MULTIFUNCTIONAL MANUAL ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION BAG

Abstract

Described is a manual artificial respiration bag (1) having a deformable bag (2) with a gas inlet (4), a gas outlet (3) and an inner volume (5); a downstream conduct element (100) fluidly connected to the gas outlet (3) and comprising an exhaust valve (110) with an exhaust port (111); a downstream one-way valve (50, 55) arranged into the downstream conduct element (100) that is configured for allowing a flow of respiratory gas to pass through said downstream one-way valve (50, 55) only toward the exhaust valve (110). The manual artificial respiration bag (1) further has a mobile port-closure (124), actuatable by a user, cooperating with the exhaust port (111) of the exhaust valve (110) for at least partially closing said exhaust port (111) thereby controlling the flow of respiratory gas passing through the exhaust port (111) of the exhaust valve (110).

Claims

1. A manual artificial respiration bag (1) comprising: a deformable bag (2) comprising a gas inlet (4), a gas outlet (3) and an inner volume (5) for a respiratory gas, a downstream conduct element (100) fluidly connected to the gas outlet (3) of the deformable bag (2), and comprising an exhaust valve (110) comprising an exhaust port (111), and a downstream one-way valve (50, 55) arranged into the downstream conduct element (100), said downstream one-way valve (50, 55) being configured for allowing a flow of respiratory gas to pass through said downstream one-way valve (50, 55) only toward the exhaust valve (110), characterized in that the manual artificial respiration bag (1) further comprises a mobile port-closure (124), actuatable by a user, cooperating with the exhaust port (111) of the exhaust valve (110) and configured for at least partially closing said exhaust port (111) thereby controlling the flow of respiratory gas passing through the exhaust port (111) of the exhaust valve (110).

2. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile port-closure (124) is arranged on a mobile support-structure (121) actuatable by the user.

3. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 2, characterized in that the mobile port-closure (124) at least partially closes said exhaust port (111) in response to an actuation of the mobile support-structure (121) by a rotation, pivoting or translation of the mobile support-structure (121) by the user.

4. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile port-closure (124) cooperates with the exhaust port (111) of the exhaust valve (110) for partially closing said exhaust port (111) thereby limiting the flow of respiratory gas passing through said exhaust port (111) of the exhaust valve (110), during the expiration phases of a patient.

5. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 2, characterized in that the mobile support-structure (121) carrying the mobile port-closure (124) is rotatable, pivotable or translatable.

6. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile port-closure (124) comprises a closing flap or wall (125).

7. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 2, characterized in that the mobile support-structure (121) carrying the port-closure (124) is coupled to the downstream conduct element (100).

8. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 2, characterized in that the mobile port-closure (124) is arranged on the exhaust valve (110).

9. A manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the downstream one-way valve (50, 55) comprises a valve support (55) arranged into the downstream conduct element (100) and a flexible valve body (50).

10. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 9, characterized in that: the flexible valve body (50) has an umbrella-shape comprising a disk-shape body (52) and a rod element (51) integral with said disk-shape body (52), and the valve-support (55) comprises a support orifice, the rod element (51) of the flexible valve body (50) traversing said support orifice of the valve-support (55).

11. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the manual artificial respiration bag further comprises an upstream conduct element (200) fluidly connected to the gas inlet (4) of the deformable bag (2), said upstream conduct element (200) comprising: a PEP exhaust valve (210) fluidly communicating with the ambient atmosphere and adapted for venting gas to the atmosphere when the gas pressure, into the upstream conduct element (200), exceeds a given pressure threshold, and an air admission valve (220) in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, and/or an oxygen port (230) for connecting an oxygen source.

12. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 11, characterized in that the PEP exhaust valve (210) arranged in the upstream conduct element (200) comprises PEP-setting control for setting the desired pressure threshold.

13. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 11, characterized in that: the upstream conduct element (200) further comprises a reservoir port (201) for fluidly connecting a flexible gas reservoir (80), and the downstream conduct element (100) further comprises an interface port (140) for fluidly connecting a respiratory interface (70).

14. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 11, characterized in that the manual artificial respiration bag further comprises: an upstream one-way valve (30) arranged into the upstream conduct element (200) between the deformable bag (2) and the PEP exhaust valve (210), said upstream one-way valve (30) being configured for allowing a flow of respiratory gas to pass through said upstream one-way valve (30) only toward the deformable bag (2), and/or a flow-restriction element (40) arranged into the downstream conduct element (100).

