COUPLING BETWEEN DRIVE AND BLOWER HEAD OF A VENTILATOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ventilator with a coupling between a motor and a blower head. Ventilators used in clinical settings in particular require regular hygienic cleaning. This hygienic cleaning particularly applies to the parts of the ventilator that convey and conduct the patient gas. In some ventilators, the blower, among others, comes into contact with the patient gas. Typically, the blower is directly connected to the motor, which means that the motor itself is considered contaminated with patient gas. It is known in the prior art that the entire assembly, including the motor and blower, can be removed from the ventilator for cleaning. Therefore, the motor must be designed for hygienic cleaning, for example, by using robust bearings and appropriate electronic components.Despite the specially selected materials and components, the engine's lifetime is still expected to be significantly reduced.

[0002] US 6672300 B1 shows a ventilator with a blower head and a drive device, wherein the blower head and the drive device are detachably coupled to one another via a force-locking coupling.

[0003] The invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0004] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is characterized in that the coupling is arranged and designed in such a way that no patient gas passes from the blower head to the drive device in the region of the coupling.

[0005] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is characterized in that the coupling between the drive device and the blower head is effected via at least two coupling elements.

[0006] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator indicates that the coupling is a magnetic coupling. In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator indicates that the coupling is a magnetic connection.

[0007] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is characterized in that the at least two coupling elements are designed as at least two coupling magnets.

[0008] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is characterized in that at least one first coupling magnet is arranged on the fan wheel and at least one second coupling magnet is arranged on the motor shaft. In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is characterized in that the coupling elements are configured and designed to form a magnetic connection with one another.

[0009] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is characterized in that the housing of the fan head is arranged at least partially between the coupling magnet of the fan wheel and the coupling magnet of the motor shaft.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ventilator is characterized in that the blower head is designed as a wearing part

[0011] In some embodiments, the ventilator is characterized in that the blower head is designed as a processing part and is designed for processing in a thermodisinfector and / or an autoclave.

[0012] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is characterized in that the coupling between the drive device and the blower head is effected via a frictional connection.

[0013] In some embodiments, the ventilator is characterized in that the coupling is a positive connection, wherein the coupling elements have a symmetrical coupling profile.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ventilator is characterized in that the coupling is a positive connection. In some embodiments, the ventilator is characterized in that the coupling elements have an asymmetric coupling profile.

[0015] In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator features that the drive device is permanently installed in the ventilator.

[0016] In some embodiments, the ventilator is characterized in that the blower part is designed for processing in a thermal disinfector and / or autoclave.

[0017] It should also be noted that a conjunction "and / or" used herein between two features and linking them together is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the subject matter only the first feature can be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature can be present, and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature can be present.

[0018] A ventilator is any device that supports a user or patient in natural breathing, takes over the ventilation of the user or living being (e.g. patient and / or newborn and / or premature babies) and / or is used for respiratory therapy and / or otherwise influences the breathing of the user or patient. This includes, for example, but is not limited to, CPAP and bi-level devices, anesthesia or anesthesia devices, respiratory therapy devices, (clinical, out-of-hospital or emergency) ventilators, high-flow therapy devices and coughing machines. Ventilators can also be understood as diagnostic devices for ventilation. Diagnostic devices can generally be used to record medical and / or respiratory-related parameters of a living being. This also includes devices that can record and optionally process patient medical parameters in combination with breathing or exclusively relating to breathing.

[0019] Unless expressly stated otherwise, a patient interface can be understood as any peripheral device intended for interaction, particularly for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, between the measuring device and a living being. In particular, a patient interface can be understood as a mask of a ventilator or a mask connected to the ventilator. This mask can be a full-face mask, i.e. one that encloses the nose and mouth, or a nasal mask, i.e. one that only encloses the nose. Tracheal tubes or cannulas and so-called nasal cannulas can also be used as a mask or patient interface. In some cases, the patient interface can also be a simple mouthpiece, e.g. a tube, through which the living being at least exhales and / or inhales.

[0020] According to the disclosure, the blower head is hermetically sealed from the drive device in the coupling area. Depending on the coupling type, no passage for a bearing and / or an axle connected to the fan wheel (also referred to as impeller or rotor) is provided through the housing of the blower head or the corresponding blower part. The blower head, for example, can be removed from the ventilator independently of the drive device and can be treated and / or replaced separately. Patient gas cannot pass from the blower part to the drive device, at least in the coupling area between the drive device and the fan wheel.

