18 may also control properties of gas delivered to the patient via active inputs (ie, not predetermined values) from a user also inputted via the user interface 19.
  • the electronic controller 18 can be configured or programmed to control operation of the apparatus 6000 and/or system 1000.
  • the electronic controller 18 can control components of the apparatus 6000 and/or system 1000, including but not limited to: operating the flow generator 15 to create a flow of gas (gases flow) for delivery to a patient, operating the humidifier 8 (if present) to humidify and/or heat the generated gases flow, control a flow of gas, ambient air and/or oxygen into the flow generator 15, receiving user input from the user interface 19 for reconfiguration and/or user-defined operation of the apparatus 6000, and outputting information (for example on the display) to the user.
  • the flow generator 15 to create a flow of gas (gases flow) for delivery to a patient
  • the humidifier 8 if present
  • control a flow of gas, ambient air and/or oxygen into the flow generator 15 receiving user input from the user interface 19 for reconfiguration and/or user-defined operation of the apparatus 6000, and outputting information (for example on the display) to the user.
  • a humidifier 8 may be provided between the flow source 150 and the patient 1 to humidify and/or warm the gas from the flow source 150.
  • Various humidifier configurations may be employed.
  • the humidifier 8 may be a pass-over humidifier, for example.
  • the humidifier 8 may comprise a humidification chamber 5.
  • the humidification chamber 5 may comprise a gas inlet 16 and a gas outlet 4 to enable connection into the gas flow path 3 of the apparatus/system 6000, 1000.
  • flow of gases from the flow generator 15 is received into the humidification chamber 5 via the gas inlet 16 and exits the chamber 5 via the gas outlet 4 after being heated and/or humidified.
  • the humidification chamber 5 may contain a volume of liquid, typically water or similar.
  • the humidifier 8 may comprise a heater plate.
  • the humidification chamber 5 may be provided with one or more heat transfer surface(s), such as a metal insert, plate or similar, in the base or other surface of the chamber 5 that interfaces or engages with the heater plate of the humidifier 8.
  • the liquid in the humidification chamber 5 is controllably heated by the heat transfer surface(s) associated with the chamber 5 to generate water vapour or steam to increase the humidity of the gases flowing through the chamber 5.
  • the humidification chamber 5 may be removable, for example, may be partially or entirely removable or disconnected from the flow path, humidifier 8 and/or apparatus 6000.
  • the humidifier 8 may include a heater base 8A which includes the heater plate of the humidifier 8 and which also receives the humidification chamber 5.
  • the chamber 5 may therefore be removable or disconnected from the heater base 8A.
  • the humidifier 8 may be controlled by a humidifier controller 9.
  • the humidifier 8 may also comprise humidifier user interface 10.
  • the electronic controller 18 and user interface 19 may communicate with the humidifier controller 9 and humidifier user interface 10 to control the humidifier 8.
  • the electronic controller 18 by way of the humidifier controller 9 may adjust properties of gas delivered to the patient (via control of the current delivered to the heater elements or plate), via active user inputs via the humidifier user interface 10 or user interface 19 or by way of user-set predetermined values inputted via the humidifier user interface 10 or user interface 19.
  • the respiratory support apparatus 6000 may comprise a flow source including a combined flow generator and humidifier, a non-limiting example of which is an AIRVOTM flow generator from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited.
  • a gas delivery conduit such as an inspiratory conduit 3 may be coupled to a gas outlet 4 of the respiratory support apparatus 6000 at a first end and may be coupled to the patient interface 2000 at a second end.
  • a gas delivery conduit may be any one or more of a respiratory or inspiratory tube or conduit, a dry line and/or heated breathing tube.
  • a heating element 11 may be provided within the inspiratory conduit 3 to help prevent condensation of the humidified gases within the conduit 3. The heating element 11 in the inspiratory conduit 3 may be controlled by the humidifier controller 9 and/or electronic controller 18.
  • the gas delivery conduit 3 may at least partly comprise a breathable material.
  • at least part of the conduit wall may comprise the breathable material.
  • a breathable material may permit passage of water vapour without allowing bulk passage of liquid water or bulk flow of respiratory gases therethrough.
  • a breathable material may assist to reduce condensate within the conduit.
  • the patient interface 2000 is a nasal cannula that is supplied with gas from a flow source 150, which in this example is blower 15, via gas delivery conduit 3.
  • the patient interface 2000 may be an unsealed (non-sealing) interface, such as a non-sealing nasal cannula.
  • the patient interface 2000 comprises a nasal prong 3000 configured for insertion into the nare(s) of a patient 1 or user to deliver a flow of gas to the patient/user 1 .
  • the patient interface 2000 may comprise a nasal cannula 30, 700, 800 comprising a body 32, 703, 815.
  • the body 32, 703, 815 may provide a general structure from which features of the nasal cannula 30, 700, 800 can extend from or connect to.
  • the body 32, 703, 815 may comprise a manifold 32A, 820 (as shown in Figures 2 and 5).
  • the body 32, 703, 815 may include side wings or arms 707 for example.
  • the patient interface 2000 may includer further features like supply tubes 705, 801 , 2001 , and securement features like a securement assembly 751 or headgear 20 connecting to the body 32, 703, 815.
  • the patient interface 2000 may comprise a supply tube for example.
  • two supply tubes 2001 are shown extending from a common junction 2002 to which the gas delivery conduit 3 may connect.
  • the supply tubes 2001 may be in fluid communication with one or both nasal prongs of the patient interface 2000.
  • the patient interface 2000 may have a pair of nasal prongs. Each nasal prong may be supplied with gas via separate supply tubes. This is demonstrated for example by Figures 1 to 4, illustrating nasal prongs having separate supply tubes 705, 801 , 2001 (in fluid communication with a common gas delivery conduit 3).
  • the patient interface 2000 of Figure 1 , and the nasal cannula 700 of Figure 3 comprises two supply tubes 2001 and 705 respectively.
  • the patient interface of Figures 2 and 4 show prongs that likewise may be in fluid communication with separate respective supply tubes.
  • the supply tubes may connect to gases pathways 37, 38, 702A, 702B which provide a passageway through the body to each prong.
  • the gases pathways 37, 38, 702A, 702B extend laterally outward from each prong in Figures 2 and 4 along the body to connect for fluid communication with respective supply tubes.
  • a single supply tube 2001 may be connected to the gas delivery conduit 3.
  • the single supply tube 2001 may connect to the patient interface 2000 so that the patient interface 2000 is in fluid communication with the gas delivery conduit 3.
  • the supply tube(s) 2001 may comprise or be at least partly formed of a breathable material.
  • 'distal' and 'proximal' are used herein generally, and in reference to ends of supply tubes, gas delivery conduits, and/or vent(s), such terms are employed merely to denote a proximity of a feature to the patient or patient interface in use, a proximal end of a tube or vent for example being closer to the patient or patient interface than its distal end, being closer to the gas supply/blower/humidification chamber.
  • 'upstream' and 'downstream' are to be interpreted similarly with reference to proximity to the patient or patient interface in use, where downstream components or features of a respiratory system, or respiratory apparatus are closer to the patient (and/or patient interface) in use and upstream components or features of a respiratory system or respiratory apparatus are closer to the flow source (such as the flow generator, blower and/or humidification chamber, for example).
  • the flow source such as the flow generator, blower and/or humidification chamber, for example.
  • patient interfaces having a pair of nasal prongs that are in fluid communication with a common gas manifold.
  • the manifold may be in fluid communication a gas delivery conduit 3.
  • the nasal cannula 800 comprises a body 815 comprising a common gas manifold 820 from which nasal prongs 810 extend.
  • the gas manifold 820 is connected to supply tube 801 via coupling 830.
  • the supply tube 801 may be in fluid communication with a gas delivery conduit 3.
  • One or more supply tubes may be provided that connect(s) to or is/are integrally formed with the gas delivery conduit 3. No supply tube(s) may be provided and the patient interface may connect directly to a gas delivery conduit 3.
  • the patient interface 2000 may comprise a nasal prong which may comprise a vent extending through a wall thereof, as will be described in further detail below.
  • the patient interface 2000 may comprise any of the example nasal cannulas or prongs described herein with respect to Figure 2 onwards. Moreover, the description of the features, functions and potential benefits of nasal prongs comprising a vent, that follow, may apply to any patient interface configuration, irrespective of other structures of the interface external the prongs.
  • a patient interface 2000 or nasal cannula having a pair of nasal prongs described herein may have a single nasal prong with vent(s) extending through a wall thereof.
  • the single nasal prong with vent(s) may be a left nasal prong or a right nasal prong.
  • the patient interface 2000 may be configured to deliver a gas flow to the patient’s nasal cavity/nares at a pressure that is predictable for a given or set flow rate.
  • the patient interface may be configured to enable delivery of gases to the patient over a wide range, for example about 0.5 LPM (litres per minute) or higher, depending on therapy/respiratory support requirements and/or patient type, for example.
  • delivery of gases to a patient can be from about 5 or 10 LPM to about 150 LPM, or about 15 LPM to about 95 LPM, or about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, or about 25 LPM to about 85 LPM, or about 30 LPM to about 80 LPM, or about 35 LPM to about 75 LPM, or about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, or about 45 LPM to about 65 LPM, or about 50 LPM to about 60 LPM.
  • a flow rate of gases supplied or provided to an interface via a system or from a flow source or flow modulator may comprise, but is not limited to, flows of at least about 0.5, 1 , 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 LPM, or more, and useful ranges may be selected to be any of these values (for example, about 20 LPM to about 90 LPM, about 40 LPM to about 70 LPM, about 40 LPM to about 80 LPM, about 50 LPM to about 80 LPM, about 60 LPM to about 80 LPM, about 70 LPM to about 100 LPM, about 70 LPM to about 80 LPM).
  • Flow rates for premature/infants/paediatrics can be different.
  • the flow rate can be set to 0.4-8 LPM/kg with a minimum of about 0.5 LPM and a maximum of about 70 LPM.
  • maximum flow may be set to 8 LPM or 10 LPM or 15 LPM or, 20 LPM or greater.
  • delivery of gases to a patient, or flow rate can be about 30 LPM.
  • the gas delivered can be chosen depending on for example, the intended use of a therapy and/or respiratory support.
  • Gases delivered may comprise a percentage of oxygen (also referred to herein as fraction of oxygen).
  • the percentage of oxygen in the gases delivered may be about 15% to about 100%, 20% to about 100%, or about 30% to about 100%, or about 40% to about 100%, or about 50% to about 100%, or about 60% to about 100%, or about 70% to about 100%, or about 80% to about 100%, or about 90% to about 100%, or about 100%, or 100%.
  • the nasal cannula 30 comprises a body 32 having a central section 35 and a pair of side arms 31 on either side of the body 32.
  • the nasal prongs 33, 34 each comprise a base 33A, 34A that extends from the body 32, in particular from the central section 35 of the body 32.
  • the nasal prong(s) may also have an inlet at the base 33A, 34A (not shown in Figure 2, but illustrated for example by inlet 3005 in Figure 22) as well as a terminal end 33B, 34B with a wall 33C, 34C extending between the base 33A, 34A and terminal end 33B, 34B of each prong 33, 34.
  • the nasal prong(s) 33, 34 each comprise a vent 4000 extending through the respective walls thereof, said vent(s) described in further detail below.
  • An inner surface of the wall 33C, 34C may define a prong lumen (not shown in Figure 2 but shown as prong lumen 3004 in Figure 9 to 16 for example).
  • An outer surface of the wall 33C, 34C may define an exterior of the nasal prong(s) (shown in Figure 9 as outer surface 3320 for example).
  • the prong lumen of nasal prongs 33 and/or nasal prong 34 may run between respective bases 33A, 34A to respective terminal ends 33B, 34B. During use, the direction of the gases flow within each nasal prong 33, 34 follows the general direction of the prong lumen.
  • the nasal prongs may have a substantially circular cross-section.
  • the nasal prong 3000a shown in Figure 6 has a substantially cylindrical configuration, having a substantially constant circular cross-section.
  • the nasal prong 3000b shown in Figure 7 has a substantially tapered conical configuration, having a perimeter about its circular cross-section that tapers or decreases from a base 3100 of the nasal prong to a terminal end 3200 of the nasal prong.
  • the nasal prongs may have a non-circular cross section.
  • the nasal prongs may have a substantially elliptical or oval cross-section.
  • the cross-sectional shapes referred to here may apply to the cross-sectional shape of the nasal prong at the terminal end, at the base (where gas enters the prong), and/or at any position along the length of the nasal prong.
  • the nasal prongs 33, 34 may have a cross-section that has at least one flat edge, when said cross-section is taken perpendicular to (a general lengthwise direction of) the prong lumen defined above.
  • the cross-section may be a polygonal shape with entirely flat edges, such as a rectangle or a triangle.
  • the crosssection may be a shape with a mix of one or more curved edges and at least one flat edge, such as a semicircle. This flat edge results in a flat surface along one face of each nasal prong 33, 34.
  • the cross-section may be consistent throughout the length of each nasal prong 33, 34.
  • the size and/or dimensions of the cross-section may change throughout the length of each nasal prong 33, 34. For example, each nasal prong 33, 34 may chamfer inwards along its length.
  • the nasal prongs 33, 34 may be inclined towards each other when not in use. As shown in Figure 2 for example, the nasal prongs 33, 34 may be curved to follow the curvature of a patient nasal passageway. Once the nasal cannula 30 is mounted on the patient, the nasal prongs 33, 34 can elastically deform to fit the patient’s nasal passages. The body 32, or one or more portions of the nasal cannula 30 may flex, which can assist to reduce the pressure applied to the nasal region for example, the septum.
