Patent Description:
Oxygen is essential for normal cell metabolism in animals with lungs, such as humans and non-human animals. Air typically includes <NUM>% oxygen by volume. This may be normally sufficient for respiration, but in some circumstances, the oxygen supply to cells may be compromised. In such circumstances, oxygen supplementation may be used to increase oxygen levels to the cells. Supplemental oxygen may be delivered via a nasal cannula or mask that is connected to a pressurized oxygen source, such as a conventional oxygen tank. Conventional pressurized oxygen sources may suffer from one or more of the following limitations: weights over <NUM> pounds making them difficult to transport and/or use, operate at a high compression pressure (<NUM>-<NUM> PSI or greater), lack a regulator to control the flow of gas from the container at low pressures and/or flowrates, have a regulator difficult to attach to the container by hand-tightening, have a regulator weighing more than <NUM> pounds, have a short shelf life, and/or need to be refilled when empty.

Accordingly, more efficient and/or cost-effective portable gas delivery systems and methods of making and using the same may be desirable. Relevant background prior art documents are <CIT> and <CIT>.

A portable gas delivery system may generally comprise a pressurized gas container having up to <NUM> PSI pressurized gas, an internal liquid volume up to <NUM>, an internal gas volume up to <NUM> under pressure and room temperature, and a burst pressure less than <NUM> PSI; a regulator in fluid communication with the container to provide the gas at an adjustable volumetric flow rate from <NUM>-<NUM>/min and an inlet pressure up to <NUM> PSI; and an adapter to removably couple and sealingly engage the regulator to the container, wherein the system has a total weight less than <NUM> pounds, and wherein the system is in an open position when the adapter is in a first position and the system is in a closed position when the adapter is in a second position.

A portable oxygen system to deliver medical grade oxygen to a patient may generally comprise a low pressure gas container comprising less than <NUM> PSI pressurized medical grade oxygen, an internal liquid volume up to <NUM>, an internal oxygen gas volume up to <NUM> under pressure and room temperature, and a burst pressure less than <NUM> PSI, a low pressure regulator in fluid communication with the gas container to provide the oxygen at an adjustable volumetric flow rate from up to <NUM>/min and an inlet pressure up to <NUM> PSI; and a two-piece adapter comprising an inner portion removably coupled to and slidably engaged with an outer portion to control a flow of the oxygen between the container and the regulator, wherein the inner portion is threadingly engaged to an inlet of the regulator and the outer portion is snap fitted to the container; and a mask removably coupled to an outlet of the regulator to deliver the oxygen to the patient, and wherein the container has a weight less than <NUM> pounds, and wherein the system is in an open position when the inner portion of the adapter is in a first position relative to the outer portion and the system is in a closed position when the inner portion of the adapter is in a second position relative to the outer portion.

The invention described herein may be better understood by reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

Relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of aspects of the systems in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. By way of example, if aspects of the invention shown in the drawings are turned over, elements described as being on the "bottom" side of the other elements would then be oriented on the "top" side of the other elements as shown in the relevant drawing. The term "bottom" may therefore encompass both an orientation of "bottom" and "top" depending on the particular orientation of the figures.

As generally used herein, the articles "one", "a", "an" and "the" refer to "at least one" or "one or more", unless otherwise indicated.

As generally used herein, the terms "including" and "having" mean "comprising".

As used herein, the terms "connected", "coupled", "attached", and/or "joined" are interchangeably used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly attached", and/or "directly joined" to another component, there are no intervening components. When a component is referred to as being "integral" or "integrated" to another component, the components are permanently formed as a single unitary body with one another that is not removable in nature unless otherwise stated.

As generally used herein, the term "room temperature" refers to <NUM>-<NUM>.

As generally used herein, the term "substantially," mean a deviation of no more than <NUM>%, such as no more than <NUM>%, and preferably no more than <NUM>% from a given value.

