Connection socket for medical ventilator with easily removable filter

Abstract

Title of the Invention: Connection Plug for Medical Ventilator with Easily Removable Filter. The invention relates to a connection plug (1) for a medical ventilator (10), preferably of the NIST or DISS type, comprising a plug body (2) with an internal passage (3) connecting an inlet port (4) and an outlet port (5), and comprising flow control means (6, 7). A filter element (8) is arranged in the internal passage (3) of the plug body (2). The filter element (8) is mounted in a removable manner within the internal passage (3) of the plug body (2). Insertion or extraction of the filter element (8) is carried out through the inlet port (4) of the internal passage (3) located on the free proximal end (1a) of the plug body (2). Medical ventilator (10) comprising an internal gas circuit (12) in fluidic communication with such a connection plug (1). Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Connection socket for medical ventilator with easily removable filter

[0001] The invention relates to a connection socket for a medical ventilator, and a medical ventilator equipped with such a connection socket allowing the ventilator to be supplied with a medical gas, typically oxygen.

[0002] Among the most commonly used connection plugs for supplying gases are NIST (Non-Interchangeable Screw-Threaded Connector) and DISS (Diameter Index Safety System) type plugs. These connection plugs can be mounted directly on respiratory support devices, i.e., medical ventilators, used to supply a respiratory gas, for example air or oxygen-enriched air, to patients suffering from respiratory disorders.

[0003] The inlet is in fluidic communication with the internal gas circuit or path of the medical ventilator and also provides the connection for a medical gas source supplying the medical ventilator. Thus, it can be supplied with oxygen so as to enrich the air supplied by the medical ventilator's micro-blower to the patient with oxygen, i.e., to produce an oxygen-enriched airflow (i.e., O2 content > 21% vol.).

[0004] These connection sockets usually include a socket body traversed axially by an internal passage comprising means for controlling the gas flow in the internal passage, namely generally a movable valve cooperating with a valve seat, typically a silicone or similar valve.

[0005] A known problem is related to internal contamination of the intake and internal gas circuit of the fan by dust or other particulate pollutants which may enter through the connection port, and then damage the valve and / or prevent a good fluid seal from being ensured by it.

[0006] Indeed, not all gas sources are perfectly clean and moreover the storage and / or non-use of medical ventilators for longer or shorter periods can lead to the entry of dust or other particles into the connection sockets of said medical ventilators.

[0007] To try to remedy this, it has been proposed to insert a filter into a chamber made in the internal passage of the socket body, upstream of the silicone flap. However, this operation requires dismantling the connection socket, in particular removing the flap and its seat in order to insert the filter, then reassembling these elements.

[0008] Such assembly / disassembly operations of the plug and its internal components These steps must also be repeated during each maintenance of the socket and / or when replacing the filter when it is clogged, with the additional requirement to dismantle the socket of the medical ventilator on which it is attached each time.

[0009] It is easy to understand that this is not practical and very tedious, that it requires lengthy interventions by maintenance technicians and also entails risks of degradation of the medical ventilator during its maintenance, not to mention the immobilization of the medical ventilator itself which cannot be used during these maintenance operations.

[0010] In view of this, the problem that arises is to be able to simplify and accelerate the maintenance of the connection sockets of medical ventilators, preferably NIST or DISS type sockets, in particular to be able to replace a filter without having to open the medical ventilator, extract the connection socket and dismantle it to extract the filter.

[0011] The solution of the invention then relates to a connection socket for a medical ventilator comprising:

[0012] - a socket body axially traversed by an internal passage connecting an inlet orifice carried by a free proximal end of the socket body to an outlet orifice, and comprising flow control means for controlling the circulation of gas within said internal passage arranged in the internal passage between the inlet and outlet orifices, and - a filtering element arranged in the internal passage of the socket body,

[0013] characterized in that the filtering element is mounted in an extractable manner within the internal passage of the socket body, the insertion or extraction, i.e. its mounting / dismounting, of said filtering element being done through the inlet orifice of the internal passage of the socket body carried by the free proximal end of the socket body, i.e. without the need to dismantle or separate the socket.