  • supply tubes may receive breathable gases from a gas delivery conduit 3 and deliver gases into respective inlets of the nasal prongs 33, 34 via respective gases pathways 37, 38.
  • the gases pathways 37, 38 in Figure 2 are shown as integrally formed or moulded interior passages of the cannula body 32.
  • the passage(s) extend along side arms 31 of the nasal cannula 30 towards central section 35 and to respective prong's inlets of the nasal prongs 33, 34. In the example shown in Figure 2, the passages extend along a front surface of each side arm 31 .
  • the nasal cannula may include a patient securement assembly which may comprise one or more facial pads 44 located on the side arms 31 , such as shown in Figure 2.
  • the facial pads 44 may be removably attached to or lie adjacent the patient’s cheeks.
  • the facial pads 44 may have an adhesive surface that allows the facial pads 44 to be removably attached to the patient’s cheeks.
  • the facial pads 44 may attach to one or more dermal patches.
  • the nasal cannula 30 may be attached to the patient's head via one or more straps or via a headgear 20, such as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 5.
  • the nasal cannula 700 comprises a body 703 including side arms or wings 707.
  • Supply tubes 705 extend to the wings 707 of the body 703.
  • the supply tubes 705 connect to respective gases pathways 702A, 702B extending across side arms or wings 707 to a respective nasal prong 710A, 710B.
  • the gases pathways 702A, 702B thereby provide fluid communication between the outlets of the supply tubes 705 and the prong inlets.
  • the nasal cannula 700 of Figure 3 is also illustrated in Figure 4.
  • the first nasal prong 710A comprises at least one vent 4000 extending through a wall thereof, said vent(s) described in further detail below.
  • the second prong 710B may have a solid wall with no vent. In the example shown, second prong 710B does not comprise a vent 4000.
  • the nasal cannula 700 comprises a securement assembly 751 to maintain the nasal cannula 700 in an operational position.
  • the securement assembly 751 is a two-part releasable securement assembly 751 .
  • the securement assembly 751 comprises a fixation structure or dermal patch.
  • the securement assembly comprises a pair of fixation structures.
  • the fixation structure(s) each include a fixation body 750 with a patientfacing side and an interface-facing side.
  • the interface side of the fixation body 750 is provided with or otherwise adhered to a fixing element 753.
  • the fixing element 753 is the first part of a two-part releasable securement assembly 751 .
  • a rear or patient-facing surface of the nasal cannula 700 for example rear of facial pad or wing, may be provided with an attachment element 752.
  • the attachment element is a second part of the securement assembly 751 .
  • the attachment element 752 has a patient facing side and an interface facing side.
  • the interface facing side of the attachment element 752 is attachable or affixed to the patient interface 700, such as by an adhesive, for example.
  • the interface attachment element 752 may be integrated with or suitably adhered to the patient interface 700.
  • the patient facing side of the interface attachment element 752 is releasably attachable to the interface facing side of the fixing element 753.
  • the two-part releasable securement system 751 may comprise complementary fastening elements.
  • the two-part releasable securement system may comprise a mechanical fastener, such as a hook and loop material (such as VelcroTM), a magnet or an array of magnets disposed respectively on each of the fixation structure(s) and patient interface 700 having the poles suitably arranged, an adhesive arrangement that may be activated when the two parts are brought together, or any other suitable releasable coupling.
  • a mechanical fastener such as a hook and loop material (such as VelcroTM)
  • VelcroTM VelcroTM
  • magnet or an array of magnets disposed respectively on each of the fixation structure(s) and patient interface 700 having the poles suitably arranged
  • an adhesive arrangement that may be activated when the two parts are brought together, or any other suitable releasable coupling.
  • the interface side of the fixation body 750 may have one of a hook or a loop material, and the patient side of the interface attachment element 752 may have the other of the hook or loop material, such that the fixation body 750 and interface attachment element 752 are releasably attachable to each other.
  • the fixation body 750 of the fixation structure may be releasably adhered or otherwise releasably attached to the patient’s skin.
  • the patient side of the fixation body 750 may be attached to the skin of a patient by a dermatologically sensitive adhesive.
  • the adhesive may include any of: a hydrocolloid-based adhesive material; a zinc oxide-based adhesive material; a silicone-based adhesive material; a polyurethane; and/or a hydrogel-based adhesive material.
  • a patient interface may comprise at least one arm that is attachable to a headgear and/or at least one strap. Other methods of attachment of the patient interface to the patient are also possible.
  • Figure 5 shows a cannula 800 which employs a strap 850 with adjustment buckle 860 which can be manipulated by pulling on the appropriate portion of the strap 850 to adjust its effective length.
  • the body 815 of the nasal cannula 800 of Figure 5 comprises a common gas manifold 820 in fluid communication with nasal prongs 810. Fluidly connected to the manifold 820 via a coupling 830 is a proximal end of a supply tube 801 .
  • the coupling 830 may be releasable, or may be integrally formed with the manifold 820 and the proximal end of the supply tube 801 .
  • example nasal prongs 3000a, 3000b, 3000c will now be described. These example nasal prongs may form part of the nasal cannula of a patient interface such as the example patient interfaces 30, 700, 800, 2000 of Figures 1 to 5 or as described elsewhere herein, or any patient interface with nasal elements intended to be positioned within the patient nare.
  • the nasal prong 3000c is shown in Figure 8 as being curved between its base 3100 and terminal end 3200.
  • the nasal prong may generally curve towards the back of the patients head when in use.
  • the nasal prong may generally curve toward the back of the patient’s nasal passages.
  • the nasal prong(s) described herein may be configured to maintain a gap between an outer surface 3320 of the wall of the prong and an inner wall or surface W1 of a patient's nare sufficient so as to define an area C2 exterior of the prong and interior a patient nare in use.
  • Figures 9 to 20, showing example nasal prongs situated at least partially within the patient nare are schematic only, in that the gaps or area C2 need not be continuous around the entire exterior of an example nasal prong. In other words, in some configurations, only a part of the outer surface of the wall may be distanced from the inner wall W1 of the patient nare.
  • the general shape of the nare as defined by the inner wall W1 thereof shown in these Figures 9 to 20 is also schematic only and is not intended as an anatomical illustration of a nare or nasal passage of a patient, nor surface(s) thereof. It will be appreciated that varying prong sizes, shapes, configurations and the like may be selected for varying nare sizes, shapes and the like.
  • a nasal prong is sized or configured to maintain a gap between the wall of the prong and an inner wall of a user's nare
  • a gap may be present at part of the interface between the prong wall and the inner wall W1 of the nare, such that the prong does not fully occlude, or substantially mechanically seal against, the inner wall W1 or surface(s) of the nare.
  • an inner wall W1 of a nare may generally encompass the interior surface(s) of a nare of a patient.
  • gases which flow from out of an example prong 3000 via a vent 4000 may cause an at least partial fluid or gaseous seal.
  • the fluidic seal or fluid or gas seal may at least partly mimic some of the effects of physically sealing patient interfaces.
  • the gases flow exiting via the vent(s) 4000 may in effect, increase the occlusion in the nare without increasing the physical size of the prong size.
  • the fluidic seal may provide the patient with a greater PEEP whilst maintain a safe gas pathway for exhalation with the atmosphere. In other words, a greater patient pressure may be achieved with a non-sealing patient interface.
  • the nasal prong 3000 comprises a terminal end 3200, a base 3100 extending from a body of the nasal cannula, an inlet 3005 at the base 3100, and a wall 3300 extending between the base 3100 and terminal end 3200 defining a prong lumen 3004 in fluid communication with the inlet 3005. While the prong lumen and inlet are not shown in Figures 6 to 8, an example of such a prong lumen 3004 and inlet 3005 is shown in Figure 22 and described in greater detail below.
  • the terminal end 3200 may comprise an opening 3250 defining an opening gas pathway, the opening 3250 configured to deliver gas received by the nasal prong 3000 into the nare through an opening gas pathway.
  • a nasal prong 3000 as described herein may not necessarily comprise such an opening 3250 at the terminal end 3200 thereof, for example, as seen in the example prongs 3000b, 3000c of Figures 7 and 8, or the example prong 3000 of Figure 29 which comprises a blind end 3251 .
  • the only hole or aperture for gas flow outward of prong lumen 3004, is provided by the vent(s) 4000.
  • the nasal prong 3000 comprises a vent 4000 extending through the wall 3300 of the nasal prong between the base 3100 and terminal end 3200.
  • the prong 3000a of Figure 6 is shown comprising a single vent 4000a.
  • the vent 4000a extends through the prong wall and extends longitudinally at least partially between the base 3100 and terminal end 3200 of the nasal prong.
  • the vent 4000a has a substantially elongate rectangular configuration.
  • the prong 3000 of Figure 7 is shown comprising two vents 4000b.
  • each vent 4000b has a substantially elliptical configuration.
  • Each vent 4000b is disposed in a transversely offset configuration. In other words, vents 4000b are spaced apart and not aligned relative one another in a general lengthwise direction of the prong and prong lumen.
  • the prong 3000 of Figure 8 is shown comprising five vents 4000c. Vents 4000c are arranged in an array having a substantially staggered configuration. In other words, vents 4000c are spaced apart and off-set in a direction of the prong lumen. The staggered configuration may be uniform or non-uniform.
  • vent configurations comprising one or a plurality of vents.
  • a plurality of vents may comprise two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten or more vents.
  • the plurality of vents may be positioned on opposing sides of the prong wall, may be positioned at equal longitudinal distances to the base of the prong, may be spaced apart equidistantly about the wall and/or across the wall, spaced apart at equal distances from the terminal end and/or the base of the prong, disposed in a staggered and/or non-uniform arrangement about the wall, arranged such that they are aligned or non-aligned in a longitudinal direction along the wall and/or aligned or non-aligned in a transverse direction across the wall.
  • At least one vent 4000 may comprise a plurality of vents 4000.
  • the vents 4000 may be arranged around the wall 3300 of the nasal prong 3000.
  • the vents may be arranged at substantially the same longitudinal position around the nasal prong 3000.
  • Plurality of vents may advantageously provide multiple gas pathways to deliver gases to the patient, enabling gas delivery even in the event one or more vents may become blocked.
  • a given vent may comprise any given polygonal shape or configuration, such as a substantially square, rectangular, parallelogram, trapezoidal, hexagonal, pentagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nonagonal, decagonal shape or configuration.
  • the five vents 4000c of Figure 8 are substantially square.
  • a given vent may equally comprise a substantially circular, elliptical, oval, or otherwise non-polygonal shape or configuration.
  • the two vents 4000b of Figure 7 are substantially elliptical.
  • the vent may comprise a distal end 4100, closest to the base 3100 of the prong, and a proximal end 4200, closest to the terminal end 3200 of the prong.
  • the vent 4000a may extend longitudinally along the prong wall 3300, generally following the prong lumen.
  • a given vent 4000 may comprise a vent length 4022 defined as a distance between the proximal end 4200 and distal end 4100 of the vent, and as described in further detail below with reference to example vent 4020 of Figure 21 .
  • the vent length may be between about 5% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20% of a length of the prong.
  • the vent may also comprise a vent width between a first side 4400 and a second side 4500 of the vent.
  • the vent width may be in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of the vent length, and as described in further detail below with reference to example vent 4020 of Figure 21 .
  • first side 4400 and a second side 4500 of a vent are described herein, the terms 'first' and 'second' are employed only to differentiate between the two sides and are not intended to define any order or hierarchy or relationship between the two sides.
  • the sides may be discrete or separate segments of the vent, such as for polygonal shaped vents 4000a and 4000c of Figures 6 and 8 respectively, or may be lateral portions of a continuous shape such as for elliptical shaped vents 4000b of Figure 7, for example.
  • the vent width comprises between about 5% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20% of a length of a perimeter of the prong.
  • this term is used to refer to an outer-most periphery or line, i.e. , as visible when a cross-section is taken across the prong substantially perpendicular the prong lumen.
  • the perimeter may comprise an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, an arcuate or curved shape, and the like, depending on the geometry of the prong wall/exterior surface(s).
  • the perimeter may hence also comprise a length, being the end to end length of a line extending along said perimeter. In other words, the perimeter is a length of a line extending along a boundary of the prong.
  • sweep angle may be used to refer to an angle between a first side 4400 and a second side 4500 of said at least one vent, where said vertex of said angle is located at a notional centre of the prong X1 (as shown in Figures 17 to 20), i.e., at a notional centre of the prong lumen.
  • this term is employed with reference to the perimeter of the prong (i.e., when not being expressed in its absolute values, degrees), it refers to a certain percentage of the perimeter that the sweep angle occupies or extends across when projected or superimposed upon the perimeter.
  • a sweep angle of the at least one vent may be configured to comprise between about 5 degrees to about 180 degrees and/or may extend across between about 1 % to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20% of a perimeter of the prong. Further examples of sweep angle variations are described in detail below with reference to Figure 17 onwards.
  • An area of the at least one vent and a surface area of the prong wall 3300 may also herein be described.
  • the prong wall 3300 has a surface area 3001 extending about the prong 3000 and the vent 4020 has an area 4201 .