As generally used herein, the term "about" refers to an acceptable degree of error for the quantity measured, given the nature or precision of the measurements. Typical exemplary degrees of error may be within <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>% of a given value or range of values. Alternatively, and particularly in biological systems, the terms "about" refers to values within an order of magnitude, potentially within <NUM>-fold or <NUM>-fold of a given value.

All numerical quantities stated herein are approximate unless stated otherwise. Accordingly, the term "about" may be inferred when not expressly stated. The numerical quantities disclosed herein are to be understood as not being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless stated otherwise, each numerical value is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. Notwithstanding the approximations of numerical quantities stated herein, the numerical quantities described in specific examples of actual measured values are reported as precisely as possible.

Any numerical range recited in this specification is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of "<NUM> to <NUM>" is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of <NUM> and the recited maximum value of <NUM>, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than <NUM> and a maximum value equal to or less than <NUM>, such as, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this disclosure is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this disclosure is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicants reserve the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited herein.

In the following description, certain details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of various embodiments of portable oxygen systems. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that these embodiments may be practiced without these details and/or in the absence of any details not described herein. In other instances, well-known structures, methods, and/or techniques associated with methods of practicing the various embodiments may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of other details of the various embodiments.

This disclosure describes various features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments of portable gas delivery systems. It is understood, however, that this disclosure embraces numerous alternative embodiments that may be accomplished by combining any of the various features, aspects, and advantages of the various embodiments described herein in any combination or sub-combination that one of ordinary skill in the art may find useful. Such combinations or sub-combinations are intended to be included within the scope of this specification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any features or aspects expressly or inherently described in, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported by, the present disclosure. The various embodiments disclosed and described in this disclosure may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the features and aspects as variously described herein.

The present invention is generally directed to portable gas delivery systems as defined by the appended claims.

Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, the present specification may provide one or more of the following advantages relative to conventional portable gas delivery systems: weigh less than <NUM> pounds, up to <NUM> pounds, up to <NUM> pounds, or up to <NUM> pound; operate at low pressure up to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, or up to <NUM> PSI; have a low pressure regulator to control the flow of gas from the container at low pressures less than <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, or up to <NUM> PSI and/or flowrates less than <NUM>/min, <NUM>/min, <NUM>/min or <NUM>/min; have a container weighing less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, or up to <NUM> pounds; have a regulator weighing less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, or up to <NUM> pounds, have a regulator easier to attach to the container by hand-tightening; have a longer shelf life; and/or be single-use and/or disposable when empty; have an absorbent to increase the gas capacity by up to <NUM> times, such as <NUM>-<NUM> times, <NUM>-<NUM> times, <NUM>-<NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, or <NUM> times relative to a conventional portable gas delivery system lacking the absorbent; an internal filter comprising a foam stabilizer to mitigate dust generation and/or adsorbent displacement by minimizing movement of the adsorbent in the container and/or filter the gas prior to delivery; an external filtering system to deliver purified oxygen with little or no particulate impurities from the adsorbent and allow the user to breathe oxygen that is free or substantially free of particulates and other impurities from the absorbent; and an ergonomic mask and/or lid including the filtering system to allow the user to access the stored oxygen in an intuitive manner.

The gas may comprise oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, helium, nitric oxide, argon, neon, krypton, acetylene, butane, propane, halocarbon gases (e.g., FREON), and/or medical grade gases, such as carbon dioxide, helium, medical air, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, and oxygen. Medical grade gases may have a purity of at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, and <NUM>%. In other words, medical grade gases may comprise impurities up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, and up to <NUM>%.

The portable gas delivery systems may be used to deliver gas to a user. The user may comprise one of a human and a non-human animal, such as livestock, zoo animals, equines, and pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, pigs, rodents, such as gerbils, hamsters, chinchillas, rats, and guinea pigs, avian pets, such as parrots, passerines, and fowl, reptile pets, such as turtles, alligators, crocodiles, lizards, and snakes, and arthropod pets, such as tarantulas and hermit crabs. The user may comprise a patient that may benefit from supplemental medical grade gases, such as oxygen.

