FR3110435A1 - Arrangement of a breathing assistance device - Google Patents

Abstract

[The invention relates to an arrangement of a breathing assistance device (1) comprising a housing (2), a controlled ventilation device (3), an associated electrical energy management device (4), a first support means (10) capable of fixing the controlled ventilation device to the housing, a second support means (20) capable of fixing the electrical energy management device to the housing, characterized in that said first support means ( 10) comprises at least one plate (11) on which all or part of the controlled ventilation device is arranged, and in that said second support means (20) comprises at least one bottom plate (21) on which are arranged at at least one functional control member, in particular at least one functional electrical power member chosen from an electric battery (22) and/or an electrical power supply (23). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing this device, as well as the breathing assistance device. Figure for abstract: Fig.2]

Description

Arrangement of a breathing assistance device

Technical field of the invention
The present invention is in the field of respiratory assistance devices such as they are intended to be used to assist, or even supplement the breathing of patients, implementing an apparatus for pumping a gas flow.

The subject of the invention is more particularly an arrangement of a breathing assistance device for a patient in his respiratory function.

State of the prior art
Ventilation devices are known, in particular centrifugal ventilation devices for assisting a patient in his respiratory function, generally comprising a centrifugal fan housed inside a casing and mainly composed of a high-speed rotating wheel. The wheel equipped with blades is driven by a motor member and rotates inside a volute. The gas flow is thus sucked through an inlet opening of the casing, to be discharged out of the latter through an evacuation opening, after it has passed through the fan composed of the motorized volute wheel assembly and through channels for circulating the gas flow which are formed inside the casing, upstream and downstream of the fan.

Respiratory support revolves around distinct types of ventilation:
- spontaneous ventilation which can be supplemented by oxygen in a mask or nasal insufflator,
- non-invasive ventilation which often uses a face mask and whose particularity lies in the principle of ventilation with leaks which require numerous adjustments,
- invasive ventilation which requires an invasive interface, of the intubation probe type for example, between the patient and the ventilator. Due to its invasive nature, such assistance is recommended during the patient resuscitation phases. Due to their use in resuscitation, such known devices are complex in their implementation, in particular because they embed technologies specific to the medically risky situations of resuscitation phases of a hospitalized patient.

In the context of a global pandemic, invasive ventilation breathing assistance devices are becoming scarce for a global health situation, such as occurs in the event of a pandemic. COVID-19 has highlighted the fact that the respiratory assistance devices currently implemented are expensive, complex to produce and/or require the use of subcontractors who hold the molds necessary for manufacturing by injection of components, and in particular the ventilation devices. In this context, it is impossible to produce respiratory assistance devices in sufficient quantity to meet the demand when it explodes. Even if such production takes effect, the constraints of transporting goods drastically slow down its distribution, it is therefore necessary to produce such breathing assistance devices locally and in total autonomy.

Presentation of the invention
A general problem to be solved for these respiratory assistance devices lies in their large-scale manufacture in order to propose a solution which is technically simple in its implementation and of a lower cost than the invasive ventilation devices known to meet more specifically to the emergency problem in the event of a pandemic, which is arranged in such a way as to reduce in itself the sound and vibration impact both of the motor component and of the circulation of the gas flow through it, and which is also mobile and self-sufficient in energy while meeting safety and ergonomic requirements for the user.
It is in this context that the breathing assistance device came about.

The general object of the present invention is to propose an arrangement of a respiratory assistance device which comprises a controlled ventilation device to assist a patient in his respiratory function,

The inventive step of the present invention consisted in its entirety in organizing and improving a breathing assistance device to guarantee both functional and structural stability. In addition, the vocation of use in dynamics forced the design to make it an autonomous, portable and easily manageable device. It has also been designed to meet security constraints in order to protect users against all risks, in particular access to an electrical area. In its design, the device revolves around a mechanical dissociation of the aeraulic and electrical circuits so that any fluid leak can have little or no impact on the normal operation of the device, thus guaranteeing use. persistent. The breathing assistance device has been designed to be industrializable with a simplified, rapid and economical deployment.

Summary of the invention
The invention relates to an arrangement of a respiratory assistance device comprising a housing, a controlled ventilation device, an associated electrical energy management device, a first support means able to fix the ventilation device driven to the housing, a second support means adapted to fix the electrical energy management device to the housing. It is essentially characterized in that said first support means comprises at least one plate on which all or part of the controlled ventilation device is arranged, and that said second support means comprises at least one bottom plate on which are arranged at least at least one functional piloting member, in particular at least one functional electric power member chosen from an electric battery and/or an electric power supply.
It is understood that the design architecture by modules here assembled by superposition aims to optimize the implantation of each of the functional members inside the housing.