  • a ratio of the area 4201 of the at least one vent 4020 relative the surface area 3001 of the prong wall 3300 comprises between about 1 :20 to about 3:5, or between about 1 :15 to about 3:5, or about 1 :10 to about 3:5, or about 1 :8 to about 3:5. or about 1 :6 to about 3:5, or about 1 :4 to about 3:5, or about 1 :3 to about 3:5.
  • the prong 3000 may be configured such that at least a portion of the at least one vent 4020 is arranged at a distance 3102 (as shown in Figure 21 for example) from the base 3100.
  • the distance 3102 may be about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20% of the prong length.
  • the prong length 3077 may be understood as about the distance between the terminal end 3200 and base 3100 of the prong 3000, as shown in Figure 21 .
  • the prong may be configured such that at least a portion of the at least one vent 4020 is arranged at a distance 3202 from the terminal end 3200 of the prong of about 5% to about 95% of the prong length (also as shown in Figure 21 ), or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20% of the prong length.
  • the portion of the vent 4020 referred to may be the distal end 4120 of the vent, the proximal end 4220 of the vent, any point therebetween or a centre of the vent.
  • the example vent 4020 of Figure 21 illustrates said distance 3102 between the distal end 4120 of the vent to the base 3100 of a prong, and distance 3202 between the proximal end 4420 of the vent to the terminal end 3200 of a prong.
  • a distance 3102 between the distal end 4120 of the vent to the base 3100 of a nasal prong 3000 may be between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20% of the prong length.
  • a distance 3202 between the proximal end 4420 of the vent to the terminal end 3200 of a nasal prong 3000 may be between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20% of the prong length.
  • the vent 4000a may be disposed at any location along the prong. For the vent 4000a of Figure 6, the proximal end 4200 thereof is shown as closer or more proximate the terminal end 3200 of the associated prong, than the distal end 4100 of the vent is to the base 3100 of the nasal prong.
  • Variations in the distance between the proximal end 4200 and distal end 4100 of a given vent from the respective terminal end 3200 and base 3100 of a given nasal prong may be envisaged, so as to, for example, alter the positioning of the vent relative a nare of the patient. This may be useful when the nasal prong is to be situated at least partly within said nare, to position the nasal prong such that a portion of the vent remains external the nare.
  • An advantage of such vent(s) positioning is to maintain a safe gas pathway. That is, to maintain the patient interface as ‘open’ or non-sealing, such that patient airway can fluidly communicate with ambient.
  • a nasal prong having an outer perimeter size comparable with, or slightly smaller than inner surface perimeter size of the nare might be considered unsuitable or unsafe for use in flowbased therapy.
  • a prong providing about 50% or greater occlusion of the nare may be considered inappropriate or unsafe.
  • a nasal prong of such dimensions having at least a portion of vent(s) situated outside of the nare will maintain the patient interface as ‘open’. This may allow for more flexibility in appropriate and safe prong sizing for patients.
  • the vent 4000a may be disposed closer to the base 3100 of the nasal prong 3000a, and extend towards the terminal end 3200 of the nasal prong 3000a.
  • the proximal end 4200 of the vent 4000a may stop short of the terminal end 3200 of the nasal prong 3000a by a given distance.
  • the distance may be about 1 % to about 50% of the length of the vent 4000a.
  • the distance may be about 1 % to about 100% of the width of the vent 4000a.
  • the distance may be about 1 mm to about 30mm.
  • the nasal prong in some examples may be configured such that in use, a proportion of the vent length situated inside the nare of a patient is greater than about 5% of the vent length and/or such that in use, a proportion of the vent length situated outside the nare of a patient is less than about 95% of the vent length.
  • the nasal prong may comprise a visual indicator (eg, markings on the prong wall 3300) to indicate a suitable insertion depth.
  • the vent 4000a of Figure 6 extends substantially longitudinally in a direction along and parallel to a lengthwise direction of the prong lumen (which in this example is generally elongate, tubular and of constant circular cross section).
  • a given vent may extend at least partially transversely across the wall, or may wrap around the nasal prong 3000b, such as the vents 4000b of Figure 8 that extend diagonally, or at an angle, relative a general lengthwise direction of the prong lumen.
  • the vent 4000 extends through the wall 3300 of the prong between the base 3100 and terminal end 3200, and may be positioned anywhere along or between the base 3100 and terminal end 3200.
  • the vent 4000 extends through the wall 3000 of the prong as an aperture that permits fluid communication between the prong lumen 3004 and an exterior of the prong.
  • the vent 4000 may define a vent gas pathway, wherein a portion of gas received by the prong exits the prong lumen 3004 through or via the vent in a direction of the vent gas pathway.
  • a portion of the gas may exit the prong lumen 3004 via the vent gas pathway.
  • a respiratory system delivers a continuous flow of respiratory gases at a given flow rate or variable flow rate(s).
  • a non-sealing patient interface such as a nasal cannula comprising the nasal prong 3000
  • a substantially constant flow rate of gas is supplied into the prong lumen. This results in a constant flow of gas moving in a direction generally from the base 3100 to the terminal end 3200 of the prong.
  • Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional schematic of an example nasal prong 3000 inserted into the nare of a user, and positioned adjacent and/or proximate the inner wall W1 of the nasal passage of the nare.
  • This example prong is shown with two vents, extending through the wall 3300 of the prong 3000, and on opposing sides of the wall.
  • This example prong also shows its terminal end 3200 comprising an opening 3250 defining an opening gas pathway, the opening 3250 configured to deliver gas received by the prong into the nare through the opening gas pathway.
  • the opening gas pathway is indicated generally by arrow A1 .
  • the vent gas pathway defined by each vent 4000 is indicated generally by arrows A2.
  • Two vent gas pathways A2 are shown in Figure 9. It will be appreciated that nasal prongs with a single vent may comprise a single vent gas pathway. Nasal prongs having a given number/plurality of vents may have an equal corresponding number of vent gas pathway(s).
  • gas pathway(s) A1 , A2, A3, A22 are referenced herein, they are intended to only indicate a general direction of flow or movement of gas.
  • Vents 4000 are disposed on the wall 3300 which is positioned adjacent and proximate the inner wall W1 of the nare of the user.
  • vent(s) 4000 A portion of gas will exit the prong lumen through the at least one vent 4000 and may follow a general direction indicated by the vent gas pathway(s) A2 to an area exterior of the prong 3000.
  • the gases exiting through vent(s) 4000 may travel substantially in a direction towards or at the wall W1 of the nare.
  • the at least one nasal prong is at least partly situated inside a nare of a patient, such that, said area exterior of the prong to which the at least a portion of the gas exits to is also an area interior the nare of the patient. This area is indicated generally by dotted boundary C2.
  • a breath cycle of a patient may generally comprise an inhalation phase, an exhalation phase and/or a breath pause phase between the inhalation and exhalation phase.
  • Gases exiting vent(s) 4000 enters the area C2 between the exterior of the prong 3320 and inner wall of the nare W1 .
  • Some gases exiting vent(s) 4000 may flow into an area outside of area C2 into atmosphere and/or into the nare of the patient.
  • the flow of gas out of vent(s) 4000 of the prong 3000 to said area C2 exterior of the prong and interior the nare of the patient results in a flow of gas substantially against the inner wall W1 of the nare as opposed to for example a longitudinal flow further into the nare or in a direction out of the nare.
  • Gas flow exiting the vent 4000 may or may not collide with the inner wall W1 of the nare.
  • the area C2 is a region with increased flow and pressure compared to atmosphere.
  • the at least a portion of the flow of gas that exits to area C2 exterior of the prong and interior the nare of a patient may have a higher resistance to flow of gas from out of the nare of the patient, during at least one phase of the breath cycle of the patient, compared to a nasal prong with no vent.
  • This increased resistance to flow may be understood as an at least partial fluid or gaseous sealing or occlusion effect at said areas C2, at or around the vent(s) and between the wall 3300 of the prong and the inner wall W1 of the nare, during at least part of the exhalation phase.
  • gases that exit a prong lumen 3004 via vent(s) 4000, 4000a, 4000b, 4000c may create at least a partial fluidic or gaseous seal between the prong 3000, 3000a, 3000b, 3000c and inner wall of the nare.
  • the fluidic seal is an area of high pressure and/or high flow. Gases that exit a prong lumen 3004 via the vent(s) 4000, 4000a, 4000b, 4000c may interact with wall 3300 of the prong and/or the inner wall W1 to develop the fluidic seal.
  • the fluidic seal acts as a barrier between the atmosphere and the patient to provide some resistance to patient exhalation.
  • the fluidic seal may aid in increasing peak end expiratory pressure.
  • the fluidic seal may assist to reduce dilution of the gases delivered to the patient, which can have advantage if, for example, the gases flow includes a supplementary gas flow, such as oxygen.
  • the fluidic seal may be dynamic and deformable wherein, it may be affected by a patient’s breathing phase, as will be described in further detail below.
  • the fluidic seal may not be present, or may be minimised, due to the negative pressure generated by the patient dispersing the fluidic seal.
  • the fluidic seal may be distorted, with the patient still able to maintain a safe gas pathway with the atmosphere between the prong 3000, 3000a, 3000b, 3000c and the inner wall W1 .
  • the at least one vent may be understood as being configured to permit gas flow to exit from out the prong lumen to an area exterior of the prong and interior the nare of a patient to develop a pressure differential between an exterior and the interior of the nare.
  • the pressure differential may form an at least partial fluid seal between the exterior of the prong and inner wall (or internal surface(s)) of the nare (or nasal passage).
  • the at least partial fluid sealing effect may allow an effective increase in a nasal prong's size without having to physically increase the prong's size.
  • the nasal prong may therefore at least mimic or approximate the effects of an at least partial mechanical/physical seal without sizing the prong to physically occlude the nare.
  • This at least partial fluid or gaseous sealing or occlusion effect may be understood as analogous to or approximating the sealing or occlusion effect a sealing prong would have if placed in sealing engagement with the nare of the user, which imparts a corresponding increase in patient pressure.
  • the at least partial fluid sealing or occlusion effect may provide an effect analogous or similar to that of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy without needing to employ fully-sealing patient interface(s), i.e., fully sealing or occluding nasal prongs and/or face masks that seal with patient airway(s).
  • PAP positive airway pressure
  • nasal prongs described herein may provide one or more advantages or effects of PAP therapy, such as increased patient pressures, increased PEEP, improved or more consistent or continuous pressure control and predictability and the like, whilst maintaining advantages of a non-sealing interface
  • gas flowing through the opening gas pathway A1 does not flow into a surface (such as the nare wall W1 ).
  • the at least a portion of gas that exits to said area C2 exterior of the prong and interior a nare of a patient may cause an increase in patient pressure during at least one phase of the breath cycle of the patient.
  • Said at least one phase of a breath cycle of the patient during which patient pressure is increased may comprise at least part of the inhalation phase.
  • the patient pressure during at least part of the inhalation phase, for a given supply flow rate of gas may hence be greater than for an equivalent prong having no vent(s) at the same supply flow rate of gas.
  • a given supply flow rate or supply pressure may generate a greater patient pressure than if a non-vented prong was utilised. Consequently, a lower supply pressure or flow rate may achieve the same target patient pressures compared to the supply pressure or flow rate required to achieve the same targets when a non-vented prong is utilised. This may allow a reduction in system load and requirements as well as an increase in patient pressure capabilities compared to when a non-vented prong cannula is utilised.
  • the at least a portion of gas that exits to said area C2 exterior of the prong and interior a nare of a patient may cause an increase in pressure at or around said area C2, during at least part of the breath pause phase.
  • the patient pressure throughout the breath cycle, for a given supply flow rate of gas may be more consistent, or predictable, or even controllable, for disclosed vented prong(s) than for an equivalent prong having no vent(s) at the same supply flow rate of gas.
  • Figures 10 to 12 further illustrate for example how the phases of a typical breathing cycle of a user may influence and/or be influenced by the gases that exit to area C2, as a constant flow of gas (such as during high-flow therapy) is delivered through the prong lumen.
  • Figure 10 illustrates an inhalation phase of a breath cycle of a patient, wherein during said inhalation phase, the patient generates a negative pressure which draws in gas or gases.
  • gas flow delivered into the prong lumen 3004 moves in a direction of opening gas pathway A1 , through the opening 3250, as indicated generally by gas flow arrows F1 .
  • negative pressure generated by the user may cause at least part of the gases that exit area(s) C2 to deform or be disrupted or moved inwardly further into the nare as indicated generally by gas flow arrows F2.
  • a flow rate of gas that exits through the vent in a direction of the vent gas pathway may be between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas flowing in the prong lumen 3004, and/or a flow rate of gas that exits through the opening in a direction of the opening gas pathway may be between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas flowing in the prong lumen 3004.
  • a relative size and/or shape or arrangement compared to that of the vent 4000 may at least partly determine a portion of gas that moves in a direction of each of the opening gas pathway and the vent gas pathway.
  • a portion of gas may exit from the prong lumen 3004 through the vents 4000 in a direction of the vent gas pathways A2.
  • the flow rate in a direction of the vents/vent gas pathways A2 is sufficient that a high pressure area or gas cushion C2 (and/or pressure differential between the nare interior and exterior) is maintained despite the negative patient pressure drawing in at least part of the gas at or around high pressure area or gas cushion C2 further inward the nare, even at low therapy flow rates.
  • Nasal prong 3000 with vent(s) 4000 may generally result in less exterior gases (i.e. , ambient/atmospheric air) being drawn in during inhalation.
