Assembly, preferably a pneumotachograph, spirometer and / or respiratory trainer, and a method

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly, preferably a pneumotachograph, a spirometer and / or a respiratory trainer, comprising a receiving housing part (3), a mouthpiece housing part (5), and a terminal that comprises a pressure sensor (19), wherein the terminal is arranged in a pressure-measuring chamber (17) of the assembly (1), said pressure-measuring chamber being bordered in part by the receiving housing part (3) and in part by the mouthpiece housing part (5), wherein the pressure-measuring chamber (17) is fluidically connected to a respiratory-air passage (23) of the assembly (1), and wherein the assembly (1) is designed and / or suitable for pressure changes in the pressure-measuring chamber (17) and / or in the respiratory-air passage (23) to be detectable by means of the pressure sensor (19) of the terminal.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Arrangement, preferably pneumotachograph, spirometer and / or breathing trainer and a procedure

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement, preferably a pneumotachograph, spirometer and / or breathing trainer according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method according to claim 36 and an arrangement, preferably a pneumotachograph, spirometer and / or breathing trainer according to claim 41.

[0004] An acoustic spirometer is known from WO 2012 / 038903 A2. The spirometer comprises a smartphone and a mouthpiece element, which is plugged into a charging socket of the smartphone using an adapter in one plug-in direction. A breathing air passage extends through the mouthpiece element and is in flow connection with a sidestream passage. When the mouthpiece element is plugged into the charging socket, an outlet opening of the sidestream passage is directed towards the smartphone's microphone. If a user using the spirometer breathes air through the breathing air passage, a portion of the breathing air flow flows via the sidestream passage to the smartphone's microphone, where it generates flow noises that are detected by the smartphone's microphone. The smartphone is designed to determine the user's breathing characteristics based on the flow noises.

[0005] The disadvantage of this arrangement is that disturbing ambient noise can distort the flow noise detected by the smartphone's microphone. Due to the disruptive influence of ambient noise, the respiratory parameters are not determined correctly. A further disadvantage of this arrangement is that it is not universally applicable to different smartphone models and does not allow for a distinction between inspiration and expiration. The object of the invention is therefore to provide an arrangement that enables the correct and repeatable determination of respiratory parameters of a user using the arrangement.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] According to the invention, an arrangement, preferably a pneumotachograph, a spirometer and / or a breathing trainer, is proposed, comprising a receiving housing part, a mouthpiece housing part, and a terminal device having a pressure sensor, wherein the terminal device is arranged in a pressure measuring chamber of the arrangement, which is partially delimited by the receiving housing part and partially by the mouthpiece housing part, wherein the pressure measuring chamber is in flow connection with a breathing air passage of the arrangement, and wherein the arrangement is designed and / or suitable for pressure changes in the pressure measuring chamber and / or in the breathing air passage to be detectable by means of the pressure sensor of the terminal device. Since the terminal device is arranged in the pressure measuring chamber, the detection of the pressure changes is not impaired by environmental influences, such as drafts or wind.This allows a correct and repeatable determination of the breathing characteristics of a user using the device based on the detected pressure changes in the pressure measuring chamber.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the arrangement has at least one pressure equalization passage, preferably a plurality of pressure equalization passages, wherein it can preferably be provided that the breathing air passage is in flow connection with the pressure measuring chamber via the pressure equalization passage or pressure equalization passages of the arrangement. By means of the pressure equalization passage(s), a flow connection between the breathing air passage and the pressure measuring chamber is achieved in a structurally simple manner. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the breathing air passage is partially or completely assigned to the mouthpiece housing part. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the pressure equalization passage is partially or completely assigned to the mouthpiece housing part.The assembly is particularly practical when both the breathing air passage and the pressure equalization passage are fully integrated into the mouthpiece housing. This is because tight shape and position tolerances do not need to be specified during assembly to ensure a fully assembled breathing air passage and pressure equalization passage without interference contours.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece housing part can be a passive component. Alternatively or additionally, the mouthpiece housing part can be free of electrical components and / or electronic components. The mouthpiece housing part can thus be manufactured cost-effectively, which also advantageously keeps the overall costs of the assembly low.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure equalization passage may include a breathing opening and a throttle opening. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure equalization passage may be radially delimited outwardly at least partially by a base body portion of the mouthpiece housing part and / or at least partially by a preferably substantially cuboid-shaped shoulder body portion of the mouthpiece housing part.

[0011] Preferably, it can be provided that the mouthpiece housing part is formed by the base body section and by the shoulder body section, which are preferably formed from the same material and / or in one piece.

