Exhalation valve assembly and respiratory gas line assembly equipped with exhalation valve assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exhalation valve assembly (16) for an artificial ventilator, the exhalation valve assembly (16) comprising an exhalation channel (38) having an exhalation inlet (22) at one end and an inlet connection formation (30a) configured for connection to an exhalation breathing gas line (36a) and an exhalation outlet (40) at the other end, the exhalation channel (38) having an exhalation valve (42), an inhalation inlet (54) at one end and an inlet connection formation (58) configured for connection to a breathing gas source providing inhalation breathing gas, and an inhalation outlet (24) at the other end and an inhalation breathing gas line (36a) at the other end. the inhalation channel (52) having an outlet connection formation (30b) configured to connect to the inhalation valve (36b); and a control channel (68) branching off from the inhalation channel (52) at a branch point (66) and leading to the exhalation valve (42) whereby the exhalation valve (42) can be displaced by inhaled breathing gas to a blocking position blocking the flow of exhaled breathing gas, the inhalation channel (52) having a one-way valve (60, 60') disposed therein which permits flow of inhaled breathing gas in an inhalation direction (I) from the inhalation inlet (54) to the inhalation outlet (24) and prevents flow of breathing gas in the opposite direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an expiratory valve assembly for a ventilator for performing artificial respiration on a patient. The expiratory valve assembly includes - an expiratory channel having, at one end, an expiratory inlet for introducing an expiratory breathing gas flow into the expiratory channel and an inlet connection formation configured to connect to an expiratory breathing gas line leading to the patient, and having, at the other end, an expiratory outlet for discharging the expiratory breathing gas, the expiratory channel having an expiratory valve movable to a passage position through which the expiratory breathing gas flow passes by the expiratory breathing gas flow in the expiratory direction from the expiratory inlet to the expiratory outlet; - an inspiratory channel having, at one end, an inspiratory inlet for introducing an inspiratory breathing gas flow into the inspiratory channel and an inlet connection formation configured to connect to a breathing gas source supplying the inspiratory breathing gas, and having, at the other end, an inspiratory outlet for discharging the inspiratory breathing gas and an outlet connection formation configured to connect to an inspiratory breathing gas line leading to the patient; - a control channel branching from the inspiratory channel at a branch point and leading to the expiratory valve, whereby the expiratory valve can be displaced to a blocking position for blocking the expiratory breathing gas flow by the inspiratory breathing gas; and includes.

Background Art

[0002] Such an expiratory valve assembly is configured to guide both an expiratory breathing gas flow and an inspiratory breathing gas flow, and is known, for example, from Patent Document 1.

[0003] An exhalation valve assembly known from Patent Document 1 is part of a respiratory gas line assembly and includes a hose as a line member connected to the exhalation valve assembly. This hose is configured as a double-lumen hose, having both an exhalation respiratory gas line and an inspiratory respiratory gas line inside its outermost hose sleeve. The known double-lumen hose is connected to the exhalation valve assembly at its distal longitudinal end, i.e., the longitudinal end away from the patient during operation. At its proximal longitudinal end, i.e., the longitudinal end closer to the patient during operation, a Y-shaped connector element with a backflow prevention valve assembly is positioned on the hose. The Y-shaped connector element integrates the exhalation respiratory gas line and the inspiratory respiratory gas line, which are respiratory gas lines connected distally, into a common bidirectional respiratory gas line between its distal longitudinal end with two legs and its proximal longitudinal end with one leg.

[0004] The anti-backflow valve assembly is used to isolate the existing respiratory gas column from the other active respiratory gas line in the region of each currently inactive respiratory gas line, consisting of the inspiratory and expiratory respiratory gas lines, located distal to the anti-backflow valve assembly. This ensures that the respiratory gas flows only through the desired active respiratory gas line in each ventilation phase.

[0005] However, the Y-connection element requires a relatively large installation space and becomes bulky due to the inclusion of the anti-backflow valve assembly. This is particularly disadvantageous for the Y-connection element, which is always positioned close to the patient.

[0006] A known expiratory valve located in the expiratory channel blocks the expiratory channel during the inspiratory phase when the inspiratory breathing gas flows through the channel in the inspiratory direction. The branched inspiratory breathing gas displaces the expiratory valve to the blocked position. During spontaneous inspiration, the negative pressure generated by the patient during spontaneous inspiration displaces the expiratory valve to the blocked position. In each of the two cases described above, during the inspiratory phase, a pressure gradient exists between the upstream and downstream sides of the expiratory valve in the expiratory direction, and this pressure gradient displaces the expiratory valve to the blocked position.

[0007] In the respiratory gas line assembly known from Patent Document 1, a backflow prevention valve in the Y-connection element similarly blocks the inspiratory respiratory gas line during exhalation. This prevents respiratory gas flow in the expiratory direction, opposite to the inspiratory direction, within the inspiratory respiratory gas line.

[0008] For further background information on the prior art, please also refer to Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 018902 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 2663354 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to describe technical teachings that enable the temporary blocking of erroneous flow in each ventilation phase consisting of inspiration and expiration, without requiring the continuous placement of medical technology components that require space near the patient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention solves the present problem by arranging a one-way valve in the inspiratory channel of the type of exhalation valve assembly described at the beginning, the one-way valve allowing inspiratory breathing gas flow in the inspiratory direction from the inspiratory inlet to the inspiratory outlet, and blocking breathing gas flow in the opposite direction.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, an expiratory valve assembly, always positioned distal to the patient, such as on a ventilation hose, blocks the expiratory breathing gas line during inspiration and blocks the inspiratory breathing gas line during exhalation. The one-way valve required for this purpose can be located, on the one hand, within a relatively compact assembly, and on the other hand, at a distance from the patient receiving mechanical ventilation. Even if the installation volume of the expiratory valve assembly increases compared to known expiratory valve assemblies from the prior art by placing the one-way valve within the expiratory valve assembly, this does not restrict the patient because it occurs at a distance from the patient receiving mechanical ventilation.

[0013] A one-way valve is preferably a simple backflow prevention valve having a valve seat and a valve body, the valve body physically abutting the valve seat in a closed position that closes its inspiratory breathing gas line and can be removed from the valve seat to allow the inspiratory breathing gas line to pass through. To ensure that the inspiratory breathing gas line can only pass through in the inspiratory direction, the valve body can be lifted from the valve seat only along the local inspiratory direction at its mounting position in the expiratory valve assembly. Thus, the one-way valve can be lifted from the valve seat and thus displaced to an open position that allows for passage by the inspiratory breathing gas flow itself, while breathing gas flow in the opposite direction returns the valve body to its valve seat and thus displaces it to a closed position.

