English:
[0001] The present invention pertains to pressurized breathing gas systems, and, more particularly, to filters used in pressurized breathing gas systems, and a method for determining when replacement of said filters is necessary.
[0002] Many individuals suffer from disordered breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is a common example of such sleep disordered breathing suffered by millions of people throughout the world. It is known to deliver positive airway pressure (PAP) to treat a medical disorder, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or sleep apnea syndrome, in particular, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Known PAP therapies include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), wherein a constant positive pressure is provided to the airway of the patient in order to splint open the patient’s airway, and variable airway pressure, wherein the pressure provided to the airway of the patient is varied with the patient’s respiratory cycle.
[0003] Pressurized breathing gas therapies such as CPAP involve the placement of a patient interface device including a mask component on the face of a patient. The mask component may be, without limitation, a nasal mask that covers the patient's nose, a nasal cushion having nasal prongs that are received within the patient's nares, a nasal/oral mask that covers the nose and mouth, or a full face mask that covers the patient's face. The patient interface device interfaces the ventilator or pressure support device with the airway of the patient, so that a flow of breathing gas can be delivered from a pressure/flow generating device to the airway of the patient. It is known to maintain such devices on the face of a wearer by a headgear having one or more straps adapted to fit over/around the patient's head.
[0004] Air filters, specifically air inlet filters, are an important part of airway pressure support systems. Not only do they protect the inner workings of the device by preventing foreign matter from entering the unit, but they also protect the patient from airborne contaminants. In the current airway pressure support system market, air filters are typically die cut pieces of filter media that sit at the air inlet of the device.
[0005] There are two types of air filters that are commonly used in airway pressure support systems. The first type of filter, referred to as a coarse particle filter, is structured to trap and filter relatively large pieces of gross particulate matter from the air before it enters the airway pressure support system. The second type of filter, referred to as a fine particle filter, is designed to be employed in combination with a coarse particle filter and is structured to trap and filter smaller pieces of particulate matter and airborne contaminants that would not otherwise be filtered by the coarse particle filter. Use of a fine particle filter in an airway pressure support system is typically optional. Thus, in practice, an airway pressure support system may be used with a coarse particle filter alone or with a combination of a coarse particle filter and a fine particle filter. When used in combination, the course particle filter and fine particle filter are placed in series with one another.
[0006] Visually determining when a filter is saturated with particulate matter and needs to be replaced can be difficult. This is especially true if the filter is dark in color and the saturated media is not much different in contrast than the original, unused media. Even when the filter media is light in color, e.g. white, there may not be an obvious change in color of the media to indicate that it is time to change the filter.
[0007] There is thus a need for a mechanism for use with pressurized breathing gas systems which makes it readily apparent when a filter media needs to be changed.
[0008] Accordingly, one or more embodiments provide a filter assembly configured to facilitate ease in visually determining when a filter media for a pressurized breathing gas system needs to be changed, by using one section of the filter media to filter a flow of incoming air to the system and isolating another non-filtering section of the media from the flow of incoming air, such that a difference in the contaminant saturation level of the filtering section compared to the non-filtering section is apparent. In one embodiment, a filter assembly for filtering incoming air entering a pressurized breathing gas system includes a filter housing and a filter media. The filter media includes a filtering section and a non-filtering section. The filter housing is structured to be inserted within a pressure generating device used to generate a flow of pressurized air for delivery to an airway of a user of the pressurized breathing gas system. The filtering section is disposed within the filter housing. The non-filtering section is disposed outside of the filter housing. The filter housing comprises a filtering boundary structured to separate the non-filtering section from the filtering section such that the non-filtering section is isolated from the flow of incoming air. The filtering section and the non-filtering section are structured to be visually compared to one another such that a contaminant matter saturation level of the filter media can be determined.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method for filtering incoming air entering a pressurized breathing gas system includes: providing a filter assembly including a filter housing and a filter media, the filter media including a filtering section and a non-filtering section; disposing the filtering section within the filter housing and disposing the non-filtering section outside of the filter housing; inserting the filter assembly within a pressure generating device used with the pressurized breathing gas system; filtering contaminant matter from the flow of incoming air with the filtering section; separating the non-filtering section from the filtering section such that the non-filtering section is isolated from the flow of incoming air; and determining a contaminant matter saturation level of the filter media by visually comparing the filtering section to the non filtering section.