[0012] Particularly preferably, it can be provided that the shoulder body section of the mouthpiece housing part is at least partially or completely inserted into an interior space delimited by the receiving housing part. In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the pressure equalization passage branches off from the breathing air passage, preferably between the breathing opening of the breathing air passage and the throttle opening of the breathing air passage. In this way, it is ensured that a breathing air stream of the user flowing through the breathing air passage flows past the pressure equalization section and that only pressure changes caused by the passing breathing air stream occur in the pressure equalization section and / or the pressure measuring chamber.

[0013] Preferably, it can be provided that the pressure equalization passage branches off from the breathing air passage between the breathing opening of the breathing air passage and the throttle plate.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the breathing air passage may be formed by a breathing-side passage section and a throttle-side passage section. The flow cross-sectional area of ​​the breathing-side passage section is larger than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the throttle-side passage section by a passage section multiplication factor. The throttle-side passage section acts as a flow brake, preventing the breathing air flow from flowing through the breathing air passage without resistance in a predefined manner. The resistive flow in the breathing air passage leads to larger pressure changes in the pressure equalization section and the pressure measuring chamber. This enables a finer resolution of the pressure changes using the pressure sensor.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the passage section multiplication factor has a value in a range from 1 to 8, preferably in a range from 1.2 to 6, particularly preferably in a range from 1.5 to 4, wherein it can most preferably be provided that the passage section multiplication factor has a value of exactly 2. At these values, the pressure drops are sufficiently large for an accurate measurement. Alternatively or additionally, the passage section multiplication factor is small enough to limit the pressure drop across the entire breathing air passage or across the breathing air passage with throttle and mouthpiece attachment element to less than 0.15 kPa / (l / s) up to a breathing volume flow of 14 l / s. In this way, the normative specifications can be met.

[0016] In an exemplary arrangement, the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the breathing-side passage section can be larger than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the pressure equalization passage by a pressure equalization multiplication factor. This ensures that gas exchange between the breathing air passage and the pressure measurement chamber is as minimal as possible, and that only a very low or even no flow occurs in the pressure equalization passage, which could distort the detection of pressure changes in the pressure measurement chamber.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure compensation multiplication factor can be provided in a range from 1 to 10,000, preferably in a range from 5 to 5,000, particularly preferably in a range from 10 to 2,500. Most preferably, the pressure compensation multiplication factor can be provided in a range of exactly 600. At these values, pressure changes can propagate largely unhindered into the pressure measuring chamber, and no flow, at least no practically relevant flow, occurs in the pressure compensation passage. The detection of pressure changes is therefore more precise. The lower the pressure compensation multiplication factor, the more accurate the measurement can be. The higher the pressure compensation multiplication factor, the more hygienic / safe the arrangement can be operated, since no moisture condenses on the display / electronics.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the breath-side passage section and / or the throttle-side passage section may be in the shape of a cylinder or truncated cone, preferably a circular cylinder. This geometry facilitates cleaning of the mouthpiece housing part.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement can be provided with a throttle plate, wherein the throttle plate can preferably be connected, preferably detachably, to the mouthpiece housing part. The geometry and dimensions of the throttle plate allow the flow resistance in the breathing air passage to be adjusted in a predefined manner. Since the throttle plate is preferably detachably connected to the mouthpiece housing part, throttle plates with different shapes and geometries can be used, depending, for example, on the user's state of health.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the throttle orifice can be arranged in the region of the throttle-side passage section. It can preferably be provided that the throttle-side passage section is radially outwardly delimited, preferably exclusively, by the throttle orifice. This advantageously ensures that the flow resistance in the breathing air passage can be adjusted solely by the shape and / or geometry of the throttle orifice.

[0021] Preferably, the throttle orifice plate can be in the form of a circular disk with a disk thickness, wherein the disk thickness can preferably be identical to the length of the throttle-side passage section. Particularly preferably, the throttle orifice plate can be a Lilly-type sieve orifice plate or a Fleisch-type capillary throttle plate, and up to a respiratory flow of 14 l / s, it keeps the expiratory flow resistance of the entire arrangement below 0.15 kPa / (l / s). In this regard, reference is made to the explanations regarding the passage section multiplication factor and to DIN EN ISO 26782:2010-02.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, preferably a smartphone. A smartphone is particularly simple and convenient to use compared to a mobile phone or a terminal device in a very general form.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensor can be formed by an absolute air pressure sensor. Preferably, the absolute air pressure sensor can be formed by a barometer of the terminal device, preferably a barometer of the mobile phone. This has the advantage that a pressure sensor already present in the mobile phone is used. An additional pressure sensor is therefore unnecessary, which advantageously reduces the manufacturing costs of the arrangement.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the receiving housing part has an inner surface with a contact surface area on which the terminal device rests at least partially. It can particularly preferably be provided that the inner surface is at least partially formed by at least one rib of the receiving housing part, wherein a rib cover surface of the rib forms the contact surface area on which the terminal device, preferably a rear side of the terminal device, rests. This results in the smallest possible contact surface between the terminal device and the receiving housing part. This has the advantage that the arrangement can be used with a wide variety of terminal device models without the pressure sensor of the terminal device being covered by the contact surface.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the receiving housing part can be formed by a lower part of the receiving housing part and an upper part of the receiving housing part. This embodiment facilitates material-saving production of the receiving housing part, specifically using different materials.