[0014] The valve body can be displaced to the closed position by applying elastic pretension using pretensioning means, such as a pretensioning spring or an elastic polymer pretensioning element. The valve body being its own pretensioning element allows for advantageous simplification by minimizing the number of components. Therefore, preferably, the valve body is deformable between a closed and open configuration by the inspiratory breathing gas flow. In the closed configuration, the valve body abuts against the valve seat, closing the inspiratory channel. In the open configuration, the valve body is at least partially lifted from the valve seat, allowing the inspiratory channel to pass through in the inspiratory direction. This eliminates the need for additional pretensioning members.

[0015] According to the present invention, the valve body may be configured as a rotatable flap, and in order to realize the above-mentioned deformability between a closed shape and an open shape, the hinge that enables the rotatable movement of the flap-shaped valve body is preferably configured as a living hinge.

[0016] Alternatively, and preferably due to the possibility of symmetrical flow, the valve body may be configured as a disk, the disk held in a central disk region located away from its edge, thereby allowing the disk edge to move laterally relative to the disk surface through deformation of the disk with respect to the held central disk region. The valve seat may be formed by an annular surface on which a disk edge region located radially outward from the central disk region in the closed position of the one-way valve rests, and the disk edge region may be lifted from the annular surface to form an open shape by deformation of the disk-shaped valve body.

[0017] To hold the valve body, the valve body has an opening that penetrates the central disk region within the central disk region, and the opening is passed through by a retaining member. Preferably, the retaining member has a larger cross-section on both sides of the opening that is passed through than the opening that is passed through, so that the valve body can be held very effectively shape-connectively by the retaining member.

[0018] Preferably, the valve seat and retaining member of the valve body are configured as a single integrated component. The one-way valve may be inserted into the intake channel as a pre-assembled assembly, preferably including a basic component comprising a valve seat and a retaining component. Preferably, the component comprising the valve seat and retaining member is particularly preferably a single integrated component and, after being inserted into the intake channel, may be fixed within the intake channel by bonding, welding such as ultrasonic welding or friction welding, or simply by frictional connection between the outer and inner surfaces of the component wall facing the inner surface of the intake channel wall. To facilitate insertion, the retaining member may be configured to have a rotationally symmetrical or repeating shaped portion along the circumferential direction in at least the fixing portion that can be fixed to the intake channel, if the portion of the intake channel into which the basic component having the one-way valve is inserted is also configured as rotationally symmetric. In this case, the orientation of the basic component with respect to the insertion axis during assembly is not advantageously important.

[0019] To facilitate thermal fixing by melting overlapping interface surfaces, as in welding, at least the fixing portion of the basic member and the portion of the intake channel that receives the fixing portion are formed from a compatible thermoplastic plastic at least on surfaces that face each other and come into contact with each other. Preferably, to simplify manufacturing, the entire basic member comprising the valve seat and retaining member, and / or the entire intake channel, is formed from a compatible thermoplastic material.

[0020] The valve body, particularly the disc-shaped valve body, may be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer or an elastomer such as common silicone. The material of the valve body does not need to be compatible with the material of the valve seat and / or the material of the retaining member and / or the material forming the intake channel wall. Preferably, this is not necessary to avoid undesirable random connections between the valve body and the valve seat and / or the intake channel wall.

[0021] The intake direction and the exhalation direction are functionally opposite, but this does not mean that the intake respiratory gas flow and the exhalation respiratory gas flow flow in opposite directions at each position of the exhalation valve assembly. The exhalation channel and the intake channel may extend partially parallel, but usually do not extend parallel along the entire common extension portion. This is because, for example, the exhalation outlet, preferably located in the arrangement region of the exhalation valve, opens to the outside environment of the exhalation valve assembly, while the intake inlet is connected to a respiratory gas source such as a pressurized respiratory gas storage device or / and a blower. As long as the exhalation channel and the intake channel extend locally parallel in contact with or within the exhalation valve assembly, within this parallel region, the exhalation respiratory gas flow and the intake respiratory gas flow generally actually flow in opposite directions.

[0022] The inlet connection forming portion, the inlet connection forming portion, and the outlet connection forming portion can have any shape that enables the connection of further lines or further channels. Each of the aforementioned forming portions may be part of a pneumatic quick coupling or may simply be formed by either a channel socket or a channel bush. Those skilled in the art generally know how to connect a respiratory gas line to the inlet connection forming portion and the outlet connection forming portion. Those skilled in the art also know how to effectively fluid-technologically connect the inlet connection forming portion to a respiratory gas storage device, that is, a container in which pressurized respiratory gas is stored or a ventilation device equipped with a blower.

[0023] Regardless of the functional capabilities of the one-way valve, the branch point is preferably located upstream of the one-way valve in the intake direction to reliably displace the exhalation valve to the blocking position by the intake respiratory gas.

[0024] The exhalation valve is preferably configured as a diaphragm valve known per se, having a diaphragm displaceable in a direction orthogonal to its main extension surface as the valve body, and having the end face side longitudinal end portion of a part of the exhalation channel as an annular valve seat on which the valve body is placed in the blocking position.

[0025] Preferably, the exhalation valve has, in a manner known per se, an inlet-side exhalation channel portion with an exhalation inlet on the radially inner side and a valve seat, and an outlet-side exhalation channel portion with an exhalation outlet on the radially outer side of the inlet-side exhalation channel portion. The exhaled breathing gas can flow from the inlet-side exhalation channel portion to the outlet-side exhalation channel portion only at the passage position, that is, only when the valve body is lifted from the valve seat. Based on the relatively large diaphragm surface, it is possible to form a chamber on the side facing away from the valve seat of the preferred diaphragm valve body, and since the chamber communicates with the control channel, the inhaled breathing gas can flow into the chamber through the control channel and displace the diaphragm valve body towards the valve seat, that is, to the closed position, in the chamber.

[0026] The diaphragm valve body preferably has an inhalation diaphragm surface, the inhalation diaphragm surface faces the chamber, and can be wetted by the inhaled breathing gas. On the opposite side facing the exhalation inlet, the diaphragm valve body preferably has an exhalation diaphragm surface, and the exhalation diaphragm surface can be accessed by the exhaled breathing gas from the inlet-side exhalation channel portion. The exhalation diaphragm surface is located inside the valve seat when the exhalation valve is seen in the closed state as the reference state. Preferably, the inhalation diaphragm surface of the diaphragm valve body that can be wetted by the inhaled breathing gas is larger than the exhalation diaphragm surface that can be accessed by the exhaled breathing gas so that the exhalation valve can be reliably kept closed by the inhaled breathing gas during the inhalation process. The advantageous area ratio of the inhalation diaphragm surface to the exhalation diaphragm surface is in the range of 1.5 to 2. More preferably, the area ratio is in the range of 1.7 to 1.9. Particularly preferably, the area ratio is 1.8.

