FR3118866A1 - Gas flow visualization system for monitoring a patient's respiratory activity - Google Patents

Abstract

Title of the Invention Gas flow visualization system for monitoring the respiratory activity of a patient The invention relates to a gas flow visualization system for monitoring the respiratory activity of a patient. It comprises connection means (4) for fluidically connecting a conduit element (2) to an auxiliary device implementing a gas, luminous means (5), such as LED diodes, means for measuring flow or pressure (6) delivering a flow or pressure measurement signal, and control means (7) configured to process said signal and deduce therefrom the existence of a gas flow within the duct element (2) , and controlling an ignition or an extinction of the luminous means (5) when a gas flow is detected. Figure of the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Gas flow visualization system for monitoring a patient's respiratory activity

The invention relates to a system for displaying a gas flow making it possible to monitor the respiratory activity of a patient and/or the proper functioning of a machine delivering a respiratory gas, such as a medical ventilator.

Some people, i.e. patients, with respiratory problems need to be assisted during their breathing. To do this, machines or respiratory assistance devices are used that deliver respiratory gas, that is to say a single gas or a gaseous mixture, for example air, oxygen-enriched air, oxygen or another respiratory gas or gas mixture.

Quality constraints are increasingly important in the medical field. Current respiratory assistance devices, such as medical ventilators, have audible and/or visual alert systems that alert healthcare personnel in the event of a malfunction or ventilatory problem.

However, these systems can be complex to interpret both by their high number and by the used alert ‘codes’ displayed on the display screens of these medical devices or ventilators.

In addition, in the absence of an alarm, current systems do not or rarely make it possible to check, at a glance, a given function of the device, such as the inspiratory gas delivery function or the expiratory function. Moreover, most current ventilators give the information on a screen, which obliges the nursing staff to approach the ventilator to consult this screen, including to simply ensure that the ventilatory flow, i.e. inspiratory or expiratory, operates correctly. Otherwise, current systems require caregivers to regularly read the information displayed on the ventilator placed in a patient's room, to ensure that ventilation is taking place, which wastes time knowing that often the nursing staff must also manipulate the ventilator, for example unlocking it (if it is locked for safety reasons), orienting the screen, etc.

It is understood that there is a need for a gas flow visualization system making it possible to simply and remotely monitor the respiratory activity of a patient and/or the proper functioning of a machine (e.g. gas flow supply problem , poor connection or disconnection of a hose, etc.), of an apparatus or device for respiratory assistance, in particular a medical ventilator, delivering a respiratory gas to a patient, which does not require any manipulation on the part of the nursing staff , nor any consultation of the display screen of the machine or the like.

The problem is therefore to be able to provide a simple and effective monitoring system making it possible to rapidly visualize a gas flow so as to monitor the respiratory activity of a patient, in particular the flow of inspiratory gas supplying the patient and/or the flow of expiratory gas exhaled by the patient, and/or the proper functioning of a machine, such as a medical ventilator, supplying respiratory gas to a patient.

The present invention is based on a gas flow display system emitting a light signal that can be perceived visually and at a certain distance by the nursing staff, said light signal emitted being representative of a gas flow or an absence of flow.

More specifically, the solution of the invention relates to a gas flow visualization system comprising:

• a duct element comprising a gas passage,
• connection means for fluidically connecting said duct element to an ancillary device implementing gas,
• light means,
• flow or pressure measurement means arranged to determine the gas flow or pressure within the gas passage of the duct element and to deliver at least one flow or pressure measurement signal, and
• control means configured for:

. process said at least one measurement signal delivered by the flow or pressure measurement means and deduce therefrom at least the existence of a gas flow within the duct element, and

. control the switching on or off of all or part of the light means when a gas flow is detected.