Referring to <FIG>, a portable gas delivery system <NUM> may generally comprise a gas container <NUM>, a regulator <NUM>, an adapter <NUM> to couple the regulator <NUM> to the container <NUM>, and a tube or cannula <NUM> and/or a mask <NUM> fluidly connected to the container <NUM>. Each of the regulator <NUM>, adapter <NUM>, and cannula <NUM> and/or mask <NUM> may comprise a single unit or system or may be integrated to form a single unit or system. For example, the portable gas delivery system may comprise the regulator integral with the adapter, the adapter integral with the mask, the mask integral with the cannula, and combinations thereof. The container may comprise a single-use, non-refillable and/or disposable container designed and configured for one-time use and then disposed of, recycled, or destroyed, and/or not intended to be filled again with gas when partially or completely empty of gas. For example, the portable gas delivery system may lack a refill adapter to refill the container with gas after one-time use. The present invention may comprise a kit including at least one of the portable gas delivery systems and/or components thereof. The kit may comprise at least one gas container, a regulator, an adapter, and optionally, at least one of a tube or cannula and/or a mask. For example, the kit may comprise two or more of the gas containers, one regulator, one adapter, and one cannula and mask. The system may have a weight less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, or up to <NUM> pound.

The container may have a capacity to store up to <NUM> of liquid gas and up to <NUM> of gas under pressure at room temperature. The gas may be in a liquid or gaseous state or a mixture of liquid and gas depending upon the temperature and operating conditions. For example, the container may have a liquid gas volume of <NUM>-<NUM> and a gas volume of <NUM>-<NUM> of gas under pressure at room temperature. The container may have a liquid gas volume of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and a gas volume of <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, or up to <NUM> of gas under pressure at room temperature. The capacity of the container may provide a constant flow rate for a single-use at room temperature of up to <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes. For example, the capacity of the container may provide a constant flow rate for single-use at room temperature of up to <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes, <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes and/or <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes. The capacity of the container may provide a constant flow rate for single-use at room temperature of up to <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes. For example, the capacity of the container may provide a constant flow rate for single-use at room temperature of up to <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes, up to <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes, and up to <NUM> gaseous liters per minute for a duration up to <NUM> minutes.

The container may have an internal pressure up to <NUM> PSI. The container may comprise a low-pressure container having an internal pressure from greater than zero to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, greater than zero to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, greater than zero to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, greater than zero to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, greater than zero to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, greater than zero to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, greater than zero to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, and/or greater than zero to <NUM> PSI. For example, the container may have an internal pressure greater than <NUM> PSIG but not exceeding <NUM> PSIG at <NUM>, such as <NUM>-<NUM> PSIG and <NUM> PSIG at <NUM>. The container may having a bursting pressure of at least <NUM> PSI, at least <NUM> PSI, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM> PSI, at least <NUM> PSI, at least <NUM> PSI, at least <NUM> PSI, at least <NUM> PSI, less than <NUM> PSI, less than <NUM> PSI, less than <NUM> PSI, less than <NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, and/or <NUM>-<NUM> PSI. For example, the container may have a bursting pressure of <NUM> bar (<NUM> PSI). In other words, the container may burst at a pressure of <NUM> bar but not burst at a pressure less than <NUM> bar. The burst pressure may be <NUM> times the operating pressure. The container may have a weight less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pound, or up to <NUM> pounds.

The container may comprise <NUM>-<NUM> PSI medical grade oxygen and/or air at room temperature, such as <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, and/or <NUM>-<NUM> PSI. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the container <NUM> may comprise an aerosol-type container including a valve. The valve may comprise a valve cup <NUM> and a valve stem <NUM> or nozzle. The body of the container may comprise metal, such as steel and/or aluminum, having a minimum wall thickness of <NUM> inch. The valve may comprise metal and/or plastic. The container and/or valve may be integral with the outer portion 40B of the adapter <NUM>.

