A breathing sound acquisition device for a respiratory mask and a respiratory mask

Abstract

This application provides a respiratory sound acquisition device and a respiratory mask for use with a breathing mask, belonging to the field of respiratory therapy and physiological acoustic acquisition technology. It includes: a housing; an internal cavity comprising an inlet buffer cavity and a main acoustic cavity, with an acoustic flow-limiting plate disposed between the inlet buffer cavity and the main acoustic cavity; an acoustic window is provided on a first housing, and a first hydrophobic acoustic membrane covers the position of the acoustic window on the first housing; the inlet buffer cavity and the acoustic window are connected by a labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel; a liquid collection tank is provided at the bottom of the main acoustic cavity, and a drain outlet is provided on the first housing, with one end of the liquid collection tank communicating with the drain outlet; a respiratory sound acquisition sensor is disposed on a second housing near the main acoustic cavity. The respiratory sound acquisition device and respiratory mask provided in this application can stably transmit respiratory sounds to the sensor in a high-humidity exhaled air environment and suppress the influence of condensation / droplets on the acoustic path and the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of respiratory therapy and physiological acoustic acquisition technology, and more specifically, to a respiratory sound acquisition device and a respiratory mask for use with a breathing mask. Background Technology

[0002] Breathing mask chambers are constantly exposed to high humidity and temperature variations. Water vapor in exhaled air easily condenses on the acoustic window, hydrophobic membrane, and sensor surface, leading to abrupt changes in acoustic impedance, frequency response distortion, sensitivity drift, and even the risk of droplet / condensation clogging and short circuits. Simultaneously, mask friction and direct airflow noise reduce the signal-to-noise ratio. Existing solutions mostly employ single-layer hydrophobic membranes or remote sensors. The former has limited anti-condensation capabilities, while the latter sacrifices near-field sound pressure and phase determination timeliness, and still exhibits significant structural noise. In hospital environments, it is also necessary to consider disinfection and wiping, material biocompatibility, sealing, and maintainability, while ensuring stability during long-term operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a breathing sound acquisition device and a breathing mask for use with a breathing mask, which aims to stably transmit breathing sounds to a sensor in a high-humidity exhaled air environment and suppress the influence of condensation / droplets on the acoustic path and sensor.

[0004] The first aspect of this application provides a respiratory sound acquisition device for a breathing mask, comprising: The housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing enclose an internal cavity, the internal cavity includes an inlet buffer cavity and a main acoustic cavity, and an acoustic flow limiting plate is provided between the inlet buffer cavity and the main acoustic cavity; An acoustic window is provided on the first housing, and a first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane is provided on the first housing at the position of the acoustic window; the inlet buffer cavity is connected to the acoustic window through a labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel, which includes multiple interconnected sub-channels, and the extension directions of two adjacent sub-channels are different; The bottom of the main acoustic cavity is provided with a liquid collection tank, and the first housing is provided with a liquid drain port. One end of the liquid collection tank is connected to the liquid drain port. A breathing sound acquisition sensor is provided on the second housing near the main acoustic cavity. The breathing sound acquisition sensor is used to acquire the breathing sounds entering the main acoustic cavity.

[0005] Optionally, a heating device is provided on the first housing along the circumference of the acoustic window, the heating device being used to maintain the temperature of the first housing within a preset range; A heat-conducting ring is provided on the outer periphery of the heating device.

[0006] Optionally, a temperature and humidity sensor is provided inside the main acoustic cavity. The temperature and humidity sensor is connected to the heating device and is used to collect temperature information and transmit it to the heating device. The heating device is also used to adjust the heating power according to the temperature information.

[0007] Optionally, a support mesh and a membrane pressing frame are provided on the first housing at the position of the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane. The support mesh covers one side of the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane, and the membrane pressing frame fixes the support mesh to the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane along the circumference of the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane.

[0008] Optionally, a fixing groove is provided on the first housing at the position of the acoustic window, and the hydrophobic membrane assembly composed of the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane, the support mesh and the membrane pressing frame is slidably connected in the fixing groove.

[0009] Optionally, an isobaric micropore is formed on the first housing at the position of the main acoustic cavity, the isobaric micropore is connected to the main acoustic cavity, and a second hydrophobic sound-permeable membrane is covered on the first housing at the position of the isobaric micropore.

