A shroud for humidifying air entering a tracheostomy valve

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a shroud (100) for humidifying air entering a tracheostomy valve (190), the shroud comprising a container (102) having a front wall (104) and a rear wall (108) configured to face an inlet (192) of the tracheostomy valve (190); the container (102) comprising a piece of material (110) enclosed by the front wall (104) and the rear wall (108) and a channel (112) extending through the front wall (104), through the piece of material (110) and through the rear wall (108) to allow external air (120) to flow through the container (102) to the tracheostomy valve (190) during inhalation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to tracheostomy valves comprising a detachable additional guard and / or insert and / or cover and / or lid and the detachable additional guard and / or insert and / or cover and / or lid itself serves to humidify the air entering the tracheostomy valve. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a detachable additional guard for humidifying the air entering a speaking tracheostomy valve and / or a humidified tracheostomy valve. BACKGROUND

[0002] Different types of solutions for breathing valves comprising a membrane are known within the technical field of tracheostomy valves. Many of these valves also improve the ability to speak. Many tracheostomy valves work as humidified valves in which exhaled air can be used to capture moisture, for example by using some kind of built-in or incorporated gas-permeable moisture heat exchanger, before the exhaled air is released to the atmosphere. The captured moisture at exhalation is released to the air at inhalation.

[0003] Examples of such valves are disclosed in WO 2009 / 018384 Al and EP 2 501 424 Bl, in which the tracheostomy valves disclosed in both applications comprise a valve body having a first inner end, a second outer end and a passageway extending through the valve body between the ends to allow air to flow from and through the first end to the second end. Herein, outer means facing away from the patient (away from the tracheostomy tube), and inner means facing the patient, i.e. the first inner end is attachable to the tracheostomy tube. A laterally flexible membrane is located within the passageway at a distance from the first end of the valves. A cover is adapted to be fastened to the outer valve end and has openings with a diameter corresponding to a large extent to the inner diameter of the passageway, which openings define a rim. Each cover is provided with a hub from which radial spokes extend to the rim. The hub is provided with a hole designed to match a post on a rib located in the passageway transverse to the direction of the air flow through the passageway near the outer end. The post is located centrally on the rib on the outer rib side. The post cooperates with a central hole in the membrane to hold the membrane in place. The rib has a slightly elevated portion adjacent to the post. The rim is provided with a seating ring on the inner side, i.e. the side facing the patient when the cover is mounted, for supporting the peripheral edge of the membrane. When the cover is attached, the central portion of the membrane will be clamped between the hub and the elevated portion on the rib. The seating ring is inwardly offset relative to the inner surface of the hub.

[0004] In these exemplary valves, each flexible membrane is deformed to be preloaded into engagement with the seating ring when the cover is attached, resulting in an uninterrupted and reliable seal between the membrane and the seating ring.

[0005] Further examples of solutions for breathing valves are given in US 5 666 950 A, which discloses a filter for a tracheostomy valve, and in WO 2013 / 152755 A1, which discloses a tracheostomy valve.

[0006] A problem with the prior art solutions is that the air inhaled through the valve is too dry and is uncomfortable and undesirable, and it can dry out the delicate mucous membranes. When the delicate mucous membranes dry out, the user of the tracheostomy valve can find it more difficult to speak. This can also lead to a greater need to suck mucus.

