JP6292600B2 - Respiratory device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a respiratory assistance device that assists a user in breathing.

Conventionally, in order to prevent sleep apnea syndrome and the like, devices for assisting breathing are known.
For example, in a treatment method called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), a patient with sleep apnea syndrome sends air from a mask worn on the nose during sleep to push the airway open. This suppresses the occurrence of snoring and prevents the patient from becoming apnea.
In addition, about the respiratory assistance apparatus for preventing sleep apnea syndrome etc., it describes in patent document 1, for example.

JP 07-275362 A

However, since the conventional breathing assistance device is for sending air for assisting breathing using a power supply, the device is large and inconvenient to carry.
In addition, there is a possibility that the power supply cannot be secured or cannot be used when the apparatus fails. Furthermore, the apparatus is expensive and difficult to use in transportation such as airplanes, and is difficult to use because of the use of tubes.
As described above, the conventional respiratory assistance device is not sufficiently convenient for the user.

  An object of the present invention is to make the respiratory assistance device more convenient.

In order to solve the above problems, a respiratory assistance device according to one aspect of the present invention is provided.
A member that covers the user's nose and is disposed on the side of the main body that comes into contact with the user, having a respiratory airflow channel for exhalation and inhalation, and closely contacts the user's nose And an attachment part for attaching the body part and the pad part to a user, wherein the respiratory air flow path provides an outflow resistance imparting an exhalation resistance higher than an inflow resistance of inspiration It comprises a part.

  According to the present invention, the breathing assistance device can be made more convenient.

It is a perspective view showing the whole breathing assistance device 1 concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a respiratory assistance device 1. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the respiratory assistance device 1. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the respiratory assistance device 1. FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of the respiration assistance apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a lattice member 110 installed in a main body 100. It is a figure showing the state where exhalation-valve 111 was installed in lower lattice part 110B.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
[Constitution]
1 to 5 are views showing an appearance of the respiratory assistance device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the whole of the respiratory assistance device 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the respiratory assistance device 1, FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the respiratory assistance device 1, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. In the present embodiment, the left side and the right side of the respiratory assistance device 1 are defined with reference to the state in which the user wears the respiratory assistance device 1, and the user wearing the respiratory assistance device 1 is viewed from the front. The surface to be viewed is the front side, and the surface located on the user side is the back side.

1 to 5, the respiratory assistance device 1 includes a main body portion 100, left and right gate members 200 and 300, a pad portion 400, and a wearing band 500.
The main body 100 is a triangular prism-shaped member whose outer shape is substantially triangular when viewed from the front, and has a hollow structure surrounded by side walls 100S constituting each side of the triangle. The main body 100 is constituted by a member having a shape and a size that covers the entire nose of the user.
Further, at an intermediate position between the back side and the front side of the side wall 100S of the main body 100 (hereinafter referred to as “depth center position M”), a lattice that partitions the hollow portion of the main body 100 into the front side and the back side. A lattice member 110 in which is formed is installed.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the lattice member 110 installed in the main body 100.
In FIG. 6, a cross-shaped first lattice (hereinafter referred to as “upper lattice portion 110 </ b> A”) surrounded by a frame is formed in the upper half region of the lattice member 110 in the rear view, and the lattice member 110. A cross-shaped second lattice (hereinafter referred to as “lower lattice portion 110 </ b> B”) surrounded by a frame is formed in the lower half region in the front view of FIG. That is, the upper lattice portion 110A has a substantially triangular shape, the lower lattice portion 110B has a substantially trapezoidal shape, and the lower lattice portion 110B has a larger area than the upper lattice portion 110A.

In FIG. 6, the gate members 200 and 300 are adjusted to a position where the amount of opening described later is maximized.
An exhalation valve 111 made of a flexible material (for example, made of silicon or rubber), which is a substantially trapezoidal member that overlaps the lower grid part 110B in the rear view, is installed on the back side of the lower grid part 110B. ing.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the exhalation valve 111 is installed in the lower lattice part 110B.
In FIG. 7, the exhalation-valve 111 has a cross-shaped cut along the lattice of the lower lattice portion 110B. And the peripheral part of the exhalation-valve 111 is adhere | attached on the frame part formed in the peripheral part of the lower lattice part 110B, and the excluding the peripheral part of the exhalation-valve 111 is contacting the lattice part of the lower lattice part 110B.

