AT THE HONOR EVENTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhalation valve which is used as a control valve for ventilating patients. Technological background

[0002] Exhalation valves of the type in question here serve to receive breathing gas from a ventilator and supply it to a patient. Furthermore, the exhalation valve ensures that the breathing gas exhaled by the patient can be released into the environment. The valve function of the exhalation valve thus controls two processes: inhalation and exhalation. Control is achieved by applying compressed air to a diaphragm when the patient inhales, whereas no compressed air is applied when the patient exhales. In the latter case, the air exhaled by the patient can lift the diaphragm and escape through the outlet opening. Via a connected pressure measuring line, the pressure in the exhalation valve can be detected and, if necessary, used for evaluation by the ventilator.

[0003] The exhalation valve is usually located very close to the patient, for example in the immediate vicinity of a breathing mask. Printed state of the art

[0004] From TW 201143828 A1, an exhalation valve of the generic type is known, in which the opening for the exhaled breathing gas returned by the patient is located on the side of the exhalation valve opposite the membrane. The outlet opening is connected to a connector with a reduced

[0005] Diameter to balance a pressure difference between the inside and outside of a valve plate and reduce noise.

[0006] DE 10 2008 026 321 A1 discloses a patient valve with a two-part base body, with the first part of the base body being plugged onto the second part. Furthermore, a third part is provided, which serves as the cover and can be connected to the first part of the base body via a bayonet lock. The outlet opening for the breathing gas from the patient is located in the area of the branch connection.

[0007] EP 1 512 426 A1 discloses an exhalation valve in which the outlet opening for breathing gas from the patient is formed by an opening formed by the base body together with the cover. The opening's position is rigidly predefined on the exhalation valve.

[0008] Finally, EP 3 360 595 B1 discloses an exhalation valve in which the base body and the cover are connected to each other by means of a bayonet lock in the area of the branch connection. An outlet connection formed on the side of the base body serves as the outlet opening.

[0009] US 4 712 580 A discloses an exhalation valve assembly that provides different pressure holding capabilities while eliminating the need for support elements and removable ring elements. Object of the present invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved exhalation valve. Solution to the task

[0011] The above object is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

[0012] Because the outlet opening is provided in the wall bordering the annular channel on the outside, and the outlet opening can be varied with respect to the outlet direction of the respiratory gas from the outlet opening or the annular channel relative to the base body or its longitudinal axis, the flow direction of the patient's respiratory gas leaving the exhalation valve can be varied as needed without changing the position of the exhalation valve on the patient. For example, if the individual orientation of the exhalation valve relative to the patient were to direct the airflow caused by the exhalation gas toward the patient's upper body, the airflow can be redirected by adjusting the outlet direction of the outlet opening.Since the outlet opening in the annular channel is located in the area of the branch connection, preferably to the side of the branch connection, the exhaled gas can exit the exhalation valve immediately after exiting the branch connection, without having to flow through constrictions on the exhalation valve or its base body that could cause turbulence and pressure buildup. This advantageously keeps the flow of exhaled gas within the exhalation valve as laminar as possible.

[0013] To vary the outlet opening, a cover is expediently provided, the position of which can be adjusted along the circumference of the annular channel, preferably displaceable toward or along the wall bordering the annular channel on the outside. By rotating or displacing the cover relative to the wall bordering the annular channel on the outside, the outlet direction of the outlet opening can thus be easily varied according to individual requirements.

[0014] At the same time, the cover can be easily connected to the base body using a clamp or snap connection. The snap connection can be realized by an inward-facing projection on the cover and a complementary locking recess in the wall (or vice versa).

[0015] According to a further expedient embodiment, the cover has a recess for receiving the outer part of a valve membrane.

[0016] For this purpose, the cover can have at least one projection, preferably a plurality of projections, which engage(s) into the outlet opening. The outlet opening thus performs a dual function.

[0017] It is advantageous if the cover is designed as a rotating ring. A rotating ring can be easily manufactured as a plastic part using the injection molding process and also allows for particularly simple assembly.

