Respiratory apparatus and method for operating respiratory apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a breathing device (2) comprising: an air inlet (10) designed to supply ambient air to the breathing device (2); an oxygen inlet (8) designed to supply oxygen to the breathing device (2); a mixing section (34) designed to receive ambient air from the air inlet (10) and oxygen from the oxygen inlet (8), mix the ambient air and oxygen, and output oxygen-enriched air as a ventilation airflow into a ventilation airflow path (39); an oxygen regulating valve (30) disposed between the oxygen inlet (8) and the mixing section (34) and enabling regulation of the flow rate of oxygen entering the mixing section (34) from the oxygen inlet (8); and an integrated combined sensor (60) designed to measure the thermal conductivity, pressure, temperature, and humidity of the ventilation airflow downstream of the mixing section (34), and to determine the oxygen content of the ventilation airflow based on the measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity, and to provide the oxygen content as a measurement result. The breathing device (2) also has a monitoring device (66) which is designed to: receive measurement results provided by oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b), ventilation gas pressure sensor (45), ventilation gas temperature sensor (42) and / or ventilation gas humidity sensor (43) and integrated combination sensor (60); compare the measurement result of the oxygen content in the ventilation flow received from the integrated combination sensor (60) with a predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow; and control the oxygen regulating valve (30) to regulate the oxygen content in the ventilation flow if the measurement result of the oxygen content in the ventilation flow received from the integrated combination sensor (60) is different from the predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ventilator for ventilating a patient and a method of operating such a ventilator. Specifically, the invention relates to a high-flow ventilator, and preferably to a ventilator for nasal ventilation of a patient. Background Technology

[0002] A ventilator used to ventilate a patient provides a ventilation flow at the ventilation gas outlet, which preferably has predefined parameters. These parameters include, for example, the flow rate, oxygen content, pressure, temperature, and / or humidity of the provided ventilation flow.

[0003] Multiple different sensors are needed to measure the parameters of the ventilation flow so that the components of the ventilator can be controlled to ensure that the parameters of the ventilation flow delivered at the ventilator's outlet are within a predefined range. The provision and installation of the required sensors make the production of this ventilator complex and expensive.

[0004] Some of the sensors required in ventilators (especially oxygen sensors) are maintenance-intensive and often have only a relatively short lifespan. This makes the maintenance and servicing of ventilators equipped with such sensors complex and expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to simplify the production and maintenance of ventilators that provide ventilation airflow for patient ventilation during operation and make them more cost-effective.

[0006] The ventilator according to the invention includes: an air inlet configured to supply ambient air to the ventilator; an oxygen inlet configured to supply oxygen to the ventilator; and a mixing section designed to receive ambient air from the air inlet and oxygen from the oxygen inlet, mix the ambient air and oxygen with each other, and output oxygen-enriched air as a ventilation flow path.

[0007] The ventilator according to the invention also includes an oxygen regulating valve disposed between the oxygen inlet and the mixing section and allowing regulation of the flow rate of oxygen flowing from the oxygen inlet into the mixing section.

[0008] The ventilator according to the invention further includes an integrated combined sensor designed to measure the thermal conductivity, pressure, temperature, and humidity of the ventilation airflow output from the mixing section to the ventilation airflow path, in order to determine the oxygen content of the ventilation airflow based on the measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity, and to provide the determined oxygen content, measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity as measurement results.

[0009] Document WO 2017 / 189 546 A1 describes an apparatus for analyzing breathing air using an oxygen sensor, the function of which is based on the measurement of the thermal conductivity of the breathing air. It also describes that the apparatus may have additional sensors for measuring the humidity and temperature of the breathing air, in order to compensate for the effects of variations in humidity and / or temperature on the measurement results.

[0010] The ventilator according to the invention also includes a monitoring device designed to receive a measurement of the oxygen content in the ventilation flow provided by an integrated combination sensor; to compare the measurement of the oxygen content in the ventilation flow received from the integrated combination sensor with a predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow; and to control an oxygen regulating valve to adapt or adjust the oxygen content if the measurement of the oxygen content in the ventilation flow received from the integrated combination sensor differs from the predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow.

[0011] The present invention also includes a method for operating a ventilator according to the invention. The method for operating a ventilator according to the invention comprises: measuring the thermal conductivity, oxygen content, pressure, temperature, and humidity of a ventilation flow discharged from the mixing section of the ventilator by means of an integrated combination sensor; determining the oxygen content of the ventilation flow based on the measured thermal conductivity, taking into account the measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity; and providing the determined oxygen content, measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity as measurement results.

[0012] The method also includes comparing the measurement result of the oxygen content in the ventilation flow provided by the integrated combined sensor with a predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow, and controlling the oxygen regulating valve to adapt or regulate the oxygen content in the ventilation flow if the measurement result of the oxygen content in the ventilation flow received from the integrated combined sensor is different from the predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow.

[0013] The ventilator with integrated combined sensor designed according to the present invention and the method of operating such ventilator enable ventilation flow with a predefined oxygen content to be provided using only a single integrated combined sensor.

[0014] While a single integrated combined sensor is sufficient to provide a ventilation flow with a predefined oxygen content, multiple combined sensors can also be provided in the ventilator according to the invention to further enhance the operational safety of the ventilator through the redundancy of the combined sensors.

[0015] The ventilator according to the invention can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively because it eliminates the need to provide and install different sensors designed to measure different characteristics of ventilatory flow. Maintenance of the ventilator can also be simplified by using a single integrated sensor instead of multiple sensors, as there is no need for inspection, maintenance, or replacement of multiple sensors if necessary.

[0016] The integrated sensor according to the invention has a longer lifespan than conventional oxygen sensors previously used in ventilators. Therefore, the ventilator according to the invention is simpler and more cost-effective to operate and maintain than a ventilator equipped with a conventional oxygen sensor.

[0017] In one embodiment, the ventilator according to the invention further includes: an oxygen measuring device configured to determine the oxygen content in the ventilation flow downstream of the mixing section and provide the oxygen content as a measurement result; and / or a ventilation gas pressure sensor configured to determine the pressure of the ventilation flow downstream of the mixing section and provide the pressure as a measurement result; and / or a ventilation gas temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the ventilation flow downstream of the mixing section and provide the temperature as a measurement result; and / or a ventilation gas humidity sensor configured to determine the humidity in the ventilation flow downstream of the mixing section and provide the humidity as a measurement result.

[0018] In this embodiment, the monitoring device can be designed to receive measurement results from an oxygen measuring device and / or from a ventilation gas pressure sensor and / or from a ventilation gas temperature sensor and / or from a ventilation gas humidity sensor and an integrated combination sensor; compare the measurement results received from the oxygen measuring device and / or from the ventilation gas pressure sensor and / or from the ventilation gas temperature sensor and / or from the ventilation gas humidity sensor with the corresponding measurement results provided by the integrated combination sensor; and output an alarm signal if at least one of the measurement results received from the oxygen measuring device, from the ventilation gas pressure sensor, from the ventilation gas temperature sensor and / or from the humidity sensor differs from the corresponding measurement result received from the integrated combination sensor by more than a predefined maximum difference. The maximum difference can be specified by someone skilled in the art and input via a suitable input device (e.g., a keyboard, a touchscreen, and / or an electronic interface).

