An oscillating sputum evacuation device

Abstract

This application discloses an oscillating expectoration device, including an expectoration module. The expectoration module includes an expectoration tubing, an expectoration body, and a first air pump. One end of the expectoration tubing is connected to the first air pump. The expectoration body internally defines at least two first buffer chambers, all of which are arranged in parallel and connected to the expectoration tubing. Each first buffer chamber has a first switching valve on its airway connected to the expectoration tubing. The oscillating module includes an oscillating main tubing, an oscillating branch tubing, an oscillating body, and a second air pump. One end of the oscillating main tubing is connected to the expectoration tubing, and the other end is connected to the second air pump. The oscillating body internally defines a second buffer chamber. One end of the oscillating branch tubing is connected to the oscillating main tubing, and the other end is connected to one of the first buffer chambers. The oscillating main tubing has a second switching valve, and the oscillating branch tubing has a third switching valve. The synergistic effect of oscillation and expectoration can shorten the expectoration time and better expel secretions from the respiratory tract.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical and health technology, and in particular to a vibrating sputum expectoration device. Background Technology

[0002] For patients on ventilators, especially after an artificial airway has been established, the cough reflex is weakened, or due to severe decline in lung function and respiratory muscle weakness, most are unable to expectorate sputum spontaneously. This easily leads to the retention of secretions, which can block the airway and worsen lung infections. Therefore, mechanically ventilated patients require regular manual expectoration.

[0003] Currently, clinical methods for sputum clearance include suctioning with a suction catheter, external vibration sputum clearance machines, mechanical suction and degassing sputum clearance machines, and negative pressure sputum clearance machines that can be used in conjunction with a ventilator. However, these existing methods all have certain limitations. For example, suction catheters cannot clear sputum deep in the lungs and are invasive procedures, easily causing airway abrasions and introducing bacteria; external vibration sputum clearance machines can only loosen the sputum and require other methods to expel it; mechanical suction and degassing sputum clearance machines require disconnection from the ventilator, significantly impacting the patient's mechanical ventilation; and while sputum clearance machines that can be used in conjunction with a ventilator largely solve the above problems, they still cannot avoid affecting the patient's mechanical ventilation and may trigger ventilator alarms, causing inconvenience in clinical use. Therefore, it is clear that current ventilators cannot provide sufficient assistance to patients in terms of sputum clearance. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, or at least partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides an oscillating sputum expectoration device.

[0005] This application provides an oscillating sputum expectoration device, comprising:

[0006] The expectoration module includes an expectoration tubing, an expectoration body, and a first air pump. One end of the expectoration tubing is connected to the first air pump, and the other end is used to connect to the patient. The expectoration body internally defines at least two independent first buffer chambers. All the first buffer chambers are arranged in parallel and are connected to the expectoration tubing. Each first buffer chamber is provided with a first switch valve on the air path connected to the expectoration tubing.

[0007] The oscillation module includes an oscillation main pipeline, an oscillation branch pipeline, an oscillation body, and a second air pump. One end of the oscillation main pipeline is connected to the expectoration tubing, and the other end is connected to the second air pump. The oscillation body has a second buffer chamber that communicates with the oscillation main pipeline. One end of the oscillation branch pipeline is connected to the oscillation main pipeline, and the other end is connected to one of the first buffer chambers. The oscillation main pipeline is provided with a second switching valve, and the oscillation branch pipeline is provided with a third switching valve.

[0008] In one embodiment, the expectorant body internally defines three first buffer chambers, namely first buffer chamber A, first buffer chamber B, and first buffer chamber C. The first buffer chambers A, B, and C are arranged in parallel and connected to the expectorant tubing. A first switching valve is provided on the air path of the first buffer chamber A, the second buffer chamber B, and the third buffer chamber C connected to the expectorant tubing. The oscillating branch pipe is connected to the first buffer chamber A.

[0009] In one embodiment, the expectoration module further includes a first sensor for detecting air pressure in the expectoration tubing.

[0010] In one embodiment, the oscillation module further includes a second sensor for detecting the air pressure on the main oscillation pipeline.

[0011] In one embodiment, the oscillating sputum expectoration device further includes:

[0012] A breathing module includes a breathing tubing, a throttle, and a balloon valve. One end of the balloon valve is connected to a ventilator via the throttle, and the other end is connected to one end of the breathing tubing. The other end of the breathing tubing is connected to the expectoration tubing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the system further includes an electrically controlled valve and a fourth switching valve connected between the balloon valve and the second air pump. The electrically controlled valve is used to control the air intake and exhaust of the balloon valve, and the fourth switching valve is used to control the air passage between the balloon valve and the second air pump.

