Patent Publication Number: US-2021190086-A1

Title: Patient ventilation device including blower with divided air outlet channels

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/773,300, filed Jan. 27, 2020, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/334,350, filed Oct. 26, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,578,118, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/503,490, filed Apr. 23, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,512.856, which is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/066498 filed 20 Oct. 2010 which designated the U.S. and claims priority to EP Patent Application No. 09174494.6 filed 29 Oct. 2009, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     The invention relates to a patient ventilation or breathing device and components therefore for use in all forms of respiratory apparatus ventilation systems including invasive and non-invasive ventilation, positive airway pressure therapy, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and particularly Bi-Level therapy and treatment for sleep disordered breathing (SDB) conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and for various other respiratory disorders and diseases. The invention particularly relates to a blower, to a blade, to a gasket, to a cable, to an impeller, to a gas inlet and inlet member, to an improved air path or fluid flow path and components thereof, and/or to a modular ventilation or breathing device as referred to above and particularly incorporating one or more of the other aspects of the invention. 
     Respiratory disorders and diseases such as sleep disordered breathing (SDB) conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) etc. are known and various therapies for treating patients suffering of such disorders or diseases have been developed. Therapies for treating such disorders and diseases include, invasive and non-invasive ventilation, positive airway pressure therapy, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Bi-Level therapy and treatment. 
     For example, Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was invented by Sullivan (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310). An apparatus for treating, e.g., OSA typically comprises a blower that provides a supply of air or breathable gas to a patient interface, such as a mask, via an air delivery conduit. 
     Such therapy is generally applied for many hours and even up to 24 hours per day while the night time is a preferred application period. Thus, patients typically sleep while wearing the device. It is therefore desirable to have a system which is quiet and comfortable. In addition, it is desirable to have a system which is effective and reliable and which allows a fast reaction on changing patient parameters. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a system which is easy to manufacture, assemble and maintain. Also, it is desirable to provide a system which is more flexible as regards its modes and way of use. In order to improve the patients&#39; mobility it is furthermore desirable to provide a flexible and mobile breathing device. 
     Patient ventilation or breathing devices for application of such therapies are known in the art. Although many improvements have been made in the recent years known systems still suffer from slow response times, high weight and large dimensions, a complex structure, as well as from high power consumption. 
     Such devices, i.a., generally comprise blowers or air pumps for delivering air to the patient at a (or differing) required pressure(s). Blowers are typically classified as centrifugal, axial or mixed flow. Generally, blowers comprise two main parts: a rotating part, namely an impeller and shaft; and a stationary part that defines a fluid flow path, typically a chamber such as a volute. Rotation of the impeller imparts kinetic energy to the air. The stationary part redirects the air expelled from the impeller into an enclosed outlet passage. During this redirection, resistance is encountered to flow because of the pressure generated by downstream resistance or a downstream pressure source. As the flow is slowed against this resistance, a portion of the kinetic energy is converted to potential energy in the form of pressure. 
     Generally, the faster the impeller is rotated, the higher the pressure that will be developed. A less effective blower generally will have to rotate its impeller faster to generate the same pressure as a more effective blower. Generally, running a given blower slower makes it quieter and prolongs its life time. Needless to say, there are further influences on a blowers effectiveness such as, e.g., size and weight distribution. Hence, it is generally desirable to make blowers more effective at generating a supply of air at positive pressure. In addition, it is a general desire to make blowers more quiet. Moreover, there is the need of providing a system, particularly a blower which has good acceleration properties and allows good response characteristics, particularly for providing alternating pressures, and simultaneously achieves a high flow and pressure output. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . derived from prior art discussion in WO-A-2007/134405, three directions of a blower are defined, i.e., radial R, tangential T and axial A. Prior art centrifugal blower  10  includes an outlet  20 , an inlet  30 , an electric motor  40 , an impeller  50  and a shaft  60 . Arrows  70  indicate the general direction of airflow. Air enters the blower at the inlet  30  and is accelerated by the rotating impeller. The rotation imparted by the impeller generally directs the airflow in a tangential direction T. The volute then constrains the airflow to spiral the volute. The airflow then exits the blower in a generally tangential direction T via the outlet  20 . 
     In some blowers, such as axially developed volute blowers, the volute geometry directs the tangential spiraling airflow in a slight axial direction A prior to exiting the blower in a generally tangential direction T. 
     The performance of a blower is often described using fan curves, which show the flow rate of air versus outlet pressure of air. Many factors affect the fan curve including impeller diameter and the number and shape of the impeller blades. The design process is a complex balance between competing priorities such as desired pressure, flow rate, size, reliability, manufacturability and noise. While many combinations of size, shape and configuration of components may produce a flow of pressurized air, such a result may be far from optimal, or be impractical. 
     A disadvantage of prior art blowers is they tend to suffer from noise emission. It has been observed that beside the acoustic noise there is also noise on the flow signal which may lead to difficulties or even errors in proper detection of the flow signal and thus to disadvantageous settings of the breathing device. 
     Although many attempts have been made in the art in order to improve blowers, there remains the need for an improved, simple, reliable, safe, effective and efficient blower which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     In addition and in combination with the general design of the blower as referred to above, the design of the impeller has huge impact on the overall functionality, noise and effectiveness of the blower. Thus, there is the need for an improved, simple, reliable, safe, quiet, effective and efficient impeller which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     In addition and in combination with the general design of the blower and/or the impeller as referred to above, the design and arrangement of the fluid flow path, along which the breathable gas is directed, and its components in a ventilation or breathing device and of the components of the ventilation or breathing device has huge impact on the overall functionality, noise and effectiveness of the ventilation or breathing device. This particularly applies for devices or therapies where additional gases, such as oxygen, are to be added to the flow of breathing gas. In this context, it is an additional aim to provide a safe and reliable provision of oxygen in order to reduce the risk of fire should sparking occur within the apparatus. Thus, there is the need for the provision of an improved, simple, safe, reliable, effective and efficient fluid flow path and its components. 
     For example, WO-A-2007/004898 relates to a breathing assistance apparatus including a manifold that is provided with or retrofittable to gas supply and humidifying devices. The manifold allows gases from an oxygen concentrator to be combined with the flow through a gases supply and humidifying device, most usually air. The combined output of oxygen and other breathing gases (air) is then humidified. With this breathing assistance apparatus and manifold oxygen is added to the input air stream of a gases supply via an oxygen inlet port extending from the side of the manifold and its ambient air inlet aperture. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,883 discusses an oxygen mixing arrangement for or in a pressure support ventilator, in which a modular oxygen-providing assembly is selectively insertable into a greater respiration apparatus. A valving arrangement and metering for supplying the oxygen is used which is added downstream from a valving arrangement used for venting patient exhaust flow and for controlling system pressure by venting excess gas flow to the ambient atmosphere. 
     These known devices still do not allow a safe, easy and reliable mixing of e.g. oxygen with the breathing gas flow. 
     WO-A-2008102216 relates to a gas supply unit for supplying pressurised gas to a patient, wherein it comprises: a pneumatic housing for supplying a flow of gas to the patient; a control housing ( 20 ) for controlling the flow of gas to be supplied to the patient; and a power supply housing ( 30 ) for supplying power to the unit ( 1 ). The three housings are distinct from one another and are designed for being removably coupled together to form a single unit. 
     The known concepts and designs of fluid flow paths and breathing devices still need further improvement, particularly as regards ease of manufacture, maintenance, functionality and/or safety. 
     In summary, there is the need for an improved patient ventilation or breathing device and its components which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, there is the need for a reliable, safe, easy to manufacture, quiet, efficient and effective device and its components which is flexible and easy to handle and to maintain. 
     It is an object underlying the present invention to provide an improved patient ventilation or breathing device as well as improved components for a patient ventilation or breathing device, particularly with regard to the disadvantages of the prior art and the needs referred to above. 
     These and further objects, as are apparent from the above discussions of the prior art and its drawbacks as well as from the below discussion of the invention and its advantages, are fulfilled by the combination of features of the independent claims (and aspects as discussed below) while the dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments and aspects of the present invention. 
     The invention relates to a patient ventilation or breathing device and components therefore for use in all forms of respiratory apparatus ventilation systems including invasive and non-invasive ventilation, positive airway pressure therapy, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), and particularly Bi-Level therapy and treatment for sleep disordered breathing (SDB) conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), and for various other respiratory disorders and diseases. The invention particularly relates to a blower and to a blade for use with and/or in combination with such blower. The invention alternatively or additionally relates to an impeller, particularly for use with blowers as referred to above and particularly for use with a blower according to the present invention. The present invention alternatively or additionally relates to an improved air path or fluid flow path and components thereof and therefore for use in ventilation or breathing devices as referred to above and particularly for use with a blower and/or impeller according to the present invention. Alternatively or additionally, the invention relates to a modular ventilation or breathing device as referred to above and particularly incorporating a blower, impeller and/or flow path according to the present invention. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention relates to a gasket and a cable to be used in ventilation or breathing devices as referred to above and particularly for use with the further aspects of the present invention. Alternatively or additionally, the invention also relates to a gas inlet and inlet member to be used in ventilation or breathing devices as referred to above and particularly for use with one or more of the further aspects of the invention such as the blower, impeller, gasket, modular ventilation or breathing device, and/or cable according to the present invention. Additionally, the present invention relates to patient ventilation or breathing devices incorporating the above inventions. 
     An aspect of the invention is directed to a blower or air pump for quietly and effectively providing a supply of air at positive pressure. Such blower is preferably a blower for a patient ventilation or breathing device, particularly for use in treatment of respiratory diseases or disorders as discussed in the introductory portion of the present invention as well as for use with the further aspects of the present invention. Such blower comprises a stationary part which may be a housing and, more particularly, may take the form of a volute. The blower further comprises a rotating portion to be coupled to a drive means, preferably an electric motor. 
     The blower furthermore comprises an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet may be axially arranged, wherein the air outlet may be tangentially arranged. The air outlet is split into at least two channels, preferably two channels which may be parallel. Preferably, the air outlet is of substantially radial cross-sectional shape wherein the outlet may be split such that, .e.g, each of the two channels has a semi-circular cross-section. Alternatively, each of, e.g., four channels may have the cross section of a quadrant. The split of the air outlet is achieved by means of at least one blade dividing the outlet into the at least two, preferably parallel, channels. The blade, which forms part of the stationary portion, preferably extends parallel to the direction of the air flow through the outlet and/or to the longitudinal axis of the air outlet. The blade preferably extends in a plane defined by two axes, one being generally parallel and one being generally perpendicular to the axis of the volute. Preferably, the air inlet is defined as a cylinder or tube like inlet member extending from the interior of the blower. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, air enters the blower at the inlet and is accelerated by the rotating impeller. The rotation imparted by the impeller generally directs the air flow radially outwards in a tangential direction T. The volute then constrains the air flow to spiral the volute. The air flow then exits the blower in a generally tangential direction T via the split outlet. 
     Preferably, the outlet channel and the channels achieved by the split of said channel by means of the blade according to the invention, respectively, include a turn of the flow path about preferably an angle between about 70° to 110° and preferably of about 90°. Preferably, the turn is such that the turn of the flow path in the outlet channel is such that the air exits the outlet channel in a direction parallel to the axial direction, preferably parallel to the air inlet and preferably in the contrary direction to the air inlet. In other words, the air preferably enters the blower in one direction and exits the blower in the opposite direction. 
     In this embodiment, the blade preferably extends along the turn of the flow path in the outlet and preferably comprises two portions, each having a longitudinal axis, wherein these longitudinal axes enclose an angle lying in the plane of the blade and corresponding to the angle of the turn of the blower outlet. Preferably, said angle lies in the range of about 70° to 110° and preferably is about 90°. 
     Preferably, the blade is formed integral with the blower housing or at least one part thereof such as with the volute or one part of its housing, e.g., by means of plastic injection moulding. Preferably, the material of the blower is a biocompatible plastic of low flammability. However, it will be appreciated that other ways of manufacture and other materials may be applied. 
     The present invention alternatively and additionally relates to a blade for use with a, preferably radial, blower for providing supply of positive pressure, and preferably with a blower according to the present invention. The blade is adapted to fit into an air outlet of the blower and to split the outlet into at least two, preferably parallel, channels. According to a preferred embodiment, the blade preferably extends along the whole length of the outlet channel. Preferably, the blade comprises at least two portions or sections, each having a longitudinal axis extending in the plane of the blade, wherein the two longitudinal axes are inclined vis-à-vis one another in the plane of the blade and include an angle of about 70° to 110°, preferably of about 90°. Preferably, the blade is L-shaped. The blade according to the present invention is preferably made of the same material as (the stationary part of) the blower. Such blade preferably corresponds to the blower&#39;s blade referred to above apart from being integrally formed with a part of a blower housing. 