[0019] In one embodiment, the method according to the invention includes: determining the oxygen content in a ventilation gas stream downstream of the mixing section using an oxygen measuring device and providing the oxygen content as a measurement result; and / or determining the pressure of the ventilation gas stream downstream of the mixing section using a ventilation gas pressure sensor and providing the pressure as a measurement result; and / or determining the temperature of the ventilation gas stream downstream of the mixing section using a ventilation gas temperature sensor and providing the temperature as a measurement result; and / or determining the humidity in the ventilation gas stream downstream of the mixing section using a ventilation gas humidity sensor and providing the humidity as a measurement result. The method further includes comparing the measurement results received from the oxygen measuring device and / or from the ventilation gas pressure sensor and / or from the ventilation gas temperature sensor and / or from the ventilation gas humidity sensor with corresponding measurement results provided by an integrated combined sensor; and outputting an alarm signal if at least one of the measurement results received from the oxygen measuring device, ventilation gas pressure sensor, ventilation gas temperature sensor, and ventilation gas humidity sensor differs from the corresponding measurement result received from the integrated combined sensor by more than a predefined maximum difference.

[0020] The maximum difference can be defined as an absolute value or a percentage value. For example, the maximum difference could be 5% of the respective measurement result. If the maximum difference is set to 5% of each measurement result, the measurement result received from the combined sensor may deviate by a maximum of 5% from the measurement results received from other sensors without an alarm signal being output. If the difference between the measurement result of the combined sensor and the measurement results of other sensors exceeds 5% of the measurement result, an alarm signal will be output.

[0021] This ventilator, equipped with an integrated combined sensor and at least one additional sensor, allows for the comparison of measurements of ventilation airflow parameters determined and provided by the integrated combined sensor and at least one additional sensor, and the determination of deviations between the measurements.

[0022] In this way, the operational safety of the ventilator can be enhanced because faults in the oxygen measurement device and / or integrated sensor combination (which lead to incorrect measurement results) can be reliably identified and detected at an early stage. This also prevents patients from being ventilated with incorrect ventilation cycles due to a fault in one of the sensors, particularly with ventilation cycles containing incorrect oxygen levels.

[0023] In one embodiment, an air conditioning valve is positioned between the air inlet and the mixing section, allowing regulation of the flow rate of ambient air entering the mixing section from the air inlet. In this embodiment, the monitoring device may specifically be designed to control the air conditioning valve based on measurements provided by an integrated combination sensor and / or other sensors.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method according to the invention includes controlling an air conditioning valve based on measurements provided by an integrated combined sensor and / or other sensors, such that the ventilator provides a ventilation airflow with a predefined flow rate, a predefined oxygen content, a predefined pressure, a predefined temperature, and / or a predefined humidity.

[0025] In ventilators that include an air regulating valve in addition to an oxygen regulating valve, the mixing of oxygen with ambient air can be controlled particularly effectively in order to provide a ventilation flow with the desired parameters.

[0026] In one embodiment, the ventilator according to the invention includes a humidification device configured to receive a ventilation airflow discharged from a mixing section into the ventilation airflow path to humidify and provide a humidified ventilation airflow. In this embodiment, a monitoring device may be configured to control the humidification device based on measurements received from an integrated combined sensor and / or from other sensors, such that the ventilator provides a ventilation airflow with a predefined humidity.

[0027] In one embodiment, the ventilator includes a blower, and the monitoring device is designed to control the blower based on measurements provided by sensors. In this embodiment, the monitoring device may be designed to control the blower based on measurements received from an integrated combined sensor and / or from other sensors, such that the ventilator provides a ventilation airflow with a predefined flow rate and / or a predefined pressure.

[0028] With the help of a blower, flow rate and pressure can be set within a wide range; specifically, the pressure and / or flow rate of the ventilation airflow provided by the ventilator can be increased. Specifically, the pressure and / or flow rate of the ventilation airflow can be set to predefined target values ​​based on measurements provided by an integrated combination sensor and / or other sensors.

[0029] In embodiments where the ventilator includes a blower, the mixing section may be formed upstream or downstream of the blower. In other embodiments, the mixing section may be designed as part of the blower in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0030] If a deviation is determined between at least one measurement result provided by the integrated sensor suite and at least one measurement result provided by other sensors, the oxygen regulating valve and / or air regulating valve and / or blower and / or humidifier can be controlled initially based on the measurement results from the integrated sensor suite to provide appropriate ventilation airflow. If the deviation between the measurement results exceeds a predefined limit, an alarm signal can be output to indicate that the deviation may be caused by a malfunction of at least one sensor.

[0031] In one embodiment, the integrated combined sensor includes a heated silicon membrane that allows measurement of changes in thermal conductivity caused by variations in the oxygen content of the gas flowing through the integrated combined sensor. The integrated combined sensor with the heated silicon membrane exhibits not only low wear but also a long service life. Specifically, this integrated combined sensor has a significantly longer service life than conventional oxygen sensors previously used in ventilators.

[0032] In one embodiment, the integrated sensor is a "MEMS thermal conductivity sensor." MEMS (i.e., microelectromechanical systems) are typically tiny sensors. Specifically, they sense thermal changes and convert them into electrical information. The "MEMS thermal conductivity sensor" can be configured using various measurement methods. Plate methods that can measure transitions ("transient phases") or equilibrium states ("steady phases") can be used. For example, transition methods can include the heat flow meter (HFM) method, the "protective hot plate method," or the "thermal interface material tester method."

[0033] In one embodiment, the ventilator according to the invention is a high-flow ventilator, provided for patient ventilation, preferably for nasal ventilation. The advantages of the ventilator according to the invention are particularly evident for high-flow ventilators.

[0034] In one embodiment, the ventilator is specifically designed to provide at least 15 l Ventilation flow rate per minute, especially up to 100. l / min ventilation flow rate.

[0035] In one embodiment, the method according to the invention includes providing a product having at least 15 l A flow rate of / minute, especially up to 100 l Ventilation flow rate of / minute. Provide at least 15 l A ventilator with a ventilation flow rate of 1000 m / min is suitable for use as a so-called high-flow ventilator.

[0036] In one embodiment, the integrated combination sensor is formed in a combination sensor housing disposed within the housing of a ventilator. The integrated combination sensor, formed in a separate combination sensor housing, can be particularly easily installed within the ventilator housing and, if desired, can be removed from and optionally replaced from the ventilator housing.

[0037] In one embodiment, the ventilator has a sensor airflow line that branches off from the ventilation airflow path downstream of the mixing section, such that a portion of the ventilation airflow output or discharged from the mixing section flows through the sensor airflow line as a partial ventilation airflow. In this embodiment, an integrated combined sensor is arranged in or on the sensor airflow line, such that the oxygen content, pressure, temperature, and thermal conductivity of a portion of the ventilation airflow can be determined by the integrated combined sensor.

[0038] In one embodiment, the method according to the invention includes passing a portion of the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section through a sensor airflow line, wherein an integrated combined sensor is disposed on or within the sensor airflow line.

[0039] This sensor airflow pipeline makes it possible for only a portion of the ventilation airflow to pass through the integrated sensor. Specifically, the integrated sensor may have a portion of the ventilation airflow flowing through it, with that portion having a flow rate lower than the overall ventilation airflow rate.

[0040] In this way, integrated combined sensors can be designed for a maximum flow rate less than the maximum flow rate of the ventilation airflow. Therefore, integrated combined sensors can be designed to be simpler, more reliable, and more cost-effective than sensors designed to allow the entire ventilation airflow to pass through them.

[0041] A flow limiter can be installed in the sensor airflow line, and this flow limiter is configured to restrict the flow rate of a portion of the ventilation airflow through the sensor airflow line. Specifically, the flow limiter can be configured to limit the flow rate of the portion of the ventilation airflow through the sensor airflow line to no more than 150 ml / min. The flow limiter can preferably be designed to limit the flow rate of the portion of the ventilation airflow through the sensor airflow line to no more than 100 ml / min, particularly no more than 50 ml / min.

[0042] Flow limiters can be placed upstream or downstream of integrated combined sensors in the sensor airflow line.

