Breathing assistance device

Abstract

Title: Respiratory Assistance Device. The main object of the present invention is a respiratory assistance device (1) for a patient, comprising at least one inspiration circuit (16), one expiration circuit (20), and a device for circulating air (28) in the inspiration circuit (16), characterized in that it comprises two acoustic attenuation elements (45, 46) arranged one upstream and the other downstream of the circulation device with respect to the direction of airflow in the inspiration circuit, each acoustic attenuation element extending primarily along an elongation axis (A1, A2) such that these elongation axes are perpendicular to each other. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Breathing assistance device

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of devices for assisting patient breathing, and in particular devices for assisting breathing of intubated patients.

[0002] Patients in respiratory distress require respiratory assistance in order to ensure the oxygenation of their tissues. The respiratory assistance devices currently used conventionally comprise at least one pipe dedicated to the patient's inspiration on which at least one air circulation device is installed. This air circulation device is adapted to generate a flow of air which is treated, for example by adding oxygen, before being directed towards the patient's respiratory system, and thus ensure the latter's breathing. Such respiratory assistance devices also comprise an exhalation pipe through which the air exhaled by the patient circulates and is then released.

[0003] To facilitate, or if necessary force, the inspiration and expiration of the patient, valves authorizing or blocking the circulation of air through the pipe dedicated to the inspiration or expiration of the patient are installed. Thus, a valve blocks the circulation of air in the pipe dedicated to expiration when air enriched with dioxygen circulates towards the patient to spread more particularly in the respiratory system of the patient. Once a sufficient quantity of enriched air is supplied to the patient, a valve blocks the circulation of air in the pipe dedicated to the inspiration of the patient and the valve blocking the circulation in the pipe dedicated to expiration is positioned to authorize the expiration of the air contained by the respiratory system of the patient through the pipe dedicated to expiration.

[0004] The air circulation device comprises in particular a motorized fan, configured to suck in air from outside the housing and direct it at high pressure towards the patient, the motorized fan being arranged on the pipe dedicated to inspiration.

[0005] The implementation of such a fan generates operating noises and in particular mouth noises, that is to say the noises produced by the circulation of air as it passes through the inlet and outlet of the motorized fan. Depending on the needs for attenuating the corresponding acoustic power level, an acoustic attenuation device, or silencer, may be associated with the circulation device, upstream or downstream of the motorized fan.

[0006] This circulation device and the associated silencer(s) must in particular be integrated into a housing with the rest of the components of the breathing assistance device, namely the valves and in particular batteries allowing an independent power supply for each of the motors.

[0007] The present invention falls within this context and aims to propose a breathing assistance device which takes into account the problems of the size of the various parts comprising it.

[0008] More particularly, the present invention has as its main object a device for assisting the breathing of a patient, comprising at least one inspiration circuit, one expiration circuit, as well as a device for circulating air in the inspiration circuit, characterized in that it comprises two acoustic attenuation members arranged one upstream and the other downstream of the circulation device relative to the direction of air flow in the inspiration circuit, each acoustic attenuation member extending mainly along an axis of elongation so that these axes of elongation are perpendicular to each other.

[0009] In a breathing assistance device, an air circulation device, which may also be called a motorized ventilation device, is necessary to capture air from outside the device, compress it and direct it towards the patient who is to be helped or forced to breathe. The circulation device comprises in particular a ventilation member, which may take the form of a centrifugal compression wheel, the operation of which generates unwanted noise in a medical application. Acoustic attenuation members are arranged on either side of the ventilation member in order to reduce this noise as much as possible, and in particular mouth noises as mentioned.

[0010] A perpendicular arrangement of these acoustic attenuation members, also known as silencers, makes it possible to optimize the positioning in the breathing assistance device of the assembly formed by these three components, namely the silencers and the ventilation member, the assembly being able in particular to be arranged in a corner of a structural housing of the breathing assistance device.

[0011] According to a series of optional characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination, it can be provided that:

[0012] - the breathing assistance device comprises a housing within which a first acoustic attenuation member arranged upstream of the circulation device is arranged horizontally and within which a second acoustic attenuation member arranged downstream of the circulation device is arranged vertically;

[0013] - the first acoustic attenuation member arranged upstream of the setting device in circulation is arranged longitudinally, along a longitudinal wall of the housing;

[0014] - the first acoustic attenuation member arranged upstream of the setting device in circulation extends along an upper horizontal wall of the housing, the second acoustic attenuation member extending between the circulation device and a lower horizontal wall of the housing.

[0015] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the breathing assistance device comprises a casing on which the circulation device is fixed, the acoustic attenuation members being respectively fixed on a fixing plate of the casing so that the acoustic attenuation members, the circulation device and the casing form a unitary module.

[0016] The assembly previously mentioned by the three components that are the silencers and the ventilation member is in this context easily manipulated by an operator, in a single operation, and the assembly can be fixed more easily and more quickly in the housing of the breathing assistance device. In particular, this assembly can be easily brought inside the housing while the other components are already present in the housing.

