Respiration auxiliary device

Abstract

To provide a respiration auxiliary device for enabling a user to inhale a sufficient amount of inspiration gas thereby to improve comfort of the user.SOLUTION: A respiration auxiliary device includes: a device body 1; a respiration interface 2; a respiration gas circuit 3 for forming a flow channel FC with a single passage structure; an expiration discharge valve 5; an expiration gas flow rate sensor 4; and a control device 9. The control device 9 includes: an expiration gas flow rate acquisition section for acquiring measurement data of a flow rate of expiration gas G2 from the expiration gas flow rate sensor 4 in real-time; a ventilation amount calculation section for integrating the flow rate of the expiration gas G2 on an expiration time for one time in a user U, which is acquired by the expiration gas flow rate acquisition section, thereby to calculate the ventilation amount for one time; and an inspiration gas adjustment section for adjusting the pressure or flow rate of inspiration gas G1 based on a difference between the ventilation amount for one time and a set ventilation amount being a predetermined fixed value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to respiratory assistance devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the most common treatment for sleep apnea syndrome is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). CPAP prevents airway obstruction during sleep by sending inhaled gas (e.g., air) to the patient's respiratory organs through an interface (e.g., a mask) attached to the patient, and the pressure of the inhaled gas prevents airway obstruction during sleep, allowing smooth breathing.

[0003] Here, Patent Document 1 shows an example of a respiratory assistance device used for CPAP. In this type of respiratory assistance device, a mask and the device main body are connected by a gas circuit consisting of a single tube. Therefore, the gas circuit has a single-path configuration, and the exhaled gas exhaled by the user (patient) is exhausted to the outside of the mask, for example, through a vent hole provided in the mask. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-95983 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when using the above-mentioned respiratory assistance device, if the user experiences a stuffy nose or other problem that narrows or blocks the airway, the patient may not be able to inhale a sufficient amount of intake gas, and some of the intake gas may be exhausted outside the mask through the mask's air vents or gaps between the mask and the face.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a respiratory assistance device that enables a user to inhale a sufficient amount of intake gas, thereby improving the comfort of the user.

[0007] A respiratory assistance device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a device main body which generates and delivers the inhaled gas, a respiratory interface which is arranged near the nose and / or mouth of a user and which supplies the inhaled gas to the respiratory organs of the user and collects exhaled gas from the user, a respiratory gas circuit which connects the device main body and the respiratory interface and forms a single-path flow path through which both the inhaled gas and the exhaled gas discharged from the respiratory organs of the user flow, an exhalation exhaust valve in the respiratory gas circuit which exhausts the exhaled gas from the respiratory gas circuit to outside the respiratory gas circuit, and a pressure difference between the respiratory interface and the inhaled gas circuit, the pressure difference being greater than the exhalation exhaust valve in the respiratory gas circuit. the expiratory gas flow rate sensor is provided on the side closer to the respiratory gas circuit and measures the flow rate of the expiratory gas flowing through the respiratory gas circuit; and a control device adjusts the state of the intake gas based on the flow rate of the expiratory gas, and the control device has an expiratory gas flow rate acquisition unit that acquires measurement data of the flow rate of the expiratory gas from the expiratory gas flow rate sensor in real time, a ventilation volume calculation unit that integrates the flow rate of the expiratory gas for one exhalation time of the user acquired by the expiratory gas flow rate acquisition unit to calculate a ventilation volume at one time, and an intake gas adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure or flow rate of the intake gas based on the difference between the ventilation volume at one time and a predetermined constant value (hereinafter referred to as the set ventilation volume).

[0008] The respiratory assistance device may further include an artificial nose provided in the respiratory gas circuit for capturing moisture in the exhaled gas and providing the captured moisture to the inhaled gas, and the artificial nose may be provided on a side of the respiratory gas circuit closer to the respiratory interface than the expiratory gas flow sensor.

[0009] The respiratory assistance device may further include a flow path opening / closing valve provided in the respiratory gas circuit closer to the device body than the expiratory exhaust valve, for opening and closing the flow path in the respiratory gas circuit.

[0010] The respiratory assistance device may further include a flow path opening / closing valve provided in the respiratory gas circuit closer to the device main body than the expiratory exhaust valve, for opening and closing the flow path in the respiratory gas circuit, and a unit housing provided in the respiratory gas circuit and housing the artificial nose, the expiratory gas flow sensor, the expiratory exhaust valve, and the flow path opening / closing valve as a single unit.

