DISPOSABLE FILTER WITH IMPRINT

Abstract

A disposable filter (100), for use in a breathing circuit of a ventilator, includes a filter housing (110), which encloses a filter material (112) of the disposable filter. The filter housing has a first filter opening (118) and a second filter opening (119) for the respective connection of a gas-carrying (gas-guiding) component, especially of a respective tube, for a gas to be carried through the disposable filter. The filter material is arranged between the first filter opening and the second filter opening. The disposable filter has on the filter housing an imprint (120), which is arranged on the filter housing by a printing process, and which forms a structured surface (122). The structured surface can be written on and includes at least seven check (marking) areas (124).

Claims

1. A disposable filter for use in a breathing circuit of a ventilator, the disposable filter comprising: a filter housing; a filter material, wherein the filter housing encloses the filter material of the disposable filter, the filter housing has a first filter opening and a second filter opening for a respective connection of a gas-carrying component for a gas to be passed through the disposable filter and the filter material arranged between the first filter opening and the second filter opening; and an imprint on the filter housing, wherein the imprint is arranged on the filter housing by a printing process, and which imprint forms a structured surface, wherein the structured surface can be written on, and wherein the structured surface comprises at least seven marking regions.

2. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structured surface has a roughness configured so as to be written on with a pen.

3. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structured surface further comprises, a clock area by means of which a time can be marked on the structured surface.

4. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structured surface is a contiguous surface.

5. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 4, wherein the structured surface is a surface enclosing the first filter opening or the second filter opening in an at least partly circularly.

6. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structured surface comprises a product identification for the disposable filter.

7. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein a color of the imprint indicates a filter type of the disposable filter from a predefined group of filter types.

8. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structured surface comprises an iconographic symbol, which indicates an ability to write on the structured surface for a user of the disposable filter.

9. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the disposable filter is selected from the group comprising an HME filter, an electrostatic filter, a mechanical filter and combinations thereof.

10. A disposable filter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the printing process that arranges the imprint on the filter housing is a pad printing process.

11. A process for printing on a disposable filter, the process comprising the steps of: providing a filter housing: printing on the filter housing by means of a printing process to arrange a corresponding imprint on the filter housing, which imprint forms a structured surface, wherein the structured surface is configured to be written on, and wherein the structured surface comprises at least seven marking regions.

12. A process according to claim 11, further comprising providing a filter material, wherein: the filter housing encloses the filter material of the disposable filter; the filter housing has a first filter opening and a second filter opening for a respective connection of a gas-carrying component for a gas to be passed through the disposable filter; the filter material is arranged between the first filter opening and the second filter opening; and the printing process that arranges the imprint on the filter housing is a pad printing process.

13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the structured surface has a surface roughness configured so as to be written on with a pen.

14. A process according to claim 12, wherein the structured surface further comprises, a clock area by means of which a time can be marked on the structured surface.

15. A process according to claim 12, wherein the structured surface is a contiguous surface.

16. A process in accordance with claim 15, wherein the structured surface is a surface enclosing the first filter opening or the second filter opening in an at least partly circularly.

17. A process according to claim 12, wherein the structured surface comprises a product identification for the disposable filter.

18. A process according to claim 12, wherein a color of the imprint indicates a filter type of the disposable filter from a predefined group of filter types.

19. A process according to claim 12, wherein the structured surface comprises an iconographic symbol, which indicates an ability to write on the structured surface for a user of the disposable filter.

20. A process according to claim 12, wherein the disposable filter is selected from the group comprising an HME filter, an electrostatic filter, a mechanical filter and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a disposable filter according to the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the disposable filter and showing an imprint of the disposable filter according to the present invention according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a top view showing a disposable filter according to a second exemplary embodiment according to the present invention and showing an imprint of the disposable filter;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a top view showing a disposable filter according to a third exemplary embodiment according to the present invention and showing an imprint of the disposable filter; and

[0042] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a process according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a disposable filter 100 according to the present invention.