[0017] According to a series of optional characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination, it can be provided that:

[0018] - the unit module is fixed to a wall of the housing by means of a plate housing fixing;

[0019] - the casing is fixed to the housing by means of a casing fixing plate separate from the housing mounting plates on which the sound attenuation devices are fixed;

[0020] - a damping material is injected into the volume defined by the module casing unitary.

[0021] According to a series of optional characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination, and here relating to the shape of the acoustic attenuation members, it can be provided that:

[0022] - at least one acoustic attenuation member comprises a cylindrical envelope with inside which extends a perforated internal tube fluidly connected to the inspiration circuit or to the expiration circuit;

[0023] - the internal tube is connected to an inlet or outlet mouth of a volute of the device circulation via a flexible connection;

[0024] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the acoustic attenuation members have different dimensions, a dimension of the acoustic attenuation member arranged upstream of the circulation device being up to twice greater than a corresponding dimension of the acoustic attenuation member arranged downstream of the circulation device.

[0025] Such a difference in the sizing of the acoustic attenuation devices makes it possible to adapt the noise absorption requirements according to the location where the silencers are positioned. Thus, the muzzle noises downstream of the attenuation device Circulation noises are attenuated by the connection of the air duct to the patient, whereas the air duct intended to bring air to the circulation device opens to the outside and can generate more noise in the medical environment in which the respiratory assistance device is used.

[0026] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the acoustic attenuation member arranged upstream of the circulation device has a cylindrical casing whose average diameter is of the order of 120 mm and whose main dimension, along its axis of elongation, is of the order of 200 mm.

[0027] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the acoustic attenuation member arranged downstream of the circulation device has a cylindrical casing whose average diameter is of the order of 95 mm and whose main dimension, along its axis of elongation, is of the order of 100 mm.

[0028] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the acoustic attenuation member comprises on the one hand three parts respectively produced by additive manufacturing means and assembled to form a cylindrical assembly and on the other hand an internal tube produced separately and made integral with the cylindrical assembly.

[0029] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the inspiration circuit comprises a member for mixing the air coming from the circulation device with a gas coming from a gas inlet pipe, and an accumulation device is arranged aeraulically between the acoustic attenuation member arranged downstream of the circulation device and the mixing member.

[0030] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0031] [fig. 1] is a schematic perspective representation of a breathing assistance device according to the invention;

[0032] [fig.2] is a partial schematic representation of a device for assisting the breathing according to the invention, in which only a unit module comprising an air circulation device and two acoustic attenuation members have been made visible within a housing of the device, as well as a casing forming a support for these components and allowing their fixing in the housing;

[0033] [fig.3] is a perspective representation of the unit module as illustrated in the [fig-2] ;

[0034] [fig.4] is a representation, from another perspective angle, of a variant of the unit module illustrated in [fig.3];

[0035] [fig.5] is a sectional view of the unit module of [fig.4], showing in particular visible an example of the realization of the acoustic attenuation organs, arranged in upstream and downstream of the accumulation air circulation device;

[0036] [fig.6] is a sectional view of a first example of embodiment of a member acoustic attenuation suitable for equipping the unit module and the breathing assistance device;

[0037] [fig.7] is a sectional view of a second example of an embodiment of a member acoustic attenuation suitable for equipping the unit module and the breathing assistance device.

[0038] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0039] In the following description, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a breathing assistance device according to the invention along longitudinal axes L, vertical V and transverse T of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A horizontal plane is defined by the longitudinal axes L and transverse T, perpendicular to the vertical axes V, and may correspond to a plane parallel to the ground depending on the positioning of the breathing assistance device on a flat surface, without this being limiting of the invention.

[0040] Furthermore, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” used in the remainder of the description refer directly to the direction of circulation of the air or gas within a circuit considered. More precisely, the term “upstream” of an object of the description will refer to the start of the circulation of the air in the circuit considered, i.e. before the object in question. Conversely, the term “downstream” of an object of the description will refer to the continuation of the circulation of the air in the circuit considered, i.e. after the object in question.

[0041] As illustrated in [fig.l], a breathing assistance device 1 comprises at least one housing 2 in which several components are housed, including at least one air circulation device, comprising a motorized fan, and two acoustic attenuation members respectively arranged upstream and downstream of this motorized fan. The particular arrangement of these acoustic attenuation members on either side of the motorized fan, and in particular their arrangement along axes of elongation which are substantially perpendicular to each other, will be described in more detail below.

[0042] The housing 2 generally takes the form of a rectangular parallelepiped with six faces. More particularly, the housing 2 comprises two longitudinal walls 6 extending in a plane in which a longitudinal axis L, forming the main extension axis of the housing 2, and a vertical axis V perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, are inscribed. The two longitudinal walls 6 extend along the longitudinal axis L between two transverse walls 8a, 8b which extend parallel to the vertical axis V and to a transverse axis T perpendicular to the longitudinal L and vertical V axes. The two longitudinal walls 6 and the two transverse walls 8a, 8b extend along the vertical axis V between an upper wall 10 and a lower wall 12, these lower 12 and upper 10 walls extending in planes in which the longitudinal L and transverse T axes are inscribed.