15. The manual artificial respiration bag according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises: a flexible gas reservoir (80) fluidly connected to the reservoir port (201) of the upstream conduct element (200), and/or a respiratory interface (70) fluidly connected the interface port (140) of the downstream conduct element (100), preferably by means of a ball-head connector (150), and/or an oxygen source fluidly connected (90) to the oxygen port (230) of the upstream conduct element (200).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] For a further understanding of the nature and objects for the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:

[0060] FIG. 1 represents a side view of an embodiment of a manual artificial respiration bag according to the present invention,

[0061] FIG. 2 represents a side view of an embodiment of a manual artificial respiration bag according to the present invention,

[0062] FIG. 3 is an exploded scheme of a manual artificial respiration bag of according to the present invention,

[0063] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 3,

[0064] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 4,

[0065] FIG. 6 shows the rotatable member of the resistance setting means in a first position, wherein the exhaust port is fully open (i.e. not closed),

[0066] FIG. 7 shows the rotatable member of the resistance setting means in a first position, wherein the exhaust port is fully open (i.e. not closed),

[0067] FIG. 8 shows the rotatable member of the resistance setting means in a second position, wherein the exhaust port is partially closed,

[0068] FIG. 9 shows the rotatable member of the resistance setting means in a second position, wherein the exhaust port is partially closed,

[0069] FIG. 10 is a scheme of the downstream conduct element and the resistance setting means of a manual artificial respiration bag of according to the present invention, shown in the first position,

[0070] FIG. 11 is a scheme of the downstream conduct element and the resistance setting means of a manual artificial respiration bag of according to the present invention, shown in the second position, and

[0071] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the downstream conduct element and the resistance setting means of a manual artificial respiration bag of according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0072] FIGS. 1 and 2 represent side views of an embodiment of a manual artificial respiration bag 1 according to the present invention. Said manual artificial respiration bag 1 generally comprises a deformable bag 2, i.e. flexible hollow bag, comprising an inner volume 5 for receiving a respiratory gas, such as air or a mixture of air and oxygen, on which a user, such as a rescuer (e.g. a physician), can exert a manual-pressure, i.e. that can be manually squeezed, for providing the respiratory gas to a patient, i.e. expelling the gas contained into the deformable bag 2 toward a patient in need thereof.

[0073] The deformable bag 2 further comprises a gas inlet 4 for introducing a respiratory gas into the inner volume 5 of the deformable bag 2 and a gas outlet 3 for delivering gas, while the deformable bag 2 is squeezed by a user. The deformable bag 2 is typically made of flexible material, typically a polymer material and has an inner volume 5 of preferably less than 2 L (i.e. when filled with water), for instance of about 1 L.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manual artificial respiration bag 1 further comprises an upstream conduct element 200 fluidly connected to the gas inlet 4 of the deformable bag 2, and a downstream conduct element 100 fluidly connected to the gas outlet 3 of the deformable bag 2.

[0075] Both upstream and downstream conduct elements 200, 100 have a generally-tubular shape comprising a lumen for conveying the gas.

[0076] The upstream conduct element 200 comprises a PEP exhaust valve 210 fluidly communicating with the ambient atmosphere for venting gas (i.e. an over-pressure) to the atmosphere when the gas pressure, into the upstream conduct element 200, i.e. in its lumen, exceeds a given pressure threshold. In other words, the PEP exhaust valve 210 prevents gas overpressures in the deformable bag 2 and/or in the upstream conduct element 200 fluidly connected to the gas inlet 4 of the deformable bag 2.

[0077] The upstream conduct element 200 further comprises an air admission valve 220 in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, for providing ambient air to the upstream conduct element 200, and preferably an oxygen port 230 (shown in FIG. 3) for connecting an oxygen source thereto, such as an oxygen cylinder, for providing additional oxygen to the upstream conduct element 200 and thereby obtaining an oxygen/air mixture. The oxygen source is fluidly connected to the oxygen port 230 by means of a gas line 90 comprising gas connectors 91 or plugs, such as a flexible hose or the like, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] Further, an upstream one-way valve 30 (shown in FIG. 3) is arranged into the upstream conduct element 200 between the deformable bag 2 and the PEP exhaust valve 210, which is configured for allowing a flow of respiratory gas to pass through said upstream one-way valve 30 only toward the deformable bag 2, i.e. in the direction of the deformable bag 2.