[0011] In the respiratory assistance device, the distance along the flow path between the respiratory interface and the artificial nose in the respiratory gas circuit may be 50 mm or less.

[0012] In the respiratory assistance device, in the respiratory gas circuit, a distance along the flow path between the respiratory interface and the expiratory gas flow sensor may be 100 mm or less.

[0013] In the above respiratory assistance device, the device body may have a blower that takes in air and compresses it as the inhaled gas, and the inhaled gas adjustment section in the control device may adjust the output of the blower.

[0014] In the respiratory assistance device, the intake gas adjustment unit in the control device may increase the output of the blower by a preset standard adjustment amount when the ventilation volume at one time is smaller than the set ventilation volume.

[0015] The respiratory assistance device may further include an expiratory gas pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the expiratory gas, and the control device may further include an expiratory gas pressure acquisition unit that acquires measurement data of the expiratory gas pressure from the expiratory gas pressure sensor in real time, and a valve operating unit that positions the expiratory gas exhaust valve to an exhaust position for exhausting the expiratory gas when an amount of change in the expiratory gas pressure acquired by the expiratory gas pressure acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined value or when the expiratory gas pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0016] In the above respiratory assistance device, the control device may further have a valve operating unit that positions the expiratory exhaust valve to an exhaust position for exhausting the expiratory gas when a change in the flow rate of the expiratory gas acquired by the expiratory gas flow rate acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined value or when the flow rate of the expiratory gas exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0017] The respiratory assistance device further includes a flow path opening / closing valve that is provided in the respiratory gas circuit closer to the device main body than the expiratory exhaust valve and opens and closes the flow path in the respiratory gas circuit, and when the expiratory exhaust valve is placed in the exhaust position, the valve operating unit may place the flow path opening / closing valve from an open position in which the flow path is open to a small opening position in which the flow path is narrower than in the open position, or to a closed position in which the flow path is blocked.

[0018] In the above respiratory assistance device, the device main body has a gas mixing device that generates the intake gas by mixing air and oxygen, and the intake gas adjustment section of the control device may adjust the pressure or flow rate of the intake gas by controlling the operation of the gas mixing device to adjust the mixing ratio of the air and the oxygen.

[0019] In the respiratory assistance apparatus, the respiratory interface may comprise nasal prongs adapted to be fitted to the user's nose. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the above-mentioned respiratory assistance device, it is possible for the user to inhale a sufficient amount of intake gas, and it is possible to improve the comfort of the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view of a respiratory assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control device in the respiratory assistance device. [Diagram 3]5A and 5B are diagrams showing the operation of an exhalation exhaust valve and a flow path opening / closing valve in the respiratory assistance device, where FIG. 5A shows the state during inhalation, and FIG. 5B shows the state during exhalation. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow in the respiratory assistance device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an overall view of a respiratory assistance device according to a first modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an overall view of a respiratory assistance device according to a second modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an overall view of a respiratory assistance device according to a third modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an overall view of a respiratory assistance device according to a fourth modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (Overall composition) As shown in Figure 1, the respiratory assistance device 100 comprises a device main body 1 that generates and delivers inhaled gas G1, a respiratory interface 2 that supplies the inhaled gas G1 to the respiratory organs of a user (patient) U, a respiratory gas circuit 3 which is a conduit connecting the device main body 1 and the respiratory interface 2, an expiratory gas flow sensor 4, an expiratory exhaust valve 5, an artificial nose 6, a flow path opening / closing valve 7, and an expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 provided in the respiratory gas circuit 3, and a control device 9 that adjusts the pressure of the inhaled gas G1.

[0023] (Device body) The device main body 1 has a blower 10 that takes in air and compresses it as intake gas G1, and a housing 11 that houses the blower 10. The blower 10 discharges the intake gas G1 under positive pressure. The blower 10 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a centrifugal blower.

[0024] (Breathing Interface) The respiratory interface 2 is disposed near the nose and mouth of the user U to supply inhaled gas G1 to the respiratory organs of the user and collect exhaled gas G2 from the user U. The structure of the respiratory interface 2 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, for example, it is an oral-nasal mask that covers the entire nose and mouth of the user U while being in close contact with the face of the user U.

