Emergency breathing apparatus having a removable common cover for simultaneously covering the filter compartment and the battery compartment

Abstract

The invention relates to an emergency breathing device (10) for performing emergency medical artificial respiration on a patient, comprising: a housing with an ambient air intake opening and a respiratory gas outlet opening; a fan; an air filter; and an energy storage device for supplying energy to the fan for its operation, wherein the air filter is accessible via a housing opening that is closed by means of a housing cover but can be opened and is accommodated in the housing in a conventionally replaceable manner, and wherein the energy storage device is accessible via a housing opening that is closed by means of a housing cover but can be opened and is accommodated in the housing in a conventionally replaceable manner, the emergency breathing device being characterized in that the air filter and the energy storage device are accessible via a common housing opening, wherein the common housing opening can be selectively closed and opened by means of a common housing cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an emergency breathing device for performing emergency medical artificial respiration on a patient, the emergency breathing device comprising:

[0002] - a housing having an opening for the intake of ambient air and an opening for the outlet of breathing gas;

[0003] a fan, which is arranged in the housing and is designed to convey ambient air from the ambient air intake opening to the breathing gas outlet opening;

[0004] an air filter which is designed to purify the drawn-in ambient air and is arranged in the housing in the flow path of the ambient air downstream of the ambient air intake opening; and

[0005] - an energy storage device for supplying energy to the fan for its operation,

[0006] wherein the air filter is accessible via a housing opening which is closed by means of a housing cover but can be opened and is accommodated in the housing in a conventional replaceable manner, and

[0007] The energy storage device is accessible via a housing opening which is closed by means of a housing cover but can be opened, and is accommodated in the housing in a conventional, replaceable manner. Background Art

[0008] Known emergency breathing apparatuses of this type are those manufactured by FritzStephan GmbH in Gackenbach (Germany) under the trade name “EVEIN” and by Siare Engineering International Group srl in Valsamoggia (Italy) under the trade name “Falco 202 Evo”.

[0009] Emergency ventilators, also known in particular as "intensive care ventilators," are used to quickly supply patients with breathing gas outside of a clinical setting, for example at the site of an accident and / or during patient transport. Emergency ventilators can, of course, also be used in a clinical setting, but hospitals generally offer more powerful ventilators than emergency ventilators.

[0010] As a respiratory device that can be used outside of a clinical environment, an emergency respiratory device has its own energy storage device, which allows it to be operated independently of the mains supply, at least for a certain period of time. In addition, the emergency respiratory device is designed to be portable due to its size and weight, so that even emergency doctors, such as emergency physicians called to the scene of an accident, can move it over distances of several tens of meters using only their own muscle power without excessive physical strain.

[0011] In the absence of a supplementary special gas reservoir, such as an oxygen reservoir, emergency breathing apparatuses are designed to administer at least ambient air as breathing gas due to their fan design. If necessary, the ambient air can be admixed with a special gas, in most cases pure oxygen, but also anesthetic and / or therapeutic gases and gas mixtures. For this purpose, emergency breathing apparatuses typically have a connection for connecting to a special gas reservoir.

[0012] The ambient air that is inhaled as breathing gas by the emergency breathing apparatus may be contaminated. Here, for example, consider an accident victim who needs emergency medical care at a construction site or other dusty or sandy environment.

[0013] In order to be able to administer sufficiently clean breathing gas to a patient who is to be artificially ventilated on site, an air filter is provided in the flow path of the ambient air from the intake opening to the patient. Due to its filtering properties, the air filter removes impurities from the inhaled ambient air, preventing them from reaching the patient. In the housing of the emergency breathing apparatus, the air filter is arranged between the ambient air intake opening and the breathing gas outlet opening.

[0014] Air filters and energy storage devices have a limited service life that is significantly shorter than the operating life of the emergency breathing device. Accordingly, they must be replaced frequently. It is important for the emergency breathing device to be ready for use in the shortest possible time. During the replacement of the air filter or energy storage device, the emergency breathing device is not always ready for use. Summary of the Invention

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the above-mentioned emergency breathing apparatus in such a way that, in the event of a need to replace the air filter and / or the energy storage device, the emergency breathing apparatus becomes inoperative for as short a time as possible.

[0016] The invention achieves the stated object with respect to an emergency breathing apparatus having the features mentioned at the outset in that the air filter and the energy storage device are accessible via a common housing opening, wherein the common housing opening can be selectively closed and opened by a common housing cover.

[0017] Unlike the emergency breathing device mentioned above, which has an air filter and an energy storage device at different positions in the corresponding housing, so that the air filter and the energy storage device are accessible through different housing openings, wherein the different housing openings can be closed by different housing covers, in the present emergency breathing device, the air filter and the energy storage device are accessible through the same common housing opening, wherein the common housing opening can be closed by a single common housing cover.

[0018] If both the air filter and the energy reservoir need to be replaced, removing a single, shared housing cover is sufficient to access and replace them. After replacement, the single, shared housing cover simply needs to be replaced over the shared housing opening. If only one of the air filter and energy reservoir components needs to be replaced, both components remain accessible at all times. This is not only harmless, as replacing just one of these components would cause the emergency breathing device to stop operating, but can even be advantageous. Because only the shared housing cover needs to be removed, time-consuming and undesirable mixing of different housing covers associated with different components is avoided. Using the shared housing cover for multiple replacement processes also reduces the mean time to failure of the emergency breathing device.