  • the area C2 of higher pressure may act as a dynamic seal which creates a pressure barrier or a flow curtain between the nare and the atmosphere.
  • the level of FiO2 can be more precisely maintained or controlled as inhaled gases are not being diluted via the inhalation of ambient/atmospheric air.
  • Figure 11 illustrates breath pause phase of a user that may be understood as the instant between the inhalation phase and exhalation phase when a patient is not generating any pressure and hence drawing gas in or out.
  • a therapy system may still continuously supply a flow of gas at a given rate, and so Figure 11 shows gas flow in the prong lumen 3004 moving in a direction of opening gas pathway A1 as indicated generally by gas flow arrows F1 .
  • supplied gas may exit from the prong lumen 3004 through the vents 4000 in a direction of vent gas pathways A2 and consequently generate positive pressure at the area C2 at or around the vents 4000 and in between the prong wall 3300 and inner wall W1 of the nare of the user (i.e., develop a pressure differential between the nare exterior and interior).
  • Some of the gas moving in the direction of arrows F1 and A1 may turn and exit the nare of a patient in the breath pause phase.
  • Figure 12 illustrates an exhalation phase by a user or patient, wherein a user generates a positive pressure which forces out gas or gases.
  • Figure 12 shows gas flow in the prong lumen 3004 moving in a direction of opening gas pathway A1 as indicated generally by gas flow arrows F1 .
  • gas flow arrows F3 are now shown illustrating a movement of exhaled and redirected supply flow of gas out from the nare, in between the wall 3300 of the prong and the inner wall W1 of the nare.
  • vents/vent gas pathways A2 are sufficient such that a positive pressure at area C2 is maintained despite the positive patient pressure forcing at least part of the gas at or around area C2 out of the nare.
  • the pressure differential developing at the area exterior the prong and interior the nare may be at its highest magnitude during the exhalation phase and the inhalation phase. This is because a change in pressure is needed to drive flows in and out of the patient.
  • the at least partial fluid seal formed between the exterior of the prong and the inner wall or surface(s) of the nare of a patient may be at its maximum magnitude during the breath pause phase.
  • the fluid or gaseous seal may form from the flow of gas out of vent(s) 4000. Magnitude relates to the size of the physical area of occupancy associated with the fluid seal or of flow rate and/or pressure of the flow forming the fluid seal.
  • the at least partial fluid seal formed between the exterior of the prong and the inner wall or surface(s) of the nare of a patient may be at its minimum magnitude during the exhalation phase and the inhalation phase due to disturbance of the fluid seal by flow out of and into the nare of the patient.
  • Figure 12 also illustrates a portion of the vent(s) 4000, being their distal end(s) 4100 may be suitable for positioning at least partly outside a nare of a user.
  • An example prong 3000 may be configured such that at least a portion of the vent 4000 is situated outside the nare of a patient in use, said at least a portion of the vent 4000 defining an auxiliary gas pathway.
  • auxiliary gas pathway may hence permit gas to exit towards outside the nare of a patient in use.
  • gas may exit from the prong lumen 3004 to atmosphere in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway A3.
  • a portion of gas may exit the prong lumen 3004 to out of a nare of a user in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway A3, when a user expires a flow of gas.
  • the portion of the vent 4000 positioned partly outside the nare of the user may comprise the distal end 4100 and hence the auxiliary gas pathway A3 may be proximate the distal end 4100.
  • a portion of gas moving in a direction of the vent gas pathway A2 may be redirected and exhausted away from the user in a direction of and a portion of gas moving in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway A3 may be redirected and exhausted away from the user.
  • between about 1% to about 99% of gas received by the prong lumen 3004 may exit through the at least a portion of the vent 4000 in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway A3.
  • a flow rate of gas that exits through the at least a portion of the vent 4000 in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway A3 may be between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas flowing in the prong lumen 3004.
  • vent(s) positioned outside the nare in use may depend on the relative size and/or shape or overall configuration of the portion of vent(s) positioned outside the nare in use, compared to the remainder of the vent(s) positioned inside the nare in use.
  • some example nasal prongs may comprise a plurality of vents, where one of said plurality of vents is positioned at least partly, if not entirely, outside the nare of the patient in use, and another vent of said plurality of vents is positioned at least partly, if not entirely, inside the nare of the patient in use.
  • a vent 4000 or a portion of a vent 4000 may be configured to provide an auxiliary gas pathway A3 which is in fluid communication with the atmosphere, ie, in fluid communication with a region outside of the nares.
  • the portion may be a portion of the vent 4000 that is proximal to the base 3100, for example as shown in Figures 10 to 12.
  • the vent may be positioned closer to the base 3100 of a prong 3000.
  • the vent may be spaced apart from another vent positioned closer to the terminal end 3200 of a prong.
  • vents 4004 positioned closer to the base 3100 are positioned entirely outside the nare.
  • Vents 4002 positioned closer to the terminal end 3200 are positioned entirely within the nare.
  • Other combinations are possible as outlined in more detail below with reference to Figures 14 to 16.
  • neither inhalation nor exhalation may preclude a portion of gas from exiting the prong lumen in a direction of the vent gas pathways A2 as a constant supply of gas flow is directed into the prong lumen.
  • the flow rate through the vents/vent gas pathways A2 may be sufficient that a positive pressure at area C2 is maintained despite either or both the positive or negative patient pressure generated during inhalation or exhalation.
  • a gas When a gas is received by the prong lumen 3004: at least a portion of said gas exits out of the prong lumen 3004 through the first portion of the at least one vent 4000 in a direction of the vent gas pathway A2. At least a portion of said gas exits out of the prong lumen 3004 through the second portion of the at least one vent 4000 in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway A3. Gas that moves in a direction of the auxiliary gas pathway A3 may exit to outside the nare of a patient in use.
  • a portion of gas moving in a direction of the vent gas pathway A2 may be inspired by the patient.
  • a portion of gas moving in a direction of the vent gas pathway A2 may be exhausted out of a patient nare.
  • said at least a portion of the at least one vent 4000 situated outside the nare of the patient may help provide a safe gas pathway (auxiliary gas pathway A3) for gases to exit when the patient is exhaling.
  • the patient exhales against a flow of gases delivered by the prongs, causing redirection of gases to outside of the nares via the space between the nasal prong 3000 and the nare and additionally, via the at least one vent situated outside the nare.
  • This may action a safe gas pathway (auxiliary gas pathway A3) for gases (exhaled gases and/or supplied gases) to exit to the atmosphere.
  • such a nasal prong 3000 may comprise at least one vent 4000 extending through the wall 3300 of the nasal prong 3000.
  • the nasal prong 3000 may be configured such that in use, a first portion of the vent 4000 is situated inside a nare of the patient, and a second portion of the vent 4000 is situated outside the nare of the patient.
  • the first portion of the vent 4000 may define a vent gas pathway and the second portion of the vent 4000 may define an auxiliary gas pathway.
  • Such a nasal prong 3000 may therefore not define an opening gas pathway.
  • FIG. 29 An example of this is shown in Figure 29, whereby the nasal prong 3000 is configured similarly to the nasal prong 3000 of Figure 9, except that no opening is present, and the terminal end 3200 of the prong instead comprises a blind end 3251 .
  • vent gas pathways A2 are shown, corresponding to the first portion of the vents 4000 situated inside a nare of the patient, and auxiliary gas pathways A3 corresponding to the second portion of the vents 4000 situated outside the nare of the patient.
  • gas may exit from the prong lumen 3004 along the auxiliary gas pathway A3 and out to atmosphere.
  • a portion of gas in the nare of the user escapes out of the nare via the auxiliary gas pathway A3.
  • a portion of the vent 4000 positioned partly outside the nare of the user may be proximate the distal end 4100 of the vent and/or the portion suitable for positioning outside the nare of the user when arranging a nasal prong 3000 therein may comprise the distal end 4100 of the vent.
  • Nasal prongs for cannulas may generally be configured or provided in varying sizes for varying nare sizes.
  • the size of prongs and/or diameters of prongs suitable for use in neonates or infants will be substantially smaller than those for adults.
  • Variations in nare size may also be exhibited in similarly aged patient groups.
  • appropriately matching prong size to the patient or user is important as too large a prong relative a nare can result in nare occlusion, which at certain extremes causes drastic increases in pressure which may present danger to a patient via for example barotrauma.
  • Nare occlusion may be understood as a total cross-sectional surface area, volume, cross-sectional or notional diameter, radius or other appropriate dimension of a nare relative the equivalent dimension of an inserted prong.
  • a nare having a notional diameter of about 5mm matched with a prong having a diameter of about 3mm will result in a nare occlusion of about 60%, ie 60% of the nare is occluded by the prong.
  • Nare occlusion may also be understood as a distance between at least part of the outer surface of the wall of the prong and an inner wall of a patient's nare, where that distance may be between only part of the wall and part of the inner wall of the nare, or between the entire outer profile of the prong and the entire inner wall of the nare.
  • a distance between at least part of the outer surface 3320 of a wall 3300 of a nasal prong 3000 and an inner wall W1 of the nare may be understood as an at least partial indicator of nare occlusion.
  • Prongs as described herein may provide enhanced sizing insensitivity compared to standard prongs with solid wall.
  • Sizing insensitivity may be understood as a minimisation in change of patient pressure as nare occlusion changes. This has the advantage that a prong of a given size may be able to serve patients with varying nare sizes.
  • the prong may be able to achieve therapy requirements e.g. flow and/or pressure within a reasonable range, despite being a size that might typically be considered as incorrectly sized (undersized or oversized) for that patient’s nare. That is, a clinician may reduce time and effort needed to select an appropriate size prong for a patient whilst having confidence that the patient will receive appropriate therapy.
  • Sizing insensitivity also relates to safety wherein a safe gas pathway to atmosphere is maintained regardless of whether a given prong is undersized, correctly sized or oversized in a patient’s nare.
  • an oversized prong may fully occlude the nares which may pose risk to patient.
  • a given prong 3000 may be oversized for a nare
  • the portion of vent(s) 4000 ituated outside of the nare provides the patient with a safe gas pathway to breath out of.
  • a safe gas pathway to atmosphere may be maintained irrespective of nare occlusion.
  • said at least a portion of the at least one vent situated outside the nare is configured to at least partially reduce patient pressure without having to rely on or adjust one of more of: occlusion of the nare by the prong, flow supply parameters (flow or pressure) manually or via an electronic controller.
  • a nasal prong comprising a vent may hence provide greater sizing insensitivity versus an equivalent nasal prong without a vent extending through the wall.
  • the patient pressure increases as nare occlusion increases.
  • the patient pressure may also increase as nare occlusion increases.
  • the increase in patient pressure for the same flow rate and same increase in nare occlusion may not be as high for a nasal prong comprising vent(s) compared to a nasal prong without a vent extending through the wall.
  • a nasal prong configured or arranged so that at least a portion of the vent is positionable outside the nare may exhibit greater sizing insensitivity than a nasal prong configured or arranged so that the entirety of the vent prong is positioned inside the nare.
  • a nasal prong configured or arranged so that at least a portion of the vent is suitable for positioning outside the nare may exhibit greater sizing insensitivity for nare occlusion of between about 60% to about 100%, or between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, than a prong configured or arranged so that the entirety of the vent is suitable for positioning inside the nare.
  • a nasal prong configured such that the vent is suitable for positioning partly outside the nare so as to define an auxiliary gas pathway may exhibit greater sizing insensitivity for nare occlusion of between about 60% to about 100%, or between about 5% to about 95%, or between about 10% to about 90%, or between about 10% to about 80%, or between about 10% to about 70%, or between about 10% to about 60%, or between about 10% to about 50%, or between about 10% to about 40%, between about 10% to about 30%, or between about 10% to about 20%, than a nasal prong configured such that the vent is suitable for positioning entirely within the nare.
  • nasal prong(s) having vent(s) as described herein may provide 'safe' gases escape or exhaust out of the nare (via auxiliary gas pathways). This may reduce resistance to flow of exhaled gases and/or provide greater sizing insensitivity.
  • Figures 14 and 15 show example nasal prongs 3000 where in Figure 14, four vents are visible.
  • Two of the vents 4002 are disposed on opposite sides of the wall of the prong.
  • Another two vents 4004 are disposed on opposite sides of the wall but further rearward or distal (towards the inlet or base of the prong, towards the cannula) than the first two vents 4002.
  • the first two vents 4002 are, in use, positioned entirely within the nare of the user.
  • the second two vents 4004 are, in use, disposed entirely outside the nare of the user.
  • gas in the prong lumen may exit outwardly to areas C2 in a direction of the vent gas pathway(s) A2 defined by the first two vents 4002 , all as described previously in relation to Figures 9 to 13 for example, and elsewhere herein.
  • Gas interior of the prong lumen 3004 may evacuate to atmosphere through the second two vents 4004, being disposed outside the nare, and so those second two vents 4004 may define auxiliary gas pathways A3 and hence provide associated advantages as described previously in relation to Figure 12 for example, and elsewhere herein.
  • a nasal cannula comprising the example prong of Figure 14 may be described as comprising a plurality of vents extending through the wall of the prong, the plurality of vents comprising two vents suitable for positioning entirely within the nare of a user and two vents suitable for positioning entirely outside the nare of a user.
  • vents 4006 are visible, where eight vents are arranged in two arrays of four vents 4006 each on opposite sides of the wall of the prong, and two vents 4008 are arranged on opposite sides of the wall of the prong.
  • the two vents 4008 are arranged further rearward or distal than the two arrays of vents 4006.