[0025] (breathing gas circuit) The respiratory gas circuit 3 forms a flow path FC through which the inhaled gas G1 discharged from the blower 10 can flow toward the respiratory interface 2 (downstream in the flow direction of the inhaled gas G1) and through which the exhaled gas G2 discharged from the respiratory organs of the user U can flow from the respiratory interface 2 toward the blower 10 (downstream in the flow direction of the exhaled gas G2, upstream in the flow direction of the inhaled gas G1). That is, the flow path FC of the respiratory gas circuit 3 has a single-path configuration in which both the inhaled gas G1 and the exhaled gas G2 flow in opposite directions.

[0026] (Expiratory gas flow sensor) The expiratory gas flow sensor 4 measures the flow rate of the expiratory gas G2 flowing through the respiratory gas circuit 3. The expiratory gas flow sensor 4 is provided in the respiratory gas circuit 3 between the blower 10 and the respiratory interface 2. The expiratory gas flow sensor 4 is preferably provided in a position as close as possible to the respiratory interface 2, and the distance along the flow path FC between the expiratory gas flow sensor 4 and the respiratory interface 2, i.e., the distance d1 along the flow path FC between the expiratory gas flow sensor 4 and the connection port 3a of the respiratory gas circuit 3 to the respiratory interface 2, is 100 mm or less.

[0027] (Expiratory Exhaust Valve) The expiratory exhaust valve 5 exhausts the expiratory gas G2 from the respiratory gas circuit 3 to the outside of the respiratory gas circuit 3. During exhalation, at least a part of the inhaled gas G1 from the device main body 1 is exhausted together with the expiratory gas G2. The expiratory exhaust valve 5 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and is provided on the respiratory gas circuit 3 on the side closer to the blower 10 than the expiratory gas flow rate sensor 4 (upstream in the flow direction of the inhaled gas G1, downstream in the flow direction of the expiratory gas G2). The operation of the expiratory exhaust valve 5 is controlled by a control device 9, which will be described in detail later, and the opening of an exhaust port 3x provided in the respiratory gas circuit 3 is adjusted by the expiratory exhaust valve 5.

[0028] (Flow passage opening and closing valve) The flow path opening / closing valve 7 is, for example, a solenoid valve, and is provided in the respiratory gas circuit 3 closer to the device body 1 than the expiratory exhaust valve 5, and opens and closes the flow path FC in the respiratory gas circuit 3. The operation of the flow path opening / closing valve 7 is controlled by a control device 9, which will be described in detail later.

[0029] (artificial nose) The artificial nose (HME: Heat and Moisture Exchanger) 6 is provided in the respiratory gas circuit 3 closer to the respiratory interface 2 than the expiratory gas flow rate sensor 4. The artificial nose 6 captures moisture in the expiratory gas G2 exhaled from the user U, and provides the captured moisture to the inhaled gas G1 pressure-fed from the blower 10. In this embodiment, the distance along the flow path FC between the artificial nose 6 and the respiratory interface 2, i.e., the distance d2 along the flow path FC between the artificial nose 6 and the connection port 3a of the respiratory gas circuit 3, is 50 mm or less.

[0030] (Expiratory gas pressure sensor) The expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 is provided in the respiratory gas circuit 3 closer to the device body 1 than the artificial nose 6, and measures the pressure of the expiratory gas G2. The expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 is provided in the respiratory gas circuit 3 closer to the respiratory interface 2 than the artificial nose 6 so as to avoid the influence of pressure loss in the artificial nose 6 and perform more accurate pressure measurement.

[0031] (Control device) The control device 9 controls the operation of the blower 10 in the device body 1 in order to adjust the state of the inhaled gas G1 flowing through the flow path FC of the respiratory gas circuit 3. The control device 9 is electrically connected to the blower 10, the expiratory gas flow sensor 4, and the expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 via communication lines. The standard of the communication lines is not particularly limited, and may be wired or wireless. The control device 9 is housed, for example, in a housing 11 of the device body 1.

[0032] During normal operation, the control device 9 controls the output of the blower 10 based on a measurement signal from an inhalation gas pressure sensor (not shown) so that the pressure value of the inhalation gas G1 flowing through the flow path FC of the respiratory gas circuit 3 becomes a preset constant value. That is, the respiratory assistance device 100 of this embodiment employs pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV). The expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 may also function as the inhalation gas pressure sensor.