[0019] The energy store is typically an electrical energy store, such as a battery or a rechargeable accumulator or "Akku" for short.

[0020] The state of the emergency breathing apparatus referred to below as the “closed state” is a state in which the common housing cover closes, ie covers, the common housing opening so that components and component sections arranged behind the housing opening from the outside are shielded by the common housing cover and are therefore inaccessible.

[0021] To prevent the common housing cover from being accidentally removed from the common housing opening, the common housing cover is preferably lockable to the remaining housing having the housing opening. For secure locking, the common housing cover preferably has a locking structure that can positively engage with a locking engagement structure fixed to the housing. By blocking the physical movement of the common housing cover relative to the common housing opening, which is caused by the positive engagement, the positive engagement ensures that the common housing cover is particularly securely locked to the common housing opening.

[0022] In the following, the attribute “common” is omitted in the expressions “housing cover” and “housing opening”, since any other designation for the housing cover and the housing opening refers to the common housing cover and the common housing opening.

[0023] The remaining housing, without removing the housing cover, is also referred to below as the “remaining housing”.

[0024] "Fixed to the housing" does not necessarily mean formed directly on the housing, although this is also included in the term "fixed to the housing." "Fixed to the housing" means "cannot be normally separated or removed from the housing or the remaining housing except for possible maintenance purposes."

[0025] One of the locking structure and the locking engagement structure can be a projection, which can project into the respective other structure, which is then designed as a groove, in the locking structure and the locking engagement structure to form a positive engagement.

[0026] In principle, the locking structure can be rigidly mounted on the housing cover, while the locking engagement structure can be movably mounted on the remaining housing between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the locking structure engages with the locking engagement structure in a form-fitting manner, while in the released position, they do not engage in a form-fitting manner. However, in order to enable, in an advantageous refinement of the invention, the housing cover to be removed from the remaining housing with one hand, more preferably by means of a single fluid movement, the locking structure is preferably movably mounted on the housing cover between the locked position and the released position. Furthermore, an operating structure for manual actuation is preferably provided on the housing cover to actuate the locking structure between the locked position and the released position.

[0027] In order to close the housing opening as safely and securely as possible by means of the housing cover, while being operable with one hand to remove it from the housing opening, place it on the housing opening, and lock it there, it is preferably provided that the housing cover comprises a cover member that is immovable relative to the rest of the housing in the closed state of the emergency breathing apparatus, and a locking member that is movable relative to the rest of the housing. The locking member carries the aforementioned locking structure and preferably also the aforementioned operating structure, and is preferably movable between a locked position and a released position, in which the locking structure of the locking member locks the housing cover against removal from the housing opening by form-fitting engagement with a locking mating structure on the rest of the breathing apparatus that is fixed to the housing, and in which the locking member allows the housing cover to be removed from the housing opening.

[0028] In order to keep the number of components required for providing the housing cover as small as possible, the locking component is preferably arranged movably relative to the cover component and is held on the cover component.

[0029] In principle, the locking member is capable of translational movement relative to the cover member between a locked position and a released position. However, since the housing cover is typically removed from the housing opening in a translational manner, it is advantageous for the locking member to be rotatably supported on the cover member about a locking axis relative to the cover member. This provides maximum operational safety against unintended misoperation, while facilitating one-handed operation of the housing cover. Preferably, the housing cover can be removed from the housing opening along the locking axis. The locked housing cover, which closes the housing opening, can then be unlocked by rotating the locking member about the locking axis and removed away from the housing opening along the locking axis without changing the manual action on the locking member.

[0030] In principle, the locking structure and the locking mating structure can each be a threaded joint that screws together in the locked position but not in the released position. While screwing provides a particularly secure lock, it takes considerable time to release and re-establish. Therefore, the locking structure and the locking mating structure preferably form a bayonet closure. Thus, one of the locking structure and the locking mating structure has at least one protrusion radially relative to the locking axis, and the other has a recess for accommodating the protrusion, the recess having an axial section relative to the locking axis and at least one circumferential edge extending circumferentially around the locking axis, which is engaged from behind by the protrusion in the locked position. The edge can be a side of the circumferential section of the recess. As the housing cover approaches the housing opening along the locking axis, the protrusion can slide axially relative to the recess in the axial section until the circumferential edge axially passes the protrusion. The locking member can then be rotated about the locking axis, allowing the protrusion to slide along the circumferential edge to adjust to the locked position, where the protrusion physically engages the locking member from behind. This form-fitting design prevents the housing cover from moving axially away from the housing opening.

[0031] Because the housing cover provides access to the air filter, which is arranged in the flow path of the ambient air from the ambient air intake opening to the breathing gas outflow opening, the housing cover preferably includes the ambient air intake opening to achieve an advantageously compact design of the emergency breathing apparatus. It is also possible to arrange the air filter near the housing cover, in particular directly behind the housing cover and upstream of the fan, so that only purified air flows through the fan. This increases the service life of the fan.

[0032] In principle, the ambient air intake opening can be provided in the cover element. To ensure that the locking element can be operated as safely as possible even in very poor lighting conditions, it is preferably designed to be relatively large so that it can be easily and quickly located using the button. The ambient air intake opening can thus be easily penetrated by the locking element.

[0033] If the ambient air intake opening extends through the locking member, the locking axis preferably extends through the ambient air intake opening so that the orientation of the ambient air intake opening relative to the rest of the housing changes as little as possible when the locking member is rotated about the locking axis. For this reason, the ambient air intake opening is particularly preferably arranged centrally on the locking member and centrally penetrated by the locking axis. In the case of a preferably circular ambient air intake opening, its orientation does not change when the locking member is rotated about the locking axis, so that the emergency breathing apparatus remains ready for use while the housing cover is unlocked.