[0007] Therefore, there can be a need to improve the humidification of the tracheostomy valve. SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to alleviate, mitigate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and drawbacks in the prior art and to at least address the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided an additional guard for humidifying air entering into a tracheostomy valve, the additional guard being configured to be attached at, to, against, around, over or in an inlet of the tracheostomy valve in a detachable manner or fixedly, and the additional guard comprising a container having a front wall and a rear wall, the rear wall being configured to face the inlet of the tracheostomy valve; the container comprising a piece of material enclosed by the front wall and the rear wall, and a channel extending through the front wall, through the piece of material and through the rear wall, thereby allowing external air to flow through the container to the tracheostomy valve during inhalation, wherein the piece of material is configured to or configured for humidifying the air flowing through the channel. Thereby, the inhaled air through the tracheostomy valve becomes even more humid and / or less dry.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the container further comprises a side wall, and wherein the piece of material is enclosed by the front wall, the side wall and the rear wall, and / or wherein the container is cylindrical. Thereby, the additional guard can be manufactured more easily.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the channel is surrounded and / or limited by the piece of material. Thereby, the exchange of moisture from the piece of material to the air of the channel is improved.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the front wall, the side wall and / or the rear wall comprises a hard material, such as plastic.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the material comprises a moisture carrying material, a foam material, a fibrous material and / or a porous material. Thereby, the exchange of moisture from the piece of material to the air of the channel is facilitated.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the channel is located at the centre of the front wall and / or at the centre of the rear wall. Thereby, the additional shield can be easier to manufacture and / or the additional shield can be more effective.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the channel is cylindrical.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the piece of material occupies a part of the inner space of the container or the whole inner space. Thereby, the largest amount of the piece of material is used, thus facilitating a higher exchange, i.e. moisture release to the air in the channel.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the front wall of the additional shield is perforated. Thereby, the addition of moisture / humidity to the piece of material and the release of moisture / humidity from the piece of material is improved, thus achieving an increase in humidity of the air in the channel.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the front wall comprises at least one front hole for humidification of the piece of material. Thereby, the addition of moisture / humidity to the piece of material and / or the provision of increased humidity for the air in the channel is improved.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the front wall comprises at least two front holes, which are preferably located equidistant from each other, and which are preferably located closer to the edge of the front wall than to the centre of the front wall. Thereby, the addition of moisture / humidity to the piece of material is achieved.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the at least one front hole allows external air to flow through the at least one front hole to the piece of material, and the piece of material allows external air to flow through and / or over the piece of material to the channel. Thereby, the humidity of the air flowing through the channel is increased / improved.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the piece of material is configured to humidify the air flowing through the channel by adding a liquid, such as water, to the piece of material. Thereby, the humidity of the air flowing through the channel is increased / improved.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the liquid is added to the piece of material through the front hole. Thereby, the humidity of the air flowing through the channel is increased / improved and / or the addition of the liquid is facilitated.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the additional shield is configured to be attached to a tracheostomy valve, preferably by a snap-on mechanism comprising an extension of the side wall configured to be attached to the tracheostomy valve in a detachable manner. Thereby, the additional shield can be easily attached to and / or detached from the tracheostomy valve.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the additional shield is configured to be detached after a certain period of use for adding liquid. Thereby, a long-term maintenance of a suitable humidity level is facilitated.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the additional shield further comprises a side channel extending between the front wall and the material piece and between the rear wall and the material piece, thereby allowing external air to flow through the container to the tracheostomy valve during inhalation. Thereby, the humidification of the air flowing into the tracheostomy valve is improved.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the material piece of the additional shield has a first end facing the front wall and a second end facing the rear wall, the first end being located at a distance from the front wall. This improves the distribution of the incoming air over a larger area / surface of the material piece and makes the incoming air "even" over a larger area / surface of the material piece, thereby increasing the path of the air flow and thus the release of moisture from the material piece and the additional uptake of moisture by the incoming air.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the additional shield is a detachable outer cover and / or outer cover of the inlet of the tracheostomy valve. This makes it easy to access the shield, e.g. when adding liquid to the shield without the need to detach the shield from the valve.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the tracheostomy valve comprises a detachable additional shield and / or insert and / or cover and / or lid for humidifying air entering into the tracheostomy valve according to any of the disclosed embodiments. This enables a further humidification of the air entering a one-way tracheostomy valve, e.g. a speaking tracheostomy valve, and / or a two-way tracheostomy valve, e.g. a humidified tracheostomy valve, and a better control of the humidification of said air in a first humidification step or phase to further relieve the drying of the delicate mucosa when inhaling.

[0029] The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the present disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from the teachings of the detailed description that changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure herein is not limited to the particular construction described, as such devices and methods can vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" can include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprise," "comprises," "comprising," "include," "includes," "including," and the like, are inclusive and not mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The above objects and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are described briefly as follows.

[0032] FIG. 1A A cross-sectional side view of an additional shroud for humidifying air for detachable attachment to a tracheostomy valve is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 1B A cross-sectional side view of an additional shroud for humidifying air for detachable attachment to a tracheostomy valve is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2A A front view of an additional shroud for humidifying air and configured for detachable attachment to a tracheostomy valve is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 2B A front view of an additional shroud for humidifying air and configured for detachable attachment to a tracheostomy valve is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 2C A front view of a material piece in an additional shroud for humidifying air without a lid and / or cover and / or insert and / or top piece and / or cover and / or shroud in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 2D A front view of a material piece in an additional shroud for humidifying air without a lid and / or cover and / or insert and / or top piece and / or cover and / or shroud in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 2E A front view of a material piece in an additional shroud for humidifying air without a lid and / or cover and / or insert and / or top piece and / or cover and / or shroud in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 2B cross-sectional view of a portion of the material piece in the additional shroud along line A-A and / or along line B-B of FIG. 2C

[0039] FIG. 2F FIG. 2D

[0040] FIG. 3

[0041] FIG. 4A

[0042] FIG. 4B

[0043] FIG. 5

[0044] FIG. 6

[0045] FIG. 7

[0046] FIG. 8

[0047] FIG. 9 ​​​​​​​​​​​

[0048] FIG. 10 A cross-sectional side view of an additional hood for humidifying air and configured to be attached in a detachable manner to a tracheostomy valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] FIG. 11 A cross-sectional side view of an additional hood for humidifying air and configured to be attached in a detachable manner to a tracheostomy valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0050] FIG. 12 A cross-sectional side view of an additional hood for humidifying air and configured to be attached in a detachable manner to a tracheostomy valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0051] FIG. 13 A retaining ring for an additional hood for humidifying air and configured to be attached in a detachable manner to a tracheostomy valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0052] FIG. 14 A top view of a structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein FIGS. 1A-14 The present disclosure is described with reference to the preferred example embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the drawings. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are provided to sufficiently convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0054] The term "humidifying" is construed as increasing the humidity or moisture of air, i.e. the moisture content of air.