[0033] The control device 9 has a computer 900, which is configured by, for example, a microprocessor.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 900 of the control device 9 has an exhalation gas flow rate acquisition unit 91, a ventilation volume calculation unit 92, an inhalation gas adjustment unit 93, an exhalation gas pressure acquisition unit 94, and a valve operation unit 95.

[0035] The expiratory gas flow rate acquisition unit 91 acquires measurement data of the flow rate of the expiratory gas G2 from the expiratory gas flow rate sensor 4 in real time.

[0036] The ventilation volume calculation unit 92 integrates the flow rate of the exhaled gas G2 for one exhalation time t [s] of the user U to obtain a ventilation volume VT [m 3 The exhalation time t for one breath is the time it takes for the flow rate of the exhaled gas G2 acquired by the exhaled gas flow rate acquisition unit 91 to increase from zero and return to zero again, and this exhalation time t is acquired in real time for each breath.

[0037] The intake gas adjustment unit 93 adjusts the set ventilation volume V0 [m 3 Based on the difference V0-VT (hereinafter referred to as ΔV) between the intake gas G1 and the intake gas G2, the output (e.g., the number of rotations) of the blower 10 is changed to reduce ΔV, thereby adjusting the pressure of the intake gas G1. Note that the flow rate of the intake gas G1 also changes with the change in pressure.

[0038] In this embodiment, the intake gas adjustment unit 93 adjusts the state of the intake gas G1 based on the difference ΔV between the tidal volume VT and the set tidal volume V0. Specifically, when the tidal volume VT is smaller than the set tidal volume V0, the output of the blower 10 is increased by a preset reference adjustment amount W0 each time one breathing action is completed. That is, the output of the blower 10 is increased stepwise by the reference adjustment amount W0 so that the tidal volume VT approaches the set tidal volume V0. On the other hand, when the tidal volume VT is larger than the set tidal volume V0, the output of the blower 10 is suppressed by a preset amount (which may be the same amount as the above-mentioned reference adjustment amount W0 or may be a different amount) each time one breathing action is completed. In this way, the output adjustment amount of the blower 10 may be set to an arbitrary value by the user U operating an operation button or the like (not shown) provided on the device main body 1.

[0039] The expiratory gas pressure acquisition unit 94 acquires measurement data of the pressure of the expiratory gas G2 from the expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 in real time.

[0040] When the change (increase) in the pressure of the exhaled gas G2 acquired by the exhaled gas pressure acquisition unit 94 exceeds a predetermined value, or when the pressure of the exhaled gas G2 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the valve operating unit 95 moves the exhaled exhaust valve 5 from a closed position P1 where the exhaust port 3x is closed to an exhaust position P2 where the exhaled gas G2 is exhausted, as shown in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b). The "exhaust position P2" here does not necessarily have to be a position where the exhaust port 3x is fully open, but may be a position where at least a part of the exhaust port 3x is open. When one exhalation is completed and the change (decrease) in the pressure of the exhaled gas G2 acquired by the exhaled gas pressure acquisition unit 94 exceeds a predetermined value, or when the pressure of the exhaled gas G2 becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold, the valve operating unit 95 moves the exhaled exhaust valve 5 from the exhaust position P2 to the closed position P1.

[0041] Furthermore, the valve operating unit 95 also controls the operation of the flow path opening / closing valve 7. That is, when the expiratory discharge valve 7 is placed in the above-mentioned exhaust position P2, the valve operating unit 95 places the flow path FC from the open position P3 where the flow path FC is open to the small opening position P4 where the flow path FC is narrower than the open position P3, or to the closed position P5 where the flow path FC is closed. That is, when the inhalation gas G1 flows through the flow path FC (during inhalation), the flow path FC is opened widely, and when the expiratory gas G2 flows through the flow path FC (during exhalation), the flow path FC is opened slightly or the flow path FC is closed. This "open position P3" does not necessarily have to be a position where the flow path FC is fully opened. Also, when the expiratory discharge valve 7 is placed in the above-mentioned closed position P1, the valve operating unit 95 places the flow path opening / closing valve 7 from the small opening position P4 or the closed position P5 to the open position P3.

[0042] (Control Flow) Next, the control flow for adjusting the pressure of the intake gas G1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the flow rate of the exhaled gas G2 is obtained (step S1). After step S1, the tidal volume VT is calculated from the flow rate of the exhaled gas G2 (step S2). Then, it is determined whether the tidal volume VT is different from the set tidal volume V0 (step S3).

