Author: claimsbot

1. A securement device for a catheter, said securement device comprising:
a base configured for attachment to a patient’s skin over a catheter insertion site, said base comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an opening configured to accommodate a catheter inserted therethrough from the catheter insertion site;
a cover member configured with said base over said opening, said cover member movable from an open position to a closed position over the catheter insertion site, said cover member configured to secure the catheter; and
a lip configured around at least a portion of said opening on said bottom surface of said base, wherein said lip is configured to reduce leakage from the catheter insertion site when the securement device is secured to the patient’s skin.
2. The securement device of claim 1, wherein said cover member is hinged to said base at a hinge line.
3. The securement device of claim 2, further comprising a latch device, wherein said cover member latches to said base via said latch device when said cover member is in the closed position.
4. The securement device of claim 1, wherein said cover member further comprises a groove configured to accommodate the catheter, wherein said groove is configured to frictionally engage the catheter without compromising a lumen within the catheter.
5. The securement device of claim 1, wherein said lip surrounds said opening such that when said base is secured to a patient’s skin, said lip forces the patient’s skin around the catheter to form a seal and reduce leakage from the catheter insertion site.
6. The securement device of claim 5, wherein said lip comprises an arcuate cross-sectional shape.
7. The securement device of claim 1, further comprising a housing configured on said base, said housing and said base defining an interior space configured to house at least a portion of the catheter, wherein said housing is configured such that the catheter coils within said interior space.
8. The securement device of claim 7, wherein said housing further comprises one or more slots configured to receive the catheter.
9. The securement device of claim 8, wherein said housing further comprises at least three slots, wherein each of said slots is spaced approximately ninety degrees apart from another slot.
10. The securement device of claim 7, wherein said housing further comprises a perimeter wall and a top wall, wherein said perimeter wall extends from said base, wherein said top wall is parallel to the top surface of the base, wherein said perimeter wall, said top wall, and said top surface of said base form said interior space for the catheter.
11. The securement device of claim 7, wherein said housing is integral with said base.
12. The securement device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment pad connected to a lower surface of said base, said attachment pad having an adhesive lower surface for attachment to the patient’s skin.
13. A securement device assembly, said securement device assembly comprising:
a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and walls defining a lumen;
a securement device, said securement device comprising:
a base configured for attachment to a patient’s skin over a catheter insertion site, said base comprising top and bottom surfaces, an opening configured to accommodate a catheter inserted therethrough from the catheter insertion site;
a cover member configured with said base over said opening, said cover member movable from an open position to a closed position over the catheter insertion site, said cover member configured to secure the catheter; and