[0010] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting how a filter assembly is inserted into a pressure generating device for a pressurized breathing gas system according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept;
[0013] FIGS. 3A-G show plan, side, and perspective views of a filter assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept; and
[0014] FIGS. 4A-4E are illustrations of a filter assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept.
[0015] As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other.
[0016] As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
[0017] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of pressurized breathing gas system 1. Pressurized breathing gas system 1 includes a pressure generating device 2 for delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient 100 through a mask 3, which is typically worn by or otherwise attached to patient 100 to communicate the flow of breathing gas to the airway of patient 100. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, mask 3 is a nasal/oral mask. It will be appreciated, however, that mask 3 can be a nasal mask, a pillows style nasal cushion, a cradle style nasal cushion, a full face mask, or any other patient interface device that provides a suitable gas flow communicating function without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0019] Pressure generating device 2 includes a gas flow generator 4, such as a blower used in a conventional CPAP or bi-level pressure support device, which receives breathing gas, generally indicated by arrow C, from any suitable source, e.g., a pressurized tank of oxygen or air, the ambient atmosphere, or a combination thereof Gas flow generator 4 generates a flow of breathing gas, such as air, oxygen, or a mixture thereof, for delivery to an airway of patient 100 at relatively higher and lower pressures, i.e., generally equal to or above ambient atmospheric pressure. A filter assembly 401 (shown in FIGS. 3A-3E) is disposed within gas flow generator 4 near opening 5 of gas flow generator 4 such that breathing gas C can be filtered before delivery to the airway of patient 100. The pressurized flow of breathing gas, generally indicated by arrow D from gas flow generator 4, is delivered via a delivery conduit 6 to mask 3.
[0020] Pressurized breathing gas system 1 further includes flow sensor 7 that measures the flow of the breathing gas within delivery conduit 6. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, flow sensor 7 is interposed in line with delivery conduit 6, most preferably downstream of valve 8, which controls pressure. Flow sensor 7 generates a flow signal QMEASURED that is provided to controller 9 and is used by controller 9 to determine the rate of flow of gas at patient 100, referred to as QPATIENT. It will be appreciated that a pressure generating device 2 may employ other configurations of pressure control and flow sensing without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.
[0021] Controller 9 includes a processing unit, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller or some other suitable processing device, and a memory (that is provided as part of the processing unit or that is operatively coupled to the processing unit) that provides a tangible storage medium for data and software routines executable by the processing unit for controlling the operation of pressurized breathing gas system 1. Input/output unit 10 is provided for setting various parameters used by pressurized breathing gas system 1, as well as for displaying and outputting information and data to a user, such as a clinician or caregiver. It will be appreciated that input/output unit 9 may include physical buttons, turn knobs, or any other means for enabling a user to enter input into input/output unit 10 without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.
[0023] FIG. 3 A shows a left side view of filter assembly 401 and FIG. 3B shows a right side view of filter assembly 401. In one exemplary embodiment, protrusions 301 may be formed on filter housing 402 as a feature to facilitate the engagement of a secure fit of filter assembly 401 within slot 201. In this exemplary embodiment, slot 201 may be formed with depressions such that protrusions 301 would mate with the depressions when filter assembly 401 is inserted completely into slot 201. In another exemplary embodiment, a shelf 302 may be formed on a back side of filter housing 402 as a feature to facilitate the engagement of a secure fit of filter housing 402 within slot 201. In this exemplary embodiment, slot 201 may be formed with a notch such that shelf 302 would mate with the notch when filter assembly 401 is inserted completely into slot 201. In another exemplary embodiment, channels 303 may be formed on the sides of filter housing 402 as a feature to facilitate the engagement of a secure fit of filter assembly 401 within slot 201. In this exemplary embodiment, slot 201 may be formed with projections such that channels 303 would mate with the projections when filter assembly 401 is inserted completely into slot 201.