[0026] For example, it can be provided that the lower part is integrally and / or materially and / or permanently connected to the mouthpiece housing part. This is particularly useful for the embodiment in which the receiving housing part is formed in at least two parts, namely the lower part and the upper part. This is because the terminal device can then be inserted into the pressure measuring chamber by opening or removing the upper part from the lower part, whereby accessibility to the pressure measuring chamber from the mouthpiece housing part is not absolutely necessary.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper part of the receiving housing part can be at least partially transparent and / or formed by a viewing window unit. This allows the user to read the information on the terminal's display even when the terminal is inserted and / or plugged into the receiving housing part. This simplifies the operation of the terminal, preferably the operation of the terminal's touch display, and also the arrangement.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the viewing window unit can be formed by a preferably rigid frame and a transparent film arranged within the frame. The frame in particular makes the viewing window unit inherently stable, thus facilitating handling during assembly.

[0029] Particularly preferably, the receiving housing part can be provided with a sealing element arranged between the upper part, preferably the frame of the viewing window unit, and the lower part of the receiving housing. The sealing element ensures a pressure-tight connection between the upper part and the lower part.

[0030] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper part, preferably the viewing window unit, can be connected to the lower part of the receiving housing part by means of a hinge and clamp arrangement. The receiving housing part can be opened and closed by means of the hinge and clamp arrangement, so that the terminal device can be inserted into the receiving housing part in a particularly simple manner.

[0031] By way of example, it can be provided that the hinge and clamp lock arrangement is formed by at least one hinge and at least one clamp lock. It can preferably be provided that the mouthpiece housing part and the lower part of the receiving housing part are provided and / or manufactured as a single unit or in one piece.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the arrangement may include a blocking device arranged in the pressure equalization passage. Preferably, the blocking device may be designed and / or suitable for preventing a mass transfer, preferably an exchange of liquid, vapor, and / or solid matter, between the breathing air passage and the pressure measurement chamber. Contamination of the pressure measurement chamber or the terminal device with components of the breathing air flow, such as moisture or solid particles, can be reliably prevented by means of the blocking device.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the blocking device can be formed by a filter or a preferably elastic membrane. Compared to, for example, a flap arrangement, the elastic membrane has the advantage of being easy to manufacture.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the blocking device can be designed and / or adapted to allow pressure changes in the breathing air passage to propagate, preferably unattenuated and / or unhindered, into the pressure measuring chamber. Thus, the use of the blocking device does not affect the detection quality of the pressure changes in the pressure measuring chamber.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement can be provided with a mouthpiece attachment element with an attachment element passage. Preferably, the mouthpiece attachment element can be coupled to the mouthpiece housing part in the region of the breathing opening such that a flow connection exists between the attachment element passage and the breathing air passage. The mouthpiece element enables easier handling of the arrangement, as the assembly comprising the receiving housing part and the mouthpiece housing part does not have to be positioned directly near the user's face in order to breathe through the breathing air passage. This makes using the arrangement more comfortable.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the mouthpiece attachment element is formed by a corrugated hose element, preferably made of plastic. The corrugated hose is flexible and can therefore be manually adjusted to the user's wishes. Because the corrugated hose element is made of plastic, it is easy to clean. In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the pressure sensor is designed and / or suitable for determining the absolute air pressure, preferably as a reference pressure, in the pressure measuring chamber at predefined time intervals and / or at times dynamically selected by the software and for outputting measurement signals corresponding to the absolute air pressure. The times can, for example, be before, after and / or between spirometric activities.The pressure sensor can always measure the absolute air pressure, which varies immediately during spirometry and otherwise always represents the ambient pressure.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device may include an evaluation unit that is in signal communication with the pressure sensor. Preferably, the evaluation unit may be configured and / or adapted to receive and further process pressure measurement signals output by the pressure sensor. The hardware and software of the terminal device are used to acquire and evaluate the pressure measurement signals. This significantly reduces manufacturing costs compared to known arrangements. It also makes it possible to manufacture the mouthpiece housing part and the receiving housing part as completely passive components, without electrical or electronic components.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit can be formed by electronic components and / or software, preferably installed on the terminal device. No additional components and / or software are required besides the terminal device.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the evaluation unit is designed and / or suitable for determining a respiratory volume flow in the respiratory air passage, preferably indirectly, on the basis of the pressure measurement signals. The respiratory volume flow is a common measurement variable in respiratory therapy and spirometry, which allows conclusions to be drawn about the user's breathing in a simple manner. In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the terminal has at least one output unit, and that the evaluation unit is preferably designed and / or suitable for controlling the output unit in such a way that information about the respiratory volume flow is output via the output unit, preferably to a user of the arrangement. The user can therefore directly read off his respiratory performance or his progress during respiratory training, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the output unit can be used to provide the user with, for example,his progress in breathing training is communicated acoustically.