[0014] In one embodiment, the breathing module further includes a third air pump, a fourth air pump, and a third sensor. The throttle has a first interface and a second interface. The third air pump supplies air to the first interface, the fourth air pump supplies air to the second interface, and the third sensor is used to detect the pressure difference between the first interface and the second interface.

[0015] In one embodiment, the breathing module further includes a fourth sensor for detecting the pressure in the breathing tubing.

[0016] The technical solutions provided in this application have the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0017] This oscillating expectoration device combines expectoration and oscillation functions. The oscillation function generates high-frequency vibrations on the secretions in the patient's respiratory tract to loosen the secretions adhering to the airway walls. Then, the expectoration function is used to extract the secretions from the respiratory tract. Compared with expectoration machines that only have the expectoration function, the synergistic effect of oscillation and expectoration can shorten the expectoration time, reduce the patient's pain from repeated expectoration, and better remove secretions from the respiratory tract. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] In the attached image:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the oscillating sputum expectoration device of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the oscillating sputum expectoration device of this application.

[0023] Icon labels:

[0024] 10. Coughing module; 11. Coughing tubing; 12. First air pump; 13. First buffer chamber; 131. A First buffer chamber; 132. B First buffer chamber; 133. C First buffer chamber; 14. First switching valve; 141. A First switching valve; 142. B First switching valve; 143. C First switching valve; 15. First sensor; 20. Oscillation module; 21. Oscillation main tubing; 22. Oscillation branch tubing; 23. Second air pump; 24. Second buffer chamber; 25. Second switching valve; 26. Third switching valve; 27. Second sensor; 30. Breathing module; 31. Breathing tubing; 32. Balloon valve; 33. Throttling device; 34. Third air pump; 35. Fourth air pump; 36. Third sensor; 37. Fourth sensor; 38. Electrically controlled valve; 39. Fourth switching valve; 40. Ventilator. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, the specific embodiments of this utility model are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, it should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "head," and "tail" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are constructed and operated in a specific orientation. They are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and do not indicate that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0026] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. When an component is referred to as being "on" or "below" another component, the component can be located "directly" or "indirectly" on the other component, or there may be one or more intermediary components. The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined with "first," "second," "third," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In the following description, specific details such as particular system structures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1As shown, this application provides an oscillating sputum clearance device that simultaneously possesses coughing and oscillation functions. These functions can operate independently yet collaboratively, allowing for flexible switching between single functions (e.g., coughing or oscillation only) or combined functions depending on the patient's condition, adapting to different treatments. Compared to a cough machine with only a coughing function, the synergistic effect of oscillation and coughing shortens sputum clearance time, reduces the patient's pain from repeated coughing, and better removes secretions from the respiratory tract. It is particularly suitable for clearing sputum in postoperative, comatose, or respiratory disease patients. It should be noted that this oscillating sputum clearance device is used in conjunction with a ventilator 40. When the oscillation or coughing function is not activated, the patient's airway is connected to the ventilator 40. When the oscillation or coughing function is activated, the patient's airway is disconnected from the ventilator 40. Specific embodiments are described below.

[0029] Specifically, refer to Figure 1 The oscillating sputum expectoration device includes a sputum expectoration module 10 and an oscillating module 20. The sputum expectoration module 10 includes a sputum expectoration tubing 11, a sputum expectoration body, and a first air pump 12. One end of the sputum expectoration tubing 11 is connected to the first air pump 12, and the other end is used to connect to the patient. The sputum expectoration body has at least two independent first buffer chambers 13 inside. All the first buffer chambers 13 are arranged in parallel and are connected to the sputum expectoration tubing 11. A first switch valve 14 is provided on the air path of each first buffer chamber 13 connected to the sputum expectoration tubing 11. The oscillation module 20 includes an oscillation main pipeline 21, an oscillation branch pipeline 22, an oscillation body, and a second air pump 23. One end of the oscillation main pipeline 21 is connected to the expectoration tube 11, and the other end is connected to the second air pump 23. The oscillation body has a second buffer chamber 24 that is connected to the oscillation main pipeline 21. One end of the oscillation branch pipeline 22 is connected to the oscillation main pipeline 21, and the other end is connected to one of the first buffer chambers 13. The oscillation main pipeline 21 is provided with a second switching valve 25, and the oscillation branch pipeline 22 is provided with a third switching valve 26.

