Arrangement of a respiratory assistance device

Abstract

[The invention relates to an arrangement of a breathing assistance device (1) comprising a housing (2), a controlled ventilation device (3), an associated electrical energy management device (4), a first support means (10) suitable for fixing the controlled ventilation device to the housing, a second support means (20) suitable for fixing the electrical energy management device to the housing, characterized in that said first support means (10) comprises at least one plate (11) on which all or part of the controlled ventilation device is arranged, and in that said second support means (20) comprises at least one base plate (21) on which at least one functional control element is arranged, in particular at least one functional electrical power element selected from an electrical battery (22) and / or an electrical power supply (23).The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing this device, as well as the respiratory assistance device. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2].

Description

Title of the invention: Arrangement of a respiratory assistance device

[0001] Technical field of the invention The present invention is in the field of respiratory assistance devices as intended to be used to assist, or even replace, the breathing of patients, implementing a device for pumping a gas flow.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an arrangement of a respiratory assistance device for a patient in his respiratory function.

[0003] Prior art Ventilation devices, particularly centrifugal ventilators, are known to assist a patient's respiratory function. These devices generally consist of a centrifugal fan housed within a casing and primarily composed of a high-speed rotating impeller. The impeller, equipped with blades, is driven by a motor and rotates within a volute. The gas flow is drawn in through an inlet opening in the casing and expelled through an outlet opening, after passing through the fan (comprising the motorized impeller and volute assembly) and through gas flow circulation channels located inside the casing, both upstream and downstream of the fan.

[0004] Respiratory assistance is based on distinct types of ventilation: - spontaneous ventilation, which can be supplemented by oxygen via mask or nasal resuscitator, - Non-invasive ventilation, which often uses a face mask and whose particularity lies in the principle of leaky ventilation, requiring numerous adjustments, - Invasive ventilation, which requires an invasive interface, such as an endotracheal tube, between the patient and the ventilator. Due to its invasive nature, such assistance is recommended during the resuscitation phases of patients. Because of their use in intensive care, such devices are complex to implement, particularly because they incorporate technologies specific to the medically risky situations of resuscitation phases for hospitalized patients.

[0005] In the context of a global pandemic, invasive ventilation support devices are scarce for a global health situation, such as that which occurs during a pandemic. COVID-19 has highlighted the fact that currently implemented respiratory support devices are expensive, Complex to manufacture and / or requiring the use of subcontractors who possess the necessary molds for injection molding of components, particularly ventilation devices, make it impossible to produce sufficient quantities of respiratory assistance devices to meet surge demand. Even if such production were to begin, transportation constraints drastically limit its distribution; therefore, it is essential to produce these respiratory assistance devices locally and with complete autonomy.

[0006] Presentation of the invention A general problem to be solved for these respiratory assistance devices lies in their large-scale manufacture in order to offer a solution that is technically simple in its implementation and less expensive than known invasive ventilation devices to respond more specifically to the emergency problem in the event of a pandemic, that is arranged in such a way as to reduce the noise and vibration impact of both the motor organ and the circulation of the gas flow through it, and that is also mobile and energy self-sufficient while meeting the safety and ergonomic requirements for the user. It is within this framework that the respiratory assistance device was developed.

[0007] The general object of the present invention is to propose an arrangement of a respiratory assistance device comprising a controlled ventilation device to assist a patient in their respiratory function,

[0008] The inventive approach of the present invention consisted, as a whole, of organizing and improving a respiratory assistance device to guarantee its functional and structural stability. Furthermore, its intended use in dynamic environments dictated the design to make it a self-contained, portable, and easily maneuverable device. It was also designed to meet safety requirements in order to protect users against all risks, particularly those related to accessing electrical areas. In its design, the device is based on a mechanical separation of the air and electrical circuits so that any fluid leakage has little or no impact on the normal operation of the device, thus ensuring long-term use. The respiratory assistance device was designed for industrialization with simplified, rapid, and economical deployment.

[0009] Summary of the invention The invention relates to an arrangement of a respiratory assistance device comprising a housing, a controlled ventilation device, an associated electrical power management device, a first support means for attaching the controlled ventilation device to the housing, and a second support means for attaching the electrical power management device to the housing. It is essentially characterized by the fact that that said first means of support includes at least one plate on which is arranged all or part of the controlled ventilation device, and that said second means of support includes at least one base plate on which is arranged at least one functional control element, in particular at least one functional electrical power element chosen from an electrical battery and / or an electrical supply. It is understood that the modular design architecture, assembled here by superposition, aims to optimize the placement of each of the functional components inside the casing.

[0010] The arrangement of the invention may further include the following features, taken separately or in combination with each other.