     The blower according to the present invention is advantageous and particularly has reduced noise emission. This has been proven by comparative tests between identical blowers under identical operating conditions with and without a blade according to the present invention. At the same time, the flow and pressure of the air flow pumped by the blower is not negatively impaired by the present invention. Preferred forms and features of the blower or blade, as referred to above relate to additional improvements vis-à-vis blowers without a blade. The solution according to the present invention is simple, reliable, and easy to manufacture. 
     In one form of the invention suitable for respiratory devices the blower comprises at least one impeller preferred embodiments of which will be discussed further below. 
     In one form, the blower has one stage, in other forms of the invention, the blower has more than one stage. In forms of the invention where multiple stages are used along an axis, the motor may be positioned in the centre and similar numbers of impellers may be positioned on either side of the motor along the axis. 
     Preferably, a motor is provided on the blower side axially opposite to the axially arranged inlet opening. 
     An additional and/or alternative aspect of the present invention relates to an impeller, particularly for use with blowers for use in medical devices and particularly for use in all forms of respiratory apparatus ventilation systems as referred to in the introductory portion of the present invention and particularly for use with the blower and/or the further aspects of the present invention. 
     The impeller preferably comprises a plurality of vanes extending from a disk-like shroud. The shroud, located downwardly or away from the air inlet in the direction of air flow, preferably has a generally disk-like shape. 
     The shroud preferably has a wavy or saw tooth shaped outer circumference in an axial or bottom view wherein the outer diameter of the shroud varies between a maximum outer diameter and a minimum outer diameter. Preferably, the maximum outer diameter is reached in a vicinity of the outer tips of the vanes while the minimum outer diameter is reached between two adjacent vanes, preferably between each pair of adjacent vanes. 
     The vanes extend, preferably vertically, from the shroud and are preferably formed integrally with the shroud. The impeller has an axis of rotation and is preferably of general rotational symmetry with regard to said axis. 
     Preferably, the vanes are radially arranged and extend from an inner diameter to an outer diameter. Preferably, the vanes have a substantially uniform height from their starting point at their inner diameter close to the impeller&#39;s axis of rotation until a first intermediate diameter; and a decreasing height from said first intermediate diameter towards their end at an outer diameter, the first intermediate diameter lying between the inner and outer diameters. Preferably, the blades are substantially straight from their starting point at their inner diameter close to the impeller&#39;s axis of rotation until a second intermediate diameter; and are curved from said second intermediate diameter towards their end at the outer diameter, the second intermediate diameter lying between the inner and outer diameters. Preferably, the second intermediate diameter preferably lies between the first intermediate diameter and the outer diameter. Alternatively, the second intermediate diameter preferably lies between the inner diameter and the first intermediate diameter or equals the first intermediate diameter. The curvature can be either positive or negative while it is preferably that the curvature is negative, i.e., away from the direction of rotation. 
     The geometry of the increase in height is preferably aligned with the geometry of the housing or stationary part and preferably corresponds thereto. 
     The impeller according to the present invention preferably has an inertia or moment of inertia of below about 3.2 g cm 2  and preferably of below about 2.5 g cm 2 . Preferably the moment of inertia lies in a range between about 1.2 and 3.2 g cm 2  and preferably between about 1.2 and 2.5 g cm 2  and preferably is about 2.2 g cm 2 . 
     The impeller according to the present invention is preferably made of plastic, preferably O 2  resistant plastic and/or preferably unfilled plastic material. 
     The impeller according to the present invention is advantageous and particularly has reduced noise emission, a large pressure delivery for a given motor speed, allows supply of a given pressure at a relatively low motor speed, and has a fast response time. Furthermore, the impeller according to the present invention preferably provides a rigid impeller with comparatively low inertia. The impeller according to the present invention is particularly suitable for high-speed rotation, e.g. of about 50 k r/min The impeller is particularly quiet, high efficient, allows fast motor acceleration to respond to the patient needs and exhibits very low stress at high speed. This particularly enables it to cycle between high and low speeds for ventilation and VPAP/BiPAP with very low risk of fatigue failure due to low alternating stress level. 
     The present invention additionally and alternatively relates to a gasket and an air path for use in ventilation or breathing devices as referred to above and particularly for use with a blower, impeller and/or the further aspects of the present invention. 
     The gasket according to the present invention is, i.a., adapted to sealingly separate a high pressure area of a ventilation and breathing device from a low or ambient pressure area. The gasket preferably furthermore allows an advantageous arrangement of different areas and/or components of a blower and particularly of the blower, the flow path and/or muffling chamber(s). 
     The gasket preferably has a core of a comparatively hard material, when compared to an outer material of the gasket, and preferably a core being made of aluminium. Said core is provided with one or more structural elements, particularly for allowing air to be pumped from a low pressure area to a high pressure area by means of, e.g., a blower, preferably a blower according to the present invention. The gasket in accordance with the present invention is furthermore preferably provided with structural elements which are suitable for providing a suspension to a blower, for sealingly connecting the gasket to a first and/or second part of a housing defining an air path. 
     Said gasket is provided with a skin or coating of elastic plastic material. Said material is comparatively softer than the core of the gasket and preferably is silicone. Silicone is particularly preferred since it enhances O 2  resistance, is biocompatible and has advanced dampening and sealing characteristics. Preferably, substantially the entire core of the gasket is provided or coated with such skin. In this context, ‘substantially’ is understood to mean more than 80% and preferably more than 90% and further preferred more than 95% and up to 100% of the core&#39;s surface area. In particular, depending on the way of coating, certain portions of the core may remain uncoated. This is particularly the case if the core is held or supported by support means during coating so that no coating or skin will be applied at the contact portions between support member and core. 
     Such gasket is preferably advantageous in that it allows a sealing separation of a high pressure and low pressure area and defining at least two compartments in the ventilation and breathing device. Preferably, the gasket is adapted to sealingly contact a first part of a housing which is provided with two chambers being open to one side of said first housing part wherein both chambers open towards the same side of the first housing part. One of said chambers defines a high pressure area and the second chamber defines a low pressure area, the first part of the housing and thus each chamber of the housing sealingly contacting one side of the gasket. In addition, the gasket of the present invention provides support and suspension for a blower to be mounted to the gasket. Here, the gasket inherently provides parts, preferably substantial parts of the required fastening, supporting and dampening means for such blower. Thus, the blower, and its motor, can be mounted to the gasket on one side thereof wherein the core of a relatively hard material provides a supporting structure while the elastic plastic skin of the gasket is adapted to provide connection and support means which particularly allow a sealed and dampened connection between gasket and blower. 
     At the same time, the blower and motor is advantageously positioned so that air can be sucked in or ventilated from the low pressure chamber through the gasket into the blower and then, at elevated pressure, to the high pressure area. Preferably, the high pressure area or chamber and the low pressure area or chamber are provided next to one another in a first part of a housing and are both sealingly closed at one of their sides by means of the gasket. 
     The gasket according to the present invention preferably has flat or substantially planar extensions while it is understood that the gasket is not exactly planar but provided with various structural elements, such as lips, rims, flanges, or elevations, for sealing connection with one or more parts of a housing, for positioning said housing and/or for supporting, dampening and positioning of parts attached to the gasket, e.g., the blower. Preferably, the gasket is adapted to sealingly close two housing parts, preferably each located at one side of the gasket. The first part of the housing preferably defines or is separated into a high pressure compartment and a low pressure compartment. The second part of the housing preferably also comprises two chambers or compartments one of which houses and supports the blower while the second one provides a path for the pressurised air be lead from the high pressure chamber defined in the first part of the housing through the gasket and towards the outlet of the device, e.g., into a hose directing the pressurized air to a patient. The first and second chambers defined by the first part of the housing and the gasket are preferably filled with a dampening or muffling material and are preferably foam filled and even more preferably silicone foam filled. 
     The air path is thus preferably defined by the gasket and at least one part of a housing, preferably two parts, being in sealing contact with the gasket. 
     In order to allow circulation of air from the low pressure chamber into the blower, which is located on the other side of the gasket vis-à-vis such low pressure chamber, and then from the blower into the high pressure chamber, which is again located on the other side of the gasket vis-à-vis the blower and then preferably back to the other side of the gasket into an pressurized air leading path, the gasket preferably comprises three, and preferably at least three, openings to allow air to flow from one side of the gasket to the other. 
     In the region of at least one, preferably two, of such holes the skin of the gasket provides combined sealing and connection means, particularly for sealingly supporting and dampening the blower. The sealing and connection means is preferably adapted as an opening rim, preferably ring-shaped, into or through which a part of the blower, preferably the inlet and/or outlet channel, can be pushed. The rim then sealingly connects to the blower. Preferably, the rim is supported on or to the core of the gasket by means of a suspension and/or dampening structure, such as a bellow, which is also formed by the skin or coating. While it is understood that the provision of one gasket with one planar core is preferred, there may alternatively be provided e.g. two or more separate cores and/or core(s) which may extend in different planes. 
     The gasket according to the present invention provides various combined and improved functionalities such as support of the housing parts and/or the blower, dampening of the housing parts and/or the blower, sealing different parts of the housings, such as the different pressure areas, and muffling. At the same time the gasket preferably is, particularly due to the silicone skin and its structural arrangement, of increased O 2  safety, being non-aging and allowing improved connection of, e.g., the housing and the blower as well as positioning thereof. In particular, the gasket according to the present invention significantly improves the design, size and arrangement of the air path and its components and supports and improves the ease and quality of assembly. 
     Particularly by the provision of the improved functionalities in accordance with the gasket of the present invention there is provided a structure reducing leakage along the air path, which assists in reduction of number of the parts and improves the quality and time required for assembly and which assists an improved size and modularity of the ventilation device. In particular, the gasket according to the present invention allows a separation of the air path from other parts of the ventilation or breathing device, such as from the electronics, thereby increasing hygiene and safety. Moreover, the gasket according to the present invention allows the provision of a separable and exchangeable air path, particularly of a small air path including few components and allowing an improved air flow with good noise reduction. 
     The gasket according to the present invention thus allows an arrangement in which a, preferably sensorless, blower unit is arranged outside the air path, improving hygene and safety and additionally leading to a reduction of costs, parts, required space etc. 
     The present invention additionally and alternatively relates to a cable to be used in ventilation or breathing devices as referred to above and particularly for use with a blower, impeller, gasket and/or the further aspects of the present invention. 
     The improved, preferably self-sealing, cable according to the present invention comprises a silicone coating. Preferably, there are provided two or more, preferably four or more, and even more preferred six or more metal wires, preferably stranded wires or litz wires. These metal wires are located next to one another, preferably generally in one plane or in a circular or oval arrangement while being distanced from one another. These wires are provided with one silicone coating which is directly applied to the wire, i.e., with no intermediate sheath or the like between the wire and the silicone coating. 
     The self-sealing cable according to the present invention is of particular advantage in that it provides electronic insulation of the different metal wires vis-à-vis one another and the surrounding, exhibits an improved O 2  safety and can be clamped between two parts in a self-sealing manner In other words, the self-sealing cable according to the present invention can extend through the contact region between, e.g., two housing parts connected to one another and can extend from an inner side of such housing to an outer side thereof in a sealed manner without the need for any additional sealing material and the like. The self-sealing cable according to the present invention is in sealing contact with the parts, here the parts of a housing, between which it extends without the need of any particular additional sealing means or the like. The silicone coating preferably has a certain minimum thickness, e.g., of at least 0.5 mm measured along the shortest distance from the outer circumference or surface of the cable to one of the wires. 
     Such cable is preferably adapted for use with a blower and preferably with the blower according to the present invention and allows power supply, control and the like of said blower. Even more preferred, the self-sealing cable according to the present invention is used in combination with the gasket according to the present invention and preferably also the blower according to the present invention so that the blower can be located in the air path while the cable extends from the motor inside the air path to the outside of this air path in a self-sealing manner, thereby increasing the freedom of construction, ease of manufacture and assembly and the like. Although not specifically required, certain dimensions of contact regions for leading the self-sealing cable according to the present invention in a sealing manner through the contact region of two contacting parts may be of further advantage. In particular, a predefined gap between the two parts is provided with the general shape of and slightly smaller dimensions than the cable. 
     The invention additionally and alternatively relates to an inlet member including an inlet filter for ventilation or breathing devices as referred to above and particularly for use with a blower, impeller, gasket and/or the further aspects of the present invention. According to a preferred embodiment, the inlet member forms part of the air path as described above. 
     Such inlet member preferably comprises an inlet housing comprising at least a first part and a second part. Preferably, the housing additionally comprises a third part. The inlet member housing comprises an air inlet, preferably provided in and/or between two of the first part and/or the second part of the housing as well as an air outlet, preferably comprised in the second and/or third part of the housing. The inlet member further comprises an inlet or filter path extending from the air inlet to the air outlet. Preferably, the filter path constitutes part of the air path of a ventilation or breathing device and/or the air outlet of the filter is adapted to release filtered air into a ventilation or breathing device and its air path, respectively. The inlet member comprises an inlet filter for filtering the air flowing along the inlet path. The inlet member and the inlet filter, respectively, are preferably located at the low pressure side of a ventilation or breathing device. The air inlet allows ambient air to enter the inlet member and the filter and is not limited to one individual opening. Rather, the air inlet may comprise a plurality of separate openings to the ambience such as slots and/or holes. 