The arrangement of the invention may further comprise the following features, taken separately or in combination with each other.

Said first support means is arranged directly superimposed on said second support means.

The first support means equipped with at least one functional member of the controlled ventilation device is positioned above the second support means equipped with at least one functional pilot member such that the first support means forms a barrier electrical and mechanical protection limiting access to a space delimited by the plate and the bottom plate in which are arranged at least one functional electrical power member.

The controlled ventilation device comprises an aeraulic circuit comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element chosen from among an air filtration means, an upstream silencer, a fan motor, a downstream silencer forming in particular an accumulation tank of pressurized air, a fluid mixer capable of mixing pressurized air with oxygen stored in a dedicated network to which the respiratory assistance device is intended to be fluidically connected via a flange of connection, a supply valve and a divergent connected to a connection flange.

The controlled ventilation device comprises an air evacuation circuit comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element chosen from among a connection flange, a convergent, an evacuation valve and an air filtration means.

The electrical energy management device is electrically connected to the supply and exhaust valves, which are in particular of the pinch type, in order to create sequential flows of air in the aeraulic circuit and in the exhaust circuit.

The divergent of the aeraulic circuit and the convergent of the evacuation circuit each contain a means of measuring the air flow.

Each air flow measurement means is composed of a measurement chamber made in the form of a constant section tube in which are positioned a transverse grid and measurement sensors arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the grid. depending on the direction of air flow.

The divergent and the convergent are made by a three-dimensional printing process, and connected by a central plate making it suitable for their assembly to said first support means, so as to form a unitary assembly.

The housing comprises a box, on which is mounted in a reversible manner a closure cover provided in particular with at least one hinge lug, preferably two hinge lugs, a sealing means and a locking means making the interior of the box inaccessible when the cover is in the closed position of the box, said locking means being in particular associated with a lock, the box being made of plastic material, in particular filled with fibers, for example fiberglass.

The lid sealing means is for example a rubber gasket, for example a tubular gasket extending along a peripheral edge of the lid. The housing is in particular of the type of a rectangular parallelepiped, and comprises a front wall equipped in particular with a display, manual adjustment means, and connection flanges, respectively for pressurized oxygen, for supply air to a patient, in exhaust air coming from a patient, a side wall being equipped with a filtration means and a fan intended to cool the interior of the casing by a pulsed air circulation, a wall opposite side comprising an opening, the peripheral edge of which is intended to cooperate by form complementarity with the contour of a lid, a rear wall on which said means for filtering the air to be evacuated are arranged, as well as a switch on operation as well as a power outlet allowing a connection to an electricity network, a bottom wall on which said first and second support means are fixed, a top wall on which are in particular ag enclosed a gripping means, such as a handle, preferably two handles arranged transversely, in particular one close to a front edge and the other close to a rear edge of the case.

The electrical energy management device comprises an electrical power circuit in which power supply connectors are positioned opposite the opening providing access to the interior of the case. This advantageously reduces the risk of access to the power connectors for anyone working inside the case.

The electrical energy management device comprises a low voltage electrical circuit in which power supply connectors are positioned close to the opening providing access to the inside of the case, so as to facilitate the electrical connection .

At least one of the connection flanges is directly fixed to the plate so that the assembly of the plate is carried out by a pre-positioning inclined upwards and to the rear of the plate inside the case, then a displacement according to a substantially rotational movement around a front portion of the plate in order to lower the rear edge, which makes it possible to simultaneously position each of the flanges through the dedicated openings of the case in order to be there placed outside.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a breathing assistance device, the arrangement of which comprises in particular the aforementioned characteristics, the method comprises the following steps taken in this order:
- assembly, in particular simultaneously, of the controlled ventilation device and of the functional control components respectively on said first and second support means,
- positioning of said second support means equipped on the housing, in particular at the level of a bottom wall of the housing,
- positioning of said first support means equipped on said second support means, in particular according to an angular displacement of said first support means making it possible to position some of the functional members of the controlled ventilation device through a front wall of the housing,
- Fixing, in particular by screwing, of at least one of said first and second support means on the housing.

The method may include an additional step of fixing inside the case, in the upper rear part, a ventilation module comprising a frame independent of the plate, on which have been assembled beforehand, a fan motor, and at least a silencer, the chassis being in particular linked to the housing by a suspension device.

According to the method of the invention, the functional members of the controlled ventilation device arranged on said first support means, in particular on the plate and/or on the frame, are previously interconnected to each other by conduits through which a fluid gas is able to circulate.