[0055] The present disclosure relates to a detachable additional shield and / or cover and / or cap and / or insert and / or top piece and / or cover piece for additional humidification of air entering a tracheostomy valve. The detachable additional shield and / or cover and / or cap and / or insert is particularly useful for a speaking tracheostomy valve, as for such a valve there is no exhaled air available that can be used to capture moisture, e.g. by using a certain moisture heat exchanger, before the exhaled air is released to the atmosphere. The present disclosure relates to a detachable additional shield and / or cover and / or cap and / or insert and / or top piece and / or cover piece for a tracheostomy valve for additional, i.e. extra, humidification of air entering the humidified tracheostomy valve. The detachable additional shield and / or cover and / or cap and / or insert and / or top piece and / or cover piece is also useful for humidifying a tracheostomy valve, as for such a valve there is exhaled air available that can be used to capture moisture, e.g. by using a certain gas-permeable moisture heat exchanger, before the exhaled air is released to the atmosphere, but in many cases this inherent or built-in gas-permeable moisture heat exchanger of these humidified tracheostomy valves does not provide enough humidity to the incoming air, so this detachable additional shield and / or cover and / or cap and / or insert and / or top piece and / or cover piece provides an additional stage or step of other / additional humidification of the air entering the humidified tracheostomy valve before the air reaches the inherent or built-in gas-permeable moisture heat exchanger.

[0056] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B A cross-sectional side view of an additional shield and / or cover and / or cap and / or insert and / or inlay and / or top piece and / or cover piece 100 for humidifying air 120 is shown. The additional shield 100 is attached to a tracheostomy valve 190 having a filter 194. In certain embodiments, the filter 194 can occupy a majority, such as more than half, of the space inside the tracheostomy valve 190. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the filter 194 can occupy only a small portion of the space inside the tracheostomy valve 190, such as less than 50 percent, less than 25 percent, or less than 10 percent. In some embodiments, the tracheostomy valve 190 can be provided with a membrane (see FIG. 10Air 120 comes from outside the tracheostomy valve 190 and / or outside the additional hood 100. The air 120 enters the tracheostomy valve 190 via the additional hood 100. The additional hood 100 humidifies the air 120. Thus, the additional hood 100 is a humidifying cover for the tracheostomy valve 190. The additional hood 100 comprises a container 102. The container 102 comprises a front wall 104 and a rear wall 108 and can have any suitable shape. The rear wall 108 is configured to face the inlet 192 of the tracheostomy valve 190. In some embodiments, the rear wall 108 is shaped and sized to face the inlet 192 and / or to fit together with the inlet 192. Furthermore, the container 102 comprises a piece of material 110. The piece of material 110 is enclosed by the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, there is a further rear wall 109 and the piece of material 110 is enclosed by the front wall 104 and the further rear wall 109. The piece of material 110 is arranged inside the container 102. The piece of material 110 is covered or surrounded by the container 102.

[0057] Furthermore, the container 102 comprises one or more tubes, pipes or channels 112. The channels 112 extend through the front wall 104. The front wall 104 can be perforated. The front wall 104 can be provided with one or more through-holes 114 to accommodate the channels 112. Furthermore, the channels 112 extend through the piece of material 110. The piece of material 110 is located in the vicinity of the channels 112. In some embodiments, there is no piece of material 110 in the channels 112. In some embodiments, the piece of material 110 occupies a portion of the space surrounding the channels 112. In some embodiments, the portion comprises or is the portion of the space between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108 closest to the front wall 104. In some embodiments, the portion comprises or is the portion of the space between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108 closest to the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, the portion comprises or is the portion at or near the midpoint between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, the portion comprises a portion of the circumference surrounding the channels 112. In some embodiments, the piece of material 110 partially or completely surrounds and confines the channels 112 in the space between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, the piece of material 110 occupies the entire space inside the container 102. Thus, the piece of material 110 occupies all of the interior space of the container 102 (except for the channels 112, 1102). Furthermore, the channels 112 extend through the rear wall 108. The rear wall 108 can be provided with through-holes 116 (as shown in Fig. 1 1 ) to accommodate the channels 112. In some embodiments, the through-holes 116 have the same shape and size as the through-holes 114. FIG. 3 Furthermore, the container 102 comprises one or more tubes, pipes or channels 112. The channels 112 extend through the front wall 104. The front wall 104 can be perforated. The front wall 104 can be provided with one or more through-holes 114 to accommodate the channels 112. Furthermore, the channels 112 extend through the piece of material 110. The piece of material 110 is located in the vicinity of the channels 112. In some embodiments, there is no piece of material 110 in the channels 112. In some embodiments, the piece of material 110 occupies a portion of the space surrounding the channels 112. In some embodiments, the portion comprises or is the portion of the space between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108 closest to the front wall 104. In some embodiments, the portion comprises or is the portion of the space between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108 closest to the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, the portion comprises or is the portion at or near the midpoint between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, the portion comprises a portion of the circumference surrounding the channels 112. In some embodiments, the piece of material 110 partially or completely surrounds and confines the channels 112 in the space between the front wall 104 and the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, the piece of material 110 occupies the entire space inside the container 102. Thus, the piece of material 110 occupies all of the interior space of the container 102 (except for the channels 112, 1102). Furthermore, the channels 112 extend through the rear wall 108. The rear wall 108 can be provided with through-holes 116 (as shown in Fig. 1 1 ) to accommodate the channels 112. In some embodiments, the through-holes 116 have the same shape and size as the through-holes 114.