[0040] Preferably, the information on the respiratory volume flow can include key figures, training success and / or a comparison with control groups, etc.

[0041] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit can be configured and / or adapted to exchange information with a central server. Preferably, the evaluation unit can be configured and / or adapted to transfer the information about the respiratory volume flow to the central server. The information can thus be easily made accessible to a broad range of users, such as physicians, clinics, health insurance companies, etc.

[0042] For example, the central server may be a medical provider or a telemedicine server. Preferably, the telemedicine server may implement machine learning methods or artificial intelligence, for example.

[0043] By way of example, it can be provided that the mouthpiece housing part is detachably connected to the receiving housing part, preferably via a bayonet connection. Preferably, it can be provided that the mouthpiece housing part can be connected to the receiving housing part by plugging, turning, sliding, and / or folding. By way of example, it can be provided that the breathing air passage extends at least partially or completely through the mouthpiece housing part.

[0044] For example, it can be provided that the pressure equalization passage extends at least partially or completely through the mouthpiece housing part.

[0045] Preferably, the arrangement may comprise two or more pressure equalization passages, wherein the two or more pressure equalization passages may preferably extend parallel to one another. Like the blocking device, the plurality of preferably thin and long pressure equalization passages serve to prevent moisture or solids from entering the pressure measuring chamber.

[0046] For example, it can be provided that a longitudinal axis of the breathing air passage and a longitudinal axis of the pressure equalization passage run in a common plane and / or intersect and / or are arranged at right angles to one another.

[0047] Preferably, it can be provided that the mouthpiece housing part rests pressure-tight against the receiving housing part, wherein it can preferably be provided that the mouthpiece housing part rests against the receiving housing part with the interposition of a mouthpiece sealing element.

[0048] Preferably, the mouthpiece housing part can be partially or entirely made of plastic. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving housing part can be partially or entirely made of plastic.

[0049] Particularly preferably, it can be provided that the software on the terminal device guides the user in performing spirometry or breathing training visually via the display of the terminal device and / or acoustically via a loudspeaker of the terminal device and answers or processes user instructions in a visual and / or acoustic dialogue. For example, a spoken start instruction from the user can be recognized by the terminal device via the software. Preferably, the term "passage" or passages, such as, for example, breathing air passage, pressure equalization passage and / or passage section, refers to material-free areas through which a gas flow, such as, for example, a breathing air flow, can be passed, preferably guided.

[0050] According to the invention, a method is proposed, preferably for assembling and / or using an arrangement as described above, comprising a provision step in which a receiving housing part, a mouthpiece housing part with a breathing air passage and a terminal device are provided, a first assembly step in which the terminal device is inserted and / or plugged into the receiving housing part, a second assembly step in which the mouthpiece housing part is connected to the receiving housing part, and an application step in which a user of the arrangement inhales and / or exhales a breathing air stream through the breathing air passage.

[0051] The advantages associated with the method correspond to the advantages already described in connection with the arrangement.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that, during the application step, a pressure sensor of the terminal device detects pressure changes in a pressure measuring chamber which is delimited to the outside at least partially by the mouthpiece housing part and at least partially by the receiving housing part.

[0053] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the terminal device has an evaluation unit which is in signal connection with the pressure sensor, and that in the application step the evaluation unit receives and further processes pressure measurement signals output by the pressure sensor.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that in the application step the evaluation unit determines a respiratory volume flow in the respiratory air passage, preferably indirectly, based on the pressure measurement signals.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the terminal device has at least one output unit which is controlled by the evaluation unit in the application step such that information about the respiratory volume flow is output via the output unit, preferably to a user of the arrangement or to a central server.

[0056] According to the invention, an arrangement is also proposed, preferably a pneumotachograph, a spirometer and / or a breathing trainer, with a receiving housing part, a mouthpiece housing part, a pressure measuring chamber, a breathing air passage, and a pressure equalization passage, wherein the mouthpiece housing part is connected to the receiving housing part, wherein the pressure measuring chamber is at least partially delimited by the mouthpiece housing part and at least partially by the receiving housing part, and wherein the pressure measuring chamber is in flow connection with the ambient air, preferably exclusively, via the pressure equalization outlet and the breathing air passage.

[0057] Preferably, it can be provided that at least the pressure measuring chamber or at least the receiving housing part is designed and / or suitable such that the terminal device can be inserted or plugged into the pressure measuring chamber.