[0024] FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of filter assembly 401. In another exemplary embodiment, filter housing 402 may be formed with boundary extension 304 such that boundary extension 304 extends below the plane of filter 403. In this exemplary embodiment, slot 201 may be formed with a boundary groove such that boundary extension 304 would mate with the boundary groove when filter assembly 401 is inserted completely into slot 201. In another exemplary embodiment, enlargement 305 is formed on filter housing 402. In this exemplary embodiment, pressure generating device 2 would be formed with a depressed ring 202 around slot 201 such that enlargement 305 would mate with depressed ring 202 when filter assembly 401 is inserted completely into slot 201. FIG. 3D shows a plan view of the top side of filter assembly 401, FIG. 3E shows a plan view of the bottom side of filter assembly 401, FIG. 3F shows a front side view of filter assembly 401, and FIG. 3G shows a back side view of filter assembly 401. While FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A-G illustrate protrusions 301, shelf 302, channels 303, extension 304, enlargement 305, and depressed ring 202 as features for facilitating a secure fit of filter assembly 401 within slot 201, it will be appreciated that other features may be used to facilitate a secure fit of filter assembly 401 within slot 201 without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.
[0025] FIG. 4A is an illustration of a filter assembly 401 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept. Filter assembly 401 includes filter housing 402 and filter media 403. Filter media 403 is flexible, while also comprising a geometric plane. The dimensions and disposition of filter media 403 within filter housing 402 are such that a filtering section 404 of filter media 403 is disposed within filter housing 402 and a non-filtering section 405 of filter media 403 is disposed outside of filter housing 402. Filtering section 404 performs the function of filtering the flow of incoming air in pressure generating device 2 (breathing gas C shown in FIG. 1), while non-filtering section 405 is isolated from the flow of incoming air and does not perform the filtering function. Because non-filtering portion 405 of filter media 403 is isolated from the flow of incoming air, when filter assembly 401 is removed from slot 201, the contaminant saturation level of filtering section 404 is readily apparent when filtering section 404 is visually compared to non -filtering section 405. In addition to serving