[0043] The housing 2 comprises at least one display device 14 positioned at one of the two transverse walls 8a, 8b. To facilitate understanding of the invention, it is defined that the transverse wall on which the display device 14 is positioned is positioned at the front of the housing 2 along the longitudinal axis L, the other transverse wall thus being at the rear of the housing 2. A front transverse wall 8a and a rear transverse wall 8b are thus defined, the term “transverse wall 8a, 8b” being able to refer indifferently to one or the other of the transverse walls 8a, 8b in the absence of the indication “front” or “rear” in the remainder of the description.

[0044] The display device 14 is here a screen on which at least one item of information relating to the breathing assistance device 1 is displayed. The display device 14 may also be a touch-sensitive communication interface, or touch screen, with which a practitioner can interact directly by touch contact with the breathing assistance device 1.

[0045] The housing 2 houses an inspiration circuit 16, a gas supply pipe 18 and an expiration circuit 20 extending into the internal volume of the housing 2. The inspiration 16 and expiration 20 circuits, as well as the gas supply pipe 18, are notably visible in [fig.l] because one of the longitudinal walls 6 of the housing 2 has not been shown in this figure, making visible certain components of the breathing assistance device 1 extending into the internal volume of the housing 2.

[0046] The inspiration 16 and expiration 20 circuits here each comprise a connection end piece 22 for connecting to a pipe connecting the inspiration 16 or expiration 20 circuit to a patient, these pipes not being shown here. This connection end piece 22 extends through the front transverse wall 8a, to put the pipe connected to the patient into air communication with the inspiration 16 or expiration 20 circuit.

[0047] The gas supply pipe 18 also comprises a connection member 24 extending through the front transverse wall 8a, opening into the interior of the breathing assistance device 1. This connection member 24 makes it possible to connect the gas supply line 18 of the breathing assistance device 1 to a gas distribution system, external to the breathing assistance device 1. The gas supply line 18 comprises a pipe 26 connecting this connection member 24 to the inspiration circuit 16.

[0048] The inspiration circuit 16 is configured to distribute a flow of air to the patient, thus simulating the natural inspiration of a human being, the gas supply line 18 enriching the air supplied to the patient with a gas, such as oxygen for example. The expiration circuit 20 makes it possible to manage the expulsion of air from the patient in the image of the natural expiration of a human being. The inspiration 16 and expiration 20 circuits of the breathing assistance device 1 thus operate in cooperation with each other to produce artificial respiration close to the natural respiration of a human being.

[0049] For this, the inspiration circuit 16 comprises at least one device 28 for circulating air through the inspiration circuit 16 to the patient, and an inspiration control valve 30 allowing or blocking the circulation of air in the inspiration circuit 16. Similarly, the expiration circuit 20 comprises an expiration control valve 32 allowing or blocking the circulation of air through the expiration circuit 20, each of the control valves 30, 32 extending here mainly along the transverse axis T. Each control valve 30, 32 can thus take a circulation position and a blocking position. When a control valve 30, 32 is in a circulation position, it allows the free circulation of air in the circuit on which the control valve concerned is installed.Conversely, when a control valve 30, 32 is in a blocking position, it prevents the circulation of air in the circuit on which the control valve concerned is installed.

[0050] The alternating change of position of the inspiration control valve 30 and expiration control valve 32 makes it possible to control the inspiration and expiration of the patient. More particularly, the inspiration control valve 30 is placed in a circulation position when the patient must inspire, the expiration control valve 32 then being placed in a blocking position, so that the air sent to the patient does not circulate in the expiration circuit 20. Conversely and when the patient must expire, the inspiration control valve 30 is placed in a blocking position, preventing a supply of air to the patient, and the expiration control valve 32 is placed in a circulation position allowing the patient to expel the air contained in his respiratory system.

[0051] The inspiration circuit 16 will now be described in more detail, with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0052] The inspiration circuit 16 comprises at least one air inlet 44 and the air circulation device 28, which comprises a motorized fan whose operation is controlled to force the air to circulate through the inspiration circuit 16 from the air inlet 44. The inspiration circuit 16 further comprises an air mixing member 48 arranged at the outlet of the circulation device, the air being mixed with a gas coming from the gas inlet pipe 18, the inspiration control valve 30 of the air / gas mixture of the inspiration circuit 16 and the connection tip 22 intended to be connected to a patient.

[0053] The inspiration circuit 16 further comprises a first duct 52, forming an air intake duct which connects the air inlet 44 to the circulation device 28, and a second duct 64, forming an air outlet duct which connects the circulation device 28 to the mixing member 48.

