Respiratory gas hose system for supplying a respiratory gas

The invention relates to a respiratory gas tube arrangement for supplying a respiratory gas to a person.

Such breathing gas hose assemblies are used in particular in the field of sleep medicine for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing applications. For example, already by a comparatively low respiratory gas pressure pneumatic splinting of the upper respiratory tract can be achieved, which can be prevented in an effective manner, the risk of airway obstruction.

The treatment of sleep disordered breathing by a continuous positive pressure ventilation is commonly referred to as CPAP therapy. In the known CPAP devices used for this purpose is usually in a soundproofed housing a conveyor direction, in particular arranged a blower, whose delivery pressure is optionally adjusted via an electronic control device on the respiratory activity of the patient. The project, funded by the conveyor breathing gas, usually ambient air is supplied via a flexible respiratory gas tube arrangement to the patient. For this purpose, respiratory masks are used as a rule, are placed on the patient's nose, without this cover the mouth of the patient. It has been shown that CPAP therapy is an effective and physiologically well-tolerated treatment method for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing. Probable for connecting the patient-side breathing mask to the CPAP device flexible hose but is often bothersome.

The invention is based on the object to provide a device for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, which is characterized by an increased ease of use.

This object is achieved by the respiratory gas tube arrangement described in claim. 1

This makes it possible in an advantageous manner to avoid direct physical contact of the tubing to the patient and to hide the tubing in an advantageous manner from an aesthetic perspective. In a particularly advantageous manner, the formation of condensation in the tubing is prevented, so that even in case of high absolute humidity of the respiratory gas can not form droplets of condensation on the inside of the flexible tube.

. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible jacket body made of a soft textile material - especially fleece material - manufactured.

The flexible sheath body is dimensioned advantageously such that the flexible tubing is loosely held therein. the inner diameter of the flexible sheathing body is at least 1.3 times the outer diameter of the flexible tube is preferably. Through the formed between the outer wall of the flexible tube and the flexible sheathing body air cushion to further improve the comfort and use of the lsolierwirkung is achieved.

It is possible to form the flexible jacket body made of a multilayer material having an aesthetic point of view selected, pleasant backsheet only in the outer region.

The flexible sheath body has gem. a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in the region of its ends a closing means through which narrows the end region of the flexible sheathing body, for example, constricted, and can be fixed to the flexible tube relatively tightly. Suitable fixing is gem. a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention uses a lashing string, which is passed through eyes and / or a hollow seam and enables constriction of the corresponding end of the flexible sheath. Alternatively, or in combination therewith, it is possible to provide a Velcro closure means in the end region of the flexible sheath, over the soft can be narrowed end of the flexible sheathing body accordingly.

The wall thickness of the flexible sheath body is preferably in the range 1-7 mm. The material used may be, for example, a solid material (non-woven material) or a multilayer material. In a particularly advantageous manner is a flexible textile layer on a pad layer, laminated, for example, made of foam material.

The flexible sheath body is preferably formed as a hose-like body and in this case pushed onto the flexible hose.

Alternatively, it is also possible to form the flexible jacket body from a strip material having a in its longitudinal direction extending connecting means. This connection device is formed in an advantageous manner by a velcro strap. Alternatively, also zipper-connection devices or buttonhole arrangements and snaps are possible.

In a particularly advantageous manner, it is possible to provide in the area of ​​the CPAP device and preferably also in the respiratory mask connecting means through which the flexible sheath body can be reliably fixed. Advantageously, these fixing means consist of a nonwoven or Velcro hook tape, which in the respective end region (mask or CPAP device) fixed to the tube is preferably adhesively bonded or clamped.

It is in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention also possible in the region of the ends of the jacket body elastic cuffs provide through which the Manteimaterial the jacket body is pushed onto the hose or the hose-end pieces. For this purpose, it is for example possible to provide a rubber belt in the end region of the jacket body. The rubber band is hereby incorporated preferably in a hollow seam.

It is possible advantageously to provide a non-slip rubberized example situation in the contact zones of the sheathing body on the tube.

