RU212967U1 - PORTABLE HEIGHT SIMULATOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of individual human respiratory devices, including portable height simulators. The technical result consists in increasing the efficiency and ease of use of the device for simulating low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude, which is achieved due to the fact that it is made in the form of a cylindrical vessel, divided by the first and second breathable partitions into an intermediate chamber, a cartridge with granules and a height simulator, made in the form of a cup containing dense membranes detachably connected to each other, while the breathing tube with a nozzle is mounted to the intermediate chamber, the breathing tube contains a heat and moisture exchanger made of a hygroscopic hydrophobic filter material that prevents the formation of condensate in the breathing tube, and additionally contains the first connector for connection of a respiratory rate analyzer and a second connector for connecting an oxygen concentration analyzer, the cartridge is filled with granules that change their color when CO ₂ and H ₂ O are absorbed, and is made transparent with the ability to control of absorption of CO ₂ and H ₂ O. 2 c.p. f-ly, 2 ill.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of individual human respiratory devices, including portable altitude simulators , A61M16/00].

Height simulators are used in interval normobaric hypoxotherapy or orotherapy. The use of hypoxicators in sports training increases endurance, strength and cardiovascular fitness.

Known from the prior art is a DEVICE FOR TRAINING BREATHING, MONITORING AND/OR ASSISTANCE [WO 2017071879 A1, publ.: 05/04/2017], made containing: a body defining a mouthpiece; a sensor for determining the breathing characteristics of the user; an output indicator for providing output information about the breathing training/exercise; as well as a pressure control system for providing pressure control during expiration to provide breathing assistance in the form of positive end-expiratory pressure.

The disadvantage of this analogue is the implementation of training in the "pursed lips" technique, which is limited to creating, for example, a pressure of only 382 Pa.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR HYPOXIA TRAINING are known [AU 2014101478 A4, publ.: 12/17/2014], containing a personal computer connected to a controlled hypoxicator. The Hypoxicator uses membrane separation technology to deliver hypoxic and hyperoxic air to the subject through a face mask. The personal computer contains software and is configured to act as a driver, as well as instruct the hypoxicator to generate air with the desired oxygen concentration. The personal computer further comprises an algorithm executed by the CPU. The algorithm receives (via the CPU) data input from the pulse oximeter and converts the pulse oximeter data into instructions (according to the rules of the algorithm) that are passed instructions to the hypoxicator. In response to instructions, the hypoxicator changes the concentration of oxygen in the air supplied to the user. Thus, it can be seen from the above that a closed feedback loop is described by arrows, with the subject's heart rate variability determining the oxygen concentration in the air generated by the hypoxicator. Air is injected into the subject, whereby inhalation of this air can alter the subject's heart rate variability.

Also known from the prior art is a DEVICE FOR OBTAINING HYPOXIC, HYPEROXIC AND NORMOX RESPIRATORY MIXTURES AND INTERVAL COMPLEX NORMOBARIC TRAINING [RU 2650205, publ.: 04/11/2018], which has a fan, compressor, at the inlet to which a filter is installed, and at the outlet - a receiver for damping the pulsation of the reciprocating compressor and a membrane module for separating air into hypoxic and hyperoxic mixtures. The hypoxic line is connected through an adjustable valve and a flow rate and oxygen content sensor, while the hyperoxic line is directly connected to the inputs of a three-position distributor. The three-position flow distributor has three outlets, two are intended for their discharge, and the third one is for the interval supply of each of the three flows through the outlet pipe of the housing and the respiratory assembly into the breathing mask. The microprocessor controller is also located in the housing and is designed to turn the compressor on and off, control the operation of the flow distributor, valve, breathing pipe illumination LED to receive data from the flow rate sensors, oxygen content and user status, as well as for two-way information exchange with an external control unit. User state sensors: pulse oximeter to determine blood hemoglobin saturation with oxygen and pulse rate, NIBP (non-invasive blood pressure measurement) and ECG, which allow to adequately assess the patient's condition, calculate changes in hemodynamic parameters and other indicators.