a lip configured around at least a portion of said opening on said bottom surface of said base, wherein said lip is configured to reduce leakage from the catheter insertion site when the securement device is secured to the patient’s skin.
14. The securement device assembly of claim 13, wherein said cover member is hinged to said base at a hinge line.
15. The securement device assembly of claim 13, further comprising a latch device, wherein said cover member latches to said base via said latch device when said cover member is in the closed position.
16. The securement device assembly of claim 13, wherein said cover member further comprises a groove configured to accommodate the catheter, wherein said groove is configured to frictionally engage the catheter without compromising a lumen within the catheter.
17. The securement device assembly of claim 13, wherein said lip surrounds said opening such that when said base is secured to the patient’s skin, said lip forces the patient’s skin around the catheter to form a seal and reduce leakage from the catheter insertion site.
18. The securement device assembly of claim 17, wherein said lip comprises an arcuate cross-sectional shape.
19. The securement device assembly of claim 13, further comprising a housing configured on said base, said housing and said base defining an interior space configured to house at least a portion of the catheter, wherein said housing is configured such that the catheter coils within said interior space.
20. The securement device assembly of claim 13, further comprising an attachment pad connected to a lower surface of said base, said attachment pad having an adhesive lower surface for attachment to the patient’s skin.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A hinge comprising:
a central element formed integratedly, and having a mounting segment, a neck segment and a fastening segment formed axially in sequence, wherein the neck segment is circular in cross section, and an outer diameter of the neck segment is smaller than a width of the mounting segment and a width of the fastening segment; and
a surrounding element mounted rotatably around the central element, formed integratedly, and having a limit segment mounted around and flush with the neck segment of the central element, wherein two ends of the limit segment respectively abut the mounting segment and the fastening segment of the central element.
2. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the mounting segment is circular in cross section; and
the surrounding element further comprises a positioning segment formed on an end of the limit segment, and mounted around and flush with the mounting segment.
3. The hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the mounting segment has multiple positioning protrusions formed on an outside wall of the mounting segment, and arranged annularly; and
the positioning segment has multiple positioning recesses formed in an inside wall of the positioning segment, arranged annularly, and selectively engaging with the positioning protrusions.
4. The hinge as claimed in claim 3, wherein
each positioning protrusion is curved; and
each positioning recess is curved.
5. The hinge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting segment of the central element has multiple compressing holes formed through an end of the mounting segment, and arranged annularly.
6. The hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mounting segment of the central element has multiple compressing holes formed through an end of the mounting segment, and arranged annularly.
7. The hinge as claimed in claim 5, wherein a number of the compressing holes is equal to a number of the positioning protrusions of the central element, and each compressing hole is transversely inward relative to one of the positioning protrusions.
8. The hinge as claimed in claim 6, wherein a number of the compressing holes is equal to a number of the positioning protrusions of the central element, and each compressing hole is transversely inward relative to one of the positioning protrusions.
9. The hinge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting segment of the central element has a compressing annular recess formed in an end of the mounting segment.
10. The hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mounting segment of the central element has a compressing annular recess formed in an end of the mounting segment.
11. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein a melting point of the central element is higher than a melting point of the surrounding element.
12. The hinge as claimed in claim 8, wherein a melting point of the central element is higher than a melting point of the surrounding element.
13. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the central element is made of plastic material; and
the surrounding element is made of plastic material, and the material of the surrounding element is different from the material of the central element.
14. The hinge as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the central element is made of plastic material; and
the surrounding element is made of plastic material, and the material of the surrounding element is different from the material of the central element.
15. The hinge as claimed in claim 13, wherein
the central element is made of Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); and
the surrounding element is made of Polyoxymethylene (POM).
16. The hinge as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the central element is made of Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); and
the surrounding element is made of Polyoxymethylene (POM).
17. The hinge as claimed in claim 13, wherein
the central element is made of Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); and
the surrounding element is made of Polyphthalamide (PPA) and glass fiber, wherein a weight ratio of Polyphthalamide to glass fiber is 2 to 1.
18. The hinge as claimed in claim 14, wherein
the central element is made of Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); and
the surrounding element is made of Polyphthalamide (PPA) and glass fiber, wherein a weight ratio of Polyphthalamide to glass fiber is 2 to 1.
19. A flip device with at least one hinge as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
a cover to which the surrounding element of the hinge is securely mounted; and
a base on which the central element of the hinge is securely mounted.
20. A flip device with at least one hinge as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
a cover to which the central element of the hinge is securely mounted; and
a base on which the surrounding element of the hinge is securely mounted.

1. A heat transfer device comprising:
a first fluid transfer element including:
a first surface and a second surface, and
at least one vapor groove formed into the second surface of the first element to allow for the condensation and passage of a vapor generated by a vaporizable liquid; and

a second fluid transfer element in communication with the first fluid transfer element, the second fluid transfer element including:
a third surface and a fourth surface, and
at least one condensate groove formed into the third surface of the second element, wherein the condensate grieve is configured to transport the vaporizable liquid,

