Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention may exist as a machine for continuous positive airway pressure, otherwise known as a “CPAP machine” in the art. The CPAP machine of the present invention may comprise a casing and plurality of working parts, the working parts including but not limited to a blower fan, one or more batteries, and a circuit board. All of the working parts may be housed within the casing, which allows the CPAP machine to exist as one compact unit that can be easily worn by a user without use of a hose, tube, external wire, or other component used to connect a component of a CPAP machine to the portion of a CPAP machine that is worn on, over, or in front of a user's face.
Claims
1. A CPAP machine comprising: a casing; and a plurality of working parts, said working parts comprising a blower fan, one or more batteries, and a circuit board, wherein the CPAP machine is worn over a user's nose and/or mouth so that the casing is located in front of the user's face when the CPAP machine is in use, and wherein all of the plurality of working parts are housed within the casing.
2. The CPAP machine of claim 1, further comprising a nasal pillow that rests against the user's nostrils and serves as an airway through which air flows into the user's nostrils when the CPAP machine is in use.
3. The CPAP machine of claim 1, further comprising a cheek bumper that rests against the user's cheeks when the CPAP machine is in use.
4. The CPAP machine of claim 1, further comprising a strap that secures the CPAP machine to the user's head.
5. The CPAP machine of claim 1, wherein the plurality of working parts further comprises a gyroscope.
6. The CPAP machine of claim 5, wherein the gyroscope is configured to send data to a user's device via a wireless connection.
7. The CPAP machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more batteries are rechargeable.
8. The CPAP machine of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is configured to send data to a user's device via a wireless connection.
9. The CPAP machine of claim 8, wherein the circuit board is configured to receive data sent from the user's device via the wireless connection.
10. A CPAP machine comprising: a casing; a strap; and a plurality of working parts, said working parts comprising a blower fan, one or more batteries, and a circuit board, wherein when the CPAP machine is in use, the casing rests against a user's face and is secured to the user's head by means of the strap, and wherein when the CPAP machine rests against the user's face the CPAP machine covers the user's nose and mouth, and wherein all of the plurality of working parts are housed within the casing.
11. The CPAP machine of claim 10, further comprising a nasal pillow that rests against the user's nostrils and serves as an airway through which air flows into a user's nostrils when the CPAP machine is in use.
12. The CPAP machine of claim 10, further comprising a cheek bumper that rests against the user's cheeks when the CPAP machine is in use.
13. The CPAP machine of claim 10, wherein the plurality of working parts further comprises a gyroscope.
14. The CPAP machine of claim 13, wherein the gyroscope is configured to send data to a user's device via a wireless connection.
15. The CPAP machine of claim 10, wherein the one or more batteries are rechargeable.
16. The CPAP machine of claim 10, wherein the circuit board is configured to send data to a user's device via a wireless connection.
17. The CPAP machine of claim 16, wherein the circuit board is configured to receive data sent from the user's device via the wireless connection.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0023] FIG. 3A is front view of a front portion of a casing for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0024] FIG. 3B is right side view of a front portion of a casing for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0025] FIG. 3C is back view of a front portion of a casing for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0026] FIG. 4A is front view of a back portion of a casing for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0027] FIG. 4B is right side view of a back portion of a casing for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0028] FIG. 4C is back view of a back portion of a casing for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0029] FIG. 5A is front view of a nasal pillow for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0030] FIG. 5B is a bottom view of a nasal pillow for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0031] FIG. 6A is a top view of a right cheek bumper for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0032] FIG. 6B is a front view of a right cheek bumper for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0033] FIG. 7A is a top view of a left cheek bumper for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0034] FIG. 7B is a front view of a left cheek bumper for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0035] FIG. 8A is a front view of a front rubber mount for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0036] FIG. 8B is a left side view of a front rubber mount for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0037] FIG. 8C is a back view of a front rubber mount for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0038] FIG. 9A is a front view of a back rubber mount for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0039] FIG. 9B is a left side view of a back rubber mount for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0040] FIG. 9C is a back view of a back rubber mount for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a front view of a strap for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a lens for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0043] FIG. 12A is front view of a rubber block for a hoseless CPAP machine.
