DEVICE FOR REMOVING OBSTRUCTIVE OBSTRUCTIONS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for removing objects obstructing the airway by means of suction, comprising a suction mask that can be placed on the face and at least largely surrounds the mouth and / or nose, and a manually operated vacuum pump that is tightly connected or connectable to this mask to form a suction unit. The vacuum pump has a piston that is guided in a cavity along a wall surface surrounding the cavity and can be moved manually by means of a connecting piece. When inserted into the cavity, the piston displaces air from the cavity via a drain channel arrangement leading to the outside atmosphere. When withdrawn from the cavity, with the suction mask in place, it creates negative pressure in the plenum from a cavity part facing the mask, the interior of the suction mask, and the subsequent airway.

[0002] A device for removing objects obstructing the airway by means of suction of this type is specified in CN 107 432 969 A. A valve arrangement is located in a wall surface of the cavity facing a suction mask.

[0003] A manually operated device for removing objects, namely liquid, from the respiratory tract, e.g., a nasal cavity, is shown in WO 2012 / 107882 A1. A drainage channel arrangement is formed by a seal inserted in an annular groove of a piston. An enlargement of the suction cavity is effected by a compression spring.

[0004] DE 43 20 815 A1 also shows a hand-operated device for removing objects from the breathing airway by means of suction.

[0005] Another manually operated suction device with suction mask is shown in WO 2021 / 252376 A1.

[0006] A device for removing objects obstructing the airway, by means of which an object that has entered the trachea or subsequent parts of the airway is removed by suction, is disclosed in WO 2021 / 252376 A1. In this device, a vacuum pump is connected to a suction mask that is sealed over the nose and mouth and placed on the face of a person. The vacuum pump creates negative pressure in the plenum formed in the pharynx, comprising the airway, the interior of the suction mask, and the subsequent cavity of the vacuum pump. This negative pressure is intended to draw in the object obstructing the airway and thus open the airway.The vacuum pump has a piston located in a cavity. This piston can move back and forth along the wall surface surrounding the cavity. When withdrawn, it creates a vacuum in the plenum, ensuring a sufficient seal between the piston and the wall surface. This vacuum draws the object out of the airway, thus opening it. To prevent excessive pressure from building up in the plenum when the piston is inserted, which could force the object further into the trachea or a subsequent airway, an outlet channel is formed in the cavity wall between the plenum-side cavity section and the outside atmosphere. A one-way valve is inserted into this channel. This valve allows air to escape from this cavity section when the piston is inserted, but closes when the piston is withdrawn to create a vacuum. The one-way valve is, for example, designed as a duckbill valve.

[0007] Another device for removing an object from the airway is shown in WO 2015 / 167709 A1. In this device, a vacuum pump is formed by means of a bellows and is also connected to a suction mask that seals tightly onto the face of the person being treated. To prevent overpressure when the bellows is compressed, an air release valve is arranged in a wall of the bellows or in the wall of the suction mask.

[0008] In a further device shown in WO 2019 / 008139 A1 for removing particles from the throat and / or the adjoining airways, the application of the negative pressure of a negative pressure supply unit to the mask part is triggered by coupling the negative pressure supply unit to the mask part.

[0009] In a further device proposed in WO 2019 / 239417 A1 for removing an object obstructing the airway, a vacuum pump is provided with a spring-loaded piston.

[0010] German patent application DE 10 2020 134 455 A1 describes a device for removing foreign bodies from the airways of a living being by means of negative pressure, in which a pressure volume is present between a container wall and a pump wall with parallel wall sections, in addition to a pump volume formed in a pump. The device has several valves arranged in different wall sections.

[0011] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a device for removing objects obstructing the airway from the pharynx, trachea or subsequent airway, which offers good handling and functionality.

[0012] This problem is solved by a device with the features of claim 1. In conjunction with the features of the preamble, it is further provided that the drain channel arrangement has a drain channel section leading over the piston, which closes at least largely when the piston is withdrawn and opens when it is inserted.