[0011] Said first support means is arranged directly superimposed on said second support means.

[0012] The first support means equipped with at least one functional element of the controlled ventilation device is positioned above the second support means equipped with at least one control functional element such that the first support means creates an electrical and mechanical protection barrier limiting access to a space delimited by the plate and the base plate in which at least one electrical power functional element is located.

[0013] The controlled ventilation device includes an air circuit comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element selected from an air filtration means, an upstream silencer, a motor-fan, a downstream silencer forming in particular a pressurized air accumulation tank, a fluid mixer suitable for mixing pressurized air with oxygen stored in a dedicated network to which the breathing assistance device is intended to be fluidly connected via a connection flange, a supply valve and a divergent connected to a connection flange.

[0014] The controlled ventilation device includes an air exhaust circuit comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element selected from a connection flange, a convergent, an exhaust valve and an air filtration means.

[0015] The electrical energy management device is electrically connected to the supply and exhaust valves, which are notably of the pinch type, in order to create sequential air flows in the air supply circuit and in the exhaust circuit.

[0016] The divergent of the air circuit and the convergent of the evacuation circuit each contain a means for measuring the air flow rate.

[0017] Each means for measuring the air flow rate consists of a measuring chamber in the form of a tube with a constant cross-section in which are positioned a transverse grid and measuring sensors arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the grid according to the direction of airflow.

[0018] The divergent and convergent parts are produced by a three-dimensional printing process, and connected by a central plate enabling their assembly to be made to said first means of support, so as to form a unitary whole.

[0019] The housing comprises a casing, on which is reversibly mounted a closing cover having in particular at least one articulation leg, preferably two articulation legs, a sealing means and a locking means making the interior of the casing inaccessible when the cover is in the closed position of the casing, said locking means being in particular associated with a lock, the casing being made of plastic material, in particular filled with fibers, for example fiberglass.

[0020] The lid sealing means is, for example, a rubber seal, for example a tubular seal extending along a peripheral edge of the lid. The housing is in particular of the rectangular parallelepiped type, and comprises a front wall equipped in particular with a display, manual adjustment means, and connection flanges, respectively for pressurized oxygen, for patient supply air, for patient exhaust air, a side wall being equipped with a filtration means and a fan for cooling the interior of the housing by pulsed air circulation, an opposite side wall having an opening whose peripheral edge is designed to cooperate by complementary shape with the contour of a lid,a rear wall on which are arranged the said air filtration means to be evacuated, as well as an operating switch and a power socket allowing connection to an electrical network; a back wall on which are fixed the said first and second support means; a top wall on which are arranged, in particular, a gripping means, such as a handle, preferably two handles arranged transversely, in particular one near a front edge and the other near a rear edge of the casing.

[0021] The electrical power management device includes a power circuit in which power connectors are positioned opposite the opening that allows access to the inside of the enclosure. This advantageously reduces the risk of access to the power connectors for anyone working inside the enclosure.

[0022] The electrical power management device includes a low-voltage electrical circuit in which power connectors are positioned near the opening making access to the inside of the housing possible, so as to facilitate electrical connection.

[0023] At least one of the connection flanges is directly fixed to the plate so that the mounting of the plate is carried out by pre-positioning the plate inclined upwards and backwards inside the housing, then moving it in a substantially rotational motion around a front portion of the plate in order to lower the rear edge, which allows each of the flanges to be positioned simultaneously through the dedicated openings in the housing so that they are placed protruding on the outside.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a respiratory assistance device, the arrangement of which includes, in particular, the aforementioned characteristics; the method comprises the following steps taken in this order: - assembly, in particular simultaneously, of the controlled ventilation device and the functional control components respectively on said first and second support means, - positioning of said second support means equipped on the casing, in particular at the level of a back wall of the casing, - positioning of said first support means equipped on said second support means, in particular according to an angular displacement of said first support means allowing certain functional components of the controlled ventilation device to be positioned through a front wall of the housing, - fixing, in particular by screwing, of at least one of the said first and second means of support on the housing.

[0025] The method may include an additional step of fixing inside the housing, in the upper rear part, a ventilation module comprising a chassis independent of the plate, on which have been previously assembled, a motor-fan, and at least one silencer, the chassis being in particular linked to the housing by a suspension device.

[0026] According to the method of the invention, the functional components of the controlled ventilation device arranged on said first support means, in particular on the plate and / or on the chassis, are previously interconnected to each other by conduits through which a gaseous fluid is able to circulate.

[0027] According to the process of the invention, the base plate and the bottom plate are each made by stamping a sheet of steel, then by bending.

