Test lung

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a test lung which is resistant to mold and bacterial contamination to achieve a reduction in the risk of contamination and the burden of cleaning and which allows for visual confirmation of the appropriate time for replacement thereof to achieve a reduction in the burden of costs associated with the replacement. [Solution] This test lung comprises: a connector 8 detachably connected to a ventilator circuit 2; a shell 10 detachably connected to the connector 8 and provided with two flaps 12, the two flaps 12 being springy, detachable, and movable relative to each other; and a lung bag 11 detachably connected to the shell 10 and positioned between the two flaps 12. The connector 8 contains a filter compartment 9 having a hydrophobic vent filter 100, and further includes a confirmation hole 13 for confirming the state of the filter compartment 9.

Description

Test Lung

[0001] The present invention relates to a test lung, and more particularly to a test lung used in place of a human lung, for example, to check or maintain the operation of an anesthesia machine or an artificial respirator.

[0002] A known example of this type of test lung is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The test lung disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a lung bag disposed between two flap lids that can move relative to each other, an injection port, and an adjustment means for adjusting simulation parameters, so that the test lung is constructed as a compact unit and enables the simulation of various lung types by adjusting the lung parameters.

[0003] Special Publication No. 2008-520321

[0004] When artificial respiration is performed using equipment such as a ventilator, the air delivered to the human body is adjusted to a moderate humidity level to ensure comfortable breathing. Because the air is adjusted to a moderate humidity level, the circuitry of the equipment can become contaminated with mold or bacteria. In particular, there have been cases where the circuitry has become contaminated by test lungs that are interchangeably connected to the circuitry connected to the human body and are used repeatedly.

[0005] However, even with the test lung disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the test lung is connected to the ventilator to check its operation or maintain its operation, air with a moderate humidity level enters the test lung, making it difficult to completely prevent contamination by mold and bacteria after the connection is removed.

[0006] Therefore, in the conventional test lungs and the test lung disclosed in Patent Document 1, contamination by mold and bacteria has been prevented by, for example, washing the lung bag each time or replacing the lung bag. That is, there have been problems with the labor burden of frequent washing to prevent contamination by mold and bacteria before they grow, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, and the cost burden of frequent replacement of the lung bag.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and aims to provide a test lung that is prevented from being contaminated by mold or bacteria and that allows visual confirmation of the appropriate time for replacement.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the test lung of the present invention is configured as follows: (1) a connection part that can be detachably connected to a ventilator circuit; a shell part that can be detachably connected to the connection part and has two detachable spring-elastic flap parts that can move relative to each other; and a lung bag that can be detachably connected to the shell part and is positioned between the two flaps, wherein the connection part contains a filter part that has a hydrophobic ventilation filter and further has a confirmation hole for confirming the state of the filter part.

[0009] The above-described configuration (1) of the automatic mixer of the present invention has the following advantageous effects. That is, according to the above-described configuration (1), the connection part containing the filter part having the hydrophobic ventilation filter prevents moisture in the humid air sent from the ventilator from entering the lung bag, thereby preventing contamination by mold and bacteria. It is also possible to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in the lung bag. Furthermore, since the connection part contains the filter part having the hydrophobic ventilation filter and further includes an inspection hole for checking the condition of the filter part, it becomes possible to visually determine the appropriate time for replacement.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the configuration (1) above, the connecting part containing the filter part, the two flaps having spring elasticity, the shell part that detachably carries the flaps, and the lung bag, each of which has different durability, are detachably connected, making replacement easier and reducing the cost burden on the user.

[0011] Therefore, according to the above configuration (1), it is possible to provide a test lung that is prevented from being contaminated by mold or bacteria and that allows visual confirmation of the appropriate time for replacement.

[0012] In the above-mentioned configuration (1) of the automatic mixer of the present invention, it is preferable to have the following configurations (2) to (4).

[0013] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the hydrophobic ventilation filter is a bacterial filter.

[0014] According to the preferred configuration of (2) above, the hydrophobic ventilation filter is a bacterial filter, so that it is possible to prevent contamination not only by moisture but also by viruses and bacteria.

[0015] (3) In the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the filter portion further includes a carbon dioxide absorbent.

[0016] According to the preferred configuration of (3) above, the filter unit further includes a carbon dioxide absorbent, which makes it possible to remove carbon dioxide gas and to check the usage status of the filter unit based on the adsorbed carbon dioxide.

[0017] (4) In the configuration of (1) above, the connection part is formed of a transparent material that allows the state of the filter part and the state inside the connection part to be confirmed.

[0018] According to the preferred configuration of (4) above, the connection part is formed from a transparent material, making it possible to check whether the inside of the connection part and the filter part other than the area that can be checked through the checking hole are contaminated.

