WO1988002267A1

WO1988002267A1 - Flow indicator for respiration treatment apparatuses

Info

Publication number: WO1988002267A1
Application number: PCT/FI1987/000126
Authority: WO
Inventors: Taisto HÄKKINEN
Original assignee: Etelä-Hämeen Keuhkovammayhdistys R.Y.
Priority date: 1986-09-23
Filing date: 1987-09-22
Publication date: 1988-04-07
Also published as: FI863841A0; FI863841A

Abstract

Flow indicator (10) for respiration treatment apparatuses. The flow indicator in accordance with the invention is intended in particular for such respiration treatment apparatuses as are used for inhalation treatment, vapour inhalation treatment, pressure treatment, oxygen treatment, and lung-emptying treatment, e.g. PEP treatment. According to the invention, the flow indicator (10) comprises flow passages (13, 14) that are fitted to produce a sound signal when the flow rate of the patient's respiration air (L1) exceeds a certain predetermined flow rate.

Description

Flow indicator for respiration treatment apparatuses

The invention concerns a flow indicator for respiration treatment apparatuses. With prior-art respiration treatment apparatuses which are used, e.g., in inhalation treatment, the patient' inhalation flow rate is frequently higher than the optimum inhalation flow rate. This is unfavourable from the therapeutic point of view. In order that the best possible treatment result should be obtained, the inhala¬ tion flow rate should not exceed a predtermined maximum flow rate. The preferable flow rate is considered to be about 0.5 1/s. In such a case the medicine particles are carried in the best possible way into the patient's respiratory ducts.

The object of the invention is to provide such a respiration treatment apparatus and such a flow indicato intended for respiration treatment appparatuses as, upon exceeding of a certain respiration flow rate, notifies the patient and/or the treatment supervisor thereof in order that the patient could, on the basis of the said signal, adjust the respiration flow rate to the optimum level. A further object of the invention is such a flow indicator as can be used both in inhalation treatment, vapour inhalation treatment, pressure treatment, oxygen treat¬ ment, and lung-emptying treatment, e.g. PEP treatment. A further object of the invention is such a flow indica¬ tor as has a simple operation and construction and as gives an efficient alarm signal when a certain pre- determined flow rate is exceeded.

The invention is mainly characterized in that the flow indicator includes means that are fitted so as to produce a sound signal when the flow rate of the patient's respiration air exceeds a certain predetermined flow rate.

According to the invention, the flow indicator includes a flow duct which passes substantially from end to end through the flow indicator. The said flow duct preferably comprises rt o^{^} duct portions: a first, duct portion, which forms the sound signal opening, and a second duct portion, whose diameter is substantially larger than that of the sound signal opening. The drug atomizer in accordance with the invention, including a flow indicator, produces a sound signal when the patient's inhalation flow rate exceeds a certain predetermined maximum inhalation flow rate. Having heard the said sound signal, the patient may adjust his inhalation flow rate to a lower level, thereby making it better in view of the therapy. On the basis of the sound signal, the treatmentspersonnel in_a_ hospital may also supervise the performance of the treatment as per the instructions. The dose aerosol atomizer in accordance with the invention, including a flow indicator, comprises a flow indicator fitted in connection with the atomizing container, which said indicator is favourably made as one piece at least with the end part of the atomizing container. In this way the construction has become simple as the flow indicator can be formed in one working step "with -the atomizing .container itself_τ ref rably.by extrusion or by some other manufacturing process. It is also possible to use a separate detachable flow indica- tor piece.

The invention will be described in the follow¬ ing with reference to some preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the figures in the accompanying drawing, whereat the invention is, however, not supposed to be confined to the said embodiments alone.

Figure 1 shows a drug atomizer in accordance with the invention, including a flow indicator, as a partly sectional view, the parts to^"be connected to each other being shown as disassembled. Figure 2 shows a dose aerosol atomizer in accordance with the invention, including a flow indicator. Figure 3A is an axonometric view of a flow indicator in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the flow indicator shown in Fig. 3A. Figure 3C shows another embodiment of a flow indicator, provided with connecting threading.