[0034] According to a structurally preferred embodiment, the cover element for rotatably supporting the locking element can include a bearing section coaxial with the locking axis, surrounding the ambient air intake opening, and surrounded by a supporting mating section of the locking element that extends along and is coaxial with the locking axis. The supporting section can then act as a kind of axis element, rotatably supporting the locking element about the locking axis. To achieve an advantageously large supporting length, the supporting section can protrude from the rest of the cover element along the locking axis.

[0035] In order to be able to provide an additional filter for purifying the inhaled ambient air and / or a measuring instrument for detecting the physical and / or chemical properties of the inhaled ambient air (e.g. temperature, load of predetermined suspended matter or contents or components) on the emergency breathing apparatus, the support section has a fixing structure on its radial inner side facing away from the support mating section with respect to the locking axis, preferably a thread, in particular an internal thread, or a part of another bayonet lock, to which the additional filter and / or measuring instrument can be fixed.

[0036] Preferably, the housing cover not only serves to close the housing opening, but also contributes to the positional fixation of functional components accommodated in the housing behind the housing cover in the closed state. Therefore, according to a preferred refinement, the housing cover has a cover-filter-positioning section that, in the closed state, points into the housing interior and, in the closed state, when the emergency breathing apparatus is operationally ready, in cooperation with at least one housing-filter-positioning section fixed to the housing, secures the filter cartridge for filtering ambient air in its operationally ready position.

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, the common housing lid can have a lid-reservoir-positioning section that, in the closed state, points into the housing interior and, in conjunction with at least one housing-reservoir-positioning section fixed to the housing, secures the energy storage element in its operationally ready position when the emergency breathing apparatus is operationally ready. The energy storage element can be the aforementioned battery or a rechargeable accumulator.

[0038] Preferably, the aforementioned housing-side positioning section and the associated cover-side positioning section are in contact engagement with the correspondingly positioned components: filter cartridge and energy storage body in the closed state, wherein a positive engagement between the positioning sections and the positioned components is not to be excluded.

[0039] The filter cartridge preferably comprises a filter housing and a filter, in particular a HEPA filter, accommodated in the filter housing, wherein the filter cartridge can be removed from the remaining housing or inserted into the remaining housing as a component when the housing opening is open. It is also preferred that the energy storage element is the only energy storage element, although this should not exclude the possibility that the high energy demand of the emergency breathing apparatus requires more than one energy storage element.

[0040] The filter cartridge has an ambient air inlet opening that is accessible through the ambient air intake opening when the emergency breathing apparatus is in a ready-to-operate state. The ambient air inlet opening can be provided with a protective grid to prevent the ingress of large dirt particles. The protective grid can be formed integrally with a component of the filter cartridge housing, for example, if the filter cartridge is injection-molded. Since, as mentioned above, in certain breathing situations, in addition to ambient air, a special gas different from ambient air may need to be administered, the filter cartridge can have, in addition to the ambient air inlet opening, a special gas connection structure for connecting to a special gas supply.

[0041] To ensure easy access to the special gas connection structure of the filter cartridge through the ambient air intake opening of the housing cover, it is advantageous if the special gas connection structure is arranged at a radial distance from the edge of the ambient air intake opening—about an imaginary virtual axis running centrally through the ambient air intake opening. Therefore, the ambient air inlet opening and the special gas connection structure are preferably arranged coaxially with respect to one another. It is particularly preferred that, in the closed state ready for operation, the special gas connection structure is also arranged coaxially with the locking axis.

[0042] Many emergency breathing devices in the prior art have complex exterior designs with numerous surfaces angled relative to one another. This design can be problematic during the chaotic and rushed nature of emergency use, as hoses and wires can become trapped in the corners and gaps of this complex design. Therefore, it is preferred that the housing of current emergency breathing devices have a simple housing design, preferably a prismatic and / or cylindrical basic shape. The housing preferably has two essentially parallel end faces and side surfaces connecting the two end faces. The side surfaces surround a virtual prism axis connecting the end faces. The side surfaces can be multifaceted, with adjacent flat surfaces circumferentially surrounding the prism axis. To prevent injuries, the connecting area between two directly adjacent flat side surface sections is rounded. The radius of curvature of this connecting section is preferably at least 0.5 cm. The axis of curvature is preferably parallel to the prism axis. The side surfaces can also be cylindrical, with the cross-section of the cylindrical basic shape being either circular or elliptical.

[0043] If, for example, the side surface is polyhedral along a first circumferential section and cylindrical or partially cylindrical along a second circumferential section adjoining the first circumferential section, the side surface can also be both prismatic and cylindrical.

[0044] The housing component with the side surface is preferably a tubular housing component, wherein its tube axis is the prism axis. For reasons of low weight and good heat conduction, the tubular housing component is preferably formed from a light metal such as aluminum or a magnesium alloy, but can also or alternatively be formed from a copper alloy such as brass or bronze, or also from an alloy containing copper. In contrast, the tubular housing component can be made of plastic, particularly thermoplastic. To increase thermal conductivity, the plastic can be filled with particles that increase the thermal conductivity of the mixture compared to an unfilled plastic matrix. Such a filler material is, for example, boron nitride.