The thermal and acoustic insulation effect can be adjusted as required by the material properties and the construction of the jacket body in advantageous manner oats. A particularly high thermal insulation effect is achieved by several layers of fleece material are processed. It is possible, preferably topstitch the layers of fleece material in connection with covering and lining layers or to quilt.

At least the outer region of the sheathing body is preferably formed multicolored. This variegation is preferably achieved by sewing multicolored textile portions, the Vebindungsnähte simultaneously serve here as a quilt stitching.

It is possible to include a tape or rod-like stiffening insert into the sheathing body, so-that in a tubular configuration of the jacket body, a wind-up aid is achieved.

In the case of a longitudinally split embodiment of the sheathing body, it is possible alternatively to provide a button or velcro particular push button connections here a longitudinal zipper. This longitudinal slide fastener is preferably configured such overlaps, that the zipper structure is covered to the outside. It is also possible to provide a magnetic closure device here.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a heating device is integrated in the sheathing body. This heater can be formed by an electrical resistance heater. According to a particularly preferred embodiment the heating means comprises a Niedervoltheizfolie, wherein the power consumption behavior of this heating foil is selected so that the heating foil is a predetermined heating temperature does not exceed self-regulating. The heating film can be sewn into the jacket body, preferably the heat-insulating performance of the jacket body outside the heating foil is greater than in the region between the heating foil and hose. Alternatively, it is also possible to form the tube as a heatable respiratory gas tube.

The power supply of the heating device is preferably carried out via a low voltage cable is provided with a connector plug, which in a corresponding power jack of a power supply unit - can be inserted or preferably, provided at a CPAP device, or a humidifier power supply socket. By such a heating mantle formed body in addition to a reliable prevention of condensation phenomena and temperature control of respiratory gas is made possible.

It is possible to provide in the region of the jacket body insulating means for heat radiation shield. Preferably in that case a metallized such as aluminum, silver or gold-vapor-coated super insulation film is provided on a position adjacent to the tubing inside of the jacket body.

preferably a plurality of fixing points provided on the jacket soft body - - According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention are on the sheath body at least suspended, and thus the entire hose assembly or defined in its spatial mobility can be determined. These fixing points may for example be formed by eyelets. Preferably, two to four such loops are spaced from one another along the hose line.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheath body is configured such that it forms a container section, which can be in the remaining part of the jacket body into it. This integrated into the sheathing body container portion may be formed as a flat bag or pocket area formed by sewing a flexible position on an outer surface of the jacket body. It 'also possible to force the majority of the jacket body in the interior of one of its longitudinal end portions inside. These preferably a longitudinal section of the sheathing body is formed like a sack.

A particularly weight-saving embodiment of the sheathing body is achieved in that at least one of the insulative layers is formed as an air cushion layer.

The sheath body is in accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention is formed such that its bending behavior seen in the longitudinal direction of the jacket body, varies. So it is for example possible to provide a high degree of flexibility in the mask region near the sheathing body is formed while in the device region near the sheath body stiff. The deformation behavior of the jacket body can hereby be determined by joint and / or bending material deposits.

The sheath body is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention with a kink protection for example in the form of spiral or serpentine manner extending deposits. This makes it possible to thin-walled been retained on the jacket body respiratory gas tube - possibly forming a disposable lightweight tube.

The sheath body can be designed in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention also longer than the tubing. This makes it possible to cover through the jacket body and additional functional elements. So it is possible in conjunction with the shell body, for example, modular cover to the hose coupled elements through the jacket body and combine them into a complete outwardly appearing unit.

It is possible in particular a tubular or hose-shaped humidifier, a gas analysis module, a gas flow sensor, a pressure lock or the like. Maskennah modular coupling to the tubing and covered by the sheath body and isolate as needed. The sheath body any additional lines of electrical, optical, or pneumatic type here are covered in an advantageous manner.

The sheath body in this case forms a flexible, preferably heat- and sound-insulating, the individual modules cross, and this summary, housing part.