  • the two arrays of vents 4006 are positioned entirely within the nare, and the other two vents 4008 are disposed at least partially, or partly, outside the nare.
  • the two arrays of vents 4006 may be understood as each comprising four vents arranged or disposed in an array.
  • a plurality of vents arranged or disposed in an array may be referred to herein, where said plurality of vents may be referred to as an array of the plurality of vents, or as an array of two, three, four, five etc., vents depending on the number of vents, and/or as simply an array of vents.
  • a plurality or array of vents as described herein may in some examples be configured to function in a manner equal or comparable to a single vent in other examples and/or may be configured to provide combined functionality analogous to a single vent in other examples.
  • the two arrays of vents 4006 are shown defining multiple (eight) vent gas pathways A2, where a portion of gas received by the prong may exit out of the prong lumen 3004 in a direction of the vent gas pathways A2 through the eight vents of the two arrays of vents 4006.
  • a discrete portion of a flow of gas may exit out from the prong lumen 3004 through each of the eight vents.
  • gas may exit to the same area C2, as shown, through each of the two arrays of four vents.
  • Each vent of the four vents of each array may individually contribute to gas exiting from the prong lumen to said area C2.
  • the two vents 4008, being disposed partly outside the nare as shown, permit gas in the prong lumen 3004 to exit to atmosphere.
  • the two vents 4008 may define auxiliary gas pathways A3, so that gas in the prong lumen 3004 exits to atmosphere through the two vents 4008, and provide advantages as described previously in relation to Figure 12 for example, and elsewhere herein.
  • each vent of the two vents 4008 need be positioned outside the nare to define auxiliary gas pathways A3 and provide the associated advantages.
  • vents 4008 being disposed partly within the nare, may also contribute to forming vent gas pathways A22 that permit a portion of gas to exit out of the prong to area C2 between the prong wall and inner wall of the nare. Further vent gas pathways A22 are shown in Figure 15, positioned around the portions of the two vents 4008 that are within the nare. These may contribute to gas exiting to areas C2 in unison with the two arrays of vents 4006.
  • Figure 16 shows an example nasal prong 3000 comprising sixteen vents.
  • eight of the sixteen vents are arranged as an array of vents 4010 on an opposite side of the wall to another array of vents also comprising eight vents.
  • the two arrays of vents 4010 are configured such that for each of their plurality of vents, at least one vent of the plurality of vents is disposed within the nare and at least one vent is disposed outside the nare.
  • five of the eight vents 4010 are disposed entirely within the nare
  • two of the eight vents 4010 are disposed entirely outside the nare
  • one vent is disposed partly within and partly outside the nare.
  • the prong of Figure 16 hence illustrates a further example of vent configurations where an array of vents 4010 is disposed at least partly within a nare, partly outside a nare and/or partly outside and inside a nare.
  • the two arrays of vents 4010 may each define vent gas pathway(s) A2, where gas may exit to areas C2 along said vent gas pathway(s) A2.
  • the two arrays of vents 4010 may also each define auxiliary gas pathway(s) A3, where gas may exit out of the prong lumen to atmosphere along said auxiliary gas pathway(s) A3.
  • the two arrays of vents 4010 may, at least when the example prong is positioned as such, provide the benefits to both the inhalation phase and the exhalation phase and breathing cycle as a whole, as outlined in relation to Figures 9 to 12, for example, and as described elsewhere herein.
  • the two arrays of vents 4006 of Figure 15 each illustrate a plurality of vents.
  • the plurality of vents are configured in a series of columns in a longitudinal direction along the wall 3300, generally parallel the prong lumen 3004. Each column of vents is iteratively smaller at least in length then the next column of vents.
  • the two arrays of vents 4010 in Figure 16 are arranged in a series of columns of vents in a longitudinal direction along the wall 3300. Each column of vents is the same length along the wall 3300 and is spaced equidistantly longitudinally along the wall 3300.
  • the example nasal prong 3000 of Figure 8 shows five vents 4000c arranged in an array having a substantially staggered or non-uniform configuration.
  • the five vents 4000c are disposed in spaced-apart intervals where successive rows are not-aligned in at least a longitudinal direction along an axis of the example nasal prong 3000.
  • Figures 9 to 20, 22, 24 and 29 show cross sectional views of example nasal prongs 3000, and the vents 4000, 4002, 4004, 4006, 4008, 4010, 4020 shown in those Figures may be not representative of the total number of vents that the example nasal prongs 3000 comprise.
  • an array of vents 4000 may be arranged in a series of rows of vents in a transverse direction across the wall 3300.
  • an array of vents 4000 may be configured in a series of columns of vents in a longitudinal direction along the wall 3300and/or a series of rows of vents in a transverse direction across the wall 3300, wherein each column or row of vents 4000 is iteratively smaller in width, length, sweep angle, area relative surface area of the wall and/or percentage of a perimeter of the wall occupied, then the next column or next row of vents 4000.
  • a nasal prong may be configured such that upon insertion and/or positioning within a nare of a user, a portion of the vent(s) extend at least partly outside the nare. In some examples, a nasal prong may be configured such that upon insertion and/or positioning within a nare of a user, an entirety of the vent(s) extend within the nare.
  • a nasal prong as described herein may comprise a chamfer, abutment, ridge, protrusion, flange, deflection, obstruction, or other physical features at or around its base or terminal end or a location therebetween, such that appropriate or correct insertion and/or positioning within a nare of a user is ensured, whether said correct insertion and/or positioning is such that the vent(s) are consequently positioned entirely within the nare or not.
  • a nasal cannula comprising said nasal prong(s) as described herein may itself comprise a chamfer, abutment, ridge, protrusion, flange, deflection, obstruction, or other physical features that ensure appropriate or correct insertion and/or positioning within a nare of a user, whether said correct insertion and/or positioning is such that the vent(s) are consequently positioned entirely within the nare or not.
  • the physical feature may be arranged upon, or on, or integrally formed with, some feature or surface of the cannula, proximate the prong(s) or otherwise, such a body, manifold, tube or other feature of the cannula.
  • a nasal prong as described herein and/or a nasal cannula comprising said nasal prong(s) as described herein may comprise a visual indicator which may ensure and/or assist in correct insertion and/or positioning of said prong(s) within a nare of a user, again irrespective of whether said correct insertion and/or positioning is such that the vent(s) are consequently positioned entirely within the nare or not.
  • Such a visual indicator may for example be a marking, such as a line, dot, numeral, letter, symbol or otherwise, and/or a plurality of such markings, arranged so as to assist a healthcare clinician or worker, or the user/patient themselves in ensuring that a given example prong is inserted correctly into the nare of the user/patient, such that the prong is positioned entirely within the nare or not, as desired or required.
  • a marking such as a line, dot, numeral, letter, symbol or otherwise, and/or a plurality of such markings, arranged so as to assist a healthcare clinician or worker, or the user/patient themselves in ensuring that a given example prong is inserted correctly into the nare of the user/patient, such that the prong is positioned entirely within the nare or not, as desired or required.
  • nasal prongs 3000 may be configured such that the vent 4000 sits entirely within the nare of a patient in use. In such cases, auxiliary gas pathway A3 may not be present. This is shown by way of example in Figure 13, where the prong is positioned, and/or the vent(s) 4000 are configured or arranged, such that the vent(s) are disposed entirely within the nare of the user.
  • vent(s) 4000 are configured or arranged entirely within the nare of the user, a safe gas pathway to atmosphere during exhalation may still be maintained for the patient.
  • Figures 17 to 20 illustrate properties of example prongs having a variety of vent configurations.
  • FIG 17 a substantially circular cross-sectional example prong is shown having a single vent 4000.
  • An area exterior the prong in between the prong wall 3300 and interior the nare of the patient or the inner nare wall W1 is positioned at or around the vent 4000, where the nare is shown as substantially circular in crosssection for ease of understanding.
  • the vent 4000 is shown comprising a width 4301 across the wall 3300 of the prong, said width 4301 across the wall of the prong between a first side 4400 and a second side 4500 of the vent.
  • the vent 4000 may also have a width across the wall such that the vent occupies a certain proportion or percentage of a perimeter of the prong as outlined previously.
  • Figure 17 shows that the example prong has a perimeter 3401 , being a continuous/endless perimeter extending along the outer-most periphery of the wall of the prong when taken in cross-section.
  • the perimeter 3401 corresponds with the circumference of the prong.
  • a vent having an arcuate width of about 2mm there along will occupy about 20% of the perimeter of the prong.
  • a vent may extend along and/or occupy a certain proportion or percentage of a perimeter of the prong.
  • the vent 4000 is also shown extending along a perimeter of the prong at a sweep angle 4303, where said sweep angle 4303 may be quantified in degrees, such as for circular or elliptical prongs, or as a certain proportion or percentage of the perimeter of the prong.
  • the sweep angle 4303 of the vent in Figure 17 may be about 50 degrees.
  • the equivalent proportion or percentage of its perimeter that the sweep angle extends along is about 14%. If the sweep angle 4303 was about 90 degrees, than the vent would be understood as extending along a perimeter of the prong at a sweep angle of about 25%.
  • any one or more of these parameters: being the width 4301 of the vent 4000, the percentage of the perimeter 3401 of the prong 3000 that the vent occupies and/or extends along, and/or the sweep angle 4303 may at least in part be associated with an amount of gas that may exit the prong lumen through said and to said area C2. Said amount of gas may hence be associated with the increase or decrease in patient pressure, increase or decrease in pressure at said area C2, the magnitude of the pressure differential formed between the nare interior and exterior and/or the magnitude of the corresponding at least partial fluid seal at area C2 (all as described previously with respect to Figures 10 to 16) afforded by the vented prongs described herein.
  • preferable ranges or values for these parameters may be determined or pursued based on desired patient or therapy parameters as described further below.
  • Figure 18 illustrates a substantially circular cross-sectional example nasal prong with two vents 4000 on opposite sides of the prong wall 3300.
  • Each of these two vents may comprise a width 4301a, 4301b, a percentage of the perimeter 3401 of the prong 3000 that the vents occupy and/or extends along, a sweep angle 4303a, 4303b and the like.
  • Each of these two vents 4000 is about the same size as the vent of Figure 17.
  • said combined width may for example be defined as the sum of individual widths 4301a, 4301 b.
  • said combined sweep angle may be defined as the sum of individual sweep angles 4303a, 4303b.
  • a combined percentage of the perimeter of the prong that they occupy or extend along said percentage may be defined by the sum of their individual corresponding percentages, and so on.
  • Figure 18 hence illustrates that where two vents are provided, both being of about the same width and sweep angle as the single vent 4000 of Figure 17, they may define combined widths, sweep angles and other dimensions as described herein that are about twice that of the corresponding dimensions of the single vent of Figure 17.
  • Figure 18 illustrates how an example nasal prong may be configured with varying vent dimensions to provide a greater amount of gas or flow rate thereof that exits out of the nasal prong when compared to an example nasal prong of say Figure 17 (assuming the lengths of the vent(s) relative the prong(s) and all other parameters being equal).
  • Figure 19 shows another substantially circular cross-sectional example nasal prong with five vents, with three arranged as an array of vents 4012 in close proximity to one other, said array of vents 4012 spaced apart transversely equidistantly from the other two vents 4014.
  • each vent of the array of vents may define its own width, sweep angle, and percentage of the perimeter of the prong that it extends along/across and/or occupies.
  • the array or plurality of vents 4012 are shown arranged in a series of rows of vents in a transverse direction across the wall, substantially perpendicular the lengthwise direction of the prong lumen.
  • Figure 19 shows sweep angles 4313, 4314, 4315 corresponding to each of the three vents of the array of vents 4012.
  • Each vent or row of vents of the plurality of vents 4012 is iteratively smaller in at least sweep angle in Figure 19, then the next column or next row of vents, as illustrated by the larger sweep angle 4315 compared to sweep angle 4314, and the larger sweep angle 4314 compared to sweep angle 4313.
  • a combined sweep angle of the array of vents 4012 may be defined by the sum of these separate sweep angles 4313, 4314, 4315.
  • analogous combinations of other dimensions of a plurality or array of vents may likewise be defined by the sum of the corresponding dimensions of each vent that makes up said plurality or array.
  • the combined parameters of the array of vents 4012 may equally contribute to defining the combined parameters of the plurality of vents, comprising both the array 4012 and the other two vents 4014 shown.
  • Figure 19 illustrates that in instances where a plurality of vents are arranged in an array, the combined parameters of each vent of that array together with the combined parameters of any other vent present and not part of the array, may define in part the amount of gas that exits to areas C2.
  • the amount of gas that exits to areas C2 may at least in part define one or more of the resulting increase in patient pressure, increase in pressure at said area, the magnitude of the pressure differential formed between the nare interior and exterior and/or the magnitude of the corresponding at least partial fluid seal at area C2.
  • Figures 17 to 19 also exemplify how the parameters of vent(s) of a given nasal prong may be configured to result in desired therapy parameters for a given flow therapy application. For example, increase in patient pressure, increase in pressure at said area, the magnitude of the pressure differential formed between the nare interior and exterior and/or the magnitude of the corresponding at least partial fluid seal at area C2 (all as described previously with respect to Figures 10 to 16).