The container may comprise an absorbent to adsorb the gas and increase the storage and/or working capacity of the gas within the capacity of the container. The absorbent may comprise a gas to be adsorbed into a sorbent material comprising a compatible adsorbent material at a superatmospheric pressure, i.e., a positive gauge pressure. The sorbent material may comprise a material having sorptive affinity for the gas to be stored in and dispensed from the container. The sorbent material may comprise activated carbon, zeolites, alumina, silica, molecular sieve materials, metal organic frameworks, and other inorganic and organic sorbents. Carbon material may be prepared from carbon sources including natural carbonaceous sources, such as peat, wood, coal, nutshell (such as coconut), petroleum coke, bone, and bamboo shoot, drupe stones and various seeds; and synthetic sources, such as poly(acrylonitrile) or phenolformaldehyde. The activated carbon may comprise coconut activated carbon having an iodine number of at least <NUM>/g, an ash up to <NUM> wt%, a moisture up to <NUM> wt%, an apparent density of at least <NUM>/mL, a hardness number of at least <NUM>, a <NUM> Mesh (<NUM>) of up to <NUM> wt%, and a less than <NUM> Mesh (<NUM>) (PAN) of up to <NUM> wt%.

The carbon may be activated to develop an intricate network of pores and surface area sufficient for adsorption. The pores may have various sizes ranging from macroporous to microporous to sub-microporous dimensions of molecular-sized entities. The larger transport pores may provide access to the smaller pores in which most of the adsorption of gas may take place. Carbon activation may be conducted with gaseous activation using steam, carbon dioxide or other gases at elevated temperatures, or chemical activation using, for example, zinc chloride or phosphoric acid. Other activation processes may be used to achieve the pore structure and surface area that provides an extensive physical adsorption property and a high volume of adsorbing porosity. The activated carbon may comprise powdered, granular and/or pelleted products. The activated carbon may also be in the form of a cloth, felt or fabric.

The activated carbon may comprise a relatively high prevalence of micropores and a low enthalpy of adsorption to enable a substantially maximum gas delivery. The micropores may have a size up to <NUM> nanometers, such as <NUM>-<NUM> nanometers, <NUM>-<NUM> nanometers, and/or <NUM>-<NUM> nanometers, for example, and the macropores may have a size greater than <NUM> nanometers. The enthalpy of adsorption may be less than about <NUM> kJ/mole of adsorbate. In other words, a carbon with a high capacity uptake for the gas and a low retention (or heel) on discharge may provide for the maximum gas volume delivery. For a high uptake, the activated carbon may have a high concentration of micropores. For a low retention, carbons with a low enthalpy of adsorption (for the particular gas) may be used. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, the activated carbon may facilitate condensation and/or immobilization of gases resulting in increased gas storage and delivery capacity relative to a non-absorbed-filled container having the same liquid volume despite the volume lost to the absorbent.

Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, the absorbent may increase the gas storage capacity relative to conventional portable gas delivery system. For example, the present invention may improve the storage capacity of a gas, such as oxygen, by at least three times at constant pressure and temperature conditions relative to conventional portable gas delivery systems. The absorbent may increase the gas capacity of the container by up to <NUM> times, such as <NUM>-<NUM> times, <NUM>-<NUM> times, <NUM>-<NUM> times, <NUM> times, <NUM> times, or <NUM> times relative to the same portable gas delivery system lacking the absorbent. The ratio of gas volume of gas under pressure at room temperature of a container comprising the absorbent relative to a container lacking the absorbent may be greater than <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, such as <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM>, and greater than <NUM>:<NUM>. For example, the container comprising the absorbent may have a liquid gas volume of <NUM> and a gas volume of <NUM> of gas under pressure at room temperature. The container may store <NUM>-<NUM> of <NUM>% oxygen and operate from <NUM>-<NUM> PSI. More specifically, the container may store <NUM>-<NUM> of <NUM>% oxygen and operate from <NUM>-<NUM> PSI.