[0058] During inhalation, the channels 112, 1102 allow external air 120 to flow through the container 102 to the tracheostomy valve 190. The material piece 110 can be configured or configured to humidify the air 120 flowing through the channels 112, 1102.

[0059] In some embodiments, the container 102 comprises a side wall 106 and the material piece 110 is enclosed by the front wall 104, the side wall 106 and the back wall 108. In some embodiments, the container 102 is cylindrical. In some embodiments, the container 102 is non-cylindrical, such as round, rounded, spherical or cubic. In some embodiments, the material piece 110 is in contact with the side wall 106, see FIG. 1A and FIG. 4A In some embodiments, the material piece 110 is not in contact with the side wall 106, see FIG. 1B and FIG. 4B In some embodiments, one or more side channels 1102 are provided between the material piece 110 and the side wall 106. In some embodiments, the side channels 1102 extend around the circumference of the material piece 110, as shown in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D In FIG. 2E , the side channels 1102 are through holes located at a distance from the outer circumference of the material piece 110. In FIG. 2E , the side channels 1102 are cavities forming through holes between the side wall 106 and the outer circumference of the material piece 110. The side channels 1102 are configured to let air 120 pass through.

[0060] In some embodiments, any one or more of the front wall 104, the side wall 106 and the back wall 108 comprise a hard material, such as plastic, rubber or metal. Thus, moisture / humidity is kept inside the additional shroud 100 and is only directed to the channels 112 and / or transported to the channels 112.

[0061] In some embodiments, the material piece 110 comprises a liquid and / or moisture carrying material, a foam material, a fibrous material, cellulose and / or a porous material. The liquid and / or moisture carrying material can be a foam material, a fibrous material, a porous material or any combination thereof.

[0062] In some embodiments, the channels 112 are located around or start at the center 502 of the front wall 104 (see FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B ). Additionally or alternatively, the channels 112 are located around or end at the center 504 of the back wall 108 (see FIG. 3 , FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D). In some embodiments, the channel 112 is cylindrical. Alternatively, the channel 112 is spherical, cubic or cuboid.

[0063] In some embodiments, the additional hood 100 is configured to be attached to the tracheostomy valve 190 in a detachable manner. Such attachment can be achieved by a snap-on mechanism. The snap-on mechanism comprises an extension 902 of the sidewall 106 of the additional hood 100. The extension 902 is configured to be attached to the tracheostomy valve 190 in a detachable manner. In some embodiments, the extension 902, when attached, encircles the outside of the tracheostomy valve 190 and is tight enough around the tracheostomy valve 190 such that a force from the extension 902 towards the tracheostomy valve 190 holds the additional hood 100 in place. Alternatively or additionally, the inner surface of the extension 902 is provided with at least one protrusion 904 which locks into at least one corresponding groove provided at the outside of the tracheostomy valve 190. Alternatively or additionally, the outside of the tracheostomy valve 190 is provided with at least one protrusion which locks into a corresponding groove provided at the inner surface of the extension 902.

[0064] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B A front view of the additional hood 100 for humidifying air is shown. Thus, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B A front wall 104 of the container 102 is shown. The front wall 104 is FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B circular and / or round shape. As FIG. 5 shown in the

[0065] The front wall 104 has a center 502 and comprises one or more through holes 114 for accommodating the channels 112 or as an entrance to the channels 112. In some embodiments, the through holes 114 are circular or round shaped. However, as FIGS. 5-9 shown in the