[0044] The disposable filter 100 is configured for use in a breathing circuit of a ventilator. The disposable filter 100 has, for this purpose, a common filter housing 110, which encloses a filter material 112 of the disposable filter 100. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the filter housing 110 is comprised of a first housing component 114 with a first port 115 for a tube or a Y-piece and of a second housing component 116 with a second port 117 for a gas-carrying (gas guiding) component, in the present case a tube or a device-side port. The two housing components 114, 116 are connected to one another in a positive-locking manner by means of welding, especially by means of ultrasound welding. Housing components of the filter housing in an alternative exemplary embodiment are connected to one another permanently, and especially in a non-detachable manner, by means of a bond, by means of a sealed latching mechanism or the like. A respective filter opening 118, 119 is provided in the corresponding housing components 114, 116 for providing the two ports 115, 117. In this case, the two filter openings 118, 119 are arranged such that the filter material 112 is located between the first filter opening 118 and the second filter opening 119. The two ports 115, 117 are configured in the exemplary embodiment shown with a plurality of coaxial interfaces for tubes, a Y-piece or a device-side port. The filter housing 110 is preferably made of polypropylene.

[0045] According to the present invention, an imprint 120 is provided on the filter housing 110, which is arranged on the filter housing 110 by means of a pad printing process. This imprint 120 forms a structured surface 122, i.e., a surface, which is visually subdivided into a certain structure, namely into seven check (marking) areas 124, among others, in the present case. The structured surface 122 can in this case is configured to be written on. The provision of a pad printing with a corresponding printing characteristic in order to make possible a surface that can be written on is already known and will therefore not be explained in detail below.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the seven check (marking) areas 124 are formed by seven numbers from 1 to 7, which represent the seven days of the week. In an alternative or additional exemplary embodiment, the check (marking) areas are formed or complemented by at least one respective letter, which indicates the day corresponding to this check area or marking area.

[0047] It is possible to note rapidly and intuitively when the corresponding disposable filter 100 was used by means of the check (marking) areas shown.

[0048] The structured surface 122 can in this case be written on with a pen. The structured surface 122 has thus such a roughness whereby an ability to write on by means of a pen is possible. In particular, the structured surface has a surface roughness configured for being written on by a pen.

[0049] Furthermore, it is shown that a drainage closure 130 for closing a corresponding drainage opening is provided. This drainage closure 130 is preferably closed before a first-time use of the disposable filter 100. The additional opening offers the user via a corresponding port the possibility to suction condensation water out of the filter in order to increase a use time of the filter, since this filter does not need to be replaced after the collection of a critical quantity of water. A closure for closing the corresponding filter opening in one exemplary embodiment, not shown, is provided at least for the first port. This closure is preferably closed before a first-time use of the disposable filter.

[0050] In one exemplary embodiment, not shown, the closure is secured on the port by means of a glued seal before the first-time use. The seal ensures in this case that the closure has not inadvertently come off after manufacture, so that the disposable filter would already possibly be limited in its ability to function.

[0051] The color of the structured surface 122 preferably indicates a filter type of the disposable filter 100 from a predefined group of filter types. In the exemplary embodiment being shown, the disposable filter 100 is a mechanical filter. As an alternative or in addition, the filter may be an electrostatic filter or an HME filter. Such filter types preferably have an imprint 120 of a different color than the mechanical filter shown.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a view of an imprint 120 of the disposable filter 100 according to the present invention according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0053] This view illustrates that the check (marking) areas 124 can be recognized and checked (marked) in a rapid and simple manner after the disposable filter 100 was used at a patient. Furthermore, this view illustrates that a check (marking) area, which was checked, ticked, circled or marked in a similar manner, can be detected clearly by the corresponding health care staff in order to decide whether the disposable filter has to be replaced or not.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the number 1 may correspond, for example, to Monday, and the number 7 may correspond to Sunday. Thus, it can be rapidly detected via the marked number, on which day the disposable filter 100 was used.

[0055] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a respective view of an imprint 320, 420 of a disposable filter 300, 400 according to the present invention according to a second exemplary embodiment and according to a third exemplary embodiment.

[0056] The disposable filter 300 shown in FIG. 3 differs from the disposable filter 100 exclusively by its imprint 320.

[0057] The imprint 320 comprises, in addition to the seven check (marking) areas 124, a round clock area 325, by means of which a time can be noted, at which the disposable filter 300 was used. The clock area 325 has, for this purpose, an hour indication 326 from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock and a symbol, which indicates by means of the abbreviation 327 “am” and “pm” whether the time is in the morning or in the afternoon. Thus, for example, the symbol “am” may be checked or otherwise marked and, in addition, a dash may be drawn at 3:00, so that it is clear that the time is 3 o'clock in the afternoon, i.e., it is 3 pm. In addition, it is made clear by means of the marking of one of the seven check (marking) areas 124 on which day the disposable filter was used at this corresponding time.