[0045] For reasons of increased stability, the tubular housing component is preferably manufactured without joints, for example as an extruded or pressed component.

[0046] Preferably, the housing cover forms the end face of the prismatic and / or cylindrical housing. Thus, the side surface of the housing can be used to attach the housing cover to the rest of the housing. Alternatively, of course, the housing opening can also be created in an existing housing wall by cutting away wall material. However, this effort is unnecessary if, for example, housing openings that would otherwise be created when manufacturing a housing having a prismatic and / or cylindrical basic shape are used, such as end-face openings.

[0047] To improve orientation for the person operating the emergency breathing apparatus even in poor lighting conditions, it is advantageous if all connection structures and / or openings for introducing gas into and out of the housing are arranged cumulatively on just one end face, or distributed over both end faces of a prismatic and / or cylindrical housing. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid significantly protruding, and therefore easily damaged, connection structures, such as connection sockets, on the side surfaces. Possible connection structures may be sockets, in particular threaded sockets, quick-connect couplings, threaded grooves, etc.

[0048] In order to operate and control the emergency breathing apparatus, the emergency breathing apparatus preferably has an input / output device, by means of which data and / or control commands can be input into the emergency breathing apparatus and by means of which information about the operation of the emergency breathing apparatus can be displayed to the operator. Therefore, the input / output device preferably has a display device, such as a screen, and has at least one switch device, such as a key switch and / or a toggle switch and / or a rotary switch. The screen is preferably a touch screen, so that the number of keys, i.e., key switches, fixedly mounted on the emergency breathing apparatus can be kept small. The input / output device and other control and evaluation electronics of the emergency breathing apparatus are also supplied with energy via an energy storage device.

[0049] More preferably, the prismatic and / or cylindrical housing has an input / output device in the region of its side surfaces, preferably only in the region of its side surfaces, which has a display device and at least one switch device.

[0050] Preferably, the majority of the housing wall visible from the outside, i.e., more than half, preferably more than 70%, is made of an impact-resistant material such as metal or plastic, particularly filled plastic, to provide the emergency breathing device with sufficient robustness for the often harsh environment and handling conditions encountered during emergency use. For weight reasons, the metal housing wall is preferably formed from an aluminum or magnesium alloy. To ensure that shocks, which may occur, for example, when the emergency breathing device is jerked, are not transmitted undamped to the electronic components within the emergency breathing device, the emergency breathing device preferably has at least one impact-damping element on its outer surface. The impact-damping element is preferably formed from an elastomeric plastic, such as rubber or rubber, particularly silicone rubber, which has a significantly lower modulus of elasticity than the robust material forming the majority of the housing wall. Due to the advantageous variety of possibilities for forming the housing, thermoplastic elastomers are advantageous elastomeric plastics. Preferably, the at least one impact-damping element is located on the outer surface of the housing cover. In the preferred embodiment of the housing cover as a complete end face of the prismatic and / or cylindrical housing, the at least one impact-damping element is preferably arranged on the housing cover in the circumferential direction around the prismatic axis, particularly preferably completely closed around the prismatic axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 1 Shows an exploded perspective view of an emergency breathing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0053] Figure 2 Shown parallel to Figure 1 The cross section of the surfaces 14b and 14d is through Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of an emergency breathing apparatus according to the present invention;

[0054] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 and 2 A top view of an end side of the emergency breathing apparatus formed by a removable housing cover;

[0055] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 and 2 A top view of the other opposite end side of the emergency breathing apparatus;

[0056] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 7 A longitudinal section view of section VV;

[0057] Figure 6 Shown along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of section VI-VI orthogonal to the prism axis P; and

[0058] Figure 7 Show Figure 1 A top view of the flat front face 14d of the emergency breathing apparatus with the input / output device 58 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] exist Figure 1 In FIG, an embodiment of an emergency breathing apparatus according to the invention is generally designated by 10. The emergency breathing apparatus 10 comprises a housing 12 having a prismatic basic shape, in the present case a cuboid basic shape.

[0060] The side surface 14 of the housing 12 includes four flat surface sections 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, wherein successive flat surface sections 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are oriented orthogonally to one another in the circumferential direction around the prism axis P. All flat surface sections 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are parallel to the prism axis P. The flat surface sections 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d are connected to one another, preferably without joints, by quarter-cylindrical surface sections 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. The cylinder axes of the quarter-cylindrical, and thus curved, surface sections 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are parallel to the prism axis P. The housing component 15 having the side surface 14 is preferably an extruded aluminum tube.

[0061] In the direction of the housing 12 Figure 1 On the end side 18 of the observer, the housing 12 comprises a housing cover 22 which can be removed from the remaining housing 20 along the prism axis P and can be arranged on the remaining housing 20. Thus, the housing cover 22 serves to close the side surface 14. Figure 1 A housing opening 24 is formed at the longitudinal end 14e of the housing 20 as viewed from the viewer. The housing opening 24 is bounded by the side surface 14 of the remaining housing 20. Through the housing opening 24, a filter receiving compartment 26 for an air filter cartridge 28 having an air filter 29 and a battery receiving compartment 30 for a rechargeable battery 32 serving as a grid-independent energy storage 34 are accessible.

[0062] The housing cover 22 has a cover member 36 and a locking member 38. The locking member 38 is mounted on the cover member 36 so as to be rotatable about a locking axis V. The locking axis V runs coaxially with the prism axis P in the closed state, i.e., when the housing cover 22 is arranged on the remaining housing 20 and closes the housing opening 24.