[0021] The breathing gas or patient gas is conveyed through the breathing gas duct, at least within the ventilator. The entire breathing gas duct can be divided into several parts, which can optionally be removed from the ventilator independently of one another. The drive device, however, can remain permanently mounted in the ventilator and does not require hygienic treatment. This broadens the range of available components and materials for the drive device. In some unclaimed examples, it may also be provided that the drive device can also be removed separately (independently of the blower head and / or other components).

[0022] The coupling between the drive unit and the blower head is achieved, for example, magnetically. For this purpose, a coupling magnet is mounted on the motor shaft driven by the drive unit, as well as a corresponding coupling magnet on the fan wheel. The fan wheel is rotatably mounted in the blower head. The housing of the blower head or blower section runs between the coupling magnet of the fan wheel and the coupling magnet of the motor shaft, without any opening or feedthrough. The power is transmitted from the drive unit to the fan wheel via the magnetic field of the coupling magnets.

[0023] This complete separation of the drive device and the blower head enables the blower head and its components to be constructed entirely from recyclable materials such as PA (polyamide), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), ceramic and stainless steel.

[0024] By eliminating the drive device as a component that needs to be reprocessed or autoclaved, the design of the blower section can be better adapted to the use of the available space in thermal disinfectors and autoclaves. Since there is no cylinder to consider for the drive device, the shape of the circular section can, for example, be purely flat, rectangular elements, none of which have edges that exceed the dimensions of a sterilization unit (1 STE) and are designed for a compact arrangement in the reprocessing process. The blower head can be designed to wear out for short-term use in order to provide the customer with cost-effective disposable items if they do not wish to reprocess them, or the blower head can be designed for a long service life with multiple reprocessing cycles.Both variants can be used with the same drive device, giving the customer the choice at any time.

[0025] The performance characteristics of the blower can also be influenced by changing the shape of the housing of the blower head and the fan wheel. This allows the user to change the performance data by simply replacing the circuit part. In addition, the ventilator can also be designed to automatically detect the blower head variant used, for example, electronically.

[0026] The coupling is part of a ventilator. In particular, the ventilator can be an intensive care ventilator, a clinical ventilator and / or an anesthesia machine. In some unclaimed examples, the patient gas is at least partially circulated. The patient inhales via an inspiration branch and exhales into an expiration branch. The exhaled patient gas is, for example, passed through the ventilator in such a way that it can be inhaled again by the patient - if necessary, processed (addition of fresh oxygen, CO2 filtered, etc.). For example, the blower, comprising at least a blower head with a fan impeller and a drive device for the fan impeller, ensures that the patient gas is circulated or conveyed in the circuit.

[0027] The ventilator is designed and constructed to deliver a breathing gas, also known as patient gas, to and / or from a patient. For this purpose, the ventilator comprises corresponding gas guides, for example arranged in one or more gas guide sections, as well as an inspiration port and an expiration port. Furthermore, the ventilator comprises at least one controllable breathing gas source, for example a blower. The blower comprises at least one blower head with a housing and a fan wheel mounted in the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the fan wheel can also be mounted in the housing wall via a fan shaft. The blower further comprises at least one drive device with a motor shaft. The drive device is, for example, a motor, such as an electric motor. The blower head is, for example, arranged separately from the drive device in a blower section. The ventilator is controlled by a control unit.The control unit is configured, among other things, to control the blower. In some embodiments, the ventilator is configured to circulate the patient gas in a circuit, with the connected patient being part of the circuit. Valves, gas mixers, CO2 absorbers, etc. are arranged in the gas-conducting section or connected to the gas-conducting section. In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is an anesthesia device. If the ventilator is an anesthesia device, it is provided that devices for admixing anesthetics to the breathing gas or patient gas are also connected to the ventilator and / or arranged in the ventilator.

[0028] The ventilator has at least one part that is removable. In some unclaimed examples, at least two parts, a blower part and a gas guide part, are removable. The blower part comprises at least one blower head, which in turn comprises at least one fan wheel arranged within a housing. The housing has at least two blower nozzles, via which the blower part or the blower head can be connected to the gas guide part in a gas-conducting manner. The gas guide part forms, for example, the connection, for example via internal gas guides, between the blower head and the inspiratory branch and the expiratory branch. The gas guides can comprise further elements such as valves and connections, for example to a CO2 absorber. The blower part and the gas guide part are designed so that they can be removed separately. This allows, for example, separate hygienic processing.