     Preferably, the inlet member comprises, in addition to the air inlet, an additional or second inlet, e.g., for the provision of oxygen. Such second inlet is preferably provided in or by the second part of the inlet housing and is accessible from the outside via a corresponding opening or cut out provided in the first part of the inlet housing. According to a preferred embodiment, the second inlet is provided as a separate part, connectable to one of the inlet housing parts, preferably the second inlet housing part, which separate part preferably extends to the second outlet to be described in more detail below. 
     The filter element is preferably arranged inside the inlet housing and more preferred between the air inlet and the air outlet of the filter. Alternatively, the filter element may also constitute or cover the air inlet. The filter element extends along the whole cross section of the air inlet path such that all air flowing through the air inlet member flows through the filter element. 
     Said filter element comprises a frame as well as a filter material connected to the frame. The filter frame is preferably partly overmoulded with a soft material, of e.g. about 70 Shore A, for improving handling and enhancing sealing of the filter frame in the inlet filter path. Preferably, the filter frame is provided with a sealing lip. The filter element and thus its frame and filter material, preferably generally extend in one or at least one plane. The filter frame is preferably biased. Preferably, it has a slight radius resulting in a tension when assembled in a substantially plane position, thereby improving the proper sealing of the filter element in the inlet flow path. Preferably, the filter element comprises a cut-out, recess or opening, particular for allowing the extension of the additional or second inlet or the corresponding second inlet path past the filter element, without the gas or oxygen provided via the second inlet having to flow through the filter. 
     The second or oxygen inlet path, which preferably has a channel like configuration, extends from the second or oxygen inlet, preferably forming part of the second part of the inlet housing or being a separate part attached thereto, along the filter element to the outlet provided in or at the second part of the housing. The oxygen inlet path is thus preferably part of the second part of the inlet housing. Preferably, the inlet path protrudes from the second part of the inlet housing and extends up to or through the first part of the inlet housing. Preferably, the first part of the inlet housing is provided with an opening or recess for allowing or facilitating accessibility of the oxygen inlet. The oxygen inlet is preferably provided with a connection means for connecting an oxygen supply. 
     Preferably, the second part of the inlet housing comprises at least one outlet, preferably at least a first outlet and a second outlet. The first outlet is in fluid connection with the first (air) inlet and thus the inlet air flow. The second outlet is in fluid communication with the second (e.g. oxygen) inlet and thus the oxygen flow. Preferably, the first and second outlets are coaxially arranged. Preferably, the second outlet has a circular cross section while the first outlet has a ring shaped cross-section or geometry. Preferably, with regard to the direction of the air and/or oxygen flow, the second or oxygen outlet is set back with regard to the first or air outlet. Preferably, the second outlet is located upstream of the first outlet seen in the direction of air/oxygen flow, preferably immediately, i.e., less than 5 mm, upstream. 
     The first and second outlet are preferably provided in the second part of the housing. The air outlet and the oxygen outlet, are preferably arranged such that an air flow through the air inlet and through the filter is mixed with the oxygen supplied through the second or oxygen inlet, preferably due to the arrangement of the air and oxygen outlets as referred to above. 
     The air outlet and, if provided, also the oxygen outlet preferably lead to or open into an inlet chamber provided by, behind, and/or in the second part of the housing. Such inlet chamber preferably constitutes an inlet muffling chamber and/or a fluid flow path and/or a mixing chamber for properly mixing the air flow with the oxygen flow. According to a preferred embodiment, such muffling chamber is defined and/or closed by a third inlet housing part. 
     The inlet member is of particular advantage and allows the filtering of the air as well as the mixture of air and oxygen close to the air inlet and at the low pressure side of a ventilation or breathing device. Therefore, the provision of specifically pressurized oxygen or an individual adaption of the oxygen pressure to the breathing pressure becomes obsolete. Both, air and oxygen, preferably in a mixed form, can thus be supplied to the patient at optimized therapy pressure. Preferably, the inlet member of the breathing device functions as a muffler thus decoupling and dampening the noise emitted from the breathing device and the blower towards the inlet side. Thus, the inlet member according to the present invention additionally exhibits advantageous sound dampening properties and particularly reduces the overall noise of a ventilation or breathing device. 
     The housing of the inlet member preferably comprises structural elements for connection and securing the inlet member to a or inside a breathing or ventilation device. According to a preferred embodiment, the first inlet housing part particularly serves the purpose of protecting the inlet filter or the filter element from damages, for dampening noise, for securing the filter, and/or for aligning the visible exterior design of the inlet member with the ventilation device housing and appearance of a ventilation device to which the inlet member is to be connected. 
     The inlet member particularly allows an easy and safe inlet member handling. In particular, the filter element can be easyly handled and replaced, e.g., by the patient, a nurse or a service team member and is easy to ship and store. The inlet member according to the present invention furthermore reduces and preferably avoids bypass flow and serves a pre-muffler/silencer while allowing an optimized pressure decoupling between the delivery pressure to the patient and the oxygen supplied pressure. The inlet filter preferably seals the air inlet path so that all incoming air is filtered. Preferably the inlet filter is a dust and/or pollen filter. 
     The invention additionally and alternatively relates to a modular ventilation or breathing device as referred to above and particularly for use with a blower, impeller, gasket, air path and/or inlet member according to the present invention. 
     The respiration or ventilation device according to the present invention is preferably of an advantageous modular structure and comprises a housing module, preferably provided with operator input and display means. Additionally, there is provided an electric module, preferably comprising a skeleton carrier for carrying, i.a., a control unit and further electronics required, and for providing structural support as well as for allowing defined positioning of the modules and parts of the ventilation device. The ventilation device further comprises an air path module comprising an air path housing, comprising an air path inlet and an air path outlet, in which a blower is located. Preferably, the air path is the air path according to the present invention, wherein the air path housing comprises two parts each of which is sealingly connected to one side of the gasket according to the present invention while the gasket and/or the air path housing carries a blower including a motor, preferably the blower according to the present invention. 
     Preferably, the air path module includes an inlet member, preferably the inlet member in accordance with the present invention and/or a patient connector. 
     The electric module is preferably further adapted to be connected to and support the housing of the ventilation device as well as to support and/or position the air path module. In addition, the skeleton carrier and/or the electric module is preferably adapted for and comprises means for allowing a proper alignment and positioning of the different parts and modules of the ventilation device such as the parts of the housing module and/or the air path element. The electric module preferably comprises the power supply, battery or accumulator pack, control unit and/or a display unit. 
     In particular, as has become clear from the above discussion of the gasket and the air path, the blower and its motor is/are simply plugged or laid into the air path housing with out the need for any screws or additional fastening members. Rather, the necessary suspension elements are provided integrally with air path module and the housing module. All that needs to be provided are silicone cushions for dampening the blower and motor in the housing. In addition, the device is adapted such that the electric module is simply laid onto the air path element without the use of further screws or other additional fastening means. 
     Once the inlet member and/or a patient connector is connected to the air path element, such as by plugging one into the other, preferably via a plug-in connector and/or flow sensor connector, and the air path is laid into the lower part of the housing module, and the electric module is placed over it, the combined electric module, the air path module including the inlet member, which are connected to one another without the use of screws or additional separate fastening means, the upper part of the housing is placed over them. Then the, preferably two, parts of the housing module are screwed to one another, thereby simultaneously fixing and securing the position of the different modules (air path module, electric module and housing module). 
     This configuration particularly allows an easy and advantageous way of manufacturing of the ventilation device as well as of its assembly. A reduced number of parts can be provided which are individually manufactured, prepared and mounted. These modules can then be easily assembled to constitute the ventilation device according to the present invention. Preferably, only a reduced number of fastening means such as screws, needs to be applied since the modular design of the ventilation device allows advantageous simultaneous fastening of the different modules. The device of the present invention is therefore of particular advantage since it allows an easy and fast assembly as well as disassembly and thus an improved maintenance or repair. Individual components can be easily replaced. Particularly all components being in contact with air inhaled or exhaled by a patient can be easily replaced. 
     The modular ventilation device of the present invention is also of particular advantage from the point of cleanliness and/or security. In particular, the device according to the present invention allows a clear separation between air path, including eventual oxygen supply, and electronics and/or housing. No part of the device housing constitutes part of the flow path. Not part of the electric or electronics and thus no circuit board or electric part lies in the air path. Preferably, the only sensor to be provided in the air path is the flow sensor which is preferably located between inlet member and flow path housing. Thus, preferably no dust and/or lint is lead to the electronics together with the air flow. Preferably, the patient is not exposed to the danger of inhaling smoke of burning of electronic parts. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for supplying air at positive pressure to a patient for treatment including providing air to a blower of the invention, pressurizing said air and supplying the air at positive pressure to a patient. Preferably, said method is used for providing a therapy as discussed in the introductory part of the application, such as a Bi-PAP therapy. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of one or more of the aspects of the invention in the application of such method or therapy. Another aspect of the invention relates to the assembly of a modular patient ventilation device according to the present invention. 
     The ventilation device of the present invention is of particular advantage, as becomes clear from the overall discussion of advantages and benefits of the different aspects of the invention. In particular, there is provided an effective and efficient ventilation device which allows the provision of an optimized, fast therapy at reduced power consumption. Thus, the device can suitably be used with a battery pack—instead of being dependent on the generally power supply. 