[0044] FIG. 12B is side view of a rubber block for a hoseless CPAP machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] The description provided herein describes example embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to any particular embodiments or features. Likewise, the figures provided herein are for purpose of example, and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular features, size, shape, color, or any other functional or aesthetic property. It shall be noted that specific dimensions and dimensional ranges are mentioned throughout this description to describe the possible sizes of various components of the invention. Said dimensions and dimensional ranges describe example embodiments and are not necessarily indicative of the size of each and every possible embodiment of the invention. Dimensional ranges listed herein are intended to be inclusive. For example, a range stated as “4 mm to 9 mm” is intended to comprise both 4 mm and 9 mm.
[0046] The various dimensions of the components of the present invention mentioned herein are used to show that the present invention and its components may exist in a variety of shapes and sizes. Components with smaller dimensions may be applicable for a CPAP machine used by a user with smaller anatomical dimensions, whereas components with larger dimensions may be applicable for a CPAP machine used by a user with larger anatomical dimensions. Components may further be dimensioned appropriately to be used with CPAP machines that are shaped differently than shown in the figures provided herein.
[0047] FIG. 1 shows a hoseless CPAP machine 15, which comprises a casing 20, the casing 20 comprising a front portion 21 and a back portion 25. The front portion 21 of the casing 20 comprises a hole which is covered by an air grill 101. The hole covered by the air grill 101 may serve as the orifice through which ambient air enters the hoseless CPAP machine 15. A bevel 100 is situated over the air grill 101 and covers the edges of the air grill 101 that are in contact with front portion 21 of the casing 20. Connected to the casing 20 are a plurality of strap clips 86. Three strap clips 86 are show in the perspective view that is FIG. 1, though the invention may comprise one or more strap clips 86. Also connected to the casing 20 is a nasal pillow 30. The nasal pillow 30 may rest against or be partially inserted into a user's nostrils when the hoseless CPAP machine 15 is in use. Air may flow from the hoseless CPAP machine 15, through the nasal pillow 30, and into the user's nostrils when the hoseless CPAP machine 15 is in use. Also connected to the casing 20 as shown in FIG. 1 is a right cheek bumper 41, that may rest against a user's cheek when the hoseless CPAP machine 10 is in use.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the hoseless CPAP machine 15 from FIG. 1. The casing front portion 21, casing back portion 25, bevel 100, air grill 101, nasal pillow 30, right cheek bumper 41, and strap clips 86 from FIG. 1 are all shown in FIG. 2. Because of the view of FIG. 2, four strap clips 86 are shown. A strap 80 is also shown in FIG. 2. The strap clips 86 are removably attached to the casing 20 and serve to hold the strap 80 to the hoseless CPAP machine 15. The casing 20 houses a front rubber mount 72 and back rubber mount 71, that may be attached to form one rubber mount unit, also referred to herein simply as a “rubber mount.” The rubber mount houses a blower fan 102 which pulls ambient air from the environment, through the hoseless CPAP machine 15, and into one or more orifices of a user when the hoseless CPAP machine 15 is worn by a user. The rubber mount may serve to provide a means of attaching the blower fan 102 inside of the casing 20, as well as to provide a means for absorbing vibrations caused by the blower fan 102 so that said vibrations are not transferred to the casing 20 or other components of the hoseless CPAP machine 15.
[0049] Also shown in FIG. 2 are two batteries 107. The batteries are housed within the casing 20 and serve to power the blower fan 102 and other optional components of the hoseless CPAP machine 15 such as a gyroscope. The batteries 107 are electrically coupled to a circuit board 103. A power button 105 is also electrically coupled to the circuit board 103 and serves as a switch for the circuit so that a user may power the hoseless CPAP machine 15 on and off. The various other powered components of the invention such as the blower fan 102, gyroscope, humidifier, dehumidifier, and other sensors may also be electrically coupled to the circuit board 103. The batteries 107 are cushioned by a plurality of rubber blocks 110 that may be made of natural rubber or other rubber. Rubber may be used to cushion the batteries 107 rather than foam since foam can degrade over time. Degradation of components used to cushion batteries is an issue with other CPAP machines that exist in the art.