Also known from the prior art METHOD FOR OBTAINING AND SUPPLYING HYPOXIC AND HYPERCAPNIC-HYPEROXIC MIXTURES FOR CARRYING OUT MEDICAL PROCEDURES AND A DEVICE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION [RU 2625594, publ.: 17.07.2017], consisting of a housing in which a compressor is located, a membrane module made on the basis of hollow gas polymer fibers made of highly selective polyimide with the structural formula given above in the text of the present description of the invention, heat exchangers, fans for general cooling of the device, gas analyzers and for determining the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide, respectively, valves and shut-off valves for controlling condensate drain, connected in a certain order with the constituent elements of the device quick-detachable plastic hoses, two hinged shell-type receivers, respectively, for hypoxic and hyperoxic mixtures, a pulse oximeter with a sensor for attaching to the patient's finger, a set of breathing mask with air ducts and a system topics of automatic control of the output of all information to the computer. The carbon dioxide sensor control system, by changing the passable section of the diaphragm mounted in the exhaled air pipeline, makes it possible to maintain the concentration of carbon dioxide in the hyperoxic mixture within a predetermined interval. The fine adjustment valve sets the required oxygen concentration in the hypoxic mixture.

Also known from the prior art is a DEVICE FOR COMPLEX OXYGENO- AND HYPOXITHERAPY (VERSIONS) [RU 2121854, publ.: 20.11.1998], containing a pressure source and a flow sensor, equipped with a series-connected compressor used as a pressure source, a gas separation module and by a valve connected in series with the flow sensor, the gas separation module is equipped with a package of gas separation membranes with the possibility of obtaining hypoxic and hyperoxic mixtures at its outlets, while the outlets of the gas separation module are connected to the outlet nozzles of the device, one - directly, on the other - through the valve and the flow sensor.

Common disadvantages the above analogues are the high complexity of the device and the dimensions.

A BREATHING APPARATUS is known [GB 2562705 A, publ.: 11/28/2018], which includes filtered carbon dioxide of exhaled gas and ambient air. The device has a tube, a carbon dioxide sequestration chamber and a gas reservoir. The tube provides fluid communication between the user and the sequestration chamber, which in turn is in fluid communication with the reservoir. An opening in the tank provides fluid communication with the surrounding air. The tank may not contain open-cell foam. The deflecting surfaces may be in a reservoir which may form a labyrinth. The volume of the tank can be adjustable or telescopic. The size or number of holes can be adjusted. The sequestering chamber may be a replaceable cartridge that changes color when saturation is reached.

Also known from the prior art is the RESPIRATORY SIMULATOR "BE HEALTHY" [RU 175305 U1, publ.: 11/28/2018], including a one-piece air intake chamber made of transparent material, with marks and holes for sucking atmospheric air and exiting the exhaust gas mixture; elastic breathing reservoir with a cylindrical neck; elastic compression ring; air permeable partition; a box with a breathable bottom and a lid filled with sylvinite with a fraction from 3 mm to 3.5 mm; elastic fixing ring; hose; mask without inhalation and exhalation valves.

The disadvantages of these analogues are a moisture-accumulating filter, which entails excessive air humidity, the absence of a respiratory rate sensor and an oxygen concentration control sensor during inhalation, which ultimately complicates the use of the device and reduces its effectiveness.

