Patents Assigned to Caire Inc.
  • Patent number: 11071841
    Abstract: A wearable oxygen concentrator can be used in both an ambulatory mode and a stationary mode. The wearable oxygen concentrator is physically connected to a docking station in the stationary mode such that it can draw power from the docking station and remain energy efficient in both modes. The disclosed oxygen generation system incorporates effective gas flow by means compressor configurations for use in lower flow ambulatory modes and higher flow stationary modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Edwards
  • Patent number: 10255647
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, apparatus, and products, including a method for operating a respiratory care device that includes collecting at a respiratory care device data representative of operation of the respiratory care device, and communicating to a computing-based device external to the respiratory care device at least some of the collected data to control the operability of the respiratory care device. In some embodiments, the method may further include communicating to the respiratory care device data to controllably change one or more operation parameters of the respiratory care device to cause a change in the operation of the respiratory care device, changing the operation parameters of the respiratory care device according to the communicated data, and communicating to the external computing-based device resultant data representative of operation of the respiratory care device resulting from the controllable change to the one or more operation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Terrell Lee Rodman, Ningda Andy Dai, Patrick T. Bird, Paul L. Edwards, Ronald F. Richard, Peter Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20180185602
    Abstract: A wearable oxygen concentrator can be used in both an ambulatory mode and a stationary mode. The wearable oxygen concentrator is physically connected to a docking station in the stationary mode such that it can draw power from the docking station and remain energy efficient in both modes. The disclosed oxygen generation system incorporates effective gas flow by means compressor configurations for use in lower flow ambulatory modes and higher flow stationary modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Caire Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Edwards
  • Patent number: 9974918
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods, include an oxygen delivery device that includes an oxygen delivery module, at least one sensor to detect patient breathing, and a controller configured to control the oxygen delivery module to cause the oxygen delivery module to deliver oxygen to the patient based on data from the at least one sensor such that in response to a determination, based on data from the at least one sensor, that no breathing is detected for a first pre-determined period of time, the controller causes the oxygen delivery module to deliver oxygen to the patient in continuous flow mode, and in response to a determination, based on additional data from the at least one sensor, that breathing is detected for a second period of time, the controller causes the oxygen delivery module to deliver oxygen to the patient in a pulse flow mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Armstrong, Ronald Richard, Paul Edwards, Ningda Andy Dai
  • Patent number: 9974920
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods, including an oxygen delivery device that includes an oxygen delivery module to produce at least concentrated oxygen, and a gas moving device to deliver air to the oxygen delivery module. The gas moving device includes at least one piston rotatable inside a first chamber defined in a housing, the rotational movement of the at least one piston inside the first chamber resulting in varying pressure generated in a first portion of the first chamber, and a vane member rigidly coupled to the at least one piston, the vane member being configured to move inside a vane chamber defined in the housing, the piston and the vane rigidly coupled to the piston define the first portion of the first chamber and a second portion of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schneider, Paul Edwards, Jason James Hugenroth
  • Patent number: 9974919
    Abstract: An oxygen delivery device includes an oxygen delivery module configured to deliver a pulse including greater than 100 mL of concentrated oxygen, and a controller configured to control the oxygen delivery module to cause the oxygen delivery module to deliver the pulse including greater than the 100 mL of the concentrated oxygen within approximately first 60% of a patient's inspiratory period. A device includes an oxygen delivery module, a piezoelectric valve coupled to an output of the oxygen delivery module to receive the concentrated oxygen, a driver to electrically actuate the piezoelectric valve, and a controller to control the driver to cause controllable actuation of the piezoelectric valve by the driver to cause controllable opening of the valve to enable oxygen flow to be directed for inhalation by a patient via the piezoelectric valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Richard, Paul Edwards
  • Patent number: 9889269
    Abstract: A system for generating liquid oxygen (LOX) for portable use by a patient includes a patient portable unit configured to store LOX and deliver gaseous oxygen (GOX) to the patient, and a mobile base unit configured to generate LOX by cryogenic separation of air and deliver the generated LOX to the patient portable unit. The mobile base unit includes a compressor that receives and pressurizes air, a purifier that removes impurities from the pressurized air, a heat exchanger that cools the purified air, a cryocooler that further cools the air to cryogenic temperatures, and a distillation unit that separates the cryogenic air into multiple products, including LOX and one or more cold byproducts. The separated LOX is communicated toward storage, and at least one of the cold byproducts is passed through the heat exchanger to facilitate heat transfer from incoming purified air to the at least one cold byproduct in order to cool the purified air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventor: Ravikumar V. Kudaravalli