[0010] Optionally, a coagulation-guiding capillary core is laid on the inner wall of the liquid collection tank, and a check valve diaphragm is provided at the position of the liquid outlet.

[0011] Optionally, an elastic pad is provided on the housing at the position that contacts the breathing mask.

[0012] A second aspect of this application provides a breathing mask, including a mask body and a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask, as provided in the first aspect of this application, disposed on the mask body.

[0013] Optionally, the mask body and the breathing sound acquisition device can be detachably connected.

[0014] Beneficial effects: This application provides a respiratory sound acquisition device for a breathing mask and a breathing mask. The acquisition device includes a housing, which is composed of a first housing and a second housing. The first housing and the second housing enclose an internal cavity, which includes an inlet buffer cavity and a main acoustic cavity. An acoustic window is provided on the first housing, and the acoustic window is connected to the inlet buffer cavity through a labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel. A liquid collection tank is provided at the bottom of the main acoustic cavity, and one end of the liquid collection tank is connected to a drain port provided on the first housing. A respiratory sound acquisition sensor is provided on the second housing near the main acoustic cavity. Thus, after the acquisition device is installed on the breathing mask, the user's respiratory sound and exhaled gas will enter the labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel through the acoustic window, and then be transmitted sequentially to the inlet buffer cavity and the main acoustic cavity. In this process, the labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel can reduce the generation of condensation, and the liquid collection tank can drain the condensation formed. This can keep the acoustic path unobstructed, thereby stably transmitting the respiratory sound to the sensor in a high humidity exhaled air environment and suppressing the influence of condensation / droplets on the acoustic path and the sensor. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a breathing mask with a breathing sound acquisition device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a respiratory sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the acoustic window structure in a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heating device in a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the liquid collection tank in a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor installation structure in a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] Reference Figure 2 As shown, this application discloses a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask, which includes a housing and a breathing sound acquisition sensor.

[0020] Specifically, the housing 20 includes a first housing and a second housing, which can be joined to form an internal cavity. The first and second housings can be formed by injection molding and can be connected by screws. For example, multiple connecting lugs can be provided at the joint of the first and second housings, and screw holes can be formed on the connecting lugs. Screws passing through the screw holes are then used to connect the first and second housings. The first and second housings are molded from medical-grade PC / ABS or equivalent materials, and the overall protection level is not lower than IPX4.

[0021] Reference Figure 2 As shown in this embodiment, the internal cavity includes an inlet buffer cavity 24a and a main acoustic cavity 24b. An acoustic flow-limiting orifice plate 26 is disposed between the inlet buffer cavity 24a and the main acoustic cavity 24b. The opening ratio of the acoustic flow-limiting orifice plate 26 is 5%-30%. The acoustic flow-limiting orifice plate 26, together with the main acoustic cavity 24b, can determine the low-frequency cutoff and acoustic impedance, thereby achieving effective transmission of the 80Hz-2000Hz breathing sound band and suppressing direct noise.

[0022] Reference Figure 2 As shown, an acoustic window 21 is provided on the first housing. The acoustic window 21 is connected to the inlet buffer cavity 24a through a labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel 25. It can be understood that when the user uses a breathing mask with the acquisition device, the user's exhaled gas and breathing sound will be transmitted through the acoustic window 21 into the labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel 25, and then sequentially into the inlet buffer cavity 24a and the main acoustic cavity 24b.

[0023] Reference Figure 2 As shown, a first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22 is provided on the first housing at the location of the acoustic window 21. The first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22 can reduce the amount of water vapor entering the labyrinthine liquid-proof channel 25 and the internal cavity, thereby inhibiting the formation of condensation. The first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22 is preferably a PTFE / ePTFE microporous membrane, and the pore size of the micropores in the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22 is 0.1μm-50μm, and the porosity is 30%-80%.

[0024] Reference Figure 2 As shown, the labyrinthine liquid-proof channel 25 includes multiple interconnected sub-channels, with adjacent sub-channels extending in different directions. For example, the labyrinthine liquid-proof channel 25 may include a first sub-channel, a second sub-channel, and a third sub-channel connected sequentially, wherein the extending direction of the first sub-channel is perpendicular to the extending direction of the second sub-channel, and the extending direction of the second sub-channel is perpendicular to the extending direction of the third sub-channel. The labyrinthine liquid-proof channel 25 can prevent exhaled droplets from reaching the internal cavity while maintaining acoustic transparency. It should be noted that the equivalent length / section ratio of the labyrinthine liquid-proof channel 25 is 8-25.