[0030] In other words, one end of the expectoration tubing 11 is connected to the patient, and the other end is connected to the first air pump 12. All the first buffer chambers 13 on the expectoration body are connected in parallel to the expectoration tubing 11. Then, a first switch valve 14 is set on the air path of each first buffer chamber 13 connected to the expectoration tubing 11 so that when the expectoration function is turned on, the first air pump 12 is used to draw away the gas in the first buffer chamber 13. At this time, the first switch valve 14 is alternately opened to provide intermittent negative pressure airflow to the expectoration tubing 11. Since the expectoration tubing 11 is connected to the patient's airway, the negative pressure airflow can be used to draw out the secretions in the patient's airway, thereby achieving the purpose of assisting the patient in expectoration.

[0031] Furthermore, one end of the oscillation main pipeline 21 is connected to the expectoration tubing 11, and the other end is connected to the second air pump 23. The second buffer chamber 24 on the oscillation body is connected to the oscillation main pipeline 21. Then, a second switch valve 25 is installed on the oscillation main pipeline 21, and one of the first buffer chambers 13 is connected by an oscillation branch pipeline 22. When the oscillation function is activated, the third switch valve 26 is opened, so that the oscillation branch pipeline 22 is connected to the patient's airway. Under the action of the first air pump 12, the gas in the patient's airway is instantly drawn into the first buffer chamber 13. At the same time, high-pressure gas is introduced into the second buffer chamber 24 by the second air pump 23. Then, the third switch valve 26 is closed and the second switch valve 25 is opened, so that the high-pressure gas in the second buffer chamber 24 acts on the patient's airway through the oscillation main pipeline 21. The third switch valve 26 and the second switch valve 25 are opened alternately in this way, so as to generate a high-frequency vibration effect on the secretions in the patient's airway, loosening the secretions adhering to the airway wall, so that they are easy to be discharged.

[0032] It should be noted that the first air pump 12 is used to extract gas from the air circuit to provide negative pressure, while the second air pump 23 is used to supply gas to the air circuit to provide positive pressure.

[0033] In summary, the oscillating expectoration device of this embodiment has both expectoration and oscillation functions. It can use the oscillation function to generate high-frequency vibration on the secretions in the patient's respiratory tract to loosen the secretions adhering to the airway wall. Then, the expectoration function is used to extract the secretions from the respiratory tract. Compared with expectoration machines that only have the expectoration function, the synergistic effect of oscillation and expectoration can shorten the expectoration time, reduce the patient's pain from repeated expectoration, and better remove secretions from the respiratory tract.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, specifically, the expectorant body has three first buffer chambers 13 defined inside, namely A first buffer chamber 131, B first buffer chamber 132 and C first buffer chamber 133. A first buffer chamber 131, B first buffer chamber 132 and C first buffer chamber 133 are arranged in parallel and are connected to the expectorant tubing 11. A first switch valve 14 is provided on the air line connecting A first buffer chamber 131, B second buffer chamber 132 and C third buffer chamber 133 to the expectorant tubing 11. The oscillating branch pipe 22 is connected to A first buffer chamber 131. For ease of description, the first switching valve 14 on the airway connecting the first buffer chamber 131 (A) to the expectoration tube 11 is defined as A first switching valve 141, the first switching valve 14 on the airway connecting the second buffer chamber 132 (B) to the expectoration tube 11 is defined as B first switching valve 142, and the first switching valve 14 on the airway connecting the first buffer chamber 133 (C) to the expectoration tube 11 is defined as C first switching valve 143.