  • Patent number: 9278185
    Abstract: A method of controlling bolus delivery in a pulse flow oxygen concentration system for a patient includes providing a pulse flow oxygen concentration system that delivers concentrated oxygen gas to the patient in boluses having a pulse bolus duration, the pulse flow oxygen concentration system including an open control for controlling the pulse bolus duration of the boluses; determining one or more respiratory conditions of the patient; and adjusting the open control to adjust the pulse bolus duration of the boluses in accordance with the determined one or more respiratory conditions of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Richard, Paul L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9267503
    Abstract: Rotary systems are described, which can include at least one of compressors and vacuum pumps. Each rotary system includes a corresponding piston that rotates in an orbital motion around a respective eccentric of a shaft in order to either compress fluid or function as a vacuum pump. Multiple rotary systems can be executed on parallel on a single shaft such that these rotary systems are powered by a single motor. Various components of the rotary systems are coated with an abradable coating, which minimizes friction when these components come in contact with each other. The minimized friction minimizes the wear and tear of these components. Each rotary system can be lubricated by only the fluid being processed (for example, compressed or vacuumed) by that rotary system. The use of the fluid being processed for lubrication and the abradable coatings eliminate a need for another lubricant for lubricating the rotary system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Jason James Hugenroth, David Phillip Winter, Raziel Alon
  • Patent number: 9261094
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure involves a rotary compressor that is primarily optimized for use without the need for liquid lubricants, such as in the flow path of the fluid being compressed, and is efficient and quiet to use. The compressors described herein are efficient, run quietly, use less power, and last longer than those previously known in the art. The compressors are useful for medical applications and other clean gas applications, for instance, where lubricants could contaminate the fluid being compressed and/or increased noise and/or vibration may be problematic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventor: Jason James Hugenroth
  • Patent number: 7766009
    Abstract: A portable liquid oxygen (LOX) storage/delivery apparatus is provided, including an insulated (LOX) container having an interior, a bottom portion and a sidewall, the sidewall including a first side portion and a second side portion, both extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a port system in communication with the interior of the container for charging the container and for withdrawing LOX and gaseous oxygen from the container. The gaseous oxygen is withdrawn from the container through a first outlet and LOX is withdrawn from the container through a second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Robert Frye, Leonardo Shiki Toma, Richard Scott Remes
  • Patent number: 5706801
    Abstract: An oxygen delivery apparatus is used to supply oxygen-enriched air to a patient via a diffuser. A communication module containing an in-line flowmeter and oxygen concentration sensor is provided to measure the flow rate and oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched supplied to the patient. The length of a therapy session is also measured. The measured information is stored and periodically transmitted via a communication module including an internal modem to a remote computer system. The remote computer system includes a program that manipulates and stores the data transmitted from the module. Analysis of the data reveals the operational status of the oxygen delivery apparatus and whether the patient is complying with a prescribed regimen of use. The communication modules for a number of users in a given geographic can be monitored for efficient servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Remes, Larry Heyl, Dick Middleton
  • Patent number: 5561983
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid delivery system includes a storage tank holding a quantity of a cryogenic liquid such as liquid oxygen and a vapor space. A compound, two-part dip tube includes an inner liquid delivery tube and an outer tube which is sealed to allow liquid cryogen to be delivered to a vaporizer only via the liquid delivery tube. The vaporizer communicates with the vapor space in the tank via an aperture in the outer tube, above the level of the liquid cryogen and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Caire, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Remes, Jeffrey S. Dresow
  • Patent number: 4141342
    Abstract: A grease hood and plenum apparatus is mounted at the ceiling of a restaurant kitchen, and incorporates grease filters and also means to direct make-up air toward such filters. The make-up air passes through a capture chamber the bottom of which is open for reception of fumes from a cooking appliance disposed in the kitchen. An extended exhaust plenum chamber projects upwardly from the hood to draw air and fumes through the filters, and a supply means extends upwardly from the hood to supply make-up air thereto. Blower means deliver make-up air to the supply means and also draw air and fumes from the extended exhaust plenum. The kitchen ceiling has an opening or hole sized and shaped to receive downwardly the grease hood in premanufactured condition, and means are provided to support the greaee hood at the opening and at least partially below the level of the ceiling so that fumes may pass upwardly into the capture chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: Vent-Cair, Inc.