The sheath body can be provided with a plurality of openings through which conduit means, for example, a water trap can be led out of the casing body. These openings are preferably closed by a cover means.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt><b>Fig. 1</b></dt><dd>a perspective view of a CPAP respiratory gas tube arrangement with the inventively proposed, made of a textile material soft, enveloping body;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 2A</b></dt><dd>a simplified sectional view through a portion of a multi-layer formed shell body;</dd><dt><b>FIG. 2b</b></dt><dd>a simplified sectional view through a portion of a single layer formed shell body;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 2c</b></dt><dd>a simplified sectional view through a portion of a two-layered with a textile liner sleeve body; </dd><dt><b>Fig. 3</b></dt><dd>a perspective view showing a provided in the end region of the flexible sheathing body fixing;</dd><dt><b>Fig. 4</b></dt><dd>including extending an embodiment of the flexible sheathing body longitudinally split body along the corresponding longitudinal edge here as Velcro formed connector;</dd><dt><b>Fig.5</b></dt><dd>a perspective view for explaining another embodiment of a respiratory gas tube arrangement;</dd><dt><b>Fig.6</b></dt><dd>a sketch of a portion of the jacket body here with Ösenabschnitten for suspending the casing body;</dd><dt><b>Figure 7</b></dt><dd>a sketch for explaining the sheath body partially deployable joint use;</dd><dt><b>Figure 8</b></dt><dd>a sketch of a cartridge-shaped blower device (CPAP pressure source) for use in the shell body.</dd></dl>

In the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> Respiratory gas tube arrangement illustrated comprises a not visible here, formed from a spirally reinforced plastic material flexible lead and made of an insulating fabric - here non-woven material - insulating sheathing body formed 1. The shell body 1 is formed of a narrow strip of material along a longitudinal seam (overlock) into a tube is sewn. In the end region of the casing body 1 in each case a hollow seam 2, 3 is formed in the embodiment shown here, through each of which a cord 4, 5 is guided. By appropriately pulling the cords 4, 5, the end portions of the casing body 1 may be pulled together, which is fixed in an advantageous manner the shell body 1 at the flexible tube. For connecting the flexible tube to a CPAP device, or on a breathing mask are provided in the respective Schlauchendbereich elastomer bushes 6, 7, which can be elastically inserted in a correspondingly complementary connection structure on or in it.

The shell body 1 is dimensioned such that the flexible tubing is loosely held therein substantially. The air cushion thus formed between the inner surface of the casing body 1 and the outer surface of the flexible tube results in an improved weight gain without thermal insulation and imparts the respiratory gas tube arrangement also a comfortable cushioning effect.

are for fixing the cords 4, 5 in a corresponding lashing position - as below with reference to <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> will be explained in detail yet, preferably provided fixing means (not visible here).

The shell body 1 is preferably, as in <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref> schematically illustrated, multi-layered design. For example, as a top, or outer cover layer a selected aesthetic point textile cover layer 8 on a cushioning and insulating foundation, which here consists of a foam layer 9 and a blister sheet 10 is to be laminated. The connection between the individual layers can be accomplished by appropriate gluing, by seams or preferably by heat lamination. So it is for example possible to form the insulating foam layer 9 on a foam material whose top surface sealed at a predetermined melting temperature of the outer layer 8 and the Noppenfolie 10th

Alternatively to the described multi-layer structure, it is also possible to form the casing body 1 from a solid material, preferably a nonwoven or felt material, as shown in <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2b</figref> is shown. Preferably in that case materials are used, which allow a simple cleaning, preferably a boiling wash.

In <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2c</figref> is another embodiment of the wall of the flexible sheathing body 1 illustrated which here consists of a cushioning and heat insulating foam layer 9 and a cover layer formed from a decorative fabric material. 8 The connection between the liner 8 and the foam material 9 is achieved by a Flammkaschiervorgang here.