  Since the lower lattice portion 110B and the exhalation valve 111 are in such an installation relationship, when the user inhales, the exhalation valve 111 is turned up from the cut to the back side, and a large area for inhalation is obtained. A flow path (opening) is formed. On the other hand, when the user exhales, the exhalation valve 111 does not turn up to the front side by contacting the lattice portion, and is in a state of closing the lower lattice portion 110B. Thus, the lower lattice portion 110B constitutes an inspiratory flow path during inhalation and does not serve as an expiratory flow path during exhalation, which contributes to generating a positive pressure in the user's airway during exhalation.

In FIG. 7, the gate members 200 and 300 are adjusted to a position where an opening amount described later is minimized.
Slide holes 100P and 100Q through which the left and right gate members 200 and 300 are inserted are formed on the left side and the right side of the side wall 100S on the front side from the depth center position M. In addition, left and right slide guide plates 101P and 101Q for guiding the slides of the left and right gate members 200 and 300 are provided at positions on the front side adjacent to the slide holes 100P and 100Q in the side wall 100S. The left and right slide guide plates 101P and 101Q and the left and right gate members 200 and 300 have flange portions facing the left side surface or the right side surface of the side wall 100S, respectively.

The right slide guide plate 101Q, the right gate member 200, the left slide guide plate 101P, and the left gate member 300 have respective flange portions penetrated by guide screws. The distal ends of the guide screws are rotatably held by the gate members 200 and 300, and screw grooves are formed in the left and right slide guide plates 101P and 101Q. Therefore, the gate members 200 and 300 slide with respect to the slide guide plates 101P and 101Q in accordance with the screwing operation of the guide screws.
Further, the slide holes 100P and 100Q are formed at positions on the front side from the depth center position M, that is, at positions where the slid gate members 200 and 300 close the front side of the upper lattice portion 110A.

  Therefore, when the gate members 200 and 300 slide in the direction projecting from the side wall 100S, the gap between the gate members 200 and 300 increases, and the area that covers the upper lattice portion 110A becomes smaller (that is, the opening area of the upper lattice portion 110A becomes smaller). When the gate members 200 and 300 are slid in the direction of entering the side wall 100S, the gap between the gate members 200 and 300 is narrowed, and the area for closing the upper lattice portion 110A is increased (that is, the opening of the upper lattice portion 110A). The area changes.

Since the upper lattice portion 110A and the gate members 200 and 300 are in such an installation relationship, the opening area of the upper lattice portion 110A can be arbitrarily set. Therefore, when the user exhales, the user's It is possible to adjust the positive pressure generated in the airway.
Note that the ratio of the upper lattice portion 110A and the lower lattice portion 110B in the lattice member 110 may be different from the upper half and the lower half as long as the area of the lower lattice portion 110B does not hinder the intake of the user. good.

  Further, a tubular tank 100T for storing liquid is formed inside the side wall 100S of the main body 100, and the tank 100T is formed around the substantially triangular side wall 100S in a front view. In the tank 100T, minute holes (hereinafter referred to as “liquid outflow holes 100H”) through which the liquid in the tank 100T flows out are formed in one place or a plurality of places. The liquid outflow hole 100H is formed as a hole having a diameter of about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, for example. In addition, an inlet for injecting liquid into the tank 100 </ b> T is installed at the top of the main body 100. When injecting the liquid into the tank 100T, the injection port is sealed by removing the injection plug, injecting the liquid from the injection port, and attaching the injection plug.

A main body cover 105 that fixes the packing 101, the gauze fixing plates 102 and 103, and the packing 104 to the main body 100 is attached to the front side of the main body 100.
The packing 101 is a frame-shaped sealing member disposed in contact with the front side of the side wall 100S, and includes a flow path that guides the liquid flowing out from the liquid outflow hole 100H to the gauze G installed on the front side. Yes. This flow path is formed through the packing 101 or on the inner peripheral side of the packing 101.

  The gauze fixing plate 102 has a frame portion 102a that overlaps the packing 101 and a lattice portion 102b that extends in the left-right direction inside the frame portion 102a when viewed from the front. The frame portion 102a is disposed so as to overlap the packing 101 in a front view, and presses the packing 101 against the side wall 100S. Further, the gauze fixing plate 102 includes a flow path for guiding the liquid flowing out from the liquid outflow hole 100H of the packing 101 to the gauze G installed on the front side. This flow path is formed through the frame portion 102a or on the inner peripheral side of the frame portion 102a.

  Like the gauze fixing plate 102, the gauze fixing plate 103 has a frame portion 103a and a lattice portion 103b. The gauze fixing plate 103 holds the gauze G integrally with the gauze fixing plate 102 by being pressed against the side wall 100S by the packing 104 in a state where the gauze G is disposed between the gauze fixing plate 102 and the gauze fixing plate 102. The liquid guided by the flow path of the gauze fixing plate 102 penetrates into the gauze G held in this way. Therefore, humidity, treatment of respiratory diseases, or relaxation can be achieved by using water, a medicine for inhalation, or aroma oil as the liquid led to the gauze G, that is, the liquid stored in the tank 100T of the side wall 100S. Various functions such as effects can be added.