[0066] In some embodiments, the front wall 104 comprises at least one front hole 802. In some embodiments, the front hole 802 is a through hole. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B Each of the front holes 802 depicted in FIG. 2B is circular and has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the circular through hole 114. In FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B embodiments, the small holes showing the smaller front holes 802 in dashed lines are optional, i.e. not present, in some embodiments, and / or in some embodiments, instead of a portion of the material piece 110 inside the container 102 and below the front wall 104 of the insert 100, a through hole is present, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B In some embodiments, the at least one front hole 802 is used for humidifying the material piece 110. The humidification of the material piece 110 is performed in order to be used for the material piece 110 to humidify the air flowing through the channel 112. Thus, by further humidifying the material piece 110, the material piece 110 will be configured to humidify the air flowing through the channel 112. In some embodiments, the humidification of the material piece 110 is performed by adding a liquid to the material piece 110, such as water or saline, i.e. water with dissolved salt, the salt preferably being sodium chloride. In some embodiments, the liquid is distilled water or distilled water with dissolved salt. In some embodiments, the liquid is added to the material piece through one or more of the front holes 802. In some embodiments, the addition of the liquid is performed when the additional hood 100 is attached to the tracheostomy valve 190. Alternatively or additionally, the additional hood 100 is configured to be detached from the tracheostomy valve 190 for adding the liquid. In some embodiments, such detachment is performed periodically and / or upon detection of a need, such as when the material piece 110 contains too little moisture and / or liquid, in order to increase the humidity of the material piece 110 by adding liquid. In some embodiments, the addition of the liquid is performed after the additional hood 100 has been used for humidifying the air flowing through the channel for a certain period of time, such as 1 hour (h) or 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 2 days or 4 days. In some embodiments, the addition of the liquid is performed after the additional hood 100 has been used for humidifying the air flowing through the channel for a certain period of time and the material piece 110 has dried to a certain extent, such as below a threshold of a minimum content of moisture and / or liquid. In some embodiments, the liquid is added to the additional hood 100 and the material piece 110 until the material piece 110 is saturated. The amount of liquid added each time is between 1 milliliter (ml) and 4 milliliters (ml), and preferably 2 ml. As FIG. 2A and FIG. 2BAs can be seen, in some embodiments, the front wall 104 comprises at least two front holes 802. The front holes 802 are preferably positioned equidistant to each other. Further, the front holes 802 are preferably positioned closer to the edge 704 of the front wall 104 than to the center 502 of the front wall 104. In some embodiments, the front holes 802 are round or circular in shape. However, as will be shown in FIGS. 5-9 As can be seen, in some embodiments, the front wall 104 comprises at least two front holes 802. The front holes 802 are preferably positioned equidistant to each other. Further, the front holes 802 are preferably positioned closer to the edge 704 of the front wall 104 than to the center 502 of the front wall 104. In some embodiments, the front holes 802 are round or circular in shape. However, as will be shown in FIG. 9 As can be seen, in some embodiments, the front wall 104 comprises at least two front holes 802. The front holes 802 are preferably positioned equidistant to each other. Further, the front holes 802 are preferably positioned closer to the edge 704 of the front wall 104 than to the center 502 of the front wall 104. In some embodiments, the front holes 802 are round or circular in shape. However, as will be shown in

[0067] In the front view FIG. 2C and the front view FIG. 2D The material piece 110 is shown in FIG. 2A , FIG. 2B , FIGS. 5-9 and FIG. 14 The corresponding planes are shown in which, in some embodiments, the material piece 110 can be provided with through-holes forming channels. In some embodiments, these through-holes are similar to the side channels 1102 and the front holes 802 as well as the through-holes 116. In some embodiments, these through-holes can be arranged in a corresponding layout and at approximately the same or the same position and / or approximately aligned or precisely aligned with the front holes 802. This enables the air 120 to more easily pass / flow through the channels 112, 1102, 116 and the front holes and, to some extent, enables the air 120 to adapt to the air flow path and / or the surface and / or area of the material piece 110 that is “filled” with air 120, so that the air 120 is better controlled by means of the additional shroud 100 to be humidified into more humid air 122, 122’. In FIG. 1A , FIG. 1B , FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B In some embodiments, the air 120 is humidified in two steps, in a first step the air 120 is humidified via the additional shroud 100 and the material piece 110 of the additional shroud into more humid air 122 and then, in a second step, the air 120 is further humidified via the filter 194 into even more humid air 122’ during inhalation. In some embodiments, the filter 194 absorbs moisture / humidity when exhaling and releases moisture / humidity to the incoming air 122 when inhaled. In some embodiments, the air 120 is optionally humidified in only one step or the first step via the additional shroud 100 which can be detached from the tracheostomy valve 190. In FIG. 1A , FIG. 1B , FIG. 4A ,FIG. 4B , FIG. 10 , FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , i.e. in some embodiments, the front wall 104 is located at a distance from the material piece 110 such that air 120 is able to flow through a large area of the material piece facing the front wall 104. In FIG. 1B , FIG. 4B , FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , i.e. in some embodiments, air 120 flows through and / or flows past the material piece 110 via the side channels 1102 and the central channel 112. In FIG. 1B , FIG. 4B , FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , i.e. in some embodiments, a larger area and / or volume and / or surface of the material piece 110 is flowed through by air 120 via the side channels 1102 and the central channel 112 and flowed through by air 120 compared to embodiments in which FIG. 1A and FIG. 4A , air 120 flows through the central channel 112.

[0068] In FIG. 2A , FIG. 2B and FIG. 3 , i.e. in some embodiments, the additional shroud 100 and the container 102 of the additional shroud are shown comprising the material piece 110. In FIGS. 5-9 , in some embodiments, only the additional shroud 100 and the container 102 of the additional shroud are seen, i.e. the material piece 110 is not shown, however, since the additional shroud 100 and the container 102 of the additional shroud comprise the material piece 110 for use, in other embodiments, FIGS. 5-9 the material piece 110 can also be shown through the opening of the front wall 104. In some embodiments, the material piece 110 is provided with the same or similar hole layout as the front wall 104 of the additional shroud 100, or any combination of hole layouts, such as the hole layouts in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , are provided with more than three or four or five or six through-holes 112, 1102, 116, and / or have any shape similar or identical to any of the front holes 802 of FIGS. 2A-2D , FIG. 3 , FIG. 4A , FIG. 4B and FIGS. 5-9 , or any combination of layout and / or number and / or shape of through-holes, is also true for the front wall 104 itself, as long as the incoming air 120 is sufficiently humidified.

