High flow therapy with built-in oxygen concentrator

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated and humidified mixture of oxygen and air are provided. The apparatus includes an air compressor and oxygen concentrator enclosed in the housing of a vapor transfer system. The air compressor supplies air at a first pressure to a gas inlet. The oxygen concentrator provides oxygen at a second pressure to the gas inlet. The oxygen concentrator and the air compressor are in fluid communication and are configured such that the first pressure of the compressed air and the second pressure of the oxygen are about equal. The apparatus includes a vapor transfer system having a gas passage, a liquid passage having heated liquid and vapor, and a membrane that separates the gas passage and liquid passage. The membrane is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for achieving a heated and humidified air-oxygen mixture for delivery to a patient, the method comprising:
 passing air from an air compressor at a first pressure to the gas inlet;   passing oxygen from an oxygen concentrator at a second pressure to the gas inlet;   mixing the air and the oxygen at the gas inlet, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are about equal; and   passing the mixed air and oxygen through a vapor transfer system.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are about equal within 10%. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are about equal within 5%. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are about 6-11 psi. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein passing the mixed air and oxygen through a vapor transfer system further comprising heating and humidifying the mixed air and oxygen. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 passing the heated and humidified mixed air and oxygen through a gas outlet to a first elongated lumen and a second elongated lumen, wherein the first elongated lumen is coupled to a first end of a nasal cannula and the second elongated lumen is coupled to a second end of a nasal cannula, wherein a first flow of gas from the first elongated lumen and a second flow of gas from the second elongated lumen are directed through a first and second nasal prong.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first flow of gas through the first elongated lumen and the second flow of gas through the second elongated lumen are not in fluid communication throughout the nasal cannula. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first flow of gas through the first elongated lumen and the second flow of gas through the second elongated lumen are in fluid communication at the first and second nasal prong. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the nasal cannula defines a constant diameter flow path. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein an inner diameter of the first elongated lumen and an inner diameter of the second elongated lumen are about equal to ¼″. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the flow rate through the first elongated lumen and the second elongated lumen is 40 lpm or greater. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first elongated lumen and the second elongated lumen each has a length of about 1.8 meters and wherein the first elongated lumen and the second elongated lumen each provides a gas from the gas outlet at a range of flow rates of about 5-40 lpm. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first elongated lumen and the second elongated lumen each has a length of about 10 m. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first elongated lumen and the second elongated lumen provide a gas from the gas outlet at a range of flow rates of about 0.25-10 lpm. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first and second flow of gas maintain a temperature within +/−5 degrees Celsius from a set temperature across a range of flow rates from 5 lpm to 40 lpm. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the heated and humidified mixed air and oxygen exits the gas outlet with a humidity within the range of 26-56 mg/L. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the vapor transfer system further has a membrane which is comprised of a plurality of hollow fiber tubes. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the vapor transfer system further has a gas passage and a liquid passage, wherein the gas passage is enveloped by the liquid passage. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the vapor transfer system further has a gas passage and a liquid passage, wherein the liquid passage is enveloped by the gas passage. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus operates at a sound level of about 55 dB or lower.