[0018] The cover is preferably one that only covers a portion of the full angular length of a circle, preferably an angular length in the range of 180° to 270°. This allows for a specific outflow direction to be set. Furthermore, the cover can be easily inserted during the assembly of the exhalation valve by first expanding it and then snapping it onto the wall.

[0019] Because the outlet opening comprises several elongated holes distributed along the circumference of the annular channel, the base body can be easily manufactured using the injection molding process, and the elongated holes also offer advantages in terms of improved outflow of the breathing gas from the valve.

[0020] In particular, two adjacent elongated holes can be separated from each other along the circumference of the annular channel only by a web. The web can have concave web boundaries on both sides.

[0021] The cover can be conveniently located outside the wall. This allows for very simple installation and easy operation.

[0022] Advantageously, the annular channel or the wall bordering the latter's outer side extends at least essentially exclusively to the area of the branch connection of the base body and not beyond it to the side of the exhalation valve opposite the membrane. This avoids bottlenecks and turbulence for the breathing gas originating from the patient.

[0023] To control the exhalation valve, a membrane is provided which closes the open end of the branch pipe when compressed air is applied or, when the compressed air is applied and the patient exhales, the exhaled breathing gas lifts the membrane due to exhalation pressure and can pass through the open end of the branch pipe into the ring channel and leave the exhalation valve via the outlet opening.

[0024] The membrane is preferably secured by resting it on the open or free end of the wall bordering the annular channel on the outside and being secured, preferably clamped, by the cover. This allows for a simple design for both the base body and the cover. At the same time, easy assembly is ensured.

[0025] Preferably, the cover can have a recess for fixing the membrane into which the outer edge region of the membrane engages.

[0026] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cover of the diaphragm also provides the necessary clearance in the direction of the control pressure connection so that the diaphragm can be lifted by the exhalation pressure and the breathing gas can escape without any significant additional breathing effort.

[0027] Due to the construction according to the invention, the base body can advantageously be manufactured as a one-piece component. Description of the invention based on exemplary embodiments

[0028] A suitable embodiment of the exhalation valve according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing figures. They show: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of an example of an exhalation valve according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the exhalation valve of Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 a sectional view along the section plane AA from Fig. 2 .

[0029] In Fig. 1An example of an exhalation valve 1 according to the invention is shown as an exploded view. The exhalation valve 1 comprises a base body 2, which is made as a single piece of plastic, preferably by injection molding. The base body 2 comprises an inlet 3a, which is intended to supply breathing gas from a (in Fig. 1 not shown) ventilator. Furthermore, the base body 2 comprises an outlet 3b, which is intended to supply the respiratory gas received from the ventilator to a patient. Furthermore, the base body 2 can optionally have a connection piece 10 for a connector (not shown), to which a (in Fig. 1 A pressure measuring line (also not shown) can be connected. The pressure measuring line is used to measure the pressure in exhalation valve 1 for evaluation by the ventilator, if required.

[0030] Between the inlet 3a and the outlet 3b there is a top-side branching piece 4 with a free end 4a. The branching piece 4 is surrounded on the outside by another cylindrical wall 5b of the base body 2, which forms an annular channel 5 with the branching piece 4. The wall 5b extends at the exhalation valve 1 exclusively to the areas of the branching piece 4 located within the wall 5b. Consequently, the annular channel 5 between the branching piece 4 and the wall 5b extends exclusively to the upper area of the exhalation valve 1. The annular channel 5 does not extend to the opposite side, i.e., to the lower area of the base body 2.

[0031] An outlet opening 6 is provided in the wall 5b of the annular channel 5. This outlet opening is formed by a plurality of openings in the wall 5b concentrically surrounding the branch connection piece 4. The opening 6 is formed by a plurality of elongated holes 6a, each separated from one another by a web 6b. The elongated holes 6a have rounded end regions. They are evenly distributed, i.e., arranged symmetrically, along the circumference of the annular channel 5.