[0019] According to the present invention, a test lung can be provided which reduces the risk of contamination and the burden of cleaning by preventing contamination by mold and bacteria, and which makes it possible to visually indicate the appropriate time for replacement, thereby alleviating the cost burden of replacement.

[0020] 1 is an image diagram for explaining the configuration of an artificial ventilator circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a perspective view of a test lung according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a connection part, a filter part, a shell part, and a lung bag attached, as viewed from the front right and diagonally upward; 3 is a perspective view of a test lung according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the connection part removed from the test lung; 4 is a perspective view of a test lung according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the connection part, the shell part, the two flap flaps of the shell part, and the lung bag removed, as viewed from the rear left and diagonally upward; 5 is a cross-sectional view of the test lung according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A in FIG. 2, with the connection part, the filter part, the shell part, and the lung bag attached, as viewed from the front;

[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail below using preferred embodiments, but the following embodiments are merely examples of realizing the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0022] [Outline of the Artificial Ventilator Circuit] First, an outline of an artificial ventilator circuit 2 to which a test lung 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an overview of an artificial ventilator circuit 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the basic configuration of the artificial ventilator circuit 2 will be described.

[0024] 1, the ventilator circuit 2 includes a pump and other components for delivering air for breathing into the human body and test lung 1, a ventilator main body 3 for measuring, adjusting the flow rate, and recording the delivered air, and for issuing an alarm in the event of an abnormality, a heated humidifier 4 for heating and humidifying the air to a set temperature, a water trap 5 for collecting condensation within the ventilator circuit 2, an exhalation valve 6 for preventing backflow of air delivered to the human body and test lung 1 and air returning from the human body and test lung 1, and for adjusting the airway pressure, and tubing 7 for connecting the above components. This completes the basic configuration of the ventilator circuit 2.

[0025] The expiratory valve 6 prevents the air sent from the water trap 5 to the test lung 1 from flowing back into the tube 7e, and prevents the air exhaled from the test lung 1 from flowing back into the tube 7d (see arrows). As a result, the ventilator circuit 2 moves air in a substantially fixed direction, except for the tube 7a (both arrows) between the test lung 1 and the expiratory valve 6, allowing breathing.

[0026] Next, a description will be given of the operation check of the artificial respirator circuit 2 using the test lung 1. It is assumed that the test lung 1 is already connected to the tube 7a of the artificial respirator circuit 2.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, first, the ventilator main body 3 takes in air, for example, from the room in which the ventilator main body 3 is installed. The taken-in air is heated and / or humidified and conditioned by the heater / humidifier 4 via tube 7b. The conditioned air is sent to the exhalation valve 6 via the water trap 5 and tube 7d, and then sent from the exhalation valve 6 to the test lung 1 via tube 7a. After a certain amount of the conditioned air has been sent to the test lung 1, the air sent to the test lung 1 is again discharged via tube 7a, the exhalation valve 6, and tube 7e to the ventilator main body 3. The ventilator main body 3 checks the status, including the amount of air flowing in from tube 7e, to confirm whether the ventilator circuit 2 is operating normally.

[0028] Here, if the ventilator main body 3 of the ventilator circuit 2 detects an abnormality, for example, if the amount of air sent to the ventilator main body 3 is less than the set amount compared to the amount of air sent out by the ventilator main body 3, an alarm or the like may be issued.

[0029] The above is the test, or operational check, of the ventilator circuit 2 using the test lung 1. After normal operation is confirmed by this operational check, the test lung 1 is removed from the tube 7a, and the tube 7a is instead connected to a connector or the like attached to the human body, and artificial respiration is started.

[0030] In addition, the test lung 1 is not only used to confirm the operation of the above-mentioned ventilator circuit 2, but may also be connected as a substitute for the user to maintain the operation of the ventilator when the user of the ventilator temporarily removes the ventilator in order to move around.

[0031] The above is an overview of the ventilator circuit 2 to which the test lung 1 is attached.

[0032] [Configuration of Test Lung] Next, the configuration of the test lung 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG.

[0033] Figure 2 is a front-right oblique view of the test lung 1 according to this embodiment, with the connecting portion 8, filter portion 9, shell portion 10, and lung bag 11 attached. Figure 3 is a front-right oblique view of the test lung 1 according to this embodiment, with the connecting portion 8 removed. Figure 4 is a rear-left oblique view of the test lung 1 according to this embodiment, with the connecting portion 8, shell portion 10, two flap lids 12 of the shell portion 10, and lung bag 11 removed. Figure 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the test lung 1, taken along line A-A in Figure 2, with the connecting portion 8, filter portion 9, shell portion 10, and lung bag 11 attached.

