WO2010066052A1

WO2010066052A1 - Treatment interface for an acoustic therapeutic device

Info

Publication number: WO2010066052A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yvon Robert
Original assignee: Dymedso Inc.
Priority date: 2008-12-12
Filing date: 2009-12-14
Publication date: 2010-06-17

Abstract

The present invention discloses a treatment interface portion of an acoustic treatment device The treatment interface includes a main body with a diaphragm therein and passageways to direct air towards holes on the side of the device It also potentially includes filters to remove contamination from the air and a removable coupling interface so as to enable the easy changing of coupling interfaces between patients

Description

TREATMENT INTERFACE FOR AN ACOUSTIC THERAPEUTIC DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a treatment interface for an acoustic therapeutic device More specifically, the present invention relates to a treatment interface for an acoustic therapeutic device for treating cystic fibrosis and other respiratory pathologies

BACKGROUND

[0002] Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal hereditary, single gene disease in North America and Europe The average age of patients with cystic fibrosis at the time of their death is currently about 36 years old Most of the morbidity and almost all oi the mortality is associated with respiratory lung disease characterized by obstruction of the bronchial tubes by abundant thick infected mucus

[0003] The basic defect in cystic fibrosis is a deficiency in the function of the protein known as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) CFTR is an anion channel allowing the passage of salt, bicarbonate and other negatively charged substances across the apical membranes of epithelial cells in the airways, pancreas liver, intestinal tract and reproductive system The absence of CFTR in cystic fibrosis epithelia leads to a marked decrease of water and salt secretion which results in a characteristic increase in the viscosity of secretions These secretions bind to the walls of the bronchial tubes and form tenacious plaques that cannot be carried up to the throat by cilia that line the airways Subsequently, inhaled bacteria become trapped in these secretions (or mucus), proliferate and initiate a cycle of events including airway tissue destruction, airway inflammation and the accumulation of even greater amounts of thick adherent mucus All of these events, which eventually lead to respiratory insufficiency and death, are initiated by the lung's inability in the absence of CFTR to clear the viscous mucus from the airways Correction of this basic defect in airway clearance is the goal of many therapeutic developments aiming to control or cure cystic fibrosis

[0004] While defective mucociliary clearance is most obvious in patients with cystic ^ήbrosis, many more patients suffering from common respiratory ailments such as chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, asthma, muscular dystrophy, neuromuscular degenerative disorders, post-operative atelectasis and thoracic wall defects are also afflicted by their incapacity to adequately clear their airways of abundant mucus. Consequently, these patients are at high risk of presenting multiple lung infections. They require frequent use of antibiotics and medical services, as well as repeated hospitalizations. Improved clearance of thick respiratory secretions in all of these medical conditions is a fundamental objective of current therapeutic approaches.

[0005] The cornerstone of therapy for cystic fibrosis and other respiratory ailments involving inspissated mucus is chest physiotherapy aimed at moving the bronchial secretions up towards the throat. Several respiratory physiotherapy approaches have been developed to address the problem of therapeutic airway clearance. The best known technique of airway clearance against which other methods are compared remains postural drainage with clapping. This technique necessarily requires a therapist, often a family member, who repeatedly claps the chest wall of the patient with an open hand while the patient is positioned in such a way that the bronchial tube being drained is inclined at an angle favoring movement of mucus down a slope. The patient's position is changed periodically to allow all major bronchial tubes to be treated. Because the technique requires the help of a therapist and because the positions and clapping are uncomfortable procedures, patients most often abandon such potentially important therapy during adolescence.

[0006] Since airway clearance is such an important part of the management of respiratory diseases with thick mucus, a device using low acoustic waves has been developed as illustrated in United States published patent application No. US 2004/0097250 A1 , which is incorporated herewith by reference. The device has to be applied on the body of the patient and uses an acoustic transducer to generate pressure waves on the body of the patient. Direct contact of the device with the patient increases chances of contamination by spreading pathogen elements from one patient to others.