In <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is shown in the end region of the flexible breathing gas hose, a preferred embodiment of a fixing device for fixing the flexible sheathing body. 1 The fixing device comprises here a guided through a hollow seam 2 line 4, which is provided in the region of lead-out ends with a knot 12th By appropriately pulling on the lead-out portion of the line 4, and the node 12, the end of the flexible sheathing body 1 can be tied together.

By means of a fixing device 14, the cord 4 are held in the cocked position. Pressing one here as a pushbutton 15 release means the line can be expanded 4 loosened and thereby the first constricted end of the sheath body. 1 A particularly reliable fixation of the shell body 1 at the flexible tube can be achieved, that a structure is formed in the area of ​​the designed here as elastomeric bushing 6 closure element which is engageable with the corresponding end portion of the casing body 1 is engaged. For example, the elastomeric bushing be 6 provided with a circumferential groove or a circumferential bead, on which the corresponding constricted textile sheathing body 1 can be fixed.

Alternatively to the Zurranordnung shown here it is also possible, the end of the casing body 1 to fix, for example a hook and loop closure means or buckles to the flexible hose line (not shown).

In <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is another embodiment of the respiratory gas tube arrangement shown, which has here a flexible tube 16, at whose end portion the elastomeric sleeves 6, 7 are provided. Deviating from the above in connection with the in<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> Embodiment described here is the flexible sheathing body 1 made of a flexible textile strip formed which is guided around the flexible tube 16 and provided along its longitudinal edge with a connecting device 17 so that the guided around the hose line 16 material strips also tube-like flexible tubing surrounds 16th In a particularly advantageous manner for this purpose a Velcro band is provided in the region of the longitudinal edges of the fabric strip.

In <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig.5</figref> show another embodiment of the breathing gas conduit means formed in connection with the sheathing body 1 including breathing mask 112th

The breathing mask 112 is a via connected to a front spacer 114 integrated Auswaschventil 115 at a joint piece 116th In the area of ​​the hinge portion 116 has a circumferential groove 117 is formed, in which by means of a lashing strap 118, a front waistband region 119 of the jacket body 1 can be fixed.

At the joint piece 116 is a respiratory gas flow measuring section 120 connects to, which is connected via a measuring line not visible with a respiratory gas pressure source, such as a CPAP device.

The respiratory gas conduit means further includes a humidifier 121 which is connectable to a water source via a Befeuchtungsleitung 122nd The humidifier 121 is designed as a flexible pipe section and disposed between the breathing mask 112 and the majority of the breathing gas hose 23rd

In the area of ​​the humidifier 121 of the sheathing body 1 is provided with a super-insulation film, so that a high Wärmeisloationswirkung is achieved Befeuchterbereich. This makes it possible that only the evaporation of the humidifying heat required - or at least predominantly - to obtain from the breathing air.

The shell body 1 fits in the closed position like a hose over the composite of several modules breathing gas line and closes it out. To the shell body 1 is in the embodiment shown, a velcro fastener tape 125 is provided.

The respiratory gas conduit further comprises a tube 126 of the muffler here has a length of about 80 to 120 cm and a further absorption of any sounds of a respiratory gas pressure source possible. Also, this muffler 126 is encased in the embodiment shown here of the jacket body first

In the sheathing body 1 a heating device is integrated. The power supply of this heating device is effected via contact elements 128, which are integrated in a connector plug 129th The connector 129 includes a respiratory gas passage section 130 and a Druckmeßschlauchanschlußquerschnitt 131st

In <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig.6</figref> is a portion of the jacket body 1 shown, which is here provided with an eyelet 132 which can be hung on the soft sheath body first

In <figref idrefs="f0005">Figure 7</figref> is an articulated members element represented 133 coaxially inserted for breathing gas line into the shell body. 1 The hinge sectional element 133 comprises a plurality of articulated links which are so coupled to each other close fit, that the breathing gas line assembly is bendable in a desired shape.

In <figref idrefs="f0005">Figure 8</figref> a blower means 134 is shown, which is dimensioned in terms of their external dimensions-in such a way that this is also still used in the sheathing body. 1 This makes it possible to create a will switch or snake-like design, modularly adapted to the respective user CPAP device.