[0069] FIG. 3A rear view of an additional hood 100 for additionally humidifying the air is shown. FIG. 3 The rear wall 108 of the container 102 is shown. FIG. 3 The rear wall 108 may have any other suitable shape suitable for fitting together with the tracheostomy valve 190, such as a circle, a square, a rectangle or forming a polygon, such as a unilateral, bilateral, triangular, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, enneagon or decagon. In addition, in some embodiments, the rear wall 108 is sized and / or shaped to fit together with the tracheostomy valve 190, such as having the same or similar diameter. In some embodiments, the rear wall 108 has a center 504 and includes a through hole 116, which is used to accommodate the channel 112 or serve as an inlet / outlet for the channel 112. In some embodiments, the through hole 116 is round or circular in shape. However, the through hole 116 may have any other suitable shape, such as the shape described above for the through hole 114 and / or as FIGS. 5-9 The through holes 116 are located around the center 504 and are preferably symmetrically located around the center 504. However, the through holes 116 can be located at other locations, such as near the edge 706 of the rear wall 108. In some embodiments, the through holes 116 are located at a location on the rear wall 108 that partially or completely corresponds to the location of the inlet 192 of the tracheostomy valve 190 when the additional shield 100 is attached to the tracheostomy valve 190.

[0070] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of an additional shield 100 for humidifying air 120 is shown, attached to a tracheostomy valve 190. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1BDifferent portions of the additional hood 100 are described. In some embodiments, the passageway 112 is defined by the space that is confined and encircled by the piece of material 110 between the front wall 104 and the back wall 108. The passageway 112 allows air 120 outside of the additional hood 100 to flow through the container 102 to the tracheostomy valve 190 during inhalation. The air 120 enters the passageway 112 through the through-hole 114 of the front wall 104 and past the piece of material 110. As the air 120 passes the piece of material 110, the air 120 that has a lower humidity than the humidity of the piece of material 110 is humidified by the piece of material 110. In some embodiments, the additional hood 100 humidifies the incoming air 120 into more humid air 122 in a first step or stage. In some embodiments, the moisture / humidity that is exchanged / transferred from the piece of material 110 to the air 120 is done by convection. The humidified air 122 exits the passageway 112 through the through-hole 116 of the back wall 108 after passing the piece of material 110. Subsequently, the humidified air 122 enters the tracheostomy valve 190. In some embodiments, the incoming air 122 is humidified into even more humid air 122' in another step. In some embodiments, the front wall 104 of the container 102 includes at least one front hole 802. In some embodiments, the outside air 120 is allowed to flow not only through the passageway 112, but also through the at least one front hole 802 to the piece of material 110. Once the air 120 has entered into the piece of material 110 and / or the passageway 112, the air 120 is humidified by the piece of material because the piece of material 110 has a higher humidity than the humidity of the air. In some embodiments, the piece of material 110 allows the outside air 120 to flow through the piece of material 110 and into the passageway 112. Thus, the humidity of the air that flows through the passageway 112 is further increased before the air enters the inlet 192 of the tracheostomy valve 190.

[0071] FIG. 5 A front view of an additional hood 100 for humidifying air is shown. The additional hood 100 includes a container 102. The container 102 includes a front wall 104. The front wall 104 is square or rectangular and includes a through-hole 112. The through-hole 112 is circular.

[0072] FIG. 6 A front view of an additional hood 100 for humidifying air is shown. The additional hood 100 includes a container 102. The container 102 includes a front wall 104. The front wall 104 is circular and includes a through-hole 112. The through-hole 112 is square or rectangular. In addition, the front wall 104 includes four front holes 802. The front holes 802 are square.

[0073] FIG. 7A front view of an additional shroud 100 for humidifying air is shown. The additional shroud 100 includes a container 102. The container 102 includes a front wall 104. The front wall 104 is circular and includes a through hole 112. The through hole 112 is circular. In addition, the front wall 104 includes three front holes 802. The front holes 802 are square.

[0074] FIG. 8 A front view of an additional shroud 100 for humidifying air is shown. The additional shroud 100 includes a container 102. The container 102 includes a front wall 104. The front wall 104 is circular and includes a through hole 112. The through hole 112 is octagonal in shape. In addition, the front wall 104 includes one front hole 802. The front hole 802 is circular.

[0075] FIG. 9 A front view of an additional shroud 100 for humidifying air is shown. The additional shroud 100 includes a container 102. The container 102 includes a front wall 104. The front wall 104 is circular and includes a through hole 112. The through hole 112 is hexagonal in shape. In addition, the front wall 104 includes six front holes 802. One of the front holes 802 is square. One of the front holes 802 is circular. Four of the front holes 802 are hexagonal in shape.