[0043] The sensor airflow line itself can also be designed as a flow limiter. Specifically, the sensor airflow line can be designed as a flow limiter with a reduced or small inner diameter. In this case, an additional flow limiter in the sensor airflow line can be omitted.

[0044] In one embodiment, the sensor airflow line is configured to discharge a portion of the ventilation airflow flowing downstream of the integrated combined sensor into the ventilator environment. This sensor airflow line can be manufactured in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the sensor airflow line is designed as a return line extending from an outlet or other location downstream of the mixing section to an inlet or other location upstream of the mixing section, such that a portion of the ventilation airflow flowing through the sensor airflow line is returned to the mixing section after it has flowed through the integrated sensor.

[0046] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, a portion of the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section is returned to the upstream inlet or other location of the mixing section via a sensor airflow line designed as a return line, and an integrated combined sensor is disposed on or within the sensor airflow line.

[0047] By designing the sensor airflow line as a return line, the release of oxygen-enriched gas into the environment can be avoided. As a result, oxygen-enriched gas is conserved. Furthermore, the increased fire risk in the ventilator environment caused by the release of oxygen-enriched gas into the environment can be avoided.

[0048] In one embodiment, the integrated combined sensor includes a programmable microcontroller designed to determine the oxygen content of the ventilation airflow based on the measured pressure, temperature, and humidity of the ventilation airflow, according to the thermal conductivity of the ventilation airflow. The combined sensor measures the temperature, pressure, and humidity of the gas in the sensor airflow line and uses these measurements to determine the oxygen content by means of a measurement of thermal conductivity, specifically with greater accuracy compared to not measuring temperature, pressure, and humidity. Using a programmable microcontroller allows for particularly efficient and cost-effective implementation of the desired functionality of the integrated combined sensor.

[0049] In one embodiment, the monitoring device includes a programmable microcontroller designed to receive measurements from an integrated combination of sensors, evaluate those measurements, and control an oxygen regulating valve and / or a humidifier based on those measurements, such that the ventilator provides a ventilation flow with predefined flow rate, predefined oxygen content, predefined pressure, predefined temperature, and / or predefined humidity. The desired functionality of the monitoring device can be achieved particularly efficiently and cost-effectively by using a programmable microcontroller.

[0050] In one embodiment, the program-controlled microcontroller is designed to determine the oxygen content of the ventilation flow based on the flow rate measured by a flow sensor in the ventilator and the flow rate measured by an oxygen flow sensor in the ventilator, and to compare the oxygen content with the oxygen content determined by an integrated combination sensor, and then, based on the comparison result, to control the oxygen regulating valve and / or humidification device based on the oxygen content determined based on the measured flow rate or based on the oxygen content determined by the integrated combination sensor.

[0051] Specifically, the program-controlled microcontroller can be designed to control the oxygen regulating valve and / or humidifier based on the oxygen content determined by the measured flow rate if the oxygen content determined by the flow rate of the ventilation airflow measured by the flow sensor and the oxygen flow rate measured by the oxygen flow sensor differs from the oxygen content determined by the integrated combination sensor.

[0052] The programmable microcontroller can also be designed to control the oxygen regulating valve and / or humidifier based on the oxygen content determined by the combined sensor if the oxygen content determined by the combined sensor differs from the oxygen content determined by the combined sensor.

[0053] The combined sensor of the ventilator according to the invention can therefore be used both as a redundant system for the provided sensor and independently for controlling the ventilator.

[0054] In one embodiment, the oxygen measuring device includes at least one flow sensor disposed at the outlet of the mixing section and designed to measure the flow rate of the ventilation gas stream discharged from the mixing section into the ventilation gas path and to provide or transmit the measurement result to a monitoring device.

[0055] In one embodiment, the oxygen measurement device includes two flow sensors disposed in or on the ventilation airflow path downstream of the mixing section. Specifically, the two flow sensors may be arranged parallel to each other in or on the ventilation airflow path. The parallel arrangement of the two flow sensors in or on the ventilation airflow path provides redundancy, which further enhances the operational safety of the ventilator.

[0056] In one embodiment, the oxygen measuring device includes at least one oxygen flow sensor disposed between an oxygen inlet and a mixing section and designed to measure the flow rate of oxygen flowing into the mixing section through the oxygen inlet and to provide the measurement result to a monitoring device.

[0057] This enables the monitoring device to control the ventilator based on measurements provided by at least one flow sensor and an oxygen flow sensor, so that a ventilation flow with a predefined flow rate and a predefined oxygen content is available through the ventilator.

[0058] In one embodiment, the oxygen measuring device includes at least one oxygen sensor designed to measure the oxygen content in a ventilation flow. The at least one oxygen sensor may be, for example, an optical oxygen sensor. Other types of oxygen sensors suitable for measuring the oxygen content in a ventilation flow may also be used.

[0059] In one embodiment, at least one ventilation gas temperature sensor is disposed downstream of the mixing section. This sensor is designed to measure the temperature of the ventilation gas flow discharged from the mixing section into the ventilation gas flow path and to transmit the measurement result to a monitoring device. This ventilation gas temperature sensor also allows the monitoring device to control components of the ventilator based on the temperature of the ventilation gas flow discharged from the mixing section into the ventilation gas flow path, so as to provide a ventilation gas flow with predefined parameters (particularly at a desired temperature) at the ventilation gas outlet.

[0060] In one embodiment, at least one ventilation gas humidity sensor is disposed at the outlet of the mixing section. This sensor is designed to measure the humidity of the ventilation gas stream leaving the mixing section and to provide or transmit the measurement result to a monitoring device. This ventilation gas humidity sensor allows the monitoring device to also control components of the ventilator, particularly the humidifier, based on the humidity of the ventilation gas stream discharged from the mixing section into the ventilation gas stream path, so as to provide a ventilation gas stream with predefined parameters, particularly a desired humidity, at the ventilation gas outlet.

[0061] In one embodiment, the ventilator also includes an ambient temperature sensor designed to measure the ambient temperature of the ventilator and provide or transmit the measurement results to a monitoring device. This ambient temperature sensor allows the monitoring device to also control components of the ventilator based on the ambient temperature to provide a ventilation flow with predefined parameters, particularly a desired temperature and humidity.

[0062] In one embodiment, the ventilator also includes an ambient pressure sensor designed to measure the air pressure in the ventilator's environment and transmit the measurement to a monitoring device. This ambient pressure sensor allows the monitoring device to determine overpressures in the ventilation gas path and in the ventilation tubing relative to the ambient air pressure of the ventilator, and also to control components of the ventilator based on the ambient air pressure to provide a ventilation airflow with predefined parameters, particularly a desired pressure difference relative to the ambient air pressure of the ventilator.

[0063] In one embodiment, the oxygen inlet of the ventilator is a high-pressure oxygen inlet, designed for connection to a high-pressure oxygen source. Specifically, the high-pressure oxygen inlet may be designed to receive gaseous oxygen from the high-pressure oxygen source at a pressure in the range of 2.8 bar to 6 bar. The high-pressure oxygen source may be a gas cylinder storing oxygen at a pressure of 200 bar to 300 bar. A pressure limiter may be installed to the gas cylinder, allowing the ventilator to obtain oxygen at a pressure of 2.8 bar to 6 bar.

[0064] In one embodiment, the oxygen inlet of the ventilator is a low-pressure oxygen inlet designed for connection to a low-pressure oxygen source. Specifically, the low-pressure oxygen inlet may be designed to receive gaseous oxygen from the low-pressure oxygen source at pressures up to 6 bar. The low-pressure oxygen source may be, for example, a fixed oxygen outlet in a processing chamber that provides gaseous oxygen at pressures up to 6 bar. The fixed oxygen outlet may have an adjustable valve that allows adjustment of the pressure of the oxygen supplied by the fixed oxygen outlet.