     Additional and/or alternative preferred aspects of the present invention relate to the following items:
     1. A blower for providing a supply of air at positive pressure having a stationary portion and a rotating portion, an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the air outlet is split into at least two, preferably parallel, channels.   2. Blower according to item 1, wherein the stationary portion is a housing, preferably having the shape of a volute, and preferably forming part of the flow channel   3. Blower according to item 1 or 2, wherein the rotating portion is an impeller.   4. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the rotating portion is coupled to a drive means, preferably an electric motor.   5. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the air inlet is generally axially arranged with regard to the axis of rotation of the rotating portion.   6. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the air outlet is tangentially arranged with regard to the axis of rotation of the rotating portion.   7. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the air outlet is of substantially radial cross sectional shape and/or is preferably split such that each of the two channels has a semi-circular cross-section.   8. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the air outlet directs the air flow generally tangentially out of the volute.   9. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the air outlet has at least a or a first portion being arranged substantially tangentially with regard to a radius around the axis of rotation of the rotating means.   10. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the air outlet has at least a or a second portion extending generally parallel to the axis of the air inlet.   11. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the split of the air outlet is achieved by means of at least one blade dividing the outlet into at least two, preferably parallel, channels.   12. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the blade forms part of the stationary portion and extends parallel to the direction of the air flow through the outlet and/or to the longitudinal axis of the air outlet.   13. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the blade extends in a plane defined by two axes, one being generally parallel and one being generally perpendicular to the axis of the stationary portion and/or of the axis of rotation of the rotating portion.   14. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the blower is a radial blower.   15. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the outlet channel and/or the channels achieved by the split of said outlet channel and/or the blade include a turn of the flow path of about 70° to 110°, preferably of about 90°.   16. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the blade is L-shaped   17. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the blade is formed integral with at least a part of the stationary portion, preferably of the blower housing or preferably of the volute   18. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the outlet channel and/or the blade is arranged and located such that it extends from the volute and/or in or into the outlet channel from a starting point lying on a tangent to a radius around the axis of rotation of the rotating part of the blower   19. Blower according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the outlet channel and/or the blade is arranged and located such that it extends from the volute and/or in or into the outlet channel from a starting point lying on the inner radius of the volute or housing.   20. Blade for use with a, preferably radial, blower for providing a supply of air at positive pressure, particularly according to any one of items 1 to 19, the blade being adapted to fit into an air outlet of the blower and to split the outlet into at least two, preferably parallel channels.   21. Impeller for use in a blower for providing a supply of air at positive pressure, particularly a blower according to any one of items 1 to 19, the impeller having an intertia of less than about 3.2 g cm 2 , preferably of about 2.5 g cm 2 .   22. Impeller according to item 21, wherein the moment of inertia lies in a range between about 1.2 and 3.2 g cm 2  and preferably between about 1.2 and 2.5 g cm 2  and preferably is about 2.2 g cm 2 .   23. Impeller for use in a blower for providing a supply of air at positive pressure, particularly a blower according to any one of items 1 to 19, and particularly an impeller according to item 21 or 22, the impeller comprising a plurality of vanes extending from a shroud, wherein the shroud has a substantially wavy shaped outer circumference.   24. Impeller according to item 23, wherein the wavy shaped outer diameter extends between a minimum diameter Dmin and a maximum diameter Dmax, wherein the minimum diameter Dmin is in the range of about 24 to 32 mm, preferably about 28 mm, and wherein the maximum diameter Dmax is in the range of about 38 to 46 mm, preferably about 42 mm, and/or wherein the difference between the minimum and maximum diameter is about 4 to 22 mm, preferably about 10 to 18 mm   25. Impeller according to item 23 or 24, wherein the maximum outer diameter is reached in a vicinity of the outer tips of the vanes and/or wherein the minimum outer diameter is reached between two adjacent vanes, preferably between each pair of adjacent vanes.   26. Impeller according to any one of items 23, 24 or 25, wherein the vanes have a portion with constant height and a portion of varying height   27. Impeller according to any one of items 23 to 26, wherein the vanes have a substantially uniform height from their starting point at their inner diameter until a first intermediate diameter; and a decreasing height from said first intermediate diameter towards their end at their outer diameter, the first intermediate diameter lying between the inner and outer diameters.   28. Impeller according to any one of items 23 to 27, wherein the blades are substantially straight from their starting point at their inner diameter until a second intermediate diameter; and are curved from said second intermediate diameter towards their end at their outer diameter, the second intermediate diameter lying between the inner and outer diameters.   29. Impeller according to any one of items 23 to 28, wherein a second intermediate diameter of the vanes preferably lies between a first intermediate diameter and the outer diameter.   30. Impeller according to any one of items 23 to 29, wherein the vanes are curved, the curvature preferably being negative, i.e., away from the direction of rotation.   31. Gasket for use in a breathing or ventilation device for providing a supply of air at positive pressure and for sealingly separating different areas of a flow path, preferably high pressure areas of a ventilation and breathing device from low or ambient pressure areas, the gasket comprising a core of a comparatively hard material and an outer layer being of a comparatively soft material as compared to the core.   32. Gasket according to item 31, wherein the core is made of aluminium and/or wherein the outer layer is made of silicone, said outer layer covering substantially the entire gasket.   33. Gasket according to any one of items 31 to 32, wherein the core and/or the outer layer is/are provided with one or more structural elements, particularly for allowing sealing contact, positioning, suspension and/or dampening of a blower and/or a housing defining an air path.   34. Gasket according to any one of items 31 to 33, wherein the gasket is of substantially planar shape.   35. Gasket according to any one of items 31 to 34, wherein the gasket has two sides, a first side for sealingly contacting and closing a first part of a housing and a second side for sealingly contacting and closing a second part of a housing thereby defining different areas or compartments such as high pressure areas and low pressure areas.   36. Gasket according to any one of items 31 to 35, wherein the gasket comprises at least two and preferably at least three, also preferred three, openings or holes for allowing an air flow to be directed from one side of the gasket to its other side.   37. Gasket according to any one of items 31 to 36, wherein the gasket comprises openings or holes being provided with support structures, established by the outer layer.   38. Flow path for a breathing or ventilation device for providing a supply of air at positive pressure, the flow path comprising first flow path housing part having an air outlet and being in sealing contact with a first side of a gasket according to any one of items 31 to 37 and a second flow path housing part having an air inlet and being in sealing contact with a second side of said gasket.   39. The flow path according to item 38, further comprising a blower, preferably according to any one of items 1 to 19, being supported by said gasket and being located inside the first housing part.   40. The flow path according to any one of items 38 or 39, the first flow path housing having a generally cup like structure, preferably being separated into at least two chambers by a separation wall, wherein the gasket sealingly closes the cup like structure and preferably each of the at least two chambers and/or the second flow path housing having a generally cup like structure, preferably being separated into at least two chambers by a separation wall, wherein the gasket sealingly closes the cup like structure and preferably each of the at least two chambers.   41. The flow path according to any one of items 38 to 40, the blower and its motor being supported in the flow path on one end of the motor by means of the first flow path housing and on the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet of the blower by means of the gasket, preferably by support structures provided at the openings for allowing air to flow form one side of the gasket to the other side.   42. The flow path according to any one of items 38 to 41, wherein the flow path is arranged such that breathable gas flowing along the flow path crosses the gasket at least twice and preferably three times, preferably by flowing through at least two and preferably three openings or holes provided in the gasket.   43. Self sealing cable, particularly for use with a blower, impeller, gasket or air path according to any one of items 1 to 42, the cable comprising a plurality of metal wires, the cables being provided with one silicone coating only.   44. Cable according to item 43, the wires being stranded wires or litz wires.   45. Cable according to item 43 or 44, comprising at least three, preferably five or more wires.   46. Cable according to any one of items 43 to 45, the silicone coating serving as a coating for each individual wire, as positioning means for each wire vis-à-vis its neighbouring wires, and as self sealing skin allowing the cable to be sealingly clamped between two components, preferably without the need for additional sealing material.   47. Cable according to any one of items 43 to 46, wherein the silicone coating has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, preferably of at least 0.6 mm and preferably of at least about 0.7 mm, measured along the shortest distance from the outer surface of the cable to one of the wires.   48. Inlet member for a ventilation or breathing device, comprising a first inlet for receiving a first fluid flow, preferably an ambient air flow, and a second inlet for receiving a second fluid flow, preferably an oxygen flow, the inlet member defining a first and second fluid flow path and comprising a first and second outlet, respectively, the first outlet being of a ring like shape, the second outlet being arranged coaxially to the first inlet and/or being surrounded by the generally ring shaped first outlet.   49. Inlet member according to item 48, comprising a housing having at least one inlet housing part being provided with the first fluid flow path outlet and the second fluid flow path outlet.   50. Inlet member according to item 48 or 58, comprising a filter element extending over the whole cross section of the first fluid flow path.   51. Inlet member according to item 48, 49 or 50, having a/the filter element comprising a frame and a filter material, which has a generally planar extension and generally extends in at least one planewherein the filter frame preferably defines and surrounds the at least one a plane in which the filter material extends.   52. Inlet member according to any one of items 50 to 51, wherein the filter frame is at least partly overmoulded with a material being softer than the material of the filter frame.   53. Inlet member according to any one of items 50 to 52, wherein the filter frame is provided with handling members and/or a sealing structure such as a sealing lip, preferably made of a soft material according to item 53.   54. Inlet member according to any one of items 50 to 53, wherein the filter frame is biased and preferably has a slight radius resulting in a tension when assembled in a substantially plane position which supports proper sealing of the filter element in the inlet flow path.   55. Inlet member according to any one of item 48 to 54, comprising an inlet housing comprising at least a first part and a second part and preferably a third part, wherein the inlet member housing comprises an air inlet, preferably provided in and/or between two of the first part and/or the second part of the housing as well as an air outlet, preferably comprised in the second and/or third part of the housing.   56. Inlet member according to any one of item 48 to 55, wherein the second inlet and the associated second fluid flow path is provided in or by the second part of the inlet housing and is accessible from the outside via a corresponding opening or cut out provided in the first part of the inlet housing.   57. Inlet member according to any one of item 48 to 55, wherein the second inlet and the associated second fluid flow path is provided as a separate part, connectable to one of the inlet housing parts, preferably the second inlet housing part, which separate part preferably extends to and is in fluid connection with the second outlet.   58. Inlet member according to any one of item 48 to 57, having at least one inlet housing part being defining at least a second inlet chamber forming part of a first and second inlet flow channel, the second inlet chamber being arranged downstream, seen in direction of the fluid flow, of the first and second outlets and providing a combined fluid flow path for the fluid flow through the first and the fluid flow through the second opening.   59. Inlet member according to any one of items 48 to 58, having at least one inlet housing part being defining at least a second inlet chamber forming part of a first and second inlet flow channel, the second inlet chamber being covered by a third inlet housing part or lid comprising an outlet of the inlet member.   60. Inlet member according to any one of items 48 to 59, provided with at least one inlet chamber being filled with a muffling material, preferably silicone foam.   61. Inlet member according to any one of items 48 to 59, constituting a first inlet flow path from first inlet  612  through filter  620  into a first inlet chamber  622  and through outlet  632  into a second inlet or muffling chamber  624  until outlet  612  and/or a second inlet flow path from second inlet  618  through channel  662  through second outlet  632  into second inlet or muffling chamber  624  until outlet  612 . wherein the first and second inlet flow paths are joined as from the first  630  and second  632  outlet, respectively, and/or as from second inlet or muffling chamber  624 .   62. Modular ventilation, comprising a housing module, an electric module and an air path module.   63. Modular ventilation device according to item 62, the air path module comprising the flow path according to any one of items 38 to 42, preferably including the inlet member of any one of items 48 to 61 connected thereto.   64. Modular ventilation device according to item 62 or 63, the electric member comprising a skeleton carrier providing structural support and positioning aid for the air path module and the housing module.   65. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 64, the housing module comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, connected to one another by means of at least two, preferably at least three and more preferably five fastening screws, wherein the modules are arranged such that the fastening screws simultaneously fasten the first and second housing parts of the housing module, the electric module and/or the air path module with regard to one another.   66. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 65, wherein the air path module is laid into the housing module without the need of further fixation and is fastened between one of the two parts of the housing and the electric member upon connecting the first and second housing part to one another.   67. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 66, wherein the suspension elements required for positioning, supporting and/or dampening the air path module are provided integrally with air path module and/or the housing module, respectively.   68. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 67, wherein the inlet member and/or a patient connector is connected to the air path element, such as by plugging one into the other, preferably via a plug-in connector and/or flow sensor connector.   69. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 68, wherein the air path module is laid into the lower part of the housing module, and the electric module is placed over it, such that the combined electric module, the air path module including the inlet member, are connected to one another without the use of screws or additional separate fastening means.   70. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 69, wherein the, preferably two, parts of the housing module are screwed to one another, thereby simultaneously fixing and securing the position of the different modules, such as the air path module, electric module and housing module.   71. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 70, wherein no part of the device outer housing or housing module constitutes part of the flow path.   72. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 71, wherein no part of the electric or electronics and thus no circuit board or electric part lies in the air path.   73. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 72, wherein the only sensors to be provided in the air path are provided outside the flow path member, e.g. the flow sensor which is preferably located between inlet member and flow path member and the pressure sensor which is preferably located between the patient connector and the flow path member.   74. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 62 to 73, further comprising a fan, preferably placed on the lower part of the housing module.   75. Modular ventilation device according to item 74, wherein the fan is at least partly located over a corresponding opening or air inlet provided in the lower part.   76. Modular ventilation device according to item 74 or 75, wherein the fan is supported, preferably clamped, in the device between the lower part and the electric module.   77. Modular ventilation device according to any one of items 74, 75 or 76, wherein the fan preferably comprises an elastic, preferably silicone, jacket or sheath extending around at least part of the, preferably rigid, fan housing.   78. Combination of a blower according to any one of items 1 to 19 with a blade according to item 20, with an impeller according to any one of items 21 to 30, with a gasket according to any one of items 31 to 37, with a flow path according to any one of items 38 to 42, with a cable according to any one of items 43 to 47, with an inlet member according to any one of items 48 to 61, and/or with a modular ventilation or breathing device according to any one of items 62 to 77.   79. Method for supplying air at positive pressure to a patient for treatment including providing air to a blower of the invention, pressurizing said air and supplying the air at positive pressure to a patient, preferably for applying a Bi-PAP therapy, using a blade according to item 20, and/or an impeller according to any one of items 21 to 30, and/or a gasket according to any one of items 31 to 37, and/or a flow path according to any one of items 38 to 42, and/or a cable according to any one of items 43 to 47, and(or an inlet member according to any one of items 48 to 61, and/or a modular ventilation or breathing device according to any one of items 62 to 77 and/or a combination according to item 78.   80. Use of one or more of the items of the invention, such as a blade according to item 20, an impeller according to any one of items 21 to 30, and/or a gasket according to any one of items 31 to 37, and/or a flow path according to any one of items 38 to 42, and/or a cable according to any one of items 43 to 47, and/or an inlet member according to any one of items 48 to 61, and/or a modular ventilation or breathing device according to any one of items 62 to 77 and/or a combination according to item 78 in the application of a method or therapy according to item 79.   81. Assembly of a modular patient ventilation device according to one of items 62 to 77.   

     Other aspects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of this invention. 