[0007] Another possible source of contamination is raised with the air exchange required by the acoustic transducer. The generation of pressure waves is created by the vibration of a diaphragm that, as a result of the movements of the diaphragm, enables air transfer between the device and the environment. Air containing potential contaminants could therefore be drawn with the ambient air into the device and vice-versa. [0008] A need, therefore, exists for an improved device adapted to reduce the risk of becoming a contamination vector among patients

SUMMARY

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a treatment interface for use with an acoustic treatment device, comprising a main body having an opening therein, a transducer having a diaphragm positioned within the opening the diaphragm enclosing a chamber within the main body, at least one port positioned on an interior periphery of the opening, at least one channel for channeling air displaced by the diaphragm from the main body chamber to the at least one port, and a coupling chamber receiving portion disposed on an external periphery of the opening, wherein the main body is adapted so as to connect the transducer to the acoustic treatment device

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, the treatment interface is further provided with a coupling chamber including a main body receiving portion adapted to cooperate with the coupling chamber receiving portion to secure the coupling chamber to the main body, a patient-contacting portion, at least one port adapted to communicate with the at least one port of the main body, retaining means for retaining a filtering membrane, a wall on an interior periphery of the coupling chamber, the wall preventing air channeled from the coupling chamber at least one port to communicate with a portion where acoustic waves are propagated

[0011] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] Embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example of a device for treating cystic fibrosis and other respiratory pathologies

[0014] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the mam body of a treatment interface for use with the device of Figure 1

[0015] Figure 3 is a cross-section view of the treatment interface main body of

Figui e 2 in the Ill-Ill plan

[0015] Figure 4 is bottom perspective view of the treatment interface main body of Figure 2,

[001 7] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the treatment interface main body of Figure 2,

[0018] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the treatment interface which includes the treatment interface main body of Figure 2 with a coupling chamber secured thereto

[0019] Figure 7 is a cross-section view of the treatment interface of Figure 6 in the VII-VII plan,

[0020] Figure 8 is a cross-section view of the treatment interface of Figure 6 in the VII-VII plan with the coupling chamber separated from the treatment interface main body,

[0021] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the treatment interface of Figure 6 with the coupling chamber separated from the treatment interface mam body,

[0022] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the filter assembly part of the patient-contacting module,

[0023] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a semi-assembled patient-contacting coupling chamber, and

[0024] Figure 12 is a cross-section view of the coupling chamber

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0025] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details

[0026] Generally stated, the non-limitative illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a treatment interface for use with an acoustic device for treating cystic fibrosis and other respiratory pathologies More precisely, the present invention relates to an acoustic therapeutic device treatment interface with a removable acoustic coupling chamber having a filtering membrane therein, the removable acoustic coupling chamber having a patient-contacting portion adapted to be brought in contact with a patient's skin when using the acoustic therapeutic device

[0027] An example of an acoustic device 100 for treating cystic fibrosis and othei respiratory pathologies is shown in Figure 1 The acoustic device 100 comprises a main unit 10 including an adjustable frequency generator 12 and an adjustable amplifier 14, and a treatment interface 20 including a main body 26 housing an acoustic transducer 22, coupled to a coupling chamber 24 The treatment interface 20 may be permanently or removably connected to the main unit 10 so as to provide signals from the adjustable amplifier 14 to the acoustic transducer 22

[0028] In use, the frequency generator 12 generates signals which are amplified by amplifier 14 and then transformed by acoustic transducer 22 for example a loudspeaker into acoustic waves These acoustic waves are then propagated to a patient by applying the coupling chamber 24 to the chest wall of the patient Advantageously, the coupling chamber 24 is detachably coupled to the treatment interface main body 26 housing the acoustic transducer 22 and is composed of a material which may be sterilized An example of such a device is disclosed in U S Patent No 7,232,417 entitled "ACOUSTIC THERAPEUTIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING CYSTIC FIBROSIS AND OTHER RESPIRATORY PATHOLOGIES" [0029] Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a top perspective view of the main body 26 of a treatment interface 20 (see Figure 1) in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention The treatment interface main body 26 is provided with a holding portion 31 and a coupling chamber receiving portion 34 on the exterior periphery of the treatment interface main body 26 It can be appreciated from the present illustrative embodiment that the coupling chamber receiving portion 34 is circular and is provided with threads 36 adapted to secure the coupling chamber 24 (see Figure 1), which will be described below, thereto The treatment inter^face main body 26 and other parts discussed below may be made of injected plastic or any material suitable for the intended purpose and complying with medical certiiicatton requirements

