DK2174617T3 - Device for inhalation anesthesia of animals, especially piglets - Google Patents

Description

Description [0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for the inhalation anaesthesia of piglets.

[0002] The inhalation anaesthesia of animals plays a role, not only in veterinary practice, but increasingly in field use as well - for instance, on the farm. Thus it is with the castration of piglets, for instance, which can no longer be performed without anaesthesia according to more rigorous animal welfare provisions. Therefore, increased demands are placed on the apparatus, which must be as mobile, reliable, and simple to operate as possible.

[0003] An animal anaesthetic mask for connection to a Bain system is known from DE 20 2006 013 064 that enables optimal control of the supplied anaesthetic gas. The mask is also provided with a suction system that protects the operator from the emerging anaesthetic gases.

[0004] An apparatus for the medical diagnosis of small animals under anaesthesia, e.g., mice, is known from WO 2007/135248. With this apparatus, the animals can be placed in an expanding, funnel-like cylinder that is pivotally arranged on a unit for the supply of anaesthetic gas. However, this apparatus is not suitable for surgical procedures on animals - particularly, larger animals.

[0005] US 6,776,158 B1 discloses a method and an apparatus for anaesthetising one or more laboratory animals. A single animal can be anaesthetised using an anaesthesia mask, while, for several animals, a special anaesthesia cage is provided. The apparatus moreover comprises a system for removal of excess anaesthetic gas.

[0006] The devices known to date were relatively awkward and expensive, and their installation required certain expert knowledge. The high costs of the complete installation also prevented animal owners from acquiring their own installations. One aim of the invention is therefore to provide an apparatus of the type described above, which is reliable and simple to operate. The apparatus should also be mobile and built as modularly as possible, so that there is the possibility that only the expensive installation parts for the processing and control of the anaesthesia gas must be transported, while the remaining installation parts remain stationary or can be easily stored and quickly reassembled for use. The important installation parts should likewise be easily accessible and quickly demountable for regular maintenance or for any repair. This aim is achieved according to the invention by an apparatus which has the features of claim 1.

[0007] In this way, housing and treatment station form two installation components separate from each other, which are operatively connected to each other via releasable connecting means. The housing contains the expensive and technically sensitive preparation means for preparation of the anaesthetic gas, as well as the control means necessary to do so. In contrast, the treatment station consists of only simple mechanical or electronic components for the support device and the anaesthesia masks, which can also be simply and inexpensively manufactured. The releasable connecting means consist, on the one hand, of the hose leads for the anaesthesia system and, on the other hand, if applicable, of electrical leads for the control of operational and display means. In the case of a half-open anaesthesia system, a supply hose leads to the anaesthesia mask, and an expiration hose for expired breath leads away from it. In the case of a mask with suction system, an additional hose is required as a suction lead. All of the necessary hose leads are preferably connectible with the housing or with the respective device components using quick connect couplings, so that a rapid installation is possible.

[0008] The housing is preferably designed as a portable housing, which can be constructed on a table, for example. It is preferably constructed from sheet steel and is robust enough to protect the sensitive preparation means and control means from impacts and jolts, as well as from soiling. An animal owner can share the housing with its supply unit with other animal owners, or he can hire it. This has the advantage that, on the one hand, he need not make the high investment, while, on the other hand, he need not be concerned with the maintenance and repair of the device. The animal owner acquires only the treatment station, for which the acquisition costs are relatively low. When needed, the treatment station is quickly connected to the housing and is thus ready for use. However, the modular design of the installation also has significant advantages for veterinary practice. Thus, the individual installation components can be rapidly disassembled and stowed in a vehicle, for instance. A veterinarian can thus easily transport the entire installation, even in a small vehicle.

[0009] The preparation means in the housing preferably comprise a vaporizer for the vaporization of a liquid anaesthetic, which is connected to a gas inlet opening on the housing via a flow meter. Isoflurane is preferably used as anaesthetic, from which anaesthesia gas is obtained in the vaporizer through the supply of oxygen. For this purpose, an oxygen bottle is connected to the gas inlet opening, and specifically via easily releasable connection means. The supply of oxygen can be adjusted at the flow meter according to the desired conditions. In principle, a mixture with other anaesthesia gases would be possible - for instance, laughing gas.

[0010] At least one pump is additionally arranged in the housing to aspirate the anaesthetic gas emerging from the anaesthesia mask, wherein the pump is connected on the pressure side to a gas outlet opening on the housing. The gas outlet opening is likewise connected or connectable via easily releasable connecting means to a hose, which, for instance, vents to the atmosphere at a point far removed from the operator. The pump may, for instance, be a membrane pump or another simple pump type, wherein the pump is connected on the suction side to a suction opening on the housing, on which suction opening a suction hose leading to the anaesthesia mask is releasably secured.