    
    
     
       The invention will further be discussed by exemplary reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a generic prior art blower assembly; 
         FIG. 2  shows an elevation view of the generic prior art blower assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a three dimensional front view of a ventilation device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a three dimensional back view of the ventilation device shown in  FIG. 3   
         FIG. 5  shows a three dimensional top view of the ventilation device shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a three dimensional top view of a preferred blower according to the present invention including a motor attached to the blower; 
         FIGS. 7  shows a three dimensional side view of the blower according to  FIG. 6  (motor not shown) facing the outlet channel of the blower; 
         FIG. 8  shows a three dimensional view of a first part of the blower housing of the blower of  FIG. 6  from the inside of the blower; 
         FIG. 9  shows a three dimensional view of a second part of the blower housing of the blower of  FIG. 6  from the inside of the blower; 
         FIG. 10  shows an exploded three dimensional view of the blower shown in  FIGS. 6 to 9 ; 
         FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    show a three dimensional top view ( FIG. 11 a   ), a side view ( FIG. 11 b   ), of a preferred impeller according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12 a  and 12 b    show a three dimensional partly cross sectional side view along line A-A of  FIG. 11 a    ( FIG. 12 a   ) and a bottom view ( FIG. 12 b   ) of the impeller according to  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13 a -13 c    show a first ( FIG. 13 a   ) a second ( FIG. 13 b   ) and a third ( FIG. 13 c   ) three dimensional side view of a core of a gasket according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 14 a -14 c    show three dimensional side views ( FIGS. 14 a -14 c   ) of a coated core corresponding to the views of the gasket core shown in  FIGS. 13 a   - 13   c;    
         FIGS. 15 a -15 c    show different three dimensional views ( FIGS. 15 a , 15 b , 15 c   ) of core  400  in combination with a blower, preferably a blower in accordance with the present invention, and with fluid flow part members; 
         FIG. 16 a -16 c    show three dimensional views corresponding to those of  FIGS. 15 a , 15 b  and 15 c    wherein housing parts are attached to the gasket; 
         FIGS. 17 a -17 b    show three dimensional views of the first ( FIG. 17 a   ) and second ( FIG. 17 b   ) part of the flow path housing taken along line A-A ( FIG. 17 a   ) and B-B ( FIG. 17 b   ) of  FIG. 16   a;    
         FIG. 18  shows a three dimensional view of an air path according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 19 a -19 b    show preferred embodiments ( FIG. 19 a   ,  FIG. 19 b   ) of a cable in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 20 a -20 d    show an inlet member according to the present invention, wherein  FIG. 20 a    shows a three dimensional side view,  FIG. 20 b    a top view,  FIG. 20 c    a bottom view and  FIG. 20 d    a side view seen in an opposite direction of the view shown in  FIGS. 20 a -20 d    of said inlet member; 
         FIGS. 21 a -21 d    show a preferred embodiment of a first inlet housing part while the three dimensional views shown in  FIGS. 21 a  to 21 d    correspond to those of  FIGS. 20 a   - 20   d;    
         FIGS. 22 a -22 d    show a preferred embodiment of a second inlet housing part while the three dimensional views shown in  FIGS. 22 a  and 22 d    correspond to those of  FIGS. 20 a   - 20   d;    
         FIGS. 23 a -23 c    show a three dimensional filter element according to the present invention ( FIG. 23 a   ) while  FIGS. 23 b  and 23 c    show views of the filter element attached to the second inlet housing part; 
         FIG. 24  shows an exploded three dimensional view of the inlet member according to  FIGS. 19 a    to  22   d;    
         FIGS. 25 a -25 b    show a three dimensional view of an electric module according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 26 a -26 b    show a three dimensional top ( FIG. 26 a   ) and bottom ( FIG. 26 b   ) view of an air path module according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 27  shows an exploded three dimensional view of the modular ventilation device according to, i.a.,  FIGS. 24 a    to  26   b;    
     
    
    
       FIGS. 3, 4 and 5  show a three-dimensional front, back and top view of a ventilation device according to the present invention. The ventilation device  100  comprises a housing  104  provided with various input means  106  such as turn buttons, push buttons, and the like as well as a display or window unit  108  for displaying information, such as settings etc., to the user. The ventilation device further comprises one or more air inlet openings, generally referred to as inlet  110 , and an air outlet  112 . preferably provided with means of for connecting further components of a breathing or ventilation system such a respiratory tube or hose for delivering pressurized air to a patient and/or a humidifier. 
     The ventilation means  100  furthermore comprises a filter, preferably provided by an inlet member, provided behind the air inlet  110  for filtering ambient air entering the air inlet  110  of the ventilation device  100  and then being directed though the filter. The ventilation means preferably comprises an oxygen inlet  118  as well as means for connecting a supply of oxygen and for allowing, e.g., additional oxygen to enter the ventilation device  100 . Such oxygen is, preferably in an inlet member and thus inside the ventilation device  100 , added to the incoming air sucked in via the inlet  110  and through the filter and preferably mixed therewith. In a preferred embodiment, the filter, and preferably also the inlet member, is an integral part of ventilation device  100 , preferably its air path. 
     Housing  104  of ventilation device  100  comprises, according to a preferred embodiment, an upper housing part  104   a  and the lower housing part  104   b . The ventilation device  100  may further comprise additional ports or connection means  120  which allow connection of cables, such as power cables, USB cables, sensor cables and the like, i.e., constituting interfaces for connection of further devices for exchanging information and for providing power input. In addition, alternatively, a ventilation device  100  may comprise means for receiving a battery pack for providing the necessary power for mobile operation of the ventilation device. 
     Such device, as well as preferred individual components thereof, is discussed in the following, while it is understood that the individual components discussed below can equally be used alone or with similar or different devices. 
       FIGS. 6 to 9  show various three-dimensional views of a preferred blower according to the present invention or of parts and components thereof.  FIG. 10  shows an exploded view of the blower shown in  FIGS. 6 to 9 . 
     Blower  200  comprises a housing  202  having the general shape of a volute. Preferably, the housing comprises two parts  202   a ,  202   b , which are connected, e.g., mechanically and/or by means of ultrasonic welding. The housing  202  constitutes the stationary portion of the blower  200 . The blower  200  further comprises a rotating portion comprising at least one impeller and a shaft to be driven by electric motor  208 . In an embodiment, the electric motor  208  may be a brushless d.c. motor. In the illustrated embodiment, the blower has one stage while it is well understood that the blower may comprise two or more stages. The rotating portion of blower  200  is not shown in  FIGS. 6 to 9 . However, according to a preferred embodiment, impeller  300  according to the present invention constitutes the rotating portion of blower  200  according to the present invention. 
     The blower comprises an air inlet  204 , preferably having a tubular shape, as well as an air outlet  206 . Air inlet  204  is axially arranged, i.e., so that air enters the blower at the inlet  204  in a generally axial direction A (compare  FIG. 2 ). The term axial used herein with regard to the blower relates to the longitudinal axis of the stationary portion, e.g., around which the volute winds, and/or around which rotating portion rotates. That axis is shown in  FIG. 6  as axis  250 . Arrows indicate the general direction of air flow. 
     The rotation imparted by the impeller generally directs the air flow radially outwardly in a tangential direction T (compare  FIG. 1 ) wherein the volute then constrains the air flow to spiral the volute. The air flow then exits as the blower or volute in a generally tangential direction T via the outlet  206 . 
     Preferably, the volute geometry directs the tangential spiralling air flow in a slight axial direction prior to exiting the blower in a generally tangential direction. 
     In the shown embodiment, outlet  206  comprises a first axis  260  being generally tangentially arranged with regard to the blower and particularly its volute shape and/or rotation of impeller. Tangential axis  260  is preferably arranged essentially perpendicular to axial axis  250 . Preferably, axis  250  and tangential axis  260  are distanced (shortest way) by less than 50 mm, and preferably by a length which generally corresponds to the radius of the blower, volute, and/or impeller. As indicated above, axis  260  preferably is a tangent to a radius  232  around the axis of rotation of the rotating part of the blower. 
     The outlet channel  206  of the blower  200  is, as shown, preferably L-shaped and comprises a first outlet portion or first outlet channel  216  extending along tangential axis  260  and a second outlet portion  218  extending in general perpendicular thereto and preferably parallel to axial axis  250 . However, it will be appreciated that according to different embodiments, the outlet channel is not L-shaped but may be straight and/or curved. 
     The axis of the second portion  218  of the outlet is herein referred to as axis  270  and is preferably parallel to axial axis  250 . However, it will be well understood that axis  270  of the second outlet portion  218  may have different directionalities. According to a preferred embodiment, axis  260  and  270  include an angle of preferably about 70° to 110° and preferably of about 90°. 
     Preferably, the length of the first portion  216  of the outlet lies in the range from about 12 to 23 mm and preferably of about 18 mm along axis  260 . According to a preferred point of reference, the length of the first portion  216  along axis  260  starts from the intersection of axis  260  with the outer radius of the blower, as is indicated in  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 8  the outer radius of the inside of blower  200  is indicated as  230 , while the starting point of the first portion  216  is indicated as ‘p’. First portion  216  preferably ends at the cross-section of the axis  260  of the first portion of the outlet  216  and the axis  270  of the second portion of the outlet  218 . 
     Preferably, the blower is made of plastic material. 
     Preferably, the diameter of the outlet  206  is about 12 to 23 mm and preferably about 17 mm, the diameter of the inlet  204  is about 10 to 20 and preferably about 15 mm, the radius of the blower is about 57 to 67 and preferably about 62 mm; the shortest distance between axis  250  and  270  is about 37 to 47 mm and preferably about 42 mm. Preferably, the inlet  204  of the blower is of generally tubular shape and extends from the blower housing  202   a . Inlet  204  preferably has a length of about 5 to 15 mm, preferably of about 10 mm Preferably, inlet opening  204  and outlet opening  206  lie in one plane. 
     According to the present invention, the air outlet  206  is split into at least two channels  212 .  214 , which are preferably parallel. Preferably, the air outlet  206  is of substantially circular cross-sectional shape wherein the outlet is split such that each of the two channels  212 .  214  has a semi-circular cross-section and particularly has a substantially identical cross section. The two channels preferably extend along the length of the outlet  206  and preferably along first portion  216  and/or second portion  218 , preferably along both portions. 
     The present invention additionally and alternatively relates to a blade  210  as well as to a blower  200  provided with such blade  210 . Blade  210  is preferably made of the same material as the blower and is preferably integrally formed with one of the two housing parts  202   a  or  202   b  of the blower housing or volute  202 . Alternatively a portion of the blade  210  may be integrally formed in each of the two housing parts  202   a  and  202   b . However, it will be well understood that blade  210  may also be provided separately and to then be connected to one or two of housing or volute parts  202   a ,  202   b.    
     Blade  210  preferably extends substantially along the length of outlet  206 , and preferably along the length of the first part  216  and the second part  218  of outlet  206 . Blade  210  splits outlet  206  into two channels, namely a first channel  212  and a second channel  214  both of which individually extend along outlet  206  and first and second outlet portion  216 ,  218 . Thus, blade  210  preferably comprises a first portion  220  and a second portion  222  corresponding to the first and second part  216 ,  218  of outlet  206 . 
     Blade  210  preferably extends parallel to the direction of the air flow through the outlet and/or to the longitudinal axis  260  or axes  260 ,  270  of the air outlet  206 . Blade  210  preferably extends in a plane defined by two axes, one being generally parallel and one being generally perpendicular to the axis of the volute. 
     Blade  210  is preferably located and arranged such that it extends in or into the outlet channel from a starting point ‘p’ as defined above. Preferably, blade  210  starts at said starting point ‘p’ or distanced from that starting point, preferably by about ±3 mm As will be understood, if blade  210  extends too far into the volute, blade pass noise will be increased. If blade  210  starts too far from the volute, efficiency will be less. 
     Preferably, outlet  206  has a substantially circular cross-section while blade  210  splits outlet  206  along its diameter into the first and second channel  212 .  214 , which may be of equal shape and cross-sectional diameter, preferably of semi-circular cross-section. 
     Blade  210  is preferably substantially planar and extends along the axis of outlet flow  260  and/or  270  depending on the design of outlet  206 . Therefore, in line with outlet  206 , blade  210  comprises a first part  220  and a second part  222  which extend along longitudinal axes preferably being identical to axis  260 ,  270  of outlet  206 . Preferably, blade  210  is substantially L-shaped. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the blade has a thickness of about 0.5 to 1.5 mm, preferably about 0.8 to 1 mm, a width of about 10 to 20 mm, preferably 13 to 17 mm (depending on the size of the outlet channel), and a length of about 20 to 30 mm, preferably of about 23 to 27 mm The length of the blade is preferably at least about 5 to 10 mm and it preferably extends along the entire length of the outlet channel The thickness of the blade may vary, e.g. for allowing improved demoulding after being injection moulded. 
     In the shown embodiment, blade  210  is integrally formed with blade housing part  202   a  by means of injection moulding. Blade housing part  202   b  comprised a recess  226  for receiving blade  210 . Blade housing part  202   b  preferably comprises an opening  240  (see  FIG. 9 ) for receiving a rotating member, e.g. impeller  300 . In use (compare  FIG. 6 ) opening  240  is closed by motor  208 . 
     According to another preferred embodiment, a blade generally corresponding to blade  210  is alternatively or also provided in a blower inlet  204  for splitting the inlet channel  204 , which preferably extends along axial axis  250 , into two, preferably parallel inlet channels. 