[0030] Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a cross-section view of the treatment interface main body 26 The acoustic transducer 22 is disposed and recessed inside the treatment interface main body 26, a circular retaining ring 50 being provided on its inside periphery for securing the acoustic transducer 22 The circular retaining ring 50 is either compressed, clipped, or glued in position to ensure the acoustic transducer 22 does not move when in operation

[0031] The acoustic transducer 22 comprises a body 27 defining a rear chamber 28 enclosed by a diaphragm 30 on the side oriented toward the patient The diaphragm 30 is adapted to alternate, as indicated with arrows 32, to a desired frequency to generate acoustic waves based on the action of a voice coil 40 disposed inside the acoustic transducer 22 The movement of the diaphragm 30 creates dynamic variations of the volume of the body 27 Were the body 27 be completely enclosed these variations of volumes would create undesirable pressure changes inside the acoustic transducer 22 Consequently, an opening 42 is provided in the acoustic transducer 22, on the opposite side of the diaphragm 30, to allow air movements between the interior of the acoustic transducer 22 and the environment

[0032] Still referring to Figure 3, the displaced air is channeled as indicated by arrow 44 through the body 27 of the acoustic transducer 22, via an interna! volume 46 (or channel) defined inside the treatment interface main body 26 and through ports 48 to the environment The ports 48 are illustratively disposed in the retaining ring 50 but could be located elsewhere in the treatment interface main body 26 should the retaining ring 50 be of a smaller diameter In Figure 3, the illustrated ports 48 are part of a circular array of ports disposed on the interior periphery of the trealment interface main body 26 The flow of air 44 is kept within the boundary formed by the treatment interface main body 26 to be channeled through the coupling chamber 24 (not shown in Figure 3) that will be discussed below in greater details The number of ports 48 and the size of each port 48 can be precisely selected to obtain a predetermined restriction or to avoid any restriction at all Moreover, the ports 48 are directed toward the patient in a distinct chamber 49 to prevent establishing communication with the exterior side of the diaphragm 30

[0033] A protection membrane 52 is disposed on and secured to the retaining ring 50 to prevent any direct contact with the diaphragm 30 while allowing acoustic waves to pass therethrough with negligible influence thereto

[0034] Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a bottom perspective view of the treatment interface main body 26, clearly depicting the acoustic transducer 22 and its diaphragm 30 within It can be appreciated that the acoustic transducer 22 is held in place with the retaining ring 50 discussed above Each thread 36 is respectively covering about one quarter of the whole circumference of the treatment interface main body 26 to allow the securing the corresponding coupling chamber 24 (not shown in Figure 4) thereto in about one quarter of a turn It is to be understood that othei means for securing the coupling chamber 24 to the treatment interface main body 26 may be used and are encompassed by the present disclosure

[0035] An exploded view of the treatment interface main body 26 is shown in

Figure 5 The acoustic transducer 22 is positioned inside the treatment interface main body 26 and held between two supporting rings 38 Each supporting ring 38 is sized and designed to interface with both the interior of the treatment interface main body 26 and the body 27 of the acoustic transducer 22 The supporting rings 38 may be made of injected polymer or other suitable material that could additionally relatively insulate the treatment interface main body 26 and the acoustic transducer 22 against vibrations that could be transferred therebetween The retaining ring 50 secures the acoustic transducer 22 inside the treatment interface main body 26 and receives the protection membrane 52 thereon The protection membrane 52 is further secured to the retaining ring 50 with an array of fasteners 54 [0036] Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown the treatment interface

20 with the coupling chamber 24 secured to the treatment interface main body 26 The hollowed coupling chamber 24 defines a patient-contacting portion 62 adapted to be brought in contact with a patient's skin when using the acoustic device 100 The patient-contacting portion 62 creates a seal with the skin of the patient to ensure proper acoustic waves transfer to the patient It also prevents the treatment interface main body 26 from directly contacting the skin of the patient For reasons of comfort and safety, the patient-contacting portion 62 may be rounded with filets and radiuses to prevent hurting the skin of the patient