[0063] The housing cover 22 furthermore has an ambient air intake opening 40 which passes through the cover member 36 and the locking member 38. Through the ambient air intake opening 40, ambient air from the environment U can be drawn in by a fan 42 (see Figure 2 ) passes through the air filter 29 and is sucked into the housing 12.

[0064] The locking member 38 is Figure 1 1 is shown in its locked position, from which the locking member can be rotated counterclockwise about the locking axis V by approximately one twelfth of a turn into a release position indicated by the symbol 43 in the shape of an open padlock. The locking member 38 has a projection projecting radially away from the locking axis V, which projection is located at Figure 1The housing cover 22 is covered by the cover member 36. The projection is part of a bayonet lock, by which the housing cover 22, which closes the housing opening 24, can be positively locked to a locking engagement structure 44 that is immovable relative to the rest of the housing 20. To this end, the locking engagement structure 44 has a plurality of grooves 46, each of which has an axial groove section 46a and a groove section 46b extending circumferentially around the locking axis V. When the locking member 38 is in the released position, its projection can then be guided along the axial groove section 46a parallel to the locking axis V and, therefore, parallel to the prism axis P, toward the groove section 46b and, after reaching the groove section 46b, can be moved circumferentially along the groove section 46b.

[0065] The locking member 38 has a circumferentially extending recessed grip 48 interrupted by two handle bars 50a and 50b, which are located diagonally opposite one another with respect to the ambient air intake opening 40 located therebetween. By manually acting on the handle bars 50a and 50b, the locking member 38 can be twisted between a released position and a locked position, and the released housing cover 22 can be lifted from or placed onto the remaining housing 20 along the prism axis P. The handle bars 50a and 50b and the recessed grip 48 together form an operating structure 51 for operating the locking member 38.

[0066] The housing cover 22 can thus be removed from the remaining housing 20 and placed thereon by a single-handed operation, and can also be locked and released in the closed position.

[0067] The ambient air intake opening 40 is delimited radially outward—with respect to the locking axis V—directly by a bearing section 52 of the cover component 36. The bearing section 52 has a fastening structure 52a in the form of an internal thread. For example, an additional air filter can be provided on this fastening structure 52a, which performs a filtering function not provided by the air filter 29 of the air filter cartridge 28. Alternatively or additionally, a measuring device can be provided on the fastening structure 52a, which measures the ambient air flowing through the ambient air intake opening 40, for example, to determine its chemical composition, or to determine whether the inhaled ambient air contains predetermined components and, optionally, to what extent.

[0068] The bearing section 52 is surrounded radially on the outside by a bearing engagement section 54 of the locking member 38. The bearing section 52 thus acts as an axis member, which rotatably supports the locking member 38 by means of its bearing engagement section 54 about the locking axis V. The bearing engagement section 54 forms the radial inner boundary of the recessed grip 48.

[0069] The air filter cartridge 28 has an ambient air inlet opening 56 on its side facing the housing cover 22 during operation, which is surrounded by a collar 28b extending in a collar-like manner from the cartridge body 28a. In the operationally ready state of the emergency breathing apparatus 10, an imaginary cartridge inlet axis K running centrally through the collar 28b is coaxial with the locking axis V and with an imaginary virtual prism axis P running centrally through the side surface 14. The ambient air inlet opening 56 is protected by a protective grille 57 (see Figure 3 ) to prevent the ingress of larger dirt particles, such as stones, voles, etc. The protective grid 57 can be formed integrally with the housing part of the air filter cartridge 28 having the ambient air inlet opening in the form of injection molding.

[0070] Concentrically with flange 28b, a special gas auxiliary inlet 28c extends along the filter cartridge inlet axis K in the form of a connection pipe that tapers away from the filter cartridge body 28a in a sleeve-like configuration. A special gas supply, such as an oxygen auxiliary supply, can be quickly and easily connected to the special gas auxiliary inlet 28c, for example, by pushing an elastic hose of a sufficiently small or large diameter onto the special gas auxiliary inlet 28c and holding it there with a friction fit. Due to the tapering design of the special gas auxiliary inlet 28c away from the filter cartridge body 28a, the hose can be temporarily and securely connected to the special gas auxiliary inlet 28c within a predetermined diameter range.

[0071] In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown, the energy storage device 34 has a single energy storage body 33 .

[0072] On the flat surface portion 14d and extending protrudingly therefrom into the adjacent, partially cylindrical surface portions 16d and 16a, the emergency breathing apparatus 10 has an input / output device 58 for exchanging information between an operator and the emergency breathing apparatus 10 and for controlling the emergency breathing apparatus 10 by the operator. The input / output device 58 has a screen 60 as an output device, preferably a touchscreen that allows touch-sensitive input of information. The input / output device 58 also has a display LED 62 as an additional output device and, by way of example, a key switch 64 and a rotary switch 66 as input mechanisms.

[0073] To protect against impact loads, the input / output device 58 can be surrounded by a frame member 67, for example, a shock-absorbing elastomeric ring 68, which is composed, for example, of rubber, gum, etc. However, the frame member 67 surrounding the input / output device 58 can also be formed as a plastic injection-molded member made of a thermoplastic material.

[0074] The housing cover 22 is also surrounded by an impact-damping elastomeric ring 70 , which is completely circumferentially circumferential around the prism axis P. In the closed state, the elastomeric ring 70 also covers the side surfaces 14 , such as a portion of the end face 18 , so that in the region of the housing cover 22 , the elastomeric ring 70 protects the emergency breathing apparatus 10 from axial and radial impact loads.