According to the method of the invention, the plate and the bottom plate are each produced by stamping a sheet of steel, then by bending.

The invention also relates to a breathing assistance device which comprises the aforementioned arrangement, or in that it is obtained by implementing the method described above.

Presentation of figures
The present invention will be better understood, and the relevant details will appear, from the description which will be given of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, in relation to the following figures, in which:

There is a schematic perspective view of three quarter front left illustrating the device of the invention.

There is a schematic side view illustrating a device of the invention, more particularly certain functional components of a controlled ventilation device.

There is a schematic view identical to that of the making it possible to present other functional organs of the controlled ventilation device.

There is a schematic perspective view of three-quarter rear right illustrating the device of the invention.

There is an enlargement of a lower part of the case visible on the , highlighting the functional organs of the controlled ventilation and electrical energy management devices of the breathing assistance device of the invention.

detailed description
In the figures, there is shown a breathing assistance device 1 which comprises a controlled ventilation device which will be described in detail below. The breathing assistance device is in the form of a portable module and includes a device with piloted ventilation using the principle of forced air which can be mixed with oxygen and pumping in order to recreate the phases of inspiration and expiration of a patient. Such a portable module is thus suitable for an application of assisting a patient in his respiratory function.

On the , a breathing assistance device 1 has been shown, the support structure of which forming the enclosure of the device comprises, on the front face, connectors intended for the attachment of hoses (not shown) for intubation and for supplying oxygen under pressure. The breathing assistance device is thus produced with a controlled ventilation device which comprises connection flanges 38, 41 respectively dedicated to the air supply and to the air recovery. The complementary flange 39 is of different design from the other flanges because it is intended for the connection of the breathing assistance device 1 to a pressurized oxygen network.

The breathing assistance device 1 is of robust architecture and comprises a casing 2 produced by a process of injection of a plastic material, preferably a plastic filled with glass fibers. The case takes the form of an easily transportable suitcase, it is preferably of the type of a rectangular parallelepiped. The box 2 consists of a box 5 and a lid (not shown) covering a peripheral edge of a managed opening on the box.

The casing 5 comprises a front wall 106 extending along a transverse axis Y, a rear wall 109 parallel to the front wall 106. The casing 2 comprises a side wall 107 extending along a longitudinal axis X which is parallel to an opposite side wall 108. The housing 2 further comprises a bottom wall 110 parallel to the X-Y plane, which is parallel to a top wall 111. All of the front 106, rear 109, side 107, side opposite 108, bottom 110 and top 111 are interconnected to form the enclosure of the box 5 inside which is arranged the controlled ventilation device 3.

By convention, the Y axis is the transverse axis of the box 2 along which the thickness of the box 2 can be measured, the X axis is the longitudinal axis along which the depth of the box 5 can be measured, and the Z axis is the vertical axis along which the height of the box can be measured. The X, Y and Z axes are perpendicular to each other so as to define an orthonormal reference.

The side wall 107 visible on the is equipped with a filtration means 31 and a fan motor 131 intended to cool the inside of the case. The motor-driven cooling fan 131 is also able to create a mixing of the air located inside the casing 2, in order to diffuse the oxygen content present, by a circulation of pulsed air. This motor-driven cooling fan 131 is protected by a ventilation grille, not shown.

The opposite side wall 108 includes an opening 118 referenced on the , whose peripheral edge is intended to cooperate by form complementarity with the outline of the closure cover (not shown).

The rear wall 109 visible on the comprises a means for filtering the air to be evacuated from the ventilation device as well as an operating switch as well as a power socket allowing connection to an electricity network by a power cable not shown .

The bottom wall 110 comprises said first support means 10 and second support means 20 as they are particularly visible on the .

The top wall 111 comprises a gripping means 60, in the presence of the handles 61 thus referenced on the and arranged transversely, in particular one close to a front edge 112 and the other close to a rear edge 113 of the housing 2. Such an arrangement of the gripping means advantageously facilitates the transport of the assistance device to the breathing 1, which makes it easy to handle, especially by the personnel of mobile intervention units.

The closure cover of the box 2 can comprise locking means associated with a lock device.