    Inventor: Irvin R. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 4085736
    Abstract: The grease hood has a small dimension in the front-to-rear direction, and encloses a relatively large vortex the maximum vertical dimension of which is about equal to or greater than the maximum horizontal dimension thereof. The maximum diametral dimension of the vortex in a direction generally perpendicular to the grease-filter means is about equal to or less than the maximum diametral vortex dimension in a direction generally parallel thereto. In one illustrated embodiment, the vortex is generally circular, whereas in a second illustrated embodiment the vortex is generally elliptical and vertically elongated.The grease-filter means in one illustrated embodiment is not planar but instead is curved, the curvature cooperating with the curvature of the vortex liner to permit achievement of benefits including relatively small size of the grease hood. More specifically, the curved filter is associated with the vortex liner of generally circular shape in such one embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Assignee: Vent-Cair, Inc.
    Inventor: Irvin R. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 4056877
    Abstract: A grease hood and plenum apparatus is mounted at the ceiling of a restaurant kitchen, and incorporates grease filters and also means to direct make-up air toward such filters. The make-up air passes through a capture chamber the bottom of which is open for reception of fumes from a cooking appliance disposed in the kitchen. An extended exhaust plenum chamber projects upwardly from the hood to draw air and fumes through the filters, and a supply means extends upwardly from the hood to supply make-up air thereto. Blower means deliver make-up air to the supply means and also draw air and fumes from the extended exhaust plenum. The kitchen ceiling has an opening or hole sized and shaped to receive downwardly the grease hood in premanufactured condition, and means are provided to support the grease hood at the opening and at least partially below the level of the ceiling so that fumes may pass upwardly into the capture chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Vent-Cair, Inc.
    Inventor: Irvin R. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 4038912
    Abstract: The entry or intake portion of a grease-hood system is mounted at a low elevation, far below the elevation of the head of the cook. Furthermore, such entry portion does not extend clear to the front of the cooking appliance disposed therebeneath, thus the cooking appliance protrudes outwardly from beneath the entry portion. The apparatus and method are such that the flow of fumes and air from the cooking appliance to the entry portion of the hood is substantially entirely the result of convection. There is, however, a forced flow in the hood system at a region above the entry portion, the forced flow being such that fumes and air are directed at the grease filter means. In the forced-flow portion of the system, air from outside the room is passed directly to the grease hood, and air and fumes which pass through the grease filter means are passed to a region exterior to the room and/or are recirculated back to the hood. There is a vortical flow of air and fumes in the forced-flow portion of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: Vent-Cair, Inc.
    Inventor: Irvin R. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 3952640
    Abstract: A greatly extended plenum chamber, comprising a plenum or exhaust chamber and a plenum extension connected thereto, is employed in combination with grease filters which operate by impingement and by centrifugal action. Furthermore, a stream of air is directed against the upstream surfaces of the filters. The result of the combination is a surprisingly effective removal of grease and smoke from cooking fumes, with consequent minimization of grease coatings on the surfaces of the plenum chamber and of the exhaust blower connected thereto. When space does not permit vertical installation of a large extended plenum chamber, portions of such chamber may be inclined from the vertical and/or may be replaced by a plurality of smaller plenum extensions.In an additional embodiment, the effect of a very large plenum extension is obtained by a single and much smaller plenum extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: Vent-Cair, Inc.
    Inventor: Irvin R. Kuechler
  • Patent number: 3943836
    Abstract: A vortex-type smoke hood, in which the liner of the hood is substantially continuously curved in such manner that the vortex action is improved greatly. One result is that the supply air velocity may be increased by a major amount, without causing "bouncing" of air and fumes out of the hood. The curved wall produces the additional benefit of rendering more smooth the flow path of the inlet air.In a second embodiment, a plate shelf and/or pass-through are combined with the hood, creating a very convenient relationship and one whereby the cook remains highly comfortable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: Vent-Cair, Inc.
    Inventor: Irvin R. Kuechler