Figure 4 is a graphical illustration of an in¬ halation stage, and in the graph a certain level of inhalation flow rate is indicated at which the flow indicator is arranged to produce an alarm signal.

Fig. 1 shows a drug atomizer.30 in accordance with the invention, including a flow indicator. The flow indicator 10 is attached to the flow opening 31 for inhalation air in the drug atomizer 30. The drug atomizer comprises connecting branches 32 and 33, and the inhalation flow opening 31 is placed in the connecting branch 32. The drug atomizer 30 comprises a frame part 34 and a related liquid cup 35. A suction hose 36 is fitted in the nozzle part 37, and the nozzle part 37 is connected to the nozzle-part attachment part 38. The mouthpiece 39 is attached to the connecting branch 33. The flow indicator in accordance with the invention is fitted in the flow opening 31 of the connecting branch 32 either by means of threading or by means of a press fitting. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the flow indicator 10 is fitted in the connecting branch 32 by means of press fitting.

As is shown in the figure, the flow indicator 10 comprises a frame part 11 and a flow duct 12 passing centrally through the frame part. At one end, the flow duct 12 includes a sound signal opening 13, which is fitted as acting, besides as a member producing the sound signal together with the duct portion 14, also as a flow opening choking and regulating the flow. As is shown in the figure, the flow indicator 10 may include an opening 15 that opens itself into the flow duct 12 and that passes through the mantle 18 of the flow indicator, and to said opening 15 it is possible to fit the connector 16 of a 'connecting ..duct .sensing- the pressure of the respiration flow, or a separate closing plug 17 shown in the figure, the said plug 17 being fitted to block the said opening 15 when the connecting duct is not used. For operation of this type, the flow indicator 10 may also be manufactured without an opening 15.

On inhalation, when the patient exceeds a certain maximum inhalation flow rate, the flow indicator 10 gives a sound signal S as an indication for the patient to the effect that the inhalation flow rate is excessively high. The said sound signal S is produced by means of the flow indicator, whose,flow ducts-for inhalation air have -been shaped appropriately so that, when the flow exceeds a certain predetermined flow rate, the inhalation air produces a sound signal S, and the apparatus is preferably arranged as operating in such a way that the inhalation air itself operates as the generator of the sound signal S. Fig. 2 illustrates a dose aerosol atomizer 40 provided with a flow indicator 10,100. The dose aerosol atomizer 40 includes an atomizing container 41 consti¬ tuting.an extension,part of.the atomizer.. .The drug -itself is atomized into the atomizing container concerned out of a drug container 42 that contains the drug. At one end of the atomizing container, there is a mouthpiece 43.

The drug is atomized by means of a separate knob out of the drug container 42 into the container space 44 in the atomizing.container 41 as is shown .by the arrow I_*-, The patient inhales through the mouthpiece 43 and, in the way shown by the arrow L.. , sucks outside air through the flow indicator 10 or 100 into the container space 44 in the atomizing container 41. In the said space the flows ι-_. and L^are mixed together, and the mixed air flow is carried into the patient in the inhalation stage through the mouthpiece 43. When the patient's inhalation flow rate increases beyond a certain maximum value, the flow -indicator "10 or-TOO indicates this hy producing-a sound signal S. Having heard the sound signal, the patient may adjust the inhalation flow rate to a therapeutically optimum level. According to the invention, the flow indicator 10 is fitted at the end of the atomizing con- tainer 41. When a dose aerosol atomizer 40 is used, in the patient's inhalation stage air flows through the flow indicator into the atomizing container 41 and furthe through the mouthpiece 43 into the patient. When the patient exhales, he makes the air flow through a valve device not shown, fitted in the frame of the dose aerosol atomizer or in connection with the mouthpiece, and the exhalation air is arranged to flow out of the mouthpiece into the valve and further out.

