(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2016/0331922 A1 HOLADAY (43) Pub
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
US 20160331922A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2016/0331922 A1 HOLADAY (43) Pub. Date: Nov. 17, 2016 (54) DISPOSABLE CONTAINER FOR AR Publication Classification HYDRATION (51) Int. Cl. A6M 6/16 (2006.01) (71) Applicant: John W. HOLADAY, Bethesda, MD A6IL 2/10 (2006.01) (US) A6II 3/445 (2006.01) B65D 7/00 (2006.01) (72) Inventor: John W. HOLADAY, Bethesda, MD A6M II/00 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl. (US) CPC .............. A61M 16/16 (2013.01); B65D 71/00 (2013.01); A61M II/005 (2013.01); A61 K (21) Appl. No.: 15/107.825 3 1/445 (2013.01); A61L 2/10 (2013.01); A61M 2205/123 (2013.01) (22) PCT Fed: Dec. 22, 2014 (57) ABSTRACT The present technology relates to a device and method to (86) PCT No.: PCT/US14/71941 provide distilled water in pre-filled, disposable containers for use with humidifiers in assisted breathing units, such as S 371 (c)(1), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. The (2) Date: Jun. 23, 2016 technology also relates to methods for delivery of medica tions and inhalational and/or aromatic therapies through heated hydration chambers in CPAP devices and/or through Related U.S. Application Data nebulizers to be used to hydrate air in conjunction with (60) Provisional application No. 61/920,379, filed on Dec. CPAP devices. The present technology further relates to 23, 2013, provisional application No. 62/018, 100, convenient multi-packs of pre-filled, disposable water con filed on Jun. 27, 2014. tainers to be provided in conjunction with CPAP devices. Patent Application Publication Nov. 17, 2016 Sheet 1 of 3 US 2016/0331922 A1 F.G. 1 Patent Application Publication Nov. 17, 2016 Sheet 2 of 3 US 2016/0331922 A1 FG. 2 Patent Application Publication Nov. 17, 2016 Sheet 3 of 3 US 2016/0331922 A1 FIG. 3 US 2016/0331922 A1 Nov. 17, 2016 DISPOSABLE CONTAINER FOR AR 0005 To help alleviate the drying effect of the pressur HYDRATION ized air, manufacturers of CPAP machines have engineered hydrating attachments that volatilize water by heating, and TECHNICAL FIELD the air is delivered over the vapors to become hydrated, and then to the patient through a flexible tube. These hydrating 0001. The present technology relates to a device and chambers typically involve permanent or disposable plastic method to provide distilled water in pre-filled, disposable containers for holding the water, with an aluminum base that containers for use with humidifiers in assisted breathing sits on a heating element. The plastic containers have units, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) pathways that divert the air from the CPAP machines over devices. The technology also relates to methods for delivery the heated water to the tube that carries the hydrated air to of medications and inhalational and/or aromatic therapies the patient. through heated hydration chambers in CPAP devices and/or 0006. Several hundred milliliters of water is poured into through nebulizers to be used to hydrate air in conjunction the hydrating chamber before bedtime use of the CPAP with CPAP devices. The present technology further relates to machine. Distilled water is normally recommended to be convenient multi-packs of pre-filled, disposable water con used in CPAP devices since tap water and some bottled tainers to be provided in conjunction with CPAP devices. waters contain minerals and other components that dry out in the hydrating machine. These contaminants bond together BACKGROUND OF TECHNOLOGY and stick on the surfaces of the humidifier water tanks, 0002. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by providing a substrate for the growth of bacteria and molds. recurrent upper airway obstruction resulting in breathing Continued contamination of the system will cause irrepa cessation (apnea) or reduction of airflow during sleep (hypo rable damage requiring the CPAP equipment to be replaced. pnea). The periodic cessation of breathing during sleep is To prevent contamination and to keep the CPAP devices in caused by tracheal muscle relaxation, which results in the good working order, distilled water should be used nightly narrowing and closing of the patient’s airway. This narrow in the CPAP devices. ing of the trachea causes the person to repeatedly awaken 0007. The advantages of incorporating humidification of during sleep, leading to chronic sleep deprivation. Chronic the air Supply to a patient are known, and respiratory Snoring is an indicator of OSA. Apneusis (cessation of apparatuses are known which incorporate humidifying breathing for various intervals) caused by OSA is diagnosed devices. Such respiratory apparatuses commonly have the by monitoring patient’s breathing patterns during their sleep. ability to alter the humidity of the breathable air or oxygen As many as 25% of people suffer from OSA. Failure to treat to reduce drying of the patient’s airway and consequent OSA is associated with significant cardiovascular, metabolic patient discomfort and associated complications. The use of and central nervous system disorders, and these debilities of a humidifier unit placed between the flow generator and the OSA are particularly exacerbated with aging. Present stan patient mask produces humidified gas that minimizes drying dards of care for OSA involve oral devices to bring the lower of the nasal mucosa and increases patient airway comfort. In jaw forward, thus opening the airway, or the use of continu addition in cooler climates, warm air applied generally to the ous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines where posi face area in and about the mask is more comfortable than tive airway pressure is applied to overcome airway obstruc cold air. tions and prevent the associated apnea and Snoring. 