[0029] For example, it is provided that the drive device, for example a motor, is permanently installed in the ventilator. The power is transmitted between the drive device and the fan wheel, for example, via a force-locking and / or form-locking connection. For example, it is provided that the power is transmitted via a magnetic coupling, with at least one coupling magnet being arranged on both the fan wheel and a motor axis of the drive device. The magnetic coupling makes it possible for the housing wall of the blower head or blower part to run between the fan wheel and the motor or drive device without the need for a breakthrough and / or a feedthrough. This can, for example, ensure that no patient gas reaches the motor or drive device in the area of ​​the coupling. In some unclaimed examples, a hermetically sealed seal is achieved here.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling of the drive device and the fan wheel can be achieved via a detachable positive and / or non-positive connection. For example, the fan wheel also has an axis (fan axis) and coupling elements are arranged on both the motor axis and the fan axis, via which the two axes are coupled to one another. For example, a non-positive connection is conceived here, such as a frictional connection. To achieve such a non-positive connection, the blower part is detachably fixed, for example in the ventilator, so that power can be transferred from the motor axis to the fan axis via the coupling elements. Alternatively or additionally, a detachable positive connection can also be provided between the motor and the fan wheel. The coupling can be achieved via symmetrical or asymmetrical coupling elements.

[0031] When coupling the drive unit and fan wheel via a frictional connection (frictional engagement) and / or positive connection, the fan shaft must extend through the housing of the blower unit. To prevent contamination of the drive unit or motor with patient gas, the fan shaft is provided for a rotatable and hermetically sealed mounting in the housing wall of the blower unit.

[0032] It can be provided that a plurality of different blower parts, which differ, for example, in the type of blower head, are made available and can be installed in the ventilator. It is provided, for example, that the coupling is designed such that each of the plurality of blower parts can be connected to the drive device without the drive device or the motor having to be replaced. In some unclaimed examples, the ventilator is set up and designed to recognize which blower part and / or which blower head is installed. For example, it can be provided that an RFID chip or the like is arranged in or on the blower part, via which chip the ventilator can automatically recognize the blower part. In some unclaimed examples, it can be provided that recognition of the blower part orof the blower head. Alternatively or additionally, the blower part can be equipped with a barcode and / or QR code, which can be scanned via the ventilator, optionally automatically.

[0033] The disclosed system is based on the Figures 1 to 5 described in more detail by way of example.

[0034] An exemplary section of a ventilator 100 with a coupling 11 and removable gas guide part 5 as well as removable blower part 6 is shown schematically in Figure 1 shown.

[0035] The gas path through the ventilator 100 is represented by the gas guide section 5 and the blower section 6. The patient gas exhaled by the patient passes through the expiratory branch 1 into the gas guide 3 in the gas guide section 5. The gas guide 3 comprises, for example, valves and at least one connection and / or guide through a CO2 absorber for removing CO2 from the exhaled patient gas. The patient gas passes through the gas guide 3 to the blower section 6, which comprises at least the blower head 9. The gas guide 3 is connected to the blower head 9 via the blower nozzle 7. The blower head 9 comprises at least one fan impeller 10, which is mounted in a bearing in the housing 9a of the blower head 9.

[0036] The fan wheel 10 is driven by a drive device, for example, a motor. The power is transmitted from the drive device 12 to the fan wheel 10 via the coupling 11. The blower, consisting of the drive device and blower head 9, conveys the patient gas through the blower nozzle 8 into the gas duct 4 and to the inspiration branch 2. The patient gas reaches the patient via the inspiration branch 2. The gas duct 4 comprises, for example, further valves and at least one APL valve. It can also be provided that connections and devices are arranged on or in the gas duct 4, via which gases, for example, oxygen, can be admixed with the patient gas. If the ventilator 100 is designed as an anesthesia device, an admixture of anesthetics to the patient gas can also be provided.

[0037] By way of example, it is provided that both the gas guide part 5 and the blower part 6 can be removed separately from the ventilator 100. In some unclaimed examples, it can also be provided that the gas guide part 5 is divided into several individual parts, which can be removed independently of one another from the ventilator 100. For example, a modular structure of the gas guide in the ventilator 100 is thus possible.

[0038] It is also provided that the blower part 6 can be removed independently of the gas guide part 5 and / or the motor or drive device 12. The blower part 6 comprises at least the blower head 9 with the fan wheel 10. In order to allow the blower head 9 to be separated from the drive device 12 or the motor, a detachable coupling 11 is provided between the drive device 12 and the blower head 9. The power of the drive device 12 is transmitted to the fan wheel 10 via the detachable coupling 11. A magnetic coupling, a force-locking connection and / or a form-locking connection between the drive device 12 and the fan wheel 10 can be provided for the coupling 11. In particular, it is provided that the coupling 11 is designed and constructed in such a way that patient gas does not reach the drive device 12 from the blower part 6, in particular the blower head 9.In some unclaimed examples, it is provided that such a transfer of patient gas from the blower head 9 to the drive device 12 can at least not take place via the coupling 11.