[0035] In practical applications, when expectoration is required, the first air pump 12 removes the gas from the first buffer chambers A (131), B (132), and C (133). At this time, the first switching valves A (141), B (142), and C (143) are alternately opened to provide intermittent negative pressure airflow into the expectoration tubing 11. Since the expectoration tubing 11 is connected to the patient's airway, the negative pressure airflow can be used to extract secretions from the patient's airway. In other words, by alternately opening the first switching valves A (141), B (142), and C (143), multiple oscillating negative pressure airflows can be achieved, thereby simulating the scenario of coughing and expectoration, and better expelling secretions from the airway.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the expectoration module 10 further includes a first sensor 15, which is used to detect the air pressure on the expectoration tubing 11. Thus, by using the first sensor 15 to detect the air pressure on the expectoration tubing 11, when the pressure value detected by the first sensor 15 reaches a set pressure value, the first air pump 12 is turned off. At this time, the negative pressure values ​​in the first buffer chamber A 131, the first buffer chamber B 132, and the first buffer chamber C 133 are the same, avoiding inconsistent negative pressure in each chamber, which could lead to irregular fluctuations in air pressure at the patient's end, preventing the formation of stable suction force and reducing the efficiency of secretion oscillation and discharge.

[0037] In one embodiment, the oscillation module 20 further includes a second sensor 27, which is used to detect the air pressure on the oscillation main pipeline 21. That is, the oscillation module 20 loosens viscous sputum by generating periodic air pressure fluctuations (such as high-frequency oscillating airflow). By using the second sensor 27 to collect air pressure data in the oscillation main pipeline 21 in real time, if the detected air pressure value deviates from a preset range (such as insufficient or excessive oscillation intensity), it will immediately send a feedback signal to the control system. For example, when the patient's airway resistance increases, causing the oscillation air pressure to decrease, the second sensor 27 triggers the air pump to increase its output power to maintain a stable oscillation amplitude; when the airway resistance decreases after the sputum is loosened, the second sensor 27 adjusts the air pump to reduce its power to avoid excessively high air pressure damaging the mucosa.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the oscillating expectoration device further includes a breathing module 30, which includes a breathing tubing 31, a throttle valve 33, and a balloon valve 32. One end of the balloon valve 32 is connected to the ventilator 40 via the throttle valve 33, and the other end is connected to one end of the breathing tubing 31. The other end of the breathing tubing 31 is connected to the expectoration tubing 11. It also includes an electrically controlled valve 38 and a fourth switching valve 39 connected between the balloon valve 32 and the second air pump 23. The electrically controlled valve 38 controls the air intake and exhaust of the balloon valve 32, and the fourth switching valve 39 controls the airflow between the balloon valve 32 and the second air pump 23.

[0039] For example, the balloon valve 32 is a two-way valve, with one end connected to the throttle 33 and the other end connected to the breathing circuit 31. The ventilator 40 port is normally open, allowing the ventilator 40 to deliver air to the patient, but the balloon valve 32 can close this airway. Specifically, a balloon is placed inside the balloon valve 32. When the balloon is inflated with gas, its volume increases, blocking the valve port and cutting off the path from the ventilator 40 to the breathing circuit 31 and the patient's airway, allowing subsequent activation of the cough and oscillation functions. After coughing, the balloon inside the balloon valve 32 is deflated, causing the balloon to deform and creating a larger gap between the valve port and the balloon, allowing airflow to pass through and reconnecting the tubing between the ventilator 40 and the patient's airway, thus allowing the ventilator 40 to continue supplying air to the patient.

[0040] In addition, the electronically controlled valve 38 is a three-way valve. When the coughing or oscillation function is activated, the port of the three-way valve is switched to the first position, so that the balloon valve 32 is connected to the second air pump 23. The second air pump 23 then supplies air to the balloon in the balloon valve 32, causing the balloon to inflate and block the valve port of the balloon valve 32, thereby cutting off the air supply path from the ventilator 40 to the patient. When the coughing is finished, the port of the three-way valve is switched to the second position, so that the balloon valve 32 is disconnected from the air passage of the second air pump 23. At this time, the gas in the balloon of the balloon valve 32 is discharged from the exhaust port of the three-way valve, creating a larger gap between the valve port and the balloon, allowing the airflow provided by the ventilator 40 to pass through, thus reconnecting the tubing between the ventilator 40 and the patient's airway.

[0041] In practical applications, when coughing begins, because the airway of the ventilator 40 is cut off, no exhaled air enters the ventilator 40's expiratory circuit. The ventilator 40 may mistakenly interpret this as suffocation, tracheal dislodgement, or other abnormal conditions, triggering an alarm. Therefore, in one embodiment, the breathing module 30 further includes a third air pump 34, a fourth air pump 35, and a third sensor 36. The throttle 33 has a first interface and a second interface. The third air pump 34 supplies air to the first interface, the fourth air pump 35 supplies air to the second interface, and the third sensor 36 detects the pressure difference between the first and second interfaces. In other words, by supplying air to the first interface via the third air pump 34 and to the second interface via the fourth air pump 35, the air enters the ventilator 40's expiratory circuit through the throttle 33, thus preventing the call button from triggering an alarm during coughing. Optionally, in other embodiments, a single air pump can simultaneously supply air to both the first and second interfaces of the throttle 33.