[0027] Basically, the inhalation channel and the exhalation channel can each have an arbitrary path between their respective inlets and outlets. However, in order to avoid unnecessary turbulence and flow resistance, it is preferable that an inhalation inlet portion closer to the inhalation inlet than the inhalation outlet of the inhalation channel extends along the inhalation inlet axis. Preferably, the inhalation inlet portion has an inhalation inlet and extends from the inhalation inlet.

[0028] For clarification, please note that in this application, the concept of "axis" refers to a straight path.

[0029] In Patent Document 1, the valve movement path when the valve body of the expiratory valve is lifted from the valve seat is perpendicular to the inspiratory inlet axis. The known valve movement path further extends parallel to the inspiratory outlet portion, which is located closer to the inspiratory outlet than to the inspiratory inlet. The known inspiratory outlet portion extends along the inspiratory outlet axis. Furthermore, the known valve movement path extends parallel to the expiratory inlet portion, which extends along the expiratory inlet axis, and the expiratory inlet portion is located closer to the expiratory inlet than to the expiratory outlet. In such a valve body kinematics, depending on the operating conditions, gravity may have an unfavorable effect on the expiratory valve, or at least no favorable effect.

[0030] Basically, the valve body of the exhalation valve is typically pretensioned by the material elasticity of a preferred diaphragm valve body and displaced to the closed position. In most operating conditions, gravity additionally displaces the exhalation valve to the closed position, and therefore, to enhance the functional reliability of the exhalation valve, it is preferably specified that, for the exhalation valve assembly discussed herein, the valve movement path of the exhalation valve body, particularly the diaphragm valve body described above, when it is lifted from the closed position of the exhalation valve away from the valve seat, particularly the valve seat described above, and when it can approach the valve seat, is inclined at an angle of inclination of 10° to 45°, preferably 15° to 35°, with respect to the inspiratory inlet axis. Preferably, the exhalation valve assembly discussed herein is used in emergency ventilators mounted on patient emergency transport means such as ambulances and rescue helicopters or emergency transport means in the event of an accident. Therefore, the orientation of the exhalation valve assembly in emergency use is unpredictable. The description of the position of the expiratory valve relative to the valve movement path indicates that, in most operating conditions, the expiratory valve assembly is used oriented such that gravity acting on the valve body displaces the valve body to the closed position.

[0031] An expiratory valve assembly that is advantageously compact in applications where there are coupling and connecting forming portions of the expiratory valve assembly and further lines connecting to the coupling forming portions of the expiratory valve assembly is obtained by having the expiratory inlet portion of the expiratory channel, which is located closer to the expiratory inlet than the expiratory outlet, extend along the expiratory inlet axis. Preferably, the valve travel path is inclined around a line parallel to the expiratory inlet axis with respect to the inspiratory inlet axis.

[0032] Preferably, the expiratory inlet axis and the inspiratory inlet axis are oriented perpendicular to each other. The two inlet axes, which are assumed to pass through the center of each channel portion, do not need to intersect and may pass each other at a distance.

[0033] Preferably, the valve seat is flat or has a valve seat surface located in a plane. If the valve seat surface has an extended portion along the valve travel path, for example, because it is conical or negative conical, then the plane of the valve seat surface is understood not as a mathematical plane, but as a technical plane having a small extended portion along the valve travel path.

[0034] As described above, when the valve travel path is inclined with respect to the intake inlet axis, it is preferable that the extending surface of the valve seat or flat valve seat surface is also inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the intake inlet axis. In this case, even if the valve seat is a theoretically possible non-planar valve seat, it has a close portion that is inclined toward the intake inlet and closer to it, and a further separated portion that is inclined toward the intake inlet and further away from it. In order to make the control channel as short as possible and thereby minimize losses, the control channel preferably extends from the branching point to the expiratory valve, closer to the close portion than to the separated portion.

[0035] The control channel may be configured, at least partially, as a channel member or channel member portion positioned spatially apart from the inspiratory channel and / or expiratory channel. This allows each of these channels to have the smallest possible cross-section, unlike an integrated control channel having at least one channel consisting of an inspiratory channel and an expiratory channel, thus supplying an expiratory valve assembly with the smallest possible installation space.

[0036] Preferably, in the expiratory valve assembly according to the present invention, if a signal line is required, it is assumed that the signal line will be extended at least partially through the expiratory valve assembly, and in particular through at least one channel consisting of an inspiratory channel and an expiratory channel. In order to ensure that such at least one signal line guided into the channel can be reliably penetrated through the channel and connected to its communication device, according to a preferred further development of the present invention, at least one through opening may be formed in the region between the inspiratory inlet portion and the expiratory inlet portion, or / or the region between the inspiratory inlet portion and the inspiratory outlet portion located closer to the inspiratory outlet than the inspiratory inlet. This at least one through opening penetrates the channel wall that defines the inspiratory channel and / or the expiratory channel.

[0037] At least one through opening may simply be passed through by at least one signal line. Alternatively, the signal line may be physically terminated on the inner surface of the channel wall facing each channel. To ensure secure positioning of the longitudinal end of the signal line, the inner surface of the channel wall may be provided with a receiving portion, such as a plug-on socket, plug-in collar, or a ring made of a leaf spring projecting in the same direction from the peripheral region of the through opening, into which the longitudinal end of the signal line can be inserted, so as to form a receiving engagement by shape connection with the longitudinal end of the signal line.

[0038] Similarly, further receiving portions may be located on the outer surface of the associated channel, and these receiving portions are similarly configured to position the longitudinal ends of further signal lines that continue the signal lines outside the channel that guides the signal lines. The further receiving portions may be, for example, plug-on sockets, plug-in collars, or rings consisting of leaf springs projecting in the same direction from the peripheral region of the through opening. At least one receiving portion may be formed on a separate through member, which may be inserted into and secured in the through opening.

[0039] When multiple through openings are formed, the through openings are preferably formed in the same way as when there are multiple through members.

[0040] To avoid unnecessary curvature of at least one signal line, at least one through opening is positioned such that, as far as possible, the signal line portion connected to the through opening or any further signal lines connecting to it do not need to be routed around the channel member. This can be achieved by positioning at least one through opening downstream of a reference plane in the expiratory direction, the reference plane being oriented perpendicular to the expiratory inlet axis, and the opening surface enclosed by the valve seat being divided into equal surface portions.

[0041] Furthermore, unnecessary curvature of the signal wires can be avoided by having at least one through opening and / or a through member inserted into the through opening extend along a through axis parallel to the exhalation inlet axis and / or the inhalation outlet axis along which the exhalation outlet portion extends.