[0013] With this design, when the piston is inserted into the preferably cylindrical cavity, the drain channel section arranged on the piston is opened, so that the air from the part of the cavity facing the plenum can flow freely into the outside atmosphere via this drain channel section.

[0014] An advantageous design for the construction and function consists of the piston having a central support body to which a circumferentially encircling piston ring, projecting beyond the support body, is held by means of a retaining structure. The piston ring's outer circumference is adapted to the inner circumference of the wall surface surrounding the cavity, and as the piston moves, it slides along the wall surface, exerting a sealing effect. Thus, no additional components are required for the operation of the one-way valve, which allows flow into the external atmosphere. Furthermore, the sealing circumferential contact of the piston and piston ring against the wall surface surrounding the cavity, and the resulting inhibitory force or sliding friction force, ensure reliable valve actuation, specifically closing when the piston is withdrawn to create the vacuum.Vacuum on the one hand and an opening of the flow path via the drain channel section when the piston is inserted into the cavity on the other hand.

[0015] A further advantageous design for the structure and function consists in the fact that the drain channel section leading over the piston is formed at least partially between the outside of the support body and the adjacent surface area of ​​the piston ring.

[0016] The advantageous design and function of the device are further enhanced by the following measures: the retaining structure has an annular groove that completely encircles the support body, in which the piston ring is loosely held; one side flank of the annular groove is designed as a completely circumferential sealing seat whose cross-sectional contour is adapted to the cross-section of an adjacent section of the piston ring, into which the piston ring seals when withdrawn to create the vacuum; and the opposite side flank of the annular groove is provided as a further annular seat with at least one flow opening through which the drain channel section passes when the piston ring, which is held loosely at a distance from the groove base, is displaced into the further annular seat when the piston is inserted.

[0017] Further advantages for the design and operation result from the fact that the cavity is formed in a pipe section and that the connecting piece attached to the piston is a piston rod which is slidably guided by a cover that borders the cavity on the side facing away from the plenum.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment also consists in the fact that the drain channel arrangement is in flow communication with the outside atmosphere via at least one outflow opening arranged in the lid.

[0019] Different suction masks, for example for children or adults, can be easily attached to the vacuum pump by connecting the suction mask to the vacuum pump in a removable manner, e.g. via sealant.

[0020] In the design according to the invention, user-friendliness and reliable function are achieved by arranging a limiting valve unit on the piston. This unit, under spring tension, keeps a flow path leading through at least one orifice via the piston's support body closed up to a predetermined limit pressure. When the negative pressure generated in the plenum falls below this limit pressure, the flow path opens against the spring force. In this way, regardless of the size of the plenum or breathing chamber, the same vacuum pump or suction mask can be used for different individuals, or the same vacuum pump can be used with only a limited number of differently sized suction masks, since the limiting valve unit ensures that a suitably predetermined limit pressure is not undershot. The limiting valve unit also provides high user-friendliness and reliable operation.

[0021] An advantageous design of the device consists in the fact that the limiting valve unit has a valve seat and a valve cone, in particular designed as a valve disc, which is held in a sealing position on the valve seat by a closing spring until the limit pressure is reached, in the area of ​​the at least one through-hole.

[0022] Further contributing to an advantageous design and good function is the fact that the valve cone is firmly connected to a valve tappet, which is inserted through a through-hole arranged centrally in the support body, optionally with a guide extension, into a blind bore facing the connecting piece designed as a piston rod, and that the closing spring is designed as a compression spring surrounding the valve tappet and is supported on one side against the plenum on the side of the support body facing away from the plenum and on the other side against a stop arranged on the valve tappet (at the free end section) or an insert piece connected to it, with the valve seat being arranged on the side of the support body facing the plenum.