[0076] FIG. 10 A cross-sectional side view of an additional shroud 100 for humidifying air is shown. The additional shroud 100 is attached to a tracheostomy valve 190. The tracheostomy valve 190 includes a membrane 196 and a membrane holder 198. The membrane 196 is held in place by the membrane holder 198. Because the membrane 196 and the membrane holder 198 block a portion of the interior of the tracheostomy valve 190, humidified air 122 from the additional shroud 100 is forced to bypass the membrane 196 and the membrane holder 198 upon inhalation because the membrane 196 flexes and opens the air flow path as shown. Upon exhalation, the membrane 196 closes the air flow path by closing the inlet 192 (not shown).

[0077] FIG. 11A cross-sectional side view of an additional shroud 100 for humidifying air 120 is shown. This figure shows side channels 1102 for carrying inhaled air 120 around the piece of material 110. The side channels 1102 extend between the front wall 104 and the piece of material 110, preferably between the side walls 106 and the piece of material 110, and between the back wall 108 and the piece of material 110, thereby carrying inhaled air 120 all around the piece of material 110 and exposing inhaled air along its path all to the piece of material 110. In addition to the channel 112, the side channels 1102 are utilized. Air in the side channels 1102 enters from the channel 112 or the front hole 802. Air in the side channels 1102 exits to the channel 112 or directly into the tracheostomy valve 190. By utilizing the side channels 1102, the humidity of the air 120 flowing into the tracheostomy valve 190 is further increased by the air 120 flowing over and around a larger surface of the piece of material 110, thereby being able to absorb more humidity. In some embodiments, the additional shroud 100 includes a structure 1400 (shown in FIG. 14 ) that includes beams or rods 1402 extending from the edges 704 of the front wall 104 towards the center 502 of the front wall 104 at the interior of the front wall 104, and / or extending from the edges 706 of the back wall 108 towards the center 504 of the back wall 108 at the interior of the back wall 108, and / or extending along the side walls 106 at the interior of the side walls 106, thereby creating or defining gaps between the piece of material 110 and the front wall 104 and / or between the piece of material 110 and the back wall 108 and / or between the piece of material 110 and the side walls 106. The side channels 1102 include these gaps, or these gaps define the side channels 1102. FIG. 1B 、 FIG. 2D 、 FIG. 2E 、 FIG. 2F and FIG. 4B . In FIG. 2E , each side channel 1102 is a through hole through the piece of material 110. In FIG. 2F , each gap between the piece of material 110 and the side walls 106 is shown by the hatched area at each edge forming the gap or side channel 1102. The outer boundary of the gap or side channel 1102 and the location where the back wall 108 terminates is shown by the dashed circle in FIG. 2D . In some embodiments, for example in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D , the piece of material 110 has a ring shape. In some embodiments, for example in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2EIn the embodiment, the material piece 110 includes an inner portion having an annular shape having a channel 112 and an outer portion having an annular shape configured to be positioned adjacent to the side wall 106, wherein the side channel 1102 is formed as a through gap extending along the inner circumference of the outer annular portion and along the outer circumference of the inner annular portion, that is, a through gap extending between the outer annular portion and the inner annular portion.

[0078] exist FIG. 2E and FIG. 2F In FIG. 1 , the dry air 120 and the additional humidified air 122 and the direction of the air flow are shown by dashed arrows.

[0079] FIG. 12 A cross-sectional side view of an additional shield 100 for humidifying air 120 is shown. The additional shield 100 is provided with a retaining ring 1202 for retaining components, such as the material piece 110 (indicated by an arrow with a white arrow head), during installation. In some embodiments, the retaining ring 1202 is configured to fit into one or more grooves in the rear wall 108.

[0080] FIG. 13 A front view of retaining ring 1202 is shown.

[0081] FIG. 14 A top view of structure 1400 and material 110 is shown. Structure 1400 includes beams or rods 1402. Structure 1400 is positioned between material 110 and front wall 104 and / or between material 110 and rear wall 108. Consequently, there will be gaps between material 110 and front wall 104 and / or between material 110 and rear wall 108. Similar structures can be positioned between material 110 and sidewall 106, thereby forming gaps between material 110 and sidewall 106. These gaps form part or all of side channel 1102.

[0082] This additional humidification shield 100 can be used with a one-way tracheostomy valve 190 and a two-way tracheostomy valve 190 to add additional or supplemental humidity to the air 120 entering the tracheostomy valve. In some embodiments, the filter 194 is simply a filter, not a filter such as in FIG. 10 In one embodiment of the possible embodiments a combined filter and moisture and / or heat exchanger is provided. FIGS. 11-14 In the figures, only the additional shield 100 and its components are shown before being attached to the tracheostomy valve 190, or after being removed from the tracheostomy valve, or after or before being refilled with liquid / moisture, or before being assembled into the additional shield, or after being disassembled.

[0083] Those skilled in the art realize that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art also realize that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Also, to those skilled in the art, the connections of the figures, the disclosure, and the appended claims can be understood and implemented in variations of the disclosed embodiments when the present disclosure is practiced.