[0028] The invention also relates to a breathing assistance device which includes the aforementioned arrangement, or in that it is obtained by implementing the method described above.

[0029] Presentation of the figures The present invention will be better understood, and relevant details thereof will become apparent, from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as as a non-exhaustive example, in relation to the following figures, in which:

[0030] [Fig.1] Fig.1 is a schematic three-quarter front left perspective view illustrating the device of the invention.

[0031] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a schematic side view illustrating a device of the invention, more particularly certain functional components of a controlled ventilation device.

[0032] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic view identical to that of the [Fig.2] allowing to present other functional parts of the controlled ventilation device.

[0033] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a schematic three-quarter rear right perspective view illustrating the device of the invention.

[0034] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is an enlargement of a lower part of the housing visible on the [Fig.2], highlighting the functional components of the controlled ventilation and electrical energy management devices of the breathing assistance device of the invention.

[0035] Detailed description The figures depict a respiratory assistance device 1, which includes a controlled ventilation system that will be described in detail later. The respiratory assistance device is a portable module comprising a controlled ventilation system that uses the principle of forced air, which can be mixed with oxygen, and pumping to recreate the inspiratory and exhaled phases of a patient. Such a portable module is therefore suitable for assisting a patient's respiratory function.

[0036] In [Fig. 1], a respiratory support device 1 is shown, the support structure of which forms the device's enclosure and includes, on its front face, connectors for attaching intubation and pressurized oxygen supply tubing (not shown). The respiratory support device is thus constructed with a controlled ventilation system comprising connection flanges 38 and 41, respectively dedicated to air supply and air return. The additional flange 39 has a different design from the other flanges because it is intended for connecting the respiratory support device 1 to a pressurized oxygen network.

[0037] The respiratory assistance device 1 has a robust design and comprises a housing 2 made by an injection molding process of a plastic material, preferably a glass fiber-reinforced plastic. The housing is in the form of an easily transportable suitcase and is preferably rectangular. The housing 2 consists of a compartment 5 and a lid (not shown) covering a peripheral edge of an opening in the compartment.

[0038] The casing 5 comprises a front wall 106 extending along a transverse axis Y, a rear wall 109 parallel to the front wall 106. The housing 2 includes a side wall 107 extending along a longitudinal axis X which is parallel to an opposite side wall 108. The housing 2 further includes a bottom wall 110 parallel to the XY plane, which is parallel to a top wall 111. The entire assembly of the front wall 106, rear wall 109, side wall 107, opposite side wall 108, bottom wall 110 and top wall 111 are connected together to form the enclosure of the box 5 inside which the controlled ventilation device 3 is located.

[0039] By convention, the Y-axis is the transverse axis of the housing 2 along which the thickness of the casing 2 can be measured, the X-axis is the longitudinal axis along which the depth of the casing 5 can be measured, and the Z-axis is the vertical axis along which the height of the casing can be measured. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to each other, thus defining an orthonormal coordinate system.

[0040] The side wall 107 visible in [Fig. 1] is equipped with a filtration means 31 and a motor-fan 131 for cooling the inside of the housing. The cooling motor-fan 131 is also capable of circulating the air inside the housing 2, in order to distribute the oxygen content present, by means of a pulsed airflow. This cooling motor-fan 131 is protected by a ventilation grille (not shown).

[0041] The opposite side wall 108 includes an opening 118 referenced on [Fig.3], the peripheral edge of which is intended to cooperate by complementarity of form with the contour of the closing cover (not shown).

[0042] The rear wall 109 visible in [Fig.4] includes a means for filtering the air to be evacuated from the ventilation device as well as a switching switch and a power outlet allowing connection to an electrical network by a power cable not shown.

[0043] The bottom wall 110 includes said first support means 10 and second support means 20 as they are notably visible in [Fig.2].

[0044] The top wall 111 includes a gripping means 60, in the presence of the handles 61 thus referenced on the [Fig.4] and arranged transversely, in particular one near a front edge 112 and the other near a rear edge 113 of the housing 2. Such an arrangement of the gripping means advantageously facilitates the transport of the breathing assistance device 1, which makes it easily manageable, in particular by personnel of mobile intervention units.

[0045] The closing cover of the housing 2 may include locking means associated with a locking device.