The packing 104 is a frame-shaped sealing member similar to the packing 101, and is disposed so as to overlap the frame portion of the gauze fixing plate 103 in a front view. The packing 104, together with the packing 101, prevents liquid from oozing out of the breathing assistance device 1 from the gauze G held by the gauze fixing plate 103 through the outside of the frame portion of the gauze fixing plate 103 and the like. Yes.
The main body cover 105 is a cover member having a shape corresponding to a substantially triangular shape formed by the side wall 100S in front view. The main body cover 105 is screwed to the side wall 100S in a state where the packing 104 is pressed in the direction of the side wall 100S from the front side. Thereby, each member is pressure-bonded and held in order of the packing 101, the gauze fixing plate 102, the gauze G, the gauze fixing plate 103, and the packing 104 in this order from the side wall 100S side between the main body cover 105 and the side wall 100S. The In each figure, the gauze G is appropriately omitted for convenience of explanation.

Further, a pad portion 400 is attached to the back side of the main body portion 100.
The pad portion 400 is made of a flexible material such as silicon or rubber, and is in close contact with the face surrounding the user's nose when the respiratory assistance device 1 is used.
The pad portion 400 is configured to be stretchable by a bellows structure or the like, and expands when the user exhales and contracts when inhaling. Thereby, the pressure change of the airway by mounting | wearing with the respiratory assistance apparatus 1 can be made loose.

The pad portion 400 has a substantially triangular outer shape in a rear view, and a substantially triangular frame-shaped band holder 401 is attached to the outer periphery.
The band holder 401 is formed with an insertion hole through which the mounting band 500 is passed.
The wearing band 500 is made of rubber, urethane resin, or the like, and has flexibility to match the shape of the user's head. In addition, the wearing band 500 is passed through the insertion hole of the band holder 401 and attached to the user's head, thereby fixing the respiratory assistance device 1 in close contact with the user.

[Action]
Next, the operation will be described.
In the respiratory assistance device 1 according to the present embodiment, the user presses the pad part 400 around the nose and wears the wearing band 500 on the head, so that the main body part 100 covers the entire nose of the user. It becomes a state. And a user adjusts the position of gate members 200 and 300 according to the strength of breathing at the time of own sleep.

At this time, since the pad unit 400 is in close contact with the periphery of the user's nose, the user's exhalation and inspiration are performed through the main body unit 100.
When the user inhales, the exhalation valve 111 of the lower grid part 110B is turned up to the back side, and the user inhales with a relatively small inflow resistance as compared with the case where the respiratory assistance device 1 is not worn. It can be carried out.

In addition, when the user exhales, exhalation flows out through an opening not covered by the gate members 200 and 300 in the upper lattice portion 110A. The interval between the gate members 200 and 300 is adjusted according to the strength of breathing during sleep of the user, and the generation of snoring is suppressed by the positive pressure generated in the user's airway during expiration.
Therefore, an appropriate positive pressure can be generated in the respiratory tract by the user's own breathing, so that an apnea state can be prevented during sleep without using a power source.
Therefore, the breathing assistance device can be made more convenient.
The respiratory assistance device 1 according to the present embodiment has the following effects.
(1) It can be manufactured at a lower cost than a device using a power source.
(2) Since it can be used even in a situation where there is no power source, the range of use is expanded.
(3) A tube that feeds air is not required.
(4) Convenient to carry.
(5) Since no power source or motor is used, it is small and lightweight.

(Modification 1)
In the first embodiment, it has been described that the lower lattice unit 110B includes the exhalation valve 111 and the upper lattice unit 110A does not include the exhalation valve. However, the upper lattice unit 110A may include the exhalation valve.
In this case, the upper grid part 110A is provided with a flexible member such as rubber or silicon having a shape overlapping the upper grid part 110A in a front view, and is cut along the grid. . The peripheral portion of the intake valve is bonded to a frame portion formed on the peripheral edge of the upper lattice portion 110A, and the peripheral portion of the intake valve is in contact with the lattice portion of the upper lattice portion 110A.

  Since the upper grid part 110A and the intake valve have such an installation relationship, when the user exhales, the intake valve turns up from the cut to the front side, and the flow path for the exhalation (opening part) ) Is formed. On the other hand, when the user inhales, the intake valve does not turn up to the back side by contacting the lattice portion, and the upper lattice portion 110A is closed. Thereby, at the position of the lattice member 110, the flow path of exhalation and the flow path of inspiration can be clearly divided.