[0058] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0059] They show:

[0060] Fig. 1 shows a top view of an arrangement comprising a receiving housing part, a mouthpiece housing part and a smartphone;

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the arrangement according to Fig. 1;

[0062] Fig. 3 shows the receiving housing in a perspective sectional view;

[0063] Fig. 4 in a perspective view the mouthpiece housing part, and

[0064] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the mouthpiece housing part. Figure 1 shows an assembly 1 in a top view. The assembly 1 can be used as a spirometer, pneumotachograph, and / or as a breathing trainer. The assembly 1 comprises a pocket-shaped housing part 3, which is open only on one side via an opening, as shown in Figure 2, and a mouthpiece housing part 5. The mouthpiece housing part 5 is made of a single material and is formed in one piece and has a base body section 7 and a shoulder body section 9.

[0065] As shown in Figure 2, the mouthpiece housing part 5 with the shoulder body section 9 is completely releasably inserted into an interior space 11 of the receiving housing part 3, which is delimited by the receiving housing part 3. A contact surface 13 (see, for example, Figures 4 and 5) of the mouthpiece housing part 5 lies flat against an opening edge surface 15 (see Figure 2) of the opening of the receiving housing part 3.

[0066] The mouthpiece housing part 5 and the receiving housing part 3 define a pressure measuring chamber 17, in which a terminal device 21 having a pressure sensor 19 is arranged. A breathing air passage 23 and a pressure equalization passage 25 extend through the mouthpiece housing part 5. The breathing air passage 23 has a breathing opening 27 and a throttle opening 29, via which the breathing air passage 23 is fluidly connected to the ambient air. The pressure equalization passage 25 branches off from the breathing air passage 23 and fluidically connects the breathing air passage 23 to the pressure measuring chamber 17. The pressure equalization passage 25 branches off from the breathing air passage 23 approximately centrally between the breathing opening 27 of the breathing air passage 23 and the throttle opening 29 of the breathing air passage 23, as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5.The longitudinal axis of the breathing air passage 23 and the longitudinal axis of the pressure equalization passage 25 lie in one plane and extend approximately at right angles to each other.

[0067] The breathing air passage 23 is formed by a breathing-side passage section 31 and a throttle-side passage section 33, each of which has the shape of a circular cylinder. The throttle-side passage section 33 directly adjoins the throttle opening 29 of the breathing air passage 23 and extends to the breathing-side passage section 31. The breathing-side passage section 31 directly adjoins the breathing opening 27 of the breathing air passage 23 and extends to the throttle-side passage section 33. The flow cross-sectional area of ​​the breathing-side passage section 31 is larger than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the throttle-side passage section 33 by a passage section multiplication factor.The pass-through section multiplication factor can be in a range from 1 to 8, preferably in a range from 1.2 to 6, particularly preferably in a range from 1.5 to 4, whereby it can most preferably be provided that it is exactly 2. For very athletic users of the arrangement, a pass-through multiplication factor of approximately 1.2 can be selected. On the other hand, for less athletic users or children, a pass-through multiplication factor of approximately 6 can be selected.

[0068] The pressure equalization passage 25 has the shape of a circular cylinder. The diameter of the breath-side passage section 31 is larger than the diameter of the pressure equalization passage 25 by a pressure equalization multiplication factor. The pressure equalization multiplication factor can be in a range from 1 to 10,000, preferably from 5 to 5,000, particularly preferably in a range from 10 to 2,500, whereby the pressure equalization multiplication factor can most preferably be exactly 600. For example, instead of just one pressure equalization passage 25, ten pressure equalization passages can be provided, which are identical geometrically and in terms of their dimensions. The pressure equalization multiplication factor for each pressure equalization passage is approximately 600. It is crucial that the pressure propagates unhindered, but no humidity reaches the terminal device. Therefore, the length of the passage is just as relevant as its diameter.Advantageously, a ratio between the diameter of the or one of the pressure equalization passages 25 and a length of the or one of the pressure equalization passages 25 is in a range from 0.02 to 0.5, preferably in a range between 0.05 and 0.2. Most preferably, the ratio is exactly 0.1.

[0069] The breathing-side passage section 31 and the pressure equalization passage 25 are each bounded radially outward by the mouthpiece housing part 5. The assembly 1 also has a throttle orifice 35, which is releasably attached to the mouthpiece housing part 5 in the region of the throttle-side passage section 33. The throttle-side passage section 33 is bounded radially outward exclusively by the throttle orifice 35.

[0070] A pressure-tight connection is provided in a joining area between the mouthpiece housing part 5 and the receiving housing part 3. This means that no gas exchange occurs in the joining area between the mouthpiece housing part 5 and the receiving housing part 3, and that the only flow connection between the pressure measuring chamber 17 and the ambient air exists via the pressure equalization passage 25.