Such an embodiment is also possible in which the flow indicator 10 is formed as one piece with the atomizing container 41 of the dose aerosol atomizer, and advantageously so that the flow indicator 10 is made by extruding out of plastic or out of cast plastic. It is an advantage of the embodiment concerned that the assembly stage of the drug atomizer does not include a separate threading or pressing of the flow indicator 10 onto the atomizing container of the dose aerosol atomizer, but the flow indicator is made as one structural piece with the container, preferably constituting the end part of the container or forming a part of same.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2, the drug container part 42 includes an outflow duct for the drug, which is denoted with reference numera 45. The drug is arranged as flowing through the said duct 45 either into the atomizing container 41 or straigh into the patient. The container 42 and the duct 45 may be used separately, independently from the atomizing container 41, whereby the patient may spray the drug out of the container part 42 through the duct 45 directly into his respiratory ducts. According to the invention, the duct part 45 includes a flow indicator 100 of its own. The flow indicator 100 may be formed as one piece with the duct part 45, or it may be formed in the way shown in the . igure- so that a separate low indicator piece is placed into the opening in the rear wall 45a of the duct part 45. The flow indicator 100 includes a flow path 120 opened from outside air into the duct 45 and preferably consisting of a sound signal opening 130 and of a substantially straight duct portion 140 con¬ stituting an extension of said opening 130.

Thus, as is described above, the dose aerosol atomizer 40 can be used in two ways. The drug container part 42 with its duct part 45 is detached from the atomizing container 41, and the said drug container part 42 with its duct part.45 is used. separately. .However, as is shown in^' ig. 2, the drug atomizing container part 42 with the drug outflow duct part 45 may be attached to the atomizing container 41 used as an extension piece for the dose aerosol atomizer 40. In such a case, in the way shown in Fig. 2, the flow indicator 100 may be provided with a closing plug 170, in which case the flow indicator 10 is used, or the flow indicator 10 of the atomizing container 41 may be provided with a closing plug, in which -case.the flow indicator 10.0.is used- .^'Such an operation is also possible that a closing plug is not used but the patient closes either one of the flow indicators 10 or 100 by means of his finger.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, the central axis of the sound signal opening 130 of the flow indicator .arid of the duct portion 1.40 is placed as substantially parallel to the central axis of the outlet end 45b of the drug duct 45.

Such an embodiment of the invention is also possible in which the atomizing container 41 does not include a separate flow:indicator, ±πrt a flow indicator is fitted exclusively in the rear wall 45a of the flow duct 45 for the drug in the drug container part 42.

Such an embodiment is also possible in which a flow indi- cator is- fitted exclusively in .τ_he atomizing container 41.. Fig. 3A is an axonometric view of a flow indi¬ cator 10 in accordance with the invention. The flow indicator 10 is preferably a piece symmetric relative its central axis x, its section being circular. Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a flow indicator 10. The flow indicator comprises a frame 11 and, in its middle, a duct 12 passing across the frame. The duct 12 consists of a sound signal opening 13 placed at one end of the flow indicator, said sound signal openi at the same time acting as an inlet opening for inhalatio air (arrow L.) and^' as a choking opening for same. The duct 12 also includes a second duct portion 14. The sound signal opening 13 is preferably of circular shape, and its diameter is substantially smaller than that of the duct portion 14, into which the sound signal opening 13 is opened. Having exceeded a certain flow rate, the inhalation air produces a sound signal S, and the forming of the said sound signal is affected essentially by the circular diameter of the opening 13 and by the circular diameter of the duct 14 limited by the said opening 13 and by the ratio of the said diameters, as well as by the length of the duct 14. It is a further essential feature that the opening 13 is opened into a wider duct portion 14. In this embodiment, a sound signal (S) is produced both in the inhalation stage and in the exhalation stage. A second embodiment of the invention is also possible, in which a sound signal is produced in the inhalation stage only. Likewise, a third embodiment of the invention is possible, in which the sound signal is produced in the exhalation stage only. By changing the shape of the duct 13, it is possible to raise or lower the maximum flow rate limit upon whose surpassing a sound signal (S) is produced. Such an embodiment of the invention is also possible in which the flow rate limit at which a sound signal is produced can be adjusted continuously and/or stepwise. The adjustment can be performed, e.g., manually by displacing an adjusting member. In such a case the adjusting member can be accomplished so that the-ad usting member changes .the size of the^* flow ducts and/or the shape of the flow ducts and preferably so that the adjusting member changes the size or shape of the different duct portions 13 and/or 14 in the. duct 12. The adjusting member may also be fitted so that it adjusts the alarm limit so that a separate flow diverting piece can be fitted into the flow ducts. The said flow diverting or covering piece may be applicable to the duct 12 either in its duct portion 13 and/or 14.