[0032] To ensure the valve function, a membrane 8 made of elastic material, particularly silicone, is located on the upper side of the free end 4a of the branch pipe 4 or the free end of the wall 5b. The membrane 8 comprises a flat central portion 8a, an outer edge portion 8b, and a curved intermediate portion 8c. When the exhalation valve 1 is completed, the outer portion 8b is located in a downwardly oriented recess 7c of the cover 7.

[0033] When the exhalation valve 1 is closed, the central region 8a of the membrane 8 rests on the free end 4a of the branch connection piece 4. The outer edge region 8b of the membrane 8 rests on the free end of the wall 5b. The membrane 8 is held by the cover 7, which is snapped onto the upper end of the wall 5b. For this purpose, the wall has a preferably circumferential first locking recess 5d, which ensures a snap or locking connection with a corresponding projection 7b on the cover 7.

[0034] Due to the arrangement of the outlet opening 6 or the elongated holes 6a in the immediate vicinity of the branch nozzle 4, breathing gas escaping from the branch nozzle 4 can leave the exhalation valve 1 via the annular channel 5 through the outlet opening 6 in an at least substantially laminar flow.

[0035] In order to individually adjust the outlet direction of the breathing gas leaving the outlet opening 6 as required, a cover 9 of the outlet opening 6 is additionally provided, which can be moved along the wall 5b, whereby by moving the cover 9 only the desired area of the outlet opening 6 is exposed and the further area of the same is covered.

[0036] The cover 9 is in accordance with Fig. 2For example, it is designed as a partial ring resting on the outside of the wall 5b and is provided, for example, with at least one inwardly directed projection 9a that engages in a corresponding external groove-shaped second locking recess 5c of the wall 5b. The arrangement can also be reversed. In addition, the upper side of the partial ring engages in a recess formed by a step 7b on the cover 7 and the outer surface of the wall 5b. This securely holds the partial ring or cover 9, while at the same time allowing the partial ring to be moved along the wall 5b.

[0037] The cover 9 is located on the outside of the wall 5b, directly adjacent to it. To actuate the partial ring or the cover 9, elevations 11 or ribs can be formed on its outside, by which the cover 9 can be easily grasped with the palm of the finger and moved as required. The partial ring or the cover 9 preferably covers an angular length in the range of 180° to 270°. The design according to the invention offers the advantage that the exhalation valve 1 according to the invention has an adjustable outlet opening 6, but is nevertheless characterized by a simple construction and can be easily completed, i.e. assembled.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows the exhalation valve 1 of the Fig. 1For example, in the closed state, in which the membrane 8 rests with its central part 8a on the free end 4a of the branch connector 4 and is pressed onto the free end 4a by compressed air via the connection 7a to ensure a leak-free closure of the branch connector 4 when the control pressure is applied. In this position, breathing gas can flow from the breathing gas conditioning device to the patient via the exhalation valve 1 without escaping via the branch connector 4.

[0039] When the patient exhales, the exhalation valve 1 must be opened. To open the exhalation valve 1, the compressed air supply at connection 7a is stopped, so that when a pressure is set due to the patient's exhalation, the central section 8a of the diaphragm 8 is raised and exhaled gas can first escape into the annular channel 5 and from there via the outlet opening 6 into the atmosphere. The movement of the central section 8a of the diaphragm 8 is made possible by the curved intermediate region 8c of the diaphragm 8, which has only a very thin layer thickness, so that the central section 8a of the diaphragm 8 can be raised even at low pressure. For the control of the ventilator, the pressure can be measured via the connection piece 10, if such a possibility is provided for in the ventilator.The ventilator delivers the breathing gas according to a ventilation curve, optionally evaluates the available pressure measurement line, and performs valve control. This is done via the pressure measurement line (not shown), which is connected to the connection piece 10. For ventilators without this option, the connection piece 10 can be omitted without replacement for the exhalation valve 1 according to the invention.

[0040] Out of Fig. 2 as well as Fig. 3 It can be seen in each case that the cover 7 can be easily snapped onto the wall 5b by means of the projection 7b due to the first locking recess 5d there, and the membrane 8 can thereby be securely held in position.