[0071] The receiving housing part 3 has an inner surface 37 which is at least partially formed by four ribs 39, as shown in Figure 3. Instead of the ribs 39, however, knobs, for example, can also be used, in which case the inner surface 37 is then at least partially formed by the knobs. The terminal device 21 plugged into the receiving housing part 3 is only in contact with the rib cover surfaces of the ribs 39, so that the rib cover surfaces form a contact surface area between the inner surface 37 and the terminal device 21. Thus, there is only very small contact area between the terminal device 21 and the inner surface 37, namely between the rib cover surfaces and a rear side of the terminal device 21. Due to the small contact area, unhindered accessibility of the pressure sensor 19 is reliably guaranteed, even with different terminal device models.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, an elastic membrane 38 (see Figure 5) is arranged in the pressure equalization passage 25, forming a blocking device. The membrane 38 prevents liquid, vapor, and solids contained in the breathing air stream from entering the pressure measuring chamber 17 via the pressure equalization passage 25. Likewise, pressure changes in the breathing air passage 23 propagate unattenuated and unhindered through the membrane 38 into the pressure measuring chamber 17. If a membrane is provided in an embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the pressure equalization passage can be selected to be as large as possible. In this case, the entry of liquid, vapor, and / or solids into the pressure measuring chamber is ensured not by the geometry of the pressure equalization passage (length and diameter), but by the membrane.

[0073] The use of the arrangement 1 as a spirometer using the pressure sensor 19 provided in the terminal 21 is described below.

[0074] First, in a provision step, the receiving housing part 3, the mouthpiece housing part 5 and the terminal device 21 are provided.

[0075] The assembly 1 is then assembled in an assembly step. A first assembly step and a second assembly step are provided for this purpose. In the first assembly step, the terminal device 21 is inserted into the pocket-shaped receiving housing part 3 so that it rests on the ribs, specifically on the rib cover surfaces of the ribs, of the receiving housing part 3.

[0076] In the second assembly step, the mouthpiece housing part 5 with the shoulder body section 9 is inserted into the interior space 11 of the receiving housing part 3, which is defined by the receiving housing part 3. After completion of the second assembly step, the pressure measuring chamber 17 is pressure-tightly closed, with the exception of the flow connection via the pressure equalization passage 25. The assembly 1 is thus fully assembled and ready for use as a spirometer.

[0077] In an application step, a user using the assembly 1 inhales and / or exhales breathing air through the breathing air passage 23. During exhalation, the breathing air exhaled by the user flows through the mouthpiece housing part 5 via the breathing air passage 23 in an exhalation direction AR (see Figure 5). During inhalation, the breathing air inhaled by the user flows through the mouthpiece housing part 5 via the breathing air passage 23 in an inhalation direction ER (see Figure 5).

[0078] When the user inhales and / or exhales as described above, pressure changes occur in the breathing air passage 23. This means that during inhalation, the air pressure in the breathing air passage 23 is lower than the ambient pressure. Conversely, during exhalation, the air pressure in the breathing air passage 23 is higher than the ambient pressure.

[0079] Due to the flow connection between the breathing air passage 23 and the pressure measuring chamber 17 via the pressure equalization passage 25, pressure changes also occur in the pressure measuring chamber 17 that are identical to the pressure changes in the breathing air passage 23 and / or at least correlate with the pressure changes in the breathing air passage 23. The pressure changes occur simultaneously in the breathing air passage 23 and the pressure measuring chamber 17.

[0080] The pressure changes occurring in the pressure measurement chamber 17 are detected by the pressure sensor 19, designed as an absolute pressure sensor, converted into pressure measurement signals, output to an evaluation unit 40 of the terminal device 21, and correlated to any reference pressure or the ambient air pressure determined at the start of the application. The evaluation unit 40 can be formed by electronic components and a software application installed on the terminal device 21. Based on the pressure measurement signals transmitted by the pressure sensor 19, the evaluation unit 40 indirectly determines a respiratory volume flow as a measured variable. The respiratory volume flow is determined, for example, by temporally resolving the pressure changes.