[0014] Depending on the embodiment considered, the connection socket of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0015] - the inlet port is located at the free proximal end of the connection socket intended to connect a medical gas source to supply medical gas to the socket, such as an oxygen source. - the outlet port is located at the other end or distal end of the connection socket intended to connect to the internal gas circuit of a medical ventilator. - the gas enters the gas passage through the inlet orifice and exits through the outlet orifice, that is to say in the direction going from the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice. - The filtration element is arranged in a filter cartridge. The filter cartridge comprises a cartridge body traversed axially by an internal conduit containing the filtering element. The filter cartridge is mounted coaxially to the internal passage of the socket body. The cartridge body is shaped to be fixed by screwing into the internal passage of the socket body. The internal passage of the socket body comprises several internal sections of different diameters. the cartridge body includes a thread arranged in its outer peripheral wall. at least part of the internal passage of the grip body includes an internal tapping that complements the thread carried by the external peripheral wall of the cartridge body the cartridge body of the filter cartridge includes a front end, also called the "head", shaped to be able to be driven into rotation by a screwing tool, when screwing or unscrewing said filter cartridge within the internal passage of the socket body, in particular the front end of the cartridge body includes a recess for a screwing / unscrewing tool, for example a hexagonal recess for a hex key or similar. the cartridge body has a general tubular shape, preferably having several sections of different external diameters. the cartridge body is made of brass or any other metal or metal alloy, the filter element comprises a sintered filter, preferably of bronze, alternatively, the filter element comprises a woven filter, preferably mounted on a polymer support. The filtration element comprises a sintered filter having "pores" with diameters between approximately 60 and 100 pm. the filtration element includes a filter of conical or other shape. The flow control means include a movable valve cooperating with a valve seat. the movable flap is axially movable within the internal passage of the intake body. The filter cartridge is mounted coaxially to the internal passage of the socket body. The movable flap is made of silicone. The movable flap has an umbrella shape, that is to say it includes a stem surmounted by a disc. - it is chosen from the NIST or DISS type sockets. - the grip body is elongated in shape. - the plug body is made of brass, preferably chrome-plated or nickel-plated. - the socket body is shaped for mechanical and fluid connection simply a source of gas, especially oxygen, particularly via a gas supply line, such as a flexible hose or similar.

[0016] The invention also relates to a medical ventilator comprising an internal gas circuit in fluidic communication with a connection socket according to the invention, in particular a NIST or DISS type socket.

[0017] Depending on the embodiment considered, the medical ventilator of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features:

[0018] - the connection socket is arranged to supply the internal gas circuit with gas, in particular oxygen. - a gas source, in particular an oxygen source such as an oxygen cylinder, is fluidically connected to the fan's connection socket to supply it with gas, in particular oxygen. - a gas source is fluidly connected to the fan connection socket via a flexible gas line or similar, equipped with a connector to supplement the connection socket. - the internal gas circuit is also fluidly connected to a micro-blower, also called a turbine or compressor. - it comprises an outer casing or shell carrying the connection socket.

[0019] The invention further relates to a patient ventilation assembly comprising:

[0020] - a medical ventilator comprising a connection socket according to the invention, - a gas source, in particular oxygen, fluidly connected to the medical ventilator's connection port, and - a patient breathing interface fluidically connected to a gas outlet of the medical ventilator via a flexible gas supply tube.

[0021] The invention will now be better understood with reference to the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0022] [fig. 1] is a front view of a DISS type socket according to the invention,

[0023] [fig-2] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a DISS type socket according to the invention, represented as supported by a component of a medical ventilator,

[0024] [fig.3] is a front view of a NIST-type socket according to the invention,

[0025] [fig-4] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a NIST-type socket according to the invention, represented as supported by a component of a medical ventilator,

[0026] [fig.5] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the filter cartridge of a socket according to the invention, and

[0027] [fig.6] schematically represents a patient ventilation system comprising a ventilator medical device equipped with a socket according to the invention.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a DISS-type connection socket 1 according to the invention, and, similarly, Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a NIST-type connection socket 1 according to the invention, which sockets 1 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 are shown carried by a support piece 11 fixed to the frame 13 of a medical ventilator 10 (see Fig. 6), for example by screws or the like, and furthermore fluidly connected, via their distal end 1b, to the internal gas circuit 12 of the medical ventilator 10.