The box 2 also comprises an opening made on the front wall 106 which receives a plate 116 equipped in particular with at least one display 117, here two superimposed displays, one of the displays being in particular of the type of a digital screen, making it possible to view the operating status of the controlled ventilation device. The other screen can alert the user to other operating parameters of the powered ventilation device. Below the screens are positioned control means 119 making it possible in particular to manually adjust functions or to select an operating mode from among several pre-recorded modes. The assembly thus composed of the screens 117 and the control means 119 are secured to the plate 116 via an electronic card 126, visible in Figures 2 and 3, on which these elements are attached. The electronic card 126, arranged through an opening made on the front wall 106, comprises an electronic circuit which connects computer storage means as well as computers and programs to be executed. The electronic card 126 is attached screwed onto a plate 116 so that the assembly thus preassembled can subsequently be attached in one piece to the housing 2 to be fixed there mechanically, preferably via tightening screws.

In the infra part of the front wall 106, the flanges 38, 39 and 41 of connection extend projectingly. The middle flange 39 is intended for the pressurized oxygen supply of the controlled ventilation device. It therefore provides a fluid connection to a supply pipe (not shown) connected by an opposite end of the pipe to a supply of pressurized oxygen. The connection flange 39 is in the form of a toothed rod, which makes the connection quick and safe with the end of the supply pipe. The connection flange 38 located on the right on the is intended for the air supply of a patient, while the connection flange 41 located on the left on the is dedicated to the return of air blown to the patient. These flanges 38 and 41 are connected to a double-duct respiratory intubation device which is not shown in the figures. Unlike the oxygen supply, the connection flanges 38 and 41 are manipulated each time the intubation hoses are changed, they are therefore of the quick-connect type and adapted to the type of hoses used.

The controlled ventilation device 3 is visible in Figures 2 and 3 almost entirely inside the housing 2. To make it suitable for mounting, the housing 5 comprises an access opening 118 made on the opposite side wall 108 of box 2.

The controlled ventilation device 3 as it is arranged inside the housing 2 will now be detailed with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

The controlled ventilation device 3 comprises an aeraulic circuit composed of a means of filtering air 31 sucked in from outside the casing 2, such a means consisting of at least one convergent type support element comprising a grid against which is arranged a filter element. Preferably cylindrical, such a grid comprises on its periphery a retaining means mounted in a reversible manner in order to make it possible to change the filter element. The filter means support element 31 is fluidly connected to an upstream silencer 32 via its front end. The muffler 32 comprises a main body which is preferably of tubular shape, arranged longitudinally inside the box 5 thus advantageously occupying the depth of the box 2. The axis of the muffler 32 is preferably located in a median plane of X-Z axes so that it creates a stable balance with respect to the base of the casing 2. With a substantially cylindrical cross-section, the upstream silencer 32 comprises a perforated inner tube surrounded by a soundproofing foam, such as a reticulated foam, especially a polyester foam. The rear end of the upstream silencer 32 is closed by a cylindrical cover comprising an air outlet opening in the direction of a fan motor 33. The upstream silencer 32 is designed to absorb frequencies of the order of 2 to 6 kHz related to the operating noise of the fan motor 33 to which it is connected, these frequencies passing through the air.

Preferably, the motor-driven fan 33 is mainly composed of a rotating blade wheel disposed inside a volute, the blade wheel being driven in rotation by means of a drive shaft integral with a rotor of an electric motor. The motorized fan 33 is arranged between the upstream silencer and the bottom wall 109 of the casing 2. The upstream muffler 32 and the motorized fan 33 are thus arranged at the level of a top interior part of the casing 5. Such a configuration of the internal architecture of the box 2 is chosen in this way in order to place the functional members of the controlled ventilation device weighing less than other functional members, in the high position inside the box 5, which aims to limit the risk of tipping over of the breathing assistance device 1 during its use.

The motor-driven fan 33 is fluidically connected to a downstream silencer 34 by a pipe connecting an outlet of the volute of the motor-driven fan to the inlet of the downstream silencer 34, which is here arranged below the motor-driven fan 33. The silencer downstream 34 comprises a main body of tubular shape, having a substantially cylindrical cross section. The downstream silencer 34 extends substantially along the vertical axis Z such that its tubular body extends the ventilation module 300 downwards. The axis of the downstream silencer advantageously extends in a median plane of axes X - Z, approximately halfway up the box 5. The downstream silencer 34 comprises a perforated inner tube surrounded by a sound insulation foam, such as a reticulated foam, in particular a polyester foam. At the outlet of this acoustic chamber comprising the sound insulation foam, the downstream silencer 34 incorporates a "buffer" volume, defined by a square-section duct made in a spiral surrounding the acoustic chamber. Such a duct creates a channel having a length of approximately one linear meter whose main function is to avoid untimely rises of oxygen due to the presence of an oxygen mixer located at the outlet of the downstream silencer, as it is will see later.

