Systems, methods, and devices for ozone sanitization of continuous positive airway pressure devices

Abstract

The present invention is generally related to a device and method for sanitizing a medical instrument with ozone, in particular the invention relates to a system, method and a device for sanitizing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. The device has an ozone compartment, an ozone operating system and one or more ozone distribution lines that distribute ozone to a continuous positive airway pressure device. The device may further include a heater adapter unit to connect heating systems in CPAP devices while distributing ozone to sanitize the CPAP device in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for sanitizing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment, comprising: an ozone device comprising a housing, the housing comprising a compartment and an ozone operating system separate from the compartment, wherein: the compartment is configured to house at least a portion of a CPAP mask; the ozone operating system is configured to generate ozone gas which is combined with water and to convey at least a portion of the ozone gas outside of said ozone device; and the compartment is configured to receive at least a portion of the ozone gas from outside said ozone device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air pump that is configured to cause ozone gas generated by said ozone operating system to flow outside said ozone device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said air pump is within said housing.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a CPAP part, wherein the ozone device is configured such that at least a portion of the ozone gas generated by the ozone operating system can flow into the CPAP part.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising an ozone distribution line, wherein: the ozone distribution line is configured to fluidly couple to the ozone operating system and to the CPAP part; and the ozone device is configured such that at least a portion of the ozone gas generated by the ozone operating system can flow into the CPAP part at least in part via the ozone distribution line.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the ozone device is configured to cause at least a portion of said ozone gas and water to flow at least partially through a CPAP hose.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising a connector unit, wherein: the ozone distribution line has a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the ozone operating system; the distal end of the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the connector unit; and the connector unit is fluidly coupled to the CPAP part.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said CPAP part is a CPAP hose.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the CPAP hose comprises a proximal end and a distal end; the connector unit is fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the CPAP hose; and the distal end of the CPAP hose is fluidly coupled to the compartment.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein: the housing comprises a cover that is movable between an open and a closed position; and in the closed position, at least a portion of the cover forms at least a part of the compartment.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the compartment comprises an exhaust port, and the system further comprises a filter for converting ozone to oxygen, the filter configured to fluidly couple to the exhaust port; wherein ozone is drawn out of said compartment through said exhaust port into the atmosphere as oxygen.

12. An ozone device, comprising: a housing comprising a compartment and an ozone operating system separate from the compartment; wherein: the ozone operating system is configured to generate ozone gas; the compartment is configured to house at least a portion of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask; the ozone device is configured such that at least a portion of ozone gas generated by the ozone operating system is combined with water vapor and can flow outside of said ozone device; and the compartment is configured to receive at least a portion of the ozone gas and water vapor from outside said ozone device.

13. The ozone device of claim 12, further comprising an air pump that is configured to cause ozone gas generated by said ozone operating system to flow outside said ozone device.

14. The ozone device of claim 12, wherein the housing is configured to couple to an end of an ozone distribution line.

15. The ozone device of claim 12, wherein said compartment comprises an exhaust port and ozone is drawn out of said compartment through said exhaust port into the atmosphere as oxygen.

16. The ozone device of claim 15, further comprising a filter configured to convert ozone gas to oxygen.

17. The ozone device of claim 13, wherein said compartment comprises an exhaust port and ozone is drawn out of said compartment through said exhaust port into the atmosphere as oxygen.

18. The ozone device of claim 17, wherein the filter is further configured to fluidly couple to said exhaust port.

19. The ozone device of claim 13, wherein the ozone device is configured to cause at least a portion of said ozone gas and water vapor to flow at least partially through said CPAP part.