[0054] The air inlet 44 consists of a mouth of the inspiration circuit 16 open to the outside of the breathing assistance device 1 at one of the walls of the housing. Advantageously, an air filtering member is arranged at the air inlet 44 of the inspiration circuit 16 to filter the particles suspended in the air drawn into the inspiration circuit 16.

[0055] The circulation device 28 consists of a motorized fan, which comprises a wheel 61 visible in [fig.5] and housed in a volute 60, the wheel being connected to an electric motor 62 capable of driving the wheel around an axis of rotation.

[0056] The electric motor 62 is here an axial motor comprising a cylindrical casing which extends mainly along the axis of rotation of the fan, and it should be noted that this electric motor can in particular, as detailed in [fig.2], be held in position relative to the volute by means of a motor support 63, without this being limiting of the invention.

[0057] The wheel of the circulation device is notably visible in [fig.2] and it is configured, once set into rotation at high speeds, to suck in air from outside the breathing assistance device 1 through the first conduit 52 to expel it into the part of the inspiration circuit 16 arranged downstream of the circulation device.

[0058] The volute 60 has a housing for receiving the wheel, and this volute comprises on the one hand a front face in the center of which an inlet orifice extends, and on the other hand a peripheral annular wall in which an outlet orifice extends. In other words, the volute has an axial inlet and a radial outlet.

[0059] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the first duct 52 opens directly into the volute 60 of the circulation device 28 at the level of the inlet orifice formed in the front face of the volute 60, so that the air circulating in the first duct 52 is able to open into the volute 60.

[0060] The first duct 52 is arranged mainly horizontally. The first duct 52 and the circulation device 28 are arranged so that the axis along which the axial motor extends and the axis of rotation of the wheel are coincident, or at least parallel, with an axis mainly defining the elongation of the first duct 52. In the illustrated configuration, the first duct 52 extends more particularly in a longitudinal direction, in the extension of the inlet of the volute.

[0061] At the outlet of the air circulation device 28, the second duct 64 communicates with the radial outlet and it initially extends in a substantially vertical direction, that is to say in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal arrangement of the first duct, and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal direction illustrated here.

[0062] The inspiration circuit 16 comprises, according to the invention, a first acoustic attenuation member 45 arranged upstream of the circulation device 28, i.e. between the air inlet 44 and the circulation device 28, and a second acoustic attenuation member 46 arranged downstream of the circulation device 28, i.e. between the circulation device 28 and the inspiration control valve 30 blocking or not the passage of air towards the nozzle 22. The first acoustic attenuation member 45 is arranged on the first conduit 52 and the second acoustic attenuation member 46 is arranged on the second conduit 64.

[0063] Each acoustic attenuation member here has the function of reducing the operating noise of the circulation device 28, and in particular the mouth noise, that is to say the noise generated by the passage of air at the connection of the circulation device with the first conduit 52 and the second conduit 64.

[0064] Each acoustic attenuation member generally has the shape of a cylinder of revolution extending mainly around an axis of elongation corresponding to the axis of revolution of the cylinder, with, as will be detailed below, an internal tube passing through the cylinder and in which air is able to circulate towards or from the circulation device depending on the downstream or upstream position of the acoustic attenuation member.

[0065] According to the invention, the first acoustic attenuation member 45 extends mainly along a first elongation axis A1 and the second acoustic attenuation member 46 extends mainly along a second elongation axis A2, and these two elongation axes are substantially perpendicular.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first axis of elongation Al along which the first acoustic attenuation member 45 mainly extends is parallel to the general elongation orientation of the first duct 52, in a horizontal and here more particularly longitudinal orientation. The second elongation axis A2 along which the second acoustic attenuation member 46 extends extends parallel to the general elongation orientation of the second duct 64, in a vertical orientation and therefore perpendicular to the orientation of the first acoustic attenuation member.

[0067] In the illustrated configuration, the circulation device is such that the axis along which the axial motor extends, and the axis of rotation of the wheel, are coincident, or at least parallel, with the first axis of elongation Al of the first acoustic attenuation member, here in a longitudinal direction.

[0068] It is understood from the above that the horizontal arrangement of the air intake duct formed by the first duct 52 connecting the air inlet to the motorized fan implies a horizontal arrangement of the acoustic attenuation member arranged on this intake duct, and therefore according to the invention a vertical arrangement of the second acoustic attenuation member. In particular, the first acoustic attenuation member arranged upstream of the circulation device can, as illustrated, extend along the upper horizontal wall 10 of the housing, the second acoustic attenuation member extending between the circulation device 28 and the lower horizontal wall 12 of the housing.