[0011] The control means preferably have at least one solenoid valve, with which the supply of anaesthetic gas to the treatment station can be controlled cyclically. In this way, therefore, anaesthetic gas flows to the treatment station only when it is needed there. An immediate interruption of the supply is also possible by means of the at least one solenoid valve.

[0012] A counter is particularly advantageously arranged in the housing, with which the quantity of anaesthetic gas and/or the number of anaesthesia cycles are countable. This counter serves not only to determine the total oper- ating hours of the device, but also to determine the usage intensity of an individual user. For instance, a price for the hire can be determined based upon the measurements on the counter.

[0013] Therefore, the housing is preferably divided into at least two chambers, wherein at least the counter is arranged in a closable and/or sealable chamber. Manipulations of the counter are prevented in this way. However, other components such as the logistics controller or the solenoid valves are preferably also housed in the closable chamber. The vaporizer and the flow meter are arranged in the freely accessible chamber.

[0014] The support device advantageously has a frame and a support platform on which the anaesthesia mask is preferably releasably secured. The animal to be treated can be supported on the support platform in such a way that the anaesthesia mask lies as tightly as possible on the snout region. As described in the above-mentioned utility model publication, the insertion of the snout into the anaesthesia mask mechanically activates a control valve.

[0015] Switching and controlling means for controlling and monitoring an anaesthesia cycle are preferably arranged on the frame. In this way, operation is particularly easy, directly at the treatment location. The switching means can be a pressure switch, a toggle switch, or a contact switch. The control means can be simple indicator lamps or even liquid crystal indicators that indicate operational status in the form of a display, for instance.

[0016] An additional advantage can be achieved if a breathing bag is arranged on a supply hose leading to the anaesthesia mask, which breathing bag is secured releasably on the housing by a holding bracket. It is known that practically all anaesthesia systems are equipped with breathing bags for monitoring respiration. This applies as well to the half-open Bain system, the functioning of which is known to the person skilled in the art of anaesthesia and which is not further described herein. Fixation of the breathing bag to the housing by means of the holding bracket has the advantage that the breathing bag is readily visible and is positioned so that no function is unintentionally impaired.

[0017] For the assembly-line-like treatment of animals, it is advantageous for the treatment station to have at least two support devices and for each anaesthesia mask to be connected to the housing via a separate hose connection. As described above, one hose connection can thereby have several individual hoses, viz., for the supply of anaesthetic gas and for the aspiration of emerging anaesthetic gas from the anaesthesia mask.

[0018] The housing and the treatment station form two installation components that are separated or separable from one another. Thus, for instance, it is also possible to quickly re-equip the treatment station for treatment of other animals and/or to exchange the preparation means or the control means.

[0019] The connecting means are flexible connecting means, viz., hoses or cables. Handling the installation components is made significantly easier thereby.

[0020] The housing obviously need not necessarily be a completely closed housing. It can also be partially open, so that certain components remain readily accessible at all times. The housing could also be just a frame module that accommodates all critical components of the preparation means and the control means. Additional advantages may be achieved if the housing and the treatment station are arranged on a common frame - in particular, on a trolley. The entire apparatus thus forms a mobile unit that is nevertheless easily disassembled into its main components. The housing can thereby also be integrated into the frame completely or partially.

[0021] A foot switch with which the control means is actuated can also be arranged on the frame.

[0022] Additional individual features and advantages of the invention may be seen in the following description of an exemplary embodiment and from the drawings. The drawings show in

Fig. 1 the overall view of an apparatus with a housing and a treatment station having two support devices,

Fig. 2 a lateral view of the support device according to Figure 1,

Fig. 3 a top view of the switching and control means on the treatment station according to Figure 1,

Fig. 4 a top view of a connection box on the housing,

Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the pneumatic leads to the apparatus according to Figure 1,

Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the electrical leads to the apparatus according to Figure 1,

Fig. 7 a greatly simplified cross-section through the housing according to Figure 1, Fig. 8 a greatly simplified perspectival representation of the housing according to Figure 1,

Fig. 9 a perspectival representation of the base frame of the treatment station according to Figure 1, without support platform, and Fig. 10 a greatly simplified lateral view of an apparatus designed as a trolley.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus designated as a whole as 1 consists of a preferably rectangular housing 2, in which preparation means 3 and control means 4 (Figure 7) are arranged. In addition, the apparatus has a treatment station 5 which, in the present exemplary embodiment, is equipped with two support devices 6 and 6' that are independent of each other. Each support device has its own anaesthesia mask 7, and 7', respectively. The housing 2, or, more precisely, the device components arranged within the housing, are operatively connected to the treatment station 5 via releasable connecting means 8. In particular, this is the supply hose 41 for the anaesthetic gas and the suction hose 15 for aspiration. Not shown in Figure 1, for purposes of better visibility, is the likewise present electrical connection, which is required for actuation from the treatment station. All electrical and pneumatic leads are connected to the housing 2 using easily releasable connections. This applies as well to the exhaust gas hose 42 for removal of aspirated anaesthetic gas and to the supply hose 43 for the supply of atomizing gas such as oxygen.