[0043] If it is determined in step S3 that the ventilation volume at one time VT matches the set ventilation volume V0, the determination is "No" and the flow ends.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the tidal volume VT is different from the set tidal volume V0, the result is "Yes," and the output of the blower 10 is controlled to adjust the pressure of the inhaled gas G1 (step S4). In step S4, the output of the blower 10 is increased or decreased stepwise for each breathing action of the user U.

[0045] (Action and effect) For example, when the airway obstruction occurs in the user U due to a stuffy nose, the ventilation volume at one time may become smaller than the set ventilation volume, resulting in a ventilation volume shortage. In this case, according to the breathing assistance device 100 of the present embodiment described above, the output of the blower 10 is increased to increase the pressure of the inhaled gas G1, and the inhaled gas G1 can be sent to the user U, and more inhaled gas G1 can be forced into the respiratory organs of the user U, resulting in the ventilation volume VT at one time being closer to the set ventilation volume V0. Therefore, a sufficient amount of inhaled gas can be constantly inhaled by the user U, improving the comfort of the user. In addition, in this embodiment, the output of the blower 10 is controlled to increase or decrease stepwise by a preset amount, so that the control is simple and the possibility of failure can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, when the ventilation volume VT at one time is smaller than the set ventilation volume V0, the pressure of the inhaled gas G1 is controlled to be increased, making it easier to open the blocked airway and allowing the user U to inhale more of the inhaled gas G1.

[0047] Furthermore, by providing the artificial nose 6, the inhaled gas G1 can be humidified with a very simple structure in the breathing gas circuit 3 forming the single-path flow path FC, which can encourage smooth breathing for the user U. Furthermore, since the artificial nose 6 can remove moisture from the exhaled gas G2, even if the exhaled gas G2 flows back toward the blower 10, the possibility of the blower 10 breaking down due to contamination with mold or bacteria can be reduced.

[0048] In particular, since the artificial nose 6 of this embodiment is located in the respiratory gas circuit 3 closer to the respiratory interface 2 than the expiratory gas flow sensor 4, the risk of the expiratory gas flow sensor 4 being damaged by moisture in the expiratory gas G2 can be reduced.

[0049] By providing the flow path opening / closing valve 7, it is possible to prevent the exhaled gas G2 from flowing back toward the device main body 1, and to protect the blower 10 from contamination by bacteria, etc. By placing the flow path opening / closing valve 7 in the small opening position P4 where the flow path FC is slightly opened, rather than in the closed position P5, when the user U exhales, it becomes easier for the user U to inhale the inhaled gas G1 when inhalation begins after the user U has finished exhaling. In other words, by allowing only a small amount of the inhaled gas G1 to circulate toward the user U during exhalation rather than completely blocking it, smooth inhalation is possible when inhalation begins.

[0050] In addition, when the control device 9 places the expiratory exhaust valve 5 in the exhaust position P2, the flow path opening / closing valve 7 is moved from the open position P3 to the small opening position P4 or the closed position P5, thereby reducing the exhaust resistance of the expiratory gas G2 and allowing the user U to exhale smoothly.

[0051] In addition, since the distance d2 between the respiratory interface 2 and the artificial nose 6 is 50 mm or less, the moisture in the exhaled gas G2 discharged from the user U can be quickly supplemented, and the growth of mold and bacteria in the flow path FC and the exhaled gas flow sensor 4 can be suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, the distance d1 between the respiratory interface 2 and the expiratory gas flow sensor 4 is set to 100 mm or less, thereby suppressing measurement errors due to pressure loss in the flow path FC and enabling accurate measurement of the flow rate of the expiratory gas G2.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the intake gas adjustment unit 93 of the control device 9 is not limited to the case where the control is performed to increase the output of the blower 10 stepwise by the reference adjustment amount. Specifically, the control device 9 may calculate an average flow rate adjustment value ΔV / t, which is a value obtained by dividing the difference ΔV of the tidal volume VT from the set tidal volume V0 by the expiratory time t used to calculate the tidal volume VT, and adjust the output of the blower 10 so as to increase the flow rate of the intake gas G1 by the average flow rate adjustment value ΔV / t.

[0054] In addition, the intake gas adjustment unit 93 of the control device 9 may adjust the pressure or flow rate of the intake gas G1 by adjusting the opening degree of the expiratory exhaust valve 5 and the flow path opening / closing valve 7, instead of or in addition to adjusting the output of the blower 10.