20. A method for sanitizing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment, comprising, with an ozone device comprising a housing, the housing comprising a compartment and an ozone operating system separate from the compartment: generating ozone gas with said ozone operating system; combining said ozone gas with water vaper; conveying at least a portion of said ozone gas outside said ozone device; and receiving, with said compartment, at least a portion of said ozone gas and water vapor from outside said ozone device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: said ozone device comprises an air pump; and said conveying at least a portion of said ozone gas outside said ozone device is performed at least in part with said air pump.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein receiving, with said compartment, at least a portion of said ozone gas and water vapor from outside said ozone device comprises receiving at least a portion of said ozone gas and water from a first CPAP part.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first CPAP part is a CPAP hose.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising contacting a second CPAP part in said compartment with at least a portion of the ozone gas and water vapor received by said compartment.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said second CPAP part is a CPAP mask.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein conveying at least a portion of said ozone gas outside said ozone device further comprises conveying at least a portion of ozone gas generated by the ozone operating system into an ozone distribution line that is fluidly coupled to the ozone operating system and to the first CPAP part.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein: said ozone distribution line has a proximal and a distal end; the proximal end of the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the ozone operating system; the distal end of the distribution line is fluidly coupled to the first CPAP part at least in part via a connector unit.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said first CPAP part is a CPAP hose.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein: the CPAP hose comprises a proximal end and a distal end; the connector unit is fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the CPAP hose; and the distal end of the CPAP hose is fluidly coupled to the compartment.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein the second compartment comprises an exhaust port, and the method further comprises: drawings ozone gas from the compartment at least in part via the exhaust port; and converting ozone gas to oxygen at least in part with a filter fluidly coupled to the exhaust port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings 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.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ozone device connected to a CPAP device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side-view of a CPAP connector unit and a hose connecting to a water reservoir, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ozone device connected to a CPAP device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of a water reservoir and hose with free ozone, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of a CPAP connector unit and a heater adapter unit connecting a hose to a CPAP device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 5A is a side view of a CPAP connector unit and a heater adapter unit connecting a hose to a CPAP device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 6 is a side view of a CPAP device with a heating element, connected to the CPAP device with a continuous positive airway connector unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 7 is a side view of a CPAP device with a heating element, connected with a heater adapter unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a CPAP device with a heating element connected to the CPAP device with a heater adapter unit.

(11) FIG. 9 is a front view of a CPAP mask, in accordance with a one embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 10 is a side view of a CPAP mask and straps, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ozone device 100 connected to a CPAP device 105. In this embodiment an ozone compartment 110 for housing an ozone operating system 115 is shown in the ozone device 100. In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone operating system 115 produces and transfers ozone to the CPAP device 105 to disinfect the CPAP device 105 before or after use by a user.

(14) In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone operating system 115 pulls in ambient air into an air pump to create ozone. The air pump may transfer the ambient air to a corona discharge ozone generator, which may create about 400 mg/hr of ozone gas, which may be used to disinfect a CPAP device 105. In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone may be pumped directly into the CPAP device 105 and/or a water reservoir tank 122 from the ozone compartment 110 through an ozone distribution line 118 that connects to the CPAP connector unit 130, for providing ozone to disinfect the CPAP device 105. In accordance with the device shown in FIG. 1 the ozone may enter the ozone distribution line 118 when powered by a small air pump, such as an aquarium pump, and then migrate through the distribution line 118, through a CPAP connector unit 130, and into the water reservoir 122. The ozone distribution line 118 traverses into the hose 124 and the CPAP connector unit 130 and ends with a free end immersed in the CPAP water reservoir 122. The ozone may then be released into water in the water reservoir 122, acting to disinfect and sanitize the water reservoir 122, and may then release as free ozone from the water in the water reservoir 122. The free ozone may then traverse into the hose 124, which then carries the ozone into a mask compartment 116 to sanitize a mask 112. Within about 20-30 minutes from the start of the ozone sanitizing process described, the ozone will naturally breakdown into oxygen O.sup.2, resulting in a CPAP device 100 with an automated disinfecting process with ozone passing through and disinfecting the CPAP water reservoir 122, the water in the reservoir, the hose 124, the mask compartment 116 and the mask 112. As an additional safety precaution to make sure all ozone is released from the CPAP device 105 before a user utilizes the CPAP device 105, an oxidizing catalyst, such as an MgO filter, may be on the ozone device 100, such as on the back side of the mask compartment 116 to collect, breakdown and release remaining ozone as oxygen O.sup.2.