In the way shown in Fig. 1, the flow indicator 10 may include an opening 15 opened into the duct part 14,- whereat the connecting_piece 6 of a connecting .duct 16a sensing the pressure of the respiration flow can be fitted into the said opening 15. When a connecting duct 16a is not used, the opening 15 is blocked by means of a separate closing plug 17, as is shown in Fig. 3B.

The flow indicator 10 in accordance with the invention comprises an outer mantle 18, which consists of a mantle portion 19 placed next to the sound signal opening 13 and of an adjoining mantle portion 20, whose

-•mantle .diameter is different.and -preferably smaller than the diameter of the mantle portion 19. The said mantle portion is fitted so as to act as a connecting portion. The mantle portion 20 can be fitted to the connecting branch 32 of a drug atomizer so that the connecting branch 32 surrounds the mantle portion 20 and so that the outer face o , he.connecting .branch 32 is substan¬ tially at the same plane as the outer face of the mantle portion 19.

Fig. 3C shows an embodiment of the flow indi¬ cator 10 as a side view and partly as a cross section. The flow indicato 10-includes a separate connecting threading 21 , which may be placed on the mantle portion 20, either on the outside face of the said mantle portion 20, as is the case in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3C, or .on the- face of..the said mantle portion defined'by the duct portion 14, which latter embodiment is not illustra¬ ted separately. The embodiment does not include a separat opening 15.

Fig. 4 is a graphic illustration of an inhalatio stage. In the graph, a maximum inhalation flow rate is given as the alarm limit, being 0.5 1/s. In the graph, the vertical axis illustrates the flow rate of inhalation air, and the horizontal axis illustrates the inhalation stage from the time 0. In the graph in Fig. 4, the alarm limit is 0.5 1/s, and the sound signal is produced within the inhalation time period t-.-t-: 0.85 s < t < 1.9 With the generation of the sound signal, the patient may correct the inhalation flow rate to a therapeutically optimum level, i.e. to a level lower than the alarm limit. Then, no sound signal (S) is produced. In the way shown in the figure by the arrows (D.. ,D₂) , the flow indicator 10 can be adjusted or manufactured so that the flow indicator 10 produces an alarm signal, and preferably a sound signal, e.g. a whistling sound (S) , either at a higher flow rate or at a lower flow rate. The flow indicator is prefer¬ ably made of a plastic material.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Flow indicator (10) for respiration treat¬ ment apparatuses, favourably for such respiration treat- ment apparatuses as are used for inhalation treatment, vapour inhalation treatment, pressure treatment, oxygen treatment, and lung-emptying treatment, e.g. PEP treatment, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (10) includes means (13,14) that are fitted so as to produce a sound signal (S) when the flow rate of the patient's respiration air exceeds a certain predetermined flow rate.

2. Flow indicator as claimed in claim 1 , . a.r a c t e. r i z e.d .-in that the flow indicator

(10) comprises such flow passages that the sound signal (S) is arranged to be generated by making respiration air flow through the said appropriately shaped flow passages and that the flow indicator (10) comprises such flow passages for respiration air in the flow indicator (10) that their dimensioning and/or shape can be changed in order to raise or lower the alarm limit of the flow indicator (10) , the flow indicator (10) being arranged to'-pxoduce a. ound signal.- (S) .in .the-breathing stage ,in which the flow rate of respiration air exceeds the maximum respiration flow rate that has been ascertained in advance to be most appropriate for the treatment of the patient, for example in order to ensure an optimum carriage of drug particles into the patient's respira¬ tory: ducts.