as a reference for the contaminant saturation level of filtering section 404, non-filtering portion 405 serves the purpose of acting as a pull tab that facilitates ease of removal of filter media 403 from filter housing 402. In one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept, a length 406 of non filtering portion 405 measures at least 1 cm long from an edge 407 of filter housing 402 to an edge 408 of non-filtering portion 405. In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept, the length 406 of non-filtering portion 405 is at least 20% of the overall length 409 of filter media 403 from edge 408 to an opposite edge 410. However, it will be appreciated that length 406 may be of any length that permits a user to effectively use non-filtering portion 405 as a pull tab for removing filter media 403 from filter housing 402 without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.
[0026] FIG. 4C illustrates an unused filter and shows no contrast between filtering section 404 and non-filtering section 405. FIG. 4D illustrates a mid-life filter and shows moderate contrast between filtering section 404 and non-filtering section 405. FIG. 4E illustrates an end-life filter and shows maximum contrast between filtering section 404 and non-filtering section 405. In an exemplary embodiment, filtering section 404 and non-filtering section 405 are separated by a seal to isolate non-filtering section 405 from the flow of incoming air, and said seal could be formed by over-molding filter housing 402 around filter media 403. It will be appreciated, however, that filter section 404 and non-filtering section 405 may be separated by other means to isolate non-filtering section 405 from the flow of incoming air without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.
[0027] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.
[0028] Although this description includes details for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment are contemplated to be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

中文:
[0001]本发明涉及加压呼吸气体系统,更具体地涉及用于加压呼吸气体系统中的过滤器,以及用于确定何时需要更换所述过滤器的方法。
[0002]许多个体在睡眠期间患有呼吸紊乱。睡眠呼吸暂停是全世界数百万人遭受的这种睡眠呼吸紊乱的常见实例。已知递送气道正压(PAP)以治疗医学紊乱,例如慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)或睡眠呼吸暂停综合征,特别是阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)。已知的PAP疗法包括持续气道正压(CPAP)和可变气道压力,其中持续气道正压被提供给患者的气道以便用夹板打开患者的气道,而在可变气道压力下,被提供给患者的气道的压力随着患者的呼吸周期而变化。
[0003]诸如CPAP的加压呼吸气体疗法涉及将包括面罩部件的患者接口设备放置在患者面部上。面罩部件可以是但不限于覆盖患者鼻子的鼻罩、具有容纳在患者鼻孔内的鼻塞的鼻垫、覆盖鼻子和嘴的鼻/口罩、或覆盖患者面部的全面罩。患者接口设备将呼吸机或压力支持设备与患者的气道对接,使得呼吸气体流可以从压力/流生成设备递送到患者的气道。已知的是,通过具有一个或多个适于套在患者头部上/围绕患者头部的带子的头盔将这种装置保持在佩戴者的面部上。