(Modification 2)
The exhalation valve 111 and the inhalation valve in the first embodiment and the first modification can be provided with a mechanism for controlling the turning of the valve.
For example, it is possible to provide a pressing member that individually presses each of the exhalation valve 111 or the central portion of the inhalation valve divided by the cut from the back side.
In this case, like the gate members 200 and 300, the pressing member can be configured by a plate-like member that is advanced and retracted from the outside.

(Modification 3)
In the exhalation-valve 111 and the inhalation valve in the first embodiment and the first and second modifications, the hardness of each of the central portions divided by the cuts can be different.
And like the modification 3, it is provided with the pressing member which presses each divided | segmented center part, and the part which presses a turn and the part which does not hold are selected, or the degree which presses is changed is changed. The outflow resistance or the inflow resistance of intake air can be adjusted.

(Modification 4)
In the first embodiment and Modifications 1 to 3, the exhalation valve 111 or the inhalation valve is used as a structure for changing the exhalation resistance of inhalation or the inflow resistance of inspiration, or the upper lattice portion 110A is formed by the gate members 200 and 300 The case of changing the opening amount is described as an example.
On the other hand, as a structure for changing the outflow resistance of exhalation or the inflow resistance of inspiration, a structure in which the opening area is changed by a throttling mechanism having throttling blades can be used.
In this case, since the finer opening amount can be adjusted, the positive pressure generated in the user's airway can be adjusted more flexibly.
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the wearing band 500 constitutes the wearing portion, and the exhalation valve 111 and the gate members 200 and 300 constitute the outflow resistance applying portion. Moreover, the lattice member 110 and the exhalation-valve 111 comprise a division part, and the gate members 200 and 300 comprise a shielding member. In addition, the exhalation valve 111 or the intake valve constitutes a valve member, and the liquid outflow hole 100H and the gauze G constitute a liquid vaporization unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Respiration assistance apparatus, 100 main-body part, 100S side wall, 100P, 100Q slide hole, 100T tank, 100H liquid outflow hole, 101,104 packing, 101P, 101Q slide guide plate, 102,103 gauze fixing plate, 102a, 103a Frame , 102b, 103b Lattice part, 110 Lattice member, 110A Upper lattice part, 110B Lower lattice part, 111 Exhalation valve, 200, 300 Gate member, 400 Pad part, 401 Band holder, 500 Band for wearing

Claims (6)

A respiratory assistance device that assists breathing without using a power source,
A member that covers the user's nose, and has a body part that has a respiratory airflow path for exhaled air and inhaled air, and
A pad portion that is disposed on the side of the main body portion that contacts the user, and is in close contact with the periphery of the user's nose;
A mounting portion for mounting the main body portion and the pad portion to a user,
The respiratory air flow path includes an outflow resistance applying unit that provides an exhalation outflow resistance higher than the inflow resistance of inspiration,
The respiratory air flow path has a section that separates a part of the respiratory air flow path from the other part of the respiratory air flow path as a flow path for exhalation when exhaling,
The outflow resistance applying unit has a shielding member that blocks an opening of a flow path through which exhaled air divided by the dividing unit flows out,
The shielding member is configured as a member different from the member constituting the partition part, and in the opening of the flow path through which the exhaled gas divided by the partition part flows, in a direction intersecting the direction in which the exhaled gas flows out, By moving forward and backward from the outside to the inside of the opening, the degree of shielding of the opening is variable.
The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the outflow resistance applying unit is capable of continuously changing the outflow resistance of the exhaled breath according to the advance / retreat position of the shielding member.   An insertion hole through which the shielding member is inserted and a guide member that protrudes in a forward / backward direction of the shielding member from a position adjacent to the insertion hole are formed on the side surface of the main body portion. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1.   The partition portion of the respiratory air flow path has a lattice member in which a breathing lattice portion and an inhalation lattice portion are disposed by dividing a cross section of the flow passage, and the pad portion side of the inspiratory lattice portion The breathing assistance device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a valve member made of a flexible material having a cut along the lattice is attached.   The respiratory assistance device according to claim 3, wherein a valve member made of a flexible material having a cut along the lattice is attached to the opposite side of the lattice portion for exhalation from the pad portion.   5. The respiratory assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a tank that stores a liquid, and includes a liquid vaporization unit that vaporizes the liquid and mixes the liquid with inhalation.   The respiratory assistance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pad portion can be expanded and contracted according to respiration.

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