WO2003047671A1

WO2003047671A1 - Connection box

Info

Publication number: WO2003047671A1
Application number: PCT/DE2002/004354
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe Becker; Rudolf Hipp; Georg Lohmeier
Original assignee: Müfa Ag
Priority date: 2001-11-29
Filing date: 2002-11-27
Publication date: 2003-06-12
Also published as: AU2002351701A1; DE10295573D2; DE10158702A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection box (1) for connecting breathing components (40) to a medical device (20), preferably a breathing apparatus. The connection box can be inserted into the breathing apparatus in a detachable manner and has components which are provided for sterilisation when the user is changed. By arranging an expiration valve (4), which is to be sterilised, in the connection box, partial dismounting of the breathing apparatus is no longer necessary, enabling sterilisation steps to be introduced more quickly, or the non-working time of the breathing apparatus can be significantly reduced, including when more boxes are introduced.

Description

connection cassette

The invention relates to a cassette for the detachable connection of a ventilation hose system to a respirator.

Ventilators are used in hospitals or other medical facilities to artificially ventilate patients. The ventilator provides the patient with specially prepared fresh air (inspiration gas) and 0 usually also controls the lung function by monitoring the exhaled gas (expiratory gas).

In practice, ventilators are known which - usually arranged in a hospital room - connect the patient to the patient via a hose system.

5 are bound. The hose system which supplies the inspiration gas to the patient or removes expiration gas from the latter is usually detachably connected to the ventilator. Hose systems are known which are equipped with two separate hoses for the two gases. Coaxially arranged hoses are also used, in which the one gas is in

O an inner hose, which is coaxial with a second

Hose is enclosed, through which the other gas is passed.

In general, both tubing systems have different components at their patient end, which are required to ventilate the patient ^» 5. These include, for example, bacterial filters, pressure measurement connections or even heat and moisture exchangers. The gases are supplied directly to the patient, for example, via an endotracheal tube, which is inserted into the trachea and through which the gases are fed into and out of the lungs.

In practice, the supply and removal of the breathing gases is controlled by an inspiration or an expiration valve. The inspiration valve regulates the supply of fresh air to the patient's lungs. The expiratory valve regulates the expiration process of the expiratory gas from the lungs. While the inspiration valve is arranged "upstream" of the patient and thus does not come into contact with bacteria or germs of the patient, the exhalation valve is flowed through by the breathing air that comes from the patient.

When changing patients, it is necessary to sterilize the components of the ventilation device that have come into contact with the patient or his germs or bacteria. According to common practice, this applies in particular to the ventilation hose system and the expiration valve. Ventilators in which the expiration valve is arranged within the ventilator must therefore be at least partially disassembled for the purpose of sterilization in such a way that the expiration valve can be removed and fed to the sterilization.

This has the disadvantage that the ventilator is not ready for use during the sterilization phase. In addition, the repeated installation and removal of the expiration valve harbors the risk of incorrect assembly, which can impair the correct functioning of the ventilator. The object of the invention is therefore to create a device with which the sterilization of ventilation components can be simplified and accelerated, so that time and costs can be saved with minimal intervention in a ventilation device.

The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1.

The invention is based on the knowledge that it is advantageous to provide, between a respirator and the ventilation hose system, a cassette which can be inserted into the device or which can be coupled thereto, by means of which the connection of the hose system to the respirator is at least partially established. The cassette, which can be removed or inserted or detached from the device in a simple manner, can have those components near the device which are intended for sterilization, in particular when changing patients.

The cassette provides a connection between the ventilator and a hose system coming from the patient, which enables in particular the transport of the breathing gases.

The connection can be made essentially through the cassette, ie internally within the cassette volume. Likewise, however, the connection can also be made in part or completely by means of connection components connected externally to the cassette, so that the cassette essentially serves as a holder for connection components arranged laterally next to it and connected to it.