[0046] The housing 2 also includes an opening in the front wall 106 which receives a plate 116 equipped in particular with at least one display 117, here two superimposed displays, one of the displays being in particular of the type of a digital screen, allowing the user to view the operating status of the controlled ventilation system. The other screen can alert the user to other operating parameters of the controlled ventilation system. Below the screens are control means 119, allowing, in particular, manual adjustment of functions or selection of an operating mode from among several pre-recorded modes. The assembly, consisting of the screens 117 and the control means 119, is attached to the circuit board 116 via an electronic board 126, visible in Figures 2 and 3, to which these elements are mounted. The electronic board 126, positioned through an opening in the front panel 106, includes an electronic circuit that connects computer storage devices, as well as computers and programs to be executed.The electronic board 126 is screwed onto a plate 116 so that the pre-assembled unit can subsequently be attached as a single piece to the housing 2 for mechanical fixing, preferably via clamping screws.

[0047] In the lower part of the front wall 106, the connecting flanges 38, 39, and 41 project forward. The central flange 39 is for supplying pressurized oxygen to the controlled ventilation device. It therefore provides a fluid connection to a supply tube (not shown) connected at one end to a pressurized oxygen reservoir. The connecting flange 39 is in the form of a serrated rod, which makes the connection with the end of the supply tube quick and secure. The connecting flange 38, located on the right in [Fig. 1], is for supplying air to a patient, while the connecting flange 41, located on the left in [Fig. 1], is for returning the air supplied to the patient. These flanges 38 and 41 are connected to a double-lumen respiratory intubation device, which is not shown in the figures.Unlike the oxygen supply, the 38 and 41 connection flanges are handled each time the intubation tubes are changed; therefore, they are of the quick-connect type and adapted to the type of tubes used.

[0048] The controlled ventilation device 3 is visible in figures 2 and 3 almost entirely inside the housing 2. To make its mounting suitable, the housing 5 includes an access opening 118 made on the opposite side wall 108 of the housing 2.

[0049] The controlled ventilation device 3 as arranged inside the housing 2 will now be detailed with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0050] The controlled ventilation device 3 comprises an air circuit consisting of an air filtration means 31 for air drawn from outside the housing 2, such a means comprising at least one converging support element having a grille against which a filter element is disposed. Preferably cylindrical, such a grille has a reversibly mounted retaining means at its periphery. to allow for the replacement of the filter element. The support element of the filtration means 31 is fluidly connected to an upstream silencer 32 at its front end. The silencer 32 comprises a main body, preferably tubular in shape, arranged longitudinally inside the housing 5, thus advantageously occupying the depth of the casing 2. The axis of the silencer 32 is preferably located in a median plane of axes XZ so that it creates a stable equilibrium with respect to the base of the casing 2. With a substantially cylindrical cross-section, the upstream silencer 32 comprises a perforated inner tube surrounded by sound-insulating foam, such as a reticulated foam, in particular polyester foam. The rear end of the upstream silencer 32 is closed by a cylindrical cover having an air outlet opening directed towards a motor-fan 33.The upstream silencer 32 is designed to absorb frequencies in the range of 2 to 6 kHz related to the operating noise of the motor-fan 33 to which it is connected, these frequencies being transmitted through the air.

[0051] Preferably, the motor-fan 33 consists mainly of a rotating impeller arranged inside a volute, the impeller being driven by means of a drive shaft attached to a rotor of an electric motor. The motor-fan 33 is located between the upstream silencer and the bottom wall 109 of the housing 2. The upstream silencer 32 and the motor-fan 33 are thus arranged at the level of an upper interior portion of the housing 5. This internal architecture configuration of the housing 2 is chosen in order to place the functional components of the controlled ventilation device, which are lighter than other functional components, in a high position inside the housing 5, thereby limiting the risk of the respiratory assistance device 1 tipping over during use.

[0052] The motor-fan 33 is fluidically connected to a downstream silencer 34 by a conduit connecting an outlet of the motor-fan's volute to the inlet of the downstream silencer 34, which is located below the motor-fan 33. The downstream silencer 34 comprises a main tubular body with a substantially cylindrical cross-section. The downstream silencer 34 extends substantially along the vertical axis Z such that its tubular body extends downwards from the ventilation module 300. The axis of the downstream silencer advantageously extends in a plane median to axes XZ, approximately at mid-height of the housing 5. The downstream silencer 34 comprises a perforated inner tube surrounded by sound-insulating foam, such as a reticulated foam, in particular a polyester foam.At the outlet of this acoustic chamber containing the soundproofing foam, the downstream silencer 34 incorporates a "buffer" volume, defined by a square-section duct made in a spiral around the acoustic chamber. Such a duct creates a channel having a length ap. approximately one linear meter whose main function is to prevent untimely oxygen rise due to the presence of an oxygen mixer located at the outlet of the downstream silencer, as will be seen later.

[0053] By way of example, the length of the foam in the downstream silencer 34 is approximately half the length of that used in the upstream silencer 32, for an outside diameter that is about 20% smaller.