For example, the length of the foam of the downstream muffler 34 is approximately half as long as that used in the upstream muffler 32, for an outer diameter less by approximately 20%.

The downstream silencer 34 extends substantially perpendicular to the upstream silencer 32 extended by the fan motor 33.

The upstream silencer 32, the fan motor 33 and the downstream silencer 34 are assembled to a frame 301 so as to create a unitary assembly which can be mounted on the casing 5, in particular by means of an anti-vibration device, in particular wedges rubber such as Silentbloc®. Such a unitary assembly is a ventilation module 300 which can be preassembled separately, in particular on a dedicated assembly unit. The step of assembling all the constituent elements of the ventilation module 300 is advantageously reduced.

The ventilation module 300 is here positioned at the level of an upper zone of the box 5.

On the , the electrical energy management device 4 is visible at the level of a lower zone of the box 5. The controlled ventilation device 3 is arranged above the electrical energy management device 4. The assembly of these devices 3 and 4 is attached to first and second dedicated support means 10, 20. To this end, said first support means 10 comprises at least one plate 11 on which all or part of the controlled ventilation device 3 is arranged.

Said second support means 20 comprises at least one bottom plate 21 on which are arranged functional members of the electric energy management device 4, in particular electric batteries 22, preferably arranged head to tail, as well as an electric power supply 23 The electric batteries 22, each of rectangular section, are arranged on the bottom plate 21 by one of their longitudinal face, of greater surface than that of the other faces of the battery. Such a positioning of the batteries has a double effect, both lowering the center of gravity of the batteries, and reducing the influence in height of the battery storage area, which advantageously makes it possible to optimize the interior space of the box 5 Such an arrangement of the batteries 22 in the lower part of the casing 5 generally aims to increase the stability of the respiratory assistance device 1, by an overall lowering of the center of gravity of the casing 5 equipped.

At the front of the electric batteries 22 is arranged an electric power supply unit 23, consisting in part of a voltage transformer receiving the electric voltage from a domestic electricity network as input and delivering a low electric voltage as output, in particular a voltage of approximately 24 V, preferably a voltage of 28 V. The primary side of the transformer is connected to a power supply cable 24, the secondary side being electrically connected to a multi-pin connector 25. For electrical safety reasons, the connection of the power cable 24 to the power supply unit 23 is located close to the side wall 107 which is difficult to access once the box 5 is equipped with the functional components of the controlled ventilation device 3. As can be seen on the , the multi-pin connector 25 is arranged close to the opening 118 for access to the interior of the casing 5. The multi-pin connector 25 is intended for the power supply of the various electrical consumables of the controlled ventilation device 3 which will be detailed later.

Preferably, a protective grid 26 surrounds the power supply unit 23 so as to create a protective barrier aimed at limiting the risks of electrocution. The protective barrier is in the form of a perforated plate.

The bottom plate 21 further comprises retaining wedges 220 extending projecting upwards in order to secure the batteries 22 along the longitudinal X and transverse Y axes.

The bottom plate 21 is preferably made by stamping a sheet of steel, and bending. The bottom plate 21 has an approximately flat profile, it is fixed by screwing on either side of the box 5, that is to say in particular by its front and rear edges placed in abutment against the bottom of which screws of fixing extend vertically. The bottom plate further comprises a transverse rib disposed between the two batteries, this rib provides both the function of longitudinal wedging of the batteries in order to guarantee a gap, but also serves to accommodate an elastic stud provided with a rod threaded to secure the bottom plate 21 against the bottom wall 110 by screwing.

Preferably, the batteries 22 and the power supply unit 23 and the protective grid 26 are preassembled on the bottom plate 21 in order to form a unitary assembly which can subsequently be attached in one piece against the bottom wall 110 of the box 5.

A plate 11 is arranged superimposed on the aforementioned assembly, extending inside along the longitudinal axis X, while substantially facing the bottom plate 21. In other words, the plate 11 extends over the entire length of the bottom plate 21.

The plate 11 comprises a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the plate 11 is intended for its attachment to the casing 5 as well as for the attachment of the connection flanges 39 and 41, which according to a preferred embodiment is a unitary module comprising a central plate from which each projects connection flanges 39 and 41 . The intermediate portion is inclined upwards along an axis direction X, so as to create an evolving gap with the bottom plate 21 in which the electrical power supply unit 23 is arranged. The rear portion delimits a plate substantially parallel to the bottom plate 21. The space between the rear portion of the plate 11 and the bottom plate 21 is adapted to receive the batteries 22. The rear portion of the plate 11 comprises falling side edges, such as vertical walls, of which the free end bears against the bottom plate 21. The height of the side edges is subject to the height of the batteries 22 so that the volume occupied inside the box 5 is optimized, the plate 11 thus surrounding the closer the battery 22 which is equipped with a self-adhesive acoustic foam (not shown) which is then pressurized by the fixing of the plate 11

The notion of security has also led to this architecture in order to make it impossible to access the plugs of the batteries 22 when the plate 11 is positioned overlapping the batteries. The risk of electrocution is thus avoided.