[0024] An approximately U-shaped holding bracket 27 is affixed to the housing 2 with likewise easily releasable fastening means such as locking screws or the like. A breathing bag 26 for each anaesthesia mask is suspended or affixed within this holding bracket. Holding bracket and breathing bag are preferably allocated to the treatment station 5, although it would also be readily conceivable for these to be allocated to the housing 2.

[0025] The two support devices 6, 6' with the anaesthesia masks 7, 7' allocated to them are also designated as A and B in the following, in connection with the electrical and pneumatic lead routing.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a lateral view of the support device 6 or, respectively, the treatment station 5 according to Figure 1, wherein additional details from Figures 3 and 9 are also visible. The base frame 20 of the support device 6 is comprised of the two parallel support members 39 and 39', which are somewhat rectangular in cross-section and which are connected to each other via two crossbeams 40. A support platform 21 is arranged on each of the two crossbeams and inclined at an angle to them. The support platform is designed to be tub-shaped, for instance, and its angle of inclination can also be made adjustable, if necessary. An anaesthesia mask 7 is attached at the lower end of the support platform. A supply hose 41 for anaesthetic gas leads to each mask. This is arranged concentrically inside of an expiration hose 44 having a greater diameter. The exhaled breath of the animal is conducted away via the latter. In addition, a suction hose 15 leads to the mask 7. Details pertaining to the functionality of the mask may be taken from the utility model publication mentioned above.

[0027] For each station A and B, one switch 22 for activating the apparatus and one switch 23 for deactivating the apparatus are provided on the support member 39. One red control lamp 24 and one green control lamp 25 are ar ranged next to them (Figure 3). The switches 22 and 23 are pressure switches, although any other switching means would naturally likewise be conceivable. The control lamps 24 and 25 could also be integrated into the switching means, for instance. The red control lamp indicates that the sleep onset phase for the animal to be treated has not yet concluded. The green control lamp indicates that the previously set sleep onset time has concluded and that the surgery may begin.

[0028] Additional details of the housing 2 can be seen in Figures 4, 7, and 8. Figure 4 shows a top view of the control box 36, laterally arranged in the housing, having a multi-pin connector 29 for the electrical connection leads. One suction opening 14, 14' each and one gas supply opening 28, 28' each are provided for each station A and B. The suction hoses 15, 15' are coupled to the suction openings 14, 14', and the supply hoses 41,41' are coupled to the gas supply openings 28, 28'. The gas inlet opening 11 is also arranged on the connection box 36, to which the supply hose 43 for oxygen is coupled. Likewise the gas outlet opening 13, which is coupled to the exhaust gas hose 42.

[0029] The housing 2 is divided into a first chamber 18 and a somewhat smaller second chamber 19 by means of a partition 35. The vaporizer 9 for producing the anaesthetic gas and the flow meter 10 for adjusting the oxygen supply are arranged in the chamber 18, for instance. The first chamber 18 is closable by means of a door 37, which has a pane of glass 45, for instance. This allows the display on the flow meter 10 to be observed. In addition, the filling level of the anaesthetic in the vaporizer 9 can be read.

[0030] The second chamber 19 is likewise closable by means of a door 38, which normally, however, cannot be opened by the operator and which is pre-ferably sealed. The control 30 is arranged in the second chamber together with a counter 17 for counting the anaesthesia cycles, for instance. The solenoid valves 16, 16' for controlling the gas supply are also advantageously housed in the second chamber 19.

[0031] On the basis of Figure 5, the pneumatic control of the anaesthesia system will now be described in greater detail. Oxygen is supplied to the flow meter 10 from an oxygen bottle 34 via a manometer unit 33, a main valve 32, and a relief valve 31. The desired amount of gas can be set using a rotary knob on the flow meter. The oxygen flows to the vaporizer 9, in which the liquid isoflurane is atomised in a manner not described in greater detail here. The anaesthetic gas flows from the vaporizer 9 to the two solenoid valves 16, 16', which regulate the supply to the two anaesthesia masks 7, 7' at the stations A and B. Aspiration of the emerging anaesthetic gas via the two suction leads 15, 15' is accomplished by means of the two pumps 12, 12', both of which lead to the exhaust gas lead 42 on the pressure side.