[0042] In this context, it should be considered that the signal wire generally extends from sensors located closer to the patient than the exhalation valve assembly, particularly from the flow sensor, to the exhalation valve assembly. The signal wire may be an electrical signal wire that transmits electrical signals. In this case, the curvature of the signal wire is generally not important. Frequently used proximal differential pressure flow sensors have two signal wires, each a hollow pressure wire that transmits the respiratory gas pressure upstream of the flow resistance within the flow sensor and the respiratory gas pressure downstream of the flow resistance. To ensure the most accurate pressure transmission possible, it is useful to avoid curvature and kinking.

[0043] Basically, it is possible to configure the expiratory inlet and inspiratory outlet portions to be spatially separated from each other so that both functionally face the patient receiving mechanical ventilation. However, especially in emergency medicine, setting up the ventilator, and therefore the expiratory valve assembly, as quickly as possible is a critical advantage. Therefore, it is preferable that the expiratory inlet and inspiratory outlet portions are formed at a common multi-lumen end. Advantageously, the inlet connection forming portion and the outlet connection forming portion may be configured as a common, preferably integrated, connection-connection forming portion. A multi-lumen hose can be connected to this connection-connection forming portion so that, in a single connection process, the expiratory breathing gas line is connected to the expiratory channel and the inspiratory breathing gas line is connected to the inspiratory channel simultaneously and, if possible, in a single operating process.

[0044] The exhalation valve assembly can be supplied in the most compact form possible by realizing the intake inlet, exhalation inlet, and intake outlet portions with an integrated channel member. Preferably, the integrated channel member is manufactured using a plastic injection molding process. The integrated channel member preferably also has an inlet connection forming portion, an inlet connection forming portion, and an outlet connection forming portion integrally formed thereon, preferably each being formed as a connection socket and / or a connection bush.

[0045] The present invention further relates to a respiratory gas line assembly comprising an exhalation valve assembly formed as described above, an exhalation breathing gas line, an inspiratory breathing gas line, and a flow sensor.

[0046] The exhalation gas line preferably has a distal exhalation coupling forming portion at its distal longitudinal end, and the distal exhalation coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection that guides the exhalation gas flow with the inlet connection forming portion of the exhalation channel of the exhalation valve assembly. Similarly, the exhalation gas line has a proximal exhalation coupling forming portion at its proximal longitudinal end, and the proximal exhalation coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection that guides the exhalation gas flow with the exhalation discharge connection forming portion at the distal longitudinal end of the flow sensor. Furthermore, the inspiratory gas line has a distal inspiratory coupling forming portion at its distal longitudinal end, and the distal inspiratory coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection that guides the inspiratory gas flow with the outlet connection forming portion of the inspiratory channel of the exhalation valve assembly. Finally, the inspiratory breathing gas line has a proximal inspiratory coupling forming portion at its proximal longitudinal end, and the proximal inspiratory coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection with the inspiratory inhalation coupling forming portion at the distal longitudinal end of the flow sensor, which guides the inspiratory breathing gas flow.

[0047] To avoid an unnecessarily large number of different lines or hoses that could become entangled with rescue workers or medical staff during use, preferably, at least one breathing gas line consisting of an exhaling breathing gas line and an inspiratory breathing gas line is provided with at least one signal line, which is configured to transmit flow sensor detection information from the proximal longitudinal end to the distal longitudinal end of the at least one breathing gas line. This is the at least one signal line described above.

[0048] In such a respiratory gas line assembly, preferably, the one-way valve in the inspiratory channel of the expiratory valve assembly is the only one-way valve in the inspiratory respiratory gas flow from the inspiratory inlet to the proximal end of the flow sensor. It is not functionally necessary to place additional valves in the inspiratory channel or throughout the entire inspiratory respiratory gas line.

[0049] Similarly, the expiratory valve is preferably the only valve configuration in the expiratory channel, or particularly preferably the only valve configuration in the entire expiratory breathing gas line.

[0050] As described above, at least one of the at least one signal line can pass through at least one of the at least one through opening, or can terminate at a receiving engagement portion of a receiving forming portion for receiving the distal end of at least one signal line. Possible receiving forming portions are described above.

[0051] To further avoid an unnecessarily large number of lines, particularly hoses, which could become entangled with personnel working in the operating area of ​​the respiratory gas line assembly and increase the risk of endangering or terminating the patient's respiration, preferably the expiratory and inspiratory respiratory gas lines are formed on a common multi-lumen line member. The multi-lumen line member may be connected to spatially separated formations, such as a multi-lumen respiratory gas hose, consisting of an inlet connection forming section and an outlet connection forming section. However, preferably, the multi-lumen line member is connected to the aforementioned multi-lumen end of the expiratory valve assembly.

[0052] A multi-lumen line member can have two coaxial, preferably concentric, hoses as a double-lumen line member. However, in order to supply approximately the same cross-sectional area to the inspiratory and expiratory breathing gas lines, which have approximately the same wall area per unit section, it is preferable that the expiratory and inspiratory breathing gas lines are separated from each other within the line member by partitions extending along the line member and along its inner diameter. The line member is preferably a hose.

[0053] In order to load the two breathing gas lines, consisting of the expiratory breathing gas line and the inspiratory breathing gas line, as evenly as possible by receiving the signal lines, preferably, the same number of signal lines, preferably exactly one signal line each, are received in the expiratory lumen and the inspiratory lumen.

[0054] At its proximal longitudinal end, the respiratory gas line assembly, particularly the line member, particularly preferably the multi-lumen line member, may have a proximal coupling member to which the line member, particularly the multi-lumen line member, is connected. The coupling member preferably has at its distal longitudinal end an expiratory connection forming portion for forming a connection to guide the expiratory respiratory gas flow with the expiratory lumen of the expiratory respiratory gas line, particularly the multi-lumen line member, and an inspiratory connection forming portion for forming a connection to guide the inspiratory respiratory gas flow with the inspiratory lumen of the inspiratory respiratory gas line, particularly the multi-lumen line member. The coupling member preferably has at its proximal longitudinal end a coupling forming portion, which is both a proximal expiratory coupling forming portion and a proximal inspiratory coupling forming portion.

[0055] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0056] [Figure 1A]This is an exploded side view showing the distal end of an embodiment of a respiratory gas line assembly according to the present invention, which includes an embodiment of the exhalation valve assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 1B] Figure 1A is an exploded side view of the proximal end of the respiratory gas line assembly. [Figure 2A] This is a side view of the distal end of the assembled respiratory gas line assembly shown in Figure 1A, viewed along arrow IIA in Figures 3A and 4. [Figure 2B] This is a side view of the proximal end of the assembled breathing gas line assembly shown in Figure 1B, viewed along arrow IIB in Figure 3B. [Figure 3A] This is a bottom view of the proximal end of the respiratory gas line assembly in Figure 2A, along arrow IIIA in Figures 2A and 4. [Figure 3B] This is a bottom view of the distal end of the respiratory gas line assembly in Figure 2B, along arrow IIIB in Figure 2B. [Figure 4] This is an elevation view of the respiratory gas line assembly as seen along arrow IV in Figures 2B and 3B. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the integrated channel member of the exhalation valve assembly shown in Figure 4, along the line V-V in the cross-section of Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0057] In Figures 1A to 3B, one embodiment of the respiratory gas line assembly according to the present invention is represented as 10 overall. Figures 1A, 2A, and 3A show the distal longitudinal end region 12 of the respiratory gas line assembly 10, and Figures 1B, 2B, and 3B show its proximal longitudinal end region 14.