The closest in technical essence is the BREATHING APPARATUS [US 20020170561 A1, publ.: 11/21/2002], including a mouthpiece and a carbon dioxide removal zone located between the mouthpiece and the chamber of the air reservoir. The chamber is preferably filled with foam and is further in communication with ambient air to allow mixing with exhaled air within the chamber. The breathing apparatus is useful in simulating the lower partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude, so it can be used by athletes to simulate "life at altitude". The device in the first form is in the form of an open end canister with a removable lid fitted at the open end. This may be a screw cap, although it is obvious that other means of fastening such as snap-fitting, interference fit, etc. may be used. In an alternative design (described below), the flexible hose or other conduit may be attached by any suitable means (including a simple plug-in attachment) to the outlet end of the mouthpiece. The other end of the hose will have a mouthpiece that can fit into or around the user's mouth and/or nose. The mouthpiece communicates through a channel formed by the breathing tube with a chamber formed by the interior of the container. The chamber is actually divided into a first chamber part and a second chamber part. This second part of the chamber, as will be shown below, effectively acts as a reservoir for the mixture of exhaled air and ambient air. In the first part of the chamber there is a carbon dioxide cleaning material. The chamber part communicates with the chamber part through a partition. The baffle preferably has a plurality of openings or passages through which air can pass. Conveniently, the baffle may be formed by foam or mesh. However, in some cases this partition may not be required. The simulated height is adjustable. This is achieved by adjusting the effective volume of ambient air added to the exhaled air in the second part of the chamber. This part of the chamber effectively acts as a reservoir and mixing chamber in which ambient or new air can mix with exhaled air. Thus, an inlet is provided in the wall of the container so that air can enter the chamber to mix with exhaled air already inside the chamber, whereby the mixture of exhaled and ambient air can then be drawn back by removal of carbon dioxide. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part of the chamber is provided with foam to control the air flow through the device. For ease of construction, the baffle may be omitted and the scraper material simply rests on the foam. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, adjustment means are provided by which the simulated height can be adjusted, this can be achieved by adjusting the "altimeter" (and therefore the corresponding inlet/outlet) up and down to various positions. As a result, the amount of intake air retained relative to incoming ambient air may increase as the simulated altitude increases. This is achieved by ensuring that the amount of air inside the foam below the level of the inlet/outlet will not mix much. The altimeter can be moved up and down to the desired position using an externally accessible operator button, handle, or the like, which slides into an elongated, longitudinally aligned groove. The air inlet/outlet (to allow air to escape from and ambient air into the mixing chamber) may be an opening that moves with the handle so that it always communicates with the chamber in various positions depending on the position of the handle. Alternatively, a number of holes (shown in dotted lines) may be provided in the wall of the canister. Each of these openings must be closed with a removable plug. The user must then remove the plug from the hole next to the height marking indicating the simulated height. So, for example, to simulate an altitude of 3000 meters, the plug must be removed from the hole next to the 3000 meters indicator. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other ways to control the volume of the mixing chamber while allowing ambient air to enter the chamber. The effective volume is adjusted by adding or removing foam filters or, preferably, by installing additional modules (by interference fit in zones). Thus, additional modules will make the whole device longer than shown. Increasing the number of modules consistently increases the simulated height as the distance (through the foam) between the mouthpiece and the inlet/outlet increases. According to a preferred form of the invention, in order to make the device easily portable, the total volume of the canister may be up to 5000 ml, although more specifically between 500 and 2000 ml. The amount of carbon dioxide scrubber material can be in the order of 100-500 g when using soda lime. Cleaning agents other than soda lime may be used. In another device, the smaller device may be provided with a smaller chamber having carbon dioxide absorbing material. Depending on the density of the foam, the size of the chamber can also be reduced. The preferred foam specification is 23105. This foam has a density of 23 kg/m3 with a hardness factor of 105N.

The main technical problem of the prototype is a moisture-accumulating filter, which entails excessive air humidity, the absence of a respiratory rate sensor and a sensor for monitoring the oxygen concentration during inhalation, which ultimately complicates the use of the device and reduces its effectiveness.

The objectives of the utility model is to eliminate the disadvantage of the prototype.

The technical result consists in increasing the efficiency and usability of the device for simulating low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude.

A portable hypoxicator containing a cylindrical vessel divided by the first and second breathable partitions into an intermediate chamber, a cartridge with granules and a height simulator made in the form of a glass containing dense membranes detachably connected to each other, while a breathing tube with a nozzle is mounted to the intermediate chamber, characterized in that the breathing tube contains a heat and moisture exchanger made of a hygroscopic hydrophobic filter material that prevents the formation of condensate in the breathing tube, and additionally contains the first connector for connecting the respiratory rate analyzer and the second connector for connecting the oxygen concentration analyzer, the cartridge is filled with granules that change their color when absorption of CO ₂ and H ₂ O, and is made transparent with the ability to control the absorption of CO ₂ and H ₂ O.