In the event of sterilization, the cassette can then be easily removed from the ventilator and together with the ventilation hose system or sterilized separately from it. The removal can advantageously be carried out by the attending physician or the other treatment staff in a time-saving manner using a handle. In particular, no special disassembly process or a technically experienced specialist is required. The latter is also ruled out because such medical devices should only be made accessible to a limited group of people in order to meet hygienic and other safety requirements and to make the use of the devices practicable. Rather, the non-destructive removal or detachment of the cassette can be done easily by a non-technician, even without jeopardizing possible warranty claims against the manufacturer.

By providing a suitable replacement cassette or a suitable ventilation hose system, the downtime of the ventilator can also be significantly shortened in an advantageous manner by using these replacement components immediately instead of the components to be sterilized.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one expiration valve is provided in the connection cassette. Since the expiration valve belongs to the components to be sterilized according to prevailing practice, the cassette offers the advantage of being able to remove this valve in a very simple manner. Since the valve is arranged in the removable cassette, it can be supplied together with this for sterilization. There is no need to screw on the ventilator or do any other work to install or remove the expiration valve.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one inspiration valve is also provided within the connection cassette. The inspiration valve, which usually does not belong to the components to be sterilized, can also be sterilized in this way without any significant effort. The connection cassette detachably connected to the ventilator, which thus contains an expiration valve and an inspiration valve, can in the same way be easily detached from the ventilator in order to be sterilized.

The connection cassette thus enables valves to be arranged inside the cassette instead of in the ventilator, so that, as described, they are more easily accessible and replaceable.

In principle, it is of course possible to arrange one or more expiration valves and / or one or more inspiration valves in the cassette. According to common practice, however, the arrangement of an expiration valve within the cassette meets the medical requirements.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides one or more connections on the device side for controlling the valves provided in the cassette. When the cassette is inserted or coupled, these control connections connect the valves to a suitable control line, via which the opening and closing of the valves is regulated. In the simplest case, this is a pneumatic control, so that the control connections of the cassette are connected to the pneumatic control lines of the device when they are inserted into or connected to a respirator. In the same way, the control connections can of course also be designed for valve control with a different medium. In principle, any fluid would come into question here. The connections are expediently chosen so that a tight connection is established between the cassette and the ventilator when the cassette is inserted. Of course, all other connections or connections on the cassette are also designed in such a way that a required minimum tightness for gas connections or a required electrical contact is reliably established.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control connections for controlling the valves provided in the cassette are designed such that they are suitable for transmitting a signal to the valves. In the simplest case, the control connection can be an electrical plug connection, via which, for example, the actuation of an electrical expiration valve is possible. Depending on the number and nature of the valves provided in the cassette, a combination of electrical, pneumatic or other connection forms for controlling the valves is of course also possible.

Another embodiment of the invention advantageously has one or more sensor connections. Such a connection is advantageous, for example, when information about ventilation processes is to be transmitted to the ventilation device or another device intended for the use of the cassette. In particular, the provision of pressures, which are introduced into the cassette on the patient side and are to be passed on from the device into the ventilator, comes into question here. The integration of these sensor connections in or on the cassette has the advantage that by simply detaching or plugging in or coupling the cassette to the ventilator, in addition to the connection for the ventilation gases and valve controls, further connections between the ventilator and the ventilation components close to the patient, such as for the purpose of a sensor connection, for example.

The cassette can in particular be designed in such a way that certain measurement or control values are passed essentially through the cassette or also laterally past it, so that they are fed in and out both on the patient side and on the device side. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that, for example, a pressure value is recorded upstream or downstream of an expiration valve within the cassette and is only passed on or passed out to the ventilator on the device side or to the patient side.

In this case, there would be no corresponding connection on the patient or device side of the cassette.

In principle, therefore, the measurement or control values made accessible via the cassette connections can be generated or changed within the cassette, or can only be passed through or along or past the cassette, so that the cassette here essentially fulfills an adapter function. The information transmitted via the connections can of course also be electrical in nature, so that the connection cassette takes on the character of a plug-in connection via which both electrical and non-electrical signals or media can be exchanged or transmitted. In particular, control signals for controlling ventilation components in the direction of the respirator or in the direction of the patient can also be passed through the cassette, or can be generated or processed in the cassette.