[0065] The ventilator may also include a high-pressure oxygen inlet and a low-pressure oxygen inlet, allowing the ventilator to operate selectively with either a high-pressure or low-pressure oxygen source.

[0066] A low-pressure oxygen inlet can be located downstream of the oxygen regulating valve, so that gaseous oxygen supplied to the ventilator through the low-pressure oxygen inlet does not flow through the oxygen regulating valve. In this case, the low-pressure oxygen supply can be affected via a valve located on the low-pressure oxygen source.

[0067] In one embodiment, the humidification device includes a water reservoir for storing water supplied for humidifying the ventilated airflow.

[0068] In one embodiment, the humidification device includes at least one heating element for heating a water reservoir to cause water to evaporate from the reservoir, thereby humidifying the ventilation airflow. Heating of the water reservoir with the at least one heating element can be adjustable, such that the humidification of the ventilation airflow through the humidification device is variable by altering the heating of the water reservoir with the at least one heating element.

[0069] In one embodiment, the method according to the invention includes controlling the heating element based on measurements provided by an integrated combination of sensors or based on measurements provided by one of the temperature sensors. Therefore, by varying the heating of the water reservoir using at least one heating element based on measurements provided by the integrated combination of sensors, the humidification of the ventilation airflow by the humidification device is variable.

[0070] In one embodiment, the humidification device further includes at least one water reservoir temperature sensor, and the monitoring device of the ventilator is designed to receive the measurement results from the at least one water reservoir temperature sensor and control the heating element based on the measurement results provided by the water reservoir temperature sensor in order to achieve the desired humidification of the ventilation airflow through the humidification device.

[0071] In one embodiment, the ventilator has a ventilation tube connected to the ventilator's ventilation gas outlet to receive and transmit the ventilation gas flow provided at the ventilation gas outlet.

[0072] In one embodiment, the ventilation tube has a heating device that allows the ventilation gas flow within the tube to be heated. This prevents cooling of the ventilation gas flow and / or ensures that the ventilation gas reaches the patient at a predefined temperature. Furthermore, heating within the tube prevents condensation of the humidified ventilation gas on the tube walls. In one embodiment, the heating device may also be controlled by a monitoring device.

[0073] In one embodiment, the ventilator includes at least one ventilator temperature sensor disposed on or within the ventilation tube. The ventilator temperature sensor is designed to measure the temperature of the ventilation flow in the ventilation tube and transmit the measurement result to a monitoring device. A ventilator equipped with such a ventilator temperature sensor allows for the provision of a ventilation flow with a predefined temperature within the ventilation tube. To improve the operational safety of the ventilator, at least two ventilator temperature sensors may be disposed on or within the ventilation tube, each independently measuring the temperature of the ventilation flow in the ventilation tube.

[0074] In one embodiment, an air supply device is provided at the end of the ventilation tubing furthest from the ventilator. This air supply device is designed to supply ventilation gas from the ventilation tubing to the patient. With the aid of the air supply device, ventilation gas from the ventilation tubing can be supplied to the patient in a particularly efficient manner. Therefore, loss of ventilation gas that does not reach the patient can be reduced.

[0075] In one embodiment, the air supply device is a nasal air supply device, particularly a nasal cannula, which is designed to supply ventilation gas from a ventilation tube to the patient's nose. A nasal air supply device can be used to supply ventilation gas to the patient particularly effectively without intubation.

[0076] In one embodiment, the method according to the invention includes determining the oxygen content of a ventilation flow based on a flow rate measured by a flow sensor in the ventilator and a flow rate measured by an oxygen flow sensor in the ventilator, comparing the oxygen content of the ventilation flow with the oxygen content determined by an integrated combination sensor, and then controlling an oxygen regulating valve based on the oxygen content determined from the measured flow rate or based on the oxygen content determined by the integrated combination sensor, according to the result of the comparison.

[0077] The method may specifically include controlling an oxygen regulating valve based on the oxygen content determined from the measured flow rates if the oxygen content determined from the flow rates of the ventilation airflow measured by a flow sensor and the oxygen flow measured by an oxygen flow sensor differs from the oxygen content determined by an integrated combination sensor.

[0078] The method may further include controlling the oxygen regulating valve based on the oxygen content determined by the combined sensor if the oxygen content determined based on the flow rate of the ventilation airflow measured by the flow sensor and the flow rate of the oxygen flow measured by the oxygen flow sensor differs from the oxygen content determined by the integrated combined sensor.

[0079] In this way, the ventilator can be operated very reliably and with high operational safety. Attached Figure Description

[0080] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0081] Figure 1 An external view of a ventilator designed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0082] Figure 2 A schematic functional diagram of a ventilator 2 designed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0083] Figure 1 A ventilator 2 is shown, specifically a ventilator 2 for nasal ventilation of a patient. The ventilator 2 can be, for example, a so-called "high-flow ventilator" that provides at least 15 [units of air]. l Ventilation flow rate per minute, especially up to 100. l / min ventilation flow rate.

[0084] However, other embodiments of the invention not explicitly shown in the accompanying drawings may also include other types of ventilators.

[0085] The ventilator 2 has a housing 4, which includes a display device (“display”) 6 and an on / off switch 5. The display device 6 may include a touchscreen (“touchscreen”), allowing it to also function as an input device. Alternatively or additionally, in Figure 1 A keyboard, not shown, may also be provided as an input device.

[0086] On the back of housing 4 Figure 1 Provided on the back side of the viewer Figure 1 An invisible oxygen inlet is provided, designed to supply oxygen to the ventilator 2. The ventilator 2 also has an air inlet 10, which... Figure 1 It is not visible in the middle and is configured to supply air from the environment (“ambient air”) to the ventilator 2.

[0087] Please refer to later Figure 2 Describe in detail the supply of oxygen through oxygen inlet 8 and the supply of ambient air through air inlet 10.

[0088] The ventilation outlet 12 is located on the front side of the housing 4 facing the viewer. During operation of the ventilator 2, oxygen-enriched ventilation gas for ventilating the patient is output through the ventilation outlet 12.

[0089] A water reservoir 14 is positioned below the ventilation gas outlet 12. The water reservoir 14 is part of a humidification device 16, which is formed within the housing 4 and is configured to humidify the oxygen-enriched ventilation gas before it is discharged through the ventilation gas outlet 12.

[0090] Ventilation tubing 18 is connected to ventilation gas outlet 12 to receive ventilation gas discharged from ventilation gas outlet 12 and deliver it to the patient.

[0091] The ventilation tube 18 is equipped with a ventilation tube heating device 20, which allows the ventilation gas flowing through the ventilation tube 18 to be heated. This allows ventilation gas with a predefined temperature to be delivered to the patient.

[0092] Vent pipe temperature sensors 21a and 21b are also provided on or in vent pipe 18, which allow measurement of the temperature of the ventilation gas flowing through vent pipe 18 so as to adjust vent pipe heating device 20 accordingly.

[0093] An air supply device 22, designed to supply ventilation gas from ventilation tube 18 to the patient, is positioned at the end of ventilation tube 18 away from ventilation gas outlet 12.

[0094] exist Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the air supply device 22 is designed as a nasal cannula with two nasal tubes 24, which are designed to introduce ventilation gas from the ventilation tube 18 into a nasal cannula not in use. Figure 1 The patient's nose is shown in the image.

[0095] In other exemplary embodiments not explicitly shown in the accompanying drawings, the ventilator 2 may also be equipped with another type of air supply device 22, such as a breathing mask or a tube configured to be inserted into the patient's trachea.