[0079] The upstream conduct element 200 also comprises a reservoir port 201 for fluidly connecting a flexible gas reservoir 80, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0080] Furthermore, the downstream conduct elements 100 may optionally comprise an over-pressure valve 130 (in some embodiments, such an over-pressure valve 130 may be not necessary) for venting to the atmosphere any over pressure in said downstream conduct elements 100, i.e. in its lumen.

[0081] The downstream conduct elements 100 further includes an exhaust valve 110 with an exhaust port 111 for venting to the atmosphere, the CO.sub.2-enriched gases expired by the patient and/or coming out of the lungs of the patient.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 3-5 and 12, a downstream one-way valve 50, 55 is arranged into the downstream conduct element 100, i.e. into its lumen, for instance between the over-pressure valve 130 (when present) and the exhaust valve 110, and is configured for allowing a flow of respiratory gas to pass through said downstream one-way valve 50, 55 only toward the exhaust valve 110. In other words, the role of the downstream one-way valve 50, 55 is to control the way that the gas circulates into the downstream one-way valve 50, 55.

[0083] The respiratory gas, such as air or an air/O.sub.2 mixture, flowing out of the deformable bag 2, when squeezed by a medical staff for instance, passes through the downstream conduct element 100 that is fluidly connected to the gas outlet 3 of the deformable bag 2, and is subsequently delivered to the patient's airways, by means of a respiratory interface 70, such as a facial mask, a laryngeal mask, an endotracheal tube or the like that fluidly connected to an interface port 140 of the downstream conduct element 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, preferably by means of a ball-head 151 hollow connector 150 or any other suitable tubular-connector. The interface port 140 of the downstream conduct element 100 can be arranged on a gas delivery conduct 141 branched to the downstream conduct element 100.

[0084] Advantageously, the manual resuscitation bag 1 can comprise a handle (not shown) or the like for transporting it.

[0085] The PEP exhaust valve 210 comprises a rotatable member 211, such as a rotating knob or the like, actuatable by a user, namely a rescuer, a valve body 212 and means 213 for setting a desired pressure threshold including pressure adjusting means arranged into the valve body 212. Said pressure adjusting means 213 comprise a piston head, a spring element, such as a cylindrical spring, and a valve seat cooperating with the piston head for adjusting the pressure threshold as shown in FIG. 3. The PEP exhaust valve 210 further comprises several markings corresponding to several settable pressure values, typically overpressure values of between 0 and 30 cm H.sub.2O. In this aim, the rotatable member 211 further comprises an inner axially-projecting bulb (not visible), which cooperates with the pressure adjusting means 213 for adjusting the pressure threshold.

[0086] Further, the manual resuscitation bag 1 according to the invention can also comprise additional elements or features as explained below.

[0087] Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the upstream conduct element 200 further comprises an air admission valve 220 in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, an oxygen port 230 or entry for fluidly connecting a source of an oxygen-containing gas, such as or including a gas cylinder containing oxygen, which is delivered during insufflation phases. Such source of an oxygen-containing gas can be fluidly connected, via an oxygen line, such as a gas conduct, to the oxygen port 230 of the upstream conduct element 200. In this case, the flexible bag 2 can be filled with a mixture of oxygen and ambient air provided by the air admission valve 220 in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere.

[0088] Furthermore, the downstream conduct element 100 fluidly connected to the gas outlet 3 of the deformable bag 2, comprises an exhaust valve 110 with an exhaust port 111, and a downstream one-way valve 50, 55 configured for allowing a flow of respiratory gas to pass through said downstream one-way valve 50, 55 only toward the exhaust valve 110, while circulating into the lumen of said downstream conduct element 100.

[0089] According to the present invention, the manual resuscitation bag 1 according to the invention further comprises mobile port-closing means 124, actuatable by a user, cooperating with the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110 for at least partially closing said exhaust port 111 thereby controlling the flow of respiratory gas passing through the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110.

[0090] The mobile port-closing means 124 are arranged on a mobile support-structure 121 actuatable by the user.