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

• the light means are preferentially associated with the conduit element.
• the luminous means comprise several LEDs.
• the luminous means comprise several colored LEDs, for example of red, blue, green, orange, yellow, violet or other color.
• the control means are configured to control, in particular to be able to attenuate, the light intensity of the light means, in particular diodes of the LED type.
• the control means are configured to control an ignition or an extinction of the light means, in particular diodes of the LED type.
• the control means are configured to control a progressive ignition or a progressive extinction of the luminous means according to the direction of circulation of the flow, i.e. gas flow, in the gas passage of the duct element.
• the control means are configured to control an ignition or an extinction of the luminous means of different color according to the direction of circulation of the flow, i.e. gas flow, in the gas passage of the duct element, that is to say towards the patient or in the opposite direction, i.e. from the patient (i.e. exhaled gases).
• the control means are configured to control an ignition or an extinction of a number of LEDs which varies, preferably proportionally, with the flow of gas or the volume of gas (inspired or expired), for example the number of LEDs controlled for light up increases when gas flow or volume increases.
• the light means are directly carried by the duct element, typically by its peripheral wall.
• alternatively, the light means are carried by a box in which the conduit element is fitted.
• alternatively, the light means comprise a light source, for example installed in the ancillary device and light guide means for conveying the light emitted by the light source to the duct element.
• the light guide means are at least partially arranged on the conduit element.
• the light guide means comprise one or more light fibers, preferably the light fiber or fibers are arranged around the conduit element.
• the duct element includes a tubular portion.
• the conduit element includes several axially aligned diodes.
• the control means comprise at least one microprocessor.
• the flow or pressure measuring means comprise one or more flow or pressure sensors.
• the control means are electrically connected (directly or indirectly) to the flow or pressure measurement means.
• the control means are configured to further determine the direction of the gas flow within the gas passage of the duct element.
• it comprises electrical supply means for electrically supplying the control means, the flow or pressure measurement means and/or the light means, that is to say that the electrical supply means are electrically connected, directly or indirectly, to said control means, the flow or pressure measurement means and/or the light means.
• the power supply means include a battery or connection means to an external source, such as the network (110/220V), in particular one (or more) connectors, cables, etc. or even include the power supply of a machine breathing assistance, such as a medical ventilator.
• the connection means for fluidically connecting the conduit element to an ancillary device comprise connection end pieces by screwing, by interlocking or by indentations.
• the duct element can be arranged in an independent box.
• the connection means serving to fluidically connect the duct element to an ancillary device can be carried by the duct element or by a box within which the duct element is arranged.
• the ancillary device implementing gas is chosen from pipes and gas pipes or the like, machines, apparatus or devices for respiratory assistance, in particular medical ventilators or the like, flow or pressure adjustment devices (e.g. flowmeters or the like), and breathing masks or the like.
• according to one embodiment, the control means and the duct element comprising the gas passage can be formed or inserted from a single box, for example in an autonomous box comprising the duct element and furthermore the means of connection.
• according to another embodiment, the control means can be inserted into a secondary box which is connected electrically and/or mechanically to the duct element comprising the gas passage or to the autonomous box comprising the duct element and possibly the means of connection.
• the conduit element comprising the gas passage comprises a tubular gas conduit or the like delimited by a wall defining a lumen forming the gas passage within which the gas can circulate.
• the duct element is configured to allow unidirectional gas flow, i.e. in one direction, or bidirectional, i.e. in one direction and the opposite direction.
• the flow or pressure measuring means are adapted or configured to carry out flow or pressure measurements for unidirectional, that is to say in one direction, or bidirectional, that is to say say in one direction and in the opposite direction.
• the unidirectional gas circulation is for example an inspiratory flow (i.e. gas inspired/inhaled by the patient).
• the unidirectional flow of gas is for example an expiratory flow (i.e. gas exhaled by the patient).
• the bidirectional gas circulation is for example an inspiratory flow (i.e. gas inspired/inhaled by the patient) and an expiratory flow (i.e. gas expired by the patient).

The invention further relates to equipment for supplying gas to a patient comprising a gas flow display system associated with an ancillary device using or conveying a gas chosen from respiratory interfaces, respiratory assistance devices, for example a mask or an intubation probe, and the gas ducts, for example a patient circuit, in particular an inspiratory branch yes an expiratory branch of such a patient circuit, or a flexible pipe.

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 block diagram of an embodiment of a gas flow visualization system used to follow a unidirectional flow according to the invention,

illustrates how the system works for a two-way flow,

diagrams the integration of a flow visualization system according to the invention in the respiratory circuit of a double-branch medical ventilator, and

diagrams the integration of a flow visualization system according to the invention at the level of a respiratory mask supplied with gas by the respiratory circuit of a single-branch medical ventilator.

is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gas flow display system 1 according to the invention used here to follow a monodirectional gas flow, that is to say flowing only in the S direction within of the gas passage 3 of the duct element 2.

In order to allow the duct element 2 to be fixed to an ancillary device (cf. Or , connection means 4, ie connection, mechanical and/or fluidic, are provided, for example connection end pieces by screwing or interlocking. The ancillary device is for example a ventilatory circuit with one or more branches, a conduit or a pipe for conveying gas, in particular a flexible one, a respiratory mask, a gas passage of a respiratory assistance device, etc.

The duct element 2 comprises a peripheral wall defining a lumen constituting the gas passage 3 within which the gas circulates (direction S in ).

Luminous means 5 are preferably associated with the conduit element 2, for example integrated and secured to the peripheral wall 9 of the conduit element 2. However, according to another embodiment, they can be separated from the element conduit 2, for example integrated and secured to an independent box 15 within which is arranged the conduit element 2, as explained below.

