HK1230527A1 - Methods and systems for ozone sanitization of continuous positive airway pressure devices - Google Patents

Description

Method and system for ozone disinfection of continuous positive airway pressure equipment

Divisional application

The present application is a divisional application entitled "system, method and apparatus for ozone disinfection of continuous positive airway pressure device" filed as application No. 2012800438015, application No. 2012, 7/13.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/508,341 entitled apparatus, system, and method for ozone sterilization of medical instruments filed 7/15/2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for disinfecting medical instruments using ozone, and in particular to apparatus and methods for disinfecting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) equipment.

Background

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by abnormal breathing during sleep. Apnea in a person suffering from sleep apnea can last from a few seconds to minutes during sleep, often resulting in a severe level of sleep disturbance that can lead to daytime fatigue, impaired reaction time, visual problems, and impaired daytime consciousness.

Sleep apnea is commonly treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices. CPAP devices prevent reduced oxygen levels and insomnia in the blood by delivering a flow of pressurized air through a conduit to a nasal pillow or entire mask around the patient's nose. CPAP devices blow air at a prescribed pressure to each patient and keep the airway open to maintain unobstructed breathing throughout the sleep period.

CPAP therapy is effective in treating sleep apnea, but the major drawback of CPAP therapy is user incompatibility. Users are often reluctant to continuously use CPAP devices because the nasal and facial masks may be less comfortable. In addition, many CPAP devices are cumbersome and difficult for the user to maintain because moisture passing through the conduit and mask of the device causes a build up of bacteria, requiring constant cleaning and precautions, which are a necessary step in the safe use of the device, which may make the user even less comfortable. Most manufacturers of CPAP equipment recommend that users maintain the machine daily and weekly to prevent bacterial growth and mildew. In such a case, each component of the CPAP device needs to be cleaned individually, including the mask, conduit and humidification portion, which is difficult and time consuming for the user to clean daily or weekly. Other CPAP device cleaning methods include soaking components of the CPAP device in a mixture of vinegar and water to disinfect them. Due to the inherent nature of CPAP devices accumulating bacteria and mildew, there are many other products that enable CPAP machines to be used more safely by consumers, including but not limited to:

citrus II cleaning spray for masks and catheters, available at www.cpapxchange.com;

a Contour CPAP cleaning wipe;

a CPAP catheter cleaning brush, available at www.cpapxchange.com;

CPAP daemons (CPAP Guardian), available at www.cpapguardian.com.

In addition, a number of patents and patent applications have been filed relating to CPAP devices and improvements thereto, among others. Patents in the field of CPAP devices include U.S. patent nos.: 8146946, 8051853, 7794522, 7845350, 7676276, 6276304, 7527603, 7767168, 6752151, 6280633, 7022225, 4787980 and U.S. patent application nos.: 20100111792, 20060130834, 20040251125, 20050186108.

Disclosure of Invention

While some of the prior art products, patents and applications discussed above are directed to CPAP systems, methods and devices, the illustrated systems, methods or devices are not described as a system or method for automatically disinfecting a CPAP device to facilitate user use and to improve user compliance. Furthermore, as described in accordance with the present invention, there is a long felt need in the art to improve user compliance by utilizing ozone to sanitize, disinfect, and clean CPAP equipment as a safe and simple disinfection system.

Other systems, methods, device features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, apparatus features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

Drawings

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ozone unit connected to a CPAP apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a CPAP connector unit and a conduit connected to a water reservoir, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ozone unit connected to a CPAP apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a water reservoir and conduit with free ozone according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a CPAP connector unit and a heater adapter unit connecting a conduit to a CPAP device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a side view of a CPAP connector unit and a heater adapter unit connecting a conduit to a CPAP device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a CPAP device having a heating element connected to the CPAP device by a continuous positive airway connector unit, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a CPAP apparatus having a heating element connected via a heater adapter unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a CPAP device having a heating element connected thereto via a heater adapter unit;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a CPAP mask according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a CPAP mask and strap according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an ozone unit 100 connected to a CPAP device 105. In this embodiment, an ozone compartment 110 for housing an ozone operating system 115 in an ozone appliance 100 is shown. According to the present embodiment, the ozone operating system 115 generates and transmits ozone to the CPAP device 105, disinfecting the CPAP device 105 by the user before or after use.

