FR3105927A1 - Medical ventilator equipped with swivel and retractable lashing hooks - Google Patents

Abstract

Title of the invention Medical ventilator equipped with pivoting and retractable lashing hooks The invention relates to a medical ventilator (1) comprising an external casing (2) with a mobile attachment system (3) with lashing hooks (4 ) swivel. According to the invention, the tie-down hooks (4) are configured to pivot about a common axis (AA), between a rest position and a hooking position or vice versa, when the hooking system (3) is manually operated by a user. The lashing hooks (4) pivot around the common axis (AA) located on the rear face (6) of the fan (1), while the front face (5) includes a display screen. Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Medical ventilator equipped with pivoting and retractable tie-down hooks

The present invention relates to a medical ventilator equipped with pivoting and retractable securing hooks, arranged at the rear of the casing of the medical ventilator so as to be able to suspend it from a support of the bar, rod or similar type, in particular a suitable ventilator emergency response and transportation.

In order to assist certain people or patients in their respiratory function, a respiratory assistance device, also called a “medical ventilator”, is usually used, comprising a motorized micro-blower delivering a respiratory gas, such as air or oxygen. oxygen-enriched air, at non-zero flow and/or at a pressure above atmospheric pressure (> 1 atm).

The motorized micro-blower, also called “compressor” or “turbine”, draws in ambient air and delivers it at a given pressure to the patient. The suction of air by the micro-blower, during the operation of its motor, is done thanks to one or more impellers arranged on a shaft or rotary axis driven in rotation by an electric motor, the (or the) impeller(s) being movable in rotation in the internal compartment of the volute of the micro-blower. The air can be oxygen enriched, i.e. supplemented with additional oxygen.

Documents EP-A-2165078, EP-A-2102504, WO-A-2012/139681, US-A-2008/304986 and WO-A-2013/020167 describe such medical ventilators.

Some so-called "emergency-transport" ventilators are intended to be transported in the field by civilian or military rescuers, and used during emergency interventions outside, for example in the event of an accident, natural disaster , conflict, chemical or biological attack, or otherwise.

Thus, an emergency-transport ventilator must be able to be transported and used both at a place of intervention, that is to say on site, and during its loading into an emergency vehicle and land, sea or aerial, for example an ambulance, a boat, an airplane or a helicopter, than in the vehicle itself during its transfer from the place of intervention to a hospital building or a place of care, such as a hospital, and only in the building hospital or a place of care itself, for example during a transfer of the patient from a treatment room to his room or to a radiology room.

With this in mind, it is known to equip this type of medical ventilator with one or more attachment systems, such as one or more securing hooks, used to attach the ventilator to a bed or stretcher bar, to a linkage or fixing bar within an emergency and transport vehicle, or the like.

There are two types of hanging systems, namely those fixed and those mobile.

Fixed rigging systems generally include two fixed tie-down arms or hooks carried by the rear face of the fan. These are impractical because the fixed hooks which permanently protrude from the back of the ventilator, are sometimes cumbersome, can catch inadvertently and therefore be inconvenient for the user, i.e. the nursing staff, when the medical ventilator is unhooked from its support.

Furthermore, mobile attachment systems generally include arms or lashing hooks that are mobile either in translation or in pivoting.

A translative attachment system, i.e. on slides, is often impractical to unfold/fold up and can also cause fingers to be pinched when the user pushes it back into the rest position, i.e. say against the fan casing.

A hitching system conventionally comprises two arms or tie-down hooks pivoting around vertical parallel axes. These arms are independent of each other, which is not necessarily practical because requires two manipulations on the part of the user to unfold or fold them, and moreover complicates the architecture of the fan and can be bulky because, again, often protrude from the back of the fan, even in the folded position.

The problem is therefore to propose a medical ventilator equipped with an improved attachment system that does not have the aforementioned drawbacks, which:

• is compact, especially in the folded position,
• allows the fan to be quickly and easily attached to a support, such as a stretcher bar or bed for example,
• does not interfere with normal use when the fan is not hung on the bed,
• does not risk injuring the user or unexpectedly snagging on something, and
• is integrated into the fan and not an additional accessory.

