Low-resistance negative-pressure-free expiration sampling device
By introducing an airbag buffer component into the breath sampling device, the problems of high resistance during the blowing process and negative pressure during the inhalation process are solved, realizing a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free sampling process and improving the comfort of the examinee.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421945932.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-08-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing breath VOC sampling devices have high resistance during the exhalation process and negative pressure during the inhalation process, which can cause discomfort to the subject and may even cause adverse reactions such as shortness of breath, excessive tension, blood rushing to the head, and dizziness.
A low-resistance, negative-pressure-free exhalation sampling device was designed, including a contact component, a buffer component, and a connecting component. An airbag is installed inside the buffer component, and the airbag is interconnected with the contact component and the connecting component. The airbag temporarily stores gas during exhalation and returns gas during inhalation to counteract negative pressure, thereby achieving a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free sampling process.
It effectively reduces resistance and negative pressure during the expiratory sampling process, improves the comfort of the examinee, and reduces the occurrence of adverse reactions. It is especially suitable for young children, the elderly, patients with poor lung function, and patients with respiratory diseases.
Smart Images
Figure CN223489748U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of gas sampling technology, and in particular to a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free exhalation sampling device. Background Technology
[0002] Human exhaled breath contains thousands of trace to ultra-trace concentrations (parts per billion (ppb) to parts per trillion (ppt) per cubic meter). These VOC molecules are related to a variety of physiological and pathological metabolic processes. Therefore, exhaled VOC detection can serve as a diagnostic basis for various tumors, infections, and inflammatory diseases, especially respiratory diseases.
[0003] Exhaled VOCs are characterized by their diversity, low concentration, and susceptibility to interference from high concentrations of water vapor in exhaled breath, ambient air, and contact materials. Metabolic VOC molecules, reflecting disease status, are mostly deposited in the alveoli, with an effective utilization rate of approximately 30-50% in adult lung tissue. Furthermore, medical applications primarily target various patient populations. Therefore, ideal exhaled VOC collection should be effortless, avoid environmental air interference and safety risks that might induce wheezing or coughing, while simultaneously collecting a sufficient amount of effective alveolar gas.
[0004] Most existing exhaled VOC sampling devices use disposable exhalation devices, with a gas storage container connected to the back end of the sampling device. These devices come in two types: with and without pumps. For online / real-time detection and analysis backend devices, a pump is always included. The pump continuously draws exhaled air into the backend storage and analysis device at a set flow rate. During exhaled VOC sampling, breathing involves two phases: nasal inhalation and oral exhalation. During oral exhalation, the airflow direction is the same as the pump's suction direction, but if the exhaled volume is much greater than the suction volume, significant resistance will be generated at the front end. During nasal inhalation, the exhalation is paused for a period of time. Due to the continuous suction of the pump, the subject will experience a significant negative pressure suction sensation, which reduces the subject's comfort and may cause adverse reactions such as shortness of breath, excessive tension, blood rushing to the head, and dizziness, or even lead to exhaled VOC sampling failure. Utility Model Content
[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free exhalation sampling device to solve the problems of high resistance during the blowing process and negative pressure during the inhalation process in existing exhalation sampling devices.
[0006] To achieve the above technical objectives, this application provides a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device, comprising: a contact component, a buffer component, and a connecting component;
[0007] The contact component is used to contact the subject to collect the gas exhaled by the subject;
[0008] The connection component is used to connect to the backend device;
[0009] The buffer assembly is equipped with an airbag;
[0010] The airbag, the contact component, and the connecting component are interconnected.
[0011] Furthermore, it also includes: a first pipeline and a second pipeline;
[0012] The first conduit connects the contact assembly and the airbag;
[0013] The second pipe connects the first pipe and the connecting assembly.
[0014] Furthermore, the diameter of the first pipe is larger than the diameter of the second pipe.
[0015] Furthermore, the contact assembly is detachably connected to the first pipe.
[0016] Furthermore, a one-way vent valve is provided on the side of the contact component and / or at the vent of the contact component.
[0017] Furthermore, it also includes switching valves;
[0018] The switching valve is disposed on the first pipe and located between the second pipe and the airbag.
[0019] Furthermore, the first pipe and the second pipe are polytetrafluoroethylene pipes or polyetheretherketone pipes;
[0020] The airbag is a polytetrafluoroethylene airbag or a polyetheretherketone airbag.