  • Figure 20 shows an example substantially elliptical cross-sectional example prong having a major axis 3006 and minor axis 3008 as typically defined and understood for elliptical shapes. It will be appreciated that an ellipse will generally comprise a difference in length of a given section/arc of its cross-sectional perimeter at its major axis versus its minor axis. Hence, for the first vent 4016 shown disposed along the major axis 3006, a sweep angle 4316 of about 30 degrees will result in a width of the first vent 4016 across the wall of about 30% larger than the width of the second vent 4018 having the same 30 degree sweep angle 4317.
  • vent(s) disposed at or near a minor axis of the prongs elliptical cross-section benefit from a larger sweep angle than vent(s) disposed at or near a major axis of the prongs elliptical cross-section, so as to form an area of positive pressure that is comparable in size or pressure magnitude to that formed by the major axis vent.
  • Figures 17 to 20 also illustrate how the number of vents and their sizing relative the prong may influence remaining material of the prong wall and hence structural integrity of an example nasal prong.
  • the number of vent(s) and their sizing may be selected based on desired requirements for structural behaviour or integrity of a given prong.
  • an insufficient distance of the vent from the proximal and/or distal end of the prong may cause an undesirable reduction in structural integrity of a given prong.
  • multiple vent(s) spaced apart sufficiently may afford a prong better structural integrity than a single vent, as more prong wall material may be conserved.
  • Figure 21 shows an example vent 4020 extending between the prong's base 3100 and terminal end 3100.
  • This example vent 4020 is used to illustrate further vent parameters, whereby the vent 4020 is shown comprising a length 4022, defined generally as a distance between the proximal and distal ends of the vent.
  • the vent also comprises a width 4321 between its first and second sides 4400, 4500.
  • the vent's proximal end 4220 also comprises a width 4222.
  • the vent's distal end 4120 likewise comprises a width 4122, both being substantially or generally transverse widths.
  • This example vent is longitudinally tapered in a direction from its distal end 4120 towards its proximal end 4220, such that vent width 4222 at the proximal end thereof is less than the vent width 4122 at the distal end of the vent.
  • a distance of the vent 3202 from the terminal end 3200 of the prong and a distance of the vent 3102 from the base 3100 of the prong. Said distances 3102, 3202 may be adjusted to influence a proportion of a vent that is situated inside and/or outside the nare of a patient in use.
  • An area of the vent may also be taken as the multiple of its length and width or any other suitable calculation based on the shape of the vent.
  • a plurality of vents may together define a combined area which may have preferred ranges or values.
  • Figure 22 shows a proximal end 4200 of an example vent 4000 comprising a proximal chamfer 4201 and a distal end 4100 of the vent comprising a distal chamfer 4101 .
  • the proximal chamfer may comprise an angle 4203 relative an inner surface of the wall 3310 of between greater than about 90deg to about 160deg.
  • the distal chamfer 4101 may comprise an angle 4103 relative an inner surface of the wall 3310 of between about 20deg to less than about 90deg.
  • both chamfers 4101 , 4201 may be configured with parallel angles relative an inner surface of the wall 3310.
  • a length of the vent may correlate to an angle or range of angles for the distal and/or proximal chamfers.
  • a thickness of the prong wall may define an angle or range of angles for the distal and/or proximal chamfers.
  • a chamfer at either or both of the distal and/or proximal ends of a given vent may influence flow behaviour of gas flowing through the prong lumen 3004 past the vent and/or through the vent in a direction of the vent gas pathway defined thereby.
  • a chamfer angle 4203 may aid in directing the flow exiting through vent(s) 4000 from prong lumen 3004. That is, flow generally travelling in a direction of the prong lumen 3004 may change direction when exiting via vent(s) 4000.
  • Chamfer angle 4203, 4103 smaller than 90 degrees may aid in redirecting flow to a direction other than that of prong lumen 3004. This may assist to minimise loss of pressure associated with sharp turning of flow.
  • the distal and proximal chamfer angles 4103, 4203 may be between 10 degrees and 90 degrees, or as elsewhere described herein.
  • a vent 4000 may not comprise any chamfer at its distal and/or proximal ends 4100, 4200, such that the distal and/or proximal ends 4100, 4200 instead extend substantially perpendicular the inner or outer surface(s) of the wall 3300 of the prong 3000.
  • a vent's distal and/or proximal ends 4100, 4200 may comprise a round.
  • lateral peripheries of a vent or the edges of the first and second sides 4400, 4500 of a vent 4000 may comprise a chamfer or round for example.
  • nasal prong 3000 examples may comprise single-walled or monolayered configurations.
  • the wall 3300 of nasal prongs 3000 described herein may extend between the base 3100 and terminal end 3200 of the prong 3000 as a single continuous layer of material in a direction at least partially parallel to and/or towards the prong lumen 3004.
  • the wall 3300 may not present any protrusions or extrusions from the outer surface 3320 thereof radially outwardly away therefrom.
  • the outer surface 3320 of the wall 3300 of the nasal prong 3000 may hence also extend from the base 3100 to the terminal end 3200 of the nasal prong 3000 in a direction at least partially parallel to and/or towards the prong lumen 3004.
  • vent configuration or arrangement may also influence flow behaviour or flow rate(s) through the prong lumen 3004, out the prong opening 3250 if present, or out/through the vent(s) 4000.
  • an array of circular vents in close proximity comprising a combined area of about 20mm 2 may offer fundamentally different flow characteristics to a single longitudinally chamfered triangular vent also comprising a combined area of about 20mm 2 , despite presenting about equally sized opening areas through the wall of the prong.
  • Vent area, configuration of its ends or sides, and the like, may all define flow rate(s) through the prong lumen 3004, out the prong opening 3250 if present, or out/through the vent(s) 4000.
  • their proximity relative one another, relative spacing, orientation along/across the prong wall, and/or positioning relative feature(s) of the prong may likewise influence flow rate(s) through the prong lumen 3004, out the prong opening 3250 if present, or out/through the vent(s) 4000 themselves.
  • the bore of the prong lumen 3004 as well as the size of the opening 3250 at the terminal end 3200 thereof if present may both also influence flow rate division and resistance along/through the vent(s) 4000, along/through the prong lumen 3004, or out the prong opening 3250 if present.
  • supply flow rate, supply pressure, patient pressure, inspiratory rate, expiratory rate and/or changes thereof during the breathing cycle may also influence flow rate behaviour, resistance and flow rate division along/through the vent(s) 4000, along/through the prong lumen 3004, or out the prong opening 3250 if present.
  • the flow rate of gas entering the nare in a direction of the opening gas pathway A1 is between about 0 LPM to about 5 LPM
  • the flow rate of gas escaping out of the prong in a direction of the vent gas pathway A2 i.e., a flow rate of gas exiting through a vent
  • the flow rate of gas exiting through opening 3250 in a direction of opening gas pathway A1 may be about 5 LPM
  • the flow rate of gas exiting through vents 4000 in a direction of the vent gas pathways A2 may be about 25 LPM.
  • the desired flow rates through the opening 3250 relative the vent(s) may be tuned in a number of ways, for example by changing the size of the opening 3250 (i.e., its area) relative that of the vent(s) 4000, such that a flow rate of gas escaping out of the prong in a direction of the vent gas pathway A2 is higher than that of gas exiting in a direction of the opening gas pathway A1 .
  • any one or more of these parameters being a sweep angle of a vent 4303, the sweep angle 4317 of a vent disposed at or near a minor axis 3008 of a substantially elliptical cross-sectional prong, the sweep angle 4316 of a vent disposed at or near a major axis 3006 of a substantially elliptical cross-sectional prong, a length 4022 of the vent, the width 4222 of the distal end 4220 of the vent, the width 4122 of the proximal end 4120 of the vent, the width of a vent 4301 , a distance of the vent 3202 from the terminal end 3200 of the prong, a distance of the vent 3102 from the base 3100 of the prong, an area of the vent, a ratio of the vent area relative a surface area of the prong wall, a proximal chamfer angle 4203 relative the inner surface of the wall 3310 and/or a distal chamfer angle 4103 relative the inner surface of the
  • a preferred width 4321 of the vent 4000 across the wall 3300 may be about 2mm.
  • a preferred width 4321 of the vent 4000 across the wall 3300 may be such that the vent occupies about 30% of a perimeter of the prong 3000.
  • a preferred percentage of a perimeter of the prong 3000 that vent 4000 extends along and/or occupies may be about 30%.
  • a preferred sweep angle of a vent 4000 may be about 30 degrees.
  • a preferred length 4022 of the vent 4000 may be about 10mm, a preferred width of the proximal end 4200 of the vent may be about 2mm, a preferred width of the distal end 4100 of the vent may be about 2mm, a distance of the vent from the terminal end 3200 of the prong may be about 2mm, a preferred area of the vent may be about 20mm 2 , and so forth.
  • Desired patient or therapy outcomes may include desired patient pressure and/or ranges of patient pressure, desired Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and/or ranges of PEEP, desired values and/or ranges of values for pressures and flow rates during the breathing cycle, such as patient pressure at onset of inhalation, end of inhalation, breath pause, on-set of exhalation and end of exhalation, desired gradients and/or rate of change of flow rate(s) and/or pressure(s) during the breathing cycle, magnitudes of the pressure differentials formed between the nare interior and exterior, magnitudes of corresponding at least partial fluid seals formed, desired sizing insensitivity i.e., desired values or rate(s) of change of values (or ranges thereof) of patient pressure relative nare occlusion
  • PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
  • vented nasal prongs have been described herein, their associated characteristics and benefits may be suitable for employment in respiratory therapy systems and/or methods for delivering respiratory support to a patient.
  • Gas exiting to said area exterior the prong and interior the nare of the patient may cause a higher resistance to flow of gas from out of the nare of the patient, during at least part of an exhalation phase of a breath cycle of the patient, compared to a nasal prong without a vent.
  • Gas exiting to said area exterior the prong and interior the nare of the patient may also cause an increase in patient pressure during at least part of an inhalation phase of the breath cycle.
  • Gas exiting to said area exterior the prong and interior the nare of the patient may also cause an increase in pressure at or around said area, during at least a breath pause phase between the inhalation and exhalation phases of the breath cycle of the patient.
  • a volumetric flow rate of gas that exits through the at least one vent may be between about 1 % to about 99% of a flow rate of gas flowing in the prong lumen 3004.
  • the at least one vent is configured so as to increase a patient pressure and/or increase in pressure at the area exterior the prong and interior the nare, develop a pressure differential between the nare exterior and interior and/or develop an at least partial fluid seal, all as described previously with respect to the corresponding inhalation, exhalation and breath-pause phases of a breath cycle.
  • a method of delivery respiratory support may comprise providing a nasal cannula comprising at least one nasal prong comprising a base, a terminal end, and a wall extending therebetween; and a vent extending through the wall of the prong, together with positioning of the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent is situated at least partially inside the nare of the patient and providing a flow of breathable gases to the nasal cannula to flow from the base of the prong towards the nare of the patient.
  • situating the vent at least partially inside the nare of the patient and providing said flow of gases causes an increased resistance to a flow of gas from out of the nare of the patient during at least part of the exhalation phase of a breath cycle of a patient and/or an increased patient pressure during at least part of the inhalation phase.
  • Such a method may also cause a pressure differential between the nare exterior and interior to develop and/or an associated at least partial fluid seal to form as described previously.
  • the step of situating the nasal prong inside the nare of the patient comprises positioning the nasal prong such that the vent is situated at least partially outside the nare of the patient, doing so together with providing a flow of gases may at least partially reduce resistance to flow of gas from out of the nare of the patient, during at least part of the exhalation phase, increase a flow rate of gas along an area exterior the prong and interior the nare of the patient in a direction out of the nare of the patient, during at least part of the exhalation phase and/or increase sizing insensitivity, or in other words a reduction in patient pressure relative a distance between at least part of the outer surface of the wall of the prong and an inner wall of a patient's nare.
  • Another method of delivering respiratory support to a patient may comprise: providing a nasal cannula comprising a nasal prong comprising a vent extending through a wall of the prong, the nasal prong configured to maintain a gap between an exterior of the prong and an inner wall of a patient's nare in use (ie, providing a nasal prong as herein described), and then positioning the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient.
  • the nasal prong is preferably positioned such that the vent is situated at least partially inside the nare of the patient, so as to provide the benefits thereof described herein, and in a manner that permits exhaled gases to flow around the exterior of the prong to escape out the nare of a patient in use, ie, so that a mechanical seal is not formed between the outer surface of the prong and the patient nare.
  • the method may include providing a flow of breathable gases to one or more nares of the patient through the nasal prong so as to form a pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the nare, said pressure differential forming at least a partial fluid seal between the prong exterior and the inner wall of the nare as described herein.
  • the method may further comprise positioning the nasal prong at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent is situated at least partially outside the nare of the patient in use, so that the vent being situated at least partially outside the nare of the patient at least partially reduces resistance to flow of gas from out of the nare of the patient, provide a safe gases escape or exhaust and/or provides greater sizing insensitivity, all as described previously.
  • patient airway pressure e.g. upper airway pressure
  • a flow-controlled system it may be beneficial to have the ability to accurately measure patient airway pressure (e.g. upper airway pressure) when delivering therapy with a non-sealing interface, and/or via a flow-controlled system.
  • patient airway pressure e.g. upper airway pressure
  • Accurate patient airway pressure measurement may provide confidence for a clinician of PEEP achieved with a flow-controlled therapy.
  • Accurate patient airway measurement can provide clinician confidence to adjust flow rate to achieve a desired pressure, such as PEEP.
  • Accurate measurement of patient airway pressure may provide further benefit when the non-sealing interface has been designed to provide increased pressure, such as the nasal prong(s) described herein.