The container may be at least partially filled with the absorbent, such as activated carbon, for example. The container may comprise a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be adjacent and/or proximate to the outlet of the container. The first portion may be adjacent and/or proximate to the valve of the container. The first portion may be intermediate the outlet of the container and the second portion. The first portion may comprise a filter, such as a foam filter, and the second portion may comprise the absorbent. The filter may completely fill (at least <NUM>% of the total volume), substantially fill (at least <NUM>% of the total volume), or at least partially fill (greater than <NUM>% of the total volume) the first portion. The absorbent may completely fill (at least <NUM>% of the total volume), substantially fill (at least <NUM>% of the total volume), or at least partially fill (greater than <NUM>% of the total volume) the second portion. When the container lacks a filter, the absorbent may completely fill (at least <NUM>% of the total volume), substantially fill (at least <NUM>% of the total volume), or at least partially fill (greater than <NUM>% of the total volume) the container. The container may have a ratio of the first portion to the second portion of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, such as <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> and <NUM>:<NUM>. The first portion may comprise up to <NUM> volume % of the capacity of the container and the second portion may comprise at least <NUM> volume % of the capacity of the container. For example, the first portion may comprise up to <NUM> volume % and the second portion may comprise at least <NUM> volume %. The container may comprise <NUM>-<NUM> of absorbent, such as <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and/or <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the container may comprise <NUM> absorbent and <NUM> PSI oxygen at room temperature. The container may comprises an absorbent weight (g) to volume (mL) ratio of the absorbent to oxygen from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. For example, the container may comprise <NUM> absorbent and <NUM> volume and have a ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>.

The regulator may comprise a maximum inlet pressure up to <NUM> PSI and an outlet pressure up to <NUM> PSI. The regulator may comprise a low-pressure regulator having an outlet pressure <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, greater than <NUM> to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, greater than <NUM> to <NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, greater than <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, up to <NUM> PSI, <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, greater than <NUM>-<NUM> PSI. The low pressure regulator may provide low positive pressure and absolute pressure. The regulator may comprise a single stage regulator and/or a two stage regulator. The regulator may provide a constant flow rate and/or a variable flow rate. The flow rate may comprise up to <NUM> liters per minute, such as up to <NUM> liters per minute. For example, the regulator may provide a constant flow rate of up to <NUM> liters per minute, <NUM> liters per minute, <NUM> liters per minute, and <NUM> liters per minute. The regulator may have a weight less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pounds, less than <NUM> pound, and/or less than <NUM> pounds, such as <NUM> grams. The regulator may have a minimum width of at least <NUM> inch, a maximum width of less than <NUM> inches, and a maximum height of less than <NUM> inches. The regulator may comprise a micron filter to filter the absorbent and/or particulates from the gas, such as a <NUM> micron filter, for example. The regulator may comprise a reusable regulator configured for use with more than one gas containers. The regulator may comprise steel, brass, nickel, and/or aluminum. Referring to <FIG>, the regulator <NUM> may comprise or lack a pressure gauge <NUM> to indicate the amount of gas in the container. The pressure gauge may indicate the pressure, volume, and/or percentage of useable gas in the container, such as "full", <NUM>% or ½, and "empty", for example. The system may be configured to provide usable gas at pressures from less than <NUM> PSI such that <NUM> PSI is "full", <NUM> PSI is ½, and <NUM> PSI is "empty".

The regulator <NUM> may comprise an inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> may comprise a threaded male inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> may comprise a threaded male outlet and/or a barbed male outlet <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> may comprise a male port configured to couple and engage with the valve stem of the container to create an airtight seal. For example, the inlet <NUM> may comprise a C-<NUM> (<NUM><NUM>/<NUM> inch UNF) male threading. The inlet may not directly couple to the container and/or valve. For example, the container and/or valve may lack female threads to engage the threaded male inlet of the regulator. The inlet <NUM> may couple to the valve stem of the container. The inlet <NUM> may sealingly engage the valve stem of the container when the regulator <NUM> is coupled to the container <NUM>. The regulator and/or inlet may be integrated with the inner portion of the adapter. The regulator may comprise a barbed-end to engage and/or securely couple the tube or cannula to the regulator when the tube or cannula is used.