According to the present embodiment, the ozone operating system 115 draws the external air into the air pump to generate ozone. The air pump may deliver ambient air to a corona discharge ozone generator, which may generate approximately 400mg/hr of ozone gas, which may be used to disinfect the CPAP equipment 105. According to the present embodiment, ozone may be pumped directly from the ozone compartment 110 to the CPAP device 105 and/or the water reservoir 122 through the ozone distribution tubing 118 connected to the CPAP connector unit 130, thereby providing ozone to disinfect the CPAP device 105. With the apparatus of fig. 1, ozone can be driven into the ozone dispensing line 118 by a small air pump (e.g., a fish tank air pump), then the ozone passes through the dispensing line 118 and the CPAP connector unit 130 and into the water reservoir 122. The ozone distribution line 118 traverses the inlet conduit 124 and the CPAP connector unit 130 and terminates in a free end that is immersed in the CPAP water reservoir 122. Ozone can then be released into the water in the water reservoir 122 to disinfect and decontaminate the water reservoir 122, and then released as free ozone from the water in the water reservoir 122. Free ozone can then traverse into conduit 124, and conduit 124 carries the ozone into mask compartment 116 to decontaminate mask 112, which will naturally decompose to oxygen O within about 20-30 minutes from the start of the ozone decontamination process₂The result is an automatic disinfection process for the CPAP device 100 that passes ozone through and disinfects the CPAP water reservoir 122, water in the reservoir, conduit 124, mask compartment 116 and mask 112. As an additional safety measure to ensure that all ozone is released from the CPAP device 105 before the user uses the CPAP device 105, an oxidation catalyst, such as an MgO filter, may be provided on the ozone apparatus 100, for example on the back side of the mask compartment 116, to collect the remaining ozone and decompose it to oxygen O₂And then released.

According to the present embodiment of the invention, ozone compartment 110 can be any commercially available ozone generator or similar device for generating ozone gas. Ozone generators typically produce ozone from oxygen molecules by applying ultraviolet light to the oxygen. Ozone gas is generated by radiationFrom an ionized oxygen molecule, forming a combination of three oxygen atoms, O₃. Ozone gas is powerful and effective in removing odors, impurities and dangerous pathogens and works on the principle that ozone exchanges electronic charges with particles in contact with it, from unstable ozone O₃Formation of oxygen O₂This is a particularly useful process for purifying air and water and killing bacteria and microorganisms. Generally, ozone O₃Will be reconverted to oxygen O within two hours of the start of the cycle₂。

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, a small air pump is provided in the ozone compartment 110 for driving ozone into the water reservoir 122. Also provided in the mask compartment 116 is a discharge end which has two main functions: first, free ozone is drawn from the reservoir 122 into the conduit 124 and from the reservoir 122 into the face mask 112. The free ozone will be used to disinfect the reservoir 122, conduit 124 and mask 112. Upon exiting the mask 112, free ozone will be drawn out of the mask compartment 116 through the exhaust port to become oxygen O₂Into the free atmosphere. Further shown in this embodiment is a user interface 111 for a user to preset the decontamination time of the ozone apparatus 100 and for closing a top cover 113 of the ozone apparatus 100.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the CPAP connector unit 230. the CPAP connector unit 230 connects the ozone distribution line 218 from the ozone device to the water reservoir 222 of the CPAP device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. According to the present embodiment, the ozone distribution line 218 is shown connected to the water reservoir 222 at a 90 degree angle via the CPAP connector unit 230. Ozone may be distributed to the water 219 via ozone distribution line 218. The ozone 221 can effectively purify water and kill bacteria and microorganisms in the water 219 by oxidizing organic matter in the water 219. After removing the organics in the water 219 from the water reservoir 222, the remaining free ozone 221 can be released from the water and enter the conduit 224 to purge the conduit and then enter the mask compartment of the purge mask. By purifying the ozone reservoir 222, water 219, conduit 224, and mask after each use, the user can effectively clean and sanitize the CPAP machine on a daily basis and reduce the risk of discomfort, infection, or bacterial growth in using the machine. Although cleaning of the CPAP device may still be required, as required by the manufacturer, the present invention will assist the user in maintaining safe use of the device for routine maintenance and improve the adaptability and usability of the CPAP device for treating sleep apnea. The inventors expect that the present invention will help a person suffering from sleep apnea disinfect the CPAP device easily and use the machine safely according to personal preferences and daily schedules.