[0042] In addition, the third sensor 36 is a differential pressure sensor. By using the pressure difference between the first and second ports of the throttle 33, the flow direction of the airflow in the throttle 33 can be determined, thereby determining whether the patient is in the expiratory or inspiratory phase, and preparing data for whether to activate the cough function.

[0043] In one embodiment, the breathing module 30 further includes a fourth sensor 37, which is used to detect the pressure of the breathing tubing 31. That is, by using the fourth sensor 37 to detect the pressure of the breathing tubing 31, the pressure at the end of the balloon leading to the patient can be detected, and the pressure difference between the first and second interfaces of the throttle valve 33 and the pressure of the third sensor 36 can be detected, thereby enabling the detection of the pressure on both sides of the balloon valve 32. This ensures that if the balloon valve 32 malfunctions and cannot deflate, the staff can be notified in time to avoid the ventilator 40 tubing becoming blocked and unable to supply air to the patient.

[0044] It is understood that the above embodiments only illustrate preferred embodiments of the present utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present utility model patent. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, the above technical features can be freely combined, and several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present utility model, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present utility model. Therefore, all equivalent transformations and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the present utility model should fall within the coverage of the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An oscillating sputum displacement device, characterized by, include: The expectoration module includes an expectoration tubing, an expectoration body, and a first air pump. One end of the expectoration tubing is connected to the first air pump, and the other end is used to connect to the patient. The expectoration body internally defines at least two independent first buffer chambers. All the first buffer chambers are arranged in parallel and are connected to the expectoration tubing. Each first buffer chamber is provided with a first switch valve on the air path connected to the expectoration tubing. The oscillation module includes an oscillation main pipeline, an oscillation branch pipeline, an oscillation body, and a second air pump. One end of the oscillation main pipeline is connected to the expectoration tubing, and the other end is connected to the second air pump. The oscillation body has a second buffer chamber that communicates with the oscillation main pipeline. One end of the oscillation branch pipeline is connected to the oscillation main pipeline, and the other end is connected to one of the first buffer chambers. The oscillation main pipeline is provided with a second switching valve, and the oscillation branch pipeline is provided with a third switching valve.

2. The oscillating sputum displacement device of claim 1, wherein, The expectorant body has three first buffer chambers defined inside, namely first buffer chamber A, first buffer chamber B, and first buffer chamber C. The first buffer chambers A, B, and C are arranged in parallel and are connected to the expectorant tubing. The air lines of the first buffer chambers A, B, and C connected to the expectorant tubing are each equipped with a first switching valve. The oscillating branch line is connected to the first buffer chamber A.

3. The oscillating sputum dislodgement device of claim 2, wherein, The expectoration module also includes a first sensor, which is used to detect the air pressure in the expectoration tubing.

4. The oscillating sputum dislodgement device of claim 3, wherein, The oscillation module also includes a second sensor for detecting the air pressure on the main oscillation pipeline.

5. The oscillating sputum dislodgement device of claim 1, wherein, The oscillating sputum expectoration device also includes: The breathing module includes a breathing tubing, a throttle, and a balloon valve. One end of the balloon valve is connected to the ventilator via the throttle, and the other end is connected to one end of the breathing tubing. The other end of the breathing tubing is connected to the expectoration tubing.

6. The oscillating sputum dislodgement device of claim 5, wherein, It also includes an electrically controlled valve and a fourth switching valve connected between the balloon valve and the second air pump. The electrically controlled valve is used to control the air intake and exhaust of the balloon valve, and the fourth switching valve is used to control the air passage between the balloon valve and the second air pump.

7. The oscillating sputum dislodgement device of claim 6, wherein, The breathing module also includes a third air pump, a fourth air pump, and a third sensor. The throttle has a first interface and a second interface. The third air pump supplies air to the first interface, the fourth air pump supplies air to the second interface, and the third sensor is used to detect the pressure difference between the first interface and the second interface.

8. The oscillating sputum dislodgement device of claim 5, wherein, The breathing module also includes a fourth sensor for detecting the pressure in the breathing tubing.

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