[0025] Reference Figure 2 As shown, the volume of the main acoustic cavity 24b is 100mm³-1200mm³. A liquid collection tank 29a is located at the bottom of the main acoustic cavity 24b, and a drain port 29c is provided on the first housing. One end of the liquid collection tank 29a is connected to the drain port 29c. When the user's exhaled air enters the main acoustic cavity 24b, condensation will form inside the main acoustic cavity 24b. This condensation will naturally enter the liquid collection tank 29a and be discharged through the drain port 29c, thus reducing the impact of condensation on breath sound acquisition. The diameter of the drain port 29c is 0.3mm-1.2mm, and a silicone plug is provided on the outside of the drain port 29c.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the breathing sound acquisition sensor 31 is disposed on the second housing near the main acoustic cavity 24b. The breathing sound acquisition sensor 31 can acquire breathing sounds entering the main acoustic cavity 24b. In this embodiment, the breathing sound acquisition sensor 31 can be a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) or a fiber optic microphone. Meanwhile, a sensor base 30 is disposed on the second housing, and the breathing sound acquisition sensor 31 is fixedly connected to the sensor base 30. A vibration isolation ring 30a and a sealing ring 30b are sequentially arranged circumferentially on the sensor base 30 to reduce structural noise coupling and seal the internal cavity.

[0027] The acquisition device provided in this application embodiment utilizes the labyrinthine anti-condensation channel 25, the liquid collection tank 29a, and the drain port 29c to form a "condensation prevention-condensation guidance-drainage" closed loop, thereby suppressing the influence of condensation / droplets on the acoustic path and sensor, and stably transmitting the breath sound to the breath sound acquisition sensor 31. Furthermore, this acquisition device can maintain a clear acoustic path and stable acoustic impedance under conditions of high humidity, temperature difference, droplets, and air leakage disturbances inside the mask.

[0028] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, a support mesh 23a and a membrane pressing frame 23b are provided on the first housing at the position where the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane 22 is located.

[0029] Specifically, the support net 23a covers one side of the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22, and the membrane pressing frame 23b fixes the support net 23a and the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22 along the circumference of the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22. That is, after the support net 23b is covered on the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22, the membrane pressing frame 23b is installed on the side of the support net 23a away from the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22. The membrane pressing frame 23b can be used to fix the support net 23a and the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22 into a whole.

[0030] In one embodiment, a fixing groove is provided on the first housing at the position of the acoustic window 21, and the hydrophobic membrane assembly, consisting of the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22, the support mesh 23a, and the membrane pressing frame 23b, is slidably connected in the fixing groove. In this way, the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane 22 can be replaced without disassembling the housing, thereby making the use of the acquisition device more convenient.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, a heating device 28a is provided on the first housing.

[0032] Specifically, the heating device 28a is embedded in the first housing along the circumference of the acoustic window 21. The heating device 28a can be a resistance heating ring or a PTC heating element. This heating device 28a can maintain the temperature of the first housing within a preset range. The heating power of the heating device 28a is 0.1W-1.5W, and an insulating coating is provided on the surface of the heating device 28a to prevent leakage. The preset range is 3℃-10℃ higher than the ambient dew point temperature, that is, the temperature of the first housing needs to be 3℃-10℃ higher than the ambient dew point temperature, where the ambient dew point temperature refers to the temperature at which water vapor condenses into dew.

[0033] In this embodiment, a heat-conducting ring 28b is further provided on the first housing. The heat-conducting ring 28b is arranged along the circumference of the heating device 28a, and the heat-conducting ring 28b can evenly distribute the heat generated by the heating device 28a to the first housing. It is understood that heat can be transferred into the internal cavity.

[0034] In this embodiment, a temperature and humidity sensor 32 is provided in the main acoustic cavity 24b. The temperature and humidity sensor 32 is connected to the heating device 28a. The temperature and humidity sensor 32 is used to collect temperature information and transmit it to the heating device 28a. It is understood that the heating device 28a includes a control module. The control module can adjust the heating power according to the temperature information so that the temperature of the first shell can be maintained within a preset range.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, an isobaric micropore 27 is formed on the first housing at the location of the main acoustic cavity 24b. The isobaric micropore 27 is connected to the main acoustic cavity 24b, and a second hydrophobic acoustic membrane covers the isobaric micropore 27. The isobaric micropore 27 can maintain a slow isobaric relationship between the internal cavity and the breathing mask, and reduce the impact of airflow on the membrane surface.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, a condensation-guiding capillary core 29b (e.g., hydrophilic fiber felt) is laid on the inner wall of the collection tank 29a, and a check valve diaphragm 29d is provided at the drain port 29c. The condensation-guiding capillary core 29b allows for better drainage of condensate to the drain port 29c, and the check valve diaphragm 29d prevents backflow of external liquid. The opening pressure differential of the check valve diaphragm 29d is 50 Pa to 250 Pa.