Thus arranged inside the casing 5, said first support means 10 provides an electrical and mechanical protection barrier limiting access to a space delimited by the plate 11 and the bottom plate 21 in which the functional components of the electric power.

The plate 11 is preferably made by stamping a steel plate then bending. Its lower face is oriented with regard to the bottom wall 110 of the box 5 and the functional components of the electrical energy management device 4.

Its upper face receives the functional organs of the controlled ventilation device 3 as they are identified below.

The controlled ventilation device 3 comprises an aeraulic circuit in which are also arranged a fluid mixer 35, a supply valve 36, a divergent 37, and the connection flange 38.

Mixer 35 is a converging tube profile with an X axis comprising a radial tube for supplying oxygen under pressure. Inside the mixer 35, the pressurized oxygen is mixed with the air leaving the downstream silencer 34. Advantageously, the mixer brings the oxygen to the pressure of the air entering the mixer so that the mixture can be made homogeneous, at least without the effect of pressure variation at the outlet of the mixer. This design of the mixer 35 aims to avoid a turbulent flow of the air/oxygen mixture. The mixer 35 is connected to a supply valve 36, the latter being preferably of the pinch type, in particular via an eccentric which sandwiches a pipe connecting the mixer 35 to the connection flange 38. The eccentric is linked to rotation to an electric motor controlled in rotation speed so that the rotation of the eccentric creates successive influxes of air, thus recreating the effects of air suction from a patient. The mixer 35 is preferably produced by an additive manufacturing process, that is to say by three-dimensional printing.

The aeraulic circuit comprises a divergent 37 arranged between the supply valve 36 and the connection flange 38. Preferably, the divergent 37 is equipped with a device for measuring the flow rate of the oxygenated air. By way of example, such a measuring means consists of at least one speed sensor, preferably a transverse grid and speed sensors arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the grid in order to measure a speed differential which will then be analyzed by calculation means on board the electronic card 126 and thus give the flow rate of the fluids to and from the return of the patient. Divergent 37 is preferably produced by a three-dimensional printing process.

The aeraulic circuit comprises a connection flange 38 which is connected to the divergent 37, such a flange 38 being capable of ensuring a rapid and sealed fluidic connection with intubation elements (not shown) external to the housing 2.

The mixer 35, the supply valve 36 for regulating the air flow and the divergent 37 are arranged in this order in an air supply branch of the aeraulic circuit, in a longitudinal direction going from the rear of the box towards the front.

Parallel to this supply branch of the aeraulic circuit of the controlled ventilation device, an evacuation branch of the aeraulic circuit is positioned inside the box 5.

The evacuation branch comprises a connection flange 41 visible on the , preferably identical to the connection flange 38. The connection flanges 38 and 41 are preferably produced by a three-dimensional printing process and are connected to each other by a central wall in order to form a single piece which will be easily assembled on plate 11.

The evacuation branch visible on the comprises a convergent 42 in the shape of a trumpet horn which is totally different from the divergent 37 which must respect the rules of fluid mechanics. The convergent 42 comprises the same device for measuring the air flow speed present on the divergent 37 previously described.

The convergent 42 is preferably produced by a three-dimensional printing process. The convergent 42 and the divergent 37 are preferably produced together and simultaneously by a three-dimensional printing process so as to form a unitary module capable of being secured directly to the plate 11 during a single assembly operation. This unitary module is equipped with an electronic card embedding the various pressure measurement sensors. This card will then be connected to module 126 by a dedicated cable.

The body of the convergent 42 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X, in the direction of the evacuation valve 43 arranged afterwards, according to the direction of flow of the air to be evacuated going from the front to the rear of the box 2.

The evacuation valve 43 is preferably of identical design to the supply valve 36, that is to say preferably of the pinch type, as previously described. The two valves 36, 43 respectively for supply and evacuation operate in concert with each other so as to recreate successive phases of inspiration and expiration of an intubated patient.

A last portion of the aeraulic air evacuation circuit comprises a conduit connecting the valve 43 to an air filtration means 44 visible in FIGS. 3 and 4. Such a filtration means 44 is preferably identical to the filtration means 31 used at the inlet of air sucked in by the controlled ventilation device 3. It therefore essentially has the same mechanical properties. The evacuation of the air is done by the bottom wall 109 which comprises for this purpose an opening through which is placed the means of filtration 44.