       FIG. 10  shows an exploded three dimensional view of blower  200  and motor  208 . As will be readily understood blower housing parts  200   a  and  200   b  including blade  210  can be individually assembled wherein a rotating portion, e.g., impeller  300 , is attached to drive axis of motor  208  and inserted into blower  200  via opening  240  provided in housing part  202   b . Said opening  240  is preferably closed and sealed by the front face of motor  208 , preferably using a sealing member  241 . Motor  208  preferably comprises a cable  500  to be discussed below. 
     It will be understood that the measures and dimensions referred to above are preferred and can be varied by up scaling or downscaling the size of the blower. 
     Although the shown embodiment comprises two outlet channels it will be understood that the outlet channel, according to further advantageous embodiments, may comprise more than two outlet channels, e.g., three or four outlet channels. Such outlet channels can be achieved by providing more than one, e.g. two or three generally parallel blades or by providing two blades which are arranged generally vertically to one another. The same applies to a preferred blower inlet. 
       FIGS. 11 a , 11 b , 12 a , and 12 b    show various views of a preferred impeller according to the present invention. Impeller  300  is preferably made of one-piece moulded, preferably injection moulded, plastic construction; although other suitable materials or manufacturing techniques could be employed. The impeller  300  comprises a plurality of vanes  302  extending from a disk-like shroud  304 . 
     Shroud  304  is, vis-à-vis the vanes  302 . located further distanced from the air inlet or downstream when seen in the direction of the air flow. Vanes  302  extend from shroud  304  into an upstream direction. Shroud  304  preferably incorporates a hub or bushing  306  that is adapted to receive a motor shaft  224 . Shroud  304  is preferably of a disk-like shape having a maximum outer diameter of about 38 to 46 mm, preferably of about 42 mm. The radially outer tips of the vanes  302  preferably extend to the outer diameter of shroud  304 . Preferably, the outer diameter of shroud  304  has a wavy or saw tooth shape and varies between a minimum outer diameter Dmin and a maximum outer diameter Dmax. Preferably, the maximum outer diameter Dmax is provided adjacent the radially outside tips of the vanes  302  while the minimum outer diameter Dmin is provided between each of two neighbouring vanes or tips of vanes  302 . Preferably, the maximum outer diameter Dmax lies in the range of about 38 to 46 mm and preferably about 42 mm and/or the minimum outer diameter lies in the range of about 24 to 32 mm and preferably about 28 mm Additionally and/or alternatively, the difference between the maximum and minimum outer diameter is in the range of about 4 to 22 mm and preferably or about 10 to 18 mm 
     Additionally and/or alternatively, vanes  302  are curved in radial direction and are preferably tapered in height in their radially outer portions. The reduced height at the tips of the vanes preferably reduces turbulences and/or noise as well as the inertia of the impeller  300 . Preferably, vanes  302  have an inlet height, i.e. at their inner diameter with regard to impeller&#39;s  300  axis where the air flow enters the impeller which uniformly extends along a first portion of the vanes  302  towards their (radially) outer end or tip. In a second portion of the vanes  302 . which is preferably radially outwardly of the first portion, the height of the vanes  302  is reduced from a first height to a second height, being lower than the first height, wherein the second height constitutes the outlet height at the radially outer end of the vanes  302 . Preferably, the first part extends from a starting point at the vanes&#39; inner diameter close to the impeller&#39;s axis of rotation until a first intermediate diameter Dint 1 . The reduction in height starts from the first intermediate diameter towards their end at an outer diameter. The first intermediate diameter lies between the inner and outer diameters. Preferably, the maximum height of a blade is about 4 to 6 mm and is preferably about 5 mm and/or the minimum height of a blade, preferably close to its tip at its outer diameter, is about 1.5 to 3.5 mm, preferably about 2.8 mm The geometry of the increase/decrease in height is preferably aligned with the geometry of the housing or stationary part and preferably corresponds thereto. Preferably, the difference between the inlet height and the outlet height, additionally or alternatively to the above preferred height dimensions, of the vanes  302  lies in the range of about 2.5 to 4.5 mm and more preferred of about 2 to 2.5 mm The height reduction is preferably linear and/or curved. 
     Preferably, the blades are substantially straight from their starting point at their inner diameter close to the impeller&#39;s axis of rotation until a second intermediate diameter Dint 2 ; and are curved from said second intermediate diameter Dint 2  towards their end at the outer diameter, the second intermediate diameter lying between the inner and outer diameter. In the shown embodiment, the second intermediate diameter Dint 2  lies between the first intermediate diameter Dint 1  and the outer diameter Dmax. However, the second intermediate diameter Dint 2  may also lay between the inner diameter and the first intermediate diameter Dint 1  or equal the first intermediate diameter Dint 1 . The curvature can be either positive or negative while it is preferably that the curvature is negative, i.e., against direction of rotation. The positive orientation of the curvature achieves an advantageous relation of pressure over flow, thus allowing a continuous and fast reaction of the blower/impeller on changes in flow. 
     The first intermediate diameter Dint 1  is preferably about 20 to 24 mm and preferably about 22 mm and/or the second intermediate diameter Dint 2  is preferably about 21 to 25 mm and preferably about 22 to 24 mm 
     Preferably, the vanes  302  have an inclination with respect to an associated tangent at their tip of between 0° and 60°, e.g., about 40° (see  FIG. 11 a   ). 
     Preferably, impeller  300  has 4 to 100 blades  302 . e.g.,  11 , while the number is preferably uneven. 
     The impeller according to the present invention preferably has an inertia of less than about 3.2 g cm 2 , preferably less than about 2.5 g cm 2  and more preferred of about and/or less than 2.2 g cm 2 . Preferably, the inertia lies in a range between about 1.2 g cm 2 , preferably 1.7 g cm 2  and the above upper values. 
     The impeller according to the present invention is preferably made of plastic, preferably O 2  resistant plastic and/or preferably unfilled plastic material, such as a thermoplastic material. 
     The geometry and the design of the preferred impeller  300  according to the present invention particularly allows a significant noise reduction vis-à-vis impellors known in the art and additionally provides a comparatively low inertia. In addition, the effectiveness of impelling or pumping air is significantly reduced. It will be understood that the measures and dimensions referred to above are preferred and can be varied by up scaling or downscaling the size of the impeller. It is preferred that the impeller of this invention is used in combination with the blower of the invention. 
       FIGS. 13 a  -13 c    show the core  402  of a gasket  400  according to the present invention.  FIG. 13 a    shows a view on the gasket core  402  from a first side and  FIG. 13 b    show a view of said gasket core from the opposite side.  FIG. 13 c    shows a view of the core  502  of said gasket  500  from a third side (perpendicular to the views of  FIGS. 13 a  and 13 b   ). 
     The core of the gasket is preferably made of a comparatively hard material, particularly when compared to an outer material of the gasket, and is preferably made of aluminium. Said core is provided with a plurality of structural elements for allowing air to flow through the gasket and/or for providing structural support, e.g., for a housing or a blower. Said gasket is provided with a skin or coating  404 , preferably of elastic plastic material and preferably made of silicon.  FIGS. 14 a -14 c   , which are views of core  400  corresponding to the views shown in  FIGS. 13 a -13 c    with a silicon skin or coating  404  applied. According to a preferred embodiment, due to manufacturing reasons, certain areas of core  402  remain uncoated. These areas, which result from the support of the core  402  during the coating process are indicated as areas  406 . It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that, depending on the coating or manufacturing process, different areas than those shown in  FIG. 14  can remain uncoated. For example, areas  406  can be larger or smaller or there can be more or less or even none of such areas. 
     A gasket  400  comprises at least three holes or openings for defining an air path from a first side of gasket  400  to a second side of gasket  400  and/or visa-versa. In the shown embodiments, gasket  400  comprises a first hole  408  for allowing air to be sucked in from an air inlet at a low pressure area located on the second side of the gasket  400  into a blower located on the first side of the gasket. An opening or hole  410  is provided for establishing a passage of pressurized air supplied by a blower to flow from the first side  450  of the gasket (as shown in  FIG. 14 a   ) to a second side  452  of the gasket (shown in  FIG. 14 b   ). A third opening  412  is provided for allowing air to flow from a second side of the gasket (as shown in  FIG. 14 b   ) in a still pressurized state to the first side of the gasket (shown in  FIG. 14 a   ). 
     Preferably, gasket  400  contains further structural elements, such as recesses, holes or protrusions, for allowing proper alignment and/or connection of, e.g., a housing or parts of a housing with the gasket. In the shown embodiments, such a positioning and/or fastening means are realized as, e.g., holes  414 ,  416  and  418 . 
     Preferably, gasket  400  is provided with additional structural elements for allowing proper positioning, sealing connection, dampening and/or supporting of parts attached to the basket or between the gasket and parts attached thereto. Such elements can be lips, rims, flanges, elevations, recesses or the like which can either be provided in the core  402  of the gasket and/or in the gasket&#39;s coating  404 . In the shown embodiment, respective structural elements are provided as part of coating  404 . For example, there are provided rims  420 ,  422 .  424  and  426 . According to a preferred embodiment these rims  420 - 426  allow proper alignment, additional support and/or improved sealing of elements contacting gasket  400 . For example, rim  420  co-operates with a blower attached to the first side of gasket  400  while rims  422  and  424  and  426  are adapted to co-operate with channels or chambers of a housing or parts of a housing attached to the gasket  400 . Here, co-operation includes mechanical and/or visual co-operation, the latter particularly allowing improved assembly. 
     In the shown example, there are further provided support structures  428  and  430  which are associated with the first and second holes, respectively. These structures  428 ,  430  are preferably adapted as structures defining a hole or opening being aligned with the first hole  408  and the second hole  410  as referred to above. In the following it will thus only be referred to the first and second hole  408 ,  410  for the ease of reference. Support structures  428  and  430  which can be also referred to as the first support structure  428  and the second support structure  430  are preferably substantially circular but may take other geometries. The opening  408 ,  410  provided by said first and second support structure  428 ,  430 , respectively, is preferably defined by an inner circumference of said support structures  428 ,  430 . Said inner circumference, which may be provided by a rim, is preferably elastically connected with gasket  400  and particularly with the core  402  of said gasket  400 . Such elastic connection may be achieved, e.g., by a folded or bellow like structure, such as shown with regard to structure  428  and/or by providing a portion of a thickened and/or thinned cross-section, e.g., as shown with regard to structure  430 . Here, structure  430  is provided, on the first side of gasket  400 , with a thickened rim  430   a  which extends to the second side of gasket  400 . On the second side of gasket  400 , there may be provided an additional recess  430   a.    
     In the shown preferred embodiment, support structures  428  and  430  provide a system for sealing connection and dampening of as well as for positioning a blower to be connected with the gasket  400 , preferably a blower  200  according to the present invention. The inlet channel  204  of such blower then extends through first opening  408  while the outlet channel  206  extends through outlet  410 . Gasket  400  is, on its first side  450  on which the blower is preferably located, preferably provided with additional positioning and support means  432  here adapted to be circular protrusions  432  protruding from the first side of coated core  400 . 
       FIGS. 15 a -15 c    show core  400  in combination with a blower  200  including motor  208 , preferably a blower in accordance with the present invention, and with fluid flow path members  460  and  462 .  FIG. 15 a    shows a view generally corresponding to the one of  FIG. 14 c    while the blower  200  is shown in a view corresponding to that of  FIG. 6 . As can be easily seen, blower  200  is attached to the first side  450  of gasket  400  with its inlet channel  204  extending through opening  408  and its outlet channel  206  extending through opening  410 . As can also be seen, the blower  200  is supported by support member  430  and additionally rests on or contacts support members  432 . Flow channel member  460  constitutes and defines a first flow channel  460   a . Flow channel member  460  is located on a low pressure side of blower  200  and fills a low pressure chamber (to be discussed below) and constitutes a flow channel  460   a . Flow channel member  460  is also referred to as low pressure flow channel member  460  and is preferably made of a foamed material, preferably a silicone foam and preferably of a closed-cell silicone foam. Flow channel member  462  defines a flow channel  462  located on a high pressure side of gasket  400  and preferably fills a high pressure chamber (to be discussed below). Preferably, high pressure flow channel member  462  defines a first flow channel  462   a  and a second flow channel  462   b  through which pressurized air flows in opposite directions. Flow channels  462   a  and  462   b  may be established as one channel making a, e.g., 180°, turn, or may be established as, e.g., two, individual flow channels being directed in opposite or different directions while the turn or connection between these channels is established by a flow directing means, e.g., part of a housing. 
     As can be taken from, e.g.,  FIGS. 15 a  and 15 b   , flow path  460   a  as preferably defined by flow channel member  460  extends from a connecting member  440  to through gasket  400  into blower  200 . Connector  440  preferably comprises a sensor  442 . preferably a flow sensor, provided on or attached to a dampening and connecting member  446 . Connector  440  is preferably connected to housing  472  (see  FIG. 16 ) to establish fluid connection with flow path  460   a  and is further adapted to be connected to inlet member  600  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 18 ) to establish fluid connection with the inlet flow path. Connecting member  446  is preferably made of elastic material and/or arranged to be connected to flow path housing  472  and/or inlet member  600  by means of a plug-in connection. Due to its elastic properties, connecting member  446  preferably also functions as a dampening member. 