[0023] Advantages for assembly also arise from the fact that the connecting piece, as a separately manufactured part, is axially immovably connected to the supporting body.

[0024] For assembly and installation, it is still advantageous that the connecting piece is detachably connected to the support body by means of a holding unit, in particular by locking or screwing it in place.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a device for removing objects obstructing the airway, with a vacuum pump and a suction mask detached from it, Fig. 2 the vacuum pump after Fig. 1 In side view, Fig. 2B the vacuum pump in longitudinal section along a sectioning plane AA according to Fig. 2A Fig. 3 Internal parts of the vacuum pump with piston rod and piston consisting of support body and piston ring in a disassembled state in perspective view, Fig. 4A another embodiment of the vacuum pump in side view, Fig. 4B the vacuum pump according to Fig. 4A in longitudinal section along section line AA and Fig. 5 internal parts of the vacuum pump in perspective view when designed with a limiting valve unit.

[0026] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a device for removing objects obstructing the airway by means of suction. The device comprises a suction unit 1, a vacuum pump 2, and a suction mask 3 that can be tightly connected to it. Due to its interchangeability, suction masks of different types, particularly in shape and size, can be connected to the vacuum pump. Alternatively, the suction mask can also be permanently connected to the vacuum pump 2. Both the vacuum pump 2 and the suction mask 3 are advantageously made of a plastic material that meets high hygienic requirements.

[0027] The suction mask 3 has a cover 30 with a flexible sealing edge facing the face of the person being treated, allowing it to be placed over the person's mouth and nose with a tight seal. On the side of the cover 30 opposite the sealing edge, it is provided with a relatively rigid connecting piece 31 molded onto it, enabling it to be inserted or attached to an opening in a suction port 231 of the vacuum pump 2, creating a seal. In the illustrated embodiment, a sealing ring 26, for example an O-ring, is arranged in the suction port 231.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, as also shown in the Fig. 2A und 2B The instrument is a longitudinally extended, cylindrical tube, particularly one with a circular cross-section, which circumferentially encloses a cavity 230 and is designed, for example, as a tube section 23 whose circumferential wall extends concentrically around a central longitudinal axis L. The tube or tube section 23 is provided at one end, the front end, facing the suction mask 3, with an end piece 232 encompassing the suction opening 231, and at its other end, the rear end, with a fixed or removable cover 28.

[0029] In the cavity 230, a piston 21 is slidably mounted in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, which is guided (relatively) airtight along the wall surface surrounding the cavity, in this case the inner wall surface of the tube or pipe section 23, in order to achieve a sufficiently high suction effect in an application in the cavity part facing the suction mask 3 and the flow-technically adjoining interior of the suction mask 3 and the airway space or the plenum formed thereby, so that an object that has entered the airway can be removed as effectively as possible by the suction effect.

[0030] How in particular Fig. 2B As shown, the piston 21 is connected to a piston rod 22 running concentrically to the central longitudinal axis L in the cavity 230. The piston rod extends on the side of the piston 21 facing away from the suction opening 231 and is slidably guided through a central opening in the cover 28. At its end, which lies outside the cover 28, the piston rod is provided with a handle 24, which is fixed, for example, by a retaining pin 25 and serves as a handle for manually moving the piston 21. On the piston side, the piston rod 22 is guided through a central bore or passage 214 in a support body 210 of the piston 21 and is secured in a widened recess 211 on the suction opening side of the piston 231 by means of a retaining flange 221, so that the piston can be moved stably and with good guidance for pulling it out and applying the suction effect.