[0096] Figure 2 A schematic functional diagram of a ventilator 2 designed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0097] exist Figure 2 The upper part shows oxygen inlet 8 and air inlet 10.

[0098] To operate ventilator 2, oxygen inlet 8 is connected to an oxygen source ( Figure 1 (not shown), for example, connected to an oxygen cylinder or to an oxygen supply line that provides oxygen (i.e., a gas with a high proportion of oxygen).

[0099] An oxygen filter 9 (e.g., a HEPA filter) can be positioned downstream of the oxygen inlet 8 to filter the oxygen supplied to the ventilator 2 through the oxygen inlet 8.

[0100] An oxygen regulating valve 30 is arranged downstream of the oxygen filter 9, which allows the flow rate of oxygen supplied to the ventilator 2 through the oxygen inlet 8 to be regulated.

[0101] An oxygen flow sensor 32 is provided downstream of the oxygen regulating valve 30. The oxygen flow sensor 32 is designed to measure the flow rate of oxygen supplied to the ventilator 2 through the oxygen inlet 8 and the oxygen regulating valve 30, and to provide or transmit the measurement results to the monitoring device 66 of the ventilator 2.

[0102] Optionally, an oxygen sensor (e.g., Figure 2 An optical oxygen sensor (not shown) can be located downstream of the oxygen regulating valve 30. This oxygen sensor is designed to measure the oxygen content in the oxygen supplied to the ventilator 2 through the oxygen inlet 8 and the oxygen regulating valve 30, and to transmit the measurement result to the monitoring device 66 of the ventilator 2.

[0103] Air inlet 10 can be designed to receive air from the environment. Air inlet 10 can also be designed to connect to an air supply line ( Figure 1 (Not shown in the image), this air supply line provides breathing air to the ventilator 2.

[0104] An air filter 11 may be provided downstream of the air inlet 10. The air filter 11 may be designed as, for example, a HEPA filter, to filter the air supplied to the ventilator 2 through the air inlet 10.

[0105] Downstream of the air filter 11 is an air regulating valve 17 that allows adjustment of the flow rate of air supplied to the ventilator 2 through the air inlet 10.

[0106] Oxygen supplied to the ventilator 2 through oxygen inlet 8 and air supplied to the ventilator 2 through air inlet 10 both flow into the mixing section 34 of the ventilator 2. In the mixing section 34, oxygen and air are mixed together to provide oxygen-enriched ventilation gas.

[0107] The mixing section 34 may be the area where the oxygen line 13 extending from the oxygen inlet 8 to the mixing section 34 and the air line 15 extending from the air inlet 10 to the mixing section 34 are joined together.

[0108] The mixing section 34 is, for example, part of a T-shaped or Y-shaped section where oxygen line 13 and air line 15 merge, such that oxygen supplied to ventilator 2 through oxygen line 13 and air supplied to ventilator 2 through air line 15 are mixed in the T-shaped or Y-shaped section to produce oxygen-enriched ventilation gas.

[0109] The mixing section 34 may optionally be designed to have an expanding volume, for example, a mixing chamber designed to expand in volume, so that oxygen and air can be mixed better.

[0110] The outlet 35 of the mixing section 34 is in fluid communication with the ventilation airflow path 39, so that the oxygen-enriched ventilation airflow formed in the mixing section 34 by mixing oxygen supplied to the mixing section 34 through the oxygen line 13 with air supplied to the mixing section 34 through the air line 15 is output or discharged into the ventilation airflow path 39.

[0111] Optionally, the ventilator 2 may additionally have a blower 36, which is configured to increase the pressure and / or flow rate of the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section 34 into the ventilation airflow path 39.

[0112] In a ventilator 2 equipped with a blower 36, a mixing section 34 may be formed, for example, as a mixing chamber upstream or downstream of the blower 36, or formed within the blower 36 in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0113] A flow regulator 38 (e.g., a grille) may be provided at the outlet 35 of the mixing section 34. The flow regulator 38 is designed to reduce turbulence in the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section 34 into the ventilation airflow path 39.

[0114] Downstream of the mixing section 34 and optionally downstream of the flow regulator 38, two ventilation airflow sensors 40a and 40b are disposed in or on the ventilation airflow path 39. These two ventilation airflow sensors 40a and 40b are designed to measure the flow rate of ventilation gas discharged from the mixing section 34 into the ventilation airflow path 39 and to provide or transmit the measurement results to the monitoring device 66.

[0115] To enhance the operational safety of the ventilator 2, two redundant ventilation airflow sensors 40a and 40b are configured to be parallel to each other on or in the ventilation airflow path 39. Ideally, the two ventilation airflow sensors 40a and 40b provide the same measurement result or two different measurements that are only insignificant to each other (i.e., within a predefined tolerance range).

[0116] If the difference between the measurement results transmitted by the two ventilation airflow sensors 40a and 40b exceeds a predefined threshold outside the predefined tolerance range, this indicates an abnormality in at least one of the two ventilation airflow sensors 40a and 40b. In this case, a corresponding error message can be output on the display device 6.

[0117] Optionally, an oxygen sensor ( Figure 2 An optical oxygen sensor (not shown) may be disposed in the ventilation airflow path 39 and is designed to measure the oxygen content of the ventilation airflow flowing through the ventilation airflow path 39 and to provide or transmit the measurement results to the monitoring device 66.

[0118] Ventilation gas temperature sensor 42, ventilation gas humidity sensor 43, and ventilation gas pressure sensor 45 are also disposed on or in the ventilation airflow path 39. Ventilation gas temperature sensor 42, ventilation gas humidity sensor 43, and ventilation gas pressure sensor 45 are designed to measure the temperature, humidity, and pressure of the ventilation airflow flowing through the ventilation airflow path 39 and transmit the measurement results to the monitoring device 66.

[0119] By means of a one-way valve 44 downstream of the aforementioned sensors 40a, 40b, 42, 43, and 45 arranged in the ventilation airflow path 39, the ventilation gas from the ventilation airflow path 39 enters the humidification device 16. The humidification device 16 is designed to humidify the ventilation airflow in order to increase the humidity in the ventilation gas.

[0120] The humidification device 16 specifically includes Figure 1 The diagram shows a water reservoir 14 for storing the water supply and at least one heating element 50 (e.g., a heating plate). The at least one heating element 50 allows the water supply stored in the water reservoir 14 to evaporate water from the water supply. The water reservoir 14 can be designed, for example, as a removable water tank that can be easily removed from the ventilator 2 to be filled with water outside the ventilator 2.

[0121] Ventilation airflow from ventilation airflow path 39 passes through water reservoir 14 to absorb water from water reservoir 14 and thus increase the humidity of ventilation airflow.

[0122] To further enhance the efficiency of water absorption from the water reservoir 14 into the ventilation airflow, an additional sprayer device 48 can be provided at the inlet of the water reservoir 14, through which the ventilation airflow flows into the water reservoir 14.

[0123] At least one fill level sensor 54 is provided in or on the water reservoir 14. This fill level sensor 54 is designed to measure the fill level of the water in the water reservoir 14 and transmit the measurement result to the monitoring device 66. When the fill level of the water in the water reservoir 14 drops below a predefined limit and water must be refilled into the water reservoir 14 to maintain the operability of the humidifier 16, the monitoring device 66 may output a warning or alarm signal, for example, via a display device 6 or an audio output device.

[0124] Temperature sensors 52a and 52b are provided in the water reservoir 14 and / or on at least one heating element 50 of the humidification device 16. The temperature sensors 52a and 52b are designed to measure the temperature of the water in the water reservoir 14 and / or the temperature of at least one heating element 50 and transmit the measurement results to the monitoring device 66. Similar to the ventilation airflow sensors 40a and 40b, the temperature sensors 52a and 52b in the humidification device 16 may also be redundantly present (i.e., at least twice) to enhance the operational safety of the ventilator 2.