In particular, the vessel is made collapsible in places of breathable partitions.

In particular, the breathing tube may be of a single design or of a separate design for inhalation and exhalation.

Brief description of the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a General view of a portable hypoxicator with a single tube valve.

Figure 2 shows a General view of a portable hypoxicator with a double inhalation/exhalation valve.

The figures indicate: 1 - vessel, 2 - first breathable septum, 3 - second breathable septum, 4 - intermediate chamber, 5 - cartridge, 6 - height simulator, 7 - connecting element, 8 - breathing tube, 9 - nozzle, 10 - heat and moisture exchanger, 11 - first connector, 12 - second connector, 13 - granules, 14 - membranes.

Implementation of the utility model.

A portable hypoxicator is a cylindrical vessel 1, which has a collapsible design in the places of breathable partitions 2 and 3 and consists of an intermediate chamber 4, a cartridge 5 and a height simulator 6, detachably connected to each other. To the intermediate chamber 4, made in the form of a compartment for air, through the connecting element 7 is attached breathing tube 8, which can be made of a single design (see figure 1) or a separate design (see figure 2), with a nozzle 9 in the form mouthpiece, mouthpiece or face mask. Breathing tube 8 with a separate design for inhalation and exhalation (see figure 2) is performed as follows: from the side of the nozzle 9, the design for inhalation and exhalation are connected into a single breathing tube 8, and from the side of the vessel 1, the inhalation tubes (right side breathing tube 8 in figure 2) and for exhalation (the left side of the breathing tube 8 in figure 2) are separately attached to the connecting element 7. » space and inhaled air does not contain CO ₂ .

The breathing tube 8 contains a heat and moisture exchanger 10, which can be made on the basis of a hygroscopic or hydrophobic filter material (cellulose element), which prevents the formation of condensate in the breathing tube 8 and maintains comfortable air characteristics (humidification).

The first connector 11 is made for the respiratory rate analyzer, which provides registration of the user's respiratory rate based on the measurement of the temperature difference between the inhaled and exhaled air. As a sensitive element, a thermistor is used, placed in the breathing tube 8 through the first connector 11 to determine the temperature difference between the inhaled cold and exhaled warm air. Respiratory rate control is important to maintain a steady inhalation and exhalation within the normal range of 16 to 20 breaths per minute to maintain optimal training effect.

The first connector 12 is designed for a portable analyzer that serves for continuous automatic measurement and digital indication of the volume fraction of oxygen, partial pressure of oxygen. For the most efficient operation, the device has high sensitivity, a backlit display with visual and / or audible alarms that indicate a decrease in the value of the volume fraction below two specified levels. Allows you to control the level of oxygen concentration in the inhaled air during training.

The cartridge 5 is made as a transparent flask that contains 200-400 grams of CO ₂ adsorbent (soda lime) in the form of granules 13 (porous cylinders 2.5-5.0 mm in size) that absorb CO ₂ and moisture from the air for at least 3 hours of training. Granules 13 contain in their composition: sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, ethyl violet (variants are possible), water. Granules 13 provide a fresh air flow of at least 2 l/min. The color indication of granules 13 is due to the inclusion in their composition of sodium/calcium hydroxide, water, indicator - ethyl violet or other (options are possible). During use, a purple (other) color begins to appear and increase in intensity when the granules 13 absorb CO ₂ and H ₂ O. If during training the granules 13 turn purple, then it is necessary to replace the cartridge 5 with CO ₂ adsorbent.