[0041] As from Fig. 2As can also be seen, one side of the annular channel 5 is covered by the cover 9, so that exhaled air can only escape through a portion of the outlet opening 6. The closed area of the outlet opening 6 is Fig. 2 around the area associated with the outlet 3b. The area of the outlet opening 6 associated with the inlet 3a is, in contrast, open, as can be seen from Fig. 2 as well as Fig. 3 is evident.

[0042] The present invention ensures an exhalation valve that is easy to manufacture and has very favorable flow conditions with respect to the respiratory gas exhaled by the patient, while at the same time allowing the outlet direction of the respiratory gas to be varied as required. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0043] 1 Exhalation valve 2 Base body 3 Passage channel 3a Inlet 3b Outlet 4 Branch connector 4a Free end of the branch connector 5 Ring channel 5a Open end of the ring channel 5b Wall 5c Second notch 5c First notch 6 Outlet opening 6a Long hole 6b Bridge 7 Cover 7a Connection for pressure line 7b Projection on the cover 7c Recess 8 Membrane 8a Middle section of the membrane 8b Outer edge area of the membrane 8c Curved intermediate area of the membrane 9 Cover 9a Projection 10 Connection connector 11 Elevation

Claims

1. An exhalation valve comprising: a base body (2), wherein the base body comprises the following: a hollow through-channel (3) with an inlet (3a), an outlet (3b), wherein the inlet (3a) is provided to receive respiratory gas from a ventilator and the outlet (3b) is provided to supply the respiratory gas received from the ventilator to a patient, a branch nozzle (4), which is arranged between the inlet (3a) and the outlet (3b) and has a free end (4a), an annular channel (5), which is delimited to the outside by a wall (5b), surrounds the branch nozzle (4) preferably concentrically, and also has a free end (5a), at least one outlet opening (6) for respiratory gas that is exhaled by the patient, fed back via the outlet (3b), and branched off via the branch nozzle (4), a lid (7) with a connection (7a) for connecting a compressed air control line, a membrane (8), which is arranged on the free ends (4a, 5a) of the branch nozzle (4) and the wall (5b), respectively, and, depending on the pressure applied to the membrane (8) on the side facing away from open ends (4a, 5a), makes it possible for respiratory gas exhaled by the patient and branched off via the branch nozzle (4) to enter the annular channel (5), characterized in that the outlet opening (6) is provided in the wall (5b) and the outlet opening (6) is variable with regard to the outflow direction of the respiratory gas out of the outlet opening (6).

2. The exhalation valve according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover (9) is provided, the position of which along the circumference of the annular channel (5) is modifiable, preferably displaceable in relation to the annular channel (5) or, respectively, along the wall (5b).

3. The exhalation valve according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover (9) is guided by a step (7b) in the lid (7) and / or a recess (5c) in the wall (5b).

4. The exhalation valve according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover (9) is arranged on the outside of the wall (5b).

5. The exhalation valve according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a rotating ring is provided as the cover (9).

6. The exhalation valve according to claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the cover (9) has an angular measurement length in the range from 180° to 270°.

7. The exhalation valve according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet opening (6) comprises multiple elongated holes (6a) distributed, preferably evenly, along the circumference of the annular channel (5).

8. The exhalation valve according to claim 7, characterized in that each two adjacent elongated holes (6a) are separated from each other by a rib (6b).

9. The exhalation valve according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the outlet opening comprises four elongated holes (6a), preferably arranged symmetrically along the circumference.

10. The exhalation valve according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular channel (5) or the wall (5b) extends at least substantially exclusively on the region of the branch nozzle (4).

11. The exhalation valve according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the membrane (8) closes the open end (4a) of the branch nozzle (4) when compressed air is applied.

12. The exhalation valve according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the membrane (8) lies on the open end of the wall (5b) and is fixed in place by the lid (7).

13. The exhalation valve according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (7) has a recess (7c) for fixing the membrane (8) in place.

14. The exhalation valve according to preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (2) is designed as a single piece.