[0084] List of reference signs

[0085] Additional shroud 100

[0086] Container 102

[0087] Front wall 104

[0088] Side wall 106

[0089] Rear wall 108

[0090] Material piece 110

[0091] Passage 112

[0092] Through hole 114 (of the front wall)

[0093] Through hole 116 (of the rear wall)

[0094] Air 120

[0095] Humidified air 122

[0096] Other / additional / additional humidified air 122’

[0097] Tracheostomy valve 190

[0098] Inlet 192 (of the tracheostomy valve)

[0099] Filter 194 (of the tracheostomy valve)

[0100] Membrane 196 (of the tracheostomy valve)

[0101] Membrane holder 198 (of the tracheostomy valve)

[0102] Center 502 (of the front wall 104)

[0103] Center 504 (of the rear wall 108)

[0104] Front hole (802)

[0105] Edge 704 (of the front wall 104)

[0106] Edge 706 (of the rear wall 108)

[0107] Extension 902 (of the side wall 106)

[0108] protrusion 904 (of the extension)

[0109] side channel 1102

[0110] retaining ring 1202

Claims

1. An additional shield (100) for humidifying air entering a tracheostomy valve (190), the additional shield (100) being configured to be attached to an inlet (192) of the tracheostomy valve and comprising: A container (102), the container (102) having: anterior wall (104); as well as a rear wall (108), the rear wall (108) being configured to face the inlet (192) of the tracheostomy valve (190); The container (102) comprises: a piece of material (110), the piece of material (110) being enclosed by the front wall (104) and the rear wall (108); Characterized in that the material piece (110) comprises: at least one central through passage (112) extending through the front wall (104), through the piece of material (110) and through the rear wall (108) to allow external air to flow through the container (102) to the tracheostomy valve (190) during inhalation, wherein the material piece (110) is capable of being configured or configured to humidify the air flowing through the channel (112), and the material piece (110) has a first end facing the front wall (104) and a second end facing the rear wall (108), the first end being located at a certain distance from the front wall (104), and / or the second end being located at a certain distance from the rear wall (108), so that the air can flow through the space between the front wall (104) and the material piece (110) and / or the space between the rear wall (108) and the material piece, and The additional shield (100) is configured to be detachably attached as a detachable outer cover and / or outer cover of the inlet (192) of the tracheostomy valve (190).

2. The additional shield (100) according to claim 1, wherein The container (102) further includes a side wall (106), and wherein the piece of material (110) is enclosed by the front wall (104), the side wall (106), and the rear wall (108).

3. The additional shield (100) according to claim 1, wherein The container (102) is cylindrical.

4. The additional shield (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The container (102) is cylindrical.

5. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The passage (112) is surrounded and / or bounded by the piece of material (110).

6. The additional shield (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The front wall (104), the side wall (106) and / or the rear wall (108) comprise a hard material.

7. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The material piece (110) includes a moisture carrying material, a fibrous material and / or a porous material.

8. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The channel (112) is located at the center (502) of the front wall (104) and / or at the center (504) of the rear wall (108).

9. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The passage (112) is cylindrical.

10. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The material piece (110) occupies a portion or all of the interior space of the container (102).

11. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The front wall (104) is perforated.

12. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The front wall (104) includes at least one front hole (802), and the at least one front hole (802) is used for humidifying the material piece (110).

13. The additional shield (100) according to claim 11, wherein The front wall (104) includes at least two front holes (802), which are positioned equidistant from each other and are positioned closer to the edge (704) of the front wall (104) than to the center (502) of the front wall (104).

14. The additional shield (100) according to claim 11, wherein At least one front hole (802) allows external air to flow through the at least one front hole (802) to the material piece (110), and wherein the material piece (110) allows the external air to flow through the material piece (110) and / or flow over the material piece (110) to the channel (112), thereby increasing the humidity of the air flowing through the channel (112).

15. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The piece of material (110) is configured to humidify air flowing through the passage (112) by adding a liquid to the piece of material (110).

16. The additional shield (100) according to claim 15, wherein The additional shield includes a front aperture (802) such that liquid is added to the piece of material (110) through the front aperture (802).

17. The additional shield (100) according to claim 15, wherein The additional shield (100) is configured to be removed after a certain period of use for adding the liquid.

18. The additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The additional shield (100) further comprises: A side channel (1102) extends between the front wall (104) and the piece of material (110) and between the back wall (108) and the piece of material (110) to allow external air to flow through the container (102) to the tracheostomy valve (190) during inhalation.

19. The additional shield (100) according to claim 6, wherein The hard material is plastic.

20. The additional shield (100) according to claim 7, wherein The porous material is a foam material.

21. The additional shield (100) according to claim 15, wherein The liquid is water.

22. The additional shield (100) according to claim 2, wherein the additional shield (100) is configured to be attached to the tracheostomy valve (190) by a snap mechanism, wherein the snap mechanism includes an extension (902) of the side wall (106), and the extension (902) is configured to be attached to the tracheostomy valve (190) in a detachable manner.

23. A tracheostomy valve (190) comprising an additional shield (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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