  • Accurate patient airway pressure measurement throughout a patient breath cycle may allow a clinician to: accurately set the flow rate to meet or exceed peak inspiratory demand, which may assist with dead space clearance, monitor respiratory pattern and rate and/or accurately set flow rate to minimise resource use (eg, use of supplemental oxygen, power consumption, general wear and tear of equipment) whilst still providing appropriate and adequate therapy.
  • gases exiting at least partially out through vent(s) 4000 of the example nasal prongs 3000 described herein may provide a region of minimal or reduced disturbance suitable for sensor positioning on the prong that is less influenced by turbulence.
  • a clinician may be beneficial for a clinician to know the patient pressure during therapy via a non-sealing interface in a nonobtrusive manner that is not influenced by high flow rates and associated flow disruption. It may be of further benefit for a clinician to have accuracy of measurement if the non-sealing interface has the ability to achieve higher patient pressure than a standard nasal interface. It may also be useful if such measurements and/or monitoring can be performed in real time.
  • Figure 23 illustrates a further example nasal prong 3000d, where features alike or substantially identical in form or function to those described above and/or in relation to or shown in Figures 1 to 22 are given the same reference numerals with the addition of 'd'. Moreover, any description or teaching regarding the patient interface(s), nasal prong(s), or vent(s) described above and/or in relation to or shown in Figures 1 to 22 may apply equally to nasal prong 3000d and the prongs shown in Figures 24 to 28.
  • the nasal prong 3000d comprises base 3100d, a terminal end 3200d, and a wall 3300d extending therebetween defining a prong lumen in fluid communication with an inlet.
  • An outer surface of the wall 3300d may define an exterior of the prong 3100d.
  • the nasal prong 3000d comprises a vent 4000d extending through the wall 3300d of the prong.
  • This vent 4000d is shown as elongate and rectangular in form, similar to the vent 4000a of Figure 6, for illustrative purposes only.
  • the nasal prong 3000d may comprise any vent configuration or embodiment described herein and/or in relation to or shown in Figures 1 to 22.
  • a sensing port 5000 is shown in Figure 23. More particularly, the sensing port 5000 is shown arranged at or proximate the terminal end 3200d of the prong. In some examples, the sensing port 5000 may not need to be arranged at or proximate the terminal end 3200 of the prong. For example, the sensing port 5000 may be arranged at the wall 3300 of the prong 3000. The sensing port 5000 is shown comprising (or taking the form of) an aperture 5002.
  • the sensing port 5000 or aperture 5002 thereof is shown positioned centrally at the terminal end 3200d.
  • the sensing port 5000 is configured for fluid communication with a sensor.
  • the sensing port 5000 may comprise a location of, or for, a sensor (such as any suitable formation or structure for seating or locating of a sensor at the prong).
  • the aperture 5002 may be configured for fluid communication with a sensor.
  • a sensor may be placed adjacent or at the aperture 5002.
  • a region of minimal or reduced flow disturbance or turbulence may be formed at the terminal end 3200d of the nasal prong 3000d. This arises from the profile of gas flowing out of prong lumen 3004 from vent(s) 4000d. As no opening 3250 is provided for the example prong 3000d, all gas flow through the prong lumen 3004 will exit through the vent(s) 4000d. Turbulence or flow disturbance may be substantially localised to occur around the vent(s) 4000d and minmised around the terminal end 3200d. A region of minimal disturbance is therefore defined around the terminal end 3200d.
  • the sensing port 5000 is located at a region of minimal disturbance.
  • a pressure representative of patient pressure may therefore be measured at or around the sensing port 5000, when a sensor is placed at the sensing port 5000, or when a sensor is in communication with the sensing port 5000.
  • the sensing port 5000 may be spaced apart from the vent 4000. As a result of the positioning of the sensing port 5000 relative the vent(s) 4000d, being at or around the region of minimal or reduced flow disturbance or turbulence, potential pressure or gas flow fluctuations, disturbances or turbulence caused by the gases flow may be minimised in the vicinity of the sensing port 5000.
  • the sensing port 5000 is arranged more proximate the terminal end 3200d than the at least one vent 4000d and spaced apart from the at least one vent 4000d, as shown in Figure 23.
  • the sensing port 5000 may be located on the prong 3000 at a distance from the proximal end 4200 of the vent 4000 that is between about 10% to about 80% of the prong length. Where a plurality of vents 4000 is present, the sensing port 5000 may be located on the prong 3000 at a distance from the proximal end 4200 of the vent 4000 of the plurality of vents closest to the sensing port 5000, that is about 10% to about 80% of the prong length.
  • the at least one vent 4000 may be located on a vent surrounding surface on the nasal prong 3000 that is angled relative a port surrounding surface on the nasal prong 3000 that the sensing port 5000 is located.
  • the vent 4000d shown in Figure 23 is located on vent surrounding surface 3301 and the sensing port 5000 is located on a port surrounding surface 3304.
  • vent surrounding surface 3301 and port surrounding surface 3304 are described, they may be understood to refer to any portion or surface of a nasal prong 3000 that immediately surrounds a respective vent(s) 4000d or sensing port 5000.
  • the vent surrounding surface 3301 and port surrounding surface 3304 may be located on the prong wall 3300d, at the terminal end 3200d and/or the base 3100d of the prong 3000d, for example.
  • An angle 3306 between the vent surrounding surface 3301 and port surrounding surface 3304 is about 90 degrees in Figure 23.
  • the angle 3306 between the vent surrounding surface 3301 and port surrounding surface 3304 may be between about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees, between about 40 degrees to about 140 degrees, between about 50 degrees to about 130 degrees, between about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees or between 80 degrees to about 95 degrees.
  • vent surrounding surface 3301 and port surrounding surface 3304 may be non-parallel. In some examples, the vent surrounding surface 3301 and port surrounding surface 3304 may be spaced apart. In some examples, the vent surrounding surface 3301 may be located on the prong 3000 at a distance from port surrounding surface 3304 that is about 10% to about 80% of the prong length.
  • the vent 4000 lies on a notional plane that is angled relative another notional plane on which the sensing port 5000 lies.
  • the sensing port 5000 may be spaced apart from gases exiting the prong lumen 3004 via the vent(s) 4000d.
  • the geometry of the prong 3000d, in particular of the prong wall 3300d may also be configured such that the sensing port 5000 is shielded from gases immediately exiting the prong lumen 3004 at or around the vents 4000d.
  • a geometry of the terminal end 3200d may assist to create a region of minimal or reduced flow disturbance or turbulence in relation to gases exiting the prong lumen 3004 at or around the vents 4000d.
  • the profile of the flow of gases exiting the prong lumen 3004d via the vent(s) 4000d may assist in forming or defining a region of minimal or reduced flow disturbance.
  • the vent(s) 4000d of a nasal prong 3000d may be configured such that profile of flow of gases exiting the prong lumen 3004d via the vent(s) 4000d is spaced apart from the terminal end 3200d.
  • Figures 26 to 28 illustrate further example sensing port 5000 arrangements, having different prong geometries.
  • the sensing port 5000 is arranged on a concave surface 3308 of the nasal prong 3000d.
  • the port surrounding surface comprises a concave surface 3308.
  • the concave surface 3308 may be shielded from turbulence or flow and pressure disturbances at or around the vent(s) 4000d, by virtue of being retracted inwardly into the terminal end 3200d of the nasal prong 3000d, so that a sensor at or in communication with the sensing port 5000 can acquire measurements representative of patient parameters.
  • the sensing port 5000 is arranged on a convex surface 3312 of the nasal prong 3000d, or in other words, the port surrounding surface comprises a convex surface 3312.
  • the sensing port 5000 is arranged on a conical surface 3314of the nasal prong 3000d, or in other words, the port surrounding surface comprises a conical surface 3314.
  • the convex surface 3312 and conical surface 3314 may both space apart the sensing port 5000 from the vent(s) 4000d, so that a sensor at or in communication with the sensing port 5000 can acquire measurements representative of patient or gas parameters.
  • the convex surface 3312 and conical surface 3314 may further assist in creating a region of minimal or reduced flow disturbance or turbulence formed by the flow profile of gases exiting the vent(s) 4000d. As indicated above, this provides a useful area to position the sensing port 5000.
  • the sensing port 5000 may be arranged on, or the port surrounding surface may comprise: a flat surface, a concave surface, a convex surface, a conical surface, a frusto-conical surface, and/or a sectioned flat, concave, or convex surface, of a nasal prong.
  • Such surface(s) may be at, or define, the terminal end 3200 of a nasal prong 3000.
  • the surface(s) may be formed from at least part of the terminal end 3200 of the prong and/or the wall 3300 of the prong 3000.
  • the terminal end 3200 of a nasal prong 3000 may be a blind end, ie, it may comprise no opening 3250, for example, as shown by blind end 3251 of example nasal prong of Figure 29.
  • the sensing port 5000 may comprise a cavity 5500 at or adjacent the terminal end 3200d.
  • the cavity 5500 may comprise an end wall 5502, offset from the blind end 3215d and side walls 5504 extending from the blind end 3215d to the end wall 5502.
  • the aperture 5002 of the sensing port 5000 may be located on the end wall 5502.
  • the end wall 5502 and/or side wall(s) 5504 of the cavity 5500 may not comprise an opening.
  • the cavity 5500 may not be in fluid communication with fluid or gases in the prong lumen 3004.
  • the sensing port 5000 may be further shielded from turbulence or flow and pressure disturbances at or around the vent(s) 4000d, by virtue of being located within the inward cavity 5500, s.
  • a sensing port 5000 located within a cavity 5500 may be in fluidic or other type of communication with the prong lumen 3004. In other examples, the sensing port 5000 located within a cavity 5500 may be in fluidic or electronic communication with a sensing lumen 5010.
  • a sensing lumen 5010 may extend through at least part of the prong lumen 3004d towards (and/or to) the sensing port 5000.
  • This sensing lumen 5010 is shown illustratively as a passage extending through the prong lumen 3004d.
  • the sensing lumen 5010 is shown substantially centrally or concentrically within the prong lumen 3004d. In other examples, the sensing lumen 5010 may be at least partly along or adjacent the inner surface 331 Od of the prong wall 3300d.
  • the sensing lumen 5010 may be located within the prong lumen 3004, offset from a centreline of the nasal prong 3000d.
  • the sensing lumen 5010 may be fluidly sealed or isolated from the prong lumen 3004d, such that gases flow through the prong lumen 3004d does not enter the sensing lumen 5010.
  • a corresponding sensor may be positioned at the end of the sensing lumen 5010, ie, near the aperture 5002 of Figure 24, when present.
  • a sensor may be located anywhere along the length of the sensing lumen 5010, for example in the middle, or proximate the base 3100d of the prong.
  • a sensing lumen 5010 may extend from the nasal prong 3000d to a sensor.
  • the sensing lumen 5010 may extend at least partly within the interior of the nasal cannula, including within one or more of the nasal prong(s) 3000d, manifold(s), gas pathway(s) and/or supply tube(s). At least part of the sensing lumen 5010 may extend externally of the nasal cannula. For example, part of the sensing lumen 5010 may extend along an exterior of an inspiratory conduit.
  • a sensor may be located at any point along the sensing lumen 5010, or externally of the cannula, with the sensing lumen 5010 providing a substantially clear pathway from nasal prong 3000d to the sensor.
  • a given nasal prong may not comprise such a sensing lumen 5010.
  • the sensor may, for example, be positioned in the nasal prong.
  • sensor may be located within the prong lumen 3004, affixed at or adjacent the aperture 5002, as noted above.
  • a sensing port 5000 is located outwardly away from the terminal end 3200d of a nasal prong 3000d.
  • the sensing port 5000 being an aperture 5002 in this example, is arranged at an end of a probe 5020 extending outwardly away from the terminal end 3200d of the nasal prong 3000d.
  • the sensing port 5000 may comprise a sensor arranged at or adjacent the end of the probe 5020, or located on an extension of the nasal prong 3000d.
  • the aperture 5002 may lead to an interior channel or lumen, (ie, that extends to or defines a sensing lumen 5010 as described above).
  • the probe 5020 extending from the terminal end 3200d may comprise a sensing lumen.
  • the sensor may be positioned therein, and spaced apart from the terminal end 3200 of the prong.
  • the sensing lumen may be in fluid communication with a sensor or sensing module 7000 that is situated external to the patient interface, as described further below.
  • the sensing port 5000 may have a size less than that of the prong lumen 3004.
  • a diameter of an aperture 5002 may be less than a diameter of the prong lumen 3004.
  • a size of the aperture 5002 may be less than that of the other opening(s) or aperture(s).
  • the aperture 5002 may be sized smaller than a conventional prong opening 3250 at the terminal end 3200 of a nasal prong 3000.
  • a diameter of an aperture 5002 be less than a diameter of an opening 3250.
  • a nasal prong 3000 having vent(s) 4000 and a sensing port 5000 may comprise other aperture(s) or opening(s) for gases to exit from out of the prong lumen 3004, other than the vent(s) 4000.
  • the sensing port 5000 and/or sensor be positioned spaced apart from any such aperture(s) or opening(s) such that potential turbulence or interference from gases exiting via such aperture(s) or opening(s) has a minimal effect of the measurements performed by the sensor.
  • vent(s) 4000 of a given nasal prong 3000 may be configured to tune the flow or proportion of gas exiting the prong lumen 3004 via the vent(s) 4000 to minimise potential flow turbulence or disturbances at or around the sensing port 5000.
