Abstract
The invention relates to a cover for a housing of a moisture-heat exchanger for laryngectomized and tracheostomized patients, comprising a cover edge and a number of recesses passing through the cover.
Claims
1. A combination of a shield and a cover for a housing of a moisture-heat exchanger for laryngectomized and tracheostomized patients, the cover comprising a cover edge and a plurality of holes passing through the cover, wherein the shield has a breathing opening; at least one latching element disposed on an inner surface of the cover edge; and wherein the cover edge comprises at least a partially encircling second latching element on an outside of the cover edge and wherein the cover edge is attached in a clamping manner to the housing.
2. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 1, wherein the at least one latching element is circular and encircling and is disposed on the inner surface of the cover edge.
3. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 1, wherein the at least one latching element is distributed over a circumference of the inner surface of the cover edge.
4. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of holes pass through the cover at an angle of approximately 30° to approximately 60° to a normal of a plane of a cover surface.
5. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of holes are bore-holes.
6. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of holes are slots.
7. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 6, wherein fins are disposed between the slots.
8. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 1, comprising the shield having at least a partially encircling inner latching element receiving the second latching element of the cover.
9. The combination of a shield and a cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover is attached to the shield by the second latching element.
10. A combination of a housing and a cover and a shield for a moisture-heat exchanger for laryngectomized and tracheostomized patients, comprising the housing for attachment to the cover having a cover edge and a plurality of holes passing through the cover, the housing comprising a latching element receiver for receiving at least one first latching element of the cover; wherein the at least one first latching element of the cover is disposed on an inner surface of the cover edge; and wherein the cover edge comprises at least a partially encircling second latching element on an outside of the cover edge configered to attach to the shield and wherein the cover edge is attached in a clamping manner to the housing.
11. The combination of a housing and a cover and a shield according to cm 10, wherein the cover is rotatable on the housing.
12. A kit for a laryngectomized and tracheostomized patient comprising a plurality of housings, the housings comprising a latching element receiver, a plurality of covers, the covers comprising a cover edge and a plurality of holes passing through the cover; at least one latching element disposed on an inner surface of the cover edge; and wherein the cover edge comprises at least a partially encircling second latching element on an outside of the cover edge configured to attach to the shield, and a plurality of shields, the shields comprising at least a partially encircling inner latching element receiver and wherein the cover edge is attached in a clamping manner to the housing.
13. The kit according to claim 12, wherein the housings are disposable.
14. The kit according to claim 12, wherein one of the plurality of shields has a different color and/or shape in comparison to another of the plurality of shields.
15. The kit according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of holes including different shapes in comparison to another of the plurality of covers.
16. The kit according to claim 12, wherein one of the plurality of covers has a different color.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 shows a housing;
(2) FIG. 2 shows the housing in a top view;
(3) FIG. 3 shows the housing from FIG. 2 in a sectional view;
(4) FIG. 4 shows a cover with slats;
(5) FIG. 5 shows the cover in a top view;
(6) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of FIG. 5;
(7) FIG. 7 shows another version of a cover, with bore holes;
(8) FIG. 8 shows the cover from FIG. 7 in a top view;
(9) FIG. 9 shows the cover from FIG. 8 in a sectional view;
(10) FIG. 10 shows a shield;
(11) FIG. 11 shows a variation of the shield in a round design;
(12) FIG. 12 shows a variation of the shield in an oval design;
(13) FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of a shield;
(14) FIG. 14 shows a kit composed of a number of housings, a number of covers, and a number of shields;
(15) FIG. 15 shows a method for using a moisture-heat exchanger comprising the kit from FIG. 14;
(16) FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the cover;
(17) FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of the cover from FIG. 16;
(18) FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the cover; and
(19) FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of the cover from FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(20) FIG. 1 shows a housing 10 of a moisture-heat exchanger for tracheostomized and laryngectomized patients. The housing has a housing cylinder sheath 12, and a filter retention device 14. A filter, not shown, in particular made of an open-cell foam, is inserted in the housing 10, and inserted in a tracheostoma device, e.g. a tracheostoma dressing or a tracheal cannula, such that the filter retention device 14 is proximal to the tracheostoma. The filter retention device 14 prevents a unintentional inhalation of the filter. Furthermore, a cover receiver 22 encircling the outside of the housing cylinder sheath can be seen in FIG. 1, which is designed as a bead on the distal side.
