Ventilation device

Abstract

A ventilation mask in which a mask base body can be connected to a ventilation tube via a ball joint, wherein an exhalation gap is arranged in the region of a transition from the ball joint to an angle connection, and wherein the exhalation gap is arranged between the angle and the mask body and forms an exhalation system which is delimited by at least two gap-forming surfaces, characterized in that the gap-forming surfaces are arranged adjacent to at least one spacer element and are provided with a prestress relative to one another.

Description

The invention relates to a device for respiration which is designed as at least part of a respiratory mask.WO 2003 / 035 156 A2 already discloses a respirator mask in which a mask base body can be connected to a respirator tube via a ball joint. Exhalation ports are used to allow exhalation.DE 101 55 152 A1 describes a respirator mask with a front pad, which is formed in regions from a soft material.DE 101 55 152 A1 describes a respirator mask with a front pad, which is formed in regions from a soft material.A further respirator mask with a front cushion is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,707 B1.DE 198 22 308 A1 discloses a respiratory mask having a mask base body, in which the mask bead is formed in a coded manner relative to the mask body.DE 101 58 066 A1 describes an exhalation system which is inserted at an angle. The exhalation system is located here in a part of the angle which is remote from and away from the mask body. An outflow gap is formed between the angle and the inserted exhalation system.The structural embodiments and design variants to respiratory masks explained in detail below can be used alternatively or additionally. In particular, each individual inventive concept can be realized independently of any other inventive concept, but a combined realization results in additional advantages.In addition to the following explanations, various additional explanations are directly found in the drawings. The disclosure content of the present patent application also includes, in particular, the written explanations in the drawings and the design variants illustrated in the drawings, which will not be explained in more detail below.FIG. 1 shows a so-called nasal mask, the mask body of which is formed from a relatively rigid material and which has a mask bead. The mask bead is used to abut a patient's face and ensures the required sealing. The mask body is connected via an angle to a rotating sleeve which serves for connection to a breathing gas tube. To ensure a secure positioning of the respiratory mask in the head region of a patient, a forehead support is used which is equipped with a forehead pad. The forehead support is connected to the mask body via a holder.The angle is connected to the mask body via a securing ring. In the region of the securing ring, a tear line can be attached, which enables the patient to release a connection between the breathing tube and the breathing gas mask with a single pull. In the event of a problem with the respirator mask that may occur, the patient can thus decouple from the respirator in a short-term and reliable manner. Alternatively to the use of a tear line, a lever or a different type of release element can also be mounted on the securing ring.According to one embodiment, a bayonet lock is released by a pull on the tear line and the mask falls apart. It is likewise conceivable that a splint is released by pulling on the tear line and that the components are mechanically separated by a further pull. In principle, it is also intended to carry out the decoupling process at other points on the mask body by means of slides or flaps.FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of a plan view of the respirator mask with securing ring, on which the tear line can be attached.FIG. 8 and FIGS. 12 to 14 show a fine adjustment for the forehead support. This is a linear, locked adjustment. The fine adjustment is realized in one piece and with two compressible snap hooks. A particular advantage is that the fine adjustment can be operated with one hand. The detailed explanation results from the written explanations in FIGS. 12 to 14.FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a coarse and fine adjustment for the forehead support. The fine adjustment comprises a fine adjustment on the forehead support or on the forehead cushion in the form of a fine catch as well as a coarse adjustment. The rough adjustment is effected by plugging over the forehead support in the mask body. A triple possibility of transposing is provided.If the forehead support adjustment is implemented via two adjustment mechanisms in the form of a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment, the fine adjustment is implemented in that each of the two adjustment mechanisms has three to five adjustment positions in each case. With the aid of the rough adjustment, the patient moves the forehead support into the desired position and fixes the forehead support in the selected position using the fine adjustment on the forehead cushion. Detailed explanation is given in the written descriptions in FIGS. 11 and 12.FIGS. 11 and 12 likewise show a retractable forehead support. An adjustment of the forehead support is effected by an optional insertion into one or more insertion positions in the mask body. An adjustment of the forehead support is thus without replaceable components and without the use of complex pivoting or sliding mechanisms. For a specific patient, a transmending process is usually carried out once in order to make an adaptation to the respective facial anatomy. Further details can be found in the written explanations according to FIGS. 11 and 12.FIGS. 9 and 10 show a respirator mask without forehead support. This mask is available as a separate component and can be retrofitted with a suitable forehead support if necessary. The forehead support can be inserted by selective insertion into one or more insertion positions in the mask body. If the respirator mask is used without a forehead support, a blind plug can be inserted into the plug connection or an adapter is possible that allows coupling with the head harness.The angle can be connected to the mask body via a ball joint. In order to avoid a gas flow of used breathing air towards the patient, it is possible to install an exhalation system in the area of the ball joint, which provides a gap-shaped outflow channel. This assists in favorable CO2wasch. Moreover, a long effective slot length is provided which has acoustically favorable properties. The outflow gap is arranged in the region of the interface between the angle and the mask body. The design realization is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 11.Another structural aspect is the provision of a tolerance-free exhalation system. A gap between two components can be produced largely without tolerances in that the two gap-forming surfaces are pressed against one another by a prestress. The gap height can be adjusted by