The solution of the invention then relates to a medical ventilator, in particular an emergency-transport medical ventilator, comprising an external casing comprising a mobile attachment system comprising pivoting securing hooks between at least:

• a rest position in which the attachment system is fully folded, and
• a hooking position in which the hooking system is completely unfolded,

characterized in that the securing hooks are configured to pivot around a common axis (AA), between the rest position and the attachment position or vice versa, when the attachment system is manually operated by a user, for example a nursing staff, such as a doctor, a nurse or the like.

According to the embodiment considered, the medical ventilator of the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics:

• the carcass comprises a front face and a rear face located on either side of said carcass, the front face comprising a display screen and the rear face comprising the common axis (AA) around which the securing hooks pivot.
• the front face comprises a display screen and one or more keys or buttons for selection, adjustment or the like.
• the front face comprises a man-machine interface (HMI) comprising the display screen and one or more keys or buttons for selection, adjustment or the like.
• the lashing hooks are arranged in parallel.
• the lashing hooks pivot simultaneously, i.e. jointly, around the common axis, when the attachment system is manually operated by a user.
• alternatively, the lashing hooks pivot independently of each other around the common axis, when the attachment system is manually operated by a user.
• the mobile attachment system comprises two lashing hooks arranged in parallel.
• the mobile attachment system comprises two tie-down hooks arranged at a distance of between approximately 4 and 35 cm from each other.
• the securing hooks are shaped and sized to allow their securing to a bar or the like (i.e. bar, rod, etc.) of section, e.g. diameter, of between about 1.5 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 2 and 4.5 cm, typically between 2.5 and 4.3 cm, for example 2.8 cm or 4 mm.
• the attachment system comprises a pin-pin support (AA) and at least two parallel arms secured to said pin-pin support (AA), said parallel arms forming securing hooks.
• the parallel arms each include a free end forming a lashing hook, for example a curved or bent free end
• the pin-pin support (AA) and the two parallel arms integral with said pin-pin support (AA) are made of metal, for example steel.
• the pin-pin support (AA) and the two parallel arms secured to said pin-pin support (AA) form a single piece having a general U-shape.
• the two parallel arms are (almost) perpendicular to the support axis.
• the common axis (AA) is horizontal when the fan is in the operating position.
• the rest position and the attachment position are angularly offset by a pivot angle of between 45° and 110°, preferably of the order of 80° to 100°.
• the common axis (AA) is arranged in the casing of the fan or carried by the rear face of the casing.
• it further comprises openings arranged in the rear face of the carcass and configured to accommodate at least part of the securing hooks when the attachment system is folded into the rest position.
• the lashing hooks are housed inside the openings provided in the rear face of the carcass when the attachment system is folded up in the rest position, that is to say completely folded up, so that the said hooks stowage are completely retracted and do not protrude from the peripheral surface of the carcass.
• the openings arranged in the rear face of the carcass are elongated, preferably they form slots or the like.
• the lashing hooks are coated, at least in part, with a coating, preferably non-slip, such as PVC.
• the lashing hooks pivot between several intermediate positions angularly offset from each other, between the rest position and the hooking position.
• in the intermediate positions, the hooking system is partially unfolded or folded.
• the rear face is located opposite the front face.
• the casing contains a micro-blower.
• the micro-blower is equipped with an electric motor rotating a shaft, also called a rotary axis, carrying one (or more) impellers.
• the micro-blower comprises a volute delimiting a wheel compartment in which a finned wheel is arranged.
• the volute comprises a gas outlet passage in fluid communication with the impeller compartment, for extracting from said impeller compartment, a gas flow generated by the impeller, when said impeller is rotated by the shaft.
• the carcass forms a casing or the like.
• the carcass comprises rigid walls.
• the carcass is made of polymer.
• the carcass further comprises control means configured to control the operation or stopping of the electric motor, that is to say the rotations and the stops of rotation (i.e. braking or deceleration) of the wheel of the micro-blower .
• the control means comprise at least one microprocessor, preferably at least one microcontroller.
• the control means comprise at least one electronic card carrying said at least one microprocessor.
• the microprocessor implements one or more algorithms.
• the carcass comprises electrical power supply means, in particular one (or more) rechargeable battery.
• the control means are supplied with electric current by the electric power supply means.
• the display screen is touch sensitive and includes, forms or is part of the HMI.
• the electric motor comprises electric cables or wires serving for its electric connection to a source of electric current.
• during its operation, the electric motor drives the impeller in rotation at a speed of up to 70,000 rpm, typically up to 30,000 or 40,000 rpm.
• the electric motor is of the brushless type.