(15) The ozone compartment 110, in accordance with the present embodiment of the present invention may be any available ozonator or a like device for creating ozone gas. Ozonators create ozone from oxygen molecules, often by applying ultraviolet light to the oxygen. Ozone gas is made of oxygen molecules that have been ionized by radiation to form groups of three oxygen atoms, O.sup.3. The ozone gas is powerful and effective for removal of odors, impurities and dangerous pathogens, working by exchanging electron charge with particles that ozone comes into contact with to form oxygen, O.sup.2, from the unstable ozone O.sup.3, a process particularly useful for purifying air and water and for killing bacteria and microorganisms. Typically, ozone, O.sup.3, will convert back to oxygen, O.sup.2, within two hours of the start of a cycle.

(16) In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a small air pump is provided in the ozone compartment 110 to push ozone into the water reservoir 122. An exhaust port is further provided in the mask compartment 116 and has two main functions; the first is to draw the free ozone up into the hose 124 from the water reservoir 122 and into the mask 112 from the water reservoir 122. The free ozone will work to disinfect the water reservoir 122, the hose 124, and the mask 112. After exiting the mask 112 the free ozone then will be drawn out of the mask compartment 116 through the exhaust port into the free atmosphere as oxygen O.sup.2. Further shown in this embodiment is a user interface 111 for a user to set a sanitizing schedule on the ozone device 100 and a top cover 113 to close the ozone device 100.

(17) FIG. 2 is a side view of a CPAP connector unit 230 attaching the ozone distribution line 218 from an ozone device to the water reservoir 222 of a CPAP device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment the ozone distribution line 218 is shown connected through the CPAP connector unit 230, at a ninety degree angle, and into the water reservoir 222. The ozone may be distributed from the ozone distribution line 218 into the water 219. The ozone 221 may effectively sanitize the water and kill bacteria and microorganisms in the water 219 by oxidizing organics in the water 219. Free ozone 221 that is left after removing organics from the water 219 in the water reservoir 222 may then release from the water and pass into the hose 224 to sanitize the hose and then enter a mask compartment for sanitizing a mask. By sanitizing the ozone water reservoir 222, the water 219, the hose 224 and the mask after each use, a user may effectively clean and sanitize their CPAP machines on a daily basis and use the machine with a decreased risk of discomfort, infection or bacteria growth in their CPAP device. While the CPAP device may still need to be cleaned in accordance with a manufacturer's requirements, the present invention will assist a user to maintain a safe to use device on a regular basis and improve compliance and use of the CPAP device to treat sleep apnea. The inventors expect that the current invention will assist people with sleep apnea to easily disinfect their CPAP device and use their machines safely in accordance with personal preferences and routine schedules.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a front view of an ozone device 300 and a CPAP device 305 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system 315 may make ozone, which may enter the water 319 in the water reservoir 322 through the distribution line 318 and the CPAP connector unit 330. In accordance with this embodiment ozone enters the hose 324 as free ozone from the water reservoir 322, and the hose 324 carries the ozone gas to sanitize the mask 312 in the mask compartment 316. In accordance with this embodiment the ozone disinfects and sanitizes the entire CPAP device 305 for a user prior to use, including the water reservoir 322, the water 319, the hose 324, the mask 312 and the mask compartment 316. In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone may convert back to a stable form of oxygen after entering the mask compartment 316, making a user's CPAP device 305 easily disinfected and ready to use. In accordance with this embodiment an MgO exhaust port may be provided in the mask compartment 316 to collect, breakdown and release remaining ozone to the atmosphere, as an additional safety measure to make sure all ozone and free ozone is removed from the ozone device 300 prior to use. Further shown in this embodiment is a user interface 311 for a user to set a sanitizing schedule on the ozone device 300 and a top cover 313 to close the ozone device 300.

(19) FIG. 4 shows a top view an ozone device 400 and a CPAP device 405 with the top covers removed for viewing the inner parts of the ozone device 400 and the CPAP device 405. In this embodiment, free ozone 421 is released from the water 419 and traverses into the hose 424. In accordance with the embodiment shown, the free ozone 421 will disinfect the water 419 and the hose 424. The free ozone 421 may continue to traverse from the hose 424 to the mask compartment 416 to further sanitize a mask 412, before exiting the ozone device 400 through an exhaust port. Further shown in this embodiment is a control panel 411 for a user to set ozone sanitizing schedules in accordance with a user's preferences.