[0075] Housing cover 72 (see Figure 2 ) is also provided on the longitudinal end 14f of the side surface 14 opposite the device cover 22. However, unlike the housing cover 22, the device cover 72 is preferably not removable from the side surface 14 of the housing 12. To also protect the longitudinal end of the device cover 72 from axial and radial impact loads, an elastomeric ring 74 is further provided at this longitudinal end, completely encircling the prism axis P in the circumferential direction. This elastomeric ring covers a portion of the side surface 14 and a portion of the end side 19. The end side 19 is opposite the end side 18.

[0076] For the sake of simplicity in production, the elastic rings 68 , 70 and 74 are preferably made of the same soft elastic material.

[0077] Figure 2 A longitudinal section through the emergency breathing apparatus 10 is shown, extending along a section plane containing the prism axis P and parallel to the flat surface sections 14 d and 14 b .

[0078] As in Figure 2 As can be seen in the operationally ready closed state of the emergency breathing apparatus 10 shown in FIG, the cover component 36 has a cover-filter positioning section 36a which, in the closed state, comes into contact with a section of the air filter cartridge 28, in particular with the cartridge body 28a, thereby contributing to a defined position of the air filter cartridge 28 and the air filter 29 in the housing 12. Furthermore, the emergency breathing apparatus 10 has a housing-filter positioning section 26a, which, for example, is shaped like the inner wall of the filter receiving compartment 26. When working together, the cover-filter positioning section 36a and the housing-filter positioning section 26a define the operating position of the air filter cartridge 28 with sufficient precision.

[0079] Likewise, the cover component 36 has a cover-reservoir-positioning section 36 b which, in the closed state shown, is in contact with the energy storage body 33 and, in cooperation with the housing-reservoir-positioning section 30 a, for example the inner wall of the battery receiving compartment 30 , fixes the energy storage body 33 sufficiently precisely in its operating position.

[0080] A breathing gas outlet opening 76 is located on the end face 19 which is fixed in the housing cover 72 of the housing (see also Figure 4), the inhaled breathing gas conveyed by the fan 42 through the breathing gas outlet opening flows out from the housing 12 toward the patient connected to the emergency breathing apparatus 10.

[0081] exist Figure 2 Behind the cross section, below the breathing gas outlet opening 76, a special gas coupling section 78, for example a special gas connection piece, is provided in the housing cover 72, which is again fixed to the housing, via which a special gas different from the ambient air can also be introduced into the emergency breathing apparatus 10. This special gas can also be oxygen, for example.

[0082] Thus, the emergency breathing apparatus 10 allows mixing of breathing gas from three different gases, namely ambient air, a first special gas introduced via the special gas coupling section 78, and a second special gas introduced via the special gas auxiliary inlet 28c. If only another special gas different from ambient air is required for mixing the breathing gas, this special gas is preferably introduced via the special gas coupling section 78.

[0083] The ambient air UL sucked in through the ambient air suction opening 40 is sucked in as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown by the arrows filled in white in FIG, ambient air enters the cartridge body 28a through the inflow opening 56, passes through the air filter 29, and reaches the mixing chamber 80, in which the fan 42 and its intake opening are located. The air present in the mixing chamber 80 wets most of the outside of the fan 42, thereby contributing to its convective cooling.

[0084] The flow rate of the special gas, such as oxygen, introduced via the special gas coupling section 78 can be adjusted appropriately via the adjustable proportional valve 82 via the input / output device 58 and likewise reaches the mixing chamber 80 via the special gas supply line 84, where the ambient air UL and the special gas can be mixed before entering the fan 42. In other words, the fan 42 is not only used to supply the breathing gas, but also to mix the breathing gas as evenly as possible so that the breathing gas flows out of the breathing gas outlet opening 76 as evenly as possible. The supply line that leads the breathing gas from the fan 42 to the breathing gas outlet opening 76 on the pressure side is located at Figure 2 Located in the middle Figure 2 The electronic compartment 86 is located behind the cross section of the emergency breathing apparatus 10 and is physically completely shielded from the special gas delivery line 84 in order to eliminate any ignition risk that could cause a spark in the electronic equipment housed in the electronic compartment 86 or that could only be sufficiently hot in an environment with pure oxygen or a significantly increased oxygen content. The electronic compartment 86 contains control equipment for controlling the operation of the emergency breathing apparatus 10.

[0085] exist Figure 3 1 shows a top view of the end face 18 with the removable housing cover 22 , ie a top view along the coaxial axes of the locking axis V, the prism axis P and the cartridge inflow axis K. FIG.

[0086] Figure 4 A plan view of the end face 19 is shown with the housing cover 72 fastened to the housing. Figure 4 The direction of observation and Figure 3 The observation direction is opposite.

[0087] In addition to the combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition to the characteristics described, Figure 4 Port pieces 88a and 88b are shown, to which pressure measuring hoses can be connected. These pressure measuring hoses, at their other ends facing away from port pieces 88a and 88b, are connected to the inner region of a differential pressure flow sensor, respectively, for measuring the proximal inspiratory and preferably also expiratory breathing gas flow. The two inner regions are separated from one another in a manner known per se by a flow resistance, wherein the flow resistance varies depending on the breathing gas flow.