[0021] Furthermore, the airbag is elastic.
[0022] Furthermore, the buffer assembly is provided with a heating element for heating the airbag and / or a heat insulation layer covering the airbag.
[0023] Furthermore, the contact component is a sampling cover or an air nozzle.
[0024] Furthermore, the contact component is a sampling cover, and the outer edge of the contact component has a double-sided structure.
[0025] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, this application provides a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free exhalation sampling device, including: a contact component, a buffer component, and a connecting component; the contact component is used to contact the subject for the subject to exhale; the connecting component is used to connect to a back-end device; an airbag is provided inside the buffer component; the airbag, the contact component, and the connecting component are interconnected.
[0026] After the connecting component is connected to the back-end device, the pump in the back-end device continuously draws air into the contact component. When the subject exhales into the contact component, the gas enters the back-end device through the connecting component and also enters the air bladder of the buffer component. This allows the air bladder to temporarily store the exhaled gas, preventing resistance caused by the subject's exhalation volume exceeding the pump's suction volume. When the subject inhales into the contact component, the gas in the air bladder flows back into the contact component, simultaneously canceling out the negative pressure generated by the pump. This achieves a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free sampling process, effectively solving the problems of high resistance during exhalation and negative pressure during inhalation in existing breath sampling devices. Attached Figure Description
[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art 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.
[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device connected to a back-end device, provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0029] Figure 2 This is a disassembly diagram of a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0030] In the diagram: 1. Contact component; 2. Buffer component; 3. Connection component; 4. First pipe; 5. Second pipe; 6. One-way vent valve; 7. Back-end equipment; 8. Adapter; 9. Switch valve. Detailed Implementation
[0031] 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, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments in this application specification, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection claimed in this application.
[0032] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that 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. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0033] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a replaceable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0034] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device provided in this application embodiment enables subjects from a wide range of disease groups to remain relaxed and comfortable during prolonged expiratory breath sampling. This device can be used in conjunction with a miniature gas chromatograph or other online expiratory breath sampling and testing instruments.
[0035] Specifically, the low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory sampling device provided in this embodiment includes: a contact component 1, a buffer component 2, and a connecting component 3.
[0036] Contact component 1 is used to contact the subject for exhalation. In practical applications, contact component 1 can be a sampling mask or a nozzle. The sampling mask or nozzle can be made of PP material, which has better mechanical properties and chemical stability than PE, and is less expensive, making it suitable for manufacturing disposable products.
[0037] Taking the sampling cover as an example, in this embodiment, the sampling cover only covers the mouth of the examinee and has an arc shape that fits the mouth to maintain comfort during exhalation. The diameter of its outlet can be 0.5~1.5cm. The outer edge of the sampling cover has a double-sided structure, that is, the outer edge of the sampling cover is provided with an inner hollow volume, so that the sampling cover can better fit the examinee and improve the airtightness of the examination process.
[0038] Taking contact component 1 as an example, the air nozzle is an object that can be fully or partially inserted into the subject's mouth for the subject to blow air. The air nozzle can adopt a flat air nozzle design that conforms to the shape of the mouth closure, similar to the air nozzle commonly used in lung function testing, with two wings to enhance the seal, and the diameter of its air outlet can be 0.5~1.5cm.
[0039] The connecting component 3 is used to connect to the back-end device 7. The back-end device 7 can be the aforementioned miniature gas chromatograph or online breath sampling and detection instrument. The back-end device 7 contains a pump that can draw air into the contact component 1.
[0040] The buffer assembly 2 contains an airbag; the airbag, contact assembly 1, and connecting assembly 3 are interconnected. The airbag is located inside the buffer assembly 2. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The volume of the airbag can be 50~200mL; specifically, the volume of the airbag is related to the pumping speed of the pump. Assuming the pumping speed is 200~500mL / min and the inhalation interval is 2~5s, the airbag needs a capacity of at least 6.7~41.7mL. Considering the actual tolerance and the expansion and contraction of the airbag, the volume of the airbag can be 50~200mL in the actual testing process.
[0041] During the testing process, the airbag temporarily stores the gas. When the subject exhales, part of the gas enters the back-end device through the connecting component 3, and part enters the airbag. At this time, the airbag acts as a diversion device, reducing the air intake resistance caused by the exhalation rate exceeding the pump's suction rate. When the subject inhales, the gas in the airbag can flow back into the contact component 1. At this time, the airbag acts as a replenishment device, preventing negative pressure from forming in the contact component 1 due to the continuous suction of the pump.