wherein the capillary force generated by the at least one condensate groove is higher than the capillary force generated by the at least one vapor groove.
2. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the at least one vapor groove differs from the dimensions of the at least one condensate groove.
3. The heat transfer device of claim 2, wherein the size of the at least one condensate groove is smaller than the size of the at least one vapor groove.
4. The heat transfer device of claim 2, wherein the geometryshape of the at least one condensate groove differs from the geometry of the at least one vapor groove.
5. The heat transfer device of claim 4, wherein:
the at least one condensate groove possesses a geometry including a sharp corner; and
the at least one vapor groove possesses a rounded shape.
6. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein the at least one vapor groove possesses a rounded shape and the at least one condensate groove possesses a polygonal shape.
7. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element defines an evaporation region;
the second fluid transfer element further comprises a multi-wick structure having a wicking power that increases with decreasing distance to the evaporation region.
8. The heat transfer device of claim 7, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element includes an evaporation region, and
the multi-wick structure is a boiling enhancement multi-wick structure formed over the evaporation region.
9. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one condensate groove possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of a rounded shape and a polygonal shape; and
the at least one vapor groove possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of: a rounded shape and a polygonal shape.
10. The heat transfer device of claim 1 further comprising an air groove formed into at least one of the first surface of the first fluid transfer element or the fourth surface of the second fluid transfer element.
11. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one vapor groove comprises a plurality of grooves spaced apart so as to define a plurality of crests between the grooves; and
the at least one condensate groove comprises a plurality of grooves spaced apart so as to define a plurality of crests between the grooves,
wherein the crests of the first fluid transfer element and the crests of the second fluid transfer element are selectively joined to form crest joints.
12. The heat transfer device of claim 1 further comprising an edge joint coupling the first fluid transfer element to the second fluid transfer element such that a fluid tight seal is created.
13. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the overall vapor groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, and combinations thereof; and
the overall condensate groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, a multi-wick structure patent, and combinations thereof.
14. The heat transfer device of claim 1 further comprising a vaporizable liquid housed within the transfer device.
15. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element defines an evaporation region; and
the condensate groove is configured to transport the liquid toward the evaporation region.
16. A heat transfer device comprising:
a first fluid transfer element including:
a first surface and a second surface,
a plurality of condensate grooves formed into the second surface of the first element, wherein the condensate grooves are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the grooves; and

a second fluid transfer element including:
a third surface and a fourth surface, and
a plurality of vapor grooves formed into the first surface of the second element, wherein the vapor grooves are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the grooves,

