Pressure regulating valve for use in continuous positive airway pressure devices
US6766800B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87555
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A valve for use in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices includes a valve body that is disposed at or between the patient mask and the source of positive airway pressure. The valve body includes first and second exhaust paths for exhausting gas from the mask. A floating valve seat is disposed in the valve body and is moveable between first and second positions. A moveable spring-biased piston is releasably engaged with the floating valve seat. When the floating valve seat is in the first position, the moveable spring-biased piston is disengaged from the valve seat and gas travels out the first exhaust flowpath. When the floating valve seat is in the second position, the moveable spring-biased piston is engaged with the valve seat and gas travels out the second exhaust flowpath. The valve provides substantially constant positive airway pressure to the patient at pressures above the threshold pressure level of the valve. When the pressure drops below the threshold value, the valve opens a secondary flowpath in the valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.