[0069] The air inlet 44 of the inspiration circuit 16 is here arranged at one of the longitudinal walls 6 of the housing 2, in the vicinity of the front transverse wall 8a, so that the intake duct and the first acoustic attenuation member extend longitudinally along the corresponding longitudinal wall to be connected to the circulation device. It should be noted that this arrangement is not limiting since the acoustic attenuation members have a perpendicular arrangement between them. For example, an air inlet of the inspiration circuit could be arranged on this same longitudinal wall, in the vicinity of the rear transverse wall 8b this time, so that the first duct 52 and the first acoustic attenuation member take a transverse orientation to connect the volute.The mainly horizontal arrangement of the first acoustic attenuation member would in this case be retained and this horizontal arrangement would indeed allow an arrangement substantially perpendicular to the second acoustic attenuation member.

[0070] In the example illustrated schematically in [fig.l], the inspiration circuit 16 further comprises an accumulation device 50 for at least the gas, such an accumulation device 50 being associated with the second acoustic attenuation member 46 by being arranged aeraulically between the circulation device 28 and the mixing member 48 to prevent the rise of gas in the direction of the circulation device culation when the associated valve blocks the passage of enriched air in the inspiration circuit towards the patient. The damping device forms a buffer zone whose volume is configured to be able to accommodate a quantity of gas emitted by the gas supply line in the mixing member when the control member of the inspiration control valve is in a blocking position and during a maximum expiration time, it being understood that the latter corresponds to the maximum time during which the inspiration control valve is in a blocking position, the expiration control valve then being in a circulation position.

[0071] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, and as can be seen in particular in [fig.5], the buffer zone is formed by a chamber concentrically surrounding the second acoustic attenuation member. As a non-limiting example, this chamber may have a total volume of approximately 1 m3. The second conduit 64 is configured to pass successively through the second acoustic attenuation member and the accumulation device 50. It should however be noted that the present embodiment is not limiting of the invention and that the shape of the accumulation device as well as its arrangement relative to the damping device could be modified without departing from the context of the invention, for example by providing a conduit of square section which extends in a spiral around the acoustic attenuation member.

[0072] It is notable that only the second acoustic attenuation member 46 is associated with an accumulation device, due to its position downstream of the air circulation device.

[0073] The acoustic attenuation members and the air circulation device will now be described in more detail, with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0074] In particular in [fig. 2], it is visible that the circulation device 28, the first acoustic attenuation member 45 and the second acoustic attenuation member 46 form an assembly arranged in a corner of the housing, with more particularly the circulation device 28 arranged in the corner, the first acoustic attenuation member 45 arranged horizontally, along the upper wall 10, and the second acoustic attenuation member 46 arranged vertically, along the rear transverse wall 8b, and therefore perpendicular to the first acoustic attenuation member 45. Such an arrangement makes it possible to optimize the space available within the housing, and in particular makes it possible to reduce the size of the breathing assistance device with an identical number of components inside the housing. It should be understood that to facilitate the reading of this [fig.2], the components likely to equip the case have not been represented.

[0075] Furthermore, and as will be detailed immediately below, this makes it easier to fix the acoustic attenuation members and the circulation device 28, to one and / or the other of the walls delimiting the housing, and therefore to limit the number and / or the size of the parts to be provided to fix these parts in the housing.

[0076] The manufacturing means used to produce the acoustic attenuation members, and the shape of these acoustic attenuation members which may result therefrom, will be described in more detail below, it being understood that the perpendicular or substantially perpendicular arrangement of the acoustic attenuation members is independent of the structure which each and / or the other may have.

[0077] With reference to Figures 2 to 5, a particular configuration of the breathing assistance device will now be described with the circulation device and the acoustic attenuation members forming a unitary module, which can be fixed in one piece to the housing of the device.

[0078] The unit module 100 here comprises in particular the circulation device 28, each of the acoustic attenuation members 45, 46 previously mentioned, and a casing 102 which is configured to allow the unit module 100 to be fixed to the housing 2 of the breathing assistance device, and which is configured to fix the position of each of the acoustic attenuation members 45, 46 relative to the circulation device 28.

[0079] The casing 102 comprises at least a first fixing plate 104 on which the first acoustic attenuation member 45 is fixed and a second fixing plate 106 on which the second acoustic attenuation member 46 is fixed. Each acoustic attenuation member is fixed on the corresponding fixing plate of the casing so that its axis of elongation A1, A2 is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by said fixing plate. In other words, in the example illustrated, the first fixing plate 104 of the casing is substantially vertical and the second fixing plate 106 of the casing is perpendicular to this first fixing plate 104 and substantially horizontal.

[0080] The first fixing plate 104 and the second fixing plate 106 each comprise an orifice for the passage of a fluid connection end piece 105, said connection end piece being formed in the extension of an internal tube, not visible here, of each acoustic attenuation member 45, 46.

[0081] This results in an arrangement in which the fluid connection end piece associated with each acoustic attenuation member is hydraulically connected, here by a flexible hose 450, 460, to an inlet or outlet mouth of the volute of the circulation device 28.

