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A pressure sensitive valve device for use with respiratory equipment of the type that produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device combines the exhalation and entrainment functions in one valve with a single air path. The valve device provides an exhaust valve function during norma

A pressure sensitive valve device for use with respiratory equipment of the type that produces a pressurized flow of breathing gas. The valve device combines the exhalation and entrainment functions in one valve with a single air path. The valve device provides an exhaust valve function during normal operation and provides a less restricted access to the ambient atmosphere in the event of respiratory equipment malfunction. The valve device includes a valve element that moves between at least two positions. During normal operation, when the pressure generating system is generating a flow of gas, the valve element is in a “closed” or “exhaust valve” position. When in the exhaust valve position, the gas flow to the atmosphere is restricted without being completely blocked off. When the flow of gas is decreased or interrupted, the valve element moves to the “entrainment valve” or “open” position that allows a greater, i.e., less restricted flow, of gas between the user and the ambient atmosphere.

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1. A valve device for use in a system for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient, the valve device comprising: a valve body having an outlet open to ambient atmosphere;a valve element comprising a ball or a plug disposed in the valve body such that the valve element is moveable between a

1. A valve device for use in a system for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient, the valve device comprising: a valve body having an outlet open to ambient atmosphere;a valve element comprising a ball or a plug disposed in the valve body such that the valve element is moveable between at least two positions including a first position, wherein an exhaust gas flow that passes through the outlet between the valve device and an ambient atmosphere is at a first level of restriction, and a second position, wherein the exhaust gas flow that passes through the outlet is at a second level of restriction that is greater than the first level of restriction, such that a flow rate of the exhaust gas flow when the valve element is in the first position is greater than the flow rate of the exhaust gas flow when the valve element is in the second position, wherein the valve element is disposed in the first position responsive to the flow of gas having an insufficient pressure or rate of flow to overcome a biasing force acting on the valve element, and wherein the valve element is disposed in the second position responsive to the flow of gas having a sufficient pressure or rate of flow to overcome the biasing force acting on the valve element; anda valve structure adapted to prevent the valve element from completely blocking the exhaust gas flow from passing through the outlet regardless of the position of the valve element relative to the valve body, wherein the valve device is constructed and arranged such that when the valve element is in the first position gas is able to flow from the ambient atmosphere to the airway of the patient through the valve body and gas is able to leave a patient interface and flow into the ambient atmosphere through the valve body, and when the valve element is in the second position the flow of gas generated by the system is at a level suitable for treatment of the patient. 2. The valve device of claim 1, wherein the valve structure comprises: (a) a groove defined in the ball or plug; or(b) a protrusion disposed on the ball or plug; or both(c) the groove and the protrusion. 3. The valve device of claim 1, wherein the biasing force is gravity or a spring. 4. The valve device of claim 1, wherein the valve body further includes an interior chamber having a sidewall, wherein the valve structure is a protrusion on the sidewall. 5. The valve device of claim 1, wherein the valve body is arranged on the patient interface. 6. The valve device of claim 1, wherein the valve structure comprises one or more protrusions arranged on the valve body, or the valve element, or both, the one or more protrusions of the valve structure being adapted to prevent the valve element from completely blocking the exhaust gas flow from passing through the outlet regardless of the position of the valve element relative to the valve body. 7. The valve device of claim 1, wherein when the valve element is in the first position, gas is able to flow to the airway of the patient substantially unobstructed so as to provide a sufficient flow to prevent asphyxiation of the patient. 8. A system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient comprising: (a) a gas flow/pressure generating device that produces a flow of gas;(b) a conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the conduit carries the flow of gas from the gas flow/pressure generating device during operation of the system;(c) a patient interface coupled to the second end portion of the conduit; and(d) a valve device positioned between a patient and the gas flow generator comprising:(1) a valve body having an outlet open to the atmosphere,(2) a valve element comprising a ball or a plug disposed in the valve body such that the valve element is moveable between at least two positions including a first position, wherein an exhaust gas flow that passes through the outlet between the valve device and an ambient atmosphere is at first level of restriction, and a second position, wherein the exhaust gas flow that passes through the outlet is at a second level of restriction that is greater than the first level of restriction, such that a flow rate of the exhaust gas flow when the valve element is in the first position is greater than the flow rate of the exhaust gas flow when the valve element is in the second position, wherein the valve element is disposed in the first position responsive to the flow of gas having an insufficient pressure or rate of flow to overcome a biasing force acting on the valve element, and wherein the valve element is disposed in the second position responsive to the flow of gas having a sufficient pressure or rate of flow to overcome the biasing force acting on the valve element, and(3) a valve structure adapted to prevent the valve element from completely blocking the exhaust gas flow from passing through the outlet regardless of the position of the valve element relative to the valve body, wherein the valve device is constructed and arranged such that when the valve element is in the first position gas is able to flow from the ambient atmosphere to the airway of the patient through the valve body and gas is able to leave the patient interface and flow into the ambient atmosphere through the valve body, and when the valve element is in the second position the flow of gas generated by the system is at a level suitable for treatment of the patient. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the valve structure comprises: (a) a groove defined in the ball or plug; or(b) a protrusion disposed on the ball or plug; or both(c) the groove and the protrusion. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the returning force is gravity or a spring. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the valve body further includes an interior chamber having a sidewall, wherein the valve structure is a protrusion on the sidewall. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the valve device is positioned on the patient interface or is disposed between the patient interface and the second end portion of the conduit. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein there are a plurality of valve devices positioned on the patient interface. 14. A patient interface for use in a system for delivering pressurized gas to the airway of a patient, the patient interface comprising: (a) a faceplate;(b) a cushion attached to the faceplate; and(c) a valve device positioned on the faceplate or the cushion, or both, the valve device comprising:(1) a valve body having an outlet open to the atmosphere,(2) a valve element comprising a ball or a plug disposed in the valve body such that the valve element is moveable between at least two positions including a first position, wherein an exhaust gas flow that passes through the outlet between the valve device and an ambient atmosphere is at first level of restriction, and a second position, wherein the exhaust gas flow that passes through the outlet is at a second level of restriction that is greater than the first level of restriction, such that a flow rate of the exhaust gas flow when the valve element is in the first position is greater than the flow rate of the exhaust gas flow when the valve element is in the second position, wherein the valve element is disposed in the first position responsive to the flow of gas having an insufficient pressure or rate of flow to overcome a biasing force acting on the valve element, and wherein the valve element is disposed in the second position responsive to the flow of gas having a sufficient pressure or rate of flow to overcome the biasing force acting on the valve element, and(3) a valve structure adapted to prevent the valve element from completely blocking the exhaust gas flow from passing through the outlet regardless of the position of the valve element relative to the valve body, wherein the valve device is constructed and arranged such that when the valve element is in the first position gas is able to flow from the ambient atmosphere to the airway of the patient through the valve body and gas is able to leave the patient interface and flow into the ambient atmosphere through the valve body, and when the valve element is in the second position the flow of gas generated by the system is at a level suitable for treatment of the patient. 15. The patient interface of claim 14, wherein the valve structure comprises: (a) a groove defined in the ball or plug; or(b) a protrusion disposed on the ball or plug; or both(c) the groove and the protrusion. 16. The patient interface of claim 15, wherein the biasing force is gravity or a spring. 17. The patient interface of claim 14, wherein the valve body further includes an interior chamber having a sidewall, wherein the valve structure is a protrusion on the sidewall. 18. A valve device for use in a system for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient, the valve device comprising: exhaust flow communicating means for communicating a flow of exhaust gas from such a system to an ambient atmosphere;restriction controlling means for controlling a level of restriction of the flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust flow communicating means such that a first level of restriction is provided responsive to the flow of gas in the system having a first pressure and a second level of restriction is provided responsive to the flow of gas in the system having a second pressure, the restriction controlling means comprising a ball or a plug disposed in the exhaust flow communicating means, wherein the first level of restriction is less than the second level of restriction and the first pressure is less than the second pressure, such that a flow rate of exhaust gas when the restriction controlling means is in the first level of restriction is greater than the flow rate of the exhaust gas when the restriction controlling means is in the second level of restriction; andblockage preventing means for preventing the restricting controlling means from completely blocking the exhaust flow communicating means regardless of the position of the restriction controlling means relative to the exhaust flow communicating means, wherein the valve device is constructed and arranged such that when the restriction controlling means is in the first position gas is able to flow from the ambient atmosphere to the airway of the patient through the exhaust flow communicating means and gas is able to leave a patient interface and flow into the ambient atmosphere through the exhaust flow communicating means, and when the restriction controlling means is in the second position the flow of gas generated by the system is at a level suitable for treatment of the patient. 19. The valve device of claim 18, wherein the exhaust flow communicating means comprises a valve body having an outlet open to ambient atmosphere disposed on a component of the system for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient. 20. The valve device of claim 18, wherein the blockage preventing means comprises a groove or protrusion associated with the exhaust flow communicating means, the restriction controlling means, or both. 21. The valve device of claim 18, wherein the exhaust flow communicating means is arranged on the patient interface. 22. A system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient comprising: (a) gas flow/pressure generating means for producing a flow of gas;(b) communicating means for carrying the flow of gas to an airway of a patient; and(c) a valve device operatively coupled to the communicating means, wherein the valve device comprises:(1) exhaust flow communicating means for communicating a flow of exhaust gas from such a system to an ambient atmosphere,(2) restriction controlling means for controlling a level of restriction of the gas flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust gas flow communicating means such that a first level of restriction is provided responsive to the flow of gas having a first pressure and a second level of restriction is provided responsive to the flow of gas having a second pressure, the restriction controlling means comprising a ball or a plug disposed in the exhaust flow communicating means, wherein the first level of restriction is less that the second level of restriction and the first pressure is less than the second pressure, such that a flow rate of exhaust gas when the restriction controlling means is in the first level of restriction is greater than the flow rate of the exhaust gas when the restriction controlling means is in the second level of restriction; and(3) blockage preventing means for preventing the means for controlling a level of restriction from completely blocking the exhaust flow communicating means regardless of the position of the restriction controlling means relative to the exhaust flow communicating means, wherein the valve device is constructed and arranged such that when the restriction controlling means is in the first position gas is able to flow from the ambient atmosphere to the airway of the patient through the exhaust flow communicating means and gas is able to leave a patient interface and flow into the ambient atmosphere through the exhaust flow communicating means, and when the restriction controlling means is in the second position the flow of gas generated by the gas flow/pressure generating means is at a level suitable for treatment of the patient. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the exhaust flow communicating means comprises a valve body having an outlet open to ambient atmosphere disposed on a component of the system for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient. 24. The system of claim 22, wherein the blockage preventing means comprises a groove or protrusion associated with the exhaust flow communicating means, the restriction controlling means, or both. 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the exhaust flow communicating means is arranged on the patient interface.