The invention will now be better understood thanks to the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the appended figures, including:

is a schematic rear 3/4 view of a first embodiment of a fan according to the invention, with the attachment system unfolded in the attachment position,

is analogous to [Fig. 1] but shows the hooking system folded up in the rest position,

is analogous to [Fig. 1] but shows the attachment system unfolded after securing to a bar, and

is a schematic rear 3/4 view of a second embodiment of a fan according to the invention, with the attachment system unfolded in the attachment position and the presence of openings arranged in the rear face of the carcass for accommodate the hooking system when it is folded into the rest position.

is a schematic rear 3/4 view of a first embodiment of a respiratory assistance device or medical ventilator 1 according to the invention, typically an emergency-transport ventilator, equipped with a hooking system 3 shown unfolded, that is to say with the two securing hooks 4 in the hooking position. The attachment system 3 is arranged in the rear face 6 of the fan 1.

The fan 1 is shown in the so-called "upright" position, that is to say with its front face 5, ie facade, carrying the display screen (not visible), vertical or approximately vertical, that is say slightly inclined. The fan 1 is also in this position when it is attached to a support 100, such as a bed or stretcher bar for example, as illustrated in

The ventilator 1 display screen is used to view information, data, alarms, monitoring curves, etc. It can be in black and white or in color, and can be touch sensitive.

The front face 5 of the fan 1 also preferably comprises one or more selection or adjustment keys or buttons (not visible) making it possible to make selections, adjustments, choices in menus, to activate functions, to acknowledge alarms, select ventilation modes or other parameters, etc.

The display screen and the selection or adjustment keys or buttons form all or part of a man-machine or HMI interface.

Furthermore, the fan 1 comprises a carcass 2 forms a rigid casing, for example made of polymer.

Conventionally, the casing 2 of the fan 1 carries various elements and components, such as the display screen, the selection or adjustment keys or buttons, various connectors or connection end pieces 10 to which are mechanically and fluidly connected, in particular pipes or other flexible conduits, in particular a patient circuit connecting the ventilator 1 to the patient and serving to convey the gas to him, which conventionally comprises at least one flexible conduit and ends in a respiratory interface, such as a respiratory mask or the like.

The casing 2 of the fan 1 also contains control means, such as an electronic microprocessor card implementing one or more algorithms, which are configured to control the operation or stopping of the electric motor of the micro-blower, it i.e. rotations and stops of rotation (i.e. braking or deceleration) of the wheel. Preferably, the electric motor is of the brushless type and, during its operation, it drives the impeller in rotation at a speed of up to 70,000 rpm, typically up to 30,000 or 40,000 rpm.

Power supply means are also provided, in particular one (or more) rechargeable battery, electrically supplying the control means, the display screen, the MMI, the motor of the micro-blower or other ventilator components that require electrical current to operate, including through electrical connection cables or wires.

According to the invention, the attachment system 3 comprises two securing hooks 4 configured to pivot around a common axis (AA), namely a horizontal axis, between the rest position illustrated in and the hooking position illustrated in [Fig. 1] or vice versa, when the attachment system 3 is manually operated by a user, that is to say when a user, such as a nursing staff, manually grasps one of the securing hooks 4 and prints a clockwise or counterclockwise angular pivoting movement, depending on the direction of pivoting desired and the desired position, ie resting (folded) or hooking (unfolded).

The hooks are arranged on the rear face 6 of the fan 1, that is to say opposite the front face 5 carrying the HMI (ie screen, control or adjustment buttons, etc.), so that, when the fan is hooked to a dedicated support 100, such as a stretcher bar, as shown schematically in , the HMI is oriented outwards, that is to say on the side where the nursing staff is located, ie in front of or facing the front face 5 of the ventilator 1.

According to the invention, the two lashing hooks 4 are capable of pivoting around a common horizontal axis (AA), that is to say the same and unique axis AA.

Depending on the embodiment chosen, the lashing hooks 4 are arranged in parallel and pivot either simultaneously/jointly, or independently of one another, around the common axis (AA), preferably jointly.

The hooks 4 are therefore connected by the same axis AA, which makes it possible to simplify their use by offering rapid deployment and without the risk of pinching the fingers, in particular pivoting and not translating. In particular, a single manual gesture by the user is necessary for the simultaneous deployment of the two hooks 4 when these pivot together from their folded position, i.e. “retracted” position, and their unfolded position, i.e. “extended” position.