[0058] The distal longitudinal end 12 of the respiratory gas line assembly 10, i.e., the longitudinal end 12 further away from the patient receiving mechanical ventilation, includes an exhalation valve assembly 16 having a one-piece channel member 18 injection-molded from plastic. The channel member 18, which is in a sole location, is shown in a longitudinal section in Figure 5.

[0059] The channel member 18 includes a multi-lumen end 20, which has an exhalation inlet 22 in its upper region in Figure 1A and an inspiratory outlet 24 in its lower region. A linear exhalation inlet portion 26 is connected to the exhalation inlet 22, extending along the exhalation inlet axis EEA in the exhalation direction E. A linear inspiratory outlet portion 28 is connected to the exhalation outlet 24, extending along the inspiratory outlet axis IAA in the direction opposite to the inspiratory direction I. In the illustrated embodiment, the exhalation inlet axis EEA and the inspiratory outlet axis IAA are parallel to each other, as are the exhalation inlet portion 26 and the inspiratory outlet portion 28.

[0060] The multi-lumen end 20 has a common connecting-connection forming portion 30, which functions as an inlet connecting-connection forming portion 30a in the upper region of Figure 1A and as an outlet connecting-connection forming portion 30b in the lower region of Figure 1A. The radial projections 32a and 32b, which function as end stoppers for the connecting-connection mating forming portion 34 of the multi-lumen hose, which is the multi-lumen line member 36 of the breathing gas line assembly 10, indicate the longitudinal ends of the inlet connecting-connection forming portion 30a and the outlet connecting-connection forming portion 30b.

[0061] The multi-lumen hose 36 can be inserted into the coupling-connection forming portion 30 of the multi-lumen end 20 at its coupling-connection mating portion 34 to form a flow connection between the multi-lumen hose 36 and the channel member 18. The coupling-connection mating portion 34 may be releasably held in the coupling-connection forming portion 30 by friction or shape connection, for example, by a bayonet catch, an elastic catch mechanism, or other locking means.

[0062] The exhalation valve assembly has an exhalation channel 38 that extends from the exhalation inlet 22 to the exhalation outlet 40. The exhalation inlet portion 26 is part of the exhalation channel 38.

[0063] Within the exhalation channel 38, an exhalation valve 42 having the shape of a diaphragm valve is positioned in the exhalation direction E between the exhalation inlet 22 and the exhalation outlet 40. In Figure 1A, an annular, flat but inclined valve seat 44 is visible. At the valve seat 44, the inlet side exhalation channel portion 38a terminates in the exhalation direction E, and the outlet side exhalation channel portion 38b begins from the valve seat 44 in the exhalation direction E. The exhalation channel portions 38a and 38b are separated from each other by the exhalation valve 42. For this purpose, the exhalation valve 42 has a valve body 46 in the shape of a diaphragm, and the diaphragm is held in place by a cover member 50 against the channel wall 48 of the outlet side exhalation channel portion 38b. The diaphragm valve body 46 may be clamped between the channel wall 48 and the cover member 50.

[0064] When exhaled breathing gas flows through the inlet-side exhalation channel portion 38a to the diaphragm valve body 46 in the exhalation direction E, the diaphragm valve body 46 is lifted from the annular valve seat 44 by the resulting pressure, against the pretension force provided by the material elasticity of the diaphragm valve body 46, and the exhaled breathing gas can flow from the inlet-side exhalation channel portion 38a to the outlet-side exhalation channel 38b that surrounds the inlet-side exhalation channel portion 38a radially outward.

[0065] An intake channel 52 is formed in the exhalation valve assembly 16, particularly the integrated channel member 18, which is most clearly visible in Figure 5. The intake channel 52 extends from the intake inlet 54 to the intake outlet 24 in the intake direction I.

[0066] A linear inspiratory inlet portion 56 is connected to the inspiratory inlet 54 as part of the inspiratory channel 52 in the inspiratory direction I. In the illustrated example, the inspiratory inlet portion 56 extends along the inspiratory inlet axis IEA, which forms a 90° angle with the inspiratory outlet axis IAA. The region of the inspiratory inlet portion 56 having the inspiratory inlet 54 is configured as an inlet connection forming portion 58, which is used to form a connection that guides the inspiratory breathing gas in the inspiratory direction I. This connection allows the inspiratory breathing gas to be introduced into the inspiratory channel 52 from a breathing gas source (not shown), such as a ventilator. The inlet connection forming portion 58 may be configured as a plug-on bush that can be inserted into a connecting lug with a breathing gas source, surrounding the connecting lug radially outward. Alternatively, the inlet connection forming portion 58 may be configured as a connecting lug that can be inserted into a bush of a breathing gas source.

[0067] A one-way valve 60 is inserted into the intake inlet portion 56, and the one-way valve 60 has a base member 62 and an elastomer disc-shaped valve body 64 held on the base member 62. The one-way valve 60 is welded to the inner wall 52a (see Figure 5) of the intake channel 52, preferably by ultrasonic welding between the fixing link 62a of the base member 62 and the inner wall 52a, and is therefore fixed in place. The valve body 64 is held shape-connected to the base member 62 in its central region, and when air flows in the intake direction I, it can be lifted from the valve seat 62b formed on the base member 62 in its peripheral region. When air flows in the opposite direction to the intake direction I, the valve body 64 is pressed against the valve seat 62b, closing the intake channel 52.

[0068] Similar to the inspiratory channel 52, the expiratory channel 38 is confined by a channel wall 38c. The channel wall 48 of the outlet expiratory channel portion 38b is part of the channel wall 38c.

[0069] The dashed rectangle 60' in Figure 1 indicates the position of the one-way valve 60 within the channel member 18 when the assembly is complete. In Figure 1, the disc-shaped valve body 64 is oriented so that the extended surface of the valve body disc is perpendicular to the projection plane of Figure 1.