(21) FIG. 2 shows the housing 10 in a top view, wherein the filter retention device 14 can be seen in detail. This has two webs 16 disposed in relation to one another, the web ends 17 of which, lying radially outward, are connected to the inner surface of the housing cylinder sheath 12, or transition into this inner surface. It can be seen that a stop 20 is disposed on one of the webs 16, which forms a circular arc in this design. It can further be seen in FIG. 2 that the housing cylinder sheath 12 has three notches 18, which weaken the housing cylinder sheath 12 in a defined manner A radial pressure applied, for example, to the housing cylinder sheath in the region of the notch 18.1 causes the housing cylinder sheath to bend inward. The defined inward bending is substantially limited in terms of its scope by the notches 18.2 and 18.3. Furthermore, the bending inward is limited by the stop 20, such that an unintentional or excessive deformation, or uncontrolled breaking, does not take place.
(22) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of FIG. 2 at the cut This view likewise shows the housing cylinder sheath 12 as well as the filter retention device 14 with the rib 16. It can furthermore be seen that the housing 10 has a bead on the distal side, which forms the cover receiver 22.
(23) FIG. 4 shows a cover 30 for the housing 10 of a moisture-heat exchanger. The cover 30 has a number of holes 34, which are bordered by slats 35. Furthermore, a latching element 33 can be seen in FIG. 4, provided in particular for receiving a shield.
(24) FIG. 5 shows the cover 30 from FIG. 4 in a top view. It can be seen that the slats 35 are angled, and the direct view through the holes 35 is relatively narrow, although it can be seen in FIG. 6 that the holes are large enough, even though they pass diagonally through the cover.
(25) As can be seen in FIG. 6, which is a sectional view of FIG. 5 through the cut VI-VI, the holes 34 pass through the cover 30 at an angle 36 of approx. 45° to the plane 38 of the cover surface 40. Furthermore, the partially encircling second latching element 33 can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6, which encircles the outside of the cover edge 31. As can be seen, for example, in FIG. 6, the cover 30 comprises a cover edge 31, which has a circular first latching element 32 on the inside. This latching element 32 interacts with the cover receiver 22 of the housing to form a first latching connection.
(26) FIGS. 7 to 9 show a further design of the cover 30, in which the holes 34 are designed as bores. The bores pass through the cover, perpendicular to the surface 40 of the cover 30 in the design shown here.
(27) FIG. 10 shows a shield 50 that is to be attached to a cover 30. The shield 50 has an at least partially encircling inner latching element receiver 52, which forms a second latching connection with the second latching element 33 of the cover 30. The shield 50 also has a breathing hole 54, which is designed, in particular, such that when it is placed, or has been placed, on the cover 30, the holes remain entirely unobstructed. In this manner, an unimpeded breathing through the assembled moisture-heat exchanger is enabled. The shield 50 has an edge 56 that encompasses the housing 10 and the cover 30, which ensures, in particular, that the housing and the cover, and potential build-up of the tracheostoma dressing, the tracheal cannula, or the tracheostoma button, are not visible. In this manner, the aesthetic demands of a user are satisfied, because the assembled moisture-heat exchanger described thereby also fulfills a decorative function.
(28) FIG. 11 shows a variation of the shield 50, wherein the shield 50 has a round, in particular circular, design, in particular in terms of its cross section.
(29) FIG. 12 shows a further design of the shield 50, wherein this design has an oval cross section. In particular, the breathing hole 54 has an oval shape.