[0081] Information about the respiratory flow rate is output graphically by the evaluation unit 40 via a display 41 of the terminal device 21. Additionally or alternatively, the information about the respiratory flow rate can be output acoustically via a loudspeaker (not shown) of the terminal device 21. Furthermore, the information about the respiratory flow rate can be output from the evaluation unit 40 to a central server (not shown). List of reference symbols:

[0082] 1 arrangement

[0083] 3 Housing part

[0084] 5 Mouthpiece housing part

[0085] 7 Main body section

[0086] 9 Paragraph body section

[0087] 11 Interior

[0088] 13 Contact surface of the mouthpiece housing part

[0089] 15 Opening edge area

[0090] 17 Pressure measuring chamber

[0091] 19 Pressure sensor

[0092] 21 end device

[0093] 23 Breathing air passage

[0094] 25 Pressure equalization passage

[0095] 27 breathing opening

[0096] 29 Throttle opening

[0097] 31 breathing-side passage section

[0098] 33 throttle-side passage section

[0099] 35 throttle plate

[0100] 37 inner surface

[0101] 38 membrane

[0102] 39 rib

[0103] 40 Evaluation unit

[0104] 41 Display

[0105] ER inhalation direction

[0106] AR Exhalation direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement, preferably a pneumotachograph, a spirometer and / or a breathing trainer, comprising: a receiving housing part (3), a mouthpiece housing part (5), and a terminal device which has a pressure sensor (19), wherein the terminal device is arranged in a pressure measuring chamber (17) of the arrangement (1), which is partially delimited by the receiving housing part (3) and partially by the mouthpiece housing part (5), wherein the pressure measuring chamber (17) is in flow connection with a breathing air passage (23) of the arrangement (1), and wherein the arrangement (1) is designed and / or suitable for pressure changes in the pressure measuring chamber (17) and / or in the breathing air passage (23) to be detectable by means of the pressure sensor (19) of the terminal device.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the breathing air passage (23) is in flow connection with the pressure measuring chamber (17) via a pressure equalization passage (25) of the arrangement (1).

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the breathing air passage (23) is partially or completely assigned to the mouthpiece housing part (5), and / or that the pressure equalization passage (25) is partially or completely assigned to the mouthpiece housing part (5).

4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mouthpiece housing part (5) and / or the receiving housing part (3) is a passive component, and / or that the mouthpiece housing part (5) and / or the receiving housing part (3) is free of electrical components and / or free of electronic components.

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the pressure equalization passage (25) has a breathing opening (27) and a throttle opening (29), and / or that the pressure equalization passage (25) is delimited radially outwards at least partially by a shoulder body section (9) of the mouthpiece housing part (5) and / or at least partially by a base body section (7) of the mouthpiece housing part (5).

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the pressure equalization passage (25) branches off from the breathing air passage (23), preferably between the breathing opening (27) of the breathing air passage (23) and the throttle opening (29) of the breathing air passage (23).

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the breathing air passage (23) is formed by a breathing-side passage section (31) and a throttle-side passage section (33).

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the breath-side passage section (31) is larger by a passage section multiplication factor than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the throttle-side passage section (33).

9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the pass-section multiplication factor has an amount in a range from 1 to 8, preferably in a range from 1.2 to 6, particularly preferably in a range from 1.5 to 4, wherein it can most preferably be provided that the pass-section multiplication factor has an amount of exactly 2.

10. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the breathing-side passage section (31) is larger by a pressure compensation multiplication factor than the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the pressure compensation passage (25).

11. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the pressure compensation multiplication factor has an amount in a range from 1 to 100, preferably in a range from 2 to 75, particularly preferably in a range from 3 to 50, wherein it can most preferably be provided that the pressure compensation multiplication factor has an amount of exactly 25.

12. Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the breath-side passage section (31) and / or the throttle-side passage section (33) each have the shape of a cylinder or truncated cone with or without concave portions, preferably the shape of a right circular cylinder.

13. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement (1) has a throttle plate (35), wherein it can preferably be provided that the throttle plate (35) is connected, preferably detachably, to the mouthpiece housing part (5).

14. Arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the throttle orifice (35) is arranged in the region of the throttle-side passage section (33).

15. Arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the throttle-side passage section (33) is limited radially outwards, preferably exclusively, by the throttle orifice (35).

16. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal (21) is formed by a mobile phone, preferably by a smartphone.

17. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure sensor (19) is formed by a Absolute air pressure sensor is formed.

18. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that the absolute air pressure sensor is formed by a barometer of the terminal device (21), preferably by a barometer of the smartphone.

19. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving housing part (3) has an inner surface (37) with a contact surface area on which the terminal device rests at least partially.

20. Arrangement according to claim 19, characterized in that the inner surface (37) is formed at least partially by spacer structures, preferably by at least one rib (39) of the receiving housing part (3) and / or at least one knob of the receiving housing part (3), wherein it is preferably provided that a rib cover surface of the at least one rib (39) forms the contact surface region.

21. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving housing part (3) is formed by a lower part of the receiving housing part (3) and by an upper part of the receiving housing part (3), wherein it is preferably provided that the lower part is connected to the mouthpiece housing part in one piece and / or in a uniform material and / or in a non-detachable manner.

22. Arrangement according to claim 21, characterized in that the upper part of the receiving housing part (3) is at least partially transparent and / or is formed by a viewing window unit.