[0037] Referring to Figure 7, the coupling chamber 24 is provided with a frusto- conical shape directing the acoustic waves 80 toward the patient Moreover, the ports 48 disposed on the treatment interface main body 26 communicate with corresponding ports 72 disposed in the coupling chamber 24 It can be appreciated that the ports 48, 72 are communicating with the environment 110 without interfering with the path of the acoustic waves 80 It can also be appreciated that the air channeled through the ports 48 passes through a filtering membrane 68 to prevent any contamination caused by the air It also has to be noted that the filtering membrane 68 is pinched by small walls 74 provided on retaining screens 70 to secure the filtering membrane 68 therebetween and prevent lateral passage of air in the filtering membrane 68 t e from ports 48 and 72, to communicate with the portion where acoustic waves 80 are propagated In an alternative embodiment, the coupling chamber 24 may be designed such as to prevent lateral passage of air in the filtering membrane 68 to communicate with the portion where acoustic waves 80 are propagated using, for example, a wall within the interior periphery of the coupling chamber 24

[0038] Figure 8 shows the coupling chamber 24 disassembled from its corresponding coupling chamber receiving portion 34 The coupling chamber 24 defines corresponding main body receiving portion 64 cooperating with the coupling chamber receiving portion 34 to secure the coupling chamber 24 to the treatment interface mam body 26 The main body receiving portion 64 comprises threads 66 adapted to be secured to the corresponding threads 36 of the coupling chamber receiving portion 34 As briefly mentioned above, the coupling chamber 24 includes a filtering membrane 68 secured between two retaining screens 70 Further to this, the coupling chamber 24 ports 72 are adapted to be aligned and to communicate with the corresponding ports 48 of the retaining ring 50

[0039] The exchange of air between the rear chamber 28 of the acoustic transducer 22, indicated with a series of arrows identified with numeral reference 44, is channeled from the rear chamber 28 through the internal volume 46 in the treatment interface mam body 26, through the ports 48 of the retaining ring 50 through the filtering membrane 68 and the ports 72 of the coupling chamber 24 and, finally, to the environment 110 The opposite process happens when air is aspired into the treatment interface main body 26 This prevents unfiltered air from the environment 1 10 to enter the interior of the treatment interface mam body 26, and vice-versa, to avoid any risk of contamination of the treatment interface main body 26 with pathogen elements found in the environment, and vice-versa The filtering membrane 68 also covers the protection membrane 52 and the diaphragm 30 against direct contact thereto In other words the filtering membrane 68 once the coupling chamber 24 is secured to the treatment interface main body 26, is a boundary to any exchange or particles, germs or bacteria between the interior of the treatment interface mam body 26 and the environment 1 10

[0040] The coupling chamber 24 reduces the risk of contamination by having only the patient-contacting portion 62 actually entering in contact with the skin of the patient The coupling chamber 24 can be changed when needed to reduce the likelihood of pathogen elements transfer among patients Only the coupling chamber 24 is changed and the treatment interface main body 26 is reusable to minimize the operating costs of the acoustic device 100

[0041] As it can be appreciated from Figure 9, the coupling chamber 24 is removable and replaceable as required by unscrewing and separating the coupling chamber 24 from the treatment interface main body 26

[0042] The coupling chamber 24 assembly is shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12 with additional details The first retaining screen 70 is inserted inside the body of the coupling chamber 24 Then, the filtering membrane 68 is installed on top of the first retaining screen 70 and covered with a second retaining screen 70 secured in position to ensure the filtering membrane 68 remains in place Pressure is applied on the second retaining screen 70 so secure it in place by engaging a groove defined inside the coupling chamber 24 It is to be understood that other retaining means may be used

[0043] It is to be understood that replacement coupling chambers and filtering membranes may be provided separately or combined

[0044] It is also to be understood that in an alternative embodiment the shape of the coupling chamber receiving portion 34 and of the coupling chamber 24 may vary

[0045] The description and the drawings that are presented herein are meant to be illustrative of the present invention They are not meant to be limiting of the scope of the present invention Modifications to the embodiments described may be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims

Claims

What is claimed is

1 A treatment interface for use with an acoustic treatment device, comprising a main body having an opening therein, a transducer having a diaphragm positioned within the opening, the diaphragm enclosing a chamber within the main body; at least one port positioned on an interior periphery of the opening, at least one channel for channeling air displaced by the diaphragm from the main body chamber to the at least one port, and a coupling chamber receiving portion disposed on an external periphery of the opening wherein the main body is adapted so as to connect the transducer to the acoustic treatment device