     In the side view according to  FIG. 15 c    (compare  FIG. 16 c   ) sensing means  448  of sensor  442  can be seen as well as flow channel parts  462   a  and  462   b . Through flow channel part  462   a  outlet  206  and blade  210  of blower  200  are visible. 
       FIGS. 16 a , 16 b  and 16 c    show views corresponding to those of  FIGS. 15 a , 15 b  and 15 c    wherein blower  200  and fluid channel members  460 ,  462  are covered by a first flow path housing part  470  and a second flow path housing part  472 . First flow path housing part  470  is attached to the first side  450  of gasket  400  and second flow path housing part  472  is attached to the second side  452  of gasket  400  (compare  FIG. 14 ). First and second housing parts  470 ,  472  are provided with connection means corresponding to holes  414 ,  416 ,  418  of gasket  400  including, e.g., protrusions, recesses and/or aligned bores for introducing fastening screws or bolts or the like. In  FIGS. 16 c  and 16 b   , the respective means are identified using the same reference numerals as with regard to gasket  400 , i.e.,  414 ,  416  and  418 . 
     The second flow path housing part  472  comprises an inlet  474  being in fluid communication with the first fluid flow path  460   a , opening  408  and inlet channel  204  of blower  200 , whereas the second housing part  470  comprises an outlet opening or channel  476  being in fluid communication with fluid flow path  462  ( 462   a ,  462   b ), openings  410  and  412  as well as with the outlet opening or channel  206  of blower  200 . 
     At inlet  474  of second flow path housing part  472  there is preferably provided a support and/or noise shield  478 . Preferably, shield  478  supports and/or shields noise emitted from an inlet connector  440  (only connecting member  446  forming part of connector  440  shown in  FIG. 16 a   ) for connecting second flow path housing part  472  with an air inlet member, preferably an inlet member  600  according to the present invention. Such connector  440  preferably comprises a flow sensor  442  for sensing the flow of the air or air and oxygen entering the flow path housing. To outlet  476  of first flow path housing part  470  there is preferably connected an outlet connector  458  (not shown in  FIG. 16 ), preferably a silicone bellow connector or decoupler, for connecting the flow path housing to a patient connector  456  (not shown in  FIG. 16 ). 
       FIGS. 17 a  and 17 b    show views into the first and second part of housing  470 ,  472 , respectively. In particular,  FIG. 17 a    shows a view along line A-A indicated in  FIG. 16 a    into first housing part  470 , not including blower  200 .  FIG. 17 b    shows a view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 16 a    into the second part of housing  472 . not including flow channel members  460 ,  462 . As can be seen in  FIG. 17 a   , housing part  470  is separated into two chambers, here by means of a separation wall  480 . A first chamber  482  is adapted to accommodate and support blower  200  and motor  208  while chamber  484  constitutes a high pressure chamber from which pressurized air is directed towards the patient. Chamber  482  of first part of housing  470  is preferably provided with supports means  496  for supporting blower  200 , and particularly the end of motor  208 . 
       FIG. 17 b    shows the second housing part  472  also being divided into two chambers, a low pressure chamber  486  and a high pressure chamber  488 . Preferably, these chambers are defined and separated by means of a separation wall  490 . Low pressure chamber  486  comprises an inlet chamber  464  and is adapted for accommodating or being filled with the first flow channel member  460 . Second chamber  488  constitutes a high pressure chamber and is adapted to house second flow channel member  462 . Preferably, high pressure chamber  488  of the second housing part  472  comprises spacing means  492  for spacing flow channel member  462  vis-à-vis the back wall  494  of said high pressure chamber  488 . According to a preferred embodiment, said structure allows the definition of a distance between back wall  494  and flow channel member  462  so that air flowing from the blower  200  in a pressurized state through channel  462   a  is redirected by the back wall  494  of the second housing  472  to then enter flow channel  462   b  in a direction generally opposite to the one through channel  462   a . The pressurized air flow is then redirected through gasket  400  and through opening  412  into the high pressure chamber  484  of the first housing part  470 . Preferably, high pressure chamber  484  is also filled with a flow channel member (not shown) providing a flow path. According to a preferred embodiment, outlet  476  of a first housing part  470  is displaced in the view according to  FIG. 17 a    so that it is, in this view, hidden by the back wall of blower chamber  482 . 
     The gasket and the further structures described above are arranged as such that the air flow, as indicated by arrows in  FIGS. 15 a  and 16 a   , enters the air path at opening  474  to then flow through low pressure channel  460   a  and gasket  400  through opening  408  and entering blower  200  at inlet  204 . The air is then accelerated and pressurized, as described above, and exits blower  200  at outlet opening  206  passing gasket  400  at opening  210  from the first side of the gasket to its second side. The pressurized air flow then flows through high pressure channel  462   a  in high pressure chamber  488 , is then redirected by approximately 90° by back wall  494  of high pressure chamber  488  and flows along the space established between high pressure flow channel member  462  and back wall  494  by means of spacers  492 . The flow of air is then again redirected to flow into high pressure flow channel  462   b , preferably in substantially the opposite direction to the flow of air through first high pressure channel  462   a  and passes gasket  400  through opening  412  from gasket&#39;s second side to the first side of the gasket. The pressured air flow thus enters high pressure chamber  484  provided in the first housing part  470  and is directed to outlet  476  where the pressurized air exits the air path. 
     The gasket  400  according to the present invention, particularly in combination with further features of the air path such as the first housing part  470  and/or the second housing part  472  and preferably in additional combination with blower  200  and/or one or more of the air path members allows a compact, efficient and effective flow path arrangement which is easy to produce, to assemble and to maintain. In particular, the flow path as discussed above can be assembled as a single module which can be easily inserted into a ventilation device and individually exchanged to replace without major efforts. Air path assembly is particularly beneficial as regards the power and effectiveness of the blower required to provide a desired pressure to a patient and for reacting on changes in the desired flow and/or pressure. Furthermore, the air path of the present invention emits less noise both via the structural components and via the air flow. 
       FIG. 18  shows a three dimensional top view of a preferred air path according to the present invention. The air path starts with an inlet member, preferably inlet member  600  according to the invention and to be described below from which air flows through a connector portion  440  into flow path housing  470 / 472 . Connector portion  440  is preferably provided as or comprises a flexible, preferably made of silicone, tube portion  446  which can be plugged into to flow path housing outlet  474  and/or inlet member  600 . Connector portion  440  preferably comprises a flow sensor  442 . At the outlet  476  of flow path housing  470  there is preferably provided a patient connector  456  which is preferably flexibly coupled to outlet  474  by means of a decoupling member or outlet connector  458 , preferably a silicone bellow structure. Between the decoupling member  458  and the patient connector  456  or in decoupling member  458  there are preferably provided ports for or at least parts of a pressure sensor  466  for sensing pressure of the breathing gas applied to a patient. 
       FIG. 18  also shows support members  482  provided on housing parts  470 ,  472  for advantageously supporting the flow path in a breathing device (to be further discussed below). Said support members are provided with elastic dampeners  468 , preferably made of silicone. Housing parts  470  and/or  472  preferably comprise rips  486  provided at one side thereof, preferably at its/their lower side when seen in the orientation of the housing in a breathing device in operation. 
       FIGS. 19 a -19 b    show a cable in accordance with the present invention. The cable  500  comprises one or more, in the shown embodiments 5 metal wires, here stranded wires or litz wires  510 . Stranded wires or litz wires  510  may be of equal or differing size or diameter. In the embodiment of  FIG. 19 a    wires  510  are located next to one another. In the embodiment of  FIG. 19 b    cable  500 , here referred to as  500 ′, comprises 9 wires  510  arranged in a different order such as in a circle around a centre wire  510 . Apart from the alignment of wires  510 , the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 19 a  and 19 b    correspond to one another. Wires  510  are embedded in a silicone coating  520  which functions both as a coating for each individual wire  510 , as positioning means for each wire  510  with regard to neighbouring wires  510  and/or as self sealing skin allowing the cable  500 ,  500 ′ to be sealingly arranged between two or more separate components without the need for additional sealing material. Preferably, silicone coating  520  has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, preferably of at least 0.6 mm and preferably of at least about 0.7 mm, measured along the shortest distance from the outer circumference or outer surface of cable  500 ,  500 ′ to one of the litz wires  510 . 
     The cable  500 ,  500 ′ according to the present invention constitutes a self-sealing cable which provides insulation of different metal wires, such as different stranded or litz wires, vis-à-vis one another as well as vis-à-vis the surrounding. Any desired predefined schematic arrangement of wires  510  constituting cable  500 ,  500 ′ can be manufactured in a predefined way which is individualized for the desired purpose. The silicone coating of the cable  500  and each of wires  510  allows an effective and improved sealing not only of cable  500  vis-à-vis its exterior. Cable  500 ,  500 ′ can also advantageously be clamped between two parts of, e.g., a housing, wherein an improved sealing of the interior of the housing against the exterior of the housing (or vice versa) is achieved by a cable  500  according to the present invention. Cable  500  particularly allows to be run into or out of a high pressure chamber without negatively influencing the pressure relations existing in the chamber. 
       FIG. 20 a    shows a side view of an inlet member  600  according to the present invention as seen in a back view of a ventilation device, e.g., such as in  FIG. 4 . and  FIG. 20 b    show a top view of said inlet member  600  and  FIG. 20 c    shows a bottom view.  FIG. 20 d    shows a side view seen in an opposite direction of the view shown in  FIG. 20   a.    
     Inlet member  600  comprises an inlet housing  602  comprising at least a first inlet housing part  604  and a second inlet housing part  606 . According to the shown embodiment, the housing comprises an additional third inlet housing part  608 . The first part  604  of the filter housing comprises and/or defines air inlets  610  (which according to a preferred embodiment correspond to air inlet  110  of the ventilation device discussed with regard to, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). According to a preferred embodiment, one or more air inlets  610 ,  110  comprise an air shield deflecting the air entering the housing and dampening noise from inside the ventilation device. Such air shield preferably extends from the inner side of the first part, preferably from a portion below the air inlet(s), at least partly along the opening, preferably extending across the opening at an angle to the plane of the opening. Seen in a direction of the air flow through the air inlet(s) the shield preferably at least partly crosses the air flow. Preferably, the inlet(s) define openings in a vertical surface of the first part. An outlet  612  is provided in the third part  608  of housing  602 . The inlet member  600  also comprises a second inlet  618  (according to a preferred embodiment corresponding to inlet  118  discussed above, e.g., with regard to  FIG. 4 ). Such second inlet  618 , preferably for the supply of additional oxygen, is provided in the first  604  or second  608  inlet housing part. In the shown preferred embodiment the second inlet  618  is provided by a second inlet member  662  connected to the second inlet housing part  608  while first inlet housing part  604  is provided with an opening or cut out  614  allowing access to the second inlet from the exterior of inlet member  600 .  FIGS. 21 a  to 21 b    show a preferred embodiment of a first inlet housing part  606  while the views shown correspond to those of  FIG. 20 .  FIGS. 22 a  to 22 d    show a preferred embodiment of a second inlet housing part  604  while the views shown correspond to those of  FIG. 20 . In  FIGS. 22 b    and  FIG. 22 c    (top and bottom view) also the third inlet housing part  608  is shown, which, however, is not shown in  FIGS. 22 a    and  22   d.    
     First housing part  604  comprises an inlet opening, preferably extending along a large area, which is adapted to be covered by an inlet filter  620 . First inlet housing part  604 , inlet filter  620 , second inlet housing part  606  and third inlet housing part  608  are arranged such that air flowing into the inlet member  600  through air inlet  610  flows along an inlet or filter path through filter  620  and then into an inlet chamber  622  defined between inlet filter  620  and an air outlet  612  defined in the third inlet housing part  608 . From that inlet chamber  622  the inlet path further extends, preferably through a second inlet chamber  624  defined between/by the second part of the housing  606  and the third part of the inlet housing  608 . Said second chamber  624  preferably functions as a muffling chamber and is preferably filled with an inlet flow path member  626  defining an inlet flow path. From the second chamber  624  the inlet path preferably extends out of the inlet member  600  through outlet opening  612 . 
     Preferably, the oxygen inlet  618  opens into an oxygen channel in member  662  which extends from the oxygen inlet  618  through the opening  614  of the first inlet housing part  604  along the second housing part  606  wherein it preferably extends parallel and distinct to inlet filter  620  and the first inlet chamber  622 . 