By simultaneously loosening or establishing all connections between the cassette and the ventilator on the device side and the patient side Connections to other ventilation components provided during the insertion or coupling can advantageously be made a simple, complete and quick connection between individual components without the individual connections having to be processed or made separately.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one advantageously electrical connection is provided on the device and / or patient side for heating a valve seat of a valve arranged within the connection cassette. This has the advantage that the valve can be detached from the ventilator together with the cassette, but it can nevertheless be adapted to the operation by additional measures for improved function and safer ventilation. This heater can be designed electrically, but heating due to a through-flow of a medium is also conceivable, a suitable media connection then having to be provided instead of the electrical one.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ventilation hose system is connected to the connection cassette on the patient side in a fixed manner or in one piece. The connection cassette then essentially forms a unit with the ventilation hose system, which can be sterilized in this form. The advantage here is that it is easier to use, since detaching the hose system from the connection cassette is not necessary or is even undesirable. By simply disengaging the cassette with the hose system connected to it and possibly other leads to the patient

Hoses, sensor lines, etc., the components required for sterilization can be removed from the ventilator essentially with one hand. By providing a cassette and If the ventilation hose system is also connected to it in one piece or detachably, new ventilation can be started within a few seconds, while the previously used components can be sterilized without time pressure.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the connection cassette is advantageously provided on the patient side in such a way that ventilation components such as, for example, a humidifier or a water trap can be connected between the cassette and the ventilation hose system. These additional components are then used relatively close to the ventilator, so that the

Handling of the endotracheal tube at the other end of the breathing circuit is made easier. The way to transfer pressures or other physical quantities from these components to the ventilator is advantageously shorter than if these components were located near the patient at the other end of the breathing circuit.

In an advantageous embodiment, the connection cassette has one or more latching lugs with which the cassette can be inserted or coupled into the device, which in addition to a respirator can also be another suitable device. The locking lugs can be released by a suitable quick locking mechanism, possibly using a spring, so that the cassette can be removed from its locked position or jumps out. These locking lugs or comparable locking means are arranged such that when these locking means snap in or snap in, all connections or electrical connections between the cassette and the device in question (for example a respirator) are made securely and tightly. The cassette can be detached from the locked or coupled position by manual action. kung on the locking lugs, on the other hand also be triggered by a differently trained mechanical and / or electrical actuation, which can also be operated by the (ventilation) device itself.

5 In an especially advantageous manner, an embodiment of the invention offers a connection for a ventilation hose system on the patient side on the connection cassette, which connection is essentially coaxial with respect to the ventilation gases. This means that, on the one hand, the expiratory gas or inspiratory gas is conducted in a hose which is carried by another

0 Hose is coaxially enclosed, in which, on the other hand, the expiratory gas or the inspiratory gas is guided.

These coaxial hose systems enable easier handling than two separate hoses and, in addition to an advantageous heat exchanger function, also offer the advantage of a space-saving connection design.

5

The connection cassette can be designed in such a way that it is also designed to accommodate different ventilation hose systems. This means that on one and the same cassette, depending on the design of the hose system, a coaxial or one of two separate beats.

10 mung gas hoses existing system can be connected. The connection that is not used on the patient side can either be closed manually using "blind plugs" or, for example, also automatically closed using a suitable locking mechanism or a shut-off unit depending on the connection used.

> 5

An advantageous embodiment of the invention has partially pneumatically controlled 2/2-way valves or 3/2-way valves or such valves within the connection cassette, which are characterized by their space-saving installation and low energy consumption are particularly suitable for this application. The valves can also be equipped with a downstream flap valve to allow media flow in one direction only.

The connection cassette, possibly with the ventilation hose system connected in one piece, can be designed in such a way that it is intended for single use. Sterilization can advantageously be omitted in this case, so that a patient change or a new ventilation can be started without problems by using a new hose system or a new cassette.