[0088] Via the mains input 90, the emergency breathing device 10 can be operated with energy from the public power supply network, provided a mains connection is physically available. All electrical functional units of the emergency breathing device 10 can then be supplied with mains voltage, typically by interposing a mains component in the housing 12 that converts the mains voltage to a lower voltage. The battery 32 can also be charged. A socket 92 in the housing 12 is provided for connecting an external sensor, in particular a CO2 sensor. Such a CO2 sensor can, for example, be attached to a flow sensor coupled to the emergency breathing device 10 and coupled to form a sensor arrangement.

[0089] exist Figure 2 、 5 6 show a cross-sectional view of the heat conductor 94 on which the fan 42 is held.

[0090] As in Figure 6 As seen in FIG. 1 , the air conveyor 42b surrounds a plane perpendicular to and in contact with the flat surface portion 14c. Figure 2 and 6 The lower section of the fan housing 42a is rotatably accommodated about a rotation axis D parallel to the drawing plane. An electric drive 42c located above the air conveyor 42b rotates the air conveyor 42b, which is exemplarily designed as an impeller. The lower section of the fan housing 42a can be designed as a separate conveyor housing part, which can be made of plastic, for example, for cost reasons. The conveyor housing part itself can also be constructed in multiple parts to simplify assembly.

[0091] The portion of the fan housing 42a surrounding the driver 42c is fixed in a recess on the heat conductor 94. The recess is bounded by a fan connection surface 94a having a small gap size of less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.3 mm, and is particularly preferably bounded without gap. The portion is fixed, for example, by bonding, brazing, welding, or by a connecting mechanism such as screws. This portion of the fan housing 42a can be formed as a separate driver housing component, for example, made of an aluminum alloy or a metal alloy for better heat conduction.

[0092] The fan housing 42a, which is preferably made of aluminum by die-casting or by machining from a solid piece, transfers heat from the fan 42 to the heat conductor 94. Since the drive 42c is the most significant heat source within the fan 42 during operation of the emergency breathing apparatus 10, the fan connection surface 94a preferably surrounds the area of ​​the fan housing 42a that encloses the drive 42c.

[0093] Heat conductor 94, also preferably made of aluminum, has a housing connection surface 94b spaced apart from fan connection surface 94a. Heat conductor 94 is connected to housing 12 via this housing connection surface, resting its entire surface against the inner side of the housing segment having flat surface portion 14b. Heat conductor 94 is preferably secured from the outside via through-holes in the relevant housing segment using screws (not shown). The screws penetrate the through-holes and are screwed into internal threads on heat conductor 94. Consequently, housing connection surface 94b can be connected to the housing segment over its entire surface without gaps.

[0094] Alternative to Figure 2 and 6 As shown in the figure, an intermediate layer for increasing heat conduction can be provided between the fan connection surface 94a and the fan housing 42a and / or between the housing connection surface 94b and the housing 12, for example as a paste layer of thermal paste or, on the contrary, preferably as a solid layer in the form of a thermal pad.

[0095] The heat transferred from the fan 42 to the heat conductor 94 follows the temperature gradient that develops during operation on the flat surface portion 14b. The lowest temperature typically occurs on the surface in contact with the external environment U, from the fan 42 through the heat conductor 94 to the housing 12. On the surface portion 14b, the heat from the heat conductor 94 transferred to the housing 12 by the fan 42 is dissipated to the external environment U via convection and radiation. The temperature difference between the surface portion 14b and the external environment U naturally allows for convection, which becomes more pronounced the greater the temperature difference between the surface portion 14b and the external temperature U. Because the tubular housing component 15 having the side surface 14 is preferably made of aluminum, a material with good thermal conductivity, the housing component 15 also conducts heat from the surface portion 14b to the adjacent surface portions 14a, 16b, 16c, 14c, etc., allowing these surface portions to also contribute to heat dissipation to the external environment U that is not in direct contact with the heat conductor 94.

[0096] The housing connection surface 94b is twice as large as the fan connection surface 94a.

[0097] As in Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG, most of the outer surface 42a1 of the fan housing 42a protrudes into the mixing chamber 80, where the protruding portion of the outer surface 42a1 can be moistened by the breathing gas in the mixing chamber 80. Therefore, the breathing gas conveyed by the fan 42 can also contribute to the convective cooling of the fan 42 and the entire emergency breathing apparatus 10. The outer surface 42a1 completely surrounds the rotation axis D of the air conveyor 42b in the circumferential direction.

[0098] The cooling effect of the breathing gas and the heat conductor 94 is preferably so good that the emergency breathing apparatus 10 does not have a dedicated cooler ventilator, so that the fan 42 for conveying the breathing gas is preferably the only fan in the emergency breathing apparatus 10 .

[0099] exist Figure 5 7 , the breathing gas channel 96 can be seen as an outlet channel for the fan 42. On the pressure side of the fan 42, the fan 42 conveys the breathing gas through the breathing gas channel 96 toward the breathing gas outlet opening 76. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the breathing gas channel 96 runs parallel to the special gas supply line 84 in a space-saving manner.

[0100] Channels 94c and 94d can be formed in the heat conductor 94 to increase the surface area of ​​the heat conductor 94. Breathing gas in the mixing chamber 80 can flow through these channels at least partially by driving the fan 42, thereby additionally transporting heat away from the heat conductor 94 by convection. This additionally increases the cooling effect of the breathing gas and the heat conductor 94.

[0101] The surface 94e of the heat-conducting body delimits the mixing chamber 80 and is wettable by the respiratory gas.