[0058] The disposable filter 300 with its imprint 320 is therefore especially advantageous for the use of a disposable filter, which shall be used for only a few hours, especially for less than 48 hours, and preferably for less than 24 hours. For such filters, an indication, which allows a time resolution of individual hours, and not only of days, is provided as a possibility of identification on the imprint 320.

[0059] The clock area 325 is a round clock area in the exemplary embodiment shown. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the clock area is a rectangular clock area and/or a free text field, by means of which the current time can be written down on the imprint 320. In this alternative exemplary embodiment, not shown, a greater manual effort is necessary though due to the entry of the time; however, the disposable filter in this case nevertheless has the advantage that the current data does not have to be entered by hand. This leads to a lower manual effort and additionally to a lower risk of errors when the use date is entered.

[0060] In addition, the imprint 320 has on its structured surface 322 an iconographic symbol 328, namely a stylized pen located adjacent to the check (marking) areas 124. It is indicated by this iconographic symbol 128 that the surface connected to it, i.e., the structured surface 322, can be written on for the user of the disposable filter 300.

[0061] The disposable filter 400 shown in FIG. 4 differs from the disposable filter 300 exclusively by its imprint 420.

[0062] Thus, the structured surface 422 has, in addition to the check (marking) areas 124 and to the clock area 425, a plurality of product identifications 440, 442, 444, 446. These product identifications are provided, in part, because of regional regulatory requirements. Thus, a product identification may indicate the manner of disposal, relevant ingredients of the material, an intended one-time use of the product, a product name, a manufacturer name or the like. The product identification 442 indicates, for example, that the disposable filter shown is a mechanical filter, in contrast to the HME filter in the present case. In the exemplary embodiment being shown, the disposable filter 400 shown has, for example, the product name “SafeStar 55.” The digits “55” indicate in this case a dead space volume of the filter, which amounts to 55 mL.

[0063] The structured surface 422 is in this case shaped such that the second filter opening 119 shown is enclosed by the structured surface 422 in an at least partly circular manner. The structured surface 420 is a contiguous surface in this case. Unlike the surface 320, the clock area 425 is configured as contiguous with the other areas of the structured surface 420 and is configured as only partly round.

[0064] Due to the structure of the imprint 420 enclosing in a circular manner, namely at least partially encircling, this imprint can be optically detected rapidly, so that correspondingly marked areas and/or areas to be marked of the imprint 420 are also rapidly detected by a user of the disposable filter 400.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a process 500 according to the present invention.

[0066] The process 500 according to the present invention is configured for printing on a disposable filter. The process 500 has for this purpose the steps described below.

[0067] A first step 510 comprises a provision of a filter housing.

[0068] A next step 520 comprises a printing on of the filter housing by means of a printing process, especially by means of a pad printing process, such that a corresponding imprint forms a structured surface, wherein the structured surface can be written on, and wherein the structured surface comprises at least seven check (marking) areas.

[0069] The two steps of the process 500 are carried out in the order described. Thus, first the filter housing is manufactured and then the filter housing is printed on according to the present invention by means of the pad printing process. The time interval between the two steps depends on the manufacturing process selected. At the latest before the pad printing process is carried out, the filter housing is provided for the corresponding device in the sense of step 510 in order to then make it possible to print on the structured surface by means of the corresponding device.

[0070] The process 500 according to the present invention for printing on the disposable filter may be a partial process of a manufacturing process for the corresponding disposable filter. Within the framework of this manufacturing process, typically additional steps are carried out, for example, the insertion of the filter material into the disposable filter and the like. The printing on according to step 520 is especially advantageously carried out as the last process step. As a result, the housing components for all filter variants can be configured as identical parts, before the use is specified by the insertion of the corresponding filter material, so that the printing on according to the present invention is then carried out. Such process steps may especially advantageously be carried out in an automated manner.

[0071] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0072] 100, 300, 400 Disposable filter [0073] 110 Filter housing [0074] 112 Filter material [0075] 114 First housing component [0076] 115 First port [0077] 116 Second housing component [0078] 117 Second port [0079] 118 First filter opening [0080] 119 Second filter opening [0081] 120, 320, 420 Imprint [0082] 122, 322, 422 Structured surface [0083] 124 Check (marking) area [0084] 130 Drainage closure [0085] 325, 425 Clock area [0086] 326 Hour indication [0087] 327 Abbreviation [0088] 328 Iconographic symbol [0089] 440, 442, 444, 446 Product identification [0090] 500 Process [0091] 510, 520 Process steps