23. Arrangement according to claim 22, characterized in that the viewing window unit is formed by a preferably rigid frame and a transparent film arranged in the frame.

24. Arrangement according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the upper part, preferably the viewing window unit, is connected to the lower part of the receiving housing part (3) by means of a hinge and clamping arrangement.

25. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 24, characterized in that the arrangement (1) has a blocking device which is arranged in the pressure equalization passage (25), wherein it is preferably provided that the blocking device is designed and / or suitable for preventing a mass exchange, preferably an exchange of liquid, vapor and / or solid between the breathing air passage (23) and the pressure measuring chamber (17).

26. Arrangement according to claim 25, characterized in that the blocking device is formed by a filter or by a preferably elastic membrane (38).

27. Arrangement according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the blocking device is designed and / or suitable for allowing pressure changes in the breathing air passage (23) to propagate, preferably unattenuated and / or unhindered, into the pressure measuring chamber (17).

28. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement (1) has a mouthpiece attachment element with an attachment element passage, wherein it can preferably be provided that the mouthpiece attachment element is coupled to the mouthpiece housing part (5) in the region of the breathing opening (27) in such a way that between the There is a flow connection between the attachment element passage and the breathing air passage (25).

29. Arrangement according to claim 28, characterized in that the mouthpiece attachment element is formed by a corrugated hose element, preferably made of plastic.

30. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure sensor (19) is designed and / or suitable for determining the absolute air pressure as a reference pressure in the pressure measuring chamber (17) at predefined time intervals and / or at times dynamically selected by the software and for outputting measurement signals corresponding to the absolute air pressure. 31 . Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal device has an evaluation unit (40) which is in signal connection with the pressure sensor (19), wherein it is preferably provided that the evaluation unit (40) is designed and / or suitable for receiving and further processing pressure measurement signals output by the pressure sensor (19).

32. Arrangement according to claim 31, characterized in that the evaluation unit (40) is formed by electronic components and / or software, preferably installed on the terminal device.

33. Arrangement according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the evaluation unit (40) is designed and / or suitable for determining, preferably indirectly, both an inspiratory and an expiratory respiratory volume flow in the breathing air passage (23) on the basis of the pressure measurement signals.

34. Arrangement according to one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that the terminal has at least one output unit, and that the Evaluation unit (40) is preferably designed and / or suitable for controlling the output unit in such a way that information about the respiratory volume flow is output via the output unit, preferably to a user of the arrangement (1).

35. Arrangement according to claim 34, characterized in that the evaluation unit (40) is designed and / or suitable for exchanging information with a central server, wherein it is preferably provided that the evaluation unit (40) is designed and / or suitable for transferring the information about the respiratory volume flow to the central server, wherein it is particularly preferably provided that the server is connected to a healthcare provider and / or that the central server is a telemedicine server.

36. Method, preferably for assembling and / or using an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 35, comprising: a provision step in which a receiving housing part (3), a mouthpiece housing part (5) with a breathing air passage (23) and a terminal device are provided, a first assembly step in which the terminal device is inserted and / or plugged into the receiving housing part (3), a second assembly step in which the mouthpiece housing part (5) is connected to the receiving housing part (3), and an application step in which a user of the arrangement (1) inhales and / or exhales a breathing air stream through the breathing air passage (23).

37. Method according to claim 36, characterized in that in the application step, a pressure sensor (19) of the terminal device detects pressure changes in a pressure measuring chamber (17) which is delimited at least partially by the mouthpiece housing part (5) and at least partially by the receiving housing part (3).

38. Method according to claim 37, characterized in that the terminal device has an evaluation unit (40) which is in signal connection with the pressure sensor (19), and in that in the application step the evaluation unit receives and further processes pressure measurement signals output by the pressure sensor (19).

39. Method according to claim 38, characterized in that in the application step the evaluation unit (40) determines a respiratory volume flow in the respiratory air passage (23), preferably indirectly, on the basis of the pressure measurement signals.

40. Method according to claim 39, characterized in that the terminal device has at least one output unit which, in the application step, is controlled by the evaluation unit (40) such that information about the respiratory volume flow is output via the output unit, preferably to a user of the arrangement (1) or to a central server.

41. Arrangement, preferably a pneumotachograph, a spirometer and / or a breathing trainer, comprising: a receiving housing part (3), a mouthpiece housing part (5), a pressure measuring chamber (17), a breathing air passage, and a pressure equalization passage, wherein the mouthpiece housing part (5) is connected to the receiving housing part (3), wherein the pressure measuring chamber (17) is at least partially delimited by the mouthpiece housing part (5) and at least partially by the receiving housing part (3), and wherein the pressure measuring chamber (17) is in flow connection with the ambient air via the pressure equalization outlet (25) and the breathing air passage (23).

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