[0029] As can be seen, the structure and operation of the DISS and NIST type connection sockets 1 of [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 4] are (almost) identical. More precisely, the connection socket 1 for the medical ventilator 10, whether of the DISS or NIST type, comprises an elongated, i.e. oblong, socket body 2, through which an internal passage 3 runs axially, connecting a gas inlet 4 to a gas outlet 5.

[0030] The gas, for example oxygen, enters the gas passage 3 through the inlet orifice 4 which is carried by the free proximal end of the socket 1, and exits through the outlet orifice 5 which is carried by the distal end 1b of the socket 1, that is to say it flows in the direction from the inlet orifice 4 to the outlet orifice 5.

[0031] The socket body 2 is for example made of nickel-plated brass and is also shaped so that a gas source 20, in particular oxygen, can be mechanically and fluidly connected to it via a gas supply line, such as a flexible hose or similar, equipped with a connector 22 of complementary shape and / or structure, as illustrated in [fig.6], connecting to the free proximal end la of the socket 1.

[0032] In addition, flow control means 6, 7 are provided to control the flow of gas within the internal passage 3, which are arranged in the internal passage 3 between the inlet 4 and outlet 5 ports. Typically, the flow control means 6, 7 include a movable valve 6 cooperating with a valve seat 7, in particular a silicone valve having an umbrella shape, i.e. formed of a stem surmounted by a flat or slightly domed disc.

[0033] In order to ensure good hygiene of the intake, i.e. to prevent dust or other particulate pollutants from entering it and subsequently contaminating the internal gas circuit 12 of the medical ventilator 10, a filtration element 8 is arranged in the internal passage 3 of the grip body 2.

[0034] The filter element 8 can be inserted and fixed directly in the passage 3 or preferably, as in the proposed embodiments, indirectly by being inserted into a filter cartridge 9 comprising a cartridge body 90 traversed axially by an internal conduit 91 within which the filter element 8 is disposed, as detailed in [fig.5].

[0035] In all cases, according to the invention, the filter element 8 is mounted in an extractable manner within the internal passage 3 of the socket body 2, from the proximal end la of the socket 1 through the inlet orifice 4 of the socket body 2, that is to say that the insertion or extraction of said filter element 8 is done through the proximal end la and the inlet orifice 4 of the internal passage 3 of the socket body 2 without it being necessary to dissociate the socket 1 from the fan 10 and / or to dismantle the socket 1 itself in order to insert or extract the filter element 8.

[0036] In this embodiment, the filtration element 8 is a sintered filter, for example made of bronze, conical in shape and having pores of sufficiently small diameter to retain solid particulate pollutants and other dust, while allowing the gas that feeds the inlet 1 to pass through, for example oxygen to be supplied to the fan 10 by an oxygen source, such as an oxygen cylinder. For example, a sintered bronze filter with pores of approximately 50 to 100 µm can be used. Of course, another type of filter can be used.

[0037] As seen in [fig.5], in order to allow its fixing by screwing in the internal passage 3, the cartridge body 90 is shaped to have a thread 92 on its external peripheral wall 93, which is complementary to a tapping 30 provided in the inlet region 31 of the passage 3 of the socket body 2 so as to allow fixing by screwing of the filter cartridge 9 within the passage 3 of the socket body 2 as illustrated in [fig.2] and [fig.4].

[0038] In order to facilitate its assembly by screwing and its disassembly by unscrewing, the cartridge body 90 of the filter cartridge 9 also includes a front end 94 shaped to be able to be driven in rotation by a screwing tool, when screwing or unscrewing the filter cartridge 9 within the internal passage 3 of the grip body 2, via the proximal end la of the grip 1, as seen in [fig.1] and [fig.3], for example a hexagonal shape recess 95 able to cooperate with a hex key.

[0039] In the embodiments presented, the cartridge body 90 has a general tubular shape comprising several successive sections of different external diameters, namely here a front section SI with a diameter smaller than that of the rear section S2, as illustrated in [fig.5]. It can be made of brass or another metal or metal alloy.

[0040] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a patient ventilation system including a medical ventilator 10, i.e., a respiratory support device, comprising an outer casing or shell 13 carrying the connection socket 1. In other words, the socket 1 of the invention is attached to the casing 13, for example, by means of the support piece 11 visible in Figures 2 and 4. In other words, the socket 1 of the invention protrudes outwards from the casing 13 of the ventilator 10.