[0050] The circuit board 103 comprises an LED (not shown) that may display a plurality of colors as well as perform a plurality of blinking patterns. Said colors and blinking patterns may be used to communicate the state of the CPAP machine 15 to the user. A light tube adapter 104 is fitted over the LED, and one end of a light tube 106 is connected to the light tube adapter 104. Another end of the light tube 106 is connected to a lens 90 which is connected to the outside of the casing 20. This connection between the LED, light tube adapter 104, light tube 206, and lens 90 allows light from the LED to shine outside of the casing 20 in order to be viewed by the user, even when the circuit board 103 where the LED is located is within the casing 20 and away from the edge of the casing 20.
[0051] Not shown in FIG. 2 are the gyroscope and other optional powered components of the invention. The other optional powered components may include but are not limited to a thermometer to measure air temperature, a barometer to measure air pressure, a humidifier to increase the humidity of the air being inhaled by the user when the invention is in use, a dehumidifier to decrease the humidity of the air being inhaled by the user when the invention is in use, and a transmitter used to transmit wireless signals from the circuit board 103 to a user's device, such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.
[0052] FIG. 3A shows a front view of the front portion 21 of the casing without the air grill or bevel attached. The front portion 21 of the casing is shown with an overall length 22 of 88.04 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall length 22 may be anywhere within the range of 60 mm to 120 mm. FIG. 3B shows a right side view of the front portion 21 of the casing without the air grill or bevel attached. The front portion 21 of the casing is shown with an overall width 23 of 31.20 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 23 may be anywhere within the range of 10 mm to 50 mm. FIG. 3C shows a back view of the front portion 21 of the casing without the air grill or bevel attached. The front portion 21 of the casing is shown with an overall height 24 of 78.59 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall height 24 may be anywhere within the range of 60 mm to 120 mm.
[0053] FIG. 4A shows a front view of the back portion 25 of the casing. The back portion 25 of the casing is shown with an overall height 28 of 79.54 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall height 28 may be anywhere within the range of 60 mm to 120 mm. FIG. 4B shows a right side view of the back portion 25 of the casing. The back portion 25 of the casing is shown with an overall width 27 of 26.20 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 27 may be anywhere within the range of 10 mm to 50 mm. FIG. 4C shows a back view of the back portion 25 of the casing without the air grill or bevel attached. The back portion 25 of the casing is shown with an overall length 26 of 88.40 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall length 26 may be anywhere within the range of 60 mm to 120 mm.
[0054] FIG. 5A shows a front view of the nasal pillow 30 with an overall length 32 of 40.43 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall length 32 may be anywhere within the range of 10 mm to 60 mm. FIG. 5B shows a bottom view of the nasal pillow 30 with an overall width 33 of 23.90 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 33 may be anywhere in the range of 10 mm to 40 mm. The nasal pillow 30 may also come in various sizes as to allow the hoseless CPAP machine to be better adapted to different users' anatomies. In some embodiments, the nasal pillow 30 may come in a small size, a medium size that is larger than the small size, and a large size that is larger than the medium size.
[0055] FIG. 6A shows a top view of the right cheek bumper 41 with an overall width 44 of 32.47 mm and an overall length 43 of 37.45 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 44 and overall length 43 may each be anywhere within the range of 15 mm to 50 mm. FIG. 6B shows a front view of the right cheek bumper 41 with an overall height 45 of 52.27 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall height 45 may be anywhere in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm. The right cheek bumper 41 may also come in various sizes to allow the hoseless CPAP machine to be adaptable to different users' anatomies. In some embodiments, the right cheek bumper 41 may come in a small size, a medium size that is larger than the small size, and a large size that is larger than the medium size.
[0056] FIG. 7A shows a top view of the left cheek bumper 54 with an overall width 57 of 32.47 mm and an overall length 56 of 37.44 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 57 and overall length 56 may each be anywhere within the range of 15 mm to 50 mm. FIG. 7B shows a front view of the left cheek bumper 54 with an overall height 58 of 52.27 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall height 58 may be anywhere in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm. The left cheek bumper 54 may also come in various sizes to allow the hoseless CPAP machine to be adaptable to different users' anatomies. In some embodiments, the left cheek bumper 54 may come in a small size, a medium size that is larger than the small size, and a large size that is larger than the medium size.
[0057] The right cheek bumper and left cheek bumper may be removably or permanently attached to form one cheek bumper unit, also referred to herein as simply a “cheek bumper.” The cheek bumper and components thereof may come in a plurality of sizes and/or configurations to allow the hoseless CPAP machine to be adaptable to different users' anatomies. The right cheek bumper may rest against the user's right cheek when the invention is in use, and the left cheek bumper may rest against a user's left cheek when the invention is in use. The cheek bumper may create a seal against the user's cheeks so that air that passes through the hoseless CPAP machine does not escape around the side of the user's face.