[0054] The downstream silencer 34 extends substantially perpendicularly to the upstream silencer 32, which is extended by the motor-fan 33.

[0055] The upstream silencer 32, the motor-fan 33, and the downstream silencer 34 are assembled to a chassis 301 to create a unit that can be mounted on the casing 5, in particular by means of an anti-vibration device, such as rubber mounts like Silentbloc®. Such a unit is a ventilation module 300 that can be pre-assembled separately, in particular on a dedicated assembly unit. The assembly step for all the constituent elements of the ventilation module 300 is thus advantageously reduced.

[0056] The ventilation module 300 is positioned here at the level of an upper area of ​​the box 5.

[0057] In [Fig. 2], the electrical energy management device 4 is visible in a lower area of ​​the casing 5. The controlled ventilation device 3 is positioned above the electrical energy management device 4. The assembly of these devices 3 and 4 is secured by dedicated first and second support means 10, 20. For this purpose, said first support means 10 comprises at least one plate 11 on which all or part of the controlled ventilation device 3 is arranged.

[0058] Said second support means 20 comprises at least one base plate 21 on which are arranged functional components of the electrical power management device 4, in particular electric batteries 22, preferably arranged end-to-end, as well as a power supply 23. The electric batteries 22, each with a rectangular cross-section, are arranged on the base plate 21 by one of their longitudinal faces, which has a larger surface area than the other faces of the battery. Such positioning of the batteries has a dual effect: it lowers the center of gravity of the batteries and reduces the vertical footprint of the battery storage area, thus advantageously optimizing the internal space of the enclosure 5.This arrangement of the batteries 22 in the lower part of the chamber 5 is generally intended to increase the stability of the breathing assistance device 1, by lowering the overall center of gravity of the equipped chamber 5.

[0059] At the front of the electric batteries 22 is arranged an electric power supply unit 23, consisting in part of a voltage transformer receiving as input the electrical voltage from a domestic electricity network and delivering as output a voltage low electrical voltage, specifically around 24 V, preferably 28 V. The primary side of the transformer is connected to a power cable 24, the secondary side being electrically connected to a multi-pin connector 25. For electrical safety reasons, the connection of the power cable 24 to the power supply unit 23 is located near the side wall 107, which is difficult to access once the enclosure 5 is equipped with the functional components of the controlled ventilation device 3. As can be seen in [Fig. 5], the multi-pin connector 25 is located near the access opening 118 inside the enclosure 5. The multi-pin connector 25 is intended for supplying power to the various electrical consumables of the controlled ventilation device 3, which will be described in detail later.

[0060] Preferably, a protective grid 26 surrounds the power supply 23 so as to create a protective barrier to limit the risk of electric shock. The protective barrier is in the form of a perforated plate.

[0061] The base plate 21 further includes retaining wedges 220 extending upwards in order to immobilize the batteries 22 along the longitudinal X and transverse Y axes.

[0062] The base plate 21 is preferably made by stamping and bending a sheet of steel. The base plate 21 has an approximately flat profile and is fixed by screws on either side of the casing 5, specifically by its front and rear edges which rest against the base of which fixing screws extend vertically. The base plate also includes a transverse rib located between the two batteries. This rib serves both to provide longitudinal support for the batteries to ensure a spacing between them and to house a spring pad fitted with a threaded rod to secure the base plate 21 to the base wall 110 by screws.

[0063] Preferably, the batteries 22 and the power supply unit 23 and the protective grid 26 are pre-assembled on the base plate 21 in order to form a unit assembly which can subsequently be brought together in one piece against the base wall 110 of the enclosure 5.

[0064] A plate 11 is arranged superimposed on the aforementioned assembly, extending inwards along the longitudinal X axis, while substantially facing the base plate 21. In other words, the plate 11 extends over the entire length of the base plate 21.

[0065] The plate 11 comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion, and a rear portion. The front portion of the plate 11 is intended for its attachment to the housing 5 and for the attachment of the connecting flanges 39 and 41, which, according to a preferred embodiment, is a unit module comprising a central plate from which protrudes Each of the connection flanges 39 and 41 protrudes. The intermediate portion is inclined upwards along an X-axis direction, creating a variable gap with the base plate 21 in which the power supply unit 23 is located. The rear portion defines a platform substantially parallel to the base plate 21. The space between the rear portion of the plate 11 and the base plate 21 is suitable for receiving the batteries 22. The rear portion of the plate 11 includes sloping side edges, like vertical walls, whose free ends rest against the base plate 21. The height of the side edges is determined by the height of the batteries 22 so that the volume occupied inside the enclosure 5 is optimized, with the plate 11 thus closely surrounding the battery 22, which is fitted with self-adhesive acoustic foam (not shown) that is then compressed by the mounting of the plate 11.