Alternatively, of course, an embodiment is also conceivable according to which the cassette and / or the ventilation hose system can be sterilized, which means, inter alia, that the components of the cassette and / or the ventilation hose system are resistant to a required sterilization temperature. The reusability of the device according to the invention saves costs and space.

The device according to the invention can advantageously be used in a respirator. However, it is also conceivable to insert the connection cassette in an intermediate device or in a device which in turn is connected to a respirator or another medical / technical device. This enables the cassette to be used individually.

Furthermore, the cassette can be designed in such a way that it accommodates an adapter in the form of a universal plug or connection complex on the patient side, which offers a combination of some or all of the necessary leads for connection to a ventilator. In particular, this can also be a hose end piece in the sense of a formed at the end of a ventilation hose system be a compact connecting element which, in addition to the gas connections, also offers further media or signal connections and can be connected to the cassette on the patient side with one hand.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the

Dependent claims.

The invention is explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

The only FIG. Shows the schematic structure of a connection cassette according to the invention.

As can be seen in the drawing, a connection cassette 1 is provided. This connection cassette 1 has a patient side a essentially facing a patient 30 and a device side b facing a ventilator 20. The connection cassette 1 is designed such that it can be inserted into a recess 22 of the ventilator 20 in the direction of its device side b.

The connection cassette 1 has connections on the device side and on the patient side. The connections on the device side are designed in such a way that they are connected to the connection connections 25 provided there when the connection cassette 1 is inserted into the recess 22 of the respirator 20.

On the device side, the connection cassette 1 has a first sensor connection 8, which is connected through the connection cassette 1 to a patient-side sensor line 13. For example, via the sensor line 13 Pressure or a gas composition can be passed through the connection cassette 1 via the first sensor connection 8 to a connection connection 25 of a respirator 20.

The connection cassette 1 has an expiration gas connection 5 on the device side.

The expiration gas connection 5 is connected to an expiration valve 4 arranged in the connection cassette 1. The expiration valve 4 is connected on the patient side to an expiration tube 2 which extends towards the patient 30. The expired gas exhaled by the patient 30 passes through the expiratory hose 2 into the connection cassette 1, where it flows through the expiratory valve 4 and reaches the ventilator 20 via the expiratory gas connection 5 on the device side or a correspondingly shaped connection port 25 of a respirator 20 or is discharged directly to the environment becomes.

Via a control connection 9 provided on the device side, the expiration valve 4 can be controlled by applying a medium or by applying a signal.

On the side of the expiration valve 4 facing the patient 30, a pressure line is discharged inside the connection cassette 1, which leads to a pressure connection 12 on the device cassette 1. The pressure connection 12, which can also cooperate with a suitable ^"connection terminal 25 of a ventilator 20, thus forms an interface for the measurement of the media pressure on the side facing the patient 30

Expiratory valve side 4. The connection cassette 1 also has a sensor connection option in which a second sensor connection 10 is connected through the connection cassette 1 to a sensor-side sensor connection 15. This sensor line connection is suitable, for example, for providing a medium from the ventilator 20 through the connection cassette 1 in the direction of the patient 30 or vice versa.

The connection cassette 1 has an inspiratory gas connection 6 on the device side. The inspiration gas connection 6 is connected through the connection cassette 1 to an inspiration hose 3 which extends to the patient 30.

In the inserted or coupled state of the connection cassette 1 in or to the ventilator 20, an inspiratory gas flows through a suitable connection 25 of the ventilator 20 via the device-side inspiratory gas connection 6 through the connection cassette 1 into the inspiration hose 3 of the patient 30, where the gas is inhaled. The expired gas exhaled by the patient 30 passes through the expiratory hose 2 into the connection cassette 1, where it flows through the expiration valve 4 and the cassette 1 via the device-side expiratory gas connection 5 and a corresponding connection connection 25 into the ventilator 20 or into the environment via a suitable opening leaves.

