Gregg D Keefe

US Patent:

55644155, Oct 15, 1996

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/472328

Inventors:

Darwin B. Dobson - Sun Prairie WI
Gregg D. Keefe - Boulder CO
Douglas R. Ogden - Arvada CO
Eugene P. Smith - Westminster CO

Assignee:

Lifecare International, Inc. - Westminster CO

International Classification:

A61M 1616

US Classification:

12820414

Abstract:

A sealing and retaining arrangement for a humidifier with separable top and bottom members and an attaching arrangement for rigidly connecting a ventilator or other respiratory device to the top of the humidifier in a predetermined, fixed position. The sealing and retaining arrangement is designed for use between separable top and bottom members of a humidifier. The top and bottom are made of relatively rigid material and have overlapping or telescoping portions with a flexible, resilient seal extending therebetween. The seal also serves to positively retain the top and bottom together while in use. The attaching arrangement is designed to rigidly connect the ventilator or other respiratory device to the top of the humidifier in a predetermined, fixed position. This is accomplished by rigidly coupling the air outlet of the ventilator directly to the air inlet of the humidifier without any intervening, flexible hose.

US Patent:

56621019, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Dec 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/568961

Inventors:

Douglas R. Ogden - Arvada CO
Joseph A. Abeyta - Arlington TX
Gregg D. Keefe - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Murrysville PA

International Classification:

A62B 1802

US Classification:

12820525

Abstract:

A facial mask assembly for covering at least the nose and nares of a patient's face and compensating for any unequal forces that may be generated in the straps holding the mask on the patient's face. The assembly includes a rigid, cup-shaped shell with a soft seal engaging and sealing against the patient's face. The shell is preferably secured or attached to the patient's head by an arrangement including a rigid plate mounted to the rigid shell and a harness. The harness extends about the back of the patient's head and preferably has side straps attached to the top of the rigid plate. The rigid plate is loosely mounted to the rigid shell at at least three locations and can move to compensate for any unequally applied forces that would otherwise tend to rock or cock the shell off the patient's face and create a gap or leak in the seal. The invention also includes a modified hose coupling that permits the rigid shell and the flexible hose connected to the respiratory device to rotate relative to each other about multiple axes.

US Patent:

56736878, Oct 7, 1997

Filed:

May 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653362

Inventors:

Darwin B. Dobson - Sun Prairie WI
Gregg D. Keefe - Boulder CO
Douglas R. Ogden - Arvada CO
Eugene P. Smith - Westminster CO

Assignee:

Respironics, Inc. - Murrysville PA

International Classification:

A61M 1616

US Classification:

12820414

Abstract:

A sealing and retaining arrangement for a humidifier with separable top and bottom members and an attaching arrangement for rigidly connecting a ventilator or other respiratory device to the top of the humidifier in a predetermined, fixed position. The sealing and retaining arrangement is designed for use between separable top and bottom members of a humidifier. The top and bottom are made of relatively rigid material and have overlapping or telescoping portions with a flexible, resilient seal extending therebetween. The seal also serves to positively retain the top and bottom together while in use. The attaching arrangement is designed to rigidly connect the ventilator or other respiratory device to the top of the humidifier in a predetermined, fixed position. This is accomplished by rigidly coupling the air outlet of the ventilator directly to the air inlet of the humidifier without any intervening, flexible hose.