The height simulator 6 is made in the form of a glass and contains dense membranes 14, for example, from polyurethane foam. In the cells of the membranes there is air, which is retained during inhalation and mixed with exhaled air during exhalation. Density of polyurethane foam - 19±0.5 kg/m ³ . Imitation of height occurs by increasing the number of porous membranes 14 in the glass. One membrane 14 corresponds to a rise to a height of 700-750 meters, two membranes, respectively, more than 1400-1500 meters. By increasing the number of height simulator cups from 6 to 4 pieces (correspondingly, the number of membranes is 14 - 8 pieces), it can simulate a rise to a height of about 6000 meters. Membranes 14 can be changed as they fail (deformation, pollution).

The portable hypoxicator is used as follows.

Before starting the session, the user checks the setting of the portable hypoxicator. The presence of granules 13 in the cartridge 5 and the required number of membranes 14 in the height simulator 6 for the desired simulation of climbing to a height. The assembly of the vessel 1 - the connection of the intermediate chamber 4, the cartridge 5, the height simulator 6 in the places of the first 2 and second 3 breathable partitions. Fastening the breathing tube 8 to the connecting element 7, and the connecting element 7 itself to the intermediate chamber 4. Connecting the oxygen analyzer to the first connector 11, and the respiratory rate analyzer to the second connector 12. Attaching the nozzle 9 in the form of a mouthpiece, mouthpiece or face mask to the respiratory handset 8.

Before starting a workout, the user takes a comfortable position, sitting, the portable hypoxicator is in front of the user, on the table or in his hands. Next, the user puts on the nozzle 9, if it is a mouthpiece, then it is captured by the lips, if it is a mouthpiece, then it is captured by the user's teeth, if it is a mask, then it is put on the face. Next, the user inhales and exhales through a portable hypoxicator. As described above, due to the number of membranes 14, the required height is simulated. During the exercise, you should monitor the oxygen level and respiratory rate through the analyzers that are connected to the first 11 and second 12 connectors. The workout lasts 60 minutes. During the training, the user can observe the level of use of the granules 13, if they turn a deep purple (other) color, then the cartridge 5 needs to be replaced.

The portable hypoxicator is suitable for the elderly, adults, children. The number of sessions and their duration depends on the state of health and the age of the patient.

Due to the compactness, it is possible to conduct training both in medical institutions and at home.

In 2021, the author of the utility model manufactured, in accordance with the above description, a sample of a portable hypoxicator. The manufactured sample of a portable hypoxicator was tested to confirm the claimed technical result by conducting two experiments of the same type, in which volunteers participated as users:

- the first option: the use of analogue;

- the second option: the use of the claimed utility model.

The results of the experiments showed that when using the analogue, the accumulation of condensate in the breathing tube 8 was noticeable, which entailed excessive air humidity. The presence of the first 11 and second 12 connectors in the claimed utility model made it possible to connect respiratory rate analyzers and a sensor for monitoring the oxygen concentration on inspiration, which, in comparison with the analog, increased the efficiency of using a portable hypoxicator. The implementation of the cartridge 5 in the form of a transparent flask, in contrast to the analogue, made it possible to quickly determine the depletion of the ability of the granules 13 to absorb CO ₂ and H ₂ O.

Thus, the experiments have proved the achievement of the claimed technical result - increasing the efficiency and ease of use of the device for simulating low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude.

Claims (3)

1. A portable hypoxicator containing a cylindrical vessel, divided by the first and second air-permeable partitions into an intermediate chamber, a cartridge with granules and a height simulator made in the form of a glass containing dense membranes detachably connected to each other, while a respiratory tube is mounted to the intermediate chamber with nozzle, characterized in that the breathing tube contains a heat and moisture exchanger made of a hygroscopic hydrophobic filter material that prevents the formation of condensate in the breathing tube, and additionally contains the first connector for connecting the respiratory rate analyzer and the second connector for connecting the oxygen concentration analyzer, the cartridge is filled with granules that change their color when absorbing CO ₂ and H ₂ O, and is made transparent with the ability to control the absorption of CO ₂ and H ₂ O. 2. Portable hypoxicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the vessel is made collapsible in places of breathable partitions. 3. The portable hypoxicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the breathing tube can be made of a single design or a separate design for inhalation and exhalation.

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