[0032] The electrical control is represented in a simplified schematic in accordance with Figure 6. The power is supplied via normal mains power at 230 volts, which is switched on at the main switch 48. A control current of 2A arrives at the logic controller 30 via a transformer 49 and via a control fuse 50. A red control lamp 46, which indicates required maintenance, is connected to the logic controller. The suction system using the pumps 12 and 12' can be activated at the switch 47. The two solenoid valves 16, 16' for releasing the anaesthetic gas, as well as the main valve 32, can also be controlled via the control 30. Finally, the control 30 contains the counter 17 for counting the quantity of gas and/or the anaesthesia cycles. The switching and display means of the two stations A and B are obviously also connected to the control 30.

[0033] It would, of course, be conceivable to design or extend the electrical and pneumatic control of the apparatus in yet other ways. Thus, for instance, the control 30 could be provided with a display unit showing all switch manipulations and operating conditions of the pumps and solenoid valves.

[0034] Figure 10 shows a greatly simplified alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which housing and treatment station are integrated together in a dolly 51. This dolly is preferably constructed from metal bars and provided with lockable casters 52. The treatment station 5 with the two support devices 6 and 6' is arranged on the top of the dolly. As with the previous exemplary embodiment, each support device here is likewise allocated a switching unit 22/23 for manually switching on and off. In addition, foot switches 54/54' are also provided, with which the installation can likewise be operated.

[0035] A hose rack 53 is arranged on one side of the dolly, on which a sufficient length of the exhaust gas hose 42 is wound. The breathing bags 26 are likewise hung on the same side of the dolly and readily visible.

[0036] The housing 2 having the vaporizer 9 and the flow meter 10 is arranged in the lower part of the dolly. The housing can, for instance, consist of acrylic glass, in which a glass door 56 is attached with hinges 55. However, an additional housing component 57 - shown only symbolically - which is firmly affixed to the dolly 51 can be arranged in the housing, which component can be removed from the fixed housing. This housing component can also be a carrying frame which is only partially, or even not at all, closed to the outside.

[0037] In the figure on the right-hand side, an oxygen bottle 34 is secured to the dolly 51. The valves and manometer allocated to the bottle, as well as the remaining flexible hose connections and electrical cables, are not represented here, for purposes of better visibility. Likewise not visible are the anaesthesia masks that are allocated to the support devices.

Claims (13)

An apparatus (1) for suckling anesthesia of piglets, comprising: - a housing (2) containing preparation means (3) for preparing an anesthetic gas and control means (4) for controlling the preparation agents, - at least one treatment station (5) with at least two support devices (6) for supporting a piglet and each having an anesthetic mask (7, 7 '), each anesthetic mask being connected to the housing (2) via a separate hose connection, and the housing (2), in particular the device components disposed in the housing, and the processing station (5) constitutes separable or separable abutment components which are in functional communication with each other via releasable and flexible connectors (8), characterized in that each anesthetic mask is provided with a suction for extracting anesthetic gas flowing out, and the housing (2) contains at least one pump (12) for extracting anesthetic gas flowing from the anesthetic masks (7, 7 '), the pump of the pressure side is connected to a gas outlet opening (13) on the housing, and the pump on the suction side is connected in each case to an inlet opening (14, 14 ') on the housing, to which a suction hose (15, 15') leading to the anesthesia masks , is attached detachable. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the preparation means (3) comprise an evaporator (9) for evaporating a liquid anesthetic, which evaporator is connected to a gas inlet opening (11) on the housing via a flow meter (10). Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pump (12) on the suction side is connected to an inlet opening (14) on the housing (2), to which a hose (15) leading to the anesthesia masks (7). , 7 '), is attached releasably. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control means (4) comprise solenoid valves (16) with which the supply of anesthetic gas to the treatment station can be controlled cyclically. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a counter (17) is arranged in the housing (2) with which the amount of anesthetic gas used and / or the number of anesthesia cycles can be counted. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (2) is divided into at least two chambers (18, 19), wherein at least the counter (17) is arranged in a lockable chamber (19) and / or sealed. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each support device (6) comprises a frame (20) and a support platform (21), to which the anesthesia mask (7, 7 ') is preferably detachably attached, where the piglet, to be treated can be placed on the support platform in such a way that the anesthetic mask is as close as possible to the pressing area. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that coupling and control means (22, 23, 24, 25) are arranged on the frame (20) for controlling and monitoring an anesthetic cycle. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a respirator (26) is provided on a supply hose (41) leading to the anesthesia masks, which is detachably secured to the housing with a holding bracket (27) ( 2). Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the housing is at least partially opened. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the housing and the processing station are arranged on a common frame, in particular on a trolley. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing is fully or partially integrated in the frame. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a foot pedal is arranged on the frame with which the control means can be operated.