[0102] If combined with especially Figure 5 and Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG, a one-piece heat conductor 94 surrounds the mixing chamber 80 on five sides. The air conveyor 42b and the part of the fan housing 42a surrounding the air conveyor 42b are arranged in the mixing chamber 80. The part of the fan 42 that protrudes into the mixing chamber 80 is spaced apart from the heat conductor 94 on all sides to achieve the largest possible surface area that can dissipate heat to the respiratory gas in the mixing chamber 80.

Claims

1. An emergency breathing apparatus (10) for performing emergency medical artificial respiration on a patient, the emergency breathing apparatus comprising: - a housing (12) having an ambient air intake opening (40) and a respiratory gas outlet opening (76); a fan (42) arranged in the housing (12) and designed to convey ambient air from the ambient air intake opening (40) to the breathing gas outlet opening (76); an air filter (29) designed to purify the drawn-in ambient air and arranged in the housing (12) in the flow path of the ambient air downstream of the ambient air intake opening (40); and - an energy storage (34) for supplying energy to the fan for its operation, wherein the air filter (29) is accessible via a housing opening (24) which is closed by means of a housing cover (22) but can be opened and is accommodated in the housing (12) in a conventionally replaceable manner, and The energy storage device (34) is accessible via a housing opening (24) which is closed by means of a housing cover (22) but can be opened and is accommodated in the housing (12) in a conventionally replaceable manner, It is characterized in that the air filter (29) and the energy storage device (34) are accessible via a common housing opening (24), wherein the common housing opening (24) can be selectively closed and opened by a common housing cover (22).

2. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The common housing cover (22) has a cover member (36) that is immovable relative to the remaining housing (20) in the closed state of the emergency breathing device and a locking member (38) that is movable relative to the remaining housing (20), wherein the common housing cover (22) closes the common housing opening (24) in the closed state, wherein the locking member (38) is movable between a locked position and a released position, in which the locking structure of the locking member (38) locks the common housing cover (22) to prevent it from being removed from the common housing opening (24) by engaging in a form-fitting manner with a locking mating structure (44) fixed to the housing on the remaining breathing device (10), and in the released position, the locking member (38) allows the common housing cover (22) to be removed from the common housing opening (24).

3. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The locking member (38) is supported on the cover member (36) so as to be rotatable relative to the cover member (36) about a locking axis (V).

4. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The common housing cover (22) has the ambient air intake opening (40).

5. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that The common housing cover (22) comprises a cover member (36) which is immovable relative to the remaining housing (20) in the closed state of the emergency breathing apparatus and a locking member (38) which is movable relative to the remaining housing (20), wherein the common housing cover (22) closes the common housing opening (24) in the closed state, wherein the locking member (38) is movable between a locked position and a released position, in which a locking structure of the locking member (38) locks the common housing cover (22) against removal from the common housing opening (24) by form-fitting engagement with a locking mating structure (44) fixed to the housing on the remaining breathing apparatus (10), and in which a release position the locking member (38) allows the common housing cover (22) to be removed from the common housing opening (24), and the ambient air intake opening (40) extends through the locking member (38).

6. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The locking member (38) is supported on the cover member (36) so as to be rotatable relative to the cover member (36) about a locking axis (V), and the locking axis (V) extends through the ambient air intake opening (40).

7. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The cover member (36) has a bearing section (52) coaxial with the locking axis (V), which surrounds the ambient air intake opening (40) and is surrounded by a bearing engagement section (54) of the locking member (38) extending along the locking axis (V) and coaxial with the locking axis (V).

8. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that The bearing section (52) has a fixing structure (52a) on its radial inner side facing away from the bearing engagement section (54) with respect to the locking axis (V).

9. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The common housing cover has a cover-filter-positioning section (36a) which, in the closed state of the emergency breathing apparatus, points toward the interior of the housing (12), and in the closed state, when the emergency breathing apparatus (10) is operationally ready, in cooperation with at least one housing-filter-positioning section (26a) fixed to the housing, fixes a filter cartridge (28) for filtering ambient air in its operationally ready position. and / or The common housing cover (22) has a cover-reservoir-positioning section (36b) pointing toward the interior of the housing (12) in the closed state, which, in the closed state, fixes the energy storage body (33) in its operationally ready position in cooperation with at least one housing-reservoir-positioning section (30a) fixed to the housing when the emergency breathing device (10) is operationally ready.

10. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that The filter cartridge (28) has an ambient air inlet opening (56) accessible through the ambient air intake opening (40) and a special gas connection structure (28c) for connecting to a special gas supply.

11. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that The ambient air inlet opening (56) and the special gas interface structure (28c) are coaxially arranged with each other.

12. The emergency breathing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that The ambient air inlet opening (56) and the special gas connection structure (28c) are also arranged coaxially with respect to the locking axis (V) in the closed state ready for operation.

13. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The housing (12) has a prismatic and / or cylindrical basic shape, wherein the common housing cover (22) forms the end face (18) of the prismatic and / or cylindrical housing (12).

14. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that All connections and / or openings (54) for introducing gas into the housing (12) and for discharging gas from the housing (12) are arranged on one of the end faces (18, 19) of the prismatic and / or cylindrical housing (12).

15. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that The prismatic and / or cylindrical housing (12) has an input / output device (58) in the region of its side surface (14), which has a display device (60) and at least one switch device (64, 66).

16. Emergency breathing apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The housing cover (22) has at least one shock-damping element (68, 70, 74) on its outer surface.

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