The connection cassette 1 furthermore has a signal connection 11 on the device side, which connects through the connection cassette 1 with a signal feed line 14 in

Connection is established. This signal line can be used in particular for the transmission of electrical signals. The device-side and patient-side connections are firmly connected to the connection cassette 1, so that the connection cassette 1, in particular when inserted into the recess 22 of the ventilator 20, interacts with the connection connections 25 provided there in the sense of a plug connection in which the connection to the individual Connections of the connection cassette 1 is made.

The patient-side connections of the connection cassette 1 are designed in such a way that the corresponding connections on the patient side can be realized in a suitable form, for example by means of electrical plug connections, hose connections, clamps or bayonet closures.

The connection cassette 1 has locking lugs 7 on the device side, with which the cassette snaps into the recess 22 of the ventilator 20. The latches can be released from the recess 22 by means of a mechanism (not shown here) in such a way that the connection cassette 1 can be detached or removed from the ventilator 20 or ejected or decoupled.

The device-side and / or patient-side connections of the connection cassette 1 can advantageously be combined or combined. For example, a coaxial integration of inspiration and expiration gas is conceivable on the patient side in particular. The expiration and inspiration hose would be brought together coaxially and connected to a corresponding patient-side coaxial connection.

A common or combined tapping of sensor or signal connections on the device or patient side of the connection is also conceivable. final cassette 1 in the sense of multifunctional connections or multiple plugs.

The connection cassette 1 can, in particular, also be connected in one piece to the expiration and inspiration hose. Furthermore, the number of connections provided on the device side or on the patient side depends on the respective requirements. A connection cassette is also conceivable that has fewer or more connections on the device or patient side than the connections shown in FIG. 1.

Alternatively, unused connections can also be blinded or shut down using suitable covers. Self-locking connections can also be used, which only allow the flow or electrical contact when a suitable connection line (media hose, pressure line, electrical connector) is connected and otherwise close or cover.

Claims

claims

1. Connection cassette (1) for the detachable connection of a ventilation hose system (40) to a ventilator (20) for the purpose of ventilating a patient (30),

a) with at least one device-side inspiration gas connection (6), and b) with at least one device-side expiration gas connection (5), and c) with at least one patient-side connection for a ventilation hose system (40), d) wherein the at least one inspiration gas Connection (6) and / or the at least one expiratory gas connection (5) is connected to the connection for the breathing circuit (40) in a gas-carrying manner.

2. Connection cassette (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that an expiration valve (4) is provided between the at least one expiratory gas connection (5) and the at least one connection for the ventilation hose system (40).

3. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inspiration valve is provided between the at least one inspiration gas connection (6) and the at least one connection for the ventilation hose system (40).

4. Connection cassette (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that a preferably pneumatic control connection (9) is provided on the device side for controlling the expiration valve (4) and / or the inspiration valve.

5. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the device and / or patient side at least one sensor connection (8, 10, 15) for a sensor and / or a control element, preferably for transmitting a pressure, is provided.

6. Connection cassette (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor connection (8, 10, 15) is designed for receiving and / or sending a signal.

7. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one electrical connection, preferably for electrical heating of at least one valve seat, is provided

8. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette (1) is firmly connected to the ventilation hose system (40).

9. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that further ventilation components, preferably a humidifier and / or a water trap, can be connected between the ventilation hose system (40) and the cassette (1).

10. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that latching lugs (7) are provided for releasably engaging the cassette (1).

11. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a coaxial system can be connected as a ventilation hose system (40).

12. Connection cassette (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connection for the ventilation hose system (40)

Has connection for an expiratory gas and a connection for an inspiratory gas.

13. Connection cassette according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the at least one valve is a preferably pneumatically controlled 2/2-way valve or a 3/2-way valve.

14. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette (1) is intended for single use.

15. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette (1) can be used in a respirator (20).

16. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette (1) is designed as an adapter for connecting a hose system.

17. Connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided for single use or for multiple use.

18. Ventilator (20) with a connection cassette (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

19. The ventilator (20) according to claim 18, characterized in that the connection cassette (1) is provided for single use or for multiple use.