[0041] The connection socket 1 according to the invention is advantageously a NIST or DISS type socket. When the socket 1 is of the DISS type, care is taken to ensure that it meets the geometric requirements defined by standard CGA V-5-2008, and the geometric requirements of standard NF EN ISO 5359 when the socket 1 is of the NIST type.

[0042] As already explained, the connection socket 1 of the invention is in fluidic communication, on the one hand, via its proximal end 1a, with a medical gas source 20, typically an oxygen source, for example a compressed oxygen cylinder, supplying the medical gas to the inlet port 4 of the socket 1 and, on the other hand, with the internal gas circuit 12 of the medical ventilator 10 in order to supply the medical gas, typically oxygen, to said circuit 12 through the outlet port 5 carried by the distal end 1b of the socket 1. This makes it possible, for example, to enrich with oxygen the airflow delivered by the micro-blower, also called turbine or compressor, of the ventilator 10 and to supply oxygen-enriched air (i.e. O2 content > 21% vol.) to a patient.

[0043] The medical gas source 20 is connected to the ventilator 10 via a flexible gas line 21 or similar equipped with a connection connector 22 complementary to the connection plug 1, for example forming together a male / female type connection.

[0044] Furthermore, the ventilator 10 also includes a gas outlet 14 which is fluidly connected to a patient breathing interface 40, such as a breathing mask or similar, via a flexible gas supply hose 41.

[0045] The ventilator 10 can be used not only in a hospital setting but also in the field, i.e. in an emergency vehicle such as a SAMU, SMUR or similar.

Claims

1.

2.

3. Claims Connection socket (1) for medical ventilator (10) comprising: - a plug body (2) axially traversed by an internal passage (3) connecting an inlet orifice (4) carried by a free proximal end (la) of the plug body (2) to an outlet orifice (5), and comprising flow control means (6, 7) for controlling the circulation of the gas within said internal passage (3) arranged in the internal passage (3) between the inlet (4) and outlet (5) orifices, and - a filter element (8) arranged in the internal passage (3) of the grip body (2), the filter element (8) being mounted in an extractable manner within the internal passage (3) of the grip body (2), the insertion or extraction of said filter element (8) being carried out via the inlet orifice (4) of the internal passage (3) carried by the free proximal end (la) of the grip body (2), said filter element (8) being arranged in a filter cartridge (9) comprising a cartridge body (90) axially traversed by an internal conduit (91), arranged in the internal conduit (91), characterized in that the cartridge body (90) with filter (9) comprises: - a thread (92) arranged in its external peripheral wall (93) to be fixed by screwing in the internal passage (3) of the socket body (2), at least a part of the internal passage (3) of the socket body (2) comprising an internal tapping (30) complementary to the thread (92) carried by the external peripheral wall (93) of the cartridge body (90), and - a front end (94) shaped to be able to be rotated by a screwing tool, when screwing or unscrewing the filter cartridge (9) within the internal passage (3) of the socket body (2). Socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the thread (30) is arranged in an inlet region (31) of the passage (3) of the socket body (2). Socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the front end (94) of the cartridge body (90) comprises an imprint (95) for a screwing / unscrewing tool.

4. Socket according to claim 3, characterized in that the imprint (95) is hexagonal in shape for a 6-sided key.

5. Socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter element (8) is a sintered filter.

6. Socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control means (6, 7) comprise a movable valve (6) cooperating with a valve seat (7).

7. Socket according to claim 6, characterized in that the movable valve (6) is made of silicone.

8. Socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is chosen from NIST or DISS type sockets.

9. A medical ventilator (10) comprising an internal gas circuit (12) in fluid communication with a connection socket (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. A patient ventilation assembly (10, 20, 40) comprising: - a medical ventilator (10) comprising a connection socket (1) according to claim 9, - a gas source (20), in particular oxygen, fluidly connected to the connection socket (1) of the medical ventilator (10), and - a patient respiratory interface (40) fluidly connected to a gas outlet (14) of the medical ventilator (10) via a flexible gas supply hose (41).

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