[0066] The concept of safety also led to this architecture in order to prevent access to the battery terminals 22 when the plate 11 is positioned covering the batteries. The risk of electrocution is thus eliminated.

[0067] Thus arranged inside the box 5, said first support means 10 creates an electrical and mechanical protection barrier limiting access to a space delimited by the plate 11 and the base plate 21 in which the functional electrical power components are arranged.

[0068] The plate 11 is preferably made by stamping a steel plate and then bending it. Its lower face is oriented with regard to the bottom wall 110 of the enclosure 5 and the functional components of the electrical energy management device 4.

[0069] Its upper face receives the functional components of the controlled ventilation device 3 as identified hereafter.

[0070] The controlled ventilation device 3 includes an air circuit in which are further arranged a fluid mixer 35, a supply valve 36, a divergent 37, and the connection flange 38.

[0071] The mixer 35 is a tubular profile convergent unit with axis X, comprising a radial tube for the pressurized oxygen inlet. Inside the mixer 35, the pressurized oxygen is mixed with the air exiting the downstream silencer 34. Advantageously, the mixer brings the oxygen to the pressure of the air entering the mixer so that the mixture can be made homogeneous, or at least without any pressure variation at the mixer outlet. This design of the mixer 35 aims to avoid turbulent flow of the air / oxygen mixture. The mixer 35 is connected to a supply valve 36, the latter preferably being of the pinch type, notably via an eccentric that sandwiches a conduit connecting the mixer 35 to the connection flange 38. The eccentric is rotationally linked to a speed-controlled electric motor such that the rotation of the eccentric creates successive influxes of air, thus recreating the air aspiration effects of a patient. The mixer 35 is preferably manufactured using an additive manufacturing process, i.e., by three-dimensional printing.

[0072] The air circuit includes a divergent 37 disposed between the supply valve 36 and the connection flange 38. Preferably, the divergent 37 is equipped with a device for measuring the flow velocity of the oxygenated air. By way of example, such a measuring means consists of at least one velocity sensor, preferably a transverse grid, and velocity sensors disposed respectively upstream and downstream of the grid in order to measure a velocity differential which will then be analyzed by computing means embedded on the electronic board 126 and thus provide the flow rate of the fluids to and from the patient. The divergent 37 is preferably manufactured by a three-dimensional printing process.

[0073] The air circuit includes a connection flange 38 which is connected to the divergent 37, such a flange 38 being suitable for ensuring a rapid and leak-proof fluidic connection with intubation elements (not shown) external to the housing 2.

[0074] The mixer 35, the air flow control supply valve 36 and the divergent 37 are arranged in this order in an air supply branch of the air circuit, in a longitudinal direction from the rear of the box to the front.

[0075] In parallel with this supply branch of the air circuit of the controlled ventilation device, an exhaust branch of the air circuit is positioned inside the box 5.

[0076] The discharge branch includes a connecting flange 41 visible in [Fig. 1], preferably identical to the connecting flange 38. The connecting flanges 38 and 41 are preferably made by a three-dimensional printing process and are connected to each other by a central wall in order to form a single piece which will be easily assembled on the plate 11.

[0077] The discharge branch visible in [Fig. 3] includes a trumpet-shaped converging 42, which is entirely different from the diverging 37, which must comply with the rules of fluid mechanics. The converging 42 includes the same airflow velocity measurement device found on the diverging 37 described above.

[0078] The convergent 42 is preferably produced by a three-dimensional printing process. The convergent 42 and the divergent 37 are preferably produced together and simultaneously by a three-dimensional printing process so as to form a unit module capable of being directly attached to the plate 11 during a single assembly operation. This unit module is equipped with an electronic board incorporating the various pressure measurement sensors. This board will then be connected to module 126 via a dedicated ribbon cable.

[0079] The body of the convergent 42 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X, in the direction of the exhaust valve 43 arranged after, according to the direction of flow of the air to be evacuated going from the front to the rear of the housing 2.

[0080] The discharge valve 43 is preferably of identical design to the supply valve 36, that is to say, preferably of the pinch type, as previously described. The two valves 36 and 43, supply and discharge respectively, operate in concert with each other so as to recreate successive phases of inspiration and expiration in an intubated patient.

[0081] A final portion of the air exhaust circuit comprises a connecting duct from the valve 43 to an air filtration means 44, visible in Figures 3 and 4. This filtration means 44 is preferably identical to the filtration means 31 used at the intake of air drawn in by the controlled ventilation device 3. It therefore essentially retains the same mechanical properties. Air is exhausted through the back wall 109, which includes an opening for this purpose through which the filtration means 44 is positioned.