Referring to <FIG>, the adapter <NUM> may comprise a two-piece connector to sealingly couple the regulator <NUM> to the container <NUM>. The adapter <NUM> may comprise an inner portion 40A and an outer portion 40B. The inner portion 40A may couple to the regulator <NUM> and the outer portion 40B may couple to the container <NUM>. For example, the inner portion 40A may comprise female threads <NUM> to threadingly engage the threaded male inlet <NUM> of the regulator <NUM>. The outer portion 40B may comprise one or more tabs <NUM>, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more than <NUM> tabs, to engage the valve cup <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> may be orthogonal in direction to the threads <NUM> on the inner surface of the outer portion 40B. The inner portion 40A may comprise ⅝ inch <NUM> UNF female threading or a CGA C-<NUM> connection) on the inner surface thereof. The outer portion 40B and container <NUM> may be pushed together until the one or more tabs 46A engage the valve cup <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The one or more tabs 46A may generate an audible click when the outer portion 40B engages the valve cup <NUM>.

The regulator <NUM> may be coupled to the container <NUM> when the inner portion 40A engages and couples to the outer portion 40B. The inner portion 40A comprises at least one tab <NUM>, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more than <NUM> tabs, on the outer surface thereof and the outer portion 40B comprises at least one complimentary slot <NUM> on the inner surface thereof. The at least one tab <NUM> may be aligned with the at least one complimentary slot <NUM> and turned in a first direction up to <NUM>° and/or greater than <NUM>° to slidingly engage the at least one complimentary slot <NUM> to cause gas to flow from the container <NUM>. The at least one tab <NUM> may be turned up to <NUM>° in an opposite direction to disengage the outer portion 40B from the inner portion 40A and/or decrease or stop gas flowing from the container <NUM>. For example, a user may insert the tabs <NUM> into the complimentary slots <NUM> and turn the regulator <NUM> and/or inner portion 40A relative to the container <NUM> and/or outer portion 40B to begin flow of the gas from the container <NUM>. This may allow for a disposable aerosol-type container to be used with a reusable (and possibly more expensive) regulator. When the inner portion 40A comprises more than one tab <NUM>, the shape and/or location of the more than one tab <NUM> may be different to engage the outer portion 40B in only one way. The outer portion and inner portion may independently comprise glass, metal, and/or plastic.

Referring to <FIG>, a portable gas delivery system according to the present invention may generally comprise a mask <NUM> removably coupled to a container <NUM> including an absorbent <NUM> and a gas at least partially absorbed on the absorbent <NUM>. The container <NUM> may comprise a leak-tight gas vessel. The mask <NUM> may comprise a face piece <NUM>, a trigger <NUM>, and an external filter <NUM>. The mask <NUM> may comprise clips or hooks <NUM> to couple to the ridge of the container <NUM> to secure the mask <NUM> to the container <NUM>.

The trigger <NUM> may extend through a notch <NUM> in the side of the face piece <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> may fit into a complimentary indent of the mask <NUM> to secure the trigger <NUM> in place and/or reduce undesirable motion. The trigger <NUM> may include elevated ribs/features/protrusions on the under-side of the trigger body to increase mechanical advantage and/or to aid in the function of the trigger assembly. The trigger <NUM> may be integral with the nozzle <NUM> of the mask <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> may be coupled to the external filter <NUM>. The external filter <NUM> may be configured to be removeably coupled directly to the top of the valve <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The valve <NUM> may comprise the external filter <NUM>. For example, the filter <NUM> may comprise an syringe filter, such as a <NUM> diameter and <NUM> micrometer polyethersulfone syringe filter. The filter <NUM> may comprise nylon, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and other polymers or materials suitable for filtering. The filter <NUM> may remove any absorbent particulates from the absorbent <NUM> that entered into the gas stream.