[0082] Each acoustic attenuation member is made integral with a casing fixing plate. More particularly, the first acoustic attenuation member 45 is made integral with the first casing fixing plate 104 and the second acoustic attenuation member 46 is made integral with the second casing fixing plate. casing 106. For this purpose, each sound attenuating member 45, 46 has a fixing wall 451, 461, from which the previously mentioned connection end piece protrudes, and which has at least one fixing element peripherally. Each sound attenuating member 45, 46 is made integral with a fixing plate of the casing via at least one fixing means 108, which may in particular consist of clamping means configured to pass through an orifice, forming the fixing element made in the fixing wall, and a hole formed in the corresponding fixing plate of the casing, the fixing wall 451, 461 being pressed against the corresponding fixing plate of the casing 104, 106 once the clamping means have been implemented.

[0083] By way of non-limiting example, the clamping means may consist of a bolt formed of a screw and at least one nut, the screw possibly being integral with the fixing plate of the casing against which the acoustic attenuation member rests.

[0084] As may have been specified previously, the circulation device and the acoustic attenuation members are arranged in a corner of the housing, with the motorized fan forming the circulation device which is framed by an upstream acoustic attenuation member, or silencer, and a downstream acoustic attenuation member, or silencer.

[0085] More particularly, in the context of a unitary module 100 fixing the positions of the attenuation members on either side of the motorized fan, the casing 102 is arranged in the corner of the corresponding housing with the first fixing plate 104 arranged parallel to the rear transverse wall 8b of the housing 2 and with the second fixing plate 106 arranged parallel to the longitudinal upper wall 10, along which the first duct 52 extends.

[0086] The casing 102 further comprises a third fixing plate 114 substantially parallel to the second fixing plate 106 and intended to be against the upper wall 10, and a fourth fixing plate 116 substantially parallel to the first fixing plate 104 and intended to be against the rear transverse wall 8b. The third fixing plate 114 extends in the extension of the first fixing plate 104, substantially perpendicular to the latter.

[0087] The fourth fixing plate 116 extends between the third fixing plate 114 and the second fixing plate 106 to close the frame and give substantial rigidity to the unit module. As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, the casing thus comprises four fixing plates, each participating in giving the casing the shape of a frame, with a closed profile and open transversely on each side. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a damping material, for example foam, can be injected into the volume defined by this closed frame.

[0088] As seen in [fig.2], where a longitudinal wall has been removed for make the interior of the housing visible, the first and fourth fixing plates comprise position-holding tabs 118 which are intended to be in contact with one of the longitudinal walls to ensure the transverse positioning of the unit module 100 between the longitudinal walls of the housing.

[0089] The four fixing plates can be made in one piece, the casing being obtained by successive folds to form the closed profile of the frame previously mentioned. In the example illustrated, the third fixing plate 114 is made separately from the other plates, the first fixing plate 104, the second fixing plate 106 and the fourth fixing plate 116 forming a single assembly whose shape is obtained by successive folds. The third fixing plate 114 is then made integral with the other plates by welding, gluing or any appropriate fixing means, in particular via return edges 115 with appropriate shapes and dimensions to partially cover the first fixing plate and the fourth fixing plate.

[0090] The third fixing plate 114 has the function of enabling the casing, and therefore the unit module 100, to be fixed to the housing 2 of the breathing assistance device. In the example illustrated, the third fixing plate 114 of the casing enables the unit module 100 to be fixed to the housing by means of a sheet metal 120 arranged against the upper wall 10 of the housing. This sheet metal 120, shown alone without the upper wall 10 in FIGS. 3 to 5, may in particular enable gripping handles of the breathing assistance device to be attached.

[0091] The third plate is here indirectly fixed to a wall of the housing, namely the upper wall, due to the intermediate presence of the sheet 120, but it is appropriate that a direct fixing could be provided on the wall of the housing without departing from the context of the invention. Fixing members 122 are arranged between on the one hand the wall of the housing, where appropriate the intermediate sheet 120, and on the other hand the third plate 114 of the casing of the unit module 100. These fixing members may in particular comprise damping means intended to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the circulation device to the housing of the breathing assistance device.

[0092] In the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, this third fixing plate 114 also has the function of fixing the circulation device 28, in particular via a cradle 29 which is mounted on the third fixing plate 114 by means of damping blocks 119. It should be noted that this example is not limiting of the invention, and that, as illustrated by way of example in [fig.4], the circulation device can be held between the acoustic attenuation members without a cradle being necessary.

[0093] Such a unitary module makes it easier to assemble the assistance device. breathing in that it allows a single assembly operation on the housing, the parts of the unit module being assembled remotely from the housing.

[0094] The advantages in terms of simplification of assembly will in particular be mentioned in a non-limiting manner by describing an example of a method of assembling the breathing assistance device.

[0095] The unit module is advantageously assembled in the housing once the other components, for example the inspiration and expiration control valves 30, 32, or any batteries, have been assembled so as to allow easy assembly of these components.