[0082] After the forming of the plate 11, the functional components of the air circuit listed below are secured to the plate 11: the mixer 35, the supply valve 36, the diverter 37, the supply connection flange 38, the discharge connection flange 41, the converger 42, the discharge valve 43, and all the fluid connecting conduits. These functional components are directly fixed to the plate 11, particularly on its upper side.

[0083] The assembly of connecting flanges 38 and 41, as well as the module grouping the convergent 42 and divergent 37, are assembled on the front portion of the plate 11. The means for fixing the ducts are positioned on the inclined portion of the plate 11. The supply valves 36 and evacuation valves 43 are positioned on the rear portion of the plate 11, this rear portion defining the top part of the plate 11. Due to the pre-assembly of the aforementioned functional components on the plate 11, the assembly is improved for large-scale manufacturing, since the plate 11 incorporating the functional components of the controlled ventilation device 3 is positioned inside the housing during a single assembly operation, which facilitates the production of the respiratory assistance device.

[0084] The mounting plate 11 to the housing 2 is secured by screwing it to the base plate 110, preferably using clamping screws. This securing step is performed simultaneously with the securing of the base plate 21 to the housing 2, each of the clamping screws passing through a coaxial hole in the mounting plate 11 and the base plate 20.

[0085] Given that the plate 11 has connection flanges 38 and 41 which are intended to extend outwards from the front wall 106, i.e. outside the housing 5, the mounting of the plate is carried out in the following manner: - pre-positioning, inclined upwards and backwards, of the plate 11 equipped with the functional components of the air circuit inside the housing, - movement of the plate in a substantially rotational motion around the front portion of the plate in order to lower the rear edge which allows to be carried out simultaneously the positioning of each of the connection flanges 38, 41 through the dedicated openings made at the level of the housing in order to be placed protruding on the outside.

[0086] The manufacturing process for the previously described breathing assistance device 1 comprises the following assembly steps: - assembly, in particular simultaneously, of the functional control components and the controlled ventilation device, respectively on said first and second support means 10, 20, - positioning of said second support means 20 fitted to the housing 2, in particular at the level of a bottom wall 110 of the housing, - positioning of said first support means 10 equipped on said second support means 20, in particular according to an angular displacement of said first support means allowing certain functional components of the controlled ventilation device to be positioned through a front wall 106 of the housing, and - fixing, in particular by screwing, of at least one of the said first and second means of support 10, 20 on the housing.

[0087] The method can then include a further step of fixing inside the housing 2, in the upper rear part, a ventilation module 300 comprising a chassis 301 independent of the plate 11, on which have been previously assembled, a motor-fan 33, and at least one silencer 32, 34.

[0088] Advantageously, the chassis 301 can in particular be linked to the housing 2 by a suspension device in order to reduce vibrations.

[0089] The functional components of the controlled ventilation device 3 arranged on said first support means 10, in particular on the plate 11 and / or on the chassis 301, are previously interconnected to each other fluidly by conduits through which a gaseous fluid is able to circulate.

[0090] The invention is not limited, however, to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and also extends to any equivalent means or configuration described and illustrated herein, and to any equivalent means or configuration and any technical combination operating such means. In particular, the orientation of each of the components of the inspiration circuit may differ from that described above.

Claims

Demands

1. Arrangement of a breathing assistance device (1) comprising a housing (2) consisting of a casing (5) and a cover covering a peripheral edge of an opening provided on the casing, a controlled ventilation device (3), an associated electrical energy management device (4), a first support means (10) suitable for fixing the controlled ventilation device to the casing, a second support means (20) suitable for fixing the electrical energy management device to the casing, characterized in that said first support means (10) comprises at least one plate (11) on which all or part of the controlled ventilation device is arranged, and in that said second support means (20) comprises at least one base plate (21), fixed by screwing on either side of the casing (5), on which are arranged at least one functional control element, an electrical battery (22) and an electrical power supply (23).

2. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first support means (10) is arranged directly superimposed on said second support means (20).

3. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second support means (20) previously equipped with at least one functional control element is first positioned in the housing (2), then the first support means (10) previously equipped with at least one functional element of the controlled ventilation device (3) is positioned above the second support means (20) such that the first support means (10) creates an electrical and mechanical protection barrier limiting access to a space delimited by the plate (11) and the base plate (21) in which at least one functional electrical power element is disposed.

4. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (11) and the bottom plate (21) are each made by stamping a sheet of steel and then by bending.

5. Arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the controlled ventilation device (3) comprises an air circuit (30) comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element selected from an air filtration means (31), an upstream silencer (32), a motor-fan (33), a downstream silencer (34) forming in particular a pressurized air accumulation tank, a fluid mixer (35) capable of mixing pressurized air with oxygen stored in a dedicated network to which the breathing assistance device (1) is intended to be fluidly connected via a connecting flange (39), a pinch-type supply valve (36) and a divergent (37) connected to a connecting flange (38).

6. An arrangement according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the controlled ventilation device comprises an air exhaust circuit (40), comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element selected from a connection flange (41), a convergent (42), a pinch-type exhaust valve (43) and an air filtration means (44).

7. Arrangement according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the electrical power management device (4) is electrically connected to the supply (36) and exhaust (43) valves, which are in particular of the pinch type, in order to create sequential air flows in the air circuit (30) and in the exhaust circuit (40).

8. Arrangement according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the divergent (37) of the air circuit (30) and the convergent (42) of the exhaust circuit (40) each contain an air flow measurement means (50).

9. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each means for measuring the air flow (50) is composed of a measuring chamber made in the form of a tube with a constant cross-section in which a transverse grid and measuring sensors are positioned respectively upstream and downstream of the grid according to the direction of air flow.

10. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the divergent (37) and the convergent (42) are produced by a three-dimensional printing process and connected by a central plate (51) making their assembly suitable for said first support means (10), so as to form a unitary assembly.

11. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a casing (5) on which is reversibly mounted a cover having in particular at least one hinge tab, preferably two hinge tabs, a sealing means and a locking means rendering the interior of the housing inaccessible when the cover is in the closed position of the casing, said locking means being in particular combined with a lock, the casing being made of plastic material, notably fiber-reinforced.

12. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the housing (2) is in particular of the rectangular parallelepiped type, and comprises: - a front wall (106) equipped in particular with a display, manual adjustment means, and connection flanges, respectively for pressurized oxygen, for supply air to a patient, for exhaust air from a patient, - a side wall (107) being equipped with a filtration means and a fan for cooling the interior of the housing by pulsed air circulation, - an opposite side wall (108) having an opening (118) the peripheral edge of which is intended to cooperate by complementary shape with the contour of a cover,- a rear wall (109) on which are arranged said means for filtering the air to be evacuated, as well as an operating switch and a power socket allowing connection to an electrical network, - a bottom wall (110) on which are fixed said first and second support means, - a top wall (111) on which are arranged, in particular, a gripping means (60), such as a handle (61), preferably two handles arranged transversely, in particular one near a front edge (112) and the other near a rear edge (113) of the housing (2).

13. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical power management device (4) comprises an electrical power circuit (120) in which power connectors are positioned opposite the opening (118) making access to the inside of the housing (2) possible.

14. An arrangement according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the electrical power management device (4) comprises a low-voltage electrical circuit (121) in which power connectors are positioned near the opening (118) making access to the inside of the housing (2) possible, so as to facilitate electrical connection.

15. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claims 5 and 6, characterized in that at least one of the connecting flanges (38, 39, 41) are directly fixed to the plate (11) such that the mounting of the plate is carried out by pre-positioning the plate inclined upwards and backwards inside the housing (2), then moving it in a substantially rotational motion around a front portion of the plate in order to lower the rear edge, which allows each of the flanges to be positioned simultaneously through the dedicated openings in the housing so as to protrude outwards.

16. A method for manufacturing the breathing assistance device according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that it comprises the following steps taken in this order: - assembly, in particular simultaneously, of the functional control elements and the controlled ventilation device, respectively on said first and second support means (10, 20), - positioning of said second support means (20) equipped on the housing (2), in particular at the level of a bottom wall (110) of the housing, - positioning of said first support means (10) equipped on said second support means (20), in particular according to an angular displacement of said first support means allowing to position some of the functional elements of the controlled ventilation device through a front wall (106) of the housing, - fixing, in particular by screwing, of at least one of said first and second support means (10, 20) on the housing.

17. A method according to the preceding claim with claim 5, characterized in that it includes a further step of fixing inside the housing (2), in the upper rear part, a ventilation module (300) comprising a chassis (301) independent of the plate (11), on which have been previously assembled, a motor-fan (33), and at least one silencer (32, 34), the chassis (301) being in particular linked to the housing by a suspension device.

18. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the functional parts of the controlled ventilation device (3) arranged on said first support means (10), in particular on the plate (11) and / or on the chassis (301), are previously interconnected to each other by conduits through which a gaseous fluid is able to circulate.

19. Breathing assistance device (1) characterized in that it comprises an arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 15, or in that it is obtained by implementing the method of claims 16 to 18.

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