[0031] To prevent increased air pressure from being generated in the plenum and thus in the breathing airway when the piston is inserted towards the suction mask 3, which could push the object located in the breathing airway further inwards, a drain channel arrangement is provided in the suction unit 1, specifically in the vacuum pump 2. This allows the air displaced in the plenum when the piston 21 is inserted to flow out into the outside atmosphere as freely as possible. For this purpose, the drain channel arrangement is designed with a drain channel section extending over the piston 21. This section closes when the piston 21 is withdrawn to create the most effective vacuum possible and opens when it is inserted to allow the air displaced in the plenum to pass through.In particular, the drain channel section is formed between the circumferential side of the piston body 210 and a piston ring 27 held on the piston body and completely surrounding it. The outer circumferential surface section of the piston ring 27 slides along the wall surface surrounding the cavity, sealing (relatively) well. The outer circumferential region of the piston ring 27 projects radially beyond the outer circumferential edge region of the piston body 210. The piston ring 27 is, for example, designed as an O-ring with a round, particularly circular, cross-section (running radially perpendicular to the plane of the ring); however, other cross-sectional shapes are also possible.

[0032] How Fig. 3 As shown in more detail, the support body 210, which is, for example, disc-shaped, is centrally provided with the passage 214 for the piston rod 22 and has a fully circumferential annular groove 212 as a retaining structure for the piston ring 27. This groove has a fully circumferential side flank on its side facing the suction opening 231 or the plenum to be formed, and a side flank with several flow openings 213 on its other side facing the cover 28. The piston ring 27 is held loosely in the annular groove 212, with the inner circumference of the piston ring 27 being slightly larger than the outer circumference of the support body 210 at the base of the annular groove 212, but smaller than the radially outer circumferential edge of the two side flanks of the annular groove 212.Furthermore, the diameter of the piston ring 27 in the axial direction (in the direction of the central longitudinal axis L) is smaller than the axial width of the ring groove 212 in the area of ​​the side flanks, which means that the piston ring 27 is held loosely in the ring groove 212. Advantageously, one side flank of the ring groove 212 facing the suction port 231 is adapted in its cross-sectional contour to the opposite partial cross-sectional contour of the piston ring 27, so that the piston ring 27 can fit tightly and securely into this side flank when the piston 21 is withdrawn.

[0033] During the withdrawal of the piston 21, the piston ring 27 seals against the annular groove 212 to create the best possible vacuum in the plenum and slides along the surrounding wall surface of the cavity, sealingly. However, due to its loose fit and the restraining force on the wall surface surrounding the cavity, or due to the resulting sliding friction, the piston ring 27 moves towards the other side flank of the annular groove 212. This causes the resulting drain channel section to open when the piston 21 is inserted, allowing air displaced in the plenum to flow out between the suction-side side flank and the base of the annular groove, as well as through the flow openings 213. It can then flow out into the outside atmosphere via further outlet openings 280 on the side of the piston 21 facing away from the plenum, so that practically no back pressure occurs in the plenum when the piston 21 is inserted.

[0034] The described design of the drain channel arrangement with the drain channel section, when functioning well, also has the advantage that no additional components are required for the vacuum pump assembly to generate the specified one-way valve effect. An alternative design would also allow for the installation of an additional one-way valve in the piston 21, particularly in the support body 210, such as one or more duckbill valves or other actuating elements. However, these would only open when pressure builds up in the plenum and therefore might, for example, be less effective or open less readily, e.g., if stuck.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the suction unit 1 of the device, in particular the vacuum pump 2, is provided with a limiting valve unit 4, as shown in the Fig. 4A, 4B and 5 shown.

[0036] Fig. 4A shows a modified form of the vacuum pump 2 compared to the embodiment according to Fig. 2A , wherein the cover 28 covering the tube or the tube section 23 opposite the suction mask side is rounded towards the top. Fig. 4B shows a longitudinal section of the execution according to Fig. 4A along a section plane AA. The essential difference compared to the previously described embodiment is that a limiting valve unit 4 is installed in the piston 21, specifically in the support body 210 and the connected section of the connecting piece 22 in the form of the piston rod. The drain channel arrangement leading over the piston 21 with the circumferential annular groove 212 and the piston ring 27 loosely held therein, with the side flanks designed to form sealing seats when the piston 21 is inserted and withdrawn, and with the formation of at least one flow opening 213, is preferably designed according to the previously described embodiment. Fig. 1 bis 3 However, the limiting valve unit 4 can also be used in a piston 21 and connecting piece 22 in conjunction with a different design of the drain channel section or drain channel arrangement, since it is designed independently of it.