[0096] At the same time, the unit module is assembled with, on the one hand, the fixing of each of the acoustic attenuation members on the fixing plate of the casing which is specific to it, namely the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate, and on the other hand by the fixing of the circulation device 28 on the fixing plate intended for it, namely here the third fixing plate. Here again, this assembly makes it easier to assemble with clear access for the operator. The third fixing plate is then added and welded to the rest of the fixing plates, the use of flexible connection hoses 450, 460 for the fluidic connection of the acoustic attenuation members with the circulation device making it possible to not take into account assembly tolerances.

[0097] The unit module 100 thus formed is then added to the housing and fixed only initially at the level of the third fixing plate 114, here on the upper wall 10 via the intermediate sheet 120 if necessary. The operator can then carry out an additional fixing of the acoustic attenuation members to the housing. Finally, the operator connects the acoustic attenuation members respectively to the first conduit 52 and to the second conduit 64.

[0098] As mentioned above, each silencer, or acoustic attenuation member, is configured to attenuate the operating noises of the motorized fan forming the air circulation device, by passing the air intended to enter or exit the motorized fan via a perforated tube opening onto a closed chamber filled with acoustically absorbent material. More particularly, the silencers are intended to attenuate the noises commonly called mouth noises, namely noises composed of high frequencies, generated by the passage of the blades of the wheel of the motorized fan in front of the orifice forming the inlet or the outlet of the volute of the circulation device 28 and passing through the air.

[0099] Each of the acoustic attenuation members 45, 46 thus comprises, as mentioned previously, a cylindrical casing 452, 462, forming a hollow part of revolution around an elongation axis A1, A2, and a perforated internal tube 454, 464 passing through the cylindrical casing and connected at each end to the air duct 52, 64 to which the acoustic attenuation member is connected. Each member acoustic attenuation also comprises a layer of acoustic absorption material, not shown here, to make visible the internal tube that the acoustic absorption material surrounds by filling the cavity formed inside the cylindrical envelope, so as to absorb at least part of the acoustic waves produced by the operation of the circulation device 28 and exiting the internal tube through the various perforations.

[0100] As visible in [fig.5], the first acoustic attenuation member 45, arranged upstream of the circulation device 28, has larger dimensions than those of the second acoustic attenuation member 46, arranged downstream of the circulation device 28. This oversizing of the first acoustic attenuation member 45 is notably due to the fact that it must attenuate the mouth noise at the inlet of the respirator, at the air inlet 44, whereas the acoustic waves which propagate downstream of the circulation device in the direction of the outlet of the breathing assistance device are naturally attenuated by the connection of the breathing assistance device to the patient.

[0101] The possible difference in dimensions of the acoustic attenuation members may in particular consist of a multiplier ratio ranging from 1 to 2. In other words, a dimension of the first acoustic attenuation member 45 may be up to twice greater than the corresponding dimension of the second acoustic attenuation member 46.

[0102] More particularly, the first acoustic attenuation member 45 may have a cylindrical envelope 452 whose average diameter is of the order of 120 mm and whose main dimension, along the first axis of elongation A1, is of the order of 200 mm. And the second acoustic attenuation member 46 may have a cylindrical envelope 462 whose average diameter is of the order of 95 mm and whose main dimension, along the second axis of elongation A2, is of the order of 100 mm.

[0103] In each of these acoustic attenuation members, the acoustic absorption material may in particular consist of a reticulated foam, of the polyester type, chosen in particular according to its acoustic qualities, and its ISO 10993-5 certified biocompatibility, necessary for this type of medical application.

[0104] Each of the acoustic attenuation members can be produced by additive manufacturing, for example by three-dimensional printing. Such an embodiment can be particularly interesting for the manufacture of the downstream acoustic attenuation member, that is to say the one equipped with an accumulation device if the latter is produced with a buffer zone formed by a spiral arrangement of a duct as has been mentioned.

[0105] Figures 5 and 6 show the detail of a first example of the embodiment of the acoustic attenuation members made at least partially by additive manufacturing. According to this first example, four parts are assembled together to form an acoustic attenuation member. In particular, three parts are made by additive manufacturing to form the outline of the acoustic attenuation member, including the fixing wall 451, 461, the cylindrical envelope 452, 462 with elongation axis A1, A2, and a closing wall 453, 463 arranged parallel to the fixing wall at the opposite end of the acoustic attenuation member. The two walls at the end have an orifice to be passed through by the perforated internal tube 454, 464 made elsewhere.

[0106] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 4, the closing wall 453 of the first acoustic attenuation member 45 may comprise a holding tab 455, capable of being made integral with a wall of the housing, directly or indirectly via the sheet metal 120, so as to support the weight of the first acoustic attenuation member and avoid flexing which could place too much stress on the first conduit 52 on which the first acoustic attenuation member is arranged.