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of an ozone apparatus 300 and CPAP device 305 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. According to the present embodiment, the ozone operating system 315 can produce ozone that can enter the water 319 in the water reservoir 322 through the dispensing line 318 and the CPAP connector unit 330. According to this embodiment, free ozone enters the conduit 324 from the water reservoir 322, and the conduit 324 carries ozone gas to the cleansing mask 312 in the mask compartment 316. According to this embodiment, the ozone sanitizes and sanitizes the entire CPAP device 305, including the water reservoir 322, water 319, conduit 324, mask 312, and mask compartment 316, prior to use by the user. According to this embodiment, ozone may be converted back to steady state oxygen after entering the mask compartment 316, making the CPAP device 30 easy to disinfect and ready for use. According to this embodiment, a MgO exhaust port may be provided in the mask compartment 316 to collect, decompose and release residual ozone into the atmosphere, which serves as an additional safety measure to ensure that all ozone and free ozone is removed from the ozone apparatus 300 prior to use. Further shown in this embodiment is a user interface 311 for a user to preset the decontamination time of the ozone apparatus 300 and for closing the top cover 313 of the ozone apparatus 300.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the ozone apparatus 400 and CPAP device 405 with the top cover removed for viewing the internal components of the ozone apparatus 400 and CPAP device 405. In this embodiment, free ozone 421 is released from the water 419 and travels across into the conduit 424. According to the embodiment shown, the free ozone 421 will disinfect the water 419 and the conduit 424. Free ozone 421 may continue to pass from conduit 424 to mask compartment 416 to further decontaminate mask 412 before exiting ozone unit 400 through the discharge end. In this embodiment, a control panel 411 is further displayed for setting the ozone purification time schedule according to the preference of the user.

In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, a heater adapter unit 552 is connected to the CPAP connector unit 530 to connect the heating element 550 on the conduit 524 to a heating element receptacle 554 on the CPAP device 505. The heating element 550 may be used to heat the conduit 524 to prevent condensation of water vapor as it passes through the conduit 524. Although the heating element 550 is typically used on a CPAP device 505, in order to practice the present invention, i.e., to supply ozone to the CPAP device 505 through the ozone distribution line 518 to decontaminate the CPAP device 505, a heating adapter unit 552 may be required to connect the CPAP connector unit 530 to the CPAP device 505 with a heating system. One method of heating the conduit 524 includes, but is not limited to, passing a low voltage electrical current through a resistive conductor, such as a copper or aluminum wire 556, which wire 556 may be looped along the length of the conduit 524 to effectively heat the conduit 524, as shown in FIG. 5. Another method of heating the conduit 524 may include covering the exterior of the conduit 524 with a conduit sleeve made of neoprene or wool, which may insulate the conduit from the outside cold air. Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which a copper wire 556 is wrapped around the conduit 524 to heat the conduit 524. In this embodiment, the heating element 550 includes copper leads that connect to copper receptacles in the heating element receptacle 554 that generate electrical heat to heat the copper leads 556 when the CPAP device 505 is in the ON position. In this embodiment, a CPAP connector unit 530 is shown for connecting an ozone device in accordance with the present invention to the CPAP apparatus 505 to sanitize the CPAP apparatus between uses. A heater adapter unit 552 is connected to the CPAP connector unit 530 for connecting the heating element 550 to the heating element receptacle 554, as shown. In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the system, method and apparatus for providing ozone purification of the CPAP device 505, conduit 524 and water reservoir may be used in conjunction with a heating element for heating the conduit 524. In this embodiment, the CPAP connector unit 530 supplies ozone flow into the ozone distribution line 518 into a reservoir and then from the reservoir into the conduit 524, while the heater adapter unit 552 connects the copper wires in the heating element 550 to corresponding contacts in the heating element receptacle 554 of the CPAP device 505.

Fig. 5A shows in detail the copper wires in the heating element 550 connected to a heater element receptacle 554 on the CPAP device 505 by a heating adapter unit 552, according to the embodiment described in fig. 5. According to the illustrated embodiment, a heating adapter unit 552 is connected beneath the CPAP connector unit 530, and a copper wire 556 is looped around the conduit 524.

Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention showing a CPAP connector unit 630 connecting a heating system for heating the conduit 624 of a CPAP device with a heating element 650. In this embodiment, the cool air in the chamber may cause condensation of moisture in the conduit 624 of the CPAP device and cause bacteria to grow in the conduit and mask. Heating the conduit 624 helps prevent condensation of moisture in the conduit 624. According to the present embodiment, the heating element 650 is disposed at the end of the conduit 624 where the conduit 624 is connected to the CPAP apparatus. In the present embodiment, the CPAP connector unit 630 is shown connecting the heating element 650 to the CPAP device 605 so that ozone can be further added to the CPAP device by an ozone dispensing line according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the heating element 650 may operate by passing low voltage current through a resistive conductor that may be looped along the length of the conduit to effectively heat the conduit.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, a heating system for heating the conduit 724 using a heating adapter unit 752, the heating adapter unit 752 being connected to the CPAP connector unit 730 for supplying ozone to the CPAP device 705 having a heating system embedded in the CPAP device 705. In this embodiment, the heating receptor 754 is disposed adjacent a conduit on the CPAP device 705 and may comprise copper wire that delivers electrical power from the heating element 750, which is connected to the conduit 724. According to this embodiment, the heating adapter unit 752 is fitted with a CPAP conduit inlet 758 and a heating receptacle 754 on the CPAP device 705, whereby ozone technology in accordance with the present invention may be connected to the CPAP device 705 through the ozone distribution tubing 718, while the heating element 750 already in place on the CPAP device 705 may still be connected through the heating adapter unit 752 to heat the conduit 724. In this embodiment, the cool air in the chamber may cause moisture in the conduit 724 of the CPAP device to condense and cause bacteria to grow in the conduit and mask. Heating the conduit 724 helps prevent condensation of water vapor in the conduit 724, while, according to the present embodiment, delivering ozone to the CPAP water reservoir and the conduit automatically sanitizes the CPAP machine and prevents bacterial buildup and mold.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the present invention with the ozone unit 800 connected to a CPAP device 805 with the CPAP device 805 having a heating system embedded therein. According to this embodiment, ozone is pumped from the ozone unit 800 through the ozone distribution tubing 818 to the CPAP connector unit 830 and then released into the water reservoir 822. In this embodiment, a heating element 850 is disposed on the conduit 824 for connection to a heating element receptacle 854 on the CPAP device 805. According to the illustrated embodiment, the heater adapter unit 852 is connected to the CPAP connector unit 830 to connect the heating element 850 to the heating element receptacle 854. According to this embodiment, the heating system may heat the conduit 824 by heating the copper wire 856 surrounding the conduit to prevent water condensation during operation. Additionally, as shown, the ozone operating system according to the present embodiment can decontaminate the water reservoir 822, conduit 824, mask 812, and mask chamber 816.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the ozone unit will have a built-in timer so that the user can set the time to start the ozone disinfection process at regular intervals. Generally, for the best results for the consumer, it is recommended that the ozone cycle be performed after each use of the CPAP device. The ozone unit in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention will have a time delay activation button so that the CPAP device will not be activated until a fixed time has elapsed since the previous ozone sterilization process. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a one hour period is implemented that prevents CPAP device start-up until after one hour from the start of the ozone sterilization process in accordance with one or more illustrated embodiments. According to other embodiments, after an ozone disinfection process according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a two hour period is implemented before the CPAP device can be used.

With reference to one or more of the illustrated embodiments, the ozone unit includes an ozone compartment, an ozone operating system, and one or more ozone distribution lines that distribute ozone through the CPAP apparatus. In one or more embodiments of the invention, a CPAP ozone pump dispenses ozone to an ozone dispensing line. Ozone will move from the ozone distribution line into the water reservoir of the CPAP device. The ozone will oxidize the organic material in the water, thereby disinfecting the water in the reservoir. The remaining ozone will be released from the water reservoir as free ozone and migrate as gas into the connected conduit, mask and mask compartment. A discharge end in the mask compartment helps to migrate free ozone into the conduit, mask and mask compartments and to use the remaining ozone as oxygen O₂Released from the mask compartment into the atmosphere. According to an embodiment of the present invention, ozone O is generated as ozone migrates through the CPAP device₃The water reservoir, conduit, mask and mask compartment will be sterilized.