3. Flow indicator as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator

(10) comprises a frame part (11) and a flow duct (12) passing through the frame part (11), said duct (12) comprising a sound -signal opening (13) arid a duct portion

(14), which are arranged to produce a sound signal (S) when the flow rate of the patient's respiration exceeds a predetermined maximum flow rate of respiration.

4. Flow indicator as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the sound signal opening (13) is opened into a wider duct portion (14).

5. Flow indicator as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator

(10) includes an opening (15) opened into the duct (14) , into which said opening (15) it is possible to fit the connector (16) of a connecting duct passing to a sepa¬ rate apparatus, or a separate closing plug (17) when the connecting duct is not fitted in the opening (15).

6. Flow indicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (10) comprises an outer mantle (18), which consists of a mantle portion (19) placed next to the signal opening (13) and of an adjoining mantle por¬ tion (20) , whose diameter is of different magnitude as compared with the diameter of the mantle portion (19), the said mantle portion (20) being fitted so as to act as a connecting portion.

7. Flow indicator as claimed in claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mantle portion (20) includes a connecting threading, which is fitted so as to be placed on the inner or outer face of the said mantle portion (20) .

8. Flow indicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (10) comprises such flow passages that the sound signal (S) is arranged to be generated by making inhalation air flow through the said appropri- ately shaped flow passages and that the flow indicator (10) comprises such flow passages for respiration air in the flow indicator (10) that their dimensioning and/or shape can be changed in order to raise or lower the alarm limit of the flow indicator (10), the flow indicator (10) being arranged to produce a sound signal (S) in the inhalation stage in which the flow rate of inhalation air exceeds the maximum inhalation flow rate that has been ascertained in advance to be most appropri¬ ate for the.treatment of. the patient, for example in-order to ensure an optimum carriage of drug particles into the patient's respiratory ducts.

9. Flow indicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (10) is fitted in connection with the flow opening (31) for inhalation air in a drug atomizer (30) , and advantageously in the connecting branch (32) of the said apparatus, advantageously so that the inhalation air made to flow into the patient is fitted to pass through the flow indicator (10) while the flow indicator is detachably attachable to the flow opening (31) for inhalation air in the drug atomizer (30) , and that the apparatus is arranged to produce a sound signal (S) when the flow rate of the patient's respiration air exceeds a predetermined maximum flow rate.

10. Flow indicator as claimed in the preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (10) is fitted so as to produce a sound signal when the patient's inhalation flow rate exceeds a certain predetermined .maximum flow rate.

11. Flow indicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims I to δ, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (10) is fitted in connection with a dose aerosol atomizer (40) and so as to produce an alarm signal (S) when the flow rate of the patient's respiration air exceeds a certain ^predetermined maximum respiration flow rate.

12. Flow indicator as claimed in the preceding claim, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator fitted in connection with a dose aerosol -jatomizer (40 comprises means (13,14} that axe fitted to produce a sound signal (S) when the flow rate of the patient's inhalation air exceeds a certain predetermined maximum inhalation flow rate.

13. Flow indicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims 11 or 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator is fitted in connection with an atomizing container (41) used as an extension piece of a dose aerosol atomizer (40) .

14. Flow indicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims 11 to 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (10) is made as one piece with the atomizing container (41) used as an extension piece of a dose aerosol atomizer (40) , and it is preferably formed in connection with the end of the atomizing con¬ tainer (41) and made as one piece with the end of the atomizing container.

15. Flow indicator as claimed in any of the preceding claims 11 to 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the flow indicator (100) is fitted in connection with the drug outflow duct part (45) of the drug con¬ tainer (42) of a dose aerosol atomizer (40) , and pre¬ ferably so that the duct portion (120) of the flow indicator (100) is opened into the outflow duct part (45) .