[0125] The oxygen-enriched ventilation gas, already humidified in the humidifier 16, flows out of the humidifier 16 through the ventilation gas outlet 12 and enters the ventilation pipe 18. (As already combined...) Figure 1 As described, the ventilation airflow is supplied to the air supply device 22 through the ventilation pipe 18.

[0126] The vent pipe heating device 20 and the vent pipe temperature sensors 21a and 21a are installed on or in the vent pipe 18.

[0127] The ventilation tube temperature sensors 21a, 21a are also preferably designed to be redundantly implemented (i.e., at least twice). The ventilation tube temperature sensors 21a, 21a measure the temperature of the ventilation airflow in the ventilation tube 18 and transmit the measurement results to the monitoring device 66. This allows the monitoring device 66 to control the ventilation tube heating device 20 in a targeted manner based on the measurement results provided by the ventilation tube temperature sensors 21a, 21a, so as to heat the ventilation airflow through the ventilation tube 18 to a predefined temperature, so that ventilation gas at the predefined temperature can be supplied to the patient.

[0128] Along the direction of airflow, the sensor airflow line 62 branches off from the airflow path 39 between the airflow sensors 40a and 40b and the one-way valve 44.

[0129] During the operation of the ventilator 2, a portion of the ventilation airflow that flows through the ventilation airflow path 39 branches off from the ventilation airflow path 39 through the sensor airflow line 62 and is supplied to the integrated combined sensor 60 of the ventilator 2.

[0130] The integrated combination sensor 60 provides multiple sensor functions within a single (“integrated” combination sensor housing 61) disposed within the housing 4 of the ventilator 2. The sensor functions provided by the integrated combination sensor 60 specifically allow for the measurement or determination of various characteristics of the ventilation airflow flowing through the integrated combination sensor 60. These characteristics may specifically include the thermal conductivity L, pressure p, temperature T, and / or humidity of the ventilation airflow flowing through the integrated combination sensor 60.

[0131] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the integrated combined sensor 60 is specifically designed to measure the thermal conductivity L, pressure p, temperature T, and humidity of a portion of the ventilation airflow supplied to the integrated combined sensor 60 through the sensor airflow line 62, in order to determine the oxygen content p of the ventilation airflow based on the measured thermal conductivity L, taking into account the measured pressure p, the measured temperature T, and the measured humidity. O2 And these measurement results are provided or transmitted to the monitoring device 66.

[0132] The integrated sensor 60 may specifically include a microcontroller executing a program that allows the oxygen content p of the ventilation airflow to be determined based on the measured thermal conductivity, taking into account the measured pressure p, measured temperature T, and measured humidity of the ventilation airflow passing through the integrated sensor 60. O2 And transmit it to the monitoring device 66.

[0133] To permanently ensure the functionality of the integrated sensor 60 and to prevent damage to the integrated sensor 60 due to excessive airflow through it, the flow rate of the airflow through the sensor airflow line 62 and part of the ventilation airflow through the integrated sensor 60 is limited to its maximum value.

[0134] The maximum value can be predefined specifically through the design or construction of the integrated sensor 60. The flow rate of the portion of the ventilation airflow through the sensor airflow line 62 and the integrated sensor 60 can be limited, for example, to a maximum of 150 ml / min, preferably a maximum of 100 ml / min, and specifically a maximum of 50 ml / min.

[0135] To limit the flow rate of a portion of the ventilation airflow through the sensor airflow line 62 and the integrated sensor 60, a flow limiter 64 can be arranged in the sensor airflow line 62, such as... Figure 2 As schematically shown. This flow limiter 64 can be located upstream and / or downstream of the integrated combined sensor 60 in the sensor airflow line 62.

[0136] Alternatively, the sensor airflow line 62 itself (particularly by reducing its inner diameter) can be designed as a flow limiter 64. In this case, the additional flow limiter 64 arranged in the sensor airflow line 62 can be omitted.

[0137] In a possible embodiment not explicitly shown in the figure, the sensor airflow line 62 is designed such that a portion of the ventilation airflow flowing through the sensor airflow line 62 and the integrated combined sensor 60 is discharged as exhaust gas downstream of the integrated combined sensor 60 into the environment of the ventilator 2.

[0138] exist Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sensor airflow line 62 is designed as a return line, extending from the ventilation airflow path 39 downstream of the mixing section 34 to the inlet 33 of the mixing section 34. Figure 2 As shown, through the sensor airflow line 62 designed as a return line, part of the ventilation airflow that flows through the sensor airflow line 62 and the integrated combined sensor 60 returns to the mixing section 34.

[0139] Because some of the ventilation airflow returns to the mixing section 34, the oxygen consumption of the ventilator 2 can be reduced, since no oxygen-enriched gas is emitted into the environment as waste gas. Furthermore, because some of the oxygen-enriched ventilation airflow returns to the mixing section 34, the risk of fire can be reduced, since no oxygen-enriched, flammable gas is emitted into the environment.

[0140] In an exemplary embodiment, the monitoring device 66 is configured to receive, evaluate, and control the oxygen regulating valve 30 and / or the humidifier 16 (specifically, at least one heating element 50 of the humidifier 16) based on the measurement results provided by the integrated sensor 60, such that the ventilation airflow has a predefined flow rate F and a predefined oxygen content p. O2 Predefined pressure p, predefined temperature T, and / or predefined humidity are discharged from the ventilation gas outlet 12 of the ventilator 2. Furthermore, when the ventilator 2 is equipped with a blower 36, the monitoring device 66 can be designed to control the blower 36 based on measurements provided by the integrated combination sensor 60.

[0141] In this exemplary embodiment, the measurement results determined and provided by the oxygen measuring devices 32, 40a, 40b, the ventilation gas temperature sensor 42, and the ventilation gas humidity sensor 43 are used to monitor the operation of the ventilator 2.

[0142] During normal, undisturbed operation of the ventilator 2, the measurement results provided by the integrated combination sensor 60 are matched within a predefined tolerance with the corresponding measurement results provided by the oxygen measurement devices 32, 40a, 40b, the ventilation gas temperature sensor 42, and the ventilation gas humidity sensor 43, and the oxygen content of the ventilation gas is calculated based on these measurement results.

[0143] If the oxygen content p transmitted by the integrated sensor 60 O2If at least one of the measured values ​​of temperature T and air humidity differs from the corresponding value determined based on the measurement values ​​transmitted by oxygen measuring devices 32, 40a, 40b and / or ventilation gas temperature sensor 42 and / or ventilation gas humidity sensor 43 by more than a predefined threshold, this indicates an error and a corresponding error message is output on the display device 6.

[0144] The monitoring device 66 may be further designed such that, once a deviation exceeding at least one predefined threshold has been determined, it controls the oxygen regulating valve 30, the humidifier 16, the air regulating valve 17, and / or the blower 36 (if present) based on values ​​already determined based on measurements transmitted by the oxygen measuring devices 32, 40a, 40b and / or the ventilation gas temperature sensor 42 and / or the ventilation gas humidity sensor 43.

[0145] In an alternative embodiment, the monitoring device 66 is designed to control the oxygen regulating valve 30, the humidifier 16, the air regulating valve 17, and / or the blower 36 (provided these are present) based on measurements transmitted by the oxygen measuring devices 32, 40a, 40b and / or the ventilation gas temperature sensor 42 and / or the ventilation gas humidity sensor 43 during undisturbed normal operation.

[0146] At the same time, the oxygen content p in the ventilation airflow is determined regularly or continuously by means of the integrated combination sensor 60. O2 And / or the humidity and / or temperature T of the ventilated airflow, as described above.