[0034] 2, the test lung 1 according to this embodiment comprises a connection part 8 that is detachably connected to the ventilator circuit 2, a shell part 10 that is detachably connected to the connection part 8 and that has two detachable, spring-elastic flap parts 12 (12a, 12b) that can move relative to each other, and a lung bag 11 that is detachably connected to the shell part 10 and that is disposed between the two flap parts 12. Furthermore, the connection part 8 houses a filter part 9 that has a hydrophobic ventilation filter 100 (described later) and has a check hole 13 for checking the state of the filter part 9.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the test lung 1 according to this embodiment is symmetrical in the left and right sides, and in the front and back.

[0036] The configuration of the test lung 1 of this embodiment provides the following advantageous effects. That is, with this configuration, the connection part 8 containing the filter part 9 having the hydrophobic ventilation filter 100 prevents moisture from entering the lung bag 11 in the humid air sent from the ventilator circuit 2, thereby preventing contamination by, for example, mold or bacteria. Furthermore, preventing moisture from being supplied to the lung bag 11 also prevents the growth of mold, bacteria, and the like. Furthermore, since the connection part 8 contains the filter part 9 having the hydrophobic ventilation filter 100 and further includes an inspection hole 13 for checking the condition of the filter part 9, it is possible to visually check for abnormalities in addition to periodic replacement, thereby making it possible to visually determine the appropriate replacement time.

[0037] Therefore, it is possible to provide a test lung 1 that can prevent contamination of the test lung 1 by mold and bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and the burden of cleaning, and that can alleviate the cost of replacement by making it possible to visually determine the appropriate time for replacement.

[0038] 2 to 5, the connection portion 8 of the test lung 1 of this embodiment includes a connection port 14 for connection to the tubing 7a of the ventilator circuit 2 shown in Fig. 1, and a locking claw 16 that is inserted into a locking claw receiver 15 of the shell portion 10 to secure the connection portion 8 to the shell portion 10.

[0039] 3 to 5, the connection part 8 of the test lung 1 of this embodiment includes a filter part 9 having at least a hydrophobic ventilation filter 100 inside the connection part 8, directly below the connection port 14. The filter part 9 further includes a filter exhaust port 17 for discharging air that flows in from the connection port 14 and has been filtered by the ventilation filter 100, and a convex fixing post 19 that is inserted into a concave fixing post holder 18 of the shell part 10 to support the fixing of the connection part 8 and the shell part 10.

[0040] With this configuration, when the air that has been heated and humidified by the ventilator circuit 2 flows into the lung bag 11, the hydrophobic ventilation filter 100 blocks moisture, which is one of the causes of mold and bacterial growth, and therefore it is possible to prevent contamination of the lung bag 11.

[0041] The filter portion 9 may be provided with a confirmation window made of a material that allows the state of the ventilation filter 100 to be visually confirmed at least in the portion that can be seen through the confirmation hole 13, for example, made of a transparent material.

[0042] Here, the hydrophobic ventilation filter 100 of the filter part 9 may be a bacterial filter. If the bacterial filter has low flow resistance and excellent filtering performance, it can remove, for example, viruses and bacteria, thereby further preventing contamination of the lung bag 11.

[0043] Furthermore, the filter unit 9 may further include, for example, a carbon dioxide absorbent material that changes color upon adsorption of carbon dioxide, in addition to the ventilation filter 100. By including the carbon dioxide absorbent material in the filter unit 9, it becomes possible to visually check the amount of air filtered by the filter unit 9, and it becomes possible to more appropriately determine the replacement time.

[0044] The connection part 8 may be formed from a permeable material that allows the state of the filter part 9 outside the range visible through the confirmation hole 13 and the state of the interior of the connection part, for example, the state of the inside of the connection port 14, to be confirmed. By forming the connection part 8 from the permeable material, the state of the filter part 9 can be visually confirmed in more detail, making it possible to better prevent contamination by mold and bacteria.

[0045] The shell portion 10 of the test lung 1 of this embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 includes two detachable flap lids 12 (12a, 12b) with spring elasticity that are arranged to sandwich the lung bag 11 that is detachably connected to the shell portion 10, a locking claw receiver 15 into which the locking claw 16 of the connection portion 8 is inserted and fixed, a joint 20a that connects to the filter exhaust port 17 of the filter portion 9, and a joint 20b that connects to the lung bag 11.

[0046] In addition, the flap 12 of the shell portion 10 further includes a detachable locking pin 23 that fixes the arrangement of the flap 12a, the flap 12b, and the lung bag 11 via a locking hole 21 provided near the lower tip of the flap 12a and the flap 12b and a fixing ring 22 provided on the lung bag 11.

[0047] Here, the shell part 10 may limit the expansion of the lung bag 11, which is inflated by air flowing in from the ventilator circuit 2 through the filter part 9, or may expel the air from the lung bag 11, by using the spring elasticity of the two flap lids 12, which have spring elasticity controlled by the lock pin 23.