After the shaping of the plate 11, the functional elements of the aeraulic circuit which are listed below are secured to the plate 11: the mixer 35, the supply valve 36, the divergent 37, the connection flange 38 d supply, the evacuation connection flange 41, the convergent 42, the evacuation valve 43 as well as all the fluidic connection ducts. These functional members are directly fixed to the plate 11, in particular on its upper side.

The set of connection flanges 38 and 41, thus the module grouping together the convergent 42 and divergent 37 are assembled on the front portion of the plate 11. The conduit fixing means are positioned on the inclined portion of the plate 11. The supply 36 and discharge 43 valves are positioned on the rear portion of the plate 11, this rear portion defining the top part of the plate 11. is improved for large-scale manufacturing, since the plate 11 carrying the functional components of the controlled ventilation device 3 is positioned inside the case during a single assembly operation, which facilitates the production of the assistance device to breathing.

The attachment of the plate 11 to the housing 2 is effected by screwing to the bottom wall 110, preferably via clamping screws. This joining step is carried out simultaneously with that of joining the bottom plate 21 to the casing 2, each of the tightening screws passing through a coaxial hole of the plate 11 and the bottom plate 20.

Given the fact that the plate 11 comprises connection flanges 38 and 41 which are intended to extend projecting out of the front wall 106, that is to say outside the box 5, the assembly of the platinum is made as follows:
- pre-positioning inclined upwards and to the rear of the plate 11 equipped with the functional elements of the aeraulic circuit inside the box,
- Displacement of the plate according to a substantially rotational movement around the front portion of the plate in order to lower the rear edge which makes it possible to simultaneously position each of the connection flanges 38, 41 through the dedicated openings made at the level of the casing in order to be placed there protruding outside.

The method of manufacturing the respiratory assistance device 1 described above comprises the following assembly steps:
- assembly, in particular simultaneously, of the functional control units and of the controlled ventilation device, respectively on said first and second support means 10, 20,
- positioning of said second support means 20 equipped on the housing 2, in particular at the level of a bottom wall 110 of the housing,
- positioning of said first support means 10 equipped on said second support means 20, in particular according to an angular displacement of said first support means making it possible to position some of the functional members of the controlled ventilation device through a front wall 106 of the housing, And
- Fixing, in particular by screwing, of at least one of said first and second support means 10, 20 on the housing.

The method can then comprise an additional step of fixing inside the case 2, in the upper rear part, a ventilation module 300 comprising a frame 301 independent of the plate 11, on which have been assembled beforehand, a motor- fan 33, and at least one silencer 32, 34.

Advantageously, the frame 301 can in particular be linked to the casing 2 by a suspension device in order to reduce the vibrations.

The functional components of the controlled ventilation device 3 arranged on said first support means 10, in particular on the plate 11 and/or on the frame 301, are fluidly interconnected to each other beforehand by conduits through which a gaseous fluid is capable to circulate.

The invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any combination technique operating such means. In particular, the orientation of each of the components of the inspiration circuits may be different from that described in the description above.

Claims (19)