wherein one or more of the crests of the first fluid transfer element selectively contact one or more of the crests of the second fluid transfer element to form one or more contact areas.
17. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein the capillary force generated by each of the plurality of condensate grooves is higher than the capillary force generated by each of the plurality of vapor grooves.
18. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein the dimensions of the plurality of vapor grooves differs from the dimensions of the plurality of condensate grooves.
19. The heat transfer device of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of condensate grooves is sized smaller than each of the plurality of vapor grooves.
20. The heat transfer device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of condensate grooves possesses a shape that differs from the shape of the plurality of vapor grooves.
21. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein the second fluid transfer element further comprises a multi-wick structure in communication with the condensate grooves, the multi-wick structure being formed into the third surface of the second fluid transfer element.
22. The heat transfer device of claim 21, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element includes an evaporation region, and
the multi-wick structure is a boiling enhancement multi-wick structure disposed over the evaporation region.
23. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
each of the vapor grooves possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of a rounded shape and a polygonal shape; and
each of the condensate grooves possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of a rounded shape and a polygonal shape.
24. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
the overall vapor groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, and combinations thereof; and
the overall condensate groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, a multi-wick structure, and combinations thereof.
25. The heat transfer device of claim 16, further comprising an air groove formed into at least one of the first surface of the first fluid transfer element or the fourth surface of the second fluid transfer element.
26. The heat transfer device of claim 16 further comprising an edge joint coupling the first fluid transfer element to the second fluid transfer element such that a fluid tight seal is created.
27. The heat transfer device of claim 16 further comprising a vaporizable liquid housed within the transfer device.
28. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element defines an evaporation region; and
the condensate grooves are configured to transport the liquid toward the evaporation region.
29. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein at least about 10% of areas forming the contact areas are functionally joined together to form crest joints.
30. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
the plurality of condensate grooves comprises condensate grooves possessing a shape including a sharp corner; and
the plurality of vapor grooves comprises grooves possessing a rounded shape.
31. A method of forming a vapor chamber device to minimize pressure forces while maintaining vapor spreading capabilities, the method comprising:
(a) providing a first fluid transfer element including a first surface and a second surface;
(b) forming at least one vapor channel into the second surface of the first element, wherein the vapor channel allows the condensation and passage of a vapor generated by a vaporizable fluid;
(c) providing a second fluid transfer element in communication with the first fluid transfer element, the second fluid transfer element including a third surface and a fourth surface; and
(d) forming at least one condensate channel into the third surface of the second element, the condensate channel being operable to transport the vaporizable fluid,
wherein the capillary force of the at least one condensate channel is higher than the capillary force of the at least one vapor channel.
32. The method of claim 31 further comprising:
(e) sealing the heat transfer device to form a fluid tight seal; and
(f) charging the heat transfer device with the vaporizable liquid.
33. A method of forming a vapor chamber device, the method comprising:
(a) providing a first fluid transfer element including a first surface and a second surface;
(b) forming a plurality of condensate channels into the second surface of the first element, wherein the condensate channels are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the channels;
(c) providing a second fluid transfer element including a third surface and a fourth surface;
(d) forming a plurality of vapor channels into the third surface of the second element, wherein the vapor channels are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the channels; and
(e) selectively contacting one or more of the crests of the first fluid transfer element with one or more of the crests of the second fluid transfer element to form contact areas with the vapor chamber.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising (f) sealing the contact areas together to form a crest joint.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A respiratory interface device comprising:
a frame member having a plurality of tabs spaced apart on a peripheral edge of the frame member and projecting outwardly therefrom; and
a cushion device including a plurality of detents, each of the plurality of detents being spaced apart on a peripheral edge of the cushion device and projecting forwardly from the peripheral edge of the cushion device, each of the plurality of detents having an inside surface perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the cushion device, an outside surface perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the cushion device and an opening formed therethrough, wherein each of the detents has a curved recessed surface formed therein and located between the inside surface and the outside surface to thereby provide a guide to position each of the plurality of tabs downward into the opening of a corresponding one of the plurality of detents, and wherein each of the plurality of detents is positioned to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of tabs to removably couple the cushion device to the frame member.
2. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion and a ring coupled to the cushion portion, wherein the ring comprises the peripheral edge of the cushion device, and wherein the detents project forwardly relative to the ring.
3. The respiratory interface device of claim 2, wherein the ring and the detents are integrally formed and are constructed of a substantially rigid material.
4. The respiratory interface device of claim 2, wherein the cushion portion and the ring are coupled together by overmolding the cushion portion to the ring.
5. The respiratory interface device of claim 2, wherein the ring has three sides, and wherein the plurality of detents includes three detents, each of the detents being positioned on a different side of the ring.
6. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion, and wherein the detents are directly attached to the cushion portion.
7. The respiratory interface device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of detents includes three detents.
8. The respiratory interface device of claim 7, wherein each of the three detents is positioned on a different side of the cushion device.
9. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion, and wherein the detents are integrally formed as part of the cushion portion.
10. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein said frame member includes a forehead support member.
11. The respiratory interface device of claim 10, wherein the forehead support member includes an opening defined by a peripheral edge, and wherein a portion of the cushion device is received through the opening of the forehead support member and engages the peripheral edge of the opening of the forehead support member.
12. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion constructed of a substantially flexible material.
13. The respiratory interface device of claim 12, wherein the substantially flexible material is a silicon material.
14. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the frame member includes three sides, and wherein the plurality of tabs includes three tabs, each tab being positioned on a different side of the frame member.
15. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the frame member has a first opening comprising an inlet.
16. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the inside surface and the outside surface of each detent defines a thickness of each detent that is less than a thickness of the peripheral edge of the cushion device.