[0037] In one embodiment, an elastic pad is provided on the housing at the location where it contacts the breathing mask. The elastic pad reduces frictional coupling noise.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 As shown, based on the same inventive concept, this application discloses a breathing mask, including a panel body and a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask as described above in the embodiments of this application, which is disposed on the mask body.

[0039] Specifically, the data collection device is detachably connected to the mask body 10. For example, a snap-fit ​​ring 40 is provided on the mask body 10, and a snap-fit ​​buckle 41 is provided on the housing 20 of the data collection device. The data collection device can be fixed to the mask body by snapping the snap-fit ​​buckle 41 with the snap-fit ​​ring 40. To disassemble the data collection device, simply detach the snap-fit ​​buckle 41 from the snap-fit ​​ring 40. Additionally, a sealing gasket 42 is provided at the connection point between the data collection device and the mask body 10 to reduce air leakage.

[0040] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0041] It should also be noted that, in this document, the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Moreover, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the phrase "includes a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes the element.

[0042] The technical solutions provided in this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand this application, and the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, for those skilled in the art, there will be different forms of changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on this application. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all implementation methods here, and obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask, characterized in that, include: The housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing enclose an internal cavity, the internal cavity includes an inlet buffer cavity and a main acoustic cavity, and an acoustic flow limiting plate is provided between the inlet buffer cavity and the main acoustic cavity; An acoustic window is provided on the first housing, and a first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane is provided on the first housing at the position of the acoustic window; the inlet buffer cavity is connected to the acoustic window through a labyrinth-type liquid-proof channel, which includes multiple interconnected sub-channels, and the extension directions of two adjacent sub-channels are different; The bottom of the main acoustic cavity is provided with a liquid collection tank, and the first housing is provided with a liquid drain port. One end of the liquid collection tank is connected to the liquid drain port. A breathing sound acquisition sensor is provided on the second housing near the main acoustic cavity. The breathing sound acquisition sensor is used to acquire the breathing sounds entering the main acoustic cavity.

2. The breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to claim 1, characterized in that: A heating device is provided on the first housing along the circumference of the acoustic window, and the heating device is used to maintain the temperature of the first housing within a preset range; A heat-conducting ring is provided on the outer periphery of the heating device.

3. The breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to claim 2, characterized in that: A temperature and humidity sensor is installed inside the main acoustic cavity. The temperature and humidity sensor is connected to the heating device and is used to collect temperature information and transmit it to the heating device. The heating device is also used to adjust the heating power according to the temperature information.

4. The breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support mesh and a membrane pressing frame are provided on the first housing at the position of the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane. The support mesh covers one side of the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane, and the membrane pressing frame fixes the support mesh to the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane along the circumference of the first hydrophobic and acoustically permeable membrane.

5. The breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to claim 4, characterized in that: A fixing groove is provided on the first housing at the position of the acoustic window, and the hydrophobic membrane assembly composed of the first hydrophobic acoustic membrane, the support mesh and the membrane pressing frame is slidably connected in the fixing groove.

6. The breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to claim 1, characterized in that: An isobaric micropore is formed on the first housing at the location of the main acoustic cavity, and the isobaric micropore is connected to the main acoustic cavity. A second hydrophobic sound-permeable membrane is covered on the first housing at the location of the isobaric micropore.

7. The breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the collection tank is lined with a coagulation-guiding capillary core, and a check valve diaphragm is installed at the drain outlet.

8. The breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic pad is provided on the housing at the position where it contacts the breathing mask.

9. A breathing mask, characterized in that, It includes a mask body and a breathing sound acquisition device for a breathing mask as described in any one of claims 1-8, disposed on the mask body.

10. The breathing mask according to claim 9, characterized in that: The mask body is detachably connected to the breathing sound collection device.

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