2 A treatment interface according to claim 1 , wherein the main body includes a holding portion

3 A treatment interface according to claim 1 , further comprising a protection membrane disposed over the diaphragm so as to prevent direct contact with the diaphragm

4 A treatment interface according to claim 1 , further comprising a removable coupling chamber, the coupling chamber including a main body receiving portion adapted to cooperate with the coupling chamber receiving portion to secure the coupling chamber to the mam body, a patient-contacting portion, at least one port adapted to communicate with the at least one port of the main body, retaining means for retaining a filtering membrane, a wall on an interior periphery of the coupling chamber, the wall preventing air channeled from the coupling chamber at least one port to communicate with a portion where acoustic waves are propagated A treatment interface according to claim 4, wherein the patient-contacting portion is adapted so as to create a seal with the skin of the patient to ensure proper acoustic waves transfer to the patient A treatment interface according to claim 4, wherein the coupling chamber is of a frusto-conical shape having a top part forming the patient-contacting portion A treatment interface according to claim 4 wherein the retaining means include at least one screen A treatment interface according to claim 4, wherein the wall is provided by the retaining means A treatment interface according to claim 4, wherein the main body receiving portion and the coupling chamber receiving portion cooperate using corresponding threads A treatment interface according to claim 4, wherein the coupling chamber further comprises a filtering membrane A treatment interface according to claim 10, wherein the filtering membrane is retained between a pair of retaining screens A treatment interface according to claim 4, wherein the retaining means are removable A removable coupling chamber for use with the treatment interface of any of claims 1 to 3, the coupling chamber including a main body receiving portion adapted to cooperate with the coupling chamber receiving portion to secure the coupling chamber to the main body, a patient-contacting portion, at least one port adapted to communicate with the at least one port of the mam body, retaining means for retaining a filtering membrane, a wall on an interior periphery of the coupling chamber, the wall preventing air channeled from the coupling chamber at least one port to communicate with a portion where acoustic waves are propagated A coupling chamber according to claim 13, wherein the patient-contacting portion is adapted so as to create a seal with the skin of the patient to ensure proper acoustic waves transfer to the patient A coupling chamber according to claim 13 wherein the coupling chamber is of a frusto-conical shape having a top part forming the patient-contacting portion A coupling chamber according to claim 13 wherein the retaining means include at least one screen A coupling chamber according to claim 13, wherein the wall is provided by the retaining means A coupling chamber according to claim 13, wherein the main body receiving portion includes threads for cooperating with corresponding threads of the coupling chamber receiving portion A coupling chamber according to claim 13, wherein the coupling chamber further comprises a filtering membrane A coupling chamber according to claim 19 wherein the filtering membrane is retained between a pair of retaining screens A treatment interface for use with an acoustic treatment device, comprising a mam body having an opening therein, a transducer having a diaphragm positioned within the opening, the diaphragm enclosing a chamber within the main body, at least one port positioned on an interior periphery of the opening at least one channel for channeling air displaced by the diaphragm from the main body chamber to the at least one port, a coupling chamber receiving portion disposed on an external periphery of the opening a removable coupling chamber including a main body receiving portion adapted to cooperate with the coupling chamber receiving portion to secure the coupling chamber to the main body a patient-contacting portion, at least one port adapted to communicate with the at least one port of the main body, a removable pair of retaining screens for retaining a filtering membrane, the retaining screens defining a wall on an interior periphery of the coupling chamber, the wall preventing air channeled from the coupling chamber at least one port to communicate with a portion where acoustic waves are propagated, wherein the main body is adapted so as to connect the transducer to the acoustic treatment device A treatment interface according to claim 21 , wherein the patient-contacting portion is adapted so as to create a seal with the skin of the patient to ensure proper acoustic waves transfer to the patient A treatment interface according to claim 21 , wherein the coupling chamber is of a frusto-conical shape having a top part forming the patient-contacting portion A treatment interface according to claim 21 , wherein the main body receiving portion and the coupling chamber receiving portion cooperate using corresponding threads A treatment interface according to claim 21 , further comprising a filtering membrane