0008. Many humidifier types are available, including 0003 Respiratory treatment apparatuses involves the humidifiers that are either integrated with or configured to be delivery of a pressurized breathable gas. Such as air, oxygen coupled to the relevant respiratory apparatus. If integrated enriched air, or oxygen, to a patient's airways using a within the relevant respiratory apparatus the humidifier is conduit and patient interface device. Gas pressures generally formed in a separate portion of the apparatus to the employed typically range from 4 cm HO to 30 cm H2O, at blower to prevent water from entering the blower. While flow rates of up to 180 L/min (measured at the mask), passive humidifiers can provide some relief, generally a depending on patient requirements. For CPAP the pressur heated humidifier is required to provide sufficient humidity ized gas acts as a pneumatic splint for the patient’s airway and temperature to the air so that the patient will be in a CPAP device, preventing airway collapse, especially comfortable. Humidifiers typically comprise a water con during the inspiratory phase of respiration. tainer having a capacity of several hundred milliliters, a 0004 Assisted breathing units, such as CPAP devices, heating element for heating the water in the container, a provide therapy to a sleep apnea patient by delivering control to enable the level of humidification to be varied, a positive pressure to the airway, keeping it open when the gas inlet to receive gas from the flow generator, and a gas tracheal muscles relax. Most CPAP devices include a pres outlet adapted to be connected to a patient conduit that Sure source, electronic circuitry to control the pressure delivers the humidified gas to the patient's mask. Source, and tubing connected to a mask worn by the patient. 0009 Typically, the heating element is incorporated in a The CPAP pressure source, connective tubing and mask heater plate, which sits under and is, in thermal contact with create a closed circuit for airflow between the patients the water container. airways and the CPAP device. During treatment, a supply of 0010 CPAP devices have been known to cause several pressurized gas is typically supplied to the patient through a issues for users. Some of these issues include allergies, patient interface. Such as a nasal, oral or combination infections, and inadequately filtered particulates from the nasal/oral mask. The continuous flow of air from such CPAP delivered air. Also, a CPAP device with a humidifier unit devices can be irritating to the tissues of the nose, mouth requires frequent water replacement and cleaning. In some and/or throat of the patient. This irritation may result in cases, daily water replacement is recommended for the nosebleeds, increased mucous, congestion, and coughing or CPAP device with a humidifier. Such a rigorous schedule of Sneezing. cleaning and water replacement can be tedious for most US 2016/0331922 A1 Nov. 17, 2016 users. However, when the rigorous schedule is not main nebulizers. (Hickey, 1996). The efficiency of ultrasonic tained, the water in the CPAP machine may stagnate and nebulizers at delivering aerosolized medication to the allow for bacteria growth. The CPAP device may create an patient’s lungs has been clinically shown to be in the range environment for bacterial growth that subjects the user to of 81% to 91%. (Gessler et al., 2001). Ultrasonic nebulizers sinus infections, upper airway infections, conjunctivitis, and are more expensive than jet nebulizers. Overall, ultrasonic ear infections. The CPAP device also usually requires fre nebulizers are more efficient at delivering medication and quent filter changes that can be tedious and costly for a user. generate Smaller droplets of aerosolized medication. A lack of frequent filter changes, and a lack of bacterial/viral 0016 Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is currently a form filtration, however, can lead to serious health implications of standard care for patients Suffering from respiratory since the CPAP device supplies air directly to the patient. It insufficiency, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary is vitally important that air is properly filtered and disin disease (COPD) and more severe acute and chronic respi fected so that allergens, viruses, and bacteria are not intro ratory failure.