In addition to the apparatus described and shown in the embodiments of the present invention, a method of disinfecting a CPAP device is also disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for disinfecting a continuous positive airway pressure device may include the steps of: ozone is generated in an ozone device by utilizing an ozone operation system, and is released to enter the continuous positive pressure ventilation equipment; and, migrating ozone through the continuous positive airway pressure device. In another embodiment, a method of disinfecting CPAP equipment using an ozone device is to release ozone into a CPAP connector unit, dispense ozone into a water reservoir, migrate free ozone from the water reservoir to a conduit, migrate the free ozone into a mask in a mask compartment, and remove ozone from the CPAP equipment through a discharge end. The disclosed method further comprises the steps of: CPAP treatment is delayed for a fixed period of time from the previous ozone disinfection process for consumer safety. According to the embodied embodiment, the time period for the start of the delay ranges from 30 minutes to 5 hours. In other embodiments, the delay begins for a period of time ranging from 5 hours to 10 hours. Additionally, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the step of sensing residual ozone in the CPAP device is a pre-use step added for consumer safety. Additionally, in one or more embodiments of the invention, a safety switch is added to the mask compartment to prevent the ozone decontamination process from beginning until the user replaces the mask in the mask compartment. The safety switch is an additional precaution to prevent the use of CPAP equipment during the ozone disinfection process.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, an improved CPAP mask 960 and strap 962 are provided to maximize patient comfort during a CPAP procedure. According to this embodiment, strap 962 is offset cut to maintain the elasticity and deformability of strap 962 as strap 962 is snug against the user's head and face during a CPAP procedure.

Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention showing a side view of the mask strap 1062. According to this embodiment, the strap 1062 is offset from the cut to maximize the elastic comfort of the strap 1062 to the patient. According to this embodiment, strap 1062 is made of one or more lightweight, breathable, washable, and disposable materials for ease of use by the user.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any "preferred" embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. A method for purging a continuous positive airway pressure device, wherein the continuous positive airway pressure device comprises a conduit, the method comprising the steps of:

generating ozone in an ozone unit having an ozone operating system; and

migrating free ozone into the conduit, wherein the free ozone is ozone released from the ozone operating system through the conduit in a gaseous environment.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the steps of: removing the ozone from the continuous positive airway pressure device through a discharge end.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: free ozone in a continuous positive airway pressure device is sensed.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a user interface is provided for displaying ozone process information to a user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: a timer is provided for regulating the release of ozone into the continuous plenum aeration device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: delaying the start-up of the continuous positive airway pressure device until all ozone has been purged from the continuous positive airway pressure device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: heating a continuous positive airway pressure catheter using a heating element, wherein a heating element adapter unit connects the heating element to a continuous positive airway pressure device.

8. A method of setting up an ozone process for disinfecting a lumen of a medical instrument, comprising the steps of:

connecting an ozone operating system to an ozone generator at a proximal end of the medical instrument;

releasing ozone gas into one or more lumens of the medical device;

migrating ozone gas through one or more lumens of a medical instrument;

providing a discharge end movably connected to a distal end of a medical instrument;

ozone gas is expelled from the lumen of the medical instrument through the discharge end.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: sensing ozone gas in the medical instrument.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of: a user interface is provided for displaying ozone process information.

11. A system for delivering ozone into a gaseous environment of a medical instrument, the system comprising:

an ozone operating system comprising an air pump for pumping air and an ozone generator for receiving the air and generating ozone gas;

an ozone dispensing line in fluid connection with the ozone operating system for receiving and dispensing the ozone gas, the ozone dispensing line including a connector configured to be in fluid connection with a first end of the medical instrument such that the ozone gas is dispensed to a fluid channel in the medical instrument; and

a discharge end configured to be in fluid connection with a second end of the medical instrument such that the ozone gas passes through a gaseous environment of the medical instrument and is discharged.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a user interface coupled to the ozone operating system.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a timer connected to the ozone operating system.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a sensor for sensing residual ozone in the medical instrument.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a safety switch for preventing the start of an ozone procedure or preventing use of the medical instrument during an ozone procedure.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising an oxidation catalyst coupled to the discharge end to collect and decompose ozone.