[0004]空气过滤器,特别是空气入口过滤器,是气道压力支持系统的重要部分。它们不仅通过防止异物进入装置来保护装置的内部工作,而且还保护患者免受空气传播的污染物。在当前的气道压力支持系统市场中,空气过滤器通常是位于装置的空气入口处的冲切的过滤介质片。
[0005]在气道压力支持系统中通常使用两种类型的空气过滤器。第一种类型的过滤器被称为粗颗粒过滤器,其被构造为在空气进入气道压力支持系统之前从空气中捕集并过滤相对较大的粗颗粒物质。被称为细颗粒过滤器的第二种类型的过滤器被设计成与粗颗粒过滤器结合使用,并且被构造为捕集和过滤不会被粗颗粒过滤器过滤的较小片的颗粒物质和空气传播的污染物。在气道压力支持系统中使用细颗粒过滤器通常是可选的。因此,在实践中,气道压力支持系统可以单独与粗颗粒过滤器一起使用,或者与粗颗粒过滤器和细颗粒过滤器的组合一起使用。当组合使用时,粗颗粒过滤器和细颗粒过滤器彼此串联放置。
[0006]视觉上确定过滤器何时被颗粒物质饱和并需要更换可能是困难的。如果过滤器的颜色是暗的,并且饱和介质与原始的、未使用的介质相比没有太大不同,则尤其如此。即使当过滤介质的颜色是浅色,例如白色时,介质的颜色也不会有明显的变化,以指示到了改变过滤器的时间。
[0007]因此,需要一种用于加压呼吸气体系统的机构,当需要更换过滤介质时,该机构是显而易见的。
[0008]因此,一个或多个实施例提供了一种过滤器组件,该过滤器组件被配置为通过使用该过滤介质的一个区段来过滤进入该系统的进入空气流并且将该介质的另一个非过滤部分与该进入空气流隔离,从而使得该过滤部分与非过滤部分相比的污染物饱和水平的差异是明显的,从而便于在视觉上确定何时需要更换用于加压呼吸气体系统的过滤介质。在一个实施例中,用于过滤进入加压呼吸气体系统的进入空气的过滤器组件包括过滤器壳体和过滤介质。过滤介质包括过滤部分和非过滤部分。该过滤器壳体被构造为插入在压力产生装置内,该压力产生装置用于产生加压空气流以递送到加压呼吸气体系统的使用者的气道。该过滤部分被布置在该过滤器壳体内。非过滤部分设置在过滤器壳体的外部。该过滤器壳体包括过滤边界,该过滤边界被构造为将该非过滤部分与该过滤部分分开,使得该非过滤部分与该进入空气流隔离。该过滤部分和该非过滤部分被构造为彼此在视觉上进行比较,使得该过滤介质的污染物饱和水平能够被确定。
[0009]在另一个实施例中,一种用于过滤进入加压呼吸气体系统的进入空气的方法包括:提供过滤器组件,该过滤器组件包括过滤器壳体和过滤介质,该过滤介质包括过滤部分和非过滤部分;将该过滤部分布置在该过滤器壳体内并且将该非过滤部分布置在该过滤器壳体外侧;将该过滤器组件插入与该加压呼吸气体系统一起使用的压力产生装置内;用过滤部分从所述进入空气流中过滤污染物;将该非过滤部分与该过滤部分分离,使得该非过滤部分与该进入空气流隔离;以及通过视觉比较该过滤部分与该非过滤部分来确定该过滤介质的污染物饱和水平。
[0010]本发明的这些和其它目的、特征和特性,以及结构的相关元件的操作方法和功能以及部件的组合和制造的经济性,将在参考附图考虑以下描述和所附权利要求时变得更加明显,所有附图形成本说明书的一部分,其中相同的附图标记在各个附图中表示相应的部件。然而,应当清楚地理解,附图仅用于说明和描述的目的,而不旨在作为对本发明的限制的定义。如在说明书和权利要求书中所使用的,单数形式的“一个”、“一种”和“该”包括复数指代,除非上下文另外清楚地指明。
[0012]图2是描绘如何将过滤器组件插入根据所公开概念的示例性实施例的用于加压呼吸气体系统的压力产生装置中的图示;
[0013]图3A-图3G示出了根据所公开概念的示例性实施例的过滤器组件的平面图、侧视图和透视图;以及
[0014]图4A-图4E是根据所公开概念的示例性实施例的过滤器组件的图示。
[0015]如本文所用,单数形式的“一个”、“一种”和“该”包括复数指代,除非上下文另有明确说明。如在此所使用的,两个或更多个部分或部件被“耦接”的表述将意味着这些部分被直接地或间接地(即,通过一个或多个中间部分或部件)连接或一起操作,只要发生链接。如这里所使用的,“直接耦接”意味着两个元件彼此直接接触。
[0016]如在此所使用的,词语“一体的”是指部件被创建为单件或单元。也就是说,包括分开制造然后作为单元连接在一起的零件的部件不是“一体的”部件或主体。如本文所用,两个或更多个部件或组件彼此“接合”的表述应意指所述部件直接或通过一个或多个中间部件或组件对彼此施加力。如本文所用,术语“数目”应意指一个或大于一个的整数(即,多个)。
[0017]这里使用的方向短语,例如但不限于,顶部、底部、左、右、上、下、前、后及其派生词,涉及附图中示出的元件的取向,并且不限制权利要求,除非在其中明确陈述。
[0018]图1示出了加压呼吸气体系统1的示意图。加压呼吸气体系统1包括用于通过面罩3将呼吸气体流递送到患者100的压力产生装置2,面罩3通常由患者100佩戴或以其它方式附接到患者100以将呼吸气体流传送到患者100的气道。在图1所示的示例性实施例中,面罩3是鼻/口面罩。然而,应当理解,面罩3可以是鼻罩、枕头式鼻垫、摇篮式鼻垫、全罩式面罩或任何其它提供合适的气流传送功能的患者接口设备,而不脱离本发明的范围。
[0019]压力产生装置2包括气流发生器4,例如在常规CPAP或双水平压力支持装置中使用的鼓风机,其从任何合适的源,例如氧气或空气的加压罐、环境大气或其组合接收呼吸气体,通常由箭头C指示。气流发生器4产生呼吸气体流,例如空气、氧气或其混合物,用于以相对较高和较低的压力,即通常等于或高于环境大气压力,递送到患者100的气道。过滤器组件401(在图3A-图3E中示出)被设置在气流发生器4内靠近气流发生器4的开口5,使得呼吸气体C可以在递送到患者100的气道之前被过滤。通常由箭头D表示的来自气流发生器4的加压呼吸气流通过递送导管6被递送到面罩3。