[0055] (Variation 1) 5, a unit housing K may be provided to house the artificial nose 6, the expiratory gas flow sensor 4, the expiratory exhaust valve 5, the flow path opening / closing valve 7, and the expiratory gas pressure sensor 8, and the artificial nose 6, the expiratory gas flow sensor 4, the expiratory exhaust valve 5, the flow path opening / closing valve 7, and the expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 as one unit. In this case, the maintenance and replacement of the artificial nose 6, the expiratory gas flow sensor 4, the expiratory exhaust valve 5, and the flow path opening / closing valve 7 become easy, and they can be easily added to an existing respiratory gas circuit. Note that the expiratory gas pressure sensor 8 does not have to be included in this unit.

[0056] (Variation 2) 6, the respiratory interface 2A may have nasal prongs to be attached to the nose of the user U. By using such a respiratory interface 2A, the respiratory interface 2A collects the exhaled gas G2 only from the nose, and a decrease in the tidal volume VT when nasal congestion occurs can be reliably detected. This improves the accuracy of the pressure (or flow rate) adjustment of the inhaled gas.

[0057] (Variation 3) As shown in FIG. 7, the breathing interface 2B may have nasal prongs 20 attached to the nose of the user U, and a mask part 21 connected to the nasal prongs 20 to cover the mouth of the user U. The mask part 21 is made of, for example, cloth or resin, and has an air vent 21a that allows breathing through the mouth. The mask part 21 is provided with a unit housing K that houses the artificial nose 6, the exhalation gas flow sensor 4, the exhalation exhaust valve 5, the flow path opening / closing valve 7, and the exhalation gas pressure sensor 8. In this case, as in the above-mentioned modification 2, a decrease in the tidal volume VT when nasal congestion occurs can be reliably detected, and the accuracy of the pressure (or flow rate) adjustment of the inhalation gas can be improved, and the mask part 21 can humidify the area around the mouth of the user U. Furthermore, the artificial nose 6 in the unit housing K provided in the mask part 21 has a sound absorbing effect, thereby suppressing noise during breathing.

[0058] (Variation 4) 8, in the respiratory assistance device 100, the device main body 1C may further include a gas mixer 15 for generating the inhaled gas G1 by mixing air and oxygen inside the housing 11. In this case, the inhaled gas adjustment unit 93 of the control device 8 controls the operation of the gas mixer 15 to adjust the mixture ratio of air and oxygen, thereby adjusting the pressure or flow rate of the inhaled gas G1.

[0059] The valve operating unit 95 of the respiratory assistance device 100 may place the expiratory exhaust valve 5 at the exhaust position P2 when the amount of change in the flow rate of the expiratory gas G2 acquired from the expiratory gas flow sensor 4 exceeds a predetermined value, or when the flow rate of the expiratory gas G2 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In other words, the expiratory exhaust valve 5 may be operated based on the flow rate of the expiratory gas G2, rather than on the pressure of the expiratory gas G2.

[0060] A humidifier may be used instead of the artificial nose 6. In this case, the respiratory assistance device 100 can be used for high-flow oxygen therapy, which is a respiratory therapy in which humidified inhaled gas G1 is supplied to the user U at a high flow rate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] According to the respiratory assistance device of the present invention, it is possible for a sufficient amount of intake gas to be inhaled by the user, thereby improving the comfort of the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...Device body 2. Breathing interface 3. Breathing gas circuit 3a…Connection port 4...Expiratory gas flow sensor 5…Expiratory exhaust valve 6…Artificial nose 7...Flow passage opening and closing valve 8…Expiratory gas pressure sensor 9...Control device 10...Blower 11…Housing 15...Gas mixing device 21...Intake gas pressure sensor 25…Intake shutoff valve 27... Exhalation gas pressure sensor 91... Exhalation gas flow rate acquisition unit 92…Ventilation volume calculation section 93…Intake gas adjustment section 94…Expiratory gas pressure acquisition unit 95...Valve operating section 100…Respiration support device 900...Calculator G1…Intake gas G2: Exhaled gas K…Unit housing U…User