[0039] The drive device 12 is supplied with energy, for example, via an electrical connection 13.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a schematic detailed view of a non-claimed example of the coupling 11. The example shown represents a magnetic coupling, a type of non-positive connection, between the drive device 12 and the fan wheel 10. The coupling magnets 14, 16 serve as coupling elements 19, 20. For this purpose, a coupling magnet 16 is arranged on the motor shaft 17, which is directly connected to the drive device 12. Complementary to the coupling magnet 16 of the motor shaft 17, at least one coupling magnet 14 is arranged on the fan wheel 10. The coupling magnets 14, 16 are, for example, permanent magnets.

[0041] The fan wheel 10 is rotatably mounted in the housing of the blower head 9 via a bearing 15. The power is transmitted magnetically from the drive device 12 to the fan wheel 10 via the coupling magnets 14, 16. In some examples not claimed, a fixed axle is arranged in the blower head 9, on which the fan wheel 10 is rotatably mounted. For example, a simple bearing can be provided via a ball bearing. In some embodiments, the bearing 15 can be arranged in the housing wall, and an axle establishes the connection between the bearing and the fan wheel 10.

[0042] The exemplary coupling is constructed such that the coupling magnet 14 of the fan wheel 10 is arranged around the coupling magnet 16 of the motor axis 17. For example, the coupling magnet 14 of the fan wheel 10 is designed as a hollow cylinder which is arranged around the coupling magnet 16 of the motor axis 14. In some unclaimed examples, it can also be provided that several individual coupling magnets 14 are arranged on the fan wheel 10, which are arranged at equal intervals. Due to the magnetic coupling, no material contact is necessary between the motor axis 17 and the fan wheel 10 and / or a bearing and / or a fan axis. In order to prevent patient gas from the blower head 9 in the area of ​​the coupling 11 from escaping to the motor orthe drive device 12, it is provided, for example, that the housing of the blower head 9 runs without any breakthrough or other opening between the drive device 12 (with motor axis 17 and coupling magnet 16) and the fan wheel 10 including bearing 15 etc. In some unclaimed examples, it is provided that the coupling 11 is hermetically sealed.

[0043] As in Figure 2 As can be seen, it can be provided that the housing of the blower head 9, and thus also the blower part 6, has a corresponding recess and / or indentation into which at least the coupling magnet 16 of the motor shaft 17 can be at least partially inserted. The housing wall of the blower head 9 runs between the two coupling magnets 14, 16 and hermetically separates the drive device 12 and the fan wheel 10 from each other, at least in the region of the coupling 11.

[0044] The magnetic coupling 11 allows for a clear separation between an area that should not be contaminated with patient gas and an area contaminated with patient gas, preventing patient gas from passing from the contaminated area into the non-contaminated area. The area that should not be contaminated includes, for example, the drive device 12, while the contaminated area includes the fan impeller 10.

[0045] The inertia of the fan wheel 10 can be adjusted, among other things, by the size of the coupling magnet(s) 14 used. The positioning along the radius of the fan wheel can also be decisive for the inertia of the fan wheel 10.

[0046] Figure 3shows a non-claimed example of a magnetic coupling 11 in which the coupling magnet 16 of the motor axis 17 is arranged around the coupling magnet 14 of the fan wheel 10. The coupling magnet 14 of the fan wheel 10 is therefore located within the coupling magnet 16 of the motor axis 17. The fan wheel 10 is rotatably mounted, for example, via the bearing 15. The coupling magnets 14, 16 transmit a rotation of the motor axis 17 to the bearing 15 and / or directly to the fan wheel 10. The coupling magnet 16 of the motor axis is designed, for example, as a hollow cylinder. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling magnet 16 can also consist of a plurality of coupling magnets, which are evenly arranged around the coupling magnet 14 of the fan wheel 10.

[0047] The blower head 9 and the blower part 6 containing the blower head 9 have, for example, a bulge which can be surrounded by the coupling magnet 16 of the motor axis 17.

[0048] In the example, the housing of the blower head 9 runs between the coupling magnet 14 of the fan wheel 10 and the coupling magnet 16 of the motor shaft 17.