Arrangement of a respiratory assistance device (1) comprising a housing (2), a controlled ventilation device (3), an associated electrical energy management device (4), a first support means (10 ) capable of fixing the controlled ventilation device to the housing, a second support means (20) suitable for fixing the electrical energy management device to the housing, characterized in that the said first support means (10) comprises at least one plate (11) on which is arranged all or part of the controlled ventilation device, and in that said second support means (20) comprises at least one bottom plate (21) on which are arranged at least one functional control member , in particular at least one functional electric power member chosen from an electric battery (22) and/or an electric power supply (23). Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first support means (10) is arranged directly superimposed on said second support means (20). Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first support means (10) equipped with at least one functional member of the controlled ventilation device (3) is positioned above the second support means (20) equipped with at least one at least one functional control member such that the first support means (10) provides an electrical and mechanical protection barrier limiting access to a space delimited by the plate (11) and the bottom plate (21) in which at least one functional electrical power unit is arranged. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the controlled ventilation device (3) comprises an aeraulic circuit (30) comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element chosen from among an air filtration means (31), an upstream silencer (32), a fan motor (33), a downstream silencer (34) forming in particular a pressurized air accumulation tank, a fluid mixer (35) capable of mixing pressurized air with oxygen stored in a dedicated network to which the respiratory assistance device (1) is intended to be fluidically connected via a connection flange (39), a supply valve (36) of the pinch and a divergent (37) connected to a connecting flange (38). Arrangement according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the controlled ventilation device comprises an air evacuation circuit (40), comprising, in particular in this order, at least one element chosen from among a connecting flange (41), a converging (42), a pinch type exhaust valve (43) and an air filtration means (44). Arrangement according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the electrical energy management device (4) is electrically connected to the supply (36) and discharge (43) valves, which are in particular of the pinch type, in order to create sequential flows of air in the aeraulic circuit (30) and in the evacuation circuit (40). Arrangement according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the divergent (37) of the aeraulic circuit (30) and the convergent (42) of the evacuation circuit (40) each contain a means of measuring the air flow (50 ). Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each means of measuring the air flow (50) is composed of a measuring chamber made in the form of a tube of constant section in which are positioned a transverse grid and measurement sensors arranged respectively upstream and downstream of the grid according to the direction of air flow. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the divergent (37) and the convergent (42) are produced by a three-dimensional printing process and connected by a central plate (51) making them suitable for assembly with said first support means (10 ), so as to form a unitary whole. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box (2) comprises a box (5) on which is reversibly mounted a cover provided in particular with at least one hinge lug, preferably two hinge lugs. articulation, a sealing means and a locking means rendering the interior of the case inaccessible when the cover is in the closed position of the box, said locking means being in particular associated with a lock, the case being made of plastic material, in particular loaded with fibers,. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the box (2) is in particular of the type of a rectangular parallelepiped, and comprises:
- a front wall (106) equipped in particular with a display, manual adjustment means, and connection flanges, respectively for pressurized oxygen, for supply air intended for a patient, for exhaust air in origin of a patient,
- a side wall (107) being equipped with a filtration means and a fan intended to cool the interior of the case by a pulsed air circulation,
- an opposite side wall (108) comprising an opening (118) whose peripheral edge is intended to cooperate by shape complementarity with the outline of a lid,
- a rear wall (109) on which are arranged said means for filtering the air to be evacuated as well as an operating switch as well as a power socket allowing connection to an electricity network,
- a bottom wall (110) on which said first and second support means are fixed,
- a top wall (111) on which are arranged in particular a gripping means (60), such as a handle (61), preferably two handles arranged transversely, in particular one close to a front edge (112) and the another close to a rear edge (113) of the housing (2). Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electrical energy management device (4) comprises an electrical power circuit (120) in which power supply connectors are positioned opposite the opening (118) enabling access to the interior of the casing (2). Arrangement according to one of Claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the electrical energy management device (4) comprises a low-voltage electrical circuit (121) in which power supply connectors are positioned close to the opening (118) providing access to the interior of the box (2), so as to facilitate the electrical connection. Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with Claims 4 and 6, characterized in that at least one of the connection flanges (38, 39, 41) is directly fixed to the plate (11) in such so that the mounting of the plate takes place by a pre-positioning inclined upwards and to the rear of the plate inside the casing (2), then a displacement according to a movement substantially in rotation around a portion front of the plate in order to lower the rear edge which makes it possible to simultaneously position each of the flanges through the dedicated openings of the case in order to be placed there projecting outside. Method of manufacturing a respiratory assistance device arranged according to any one of Claims 3 to 14, characterized in that it comprises the following steps taken in this order:
- assembly, in particular simultaneously, of the controlled ventilation device and the functional control components, respectively on said first and second support means (10, 20),
- positioning of said second support means (20) equipped on the housing (2), in particular at the level of a bottom wall (110) of the housing,
- positioning of said first support means (10) equipped on said second support means (20), in particular according to an angular displacement of said first support means making it possible to position some of the functional members of the controlled ventilation device through a front wall (106) of the casing,
- Fixing, in particular by screwing, of at least one of said first and second support means (10, 20) on the housing. Method according to the preceding claim with claim 4, characterized in that it comprises an additional step of fixing inside the case (2), in the upper rear part, a ventilation module (300) comprising a frame ( 301) independent of the plate (11), on which have been assembled beforehand, a fan motor (33), and at least one silencer (32, 34), the frame (301) being in particular linked to the housing by a device suspension. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the functional members of the controlled ventilation device (3) arranged on the said first support means (10), in particular on the plate (11) and/or on the frame (301), are previously interconnected to each other by conduits through which a gaseous fluid is able to circulate. Method according to any one of Claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the plate (11) and the bottom plate (21) are each produced by stamping a sheet of steel, then by bending. Breathing assistance device (1) characterized in that it comprises an arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, or in that it is obtained by implementing the method of Claims 15 to 18 .