spacer elements between the surfaces. In such a construction, the gap height depends substantially only on the tolerance of the rib height. Typical rib heights in exhalation gaps are in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 mm and can be produced with tolerances of ±0.005 mm. By means of exhalation systems with such narrow tolerances, both the flow and the sound emission are kept to very narrow tolerances.Such a tolerance-free or low-tolerance exhalation system can be realized in the region of the ball joint. The gap can be fixed by a securing ring. In addition, it is possible to realize a bayonet lock in the securing ring. The further design realization is evident from the graphic representation and the text explanations in FIGS. 16 to 19.According to the graphic representation in FIGS. 27 to 29 and the text explanations in these drawings, a chimney-like exhalation system is realized in the region of the forehead support. The exhaled air can thereby be guided away from the mask in the nose bridge region via a chimney-like channel. This achieves a favorable CO2wasch and at the same time the air is conducted into a region which enables a favorable design of the exhalation system. The air can be conducted, for example, to a gap-forming exhalation system above the patient's head. It is likewise possible to integrate the exhalation system into the forehead support with a relatively long exhalation gap, for example at the top or at the side.The channel in the forehead support provides a low flow resistance and thus supports a sound reduction. In addition, a favorable flow guidance can be realized. In particular, it is not necessary for the air to flow back in regions through the connecting piece of the breathing mask in the direction of a hose-like exhalation element, but rather a substantially constant flow direction is supported which prevents air turbulences. The fan of the ventilator moreover does not have to operate against the exhalation flow, so that the required energy requirement is reduced.According to the illustration in FIG. 2, a low flow resistance is achieved by the position and the dimensioning of the exhalation system in the forehead support. The entire flow path is optimized by various measures. The diameters and the cross sections are adjusted. Larger diameters are provided at critical locations, for example at the ball joint, at the silencer and at the hose connection. With regard to the shape, corners and edges are dispensed with. Larger flow cross sections are provided at an angle or in the rotating sleeve. Likewise, a smaller flow deflection takes place at an angle.In addition, optimized surfaces are provided by suitable smooth plastics, painted surfaces and / or coated plastics. The use of plastics with a surface structure on the nanometer scale has also proven successful, since this can achieve reduced friction.The above measures achieve a flow resistance of 0.06 hPa at a volume of 50 l / min and a flow resistance of 0.02 hPa at a volume flow of 100 l / min.The reduction of the flow resistance leads to a saving in energy in the area of the blower and to improvements with regard to the regulation of the accuracy. The pressure at the device substantially corresponds to the pressure available to the patient. A pressure measuring tube in the mask can be dispensed with and the pressure measurement can be carried out directly on the device.According to the illustration in FIGS. 32 to 35 and in FIG. 5, the change of the holding device opens into a hook-shaped clip. The coupling of the mask takes place via a bridge on the mask side. The clip engages behind the web and is guided over a latching position. This allows a secure connection and fixing to be achieved. To carry out removal, the clip can be pushed down from the web with little force exertion. Further details are given in the text explanation in the mentioned drawings.According to the illustration in FIGS. 20 and 21 and 28 and 29 and the text explanations in these drawings, the front cushion is realized in a two-component technique. The front pad and the holder are realized in one piece by the two-component technique. This allows easy and secure assembly.According to the illustration in FIG. 1, a coding of the mask bead is provided. The coding is effected relative to the mask body, for example by incisions, webs, thickened portions or recesses. The mask bead thereby fits onto the mask body only in a defined position. This assists easy and secure assembly. Moreover, unnoticed leaks as a result of incorrect assembly are avoided.A modular system can be made using diameter coding. The coding is effected mechanically and enables a high-variant and reliable exchangeability. The mask body is realized as a standard part. Different mask beads, exhalation systems, hose connections and joints can be mounted with respectively different functions or functionality via different codings, in particular via the corresponding diameters.According to a further embodiment variant, the outflow direction of the exhalation air is predefined in the form of a screen away from the patient. By means of a defined inclination of the outflow channels and suitable angles, this umbrella-shaped outflow direction is achieved. Relative to a frontal plane spanned by the patient's face, the inflow direction is generally in a range of 10° to 45° degrees measured toward the frontal vertical plane. An angle range between 20° and 30° degrees is preferred, particularly preferably an angle of about 25° degrees.According to the graphic illustration in FIGS. 36 and 37 and the corresponding written explanation in these drawings, according to the invention, a special bead support takes place in the transition region from an elastomeric component to a harder component. This is in particular the transition from the mask bead to the mask body and from the forehead pad to the forehead support holder.On the inside of the elastomeric pad there is arranged an elongated fixed wall which supports the elastomeric pad against this wall when a lateral introduction of force takes place. The forces are thereby kept away from the actual cushioning attachment and the fastening of the elastomeric pad is significantly improved. In particular under the action of transverse forces, unintentional detachment of the cushion from the associated holder is avoided.By means of a prestressed seat, the fixing of the cushion on the counterpart can be improved once again considerably.

Claims

A respiratory mask in which a mask base body can be connected to a respiratory tube via a ball joint, wherein an exhalation gap is arranged in the region of a transition of the ball joint to an angle connection, and wherein the exhalation gap is arranged between the angle and the mask body and forms an exhalation system which is bounded by at least two gap-forming surfaces, characterized in that the gap-forming surfaces are arranged adjacent to at least one spacer element and are provided with a prestress relative to one another.

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