Claims

1. A device main body that generates and delivers the intake gas; a respiratory interface disposed adjacent the nose and / or mouth of a user to supply the inhaled gas to the respiratory tract of the user and to collect exhaled gas from the user; a respiratory gas circuit that connects the device body and the respiratory interface to form a single-path flow path through which both the inhaled gas and the exhaled gas discharged from the respiratory organs of the user flow; an exhalation exhaust valve in the respiratory gas circuit for exhausting the exhaled gas from the respiratory gas circuit to outside the respiratory gas circuit; an exhalation gas flow rate sensor provided in the respiratory gas circuit closer to the respiratory interface than the exhalation exhaust valve, the exhalation gas flow rate sensor measuring a flow rate of the exhalation gas flowing through the respiratory gas circuit; A control device that adjusts the state of the intake gas based on the flow rate of the expiration gas; Equipped with The control device includes: an expiratory gas flow rate acquisition unit that acquires measurement data of the expiratory gas flow rate from the expiratory gas flow rate sensor in real time; a ventilation volume calculation unit that integrates the flow rate of the exhaled gas for one exhalation time of the user acquired by the exhaled gas flow rate acquisition unit to calculate a ventilation volume at one time; an intake gas adjusting unit that adjusts the pressure or flow rate of the intake gas based on a difference between the ventilation volume at one time and a preset constant value (hereinafter, a set ventilation volume); A respiratory assistance device having:

2. an artificial nose provided in the respiratory gas circuit for capturing moisture in the exhaled gas and providing the captured moisture to the inhaled gas; The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1 , wherein the artificial nose is provided on a side of the respiratory gas circuit closer to the respiratory interface than the expiratory gas flow sensor.

3. 3. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1, further comprising a flow passage opening / closing valve provided in the respiratory gas circuit closer to the device body than the expiratory exhaust valve, for opening and closing the flow passage in the respiratory gas circuit.

4. a flow passage opening / closing valve provided in the respiratory gas circuit closer to the device body than the expiratory exhaust valve, for opening and closing the flow passage in the respiratory gas circuit; a unit housing provided in the respiratory gas circuit and housing the artificial nose, the expiratory gas flow rate sensor, the expiratory exhaust valve, and the flow path opening / closing valve into a single unit; 3. The respiratory assistance apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

5. 3. A respiratory assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein in the respiratory gas circuit, the distance along the flow path between the respiratory interface and the artificial nose is less than 50 mm.

6. 3. A respiratory assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein in the respiratory gas circuit, the distance along the flow path between the respiratory interface and the expiratory gas flow sensor is less than 100 mm.

7. The device body has a blower that takes in air and compresses it as the intake gas, 3. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the intake gas adjusting section in the control device adjusts the output of the blower.

8. 8. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 7, wherein the intake gas adjustment unit in the control device increases the output of the blower by a preset reference adjustment amount when the ventilation volume at one time is smaller than the set ventilation volume.

9. Further comprising an exhaled gas pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the exhaled gas, The control device includes: an expiratory gas pressure acquisition unit that acquires measurement data of the expiratory gas pressure from the expiratory gas pressure sensor in real time; a valve operating unit that places the expiratory exhaust valve in an exhaust position for exhausting the expiratory gas when a change in pressure of the expiratory gas acquired by the expiratory gas pressure acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined value or when the pressure of the expiratory gas exceeds a predetermined threshold value; 3. A respiratory assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

10. The control device includes: a valve operating unit that places the expiratory exhaust valve in an exhaust position for exhausting the expiratory gas when a change in the flow rate of the expiratory gas acquired by the expiratory gas flow rate acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined value or when the flow rate of the expiratory gas exceeds a predetermined threshold value; 3. A respiratory assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

11. a flow passage opening / closing valve provided in the respiratory gas circuit closer to the device body than the expiratory exhaust valve and configured to open and close the flow passage in the respiratory gas circuit; 3. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1, wherein, when the expiratory exhaust valve is placed in the exhaust position, the valve operating unit places the flow path opening / closing valve from an open position in which the flow path is open to a small opening position in which the flow path is narrower than in the open position, or to a closed position in which the flow path is blocked.

12. The device body has a gas mixing device that generates the intake gas by mixing air and oxygen, A respiratory assistance device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the intake gas adjustment unit of the control device adjusts the pressure or flow rate of the intake gas by controlling the operation of the gas mixing device to adjust the mixing ratio of the air and the oxygen.

13. 3. A respiratory assistance apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the respiratory interface comprises nasal prongs adapted to be fitted to the user's nose.

Images