[0049] In Figure 4 The inventive embodiment of a force-locking connection is schematically illustrated as a detachable coupling 11. The fan wheel 10 is connected to a fan shaft 18. A coupling element 19 is arranged at one end of the fan shaft 18. The fan shaft 18 is mounted, for example, in the housing of the blower head 9 or the blower part 6 via the bearing 24. The bearing 24 is combined with a seal 23, which is designed and configured to prevent patient gas from passing from the blower head 9 to the drive device 12.

[0050] The motor shaft 17 has a coupling element 20 complementary to the coupling element 19 of the fan shaft 18. For example, a positive connection is achieved via the coupling elements 19, 20. Asymmetrical or symmetrical profiles of the coupling elements 19, 20 can be used. For simple assembly, additional guide elements can be provided, along which, for example, the fan part 6 is guided. The guide elements then guide the fan part 6 towards the drive device 12 such that the two coupling elements 19, 20 interlock or connect. In some embodiments, a positive connection is provided in addition to the force connection. The force connection can be a frictional connection, for example.

[0051] The coupling elements 19, 20 are pressed / pressed against each other such that power is transmitted from the drive device 12 or the motor shaft 17 to the fan wheel 10 or the fan shaft 18. According to the invention, the coupling elements 19, 20 have a conical shape. For example, the coupling element 19 is designed as a hollow cone, and the coupling element 20 as a cone that can be inserted into the hollow cone of the coupling element 19.

[0052] In Figure 5A section of an exemplary ventilator is schematically shown. In addition to the previously described removable fan part 6 and gas guide part 5, the example shown also includes a separately removable motor part 21. The motor part 21 comprises at least one motor or the drive device 12. The coupling 11 between the drive device 12 and the fan wheel 10 corresponds to a previously described detachable coupling 11, designed as a non-positive and / or positive connection. For example, the coupling 11 is a magnetic coupling.

[0053] The drive device 12 is supplied with energy, for example, via an inductive coupling between the energy source 22 and the drive device 12. As a result, the drive device 12 can, for example, be arranged in a hermetically sealed housing. The power transmission between the drive device 12 and the fan wheel 10 can, for example, also be magnetic. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the motor axis 17 of the drive device 12 protrudes from the housing of the motor part 21 and is mounted in the housing wall of the motor part 21. The mounting in the housing of the motor part 21 is provided to be hermetically sealed, so that no patient gas can enter the motor part 21, or at least not reach the drive device 12.

[0054] Such a modular design, in which, for example, different types and types of motor part 21, blower part 6 and gas guide part 5 are available, enables easy adaptation of the ventilator to current needs without having to keep several ventilators of different designs in stock. List of reference symbols

[0055] 1 Expiratory branch 2 Inspiratory branch 3 Gas guide 4 Gas guide 5 Gas guide part 6 Blower part 7 Blower nozzle 8 Blower nozzle 9 Blower head 9a Housing 10 Fan wheel 11 Coupling 12 Drive device 13 Electrical connection 14 First coupling magnet 15 Bearing 16 Second coupling magnet 17 Motor shaft 18 Fan shaft 19 Second coupling element 20 First coupling element 21 Motor part 22 Energy source 23 Seal 24 Bearing 100 Ventilator

Claims

1. A breathing device (100) with a fan head (9) and a drive device (12), wherein the fan head (9) comprises at least one fan wheel (10) and a housing (9a) with fan connecting pieces (7, 8) and is designed, together with the drive device (12), to convey a patient gas, wherein the fan head (9) and the drive device (12) are releasably coupled to each other via a coupling (11), wherein the fan wheel (10) is connected to a fan shaft (18), on the end of which a first coupling element (19) is arranged, wherein a motor shaft (17) of the drive device (12) has a second coupling element (20) that is complementary to the first coupling element (19), characterized in that the coupling elements (19, 20) have a conical shape for a force-fit, in which the coupling elements (19, 20) are pressed against each other such that force is transmitted from the motor shaft (17) to the fan shaft (18).

2. The breathing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the fan shaft (18) is mounted in the housing (9a) by a bearing (24) combined with a seal (23), wherein the seal (23) is designed and configured to prevent the patient gas from escaping from the fan head (9) to the drive device (12).

3. The breathing device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling element (19) is designed as a hollow cone and the second coupling element (20) is designed as a cone that can be inserted into the hollow cone.

4. The breathing device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein guide elements are additionally provided, along which a fan part (6) can be guided toward the drive device (12) so that the two coupling elements (19, 20) can engage with each other or connect.

5. The breathing device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan head (9) is designed as a wear or treatment part and is designed for treatment in a thermal disinfector and / or an autoclave.

6. The breathing device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling elements (19, 20) have a symmetrical or asymmetrical coupling profile for additionally establishing a form-fitting connection.