  • the sensing port 5000 may have a size less than that of the prong lumen 3004.
  • a diameter of an aperture 5002 may be less than a diameter of the prong lumen 3004.
  • a size of the aperture 5002 may be less than that of the other opening(s) or aperture(s).
  • the aperture 5002 may be sized smaller than a conventional prong opening 3250 at the terminal end 3200 of a nasal prong 3000. For example, a diameter of an aperture 5002 be less than a diameter of an opening 3250.
  • a nasal prong 3000 having vent(s) 4000 and a sensing port 5000 may comprise other aperture(s) or opening(s) for gases to exit from out of the prong lumen 3004, other than the vent(s) 4000.
  • the sensing port 5000 and/or sensor be positioned spaced apart from any such aperture(s) or opening(s) such that potential turbulence or interference from gases exiting via such aperture(s) or opening(s) has a minimal effect of the measurements performed by the sensor.
  • vent(s) 4000 of a given nasal prong 3000 may be configured to tune the flow or proportion of gas exiting the prong lumen 3004 via the vent(s) 4000 to minimise potential flow turbulence or disturbances at or around the sensing port 5000.
  • the sensing port 5000 may not comprise any particular structure described or shown in Figures 23 to 28 and 30 but merely designate a location for a sensor to be placed at, such as by way of adhesive or other fixation.
  • a sensor may be positioned within the nasal prong 3000d, ie, within the prong lumen 3004 thereof.
  • the sensor may be spaced apart from the terminal end 3200 of the prong, ie, exterior the nasal prong 3000d.
  • the senor may be placed at a centre of the terminal end 3200d. In some examples, the sensor may be located concentric with the terminal end 3200d. in some examples, the sensing port 5000, aperture 5002, sensing lumen 5010 and/or probe 5020 may be located at a centre of the terminal end 3200d and/or be positioned concentric with the terminal end 3200d.
  • the sensor may be located external to the nasal cannula or patient interface. In some examples, the sensor may be positioned at the patient interface or nasal cannula. In some examples, the sensor may be located on the body 32, 703, 815 of the patient interface 2000. In some examples, the sensor may be located interior the body 32, 703, 815 of the patient interface 2000, such as within the manifold 32A, 820.
  • the sensor may be located upstream of the sensing port 5000, in other words, anywhere along the respiratory therapy system 1000 that is upstream from the sensing port 5000 (ie, within the gas pathway(s) or supply tube(s) or gas delivery conduits, or elsewhere). For example, the sensor may be located in a supply tube 705, 801 , 2001 .
  • the senor may be located in a gas delivery conduit 3 of the respiratory system 1000.
  • a sensor may be in communication with the sensing port 5000 via a sensing lumen 5010 and/or a sampling line 7010, described in further detail below.
  • a sensor may be located in a securement assembly 751 or component thereof, for example, on a headgear 20.
  • the sensor may be of any appropriate form, such as any piezoelectric microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, a light-based sensor, a piezoresistive pressure sensor, or any other appropriate electronic sensor or transducer or the like.
  • MEMS piezoelectric microelectromechanical system
  • a sensing port 5000 may be provided on one or both prongs 3000.
  • a sensor located at the sensing port 5000 (and/or at the aperture 5002, sensing lumen 5010 and/or probe 5020) may be in communication with a gas sensing module 7000.
  • the sensing port 5000 (and/or the aperture 5002, sensing lumen 5010 and/or probe 5020) may be in fluid communication with a gas sensing module 7000.
  • a sensor located at or in communication with the sensing port 5000 may be used to determine gas parameters that potentially reflect or are representative of patient parameters.
  • the sensing port 5000 may be used to determine gases concentration in the exhaled flows from the patient. For example, carbon dioxide or oxygen concentration at the nare.
  • An example sensing module 7000 is indicated schematically in Figure 1 .
  • the sensor may comprise a sensor of gas parameters such as pressure and/or gas constituents and/or temperature and/or humidity and/or flow rate.
  • the sensing module 7000 may be configured to receive measured properties of the sensor via a sampling line 7010.
  • the sampling line 7010 may be a gas sampling line, for example.
  • the sampling line 7010 may be in the form of a tube extending between the sensing port 5000 and the sensing module 7000.
  • the sampling line 7010 can be located at least partly within the patient interface e.g. within a gas delivery conduit 3 connecting to a nasal prong 3000 and/or supply tube 2001 .
  • the sampling line 7010 may be located partly within the patient interface, for example within the nasal prong 3000 and/or part of a supply tube 2001 , and then extend externally alongside the gas delivery conduit 3 (and be connected thereto via any suitable connector) or extend in different direction.
  • the sampling line 7010 may comprise a wired connection to the sensing module 7000.
  • the sampling line 7010 may comprise a wireless connection (ie, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, or other suitable wireless protocol) to the sensing module 7000.
  • the sensing module 7000 may be incorporated into the flow source 150, ie, as part of the flow generator 15. In another example, the sensing module 7000 may be a separate unit from the flow source 150 or flow generator 15. In some examples, the sensing module 7000 may be in electronic communication with the flow generator 15 such that the electronic controller 18 of the respiratory system 1000 may receive inputs from the sensing module 7000. The electronic controller 18 may subsequently adjust the delivered flow and/or pressure in response to input(s) from the sensing module 7000.
  • the sensing module 7000 may comprise a controller, processor, monitor and/or display, associated with the respiratory therapy system 1000 (such as the electronic and humidifier controllers 18, 9 and displays 10, 19 described previously). Where a sensor is provided, it may likewise communicate with or at least in part extend to one or more of: a controller, processor, monitor and/or display of the sensing module 7000.
  • a controller such as the electronic and humidifier controllers 18, 9 and displays 10, 19 described previously.
  • a sensor may likewise communicate with or at least in part extend to one or more of: a controller, processor, monitor and/or display of the sensing module 7000.
  • control and adjustment of certain therapy outcomes may be actioned by a clinician or user. For example, patient pressure during at least part of the exhalation phase may be reduced.
  • the sensing module 7000 may provide input to the electronic controller 18 as described above to control a flow source 150 to reduce the flow rate during the exhalation phase,
  • feedback from the sensing module 7000 may be used to modify flows to maintain a constant or desired pressure, or vary pressure according to the breath phase, potentially in a similar manner to bi-level pressure therapy.
  • the gases at or around the sensing port 5000 may exhibit dynamic and/or static pressure(s) that are more representative of or approximate the dynamic and static pressure(s) within the nasal cavity, and/or patient upper airway(s).
  • Measurements taken by a sensor may be employed by a controller (such as electronic controller 18 or humidifier controller 9 of Figure 1 , for example) or microprocessor or the like in communication with or connected to the sensor to determine patient parameters.
  • a pressure waveform produced from such measurements can be used for at least part of a determination of any one or more of: positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP), Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase, of a patient in use. Pressure measured may also be used as a proxy to determine other patient parameters.
  • PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PIP Peak Inspiratory Pressure
  • Respiratory rate Respiratory rate
  • Respiratory phase of a patient in use.
  • Pressure measured may also be used as a proxy to determine other patient parameters.
  • This determination may be at least in part performed by applying a scale factor to the produced pressure waveform.
  • a scale factor may be applied to at least one point in time, and potentially together with other calculations, to extrapolate, extract or determine any one or more of: positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP), Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase, of a patient in use.
  • PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PIP Peak Inspiratory Pressure
  • Respiratory rate Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase
  • a method of providing respiratory support to a patient may comprise providing a nasal cannula comprising at least one nasal prong, such as nasal prongs 3000d of Figures 23 to 28 and 30, ie, a nasal prong 3000d comprising a vent 4000d extending through a wall 3300d of the nasal prong 3000d and a sensing port 5000 arranged spaced apart from the 4000d, in particular arranged at or proximate a terminal end 3200d of the nasal prong 3000d.
  • a nasal cannula comprising at least one nasal prong, such as nasal prongs 3000d of Figures 23 to 28 and 30, ie, a nasal prong 3000d comprising a vent 4000d extending through a wall 3300d of the nasal prong 3000d and a sensing port 5000 arranged spaced apart from the 4000d, in particular arranged at or proximate a terminal end 3200d of the nasal prong 3000d.
  • the nasal prong 3000d may be positioned at least partially inside a nare of the patient such that the vent 4000d is situated at least partially inside the nare of the patient.
  • the sensing port 5000 may also be situated within the nare of the patient.
  • the method includes measuring at least pressure of gases at or around at least the sensing port 5000. This measurement may be by way of a sensor located at or near the sensing port 5000 and/or otherwise in fluid or electronic communication therewith.
  • the method may further comprise applying a scale factor to a pressure waveform produced at least partly from the measured pressure(s), applying said scale factor at at least one point in time, and/or determining any one or more of: positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), Peak Inspiratory Pressure (PIP), Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase, of the patient, as described above.
  • PEEP positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PIP Peak Inspiratory Pressure
  • Respiratory rate and/or Respiratory phase of the patient, as described above.
  • the scale factor to be applied may be at least partly influenced by a distance that the sensing port 5000 (or sensor) is spaced apart from or extends away from the terminal end 3200d.
  • the distance that the sensing port 5000 is located away from terminal end 3200d may be the length of the probe 5020, for example.
  • measured pressures may provide a clinician real-time monitoring of patient breathing and therapy.
  • a clinician being provided such information on patient breathing may be able to synchronise operation of the flow source of breathable gases to the patient breathing cycle and parameters.
  • the clinician may for example be able to stabilize patient pressure through flow rate changes.
  • kits comprising the nasal cannulas described herein may also be envisaged, where the kit advantageously also includes consumable items such as at least one gas delivery conduit 3 connected to or integrally formed with the cannula, and/or an adapter for connecting the at least one gas delivery conduit 3 with an inspiratory tube, a dry line and/or heated breathing tube.
  • the adaptor may be configured to connect to and be positioned intermediate the gas delivery conduit 3 and other conduit or tube which connects to a gas source 150, to facilitate fluid communication of breathable gases to the patient interface 2000.
  • the adaptor, nasal cannula, and/or first gas delivery conduit 3 of an example kit may facilitate modularity of a nasal cannula comprising a nasal prong 3000 as described herein with third-party or non-proprietary gas delivery conduits, or gas delivery conduits of an existing system being modified to employ said nasal cannula.
  • the nasal cannula as supplied with such a kit may be configured for fluid communication with the gas delivery conduit 3, with the gas delivery conduit is configured to connect directly to the nasal cannula or being integrally formed with the nasal cannula.
  • the kit may comprise the nasal cannulas described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 for example.
  • a kit may also comprise any one or more of: a filter, a pressure relief valve and/or a humidification chamber, wherein the filter is configured to filter impurities from breathable gases delivered to the nasal cannula and/or delivered to a patient via the nasal cannula, wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to regulate pressure of supplied breathable gases delivered to the nasal cannula and/or delivered to a patient via the nasal cannula, and wherein the humidification chamber is configured to humidify breathable gases delivered to the nasal cannula and/or delivered to a patient via the nasal cannula.
  • the humidification chamber may itself be a source of gases, i.e. , a combined gas source and humidifier.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une interface patient pour administrer des gaz respirables à un patient, comprenant : un corps ; un embout narinaire comprenant une base, l'embout narinaire s'étendant à partir du corps, une entrée au niveau de la base, une extrémité terminale, et une paroi s'étendant entre la base et l'extrémité terminale définissant entre celles-ci une lumière d'embout en communication fluidique avec l'entrée, une surface externe de la paroi définissant un extérieur de l'embout narinaire ; et un évent s'étendant à travers la paroi de l'embout narinaire et longitudinalement au moins partiellement entre la base d'entrée et les extrémités terminales de l'embout narinaire.
PCT/IB2024/062067 2023-12-01 2024-12-02 Interface patient Pending WO2025114974A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202363605282P 2023-12-01 2023-12-01
US63/605,282 2023-12-01
US202363614306P 2023-12-22 2023-12-22
US63/614,306 2023-12-22

Publications (1)

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WO2025114974A1 true WO2025114974A1 (fr) 2025-06-05

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Family Applications (1)

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PCT/IB2024/062067 Pending WO2025114974A1 (fr) 2023-12-01 2024-12-02 Interface patient

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WO (1) WO2025114974A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5687715A (en) * 1991-10-29 1997-11-18 Airways Ltd Inc Nasal positive airway pressure apparatus and method
US20020029004A1 (en) * 1998-02-25 2002-03-07 Respironics, Inc. Patient monitor and method of using same
US20100113956A1 (en) * 1997-04-29 2010-05-06 Salter Labs Nasal cannula for acquiring breathing information
WO2011141841A1 (fr) * 2010-05-14 2011-11-17 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Système et procédé d'administration d'un traitement de pression positive des voies aériennes aux orifices des voies aériennes individuelles d'un sujet

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5687715A (en) * 1991-10-29 1997-11-18 Airways Ltd Inc Nasal positive airway pressure apparatus and method
US20100113956A1 (en) * 1997-04-29 2010-05-06 Salter Labs Nasal cannula for acquiring breathing information
US20020029004A1 (en) * 1998-02-25 2002-03-07 Respironics, Inc. Patient monitor and method of using same
WO2011141841A1 (fr) * 2010-05-14 2011-11-17 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Système et procédé d'administration d'un traitement de pression positive des voies aériennes aux orifices des voies aériennes individuelles d'un sujet

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