The container <NUM> may comprise an internal filter <NUM>. The internal filter <NUM> may be positioned between the valve <NUM> and the absorbent <NUM>. The foam insert may be compressed to configure to the internal space of the container <NUM>. The internal filter <NUM> may comprise a foam insert comprising a polyurethane foam having a density from <NUM>-<NUM> lb/ft3. The foam insert may have a generally cylindrical shape and a diameter of <NUM> inches and a height of <NUM> inches The foam insert may comprise an open cell foam or a closed cell foam. The foam insert may comprise high density polyurethane and/or low density polyurethane.

A method of using the portable gas delivery system (the method not being separately claimed) may generally comprise pressing the mask to the face (trigger facing outward, top of mask just below nose), pressing the trigger, and inhaling the gas. Depressing the trigger may actuate the valve and create a pressure differential between the outside of the container and the inside of the container. This pressure difference may cause oxygen to desorb from the carbon absorbent inside the container and flow through the internal filter (e.g., the foam insert positioned inside the container), the valve, and the external filter. The internal filter may comprise a die-cut foam insert made from polyurethane. The internal filter may comprise a cylindrical shape and have a <NUM> inch diameter and a <NUM> inch height. The internal filter may be configured to fill the void in the container between the carbon adsorbent and the top of the container. The internal filter may mitigate movement of the carbon absorbent, and therefore mitigate dust and particulate generation. The internal filter may filter the oxygen gas flowing through it before passing through the valve.

A method of making a portable oxygen device according to the present invention (the method not being separately claimed) could generally involve 3D printing, machining, injection molding, or another process by which polymers and/or metals are precisely shaped.

The present invention may be better understood when read in conjunction with the following representative examples. The following examples are included for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

The portable gas delivery system may be used to provide reliable flow of oxygen gas for oxygen therapy. The adapter may be coupled to an aerosol-type container and a regulator. A nasal cannula and oxygen mask may be coupled to the barbed-end of the regulator and used to deliver oxygen from the container via the adapter and regulator, to a patient. The container may comprise a disposable container and the regulator may comprise a reusable regulator to allow the patient to use the same regulator with more than one oxygen supply containers.

The portable gas delivery system may be used to provide reliable flow of oxygen, air, or another breathable gas to an animal (e.g., a dog or a cat) that may benefit from supplemental oxygen during treatment or while in transit. Currently, supplemental oxygen may be used for animals in primary and secondary care facilities by veterinarians, as well as in transit and in the home by pet-owners. The portable gas delivery system having a disposable container and reusable regulator may allow for more convenient and safe oxygen therapy for pets.

The portable gas delivery system may be used to provide reliable flow of nitrous oxide gas to a human or animal for anesthetic purposes. Nitrous oxide is a well-known medical gas used for anesthetic on both humans and animals. In certain cases, it may be desirable to access a portable supply of nitrous oxide gas, for example, in battlefield situations, while maintaining accurate flow rate and dosing. The deliverable gas may comprise a mixture of gases, such as nitrous oxide and oxygen, depending on the application.

Activated Carbon OLC 12x40 may be obtained from Calgon Carbon, Pittsburgh, PA. The activated carbon is characterized by an average relative humidity of facility of greater than <NUM>%, such as greater than <NUM>%, an ash less than <NUM> weight percent, a moisture less than <NUM> weight percent, and a hardness greater than <NUM>. A foam, such as <NUM> SM foam, may be obtained from Innocor foam technologies, Newburyport, MA. The foam may have a diameter of <NUM> inches and a thickness of <NUM> inches. <NUM>-<NUM> grams of the activated carbon, such as about <NUM> grams, may be poured from an auger into the gas container for <NUM>-<NUM> seconds, such as about <NUM> seconds. Next, the foam may be inserted into the container onto the surface of the activated carbon to fill any remaining volume in the container. A valve assembly may be crimped to the top of the container. Vacuum may be applied to the container prior to filling with the gas to be stored therein. The vacuum pressure may be <NUM>-<NUM> lb, such as <NUM> lb, for a duration of <NUM>-<NUM> seconds, such as <NUM> second.