[0091] Said mobile port-closing means are configured for at least partially closing the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110 in response to an actuation of the support-structure 121 by the user, typically to a rotation, pivoting or translation of the support-structure 121.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the mobile adjusting member 121 is rotatable, i.e. can be turned clockwise or counter-clockwise by the user, and is further coupled to the downstream conduct element 100. Nevertheless, other embodiments are possible, such as a pivoting or translating element, for instance a rigid curtain or the like, directly arranged on the exhaust valve 110.

[0093] More generally speaking, the mobile port-closing means 124 cooperate with the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110 for partially closing said exhaust port 111 thereby limiting the flow of respiratory gas passing through said exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110, during the expiration phases of a patient. Of course, in opposite, if no flow limitation is desired, the port-closing means 124 are removed from the exhaust port 111 so that said exhaust port 111 is free, i.e. widely open, thereby letting a maximum flow of gas exiting through said exhaust port 111.

[0094] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the mobile port-closing means 124 coupled to the downstream conduct element 100 comprise a closing flap or wall 125 (shown in FIG. 6) that can partially occlude the exhaust port 111.

[0095] More precisely, the closing flap or wall 125 carried by the support-structure 121 that can be actuated by the user, typically rotated/turned (i.e. pivot), between several angular positions comprising: [0096] as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a first angular position wherein it does not occlude/close the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110 so that a maximum flow of gas can be released to the atmosphere through said exhaust port 111, during the expiratory phases of a patient using such a bag 1, [0097] as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a second angular position wherein it does occlude/close almost all of the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110, for instance about 90 or 95% of it (i.e. of its surface area), so that a minimum flow of gas can be released to the atmosphere through said exhaust port 111, during the expiratory phases of the patient, thereby increasing the flow resistance for the patient.

[0098] Of course other intermediary angular positions do also exist between said first angular position and second angular position, for more or less occluding/closing the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110.

[0099] Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the downstream one-way valve 50, 55 comprises a valve support 55 arranged into the downstream conduct element 100 and a flexible valve body 50. The mobile adjusting member 121 acts directly or indirectly on the flexible valve body 50, when actuated by the user. The flexible valve body 50 is sandwiched between the mobile adjusting member 121 and the valve support 55. In the embodiment shown, the flexible valve body 50 of the downstream one-way valve 50, 55 has an umbrella-shape comprising a disk-shape body 52 and a rod element 51 integral with said disk-shape body 52, whereas the valve-support 55 comprises a support orifice, the rod element 51 of the flexible valve body 50 traversing said support orifice of the valve-support 55, i.e. the rod element 51 is positioned into the support orifice.

[0100] Preferably, as visible in FIGS. 4, 5, 10 and 11, the support-structure 121 further comprises one or several guiding-pins 123, whereas the downstream conduct element 100 comprises one or several guiding-grooves 101 that receive and guide the guiding-pins 123 and hence the motion of the support-structure 121, when the support-structure 121 is rotated by the user, for instance two guiding-pins 123 cooperating with two guiding-groove 101.

[0101] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the support-structure 121 is a rotatable hand-wheel or the like having a general-tubular shape, and further comprising a annular part 126 that can be hand-gripped by the user for allowing said user to turn the hand-wheel clockwise or counterclockwise for closing or opening the exhaust port 111 of the exhaust valve 110 as above explained.

[0102] The closing flap 125 can be fixed to or carried by the outer wall of the rotatable support-structure 121. For instance, said closing flap or wall 125 can be made in one-piece, for instance molded in one-piece, with the support-structure 121. In other words, the support-structure 121 can be configured or designed to exhibit such a closing flap or wall 125, or the like.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the mobile port-closing means 124 can be fixed to another part of the manual resuscitation bag 1, in particular of the downstream conduct 100, i.e. not associated to or integral with the rotatable adjusting member 121.

[0104] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is also provided a flow-restriction element 40, such as a disk element carrying a calibrated orifice that is arranged into the downstream conduct element 100 for regulating the flow of gas delivered by the flexible reservoir 2.

[0105] The manual artificial respiration bag of the present can be used in various situations, for instance for resuscitating a person in state of cardiac arrest or the like, or for ventilation a person during transportation from one place to another place, in the field, in hospital, at the patient's home, in emergency vehicles or in any other place.

[0106] It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments in the examples given above.