[0042] In the above embodiments, the example is taken where the contact component 1 completely covers the subject's mouth and nose, meaning that both the subject's exhalation and inhalation processes occur within the contact component 1. In other embodiments, the contact component 1 may only cover the subject's mouth, meaning that only the exhalation process occurs within the contact component 1. In this case, a low-resistance exhalation process can still be achieved through the buffer component 2, and since the subject's nasal cavity is located outside the contact component 1 and is not affected by the pump, a negative pressure-free inhalation process can also be achieved.
[0043] In one implementation method, the contact component 1 and the connecting component 3 can be connected to the two ends of the buffer component 2, respectively. That is, when the subject blows air, the gas first enters the air bladder of the buffer component 2 to fill the air bladder, and then flows out from the air bladder into the connecting component 3. In this way, the air bladder can play the role of diverting and replenishing air, realizing a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free collection process.
[0044] In another embodiment provided in this application, the device further includes: a first pipe 4 and a second pipe 5; the first pipe 4 connects the contact component 1 and the airbag; the second pipe 5 connects the first pipe 4 and the connecting component 3.
[0045] Specifically, the first pipe 4 can be an L-shaped pipe, or a straight pipe, curved pipe, or other structure, and is connected to the second pipe 5 through a multi-port pipe; the airbag is provided with an air port, and the first pipe 4 is connected to the air port, so that the gas entering from the contact component 1 can enter the airbag through the first pipe 4. The second pipe 5 is connected to the first pipe 4, so that the gas entering from the contact component 1 and the gas in the airbag can both enter the back-end equipment through the connecting component 3.
[0046] Through the first pipe 4 and the second pipe 5, the airbag only needs one air inlet to simultaneously connect the contact component 1 and the connecting component 3. Correspondingly, the buffer component 2 also only needs one opening to connect to the first pipe 4. In practical applications, the buffer component 2 may include an outer shell; the airbag is disposed within the outer shell, and the outer shell has an opening that allows only the first pipe 4 to pass through.
[0047] Optionally, contact component 1 can be connected to the first pipe 5 via adapter 8. Contact component 1 is detachably connected to the first pipe 4 via adapter 8, allowing contact component 1 to be replaced. Adapter 8 can be made of PC material, suitable for recycling, disinfection, cleaning, and reuse. A compression ring or Luer connector design is used at the connection handle and the connecting pipe to ensure airtight splicing of the two materials. The surface of adapter 8 can be textured or have gear-shaped protrusions to prevent slippage.
[0048] Optionally, a porous filter screen can be provided between the contact component 1 and the adapter 8. In practical applications, saliva may mix with the exhaled air when the subject blows, causing droplets to enter the detection device and affect the detection results and damage the device. In this embodiment, the porous filter screen can filter out some water vapor and particulate impurities, reducing the impact of saliva on the downstream equipment.
[0049] Optionally, if the contact component 1 can cover only the subject's mouth, a one-way valve can be provided at the air outlet of the airbag; the one-way valve is used to restrict the airflow from the airbag; correspondingly, after one breath sampling, the contact component 1 and the airbag are replaced together. By restricting the airflow from the airbag through the one-way valve, the subject's expiratory resistance can be further reduced.
[0050] In a further improved embodiment, the diameter of the first pipe 4 is larger than the diameter of the second pipe 5. That is, the first pipe 4 is a thicker pipe, and the second pipe 5 is a thinner pipe. The thicker pipe has lower airflow resistance, which can reduce expiratory resistance; its diameter can be 0.5~1.5cm and its length can be 5~100cm. The thinner pipe has higher airflow resistance, which can control the flow rate; its diameter can be 2~5mm and its length can be 20~100cm, so that after connecting to the breathalyzer, the flow rate can be controlled within the range of 200~500mL / min by the internal inspiratory pump.
[0051] By setting up a thicker tube and a thinner tube, the air exhaled by the subject can preferentially enter the airbag during exhalation, thus meeting the actual needs of the pump's low suction rate. Similarly, when the contact component 1 simultaneously covers the subject's nasal cavity, the air in the airbag can flow out more quickly through the thicker tube during inhalation, thus counteracting the negative pressure generated by the pump.