Advantageously, the light means 5 comprise one or more LED type light diodes, preferably colored diodes.

Here, the LED diodes are arranged along the conduit element 2, i.e. along its axis, for example, several diodes aligned axially.

These are controlled to turn on or off depending on whether or not a gas flow is detected within the gas passage 3 of the conduit element 2, as detailed below.

According to another embodiment, it is possible to use a sort of strip of LEDs, for example fixed by adhesive or the like to the conduit element 2.

Of course, other embodiments are possible (not shown), such as the use of light guide means to convey the light emitted by a light source which may be in a medical ventilator for example, up to the conduit element. In this case, the light guide means are at least partially arranged on the duct element, for example they are one or more light fibers, preferably wound around the duct element.

As illustrated in And , in order to limit the need for energy, 5 to 20 LEDs are preferably implemented, typically about 10 LEDs, so as to have a sufficiently intense visual effect that these LEDs 5 can be seen easily up to 5 meters without produce a light effect that is too visually aggressive for the caregiver or the patient, or both.

In order to allow detection of the existence of a gas flow (direction S for example), flow or pressure measuring means 6 are used which measure, through the wall 9, the flow or the pressure of gas within the gas passage 3 of the duct element 2, and deliver one (or more) flow or pressure measurement signal.

The flow or pressure measurement means 6 comprise a flow or pressure sensor, for example a differential pressure sensor, or any other suitable sensor capable of carrying out such measurements.

According to the chosen embodiment, the flow or pressure measurement means 6 are for example a sensor inserted in a ventilation device, such as a medical ventilator.

The measurement signal or signals are transmitted to control means 7, which are configured to process the measurement signals coming from the flow or pressure measurement means 6 and to deduce therefrom the existence or not of a gas flow within of the duct element 2.

When a flow rate is detected, the control means 7 command an ignition of all or part of the light means 5. Depending on the embodiment chosen, they can command an ignition of all or only part of the LED diodes, including an ignition progressive of these diodes.

For example, the lighting of the diodes can be modeled on the direction of circulation and/or the flow rate of the gas flow so as to give direction and flow information to the nursing staff. Thus, the gradual lighting of the LED diodes in the direction from bottom to top on can give the direction of gas circulation (direction S) and either the intensity or the speed of ignition/extinction of the diodes can give an idea of flow rate.

The diodes may all be the same or may be different from each other, for example having dimensions, intensity, color or the like which may vary according to their positioning on the conduit element 2, the gas flow rate, the direction of the gas…., for example small diodes lighting up for low flow rates, i.e. below a given flow rate, and one or more larger diodes lighting up for high flow rates , i.e. greater than the given bit rate.

It is understood that the phases of switching on and off of the LEDs can also correspond to the respiratory cycles, i.e. successive inspiration and expiration phases, of the patient P.

Electrical supply means 8 are also provided for electrically supplying, directly or indirectly, the control means 7, the flow or pressure measurement means 6 and/or the light means 5, via electrical connections or the like.

Depending on the embodiment chosen, the power supply means 8 comprise one (or more) battery or cell, rechargeable or not, or means of connection to an external source, such as the network (110/220V), in particular a (or some) connector, cable…. or a respiratory support machine, such as a medical ventilator.

According to one embodiment, the conduit element 2 can be arranged in an independent box 15 to which is connected, electrically and/or mechanically, a second box 16, ie a secondary box, comprising the control means 7 and possibly the power supply means 8, as illustrated in . The autonomous box 15 can also carry the LEDs 5 as mentioned above.

Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the conduit element 2, the control means 7 and possibly the power supply means 8 can be arranged in a single independent box 15, which further comprises the connection means 4, i.e. connection, mechanical and/or fluidic.

illustrates the operation of the system for a bidirectional gas flow circulating in the gas passage 3 of the duct element 2. In the left part, a circulation in the direction S1 is illustrated and in the right part, a circulation in the direction S2 which is opposite/reverse to direction S1. This is the case for example when the system of the invention 1 is used to follow the flows entering and leaving a respiratory mask or circulating in a gas circuit with two branches (cf. For example.

As can be seen, in this embodiment, the control means 7 control a progressive ignition of the diodes 5 from top to bottom in the left part and from bottom to top in the right part of , and whose intensity varies according to the direction of circulation S1 or S2 to indicate to the nursing staff both the presence of a flow but also in which direction (S1 or S2) the gas circulation takes place and this, at a distance , very simply, since the nursing staff immediately have this information by simply glancing at the light system 1 of the invention.

diagrams the integration of a flow rate visualization system 1 according to the invention in the respiratory circuit 11, 12, 13 of a medical ventilator 10 with double branch 11, 12, namely an inspiratory branch 11 and an expiratory branch 12 , coming to be connected, at the level for example of a Y-piece 17, at the level of which the flow rate display system 1 according to the invention is arranged.