[0037] As from the Fig. 4B and 5As can be seen, the limiting valve unit 4 has a valve disc 40, in particular a circular one, on the side of the support body 210 facing the plenum or the vacuum chamber to be generated. This valve disc is provided with a valve plunger 400, centrally attached to it, in particular an integrally formed valve plunger, on the side of the valve disc 40 facing away from the plenum. The valve plunger 400 projects through a through-opening 214' centrally provided in the support body 210. On the rear side of the support body 210, facing away from the plenum, a sleeve-shaped projection or extension 45 is formed around the central through-hole 214', with which the support body 210 can be inserted precisely into an adjacent blind hole bore 220 in the opposite section of the connecting piece 22 in the form of the piston rod, whereby the cross-sectional contour of the blind hole bore 220 with its surrounding wall surface is adapted to the outer contour of the sleeve-like extension 45 of the valve plate 40.The valve tappet 400 is inserted coaxially into the blind bore 220 or through the sleeve-shaped extension 45 and is held by means of an end retaining section 401 facing away from the valve disc 40 on an axially displaceable insert 43 inserted into the blind bore 220 (axially immovable relative to it), e.g. by latching, clipping, or screwing. The valve tappet 401 is surrounded by a closing spring 42 in the form of a compression spring, which is supported on one side within the extension 45 by a support rim of the support body 210 located in the cavity or extending around the through-hole 214' and on the other side against a stop of the valve tappet 400 in the area of ​​the retaining section 401 or within the insert 43. The support body 210 orThe piston 21 with the support body 210 is stably held on the connecting piece 22 by means of a holding unit 29, which on the one hand has at least one holding element attached, in particular integrally, to the side of the support body 210 facing away from the plenum, and on the other hand has a cooperating holding counter element 291 attached, in particular integrally, to the section of the connecting piece 22 facing the plenum, which is stably held. The holding element 290 can, for example, be designed as a snap hook and the holding counter element 291 as a retaining lug or retaining projection, or vice versa. Thus, the limiting valve unit 4 with the valve disc 40 and valve plunger 400 as well as the closing spring and the insert 43 can be easily installed on the connecting piece 22 and held stably and, if necessary, removablely on the connecting piece 22 by means of the holding unit 29.

[0038] The valve disc 40 forms a type of valve cone that seals against a valve seat located on the side of the support body 210 facing the plenum. The support body 210 has at least one through-hole 44, through which, when the valve disc 40 is lifted from the valve seat, a flow path is formed into the tube or pipe section of the suction pump, thus creating a flow path to limit the vacuum generated in the plenum. In this design, a connection to the outside atmosphere is established via longitudinal openings 223 in the connecting piece 22 or the piston rod. Alternatively, a connection to the outside atmosphere can also be established on the vacuum pump tube, for example, via the cover 28 and an outlet opening 230.To ensure a good seal between the valve plate 40 and the valve seat on the support body 210, a sealing element 41 is provided around the at least one through-hole 44, against which the inside of the valve plate 40 facing away from the plenum is pressed with a predetermined spring force or closing force by means of the closing spring 42.

[0039] If a negative pressure is generated in the plenum that falls below a predetermined limit pressure enforced by the spring force, the limiting valve unit 4 opens by lifting the valve disc 40 from the valve seat and opening a flow path through the at least one through-hole 44. This ensures that a predetermined negative pressure is not undershot, and the vacuum pump can be used with different plenum sizes, different breathing chambers, and different suction masks 3, without generating excessive negative pressure when the piston rod 22 is pulled out to remove a foreign object from the airway. A typical suction pressure is, for example, between 0.3 bar and 0.6 bar.