The gas to be stored in the container may be charged to the container at a pressure supply range of <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, such as <NUM> PSI, for a fill time of <NUM>-<NUM> seconds, such as <NUM> seconds, a fill pressure of <NUM>-<NUM> PSI (at <NUM>°F), such as <NUM> PSI, a settling pressure of <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, such as <NUM> PSI, and a fill temperature of <NUM>-<NUM>°F, such as <NUM>°F, and a maximum temperature swing of <NUM>°F.

The gas to be stored in the container may be charged to the container at a carbon temperature of -<NUM>°F, an oxygen temperature of <NUM>°F, an oxygen supply pressure of <NUM>-<NUM> PSI at room temperature, such as <NUM> PSI for a fill time of <NUM>-<NUM> seconds, such as <NUM> seconds, a fill pressure of <NUM>-<NUM> PSI (at <NUM>°F), such as <NUM> PSI, a settling pressure of <NUM>-<NUM> PSI, such as <NUM> PSI.

The oxygen may comprise liquid oxygen, which may be charged to the container at a carbon temperature of <NUM>°F and an oxygen temperature of -<NUM>°F, a fill time less than <NUM> second and a LOX dosage of <NUM> = <NUM> mol = <NUM>.

To use the portable gas delivery system, the inner portion of the adapter may be threaded onto the regulator and secured tightly. The outer portion of the adapter may be "snapped" onto the valve cap. Next, the tabs of the inner portion may be aligned with and inserted into the complementary slots of the outer portion. Then, the inner portion and/or regulator may be turned up to <NUM>° in a clockwise direction as shown by the embossed arrow on the outer portion. The twisting motion may allow the inner portion to follow a sloped guide on the inside circumference of the outer portion causing the regulator to depress the valve stem of the aerosol-type container and dispense the gas therein. The inner portion and regulator may form an air-tight seal to direct gas flow into the inlet of the regulator and from the barbed-end outlet of the regulator.

Claim 1:
A portable gas delivery system (<NUM>) for dispensing medical grade gas to a patient, the system comprising:
a portable, low pressure gas container (<NUM>) comprising an outlet, a pressurized medical grade gas up to <NUM>,<NUM> bar (<NUM> PSI), an internal liquid volume of <NUM> - <NUM>, an internal gas volume at <NUM> - <NUM> at <NUM>,<NUM> bar to <NUM>,<NUM> bar (<NUM>-<NUM> PSI) at room temperature, and a burst pressure of less than <NUM>,<NUM> bar (<NUM> PSI) at room temperature;
a low-pressure regulator (<NUM>) comprising an inlet and an outlet, and in fluid communication with the container to provide the gas at an adjustable volumetric flow rate from <NUM>-<NUM>/min and having an inlet pressure up to <NUM>,<NUM> bar (<NUM> PSI) at room temperature; and
a two-piece adapter (<NUM>) comprising an inner portion removably coupled to and slidably engaged with an outer portion to control a flow of gas between the container and regulator, wherein the inner portion is threadingly engaged to the inlet of the regulator and the outer portion is coupled to the container; and
a mask (<NUM>) to receive at least one of the patient's mouth and nose removably coupled to the outlet (<NUM>) of the regulator (<NUM>), and
wherein the container (<NUM>) and the regulator (<NUM>) each have a weight less than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> lbs),
wherein the system is in an open position when the inner portion of the adapter (<NUM>) is in a first position and the system is in a closed position when the inner portion of the adapter (<NUM>) is in a second position, and
wherein the inner portion of the adapter (<NUM>) comprises at least one tab (<NUM>) on the outer surface thereof and the outer portion comprises at least one complimentary slot (<NUM>) on the inner surface thereof, wherein the at least one tab (<NUM>) preferably slidingly engages the at least one complimentary slot (<NUM>) to cause gas to flow from the container (<NUM>) when turned up to <NUM>° in a first direction from the first position to the second position and reduces the flow of gas from the container (<NUM>) when turned in an opposite direction from the second position.