[0052] Optionally, the first pipe 4 and the second pipe 5 are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) pipes or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) pipes; the airbag is a PTFE airbag or a PEEK airbag. PTFE and PEEK materials have extremely strong chemical stability and physiological inertness, which will greatly reduce background pollution of exhaled VOCs.
[0053] Optionally, the airbag is elastic, which can better serve to temporarily store gas during exhalation and replenish gas during inhalation.
[0054] Optionally, the buffer assembly 2 is provided with a heating element for heating the airbag and / or an insulation layer covering the airbag.
[0055] Specifically, the insulation layer can be disposed within the inner layer of the outer shell included in the buffer assembly 2; the heating element can be disposed within the outer shell. In low ambient temperatures, the exhaled air from the subject entering the airbag can easily cause condensation on the inner wall of the airbag. The heating element and / or insulation layer can maintain a suitable temperature inside the airbag, for example, between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, preventing gas condensation.
[0056] In one embodiment, a plurality of one-way vent valves 6 are provided on the side of the contact component 1.
[0057] The one-way vent valve 6 is used to restrict ambient gas from entering the contact component 1, while allowing gas inside the contact component 1 to enter the environment, thereby further reducing the subject's expiratory resistance.
[0058] In another embodiment, a one-way vent valve 6 can also be provided at the air outlet of the contact component 1. Specifically, the contact component 1 is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet is used to contact the subject, and the air outlet is used to connect to the first pipe 4. In this case, the contact component 1 only contacts the subject's mouth, and the contact component 1 only serves the function of exhalation sampling; in the event that the subject's exhalation is interrupted (the exhalation mask or blowing tube is temporarily removed from the mouth), the one-way vent valve 6 located at the air outlet of the contact component 1 can prevent ambient air from being pumped in.
[0059] Optionally, a switching valve 9 may be provided on the first pipe 4; the switching valve 9 is located between the second pipe 5 and the airbag, and the switching valve 9 is used to control the opening and closing of the first pipe 4.
[0060] When the contact component 1 only contacts the subject's mouth without covering the subject's nasal cavity, the subject only needs to exhale within the contact component 1. In this case, the one-way venting valve 6 can reduce exhalation resistance. Therefore, when the airbag is used up and cannot be replaced, or when the airbag is not needed, the switching valve 9 can be used to disconnect the first pipe 4 from the airbag, allowing the gas entering the first pipe 4 from the contact component 1 to directly enter the connecting component 3.
[0061] The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device provided in this application improves the comfort of the test subject during the testing process, reducing adverse reactions such as shortness of breath, excessive tension, blood rushing to the head, and dizziness. It is particularly suitable for young children, the elderly, and subjects with poor lung function or breathing difficulties (such as those suffering from allergic cough, asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disease). Furthermore, in practical applications, the high negative pressure generated during inhalation may cause the subject to inhale ambient air at the point where the expiratory sampling mask is in contact with the mouth and nose. This solution effectively avoids this situation through the one-way vent valve 6 and / or the air bladder, achieving a low-resistance, negative-pressure-free sampling process.
[0062] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to examples, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing examples or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. However, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device, characterized in that, include: Contact component (1), buffer component (2) and connection component (3); The contact component (1) is used to contact the subject so that the subject can exhale; The connection component (3) is used to connect to the backend device (7); The buffer assembly (2) is equipped with an airbag inside; The airbag, the contact component (1), and the connection component (3) are interconnected.
2. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: First pipe (4) and second pipe (5); The first conduit (4) connects the contact assembly (1) and the airbag; The second pipe (5) connects the first pipe (4) and the connecting component (3).
3. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the first pipe (4) is larger than the diameter of the second pipe (5).
4. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The contact component (1) is detachably connected to the first pipe (4).
5. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A one-way vent valve (6) is provided on the side of the contact component (1) and / or at the outlet of the contact component (1).
6. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a switching valve (9); The switching valve (9) is disposed on the first pipe (4) and located between the second pipe (5) and the airbag; The switching valve (9) is used to control the opening and closing of the first pipeline (4).
7. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer assembly (2) is provided with a heating element for heating the airbag and / or a heat insulation layer covering the airbag.
8. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The airbag is elastic.
9. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact component (1) is a sampling cover or a blow nozzle.
10. The low-resistance, negative-pressure-free expiratory breath sampling device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The contact component (1) is a sampling cover, and the outer edge of the contact component (1) is a double-sided structure.