The medical ventilator 10 comprises for example an internal micro-blower, also called compressor or turbine, delivering a respiratory gas or gaseous mixture, such as air, pure oxygen or a mixture thereof (i.e. oxygen-enriched air).

The flow visualization system 1 according to the invention is also fluidically connected to a flexible gas conduit supplying a respiratory interface 14, such as a mask or an intubation probe, supplying the respiratory gas to the patient P.

Here, the duct element 2 comprising the flow or pressure measuring means 6 and the light means 6 is arranged in an independent box 15 electrically connected to a second box 16 comprising the piloting means 7 and moreover the power supply means 8.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to follow the bidirectional flows/flows, that is to say the gas flows supplied to the patient P or exhaled by the patient P, as illustrated in .

Moreover, in order to make it possible to simply visualize the direction (S1 or S2) of the gas, for example an incoming flow and an outgoing flow, it is possible to arrange on the system of the invention 1, LEDs 5 of different colors, for example LEDs of green or blue or other color to indicate an incoming flow, that is to say going to the patient P, and LEDs 5 of orange or red or other color to indicate an outgoing flow, that is to say say the gases exhaled by the patient P.

To visualize the circulation of the flux in one direction or the other S1, S2, it is also possible to configure the control means 7 so that they gradually vary the intensity of the LEDs 5, for example in order to obtain a luminous gradient, as schematized in Or .

The control means 7 can also be configured to attenuate the light intensity of the LED or other diodes, in a dark environment, for example at night, so as not to disturb the patient or as little as possible by light pollution.

diagrams the integration of a flow rate visualization system 1 according to the invention at the level of a respiratory mask 14, or any other respiratory interface, supplied with gas by the respiratory circuit of a single-branch medical ventilator 10, at know an inspiratory limb 11.

Here, the flow display system 1 according to the invention makes it possible to follow the flow of monodirectional gas entering the mask 14, as illustrated in . For the rest, it is similar to that of the other To .

In all cases, the flow display system 1 according to the invention allows the nursing staff to know easily and immediately if a gas flow is taking place and to have an idea of its direction and/or its intensity, thanks to the visualization of the switching on and off of the LEDs 5.

This also makes it possible to detect a malfunction of the medical ventilator 10, for example, an accidental disconnection of a gas pipe or the like, both during the day and during the night, that is to say in low light conditions. .

In addition, the gas flow display system 1 of the invention can also serve as an alert system intended to signal a malfunction to the nursing staff.

Thus, in one embodiment, the light signal emitted by the LEDs 5 or the like can be controlled by the control means 7 to flash at a high frequency to signal a disconnection of the patient circuit.

In another embodiment, the gas flow display system 1 of the invention is connected to the ventilation machine 20, in particular for the purposes of power supply and data sharing, and comprises control means 7 to microcontroller configured to compare the flow rate measured within the gas flow display system 1 of the invention by the measuring means 6 with the desired flow rate, that is to say that set at the level of the ventilation machine 20, and to emit a particular visual signal in the event of a failure, for example a particular flashing.

Claims (10)

Gas flow display system (1) comprising:

• a duct element (2) comprising a gas passage (3),
• connection means (4) for fluidly connecting the conduit element (2) to an auxiliary device implementing a gas,
• luminous means (5),
• flow or pressure measurement means (6) arranged to determine the gas flow or pressure within the gas passage (3) of the duct element (2) and to deliver at least one measurement signal of flow or pressure, and
• control means (7) configured to:
  1. processing said at least one measurement signal delivered by the flow or pressure measurement means (6) and deducing therefrom at least the existence of a gas flow within the duct element (2), and
  2. controlling an ignition or an extinction of all or part of the light means (5) when a gas flow is detected.

System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the luminous means (5) comprise several LEDs, preferably several colored LEDs System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luminous means (5) are carried by the duct element (2), in particular by the peripheral wall (9) of the duct element (2). System according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the light means (5) are carried by an independent box (15) within which the conduit element (2) is arranged. System according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conduit element (2) comprises several diodes aligned axially. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control means (7) comprise at least one microprocessor. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the flow or pressure measuring means (6) comprise one or more flow or pressure sensors. System according to one of Claims 1 or 6, characterized in that the control means (7) are configured in addition to determine the direction of the gas flow within the gas passage (3) of the duct element (2 ). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises electrical supply means (8) for electrically supplying the control means (7), the flow or pressure measurement means (6) and/ or the light means (5). Equipment for supplying gas to a patient comprising a gas flow display system (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, associated with an ancillary device using or conveying a gas chosen from among the respiratory interfaces (14), the devices respiratory assistance (20) and the gas conduits (11, 12, 13).