[0070] From the inspiratory channel 52, a control channel 68 branches off at a branching point 66 located upstream of the valve body 64 to which the one-way valve 60 is attached in the inspiratory direction I. The control channel 68 penetrates the diaphragm valve body 46 through the opening 70 of the diaphragm valve body 46 and terminates in a chamber located on the side of the cover member 50 that is backward to the valve seat 44 of the expiratory valve 42. Therefore, regardless of the operating state of the one-way valve 60, the inspiratory breathing gas can always be guided through the control channel 68 to the side of the diaphragm valve body 46 that is backward to the valve seat 44. This ensures that the expiratory valve 42 is reliably held in its closed position by the expiratory breathing gas during the inspiratory process, in which the diaphragm valve body 46 mounted on the valve seat 44 blocks the flow through the expiratory channel 38. The control channel 68 is partially and structurally located both outside the inspiratory channel 52 and outside the expiratory channel 38, and does not share a common wall portion with the inspiratory channel 52 or the expiratory channel 38 along at least one portion, which would restrict the control channel 68 on one side and the channel consisting of the inspiratory channel 52 and the expiratory channel 38 on the opposite side. A wall portion exists only in the region of the channel wall 48 of the outlet-side expiratory channel portion 38b, and this wall portion restricts both the portion of the control channel 68 and the portion of the outlet-side expiratory channel portion 38b.

[0071] To ensure that the expiratory valve remains closed during the inspiratory process, the inspiratory diaphragm surface 46a of the diaphragm valve body 46, which can be moistened by the inspiratory breathing gas, is larger than the opposite expiratory diaphragm surface 46b, the expiratory diaphragm surface 46b being located inside the valve seat 44 when the expiratory valve 46 is closed, allowing the expiratory breathing gas to approach from the inlet expiratory channel portion 38a. In the illustrated preferred case, the inspiratory diaphragm surface 46a is 1.8 times larger than the expiratory diaphragm surface 46b.

[0072] As can be seen in Figure 5, the channel member 58 has a through opening 72a in the expiratory channel 38 and a through opening 72b in the inspiratory channel 52. The through openings 72a and 72b, which extend along the through axis DA parallel to the expiratory inlet axis EEA and the inspiratory outlet axis IAA, respectively, penetrate the channel member wall 58a of the channel member 58, which defines both the inspiratory channel 52 and the expiratory channel 38.

[0073] Through members 74a and 74b, shown in Figure 1, are attached to the through openings 72a and 72b. These through members are formed separately from the channel member 18 and extend along the through axis DA on which they are located. Since the through members 74a and 74b are the same, it is sufficient to describe only through member 74a, and this description is also valid for the other through member 74b.

[0074] The through member 74a has a receiving portion 76 on the side facing into the exhalation channel 38, i.e., the inner region of the channel member 18, to which a first signal wire 78 guided into the exhalation lumen 36a of the multi-lumen hose 36 can be connected by shape. The receiving portion 76 may be a collar, spring washer, or plug-on socket surrounding the signal wire 78 into which the signal wire 78 can be inserted.

[0075] On the opposite side, the through member 74a has a further receiving portion 80, to which further signal lines 82 can be connected in a shape-connected manner. The further receiving portion 80 may be a collar, a spring washer, or a plug-on socket.

[0076] In the multi-lumen hose 36, a second signal line 84 is guided within the intake lumen 36b, and the second signal line 84 may be continued outside the channel member 18 by a further signal line 86 using a through-member 74b, similar to the through-member 74a described above.

[0077] Signal lines 78 and 84, and further signal lines 82 and 86, act as hollow lines to transmit pressure information from a flow sensor 108 (described later) in the proximal longitudinal end region 14 of the respiratory gas line assembly 10. The further signal lines 82 and 86 can be joined to a connector 88, which allows for easy and reliable connection to a pressure sensor within the ventilator to transmit pressure information.

[0078] Figure 1B shows the proximal longitudinal end 14 of the respiratory gas line assembly 10, that is, the longitudinal end located closer to the patient receiving artificial respiration during operation. The multi-lumen hose 36 has the same configuration at its distal longitudinal end as the proximal longitudinal end described above; therefore, for a description of the distal longitudinal end, please refer to the description of the proximal longitudinal end of the multi-lumen hose 36.

[0079] The proximal coupling member 90, formed as a separate component, is coupled to the proximal longitudinal end of the multi-lumen hose 36, and has a common connecting-connection forming portion 92 at its distal longitudinal end. The connecting-connection forming portion 92 corresponds to the connecting-connection forming portion 30 described above, so please refer to the description of the connecting-connection forming portion 30 for a description of the connecting-connection forming portion 92. The common connecting-connection forming portion 92 includes the upper exhalation connecting forming portion 92a in Figure 1B, which corresponds to the inlet connecting forming portion 30a on the channel member 18, and the lower inhalation connecting forming portion 92b in Figure 1B, which corresponds to the outlet connecting forming portion 30b on the channel member 18. The proximal coupling member 90 is a Y-connection member in its function. This is because the exhalation lumen and the inspiratory lumen are integrated into a common coupling forming section 94 at its proximal longitudinal end, and the coupling forming section 94 is both the proximal exhalation coupling forming section 94a and the proximal inspiratory coupling forming section 94b. Therefore, the common coupling forming section 94 is permeated by both the inspiratory and exhalation breathing gases, and these breathing gases flow into lumens consisting of the exhalation lumen and the inspiratory lumen, which are arranged in accordance with the positions of the exhalation valve 42 and the one-way valve 60. The common coupling forming section 94 is connectable to the inhalation coupling forming section 109 at the distal longitudinal end of the flow sensor 108, and can be connected, for example, by a plug.

[0080] The first signal line 78 extending into the exhalation lumen 36a and the second signal line 84 extending into the inhalation lumen 36b are not shown in Figure 1B. However, these signal lines are present and rejoin at through members 96a and 96b, which are identical to the through members 74a and 74b described above. Through members 96a and 96b are located within through openings 98a or 98b that penetrate the wall of the proximal coupling member 90, respectively. Outside the coupling member 90, the signal lines 78 and 84 are continued by further proximal signal lines 100 and 102, which terminate at the coupling lugs 104 or 106 of the differential pressure flow sensor 108. Signal lines 100 and 102, signal line 80 or 84, and signal line 82 or 86, acting as hose lines, transmit pressure on both sides of the flow resistance, which is known but not shown in detail inside the differential pressure flow sensor 108, to a pressure sensor in the ventilator. The pressure sensor then determines the respiratory gas flow rate that passes through the proximal differential pressure flow sensor 108 bidirectionally during inspiration and expiration from the transmitted pressure information.

[0081] Figures 2A and 3A show the distal longitudinal end of the respiratory gas line assembly 10 in its assembled state, as referred to in the list of figures above and shown from the line of sight indicated in the figures. The same applies to the proximal longitudinal end of the respiratory gas line assembly 10 in Figures 2B and 3B.

[0082] In this case, the bottom view of Figure 3A allows us to recognize the structure of the basic member 62 having the fixed link 62a and valve seat 62b of the one-way valve 60, and the valve body 64 located behind it when viewing Figure 3A. For clarity, not all parts of the valve seat 62b are assigned reference numerals.