[0147] The oxygen content p of the ventilation airflow is determined by the integrated combined sensor 60. O2 At least one of the values ​​of humidity and temperature T can be compared with a corresponding value that has been determined based on the measurement results transmitted by oxygen measuring devices 32, 40a, 40b and / or ventilation gas temperature sensor 42 and / or ventilation gas humidity sensor 43.

[0148] If the oxygen content p in the ventilation airflow O2 If, in the case of at least one of humidity and temperature T, the difference between the value determined based on the measurement results of the integrated combination sensor 60 and the value determined based on the measurement results of other sensors 40a, 40b, 42, 43, 45 exceeds a predefined threshold, a corresponding error message will be output on the display device 6.

[0149] Furthermore, the monitoring device 66 can be configured to control the oxygen regulating valve 30, the humidifier 16, the air regulating valve 17, and / or the blower 36 (if present) based on measurements provided by the integrated combination sensor 60 once at least one such difference exceeding a predefined threshold has been determined.

[0150] In this way, even if the deviation in the measurement results has been determined, the operation of ventilator 2 can continue reliably until the detected error has been eliminated.

Claims

1. A ventilator (2) for patient ventilation, preferably nasal ventilation, said ventilator (2) preferably being a high-flow ventilator (2), said ventilator (2) comprising: An air inlet (10) is configured to supply ambient air to the ventilator (2). Oxygen inlet (8), which is configured to supply oxygen to the ventilator (2); The mixing section (34) is designed to receive ambient air from the air inlet (10) and oxygen from the oxygen inlet (8), mix the ambient air and the oxygen with each other, and discharge oxygen-enriched air as a ventilation airflow into the ventilation airflow path (39). An oxygen regulating valve (30) is disposed between the oxygen inlet (8) and the mixing section (34) and allows regulation of the flow rate of the oxygen entering the mixing section (34) from the oxygen inlet (8); An integrated combination sensor (60) is designed to measure the thermal conductivity, pressure, temperature, and humidity of the ventilation airflow downstream of the mixing section (34), taking into account the measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity, determining the oxygen content of the ventilation airflow based on the measured thermal conductivity, and providing the determined oxygen content, measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity as measurement results; and including Monitoring device (66), said monitoring device (66) is designed to Receive the measurement results provided by the integrated combined sensor (60) in the ventilation airflow; The measurement result of the oxygen content in the ventilation airflow received from the integrated combined sensor (60) is compared with a predefined oxygen content in the ventilation airflow; and If the measurement result received from the integrated sensor (60) differs from the predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow, the oxygen regulating valve (30) is controlled to regulate the oxygen content in the ventilation flow.

2. The ventilator (2) according to claim 1. Other than including Oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b), said oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b) being designed to determine the oxygen content in the ventilation gas flow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said oxygen content as a measurement result; and / or Ventilation gas pressure sensor (45), said ventilation gas pressure sensor (45) is designed to determine the pressure of the ventilation gas flow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said pressure as a measurement result; and / or Ventilation gas temperature sensor (42), said ventilation gas temperature sensor (42) is designed to determine the temperature of the ventilation gas flow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said temperature as a measurement result; and / or Ventilation gas humidity sensor (43), said ventilation gas humidity sensor (43) is designed to determine the humidity in the ventilation airflow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said humidity as a measurement result; and in, The monitoring device (66) is further designed to Receive measurement results provided by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b), the ventilation gas pressure sensor (45), the ventilation gas temperature sensor (42), and / or the ventilation gas humidity sensor (43). The measurement results received from the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b), the ventilation gas pressure sensor (45), the ventilation gas temperature sensor (42), and / or the ventilation gas humidity sensor (43) are compared with the measurement results provided by the integrated sensor (60); and An alarm signal is output if at least one of the measurement results received from the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b), the ventilation gas pressure sensor (45), the ventilation gas temperature sensor (42), and / or the ventilation gas humidity sensor (43) differs from the corresponding measurement result provided by the integrated combination sensor (60) by a maximum difference value.

3. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The ventilator (2) is designed to provide at least 15 l Ventilation flow rate per minute, especially up to 100 l / min ventilation flow rate.

4. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The integrated combination sensor (60) is formed in the combination sensor housing, which is arranged in the housing (4) of the ventilator (2).

5. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The ventilator (2) includes a blower (36), wherein the mixing section (34) is formed upstream, downstream or as part of the blower (36), wherein the monitoring device (66) is specifically designed to control the blower (36) based on measurements provided by the sensors (30, 40a, 40b, 42, 43, 60), particularly based on measurements provided by the integrated combination sensor (60).

6. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, An air regulating valve (17) is disposed between the air inlet (10) and the mixing section (34), and the air regulating valve (17) is capable of regulating the flow rate of ambient air flowing from the air inlet (10) into the mixing section (34); The monitoring device (66) is specifically designed to control the air conditioning valve (17) based on the measurement results provided by the sensors (30, 40a, 40b, 42, 43, 60), and especially based on the measurement results provided by the integrated combination sensor (60).

7. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The ventilator (2) includes a sensor airflow line (62) that branches off from the ventilation airflow path (39) downstream of the mixing section (34), such that a portion of the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section (34) flows through the sensor airflow line (62) as a partial ventilation airflow. The integrated combined sensor (60) is arranged in or on the sensor airflow line (62) such that the oxygen content, pressure, temperature and thermal conductivity of the partial ventilation airflow can be determined by the integrated combined sensor (60).

8. The ventilator (2) according to claim 7. in, A flow limiter (64) is disposed in the sensor airflow line (62), wherein the flow limiter (64) is specifically designed to limit the flow rate of the portion of the ventilation airflow through the sensor airflow line (62) to no more than 150 ml / min, preferably to no more than 100 ml / min, and particularly preferably to no more than 50 ml / min.

9. The ventilator (2) according to claim 8. in, The flow limiter (64) is located upstream or downstream of the integrated combined sensor (60) in the sensor airflow line (62).

10. The ventilator (2) according to claim 8. in, The sensor airflow line (62) itself is designed as a flow limiter (64), wherein the sensor airflow line (62) is specifically formed as a flow limiter (64) by a reduced inner diameter.

11. The ventilator (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 10. in, The sensor airflow line (62) is designed to discharge a portion of the ventilation airflow flowing through the sensor airflow line (62) into the environment downstream of the integrated combined sensor (60).

12. The ventilator (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 10. in, The sensor airflow line (62) is a return line extending from the outlet of the mixing section (34) to the inlet of the mixing section (34), so that the portion of the ventilation airflow from the sensor airflow line (62) returns to the mixing section (34).

13. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The integrated sensor (60) includes a program-controlled microcontroller, and / or the monitoring device (66) includes a program-controlled microcontroller.

14. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) includes at least one flow sensor (40a, 40b) which is located downstream of the mixing section (34) and is designed to measure the flow rate of the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section (34) into the ventilation airflow path (39).

15. The ventilator (2) according to claim 14. in, The oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) includes two flow sensors (40a, 40b) disposed in or on the ventilation airflow path (39) downstream of the mixing section (34), wherein the two flow sensors (40a, 40b) are specifically arranged parallel to each other in or on the ventilation airflow path (39), and / or The oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) includes an oxygen flow sensor (32), which is disposed between the oxygen inlet (8) and the mixing section (34) and is designed to measure the flow rate of the oxygen flow that flows into the mixing section (34) through the oxygen inlet (8).

16. The ventilator (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14. in, The oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b) include oxygen sensors, particularly optical oxygen sensors, which are designed to measure the oxygen content in the ventilation flow.

17. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. Includes an ambient temperature sensor, which is designed to measure the ambient temperature of the ventilator (2) and provide the measurement results to the monitoring device (66).

18. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The ventilator (2) includes a high-pressure oxygen inlet (8) and / or a low-pressure oxygen inlet (8).

19. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The ventilator (2) includes a humidification device (16) which is designed to receive and humidify the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section (34) into the ventilation airflow path (39) in order to provide a humidified ventilation airflow; wherein the humidification device (16) specifically includes a water reservoir (14).

20. The ventilator (2) according to claim 19. in, The humidification device (16) includes at least one heating element (50) for heating the water reservoir (14) and at least one water reservoir temperature sensor (52a), wherein the monitoring device (66) is configured to receive measurement results from the at least one water reservoir temperature sensor (52a) and control the heating element (50).

21. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The ventilator (2) includes a ventilation tube (18) attached to a ventilation gas outlet (12) of the ventilator (2) to receive and deliver a ventilation gas flow provided at the ventilation gas outlet (12).

22. The ventilator (2) according to claim 21. in, The vent pipe (18) includes a vent pipe heating device (20) that allows heating of the venting airflow in the vent pipe (18), wherein the vent pipe heating device (20) is specifically controlled by the monitoring device (66).

23. The ventilator (2) according to claim 21 or 22. in, An air supply device (22) is disposed at the end of the ventilation tube (18) away from the ventilator (2), the air supply device (22) being designed to supply ventilation gas from the ventilation tube (18) to the patient, wherein the air supply device (22) is particularly a nasal air supply device (22), such as a nasal cannula.

24. The ventilator (2) according to any one of claims 21 to 23. Includes at least one ventilator temperature sensor (21a, 21b), said ventilator temperature sensor (21a, 21b) arranged on or in said ventilator (18) and designed to measure the temperature of the ventilator gas flow provided at said ventilator gas outlet (12) and to provide the measurement result to said monitoring device (66), wherein, Specifically, two vent tube temperature sensors (21a, 21b) are disposed on or in the vent tube (18).

25. The ventilator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims. in, The monitoring device (66) is designed to be If the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) and the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the integrated combination sensor (60) are not greater than a predefined difference, then the oxygen regulating valve (30) is controlled based on the oxygen content determined by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b). as well as If the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) differs from the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the integrated sensor (60) by a value greater than the predefined difference, the oxygen regulating valve (30) is controlled based on the oxygen control determined by the integrated sensor (60).

26. A method for operating a ventilator (2), the ventilator (2) comprising: An air inlet (10) is configured to supply ambient air to the ventilator (2). Oxygen inlet (8), which is configured to supply oxygen to the ventilator (2); The mixing section (34) is designed to receive ambient air from the air inlet (10) and oxygen from the oxygen inlet (8), mix the ambient air and the oxygen with each other, and output oxygen-enriched air as a ventilation airflow to the ventilation airflow path (39); An oxygen regulating valve (30) is disposed between the oxygen inlet (8) and the mixing section (34) and allows regulation of the flow rate of the oxygen entering the mixing section (34) from the oxygen inlet (8); as well as An integrated combination sensor (60) is designed to measure the thermal conductivity, pressure, temperature, and humidity of the ventilation airflow downstream of the mixing section (34), taking into account the measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity, determining the oxygen content of the ventilation airflow based on the measured thermal conductivity, and providing the determined oxygen content, measured pressure, measured temperature, and measured humidity as measurement results; and The method includes The thermal conductivity, oxygen content, pressure, temperature, and humidity of the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section are measured by the integrated combined sensor (60). Taking into account the measured pressure, the measured temperature, and the measured humidity, the oxygen content of the ventilation airflow is determined based on the measured thermal conductivity, and the oxygen content, the measured pressure, the measured temperature, and the measured humidity determined therefrom are provided as measurement results; as well as The measurement result of the oxygen content in the ventilation airflow provided by the integrated combined sensor (60) is compared with a predefined oxygen content in the ventilation airflow; and If the measured oxygen content in the ventilation flow received from the integrated sensor (60) differs from the predefined oxygen content in the ventilation flow, the oxygen regulating valve (30) is controlled to regulate the oxygen content in the ventilation flow.

27. The method according to claim 26, in, The ventilator (2) further includes Oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b), said oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b) being designed to determine the oxygen content in the ventilation gas flow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said oxygen content as a measurement result; and / or Ventilation gas pressure sensor (45), said ventilation gas pressure sensor (45) is designed to determine the pressure of the ventilation gas flow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said pressure as a measurement result; and / or Ventilation gas temperature sensor (42), said ventilation gas temperature sensor (42) is designed to determine the temperature of the ventilation gas flow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said temperature as a measurement result; and / or Ventilation gas humidity sensor (43), said ventilation gas humidity sensor (43) is designed to determine the humidity in the ventilation airflow downstream of said mixing section (34) and provide said humidity as a measurement result; and The method further includes The measurement results provided by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) and / or by the ventilation gas pressure sensor (45) and / or by the ventilation gas temperature sensor (42) and / or by the ventilation gas humidity sensor (43) are compared with the corresponding measurement results provided by the integrated sensor (60); and An alarm signal is output if the difference between at least one of the measurement results provided by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b), the ventilation gas pressure sensor (45), the ventilation gas temperature sensor (42), and the ventilation gas humidity sensor (43) and the corresponding measurement result provided by the integrated combination sensor (60) exceeds a predefined maximum difference.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, in, The ventilator (2) includes a humidification device (16) for humidifying the ventilation airflow, the humidification device (16) having a water reservoir (14), at least one heating element (50) for heating the water reservoir (14) and at least one water reservoir temperature sensor (52a), and wherein the method includes controlling the heating element (50) based on measurement results provided by the integrated combined sensor (60) or based on measurement results provided by the ventilation gas temperature sensor (42) and / or measurement results provided by the water reservoir temperature sensor (52a).

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, in, The monitoring device (66) is designed to control the oxygen regulating valve based on the oxygen content determined by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) or based on the oxygen content determined by the integrated sensor (60).

30. The method according to claim 29, in, The method includes: If the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b) differs from the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the integrated sensor (60) by no more than a predefined difference, then the oxygen regulating valve (30) is controlled based on the oxygen content determined by the oxygen measuring devices (32, 40a, 40b); and If the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the oxygen measuring device (32, 40a, 40b) differs from the oxygen content of the ventilation gas determined by the integrated sensor (60) by a value greater than the predefined difference, the oxygen regulating valve (30) is controlled based on the oxygen content determined by the integrated sensor (60).

31. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 30, in, The ventilator (2) includes an air regulating valve (17) disposed between the air inlet (10) and the mixing section (34) and allows regulation of the flow rate of ambient air flowing from the air inlet (8) into the mixing section (34); as well as The method includes controlling the air conditioning valve (17) based on measurement results provided by the sensors (30, 40a, 40b, 42, 43, 60), and in particular based on measurement results provided by the integrated combination sensor (60).

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, in, The ventilator (2) includes a blower (36); and The method includes controlling the blower (36) based on measurement results provided by the sensors (30, 40a, 40b, 42, 43, 60), particularly based on measurement results provided by the integrated sensor (60).

33. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 32, in, The method includes providing a minimum of 15 l / minute flow rate, especially up to 100 l Ventilation flow rate of / minute.

34. The method according to claims 27 to 33, in, The method includes passing a portion of the ventilation airflow discharged from the mixing section (34) as a partial ventilation airflow through a sensor airflow line (62), wherein the integrated combination sensor (60) is disposed on or in the sensor airflow line (62) such that the oxygen content, pressure, temperature and thermal conductivity of the partial ventilation airflow can be determined by the integrated combination sensor (60).

35. The method according to claim 34, in, The method includes returning a portion of the partial ventilation airflow to the inlet of the mixing section (34) through a sensor airflow line (62) designed as a return line.

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