[0048] Furthermore, the joints 20 a and 20 b of the shell part 10 may be used as joint rings between the filter part 9 and the lung bag 11 .

[0049] The lock pin 23 that secures the flap 12 and the lung bag 11 may be provided with, for example, an adjustment mechanism (not shown) that can adjust the degree of fixation in stages, thereby adjusting the pressure applied to the expanding lung bag.

[0050] 2 to 5, the lung bag 11 of the test lung 1 of this embodiment may be made of a material such as silicone that can expand and contract with the flow of air in and out. A more preferred configuration is one that is transparent so that the internal state of the lung bag 11 can be confirmed from the outside, and that includes a fixing ring 22 that can be removably connected to the joint 20b of the shell part 10 without any gaps and can be connected to the lock pin 23 of the shell part 10, as shown in FIG.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the test lung 1 of this embodiment has a connecting part 8, a shell part 10, a flap 12, and a lung bag 11, all of which are detachably connected.

[0052] Here, the connection part 8 contains a filter part 9 that filters out moisture, mold, etc., and is easily contaminated due to frequent contact with outside air caused by repeated attachment and detachment to the ventilator circuit 2. The spring-elastic flap 12 and the lung bag that repeatedly expands and contracts each experience different degrees of wear.

[0053] According to this configuration, the test lung 1 of this embodiment has a connecting part 8, a shell part 10, a flap 12, and a lung bag 11, which have different durability and replacement frequencies, and are each detachably connected, making it easy to replace each part individually, thereby reducing the cost burden on the user.

[0054] In this configuration of the test lung 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the connection part 8, filter part 9, shell part 10, and lung bag 11 are arranged in a straight line, as shown in FIG.

[0055] This is the configuration of the test lung.

[0056] [Method of Using the Test Lung] Next, a method of using the test lung in one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, first, the locking claw 16 of the connection part 8 is connected to the locking claw receiver 15 of the shell part 10, the filter exhaust port 17 of the filter part 9 is connected to the joint port 20a of the shell part 10, and the fixing column 19 of the filter part is connected to the fixing column receiver 18 of the shell part 10.

[0058] Next, the lung bag 11 is connected to the joint 20b of the shell part 10, the flap 12a and the flap 12b are connected to the shell part 10, and the locking holes 21 of the two flap 12 and the fixing ring 22 of the lung bag 11 are fixed with the locking pin 23.

[0059] The test lung 1 is now ready for use. The test lung 1 is connected to the tube 7a of the ventilator circuit 2 via the connection port 14 of the connection part 8 as shown in Figure 1, and the ventilator main body 3 is operated, allowing the operation of the ventilator circuit 2 to be checked.

[0060] After the operation test of the ventilator circuit 2 has been performed, the connection port 14 of the test lung 1 is removed from the tube 7a, and the tube 7a is connected to a user who requires artificial ventilation.

[0061] The state of the filter part 9 of the connection part 8 of the test lung 1 used is checked through the checking hole 13, and the state of the lung bag 11 is checked by removing at least one of the flap lids 12.

[0062] Here, the condition of the filter part 9 of the connection part 8 is confirmed by, for example, visually checking for dirt or damage to the ventilation filter 100, visually checking the specified usage amount based on the color change of the carbon dioxide absorbent material, visually checking the inside of the connection port 14, etc.

[0063] If the filter part 9 is found to be contaminated or has exceeded the specified usage amount and needs to be replaced, the connecting part 8 containing the filter part 9 is removed from the shell part 10 and the lung bag 11 and replaced, as shown in Figure 3. This makes the test lung 1 usable again.

[0064] The function of the test lung 1 as an oxygenator may be adjusted by replacing it with a combination of a flap with a different spring elasticity and a lung bag with a different capacity.

[0065] This concludes the method for using the test lung.

[0066] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 test lung 2 ventilator circuit 8 connection part 9 filter part 10 shell part 11 lung bag 12, 12a, 12b flap 13 confirmation hole 100 ventilation filter

Claims

1. A test lung for testing a ventilator, comprising: a connection part that is detachably connected to a ventilator circuit; a shell part that is detachably connected to the connection part and has two detachable spring-elastic flap parts that can move relative to each other; and a lung bag that is detachably connected to the shell part and is disposed between the two flap parts, wherein the connection part contains a filter part that has a hydrophobic ventilation filter and further comprises an inspection hole for checking the state of the filter part.

2. The test lung of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic ventilation filter is a bacterial filter.

3. The test lung according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter portion further comprises a carbon dioxide absorbent.

4. The test lung according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is formed of a transparent material that allows the state of the filter portion and the state inside the connecting portion to be confirmed.

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