(20) In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, a heater adapter unit 552 is connected to a CPAP connector unit 530 to connect a heating element 550 on a hose 524 to a heating element receptors 554 on a CPAP device 505. The heating element 550 may be used to heat a hose 524, to prevent condensation of water vapor as it passes through the hose 524. While heating elements 550 are commonly used on CPAP devices 505, in order to practice the present invention of providing ozone to the CPAP device 505 through an ozone distribution line 518 for sanitizing a CPAP device 505, a heating adapter unit 552 may be required to attach the CPAP connector unit 530 to a CPAP device 505 with heating systems. One method of heating the hose 524 includes but is not limited to passing a low voltage electric current through a resistive conductor such as copper or aluminum conductor wires 556, which may be woven along the length of a hose 524 and effectively heat the hose 524, as shown in FIG. 5. Another method of heating the hose 524 may include using a hose sleeve of Neoprene or fleece to cover the exterior of the hose 524, which may insulate the hose from external cold air. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with copper conductor wires 556 woven around the hose 524 for heating the hose 524. In this embodiment the heating element 550 contains copper conductor wires which connects to copper receptors in the heating element receptor 554, generating electric heat to copper conductor wires 556 when the CPAP device 505 is in an on position. In this embodiment a CPAP connector unit 530 is shown for connecting an ozone device in accordance with the present invention to a CPAP device 505 to disinfect the CPAP device between uses. The heater adapter unit 552 is connected to the CPAP connector unit 530 for attaching the heating element 550 to the heating element receptor 554, as shown. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, systems, methods and devices to provide ozone to sanitize a CPAP device 505, hose 524 and water reservoir may be used in conjunction with heating elements for heating the hose 524. In this embodiment, the CPAP connector unit 530 provides for the flow of ozone into an ozone distribution line 518 into a water reservoir, and then into the hose 524 from the water reservoir, while the heater adapter unit 552 connects the copper wires in the heating element 550 to the corresponding contacts in the heating element receptors 554 of the CPAP device 505.

(21) FIG. 5A shows in detail the connection of the copper wires in the heating elements 550 through the heating adapter unit 552 to the heater element receptors 554 on the CPAP device 505 in accordance with the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5. In accordance with the embodiment shown, the heating adapter unit 552 is attached below the CPAP connector unit 530 and copper wires 556 are shown woven around the hose 524.

(22) FIG. 6 shows a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 a CPAP connector unit 630 for connecting a heating element 650 heating system for heating a hose 624 of a CPAP device with a heating element 650 is shown. In this embodiment, cold air in a room may cause condensation of water vapor in the hose 624 of the CPAP device and results in bacterial growth in the hose and in a facial mask. Heating the hose 624 helps prevent condensation of water vapor in the hose 624. In accordance with this embodiment, a heating element 650 is formed at the end of the hose 624, where the hose 624 connects to a CPAP device. In this embodiment, a CPAP connector unit 630 is shown connecting the heating element 650 to the CPAP device 605 so that ozone may be further added to the CPAP device through the ozone distribution line in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment the heating element 650 may work by passing a low voltage electric current through a resistive conductor which may be woven along the length of the hose effectively heating the hose.

(23) FIG. 7 shows a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 a heating system for heating a hose 724 with a heating adapter unit 752 connected to a CPAP connector unit 730 to provide ozone to a CPAP device 705 with heating systems embedded therein is shown. In this embodiment, the heating receptors 754 are located adjacent to a hose on a CPAP device 705 and may contain copper wires to transfer electric power from the heating element 750, attached to the hose 724. In accordance with this embodiment, the heating adapter unit 752 fits over the CPAP hose entry 758 and the heating receptors 754 on the CPAP device 705 so that the ozone technology in accordance with the present invention may be connected through the ozone distribution line 718 to the CPAP device 705, while the heating elements 750 already in place on the CPAP device 705 may still be connected through the heating adapter unit 752 to heat the hose 724. In accordance with this embodiment, cold air in a room may cause condensation of water vapor in the hose 724 of the CPAP device and result in bacterial growth in the hose and a facial mask. Heating the hose 724 helps prevent condensation of water vapor in the hose 724, while administering ozone to the CPAP reservoir and hose in accordance with the present embodiment automatically disinfects the CPAP machine and prevents bacterial and mold build-up.