[0020]加压呼吸气体系统1还包括测量递送导管6内呼吸气体流量的流量传感器7。在图1所示的特定实施例中,流量传感器7与递送导管6成一直线地插入,最优选在阀8的下游,该阀控制压力。流量传感器7产生流量信号QMEASURED,该信号被提供给控制器9并由控制器9使用来确定患者100处的气体流速,称为QPATIENT。应当理解,压力产生装置2可以采用压力控制和流量感测的其它配置,而不脱离所公开概念的范围。
[0021]控制器9包括处理单元,例如微处理器、微控制器或一些其它合适的处理装置,以及存储器(其被提供为处理单元的一部分或可操作地耦合到处理单元),其提供用于可由处理单元执行的数据和软件例程的有形存储介质,用于控制加压呼吸气体系统1的操作。输入/输出单元10被提供用于设置加压呼吸气体系统1所使用的各种参数,以及用于向使用者(例如临床医生或护理者)显示和输出信息和数据。应当理解,输入/输出单元9可以包括物理按钮、旋钮或用于使使用者能够将输入输入到输入/输出单元10中的任何其他装置,而不脱离所公开概念的范围。
[0023]图3A示出了过滤器组件401的左侧视图,图3B示出了过滤器组件401的右侧视图。在一个示例性实施例中,突起301可以形成在过滤器壳体402上,作为促进过滤器组件401在槽201内的牢固配合的接合的特征。在该示例性实施例中,槽201可形成有凹陷(depression),使得当过滤器组件401完全插入槽201中时,突起301将与凹陷配合。在另一个示例性实施例中,支架302可以形成在过滤器壳体402的后侧上,作为促进过滤器壳体402在槽201内的牢固配合的接合的特征。在该示例性实施例中,槽201可形成有凹口(notch),使得当过滤器组件401完全插入槽201中时,搁架302将与凹口配合。在另一个示例性实施例中,通道303可以形成在过滤器壳体402的侧上,作为促进过滤器组件401在槽201内的牢固配合的接合的特征。在该示例性实施例中,槽201可形成有突出部,使得当过滤器组件401完全插入槽201中时,通道303将与突出部配合。
[0024]图3C示出了过滤器组件401的透视图。在另一个示例性实施例中,过滤器壳体402可以形成有边界延伸部304,使得边界延伸部304在过滤器403的平面下方延伸。在该示例性实施例中,槽201可形成有边界槽,使得当过滤器组件401完全插入槽201中时,边界延伸部304将与边界槽配合。在另一示例性实施例中,扩大部分305形成在过滤器壳体402上。在该示例性实施例中,压力产生装置2将形成有围绕槽201的凹陷环202,使得当过滤器组件401完全插入槽201中时,扩大部分305将与凹陷环202配合。图3D示出了过滤器组件401的顶侧的平面图,图3E示出了过滤器组件401的底侧的平面图,图3F示出了过滤器组件401的前侧视图,并且图3G示出了过滤器组件401的后侧视图。虽然图2和图3A-G示出了突出部301,搁板302,通道303,延伸部304,扩大部305和凹陷环202作为便于过滤器组件401在槽201内的牢固配合的特征,但是应当理解,在不脱离所公开概念的范围的情况下,可以使用其它特征来便于过滤器组件401在槽201内的牢固配合。
[0025]图4A是根据所公开概念的示例性实施例的过滤器组件401的图示。过滤器组件401包括过滤器壳体402和过滤介质403。过滤介质403是柔性的,同时还包括几何平面。过滤器壳体402内的过滤介质403的尺寸和布置使得过滤介质403的过滤部分404布置在过滤器壳体402内,而过滤介质403的非过滤部分405布置在过滤器壳体402的外部。过滤部分404执行过滤压力产生装置2中的进入空气流(图1中所示的呼吸气体C)的功能,而非过滤部分405与进入空气流隔离并且不执行过滤功能。因为过滤介质403的非过滤部分405与进入的空气流隔离,所以当从槽201移除过滤组件401时,当过滤部分404与非过滤部分405进行视觉比较时,过滤部分404的污染物饱和水平是显而易见的。除了用作过滤部分404的污染物饱和水平的参考之外,非过滤部分405还用作便于从过滤器壳体402移除过滤介质403的拉片。在所公开概念的一个示例性实施例中,非过滤部分405的长度406从过滤器壳体402的边缘407到非过滤部分405的边缘408测量为至少1cm长。在所公开概念的一个替代性示例性实施例中,非过滤部分405的长度406是从边缘408到相反边缘410的过滤介质403的总长度409的至少20%。然而,应当理解,长度406可以是允许使用者在不脱离所公开概念的范围的情况下有效地使用非过滤部分405作为用于从过滤器壳体402移除过滤介质403的拉片的任何长度。
[0026]图4C示出了未使用的滤波器,并且示出了滤波部分404和非滤波部分405之间没有对比度。图4D示出了中等寿命的过滤器,并且示出了过滤部分404和非过滤部分405之间的中等对比度。图4E示出了寿命终止过滤器,并且示出了过滤部分404和非过滤部分405之间的最大对比度。在一个示例性实施例中,过滤部分404和非过滤部分405由密封件分开以便将非过滤部分405与进入空气流隔离,并且所述密封件可以通过围绕过滤介质403包覆模制过滤器壳体402来形成。然而,应当理解,在不脱离所公开概念的范围的情况下,过滤部分404和非过滤部分405可以通过其它方式分开,以将非过滤部分405与进入空气流隔离。
[0027]在权利要求中,置于括号中的任何附图标记不应解释为限制权利要求。词语“包括”或“包含”不排除权利要求中所列出的元件或步骤之外的元件或步骤的存在。在列举了几个装置的设备权利要求中,这些装置中的几个可以由同一项硬件来实现。元件之前的词语“一”或“一个”不排除多个这种元件的存在。在列举了几个部件的任何设备权利要求中,这些部件中的几个可以由同一项硬件来实现。在相互不同的从属权利要求中叙述某些元件的事实并不表示这些元件不能组合使用。
[0028]尽管本说明书包括基于当前被认为是最实用和优选的实施例的用于说明目的的细节,但是应当理解,这样的细节仅用于该目的,并且本公开不限于所公开的实施例,而是相反,旨在覆盖落在所附权利要求的精神和范围内的修改和等同布置。例如,应当理解,在可能的程度上,任何实施例的一个或多个特征预期与任何其他实施例的一个或多个特征组合。