[0107] In [fig.7], a second embodiment of the acoustic attenuation member 45, 46 is illustrated, which differs from what has been previously described in that it is formed of only two parts. These two parts can each be produced by additive manufacturing, so that the entire silencer is produced in this way. A first part 201 forms in one piece the fixing wall 451, 461 and the cylindrical casing 452, 462, and a second part 202 forms in one piece the closing wall and the perforated tube 454, 464. The closing wall 453, 463 has on its internal face, from which the perforated tube projects, a collar 204 around which the cylindrical casing is centered during the assembly of the two parts.During this assembly, care is taken to ensure that the inner tube 454, 464 of the second part 202 passes through the fixing wall 451, 461 of the first part, and the two parts are glued or welded together once the cylindrical casing is in abutment against the closing wall. It should be understood that what has been described previously regarding the arrangement of the acoustic attenuation members applies equally to acoustic attenuation members produced according to the first exemplary embodiment as well as according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0108] The preceding description clearly illustrates the means implemented by the invention to achieve the aims it has set for itself, namely to offer an assembly formed of a circulation device and acoustic attenuation members which is easy to integrate into a breathing assistance device, on the one hand to facilitate its manufacture and therefore limit the cost of obtaining it, and on the other hand to limit the size of this breathing assistance device while retaining appropriate dimensions of the motor and the acoustic attenuation members to ensure high performance in terms of air circulation pressure and acoustics.

[0109] The invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any technical combination operating such means. In particular, the shapes of the acoustic attenuation members, of the air circulation device and of the casing making it possible to form with these components a unitary module could be modified without departing from the context of the invention, since their arrangement allows a substantially perpendicular arrangement of the acoustic attenuation members on either side of the air circulation device.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for assisting the breathing (1) of a patient, comprising at least one inspiration circuit (16), one expiration circuit (20), and a device (28) for circulating air in the inspiration circuit (16), characterized in that it comprises two acoustic attenuation members (45, 46) arranged one upstream and the other downstream of the circulation device relative to the direction of air flow in the inspiration circuit, each acoustic attenuation member extending mainly along an axis of elongation (A1, A2) so that these axes of elongation are perpendicular to each other.

2. Breathing assistance device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a housing (2) within which a first acoustic attenuation member (45) arranged upstream of the circulation device (28) is arranged horizontally and within which a second acoustic attenuation member (46) arranged downstream of the circulation device (28) is arranged vertically.

3. Breathing assistance device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first acoustic attenuation member (45) arranged upstream of the circulation device (28) is arranged longitudinally, along a longitudinal wall (6) of the housing (2).

4. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the first acoustic attenuation member (45) arranged upstream of the circulation device (28) extends along an upper horizontal wall (10) of the housing, the second acoustic attenuation member (46) extending between the circulation device (28) and a lower horizontal wall (12) of the housing.

5. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a casing (102) on which the circulation device is fixed, the acoustic attenuation members (45, 46) being respectively fixed on a fixing plate (104, 106) of the casing (102) so that the acoustic attenuation members (45, 46), the circulation device (28) and the casing (102) form a unitary module (100).

6. Breathing assistance device (1) according to the preceding claim, in combination with claim 2, characterized in that that the unit module (100) is fixed to a wall (10) of the housing (2) by means of a fixing plate (114) of the casing (102).

7. Breathing assistance device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the casing is fixed to the housing by means of a casing fixing plate separate from the casing fixing plates on which the acoustic attenuation members are fixed.

8. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a damping material is injected into the volume defined by the casing of the unit module.

9. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one acoustic attenuation member (45, 46) comprises a cylindrical casing inside which extends a perforated internal tube (454, 464) fluidly connected to the inspiration circuit (16).

10. Breathing assistance device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal tube (454, 464) is connected to an inlet or outlet mouth of a volute (60) of the circulation device (28) via a connecting hose (450, 460).

11. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acoustic attenuation members (45, 46) have different dimensions, a dimension of the acoustic attenuation member (45) arranged upstream of the circulation device (28) being up to twice greater than a corresponding dimension of the acoustic attenuation member (46) arranged downstream of the circulation device (28).

12. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in combination with claim 9, characterized in that the acoustic attenuation member (45) arranged upstream of the circulation device (28) has a cylindrical envelope (452) whose average diameter is of the order of 120 mm and whose main dimension, along its axis of elongation Al, is of the order of 200 mm.

13. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in combination with claim 9, characterized in that the acoustic attenuation member (46) arranged downstream of the circulation device has a cylindrical envelope (462) whose average diameter is of the order of 95mm and whose main dimension, along its elongation axis A2, is of the order of 100mm.

14. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acoustic attenuation member (45, 46) comprises on the one hand three parts respectively produced by additive manufacturing means and assembled to form a cylindrical assembly and on the other hand an internal tube (454, 464) produced separately and made integral with the cylindrical assembly.

15. Breathing assistance device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inspiration circuit (16) comprises a mixing member (48) of the air coming from the circulation device (28) with a gas coming from a gas inlet pipe (18), and in that an accumulation device (50) is arranged aerau-lically between the acoustic attenuation member (46) arranged downstream of the circulation device (28) and the mixing member (48).

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