[0083] In Figure 4, the respiratory gas line assembly 10 is aligned with a line P parallel to the projection plane of Figure 4, perpendicular to the expiratory inlet axis EEA and the inspiratory outlet axis IAA, as viewed from the proximal end of the differential pressure flow sensor 108. In addition to the fact that, when viewing the proximal opening of the flow sensor 108 through which both inspiratory and expiratory respiratory gases pass, a flow guide element 110 extending perpendicular to the projection plane of Figure 4 and a foil-shaped flow resistance member 112 located behind it, parallel to the projection plane of Figure 4 and having flow-dependent variable flow resistance, are recognized at the proximal opening, Figure 4 also shows the inclination of the cover member 50 with respect to the inspiratory inlet axis IEA around the parallel line P. In the illustrated example, the inclination angle α is 20° to 30°, preferably 22° to 26°, and particularly preferably 24° or 25°.

[0084] In this configuration, the valve movement path VBB is also inclined at an inclination angle α as the diaphragm valve body 46 is lifted from the valve seat 44 to move to its passage position and moves toward the valve seat 44 to return to its closed position. This holds the exhalation valve assembly 16 in place, and in the exhalation valve assembly 16, gravity displaces the diaphragm valve body 64 toward the valve seat 44 even during the rapid movements at the accident site and rescue situation, thus supporting a kind of pretension of the exhalation valve 42 toward the closed position. The gravitational load is added based on the structure and material elasticity of the diaphragm valve body 64 due to the displacement caused by the pretension of the exhalation valve 42 toward the closed position.

[0085] The control channel 68 preferably extends parallel to the valve movement path VBB.

[0086] Due to the inclination of the valve movement path VBB and the cover member 50, the cover member 50, however, the valve seat 44 which extends perpendicularly to the expiratory valve 42 and especially to the valve movement path VBB, has a close portion 44a that is closer to the intake inlet 54 shown in Figure 1, and a separated portion 44b that is further away from the intake inlet 54. The separated portion 44b and the close portion 44a face each other in diameter with respect to the valve movement path VBB. In particular, to realize a short control channel 68, the control channel 68 is located on the side of the close portion 44a.

[0087] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of the channel member 18 along the cross-section V-V shown in Figure 4. Similarly, the separated portion 44b of the valve seat 44 is also visible.

[0088] Figure 5 similarly shows passage openings 72a and 72b and a substantially flat partition wall 114 oriented perpendicular to the projection plane of Figure 5, the partition wall 114 dividing the multi-lumen end 20 within the channel member 18 into an exhalation lumen 23a and an inhalation lumen 23b. The exhalation lumens 23a and inhalation lumens 23b continue within the exhalation lumen 36a or inhalation lumen 36b within the multi-lumen hose 36 when the breathing gas line assembly 10 is assembled. The multi-lumen hose 36 is also divided into two lumens 36a and 36b by a substantially flat partition wall that penetrates the multi-lumen hose 36 radially. A groove 114a formed in the partition wall 114 is used for an airtight connection between the two partition walls of the multi-lumen end 20 and the multi-lumen hose 36.

[0089] In Figure 5, the reference numeral BE indicates a reference plane BE perpendicular to the projection plane of Figure 5, which divides the opening enclosed by the valve seat 44 into two equal-sized planes located on either side of the reference plane BE. The passage openings 72a and 72b are located downstream of the reference plane BE in the expiratory direction E. This allows the signal lines 78 and 84 to extend as long as possible and with as little curvature as possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 10. Breathing gas line assembly 12. Distal longitudinal end 14 Proximal longitudinal end 16. Exhalation valve assembly 18 Channel members 20 Multi-lumen end 22 Exhalation inlet 23a Exhalation Lumen 23b Intake Lumens 24 Intake outlet 26 Exhalation inlet section 28 Intake outlet section 30 Connection-forming section 30a Inlet connection formation part 30b Outlet connection forming section 32a, 32b radial protrusion 34 Connection-Connecting mating side forming part 36 Multi-lumen line components 36a Exhalation lumen, exhalation breathing gas line 36b Inspiratory lumen, inspiratory breathing gas line 38 Exhalation Channels 38a, 38b Exhalation channel portion 38c Channel Wall 40 Exhalation outlet 42 Exhalation valve 44 valve seats 44a Proximity 44b Separation part 46 Valve body 46a Intake diaphragm surface 46b Exhalation diaphragm surface 48 Channel Wall 50 Cover component 52 intake channels 52a inner wall 54 Intake Inlet 56 Intake Inlet 58 Inlet connection forming section, channel member 58a Channel member wall 60 One-way valve 60' rectangle 62 Basic Components 62a Permalink 62b Valve seat 64 valve body 66 Branching Point 68 control channels 70 Opening 72a, 72b Passage opening 74a, 74b Through members 76 Receptor-forming area 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 100, 102 signal lines 88 connectors 90 Coupling Member 92 Connection-forming section 92a Exhalation connection forming section 92b Intake connection forming section 94 Coupling forming section 94a Proximal exhalation coupling formation section 94b Proximal intake coupling forming section 96a, 96b Through members 98a, 98b Passage opening 104, 106 Connecting rugs 108 Flow Sensor 109 Suction connection formation part 110 Flow Induction Elements 112 Flow resistance member 114 Bulkhead 114a Groove BE reference plane DA passing axis E Exhalation direction EEA Exhalation Inlet Shaft I. Intake direction IAA intake outlet shaft IEA intake shaft P parallel line V cross section VBB valve movement path α Incline angle

Claims

1. An exhalation valve assembly (16) for a ventilator used to provide artificial respiration to a patient, An expiratory channel (38) having an expiratory inlet (22) at one end for introducing an expiratory breathing gas flow into the expiratory channel (38) and an inlet connecting forming portion (30a) configured to connect to an expiratory breathing gas line (36a) leading to the patient, and an expiratory outlet (40) at the other end for expelling expiratory breathing gas, wherein the expiratory channel (38) has an expiratory valve (42) that can be displaced to a passage position that allows the expiratory breathing gas flow to pass through by the expiratory breathing gas flow in the expiratory direction (E) from the expiratory inlet (22) to the expiratory outlet (40), An inspiratory channel (52) has at one end an inspiratory inlet (54) for introducing an inspiratory breathing gas flow into the inspiratory channel (52) and an inlet connection forming portion (58) configured to connect to a breathing gas source that supplies inspiratory breathing gas, and at the other end an inspiratory outlet (24) for discharging inspiratory breathing gas and an outlet connection forming portion (30b) configured to connect to an inspiratory breathing gas line (36b) leading to the patient. A control channel (68) branches off from the inspiratory channel (52) at the branching point (66) and reaches the expiratory valve (42), thereby displacing the expiratory valve (42) to a blocking position where the expiratory gas flow is blocked by the inspiratory breathing gas. In an exhalation valve assembly (16) including, An exhalation valve assembly (16) is provided with a one-way valve (60, 60') in the inspiratory channel (52), wherein the one-way valve allows an inspiratory breathing gas flow in the inspiratory direction (I) from the inspiratory inlet (54) to the inspiratory outlet (24) and blocks a breathing gas flow in the opposite direction.