[0040] The measures according to the invention, particularly in conjunction with the limiting valve unit 4, result in a user-friendly design with reliable functionality.

Claims

1. Device for removing objects obstructing the airway by means of suction, the device comprising a suction mask (3) which is placeable on the face and surrounds the mouth and / or the nose in an at least largely sealed manner and a manually actuatable vacuum pump (2) which is attached or attachable to said mask in a sealed manner in order to form a suction unit (1) and has a piston (21) guided in a cavity (230) along a wall surface which surrounds said cavity and movable by hand by means of a connecting piece (22), which piston, when pushed into the cavity (230), displaces air from the cavity (230) via an outlet channel arrangement leading to the outside atmosphere and, when pulled out of the cavity (230) with the suction mask (3) in place, generates negative pressure in the plenum from a cavity part near said mask, from the suction mask interior, and from the adjoining airway, characterized in that the outlet channel arrangement has an outlet channel portion leading over the piston (21), which portion at least largely closes when the piston (21) is pulled out and opens when it is pushed in, and in that on the piston (21) is arranged a limiting valve unit (4) which, under spring load, keeps a flow path, leading over the support body (210) of the piston (21) through at least one passage opening (44), closed up to a predetermined limit pressure and opens the flow path against the spring force when the negative pressure generated in the plenum is below the limit pressure.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the piston (21) has a central support body (210) on which a circumferentially completely encircling piston ring (27) circumferentially extending beyond the support body (210) is held by means of a holding structure, which ring is adapted in its outer circumference to the inner circumference of the wall surface surrounding the cavity (230) and, when the piston (21) is moved, slides along the wall surface to exert a sealing effect.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the outlet channel portion leading over the piston (21) is formed at least partially between the outside of the support body (210) and the adjacent surface region of the piston ring (27).

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding structure has on the support body (210) a completely encircling annular groove (212) in which the piston ring (27) is loosely held, wherein a side flank of the annular groove (212) is in the form of a completely encircling sealing seat which is adapted in its contour to the cross section of a near portion of the piston ring (27) and into which, when the piston is pulled out, the piston ring (27) sealingly fits in order to form the vacuum, and in that the opposite side flank of the annular groove (212) is provided as a further ring seat comprising at least one through-flow opening (213) through which the outlet channel portion leads when the piston ring (27) held loosely in the ring groove (212) at a distance from the groove base is displaced into the further ring seat as the piston (21) is pushed in.

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (230) is formed in a pipe piece (23) and in that the connecting piece (22) attached to the piston (21) is a piston rod which is movably guided by a lid (28) limiting the cavity (230) on its side remote from the plenum.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the outlet channel arrangement is fluidically connected to the outside atmosphere via at least one outflow opening (280) arranged in the lid (28).

7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction mask (3) is detachably connected to the vacuum pump (2) via sealing means.

8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the limiting valve unit (4) has in the region of the at least one passage opening (44) a valve seat and a valve cone, in particular in the form of a valve disk (40), which in a closed position is held sealingly on the valve seat by a closing spring (42) until the limit pressure is reached.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the valve cone is fixedly connected to a valve tappet (400) which is inserted through a passage opening (214') arranged centrally in the support body (210), into a near blind bore (220) of the connecting piece (22) in the form of a piston rod, and in that the closing spring (42) is in the form of a compression spring surrounding the valve tappet (400) and is supported on the side of the support body (210) facing away from the plenum against said support body and against a stop arranged on the valve tappet (400) or on an insert piece (43) axially immovably connected thereto, wherein the valve seat is arranged on the side of the support body (210) facing the plenum.

10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting piece (22) is connected to the support body (210) as a separately manufactured part.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting piece (22) is releasably connected, in particular latched or screwed, to the support body (210) by means of a holding unit (29).