(30) FIGS. 11 and 12 furthermore show that the breathing hole 54 has a funnel shape. This funnel shape provides, in particular with an intentional closing thereof by the user, a comfortable positioning of the finger on the assembled moisture-heat exchanger.
(31) FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of a shield 50. The cut passes through the interruptions 51 of the groove of the latching element receiver 52, which can be seen in FIG. 10. The breathing hole 54 as well as the latching element receiver 52 can be seen therein.
(32) FIG. 14 shows a kit for a moisture-heat exchanger. This has a number of housings 10 and a number of covers 30, as well as a number of shields 50. In the example shown here, in each case two variations of the housing 10, the cover 30, and the shield 50 can be seen. A user, or a healthcare provider, e.g. a user's physician, can select the appropriate components for the moisture-heat exchanger. The size of the housing, or the housing receiver in a tracheostoma dressing or suchlike, as well as the intended functionality and the desired design, play a role thereby. It is preferably provided that the housing is designed as a disposable housing. This has a filter 60, supplied separately or directly therewith, which is placed in the housing. After it has been used, or it has been used for a certain period of time, the housing, together with the filter, or just the filter, is replaced. Furthermore, a user can select a cover according to individual preferences, which on one hand, prevents a direct view of the filter, and on the other hand, also prevents the filter from falling out in the distal direction. The cover also has a protective function in that larger particles, dust, or suchlike, and in particular when closing the moisture-heat exchanger, the finger of the user, do not come in direct contact with the filter 60. The user can also choose from a number of shields 50, which in particular, are intended to satisfy an aesthetic demand. Furthermore, the shields also fulfill the technical purpose of making a closing of the moisture-heat exchanger with the finger, for example, comfortable. For this, it is provided that on one hand, the shield 50 is made of a rubber-like material, and on the other hand, the breathing hole 54 is shaped like a funnel.
(33) FIG. 15 shows the use of the moisture-heat exchanger described herein, or its kit. Pictogram A shows how a user places the housing 10 on a stable surface. If a filter has not yet been placed in the housing 10, the filter 60 is then inserted, and in the following step, as shown in pictogram B, the cover 30 is placed on the housing 10 and snapped in place. Pictogram C shows that the latching can easily take place by means of finger pressure. The subsequent pictogram D shows that the housing 10 provided with the cover 30 is placed in a shield 50. Here as well, it is proposed that the shield 50 be placed on a stable surface, and the housing 10, including the cover 30, is then pushed into the shield 50. As can be clearly seen in pictogram D, the cover 30 plays a central role here. It engages with both the housing 10 as well as the shield 50. In accordance with a preferred design, it is thus not possible to connect the housing 10 to the shield 50 without the cover 30. The cover 30 thus fulfills a coupling function.
(34) Pictogram E shows that the fully assembled moisture-heat exchanger 10, 30 and 50 is placed in a tracheostoma dressing 65. Pictogram F indicates that the moisture-heat exchanger can be worn for a specific period of time, wherein a maximum period of use of approx. 24 hours is recommended. Depending on the contamination or secretion formation, it may be replaced earlier, or even later. After this time has lapsed, the moisture-heat exchanger is again removed, as shown in pictogram C, and the shield 50 is released from the cover 30. At this point, the housing 10, in particular the housing cylinder sheath 12, is bent inward with a light finger pressure applied to the housing cylinder sheath 12 in the region of the notches 18, until the cover 30 is released form the housing 10.
(35) FIG. 16 shows another design of the cover 30 with three latching elements 32, which are disposed on an inner circumference of the cover edge 31, and designed as latching lugs. In order to make the construction as compact as possible, the latching elements 32 are disposed close to the edge, i.e. as proximal as possible to the cover edge. The latching elements 32 extend approx. 0.4 mm to approx. 0.8 mm radially inward. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the cover 30 from FIG. 16.
(36) FIG. 18 shows another design of the cover 30 without latching elements 32. This design enables a clamping of the cover 30 onto a housing. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the cover 30 from FIG. 18.