2. The expiratory valve assembly (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the branching point (66) is located upstream of the one-way valve (60, 60') in the intake direction (I).

3. The expiratory valve assembly (16) according to claim 1, characterized in that the intake inlet portion (56) of the intake channel (52), which is located closer to the intake inlet (54) than the intake outlet (24), extends along the intake inlet axis (IEA), and the valve movement path (VBB) along which the valve body (46) of the expiratory valve (42) can be lifted from the valve seat (44) of the expiratory valve (42) in the blocked position and can approach the valve seat (44) is inclined with respect to the intake inlet axis (IEA) at an inclination angle (α) in the range of 10° to 45°, preferably in the range of 15° to 35°.

4. The expiratory valve assembly (16) according to claim 3, characterized in that the expiratory inlet portion (26) of the expiratory channel, which is located closer to the expiratory inlet (22) than the expiratory outlet (40), extends along the expiratory inlet axis (EEA), and the valve travel path (VBB) is inclined with respect to the inspiratory inlet axis (IAA) around a line (P) parallel to the expiratory inlet axis (EAA).

5. The expiratory valve assembly (16) according to claim 4, characterized in that the valve seat (44) has a proximity portion (44a) that is inclined toward and close to the intake inlet portion (56) and a separation portion (44b) that is inclined away from the intake inlet portion (56) and located at a further distance, and the control channel (68) extends from the branching position (66) toward the expiratory valve (42) closer to the proximity portion (44a) than to the separation portion (44b).

6. The expiratory valve assembly (16) according to claim 4, wherein at least one through opening (72a, 72b) is formed in the region between the inspiratory inlet portion (56) and the expiratory inlet portion (30a), and / or in the region between the inspiratory inlet portion (56) and the inspiratory outlet portion (28) which is located closer to the inspiratory outlet (24) than the inspiratory inlet (54), and the through opening penetrates channel walls (52a, 38c) that define the inspiratory channel (52) and / or the expiratory channel (38).

7. The expiratory valve assembly (16) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the passage openings (72a, 72b) is located downstream of a reference plane (BE) in the expiratory direction (E), the reference plane is oriented perpendicular to the expiratory inlet axis (EEA), and the opening surface enclosed by the valve seat (44) is divided into equal surface portions.

8. The exhalation valve assembly (16) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the through openings (72a, 72b) extends along a through axis (DA), the through axis being parallel to the exhalation inlet axis (EEA) and / or the inspiratory outlet axis (IAA) along which the inspiratory outlet portion (28) extends.

9. The exhalation valve assembly (16) according to claim 6, characterized in that the exhalation inlet portion (26) and the inhalation outlet portion (28) are formed on a common multi-lumen end (20).

10. The exhalation valve assembly (16) according to claim 6, characterized in that the intake inlet portion (56), the exhalation inlet portion (26), and the intake outlet portion (28) are realized by an integrated channel member (18).

11. A respiratory gas line assembly (10) comprising an exhalation valve assembly (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, an exhalation breathing gas line (36a), an inspiratory breathing gas line (36b), and a flow sensor (108), The exhalation breathing gas line (36a) has a distal exhalation coupling forming portion (34) at its distal longitudinal end, and the distal exhalation coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection that guides the exhalation breathing gas flow to the inlet connecting forming portion (26) of the exhalation channel (58) of the exhalation valve assembly (16). The exhalation breathing gas line (36a) has a proximal exhalation coupling forming portion (94a) at its proximal longitudinal end, and the proximal exhalation coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection with an exhalation discharge coupling forming portion (109) at the distal longitudinal end of the flow sensor (108) to guide the exhalation breathing gas flow. The inspiratory breathing gas line (36b) has a distal inspiratory coupling forming portion (34) at its distal longitudinal end, and the distal inspiratory coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection that guides the inspiratory breathing gas flow to the outlet connection forming portion (28) of the inspiratory channel (52) of the expiratory valve assembly (16). The inspiratory breathing gas line (36b) has a proximal inspiratory coupling forming portion (94b) at its proximal longitudinal end, and the proximal inspiratory coupling forming portion is configured to form a connection with an inspiratory inhalation coupling forming portion (109) at the distal longitudinal end of the flow sensor (108) to guide the inspiratory breathing gas flow. A breathing gas line assembly (10) comprising at least one breathing gas line (36a, 36b) consisting of an expiratory breathing gas line (36a) and an inspiratory breathing gas line (36b), each receiving at least one signal line (78, 80), wherein the signal line is configured to transmit detection information from the flow sensor (108) from the proximal longitudinal end to the distal longitudinal end of at least one of the breathing gas lines (36a, 36b).

12. The respiratory gas line assembly (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one through opening (72a, 72b) is formed in the region between the inspiratory inlet portion (56) and the expiratory inlet portion (30a), and / or in the region between the inspiratory inlet portion (56) and the inspiratory outlet portion (28) which is located closer to the inspiratory outlet (24) than the inspiratory inlet (54), the through openings penetrate channel walls (52a, 38c) that define the inspiratory channel (52) and / or the expiratory channel (38), and at least one signal line of at least one signal line (78, 80) penetrates at least one through opening of at least one of the through openings (72a, 72b), or terminates at a receiving engagement portion of a receiving forming portion (76) for receiving the distal end of at least one signal line (78, 80).

13. The respiratory gas line assembly (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the exhalation respiratory gas line (36a) and the inspiratory respiratory gas line (36b) are formed on a common multi-lumen line member (36).

14. The respiratory gas line assembly (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the exhalation lumen (36a) and the inhalation lumen (36b) are each receiving signal lines (78, 80).

15. The respiratory gas line assembly (10) according to claim 13, wherein the respiratory gas line assembly (10) has a proximal coupling member (90) to which a multi-lumen line member (36) is connected, and the coupling member (90) has an expiratory connection forming portion (90a) at its distal longitudinal end for forming a connection to guide expiratory respiratory gas flow with an expiratory lumen (36a) and an inspiratory connection forming portion (90b) for forming a connection to guide inspiratory respiratory gas flow with an inspiratory lumen (36b), and the coupling member (90) has a coupling forming portion (94) at its proximal longitudinal end, and the coupling forming portion is both a proximal expiratory coupling forming portion (94a) and a proximal inspiratory coupling forming portion (94b).

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