[0058] FIG. 8A shows a front view of the front rubber mount 72, the front rubber mount comprising a hole 73. The hole 73 extends through the entire width of the front rubber mount 72 and may serve as a passageway through which air may travel from the environment and into the blower fan. The hole 73 is shown in FIG. 8A with a front radius 74 of 18.20 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this front radius 74 may be anywhere in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. The front rubber mount 72 is shown in FIG. 8A with an overall height 78 of 51.30 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall height 51.30 may be anywhere in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm. FIG. 8B shows a left side view of the front rubber mount 72 with an overall width 79 of 12.62 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 79 may be anywhere within the range of 5 mm to 25 mm.
[0059] FIG. 8C shows a back view of the front rubber mount 72. FIG. 8C also shown the hole 73 with a back radius 75 of 16.59 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this back radius 75 may be anywhere in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. When the front radius 74 is greater than the back radius 75, the front rubber mount 72 acts as a nozzle to increase the pressure of the air going through the front rubber mount 72 and to decrease the temperature of the air going through the front rubber mount 72. When the front radius 74 is less than the back radius 75, the front rubber mount 72 acts as a diffuser to decrease the pressure of the air going through the front rubber mount 72 and increase the temperature of the air going through the front rubber mount 72. Either may be preferable depending on the specific needs and preferences of the user.
[0060] FIG. 9A shows a front view of the back rubber mount 71 that may be attached to the front rubber mount 72 in order to create the rubber mount, which may be used to encase the blower fan 102. FIG. 9B shows a left side view of the back rubber mount 71 with an overall width 77 of 21.68 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 77 may be anywhere in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. FIG. 9C shows a back view of the back rubber mount 71 with an overall height 76 of 49.70 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall height 76 may be anywhere in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm. The back rubber mount 71 in FIGS. 9A-9B is not shown with a hole similar to the hole 73 of the front rubber mount 72. In these embodiments, air is moved from the blower fan 102 to the user's nostrils via the nasal pillow 30. In other embodiments of the invention, the back rubber mount 71 may comprise a hole so that air may flow from the blower fan to the user's mouth.
[0061] FIG. 10 shows a front view of the strap 80, which comprises 4 arms 83. The arms of the strap may be fitted through the strap clips 86 in order to secure the strap to the hoseless CPAP machine 15. The rest of the strap is then placed around the back of the user's head in order to secure the hoseless CPAP machine 15 to the user's face. The strap 80 in FIG. 10 is shown with an overall length 81 of 670 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall length 81 may be anywhere within the range of 500 mm to 750 mm. Furthermore, the strap 80 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone so that the strap 80 may stretch to an overall length 81 greater than 750 mm. The strap 80 in FIG. 10 is shown with an overall width 82 of 200 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall width 82 may be anywhere within the range of 50 mm to 350 mm. Furthermore, the elastic properties of some embodiments of the strap 80 may allow the strap 80 to stretch to an overall width 82 greater than 350 mm. The arms 83 of the strap 80 are shown in FIG. 10 with thicknesses 84 of 18 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, the thicknesses 84 of the arms 83 may be anywhere within the range of 10 mm to 30 mm. Furthermore, the elastic properties of some embodiments of the strap 80 may allow the arms 83 to expand to overall thicknesses 84 greater than 30 mm.
[0062] FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of the lens 90 with a center hole 91 and 2 peripheral holes 93. The peripheral holes 93 are used to attach the lens 90 to the casing 20. The center hole 91 is used to accept the light tube 106 so that light from the LED of the circuit board 103 can be seen from outside of the casing 20.
[0063] FIG. 12A shows a front view of one of the rubber blocks 110 with an overall length 111 of 10 mm and an overall width 112 of 10 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this overall length 111 and overall width 112 may each be anywhere within the range of 5 mm to 15 mm. Furthermore, this overall length 111 and overall width 112 may be equal in some embodiments of the invention, but are not always equal in all embodiments of the invention. FIG. 12B shows the rubber block 110 with a thickness 113 of 3.18 mm. In other embodiments of the invention, this thickness 113 may be anywhere within the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