(24) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the present invention with the ozone device 800 connected to a CPAP device 805 with heating systems embedded in the CPAP device 805. In accordance with this embodiment, ozone is pumped from the ozone device 800 through an ozone distribution line 818 to the CPAP connector unit 830 to be released into the water reservoir 822. In this embodiment, a heating element 850 is provided on the hose 824 to connect to heating element receptors 854 on the CPAP device 805. In accordance with the embodiment shown, a heater adapter unit 852 is connected to the CPAP connector unit 830 to attach the heating element 850 to the heating element receptors 854. In accordance with this embodiment, the heating system may work to heat the hose 824 to prevent condensation of water during operation by heating copper wires 856 surrounding the hose. In addition, the ozone operating system in accordance with the present embodiment may sanitize the water reservoir 822, the hose 824, the mask 812 and the mask chamber 816 as shown.

(25) In accordance with the embodiments shown, the ozone device will have a built-in timer so that a user can set the time to start the ozone disinfecting process at fixed time intervals. Typically, an ozone cycle is recommended at the end of each CPAP device use for best results for a consumer. The ozone device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention will have a delayed start button, so that the CPAP device will not start until a fixed time has passed since the last ozone disinfecting process. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a one hour time period is implemented to prevent start of a CPAP device until one hour has passed from an ozone disinfecting process in accordance with one or more of the embodiments shown. In accordance with other embodiments a two-hour time period is implemented before the CPAP device can be used after an ozone disinfecting process in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

(26) With reference to one or more embodiments shown, an ozone device is described including an ozone compartment, an ozone operating system, and one or more ozone distribution lines to distribute ozone through a CPAP device. A CPAP ozone air pump distributes ozone to the ozone distribution lines in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The ozone will migrate from the ozone distribution lines into the water reservoir of the CPAP device. The ozone will oxidize organic material in the water, thereby disinfecting water in the water reservoir. Remaining ozone will release as free ozone from the water reservoir and migrate as a gas into the attached hose, mask and mask compartment. An exhaust port in the mask compartment helps migrate free ozone into the hose, mask and mask compartment, and releases remaining ozone into the atmosphere as O.sup.2 oxygen from the mask compartment. The ozone O.sup.3 will disinfect the water reservoir, the hose, the mask and the mask compartment while the ozone migrates through the CPAP device in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

(27) In addition to the device described and shown in the embodiments of the present invention, methods of disinfecting a CPAP device are further disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for disinfecting a continuous positive airway pressure may include the steps of producing ozone in an ozone device with an ozone operating system, releasing ozone into a continuous positive airway pressure device; and, migrating ozone through a continuous positive airway pressure device. In yet another embodiment, a method of disinfecting a CPAP device with an ozone device by releasing ozone into a CPAP connector unit, distributing ozone into a water reservoir, migrating free ozone from the water reservoir to a hose, migrating the free ozone into a mask in a mask compartment; and, removing the ozone from the CPAP device through an exhaust port, is described. The method disclosed further includes a step of delaying the start of a CPAP treatment for a fixed period of time from the last ozone disinfecting process for the safety of the consumers. The step of delaying the start time may range from about 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on the embodiment implemented. In yet other embodiments the step of delaying the start time may range from about 5 hours to 10 hours. In addition the step of sensing remaining ozone in a CPAP device is an added step in one or more embodiments of the present invention for a consumer's safety prior to use. In addition, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, adding a safety switch in the mask compartment prevents starts of an ozone sanitizing process until the mask is returned by a user to the mask compartment. The safety switch is an additional precaution to prevent use of a CPAP device during an ozone disinfecting process.

(28) In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9, an improved CPAP face mask 960 and straps 962 are provided to maximize comfort of a patient during a CPAP procedure. In accordance with the embodiment, the straps 962 are cut on a bias to maintain elasticity and fluidity of the straps 962 as the strap rests along a user's head and face during a CPAP procedure.

(29) FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention, where a side view of a facemask straps 1062 are provided. In accordance with this embodiment, the straps 1062 are cut on a bias cut, to maximize the elastic comfort of the straps 1062 for a patient. In accordance with this embodiment, the straps 1062 is made of one or more material(s) that are lightweight, breathable, washable and disposable, for ease of use by a user.

(30) 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 modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.