The function of the hooks 4 is to allow the user to quickly and simply attach the fan 1 to a support 100, typically a side bar of a bed or a stretcher, but also a transport vehicle rod or other .

As there is no standard support diameter, e.g. tubular stretcher or bed bar, the hooks 4 are configured to be compatible with different support diameters. For example, the securing hooks 4 are sized to allow them to be secured to a tubular bar 100 with a section of between about 0.5 cm and 5 cm, for example of the order of 2.8 mm.

The hooks 4 can also be coated, in particular in their areas of contact with the support 100, with an adherent or non-slip material, for example an elastomer, in order to be able to hook the fan 1 in a safe manner and prevent it from slipping on the support 100, during transport.

In the embodiment of to [Fig. 4], the attachment system 3 of the invention comprises a support pin 8 of axis AA to which are fixed at least two parallel arms 9, that is to say that they are integral with said support pin 8 axis (AA), which each include a free end 9a hooking, for example curved or folded.

The two parallel arms 9 are (almost) perpendicular to the support axis 8 and therefore also to the common axis AA around which the attachment system 3 of the invention pivots angularly. The parallel arms 9 therefore form all or part of the lashing hooks 4.

The support axis 8 with common axis AA and the two parallel arms 9 are made of metal, for example steel.

According to an embodiment shown on the to [Fig. 3], the support shaft 8 and the two parallel arms 9 are formed from a single piece having a general U-shape.

In general, the two stowage hooks 4 can be folded down in the rest position, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the fan 1 when they are not in use and makes it possible to prevent them from catching inadvertently. Thus, in the rest position, that is to say folded up, the two securing hooks 4 are closed and folded down on the carcass 2 of the fan 1, as visible in .

According to another embodiment illustrated in , in the rest position, the hooks 4 are preferentially retracted inside the casing 2 of the fan 1, that is to say when the fan 1 is not hooked, so that they disappear completely, that is to say that they do not protrude from the carcass 2, which makes it possible to reduce their size as much as possible.

To do this, openings 7 are provided, such as slots or the like, in the casing 2 of the fan 1, within which the hooks 4 can be housed when they are placed in their rest position.

As before, the hooks 4 are moved into their hooking position, following a manual action by the user, by pivoting around the common horizontal axis AA which is then found, in this embodiment, inside of the carcass 2.

It should be noted that the user can also use the unfolded hooks 4 to place and hold the fan 1 on the ground in an inclined position, i.e. with the front face directed upwards and not horizontal but forming an angle (for example between 10 and 45°) with the ground.

Claims (10)

Medical ventilator (1) comprising an outer casing (2) comprising a mobile attachment system (3) comprising securing hooks (4) pivoting between at least:

• a rest position in which the attachment system (3) is fully folded and
• a hooking position in which the hooking system (3) is completely unfolded,

characterized in that the lashing hooks (4) are configured to pivot around a common axis (AA), between the rest position and the hooking position or vice versa, when the hooking system (3) is manually operated by a user. Fan according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the casing (2) comprises a front face (5) and a rear face (6) located on either side of the said casing (2), the front face (5) comprising a display screen and the rear face (6) comprising the common axis (AA) around which the securing hooks (4) pivot. Fan according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lashing hooks (4) are arranged in parallel and pivot simultaneously around the common axis (AA), preferably two lashing hooks (4). Fan according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing hooks (4) are shaped and sized to allow them to be secured to a bar (100) with a section of between 1.5 and 5 cm. Fan according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment system (3) comprises a support pin (8) of the pin (AA) and at least two parallel arms (9) integral with said support pin ( 8) of axis (AA), said parallel arms (9) forming lashing hooks (4). Fan according to Claim 5, characterized in that the two parallel arms (9) are perpendicular to the support axis (8). Fan according to Claim 1, characterized in that the common axis (AA) is horizontal. Fan according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rest position and the hooking position are angularly offset by a pivot angle of between 45° and 110°, preferably of the order of 80° to 100°. Fan according to Claim 1, characterized in that the common axis (AA) is arranged in the casing (2) of the fan (1) or carried by the rear face (6) of the casing (2). Fan according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises openings (7) arranged in the rear face (6) of the casing (2) and configured to house at least part of the securing hooks (4) when the attachment system (3) is folded into the rest position.