     A second inlet housing part  606  preferably comprises a first outlet opening  630  being in fluid communication with the inlet air flow and the first inlet chamber  622  as well as a second outlet opening  632  being in fluid communication with and constituting the end of the oxygen inlet channel. First or air outlet  630  and second or oxygen outlet  632  are preferably arranged in a substantially coaxial manner Air outlet  630  and oxygen outlet  632  preferably open into the second inlet chamber  624 . Preferably, air outlet  630  has a ring-shaped cross section or geometry while oxygen outlet  632  has a ring-shaped configuration, preferably surrounding second outlet opening  632 . Thus, outlets  630 ,  632  are arranged such that the air flow through the air inlet  610  and through the filter  620  is mixed with the oxygen supplied through the oxygen inlet  618 , with regard to the direction of air and oxygen flow, after the air inlet flow and the oxygen inlet flow have passed the second part of the inlet housing  606  through air outlet  630  and oxygen outlet  632 . respectively, and, preferably, in second inlet chamber  624 . Said mixing is supported by the directed flow provided by the geometry of the substantially coaxially arranged outlets and starts in the second inlet chamber  624  and is further promoted throughout the flow through the air path. Thus, an excellent mixing of air and additions, such as oxygen, is achieved until the airflow reaches the patient. Preferably, the ring-shaped air outlet  630  extends around oxygen outlet opening  632 . 
     It will be well understood that the first part of the inlet housing  604 , according to a preferred embodiment, primarily serves as a shield or cover for protecting inlet filter  620  from being damaged in use, for noise shielding and reduction and simultaneously serves for optically integrating inlet member  600  into a ventilation device, e.g., a device discussed with regard to  FIGS. 2 to 5  of the present invention. 
     The basic structure of a preferred embodiment of the second inlet housing part  606  is preferably as follows. Second inlet housing part  606  comprises a substantially planar base wall  640  from which, on at least one side thereof, side walls extend defining, together with base wall  640  an open chamber. In the shown embodiment, side walls  642  define, together with base wall  640  an open first inlet chamber  622 . Side walls  644  define, together with base wall  640  an open second inlet chamber  624 . As discussed above, first inlet chamber  622  is closed by filter element  620 . Second inlet chamber  624  is closed by third inlet housing part  608 . Preferably, third inlet housing part  608  is configured a substantially planar lid with a channel like, preferably substantially circular, protrusion defining outlet  612 . 
     Filter element  620  is shown in  FIGS. 23 a  to 23 c    of which  FIG. 23 a    shows a preferred embodiment of filter  620  in a side view (compare  FIGS. 20 a , 20 b   ).  FIG. 23 b    shows filter element  620  in accordance with the view shown in  FIG. 23 a    connected to second inlet housing part  606 .  FIG. 23 c    shows a top view according to  FIG. 22 b    with second inlet housing part  606  and inlet filter  620 . Filter element  620  comprises a frame  652  as well as a filter material  654  connected to the frame  652 . The filter element  620  and thus its frame  652  and filter material  654 , preferably generally extend in one or at least one plane. The frame  652  is preferably endless and more preferably of generally oval or rectangular configuration defining a plane, preferably plane of the filter element, in which the filter material  654  extends. The filter element preferably extends across the cross section of the air path between the air inlet and the air outlet to ensure that all air entering the device flows through the filter and is thus filtered. It will thus be appreciated that the filter element may take other forms than the ones referred to herein. It is, however, preferred that the filter element has a substantially planar extension or configuration. Preferably, the filter element  620  comprises a cut-out, recess or opening  656 , particular for allowing the extension of the additional or second inlet or the corresponding second inlet path past the filter element (see  FIGS. 23 a , 23 c  and 22 b   ), without having to flow through the filter. This particularly allows the parallel supply from ambient air and oxygen along to separate flow paths which can then be combined or mixed downstream of the filter element. This improves the possibility of proper mixing the ambient air with an additional supply of oxygen and at the same time reduces the loss of the supplied oxygen, e.g., via the air inlet. The oxygen inlet path, which preferably has a channel like configuration, thus extends from the oxygen inlet, preferably forming part of the second part of the inlet housing along the filter element to the outlet provided in the second part of the housing. The oxygen inlet path is thus preferably part of the second part of the inlet housing. Preferably, the inlet path protrudes from the second part of the inlet housing and extends up to or through the first part of the inlet housing. Preferably, the first part of the inlet housing is provided with an opening or recess for allowing easy accessibility of the oxygen inlet. The oxygen inlet is preferably provided with a connection means for connecting an oxygen supply (not shown). 
     The filter material is connected to the filter frame, preferably by means of gluing or bonding. However, it will be understood that different technologies may be applied. The filter frame is preferably made of a plastic material. According to a preferred embodiment, a sealing or positioning means such as a rim or lip is provided for allowing proper positioning and/or improved sealing contact of the filter frame with regard to the first and/or second part of the filter housing. Such sealing or positioning means can either be provided on the frame and/or on the first and/or second part of the housing. The filter frame is preferably made from elastic material, such as TPE. This preferably allows improved sealing of the filter in the housing and reduces bypass flow. 
     The second inlet chamber  624  preferably constitutes a muffling chamber which is preferably filled with a muffling material, preferably a foam material such as silicone foam, which preferably defines a part of an inlet flow channel The muffling chamber  640  also comprises an outlet opening  612  adapted to be connected to a flow path of a breathing device, preferably a flow path of a breathing device according to the present invention. Since, according to a preferred embodiment, the flow of air and oxygen are mixed, preferably upon entry into the inlet muffling chamber and/or along the inlet fluid flow path, the inlet muffling chamber comprised only one outlet through which the combined flow of air and oxygen flows. 
     The inlet housing parts  604 ,  606 ,  608  preferably comprise fastening means for connecting the different housing parts with one another and/or with a breathing device. Preferably, such fastening means are known to the person skilled in the art such as snap-fit fastening means, hole and pin, or screw—hole connections. 
       FIG. 24  shows an exploded view of the inlet member according to  FIGS. 19 a  to 22 d   . Here, the relation and orientation of first inlet member housing part  604 , second inlet member housing part  606 , third inlet member housing part  608 , filter element  620 , inlet flow path member  626  as well as second channel  662  and oxygen inlet  618  can be readily seen. 
     The invention additionally and alternatively relates to a modular ventilation or breathing device as referred to above and particularly for use with a blower, impeller, gasket, air path and/or inlet member according to the present invention. 
     The respiration or ventilation device  100  according to the present invention is preferably of an advantageous modular structure and comprises a housing module  720 , preferably corresponding to housing  104  as referred to above, provided with operator input and display means. Additionally, there is provided an electric module  740 , preferably comprising a skeleton carrier for carrying, i.a., a control unit, battery pack  742 . power supply  744  and further electronics required, for providing structural support and/or for allowing defined positioning of the modules and parts of the ventilation device. The ventilation device  100  further comprises an air path module  760  comprising an air path housing, comprising an air path inlet and an air path outlet, in which a blower is located. Preferably, the air path (here also referred to as air path  400 ) is the air path according to the present invention comprising air path housing  470 ,  472 . gasket  400  etc. while the gasket and/or the air path housing carries a blower  200  including a motor  208 , preferably the blower according to the present invention. 
     Preferably, the air path module includes an inlet member, preferably the inlet member  600  in accordance with the present invention and/or a patient connector  456 . Preferably, inlet member  600  is connected to air path  400  via a plug-in bushing  458 , preferably made of silicone and comprising flow sensor  466 . Preferably, bushing  458  also serves for dampening and decoupling inlet member  600  from air path housing  400 . Preferably, patient connector  456  is connected to air path  400  via a connector member  458 , preferably being arranged as a bellow like silicone member for dampening and decoupling patient connector  456  from air path housing  470 ,  472 . 
     Preferably, inlet member  600  comprises two fastening bores  722  wherein patient connector  456  also comprises two fastening bores  724 . Preferably, air path housing  470 ,  472  comprises structural location members  482  which may be provided with dampening elements  468 . 
     The electric module  740  is preferably further adapted to be connected to and support the housing of the ventilation device as well as to support and/or position the air path module. In addition, the skeleton carrier and/or the electric module is preferably adapted to and comprises means for allowing a proper alignment and positioning of the different parts and modules of the ventilation device such as the parts of the housing module and/or the air path element. The electric module preferably comprises the power supply  744 , battery or accumulator pack  742 . control unit and/or a display unit. Skeleton member preferably comprises support  722 .  724  structures being, in an assembled state, aligned with fastening bores  722 .  724  provided in the inlet member  200  and/or the patient connector  456 . Skeleton member furthermore comprises positioning means  728  for cooperating with location members  482  of the air path housing. 
     The housing module  720  comprises an upper housing part  720   a  and a lower housing part  720   b  (compare discussion of  FIGS. 3 to 5  with regard to housing parts  140   a  and  104   b , preferably corresponding to housing part  720   a  and 720   b ). 
     Air path module  760 , which comprises every part of the air path, i.e. every part of the ventilation device being in contact with inhaled or exhaled air, is laid into the lower part  720   b  of housing module  720 . For supporting air path module  760  in housing module  720  there is preferably provided a dampening and/or supporting pad  730  which comprises structural means, preferably raised portions  732 . for supporting air path module  760 . Preferably, support structures  732  are adapted to cooperate with structural support means  486  provided on one or both parts of air path housing  470 ,  472 . Preferably raised support structures  732  and raised support structures  486  are adapted as elongated means, e.g., elongate rims, wherein the support structures  432  of the supporting pad  730  and the support structures  486  of the air path preferably extend into different directions and preferably extend generally transverse to one another. This preferably improves proper, easy and secure positioning. The air path module  760  is simply laid into lower part  720   b  of housing module  720  without the need for any further fastening or connection members. The air path is positioned such, that holes  722  and  724  provided in inlet member  200  and patient connector  456 , respectively, are aligned with corresponding holes  722   b  and  724   b  provided in the lower housing part  720   b . Preferably, holes  722   b  and  724   b  are provided in protruding posts which are in aligned contact with inlet member  200  and patient connector  456 . 
     Preferably, the device comprises a fan (not shown) placed on the lower part  720   b  of housing module  720  and, preferably, corresponding with a corresponding opening or air inlet (not shown) provided in said lower part. The location of the fan is preferably such that, after assembly, the fan is positioned below the electric module  740  and preferably below power supply  744  and/or battery or accumulator pack  742 . Preferably, the fan is adapted and positioned to direct an air flow along power supply  744  and/or battery or accumulator pack  742 . The air flow may then advantageously be directed along the electric module  740  to the inlet member  600  being provided with respective air outlet openings. The air flow provided by the fan is defined and separated from the air flow entering the device and being provided to the patient. Such air flow is preferably adapted to cool one or more electric components. This may improve operation of the device and/or the charging process of the accumulator pack. 
     Preferably, the fan is supported, preferably clamped, in the device between lower part  720   b  and electric module  740 . Preferably, no screws or fasting means are used. The fan preferably comprises an elastic, preferably silicone, jacket or sheath extending around at least part of the (rigid) fan housing. Such elastic structure may allow the fan to be properly dampened, positioned and/or handled. Preferably, the lower part  720   b  of housing module  720 , the electric module  740  and/or the elastic jacket comprise(s) structural means for properly positioning the fan in the device. Such solution particularly allows the provision of an advantageous fan which can easily be handled, properly positioned and advantageously supported in the device, particularly improving noise reduction. Preferably, the silicone jacket and the air inlet provided the lower part  720   b  are aligned in a sealing manner, sealing air path of the air entering the inlet and the fan against the surrounding inside the device. The elastic, preferably silicone, jacket is thus preferably multifunctional in that it provides mechanical support, servers sealing purposes, and dampens or decouples the fan from the housing. 
     Then, the electric module  740  is placed over the air path module. Electric module  740 , preferably its skeleton member, is provided with fastening means or holes  722  and  724  which are aligned with fastening means or holes  722  and  724  of the air path module  740 . In addition, electric module  740  comprises support structures  728  which cooperate with support structures  468 ,  482  of the air path module  760  and thus allow proper positioning and securing in place of air path module  740 . Next, the upper part of the housing module  720   a  is placed over the electric module  740 . Hosing module  720   a  comprises fastening structures of holes  722  and  724  corresponding to and aligned with respective holes  722 .  724  of the lower housing module  720 , holes  722 .  724  of the air path module  760  and holes  722 .  724  of the electric module  740 . By screwing a screw into these holed, the parts of the housing module are then screwed to one another, thereby simultaneously fixing and securing the position of the air path module and the electric module, generally without the need for further fixation. Preferably, one or more of fastening means or holes  722 .  724  comprises an end stop (not shown) serving as an abutment for air path module in case of excessive movement of the air path module, e.g. resulting from a strong hit against the device. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the invention is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope. 
     The invention also covers all further features shown in the figures individually although they may not have been described in the afore description. The present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above. 
     The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “essentially radial” shall also cover exactly radial).