VALVE HAVING MEANS TO DETECT A CYLINDER IDENTITY UPON ATTACHMENT

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a device for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder, wherein the device is configured to be releasably attachable to a gas cylinder and wherein the device is capable of identifying a gas cylinder in order to control the opening and closing of a valve comprised in the valve. Accordingly, the device comprises a valve for controlling a gas flow from a gas cylinder, a gas outlet, which is in fluid communication with said valve and positioned downstream of said valve, and a connecting means configured for receiving and releasably connecting a cylinder for providing a fluid connection between a cylinder and said valve. The device furthermore comprises an identifying means for identifying a cylinder, wherein the valve is in communication with the identifying means and is configured to be openable based on the identification of the cylinder.

Claims

1. Device (1) for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder (2), comprising: a valve (10) for controlling a gas flow from a gas cylinder (2); a gas outlet (12), the gas outlet (12) being in fluid communication with said valve (10) and positioned downstream of said valve (10); and a connecting means (14) configured for receiving and releasably connecting a cylinder (2) for providing a fluid connection between a cylinder (2) and said valve (10), characterized in that the device (1) comprises an identifying means (18) for identifying a cylinder (2), wherein the valve (10) is in communication with the identifying means (18) and is configured to be openable based on the identification of the cylinder (2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the identifying means (18) comprises an optical sensor or scanner (180) and is configured to read a coded information (22) relating to a cylinder (2) to be identified, said coded information (22) preferably being a barcode or QR-code, and/or wherein the identifying means (18) is configured as a wireless communication means and is configured for establishing a wireless connection with an identifier entity (24) of a cylinder (2) to be identified, said identifier entity (24) comprising an information relating to a cylinder (22) to be identified, wherein said wireless communication means preferably comprises a Bluetooth device, a Zigbee device, and/or an RFID-reader for establishing a radio connection.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a reference information (160) relating to at least one cylinder (2), wherein the valve (10) is configured to be in a closed position, when an identified cylinder (2) does not correspond to the reference information (160) and wherein the valve (10) is configured to be openable, when an identified cylinder (2) corresponds to the reference information (160), said reference information (160) preferably comprising information relating to the composition of a gas or gaseous mixture, a specific cylinder identifier, and/or a batch number.

4. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means (14) is configured for receiving and engaging a geometric feature (200) of a connecting element (20) at an end of a cylinder (2), said geometric feature (200) preferably comprising at least one pin, wherein the connecting element (20) is preferably configured as a pin index valve.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting means (14) is in communication with the identifying means (18), said identifying means (18) being configured to automatically identify a cylinder (2), when the connecting means (14) is engaged with a geometric feature (200) of a connecting element (20) at an end of a cylinder (2), wherein the identifying means (18) is preferably configured to be activated by a depression of a deformable protrusion (140) on the connecting means (14), preferably a button or spring element, by a corresponding protrusion or detent on a cylinder (2) or connecting element (20) at an end of a cylinder (2), by a sensor (140), preferably by optical detection or by depression of a pressure sensor or spring element, or by electrical stimulation, preferably by electrical elements or induction elements disposed on a cylinder (2) or connecting element (20) at an end of a cylinder (2).

6. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting means (14) is arranged to receive and engage a plurality of geometric features (200), said connecting means (14) being configured to communicate an information relating to an arrangement of a plurality of geometric features (200) of a connecting element (20) to said identifying means (18).

7. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means (14) is formed as a threaded coupling, a lever closure, or bayonet closure, wherein the connecting means (14) is preferably formed as a single-turn or quick-release closure (142), the device (1) preferably comprising a motorized element (144), wherein the connecting means (14) is in communication with the identifying means (18) and is configured to automatically connect the valve (10) to a cylinder (2) by means of the motorized element (144) based on the identification of the cylinder (2), said connecting means (14) preferably being furthermore configured to open a valve on a cylinder (10) based on the identification of the cylinder (2).

8. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) is configured as a mobile device (1) comprising a top part (1A) engaging a top end (2A) of a cylinder (2), a bottom part (1B) engaging a bottom end (2B) of a cylinder (2) and a middle part (1C) between said top part (1A) and bottom part (1B), the device (1) preferably being configured as a stand to stabilize a cylinder (2) in a vertical orientation, said middle part (1C) preferably being slidably adjustable to accommodate a height of a cylinder (2), the device (1) preferably comprising fixation means (6), a plurality of rolls on a bottom end of the device (1), and/or at least one gripping portion, said fixation means (6) preferably comprising at least one strap, preferably a Velcro strap.

9. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a communication means (16) configured for establishing a connection with a database (3), said communication means (16) preferably being configured as a wireless communication means (162) for establishing a wireless connection with a database (3), said database (3) comprising at least one reference information (160) relating to at least one cylinder (2), wherein the communication means (16) is configured to receive a reference information (160) relating to at least one cylinder (2) from said database (3), said communication means (160) preferably comprising a Bluetooth device, a Zigbee device, Wi-Fi device, and/or an RFID-reader for establishing a radio connection with a database (3).

10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the identifying means (18) is in communication with or integrated in the communication means (16), wherein said communication means (16) is in communication with said valve (10) to control said valve (10).

11. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the communication means (16) is configured to receive a patient information (40) as a reference information (160), wherein the valve (10) is configured to be in a closed position, when a received patient information (40) does not correspond to an identified cylinder (2) and wherein the valve (10) is configured to be openable, when a received patient information (40) corresponds to an identified cylinder (2), said communication means (16) preferably being configured as a wireless communication means (162), wherein a patient information (40) may be received from a mobile patient entity (4) transmitting said patient information (40).

12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that a patient information (40) comprises a prescribed treatment with a dosage regimen, wherein the communication means (16) is configured to open the valve (10) according to a received dosage regimen to output a corresponding gas flow to the gas outlet (12) and a patient interface (5) downstream of said gas outlet (12), the device (1) preferably comprising at least one flow sensor (120) and the communication means (16) preferably comprising a transmitting device (164), wherein said transmitting device (164) transmits an information relating to the output of a gas flow to a database (3) to update a patient information in a database (3).

13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a pressure regulator (100) integrated in said valve (10) and being in fluid communication with said valve (10) and said gas outlet (12), said communication means (16) being configured to adjust the pressure regulator (100) in the valve (10) according to a received dosage regimen to output a corresponding gas flow to the gas outlet (12) and a patient interface (5) downstream of said gas outlet (12).

14. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a signaling device (166) and at least one of a pressure sensor or a flow sensor (120) in communication with said signaling device (166), said signaling device (166) being configured to output an alarm signal, when the at least one pressure sensor or flow sensor (120) exceeds a predetermined limit.

15. System for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder (2) to a patient interface (5), the system comprising: a device (1) for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder (2) according to claim 1; a gas cylinder (2); and a patient interface (5), wherein the gas cylinder (2) is connected to the valve (10) by means of the connection means (14) and wherein the valve (10) is in communication with the identifying means (18) and is configured to be openable based on the identification of the cylinder (2) to output a gas flow from the cylinder (2) via the valve (10) and gas outlet (12) to the patient interface (5).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present disclosure will be more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description when being considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a device for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a device according to FIG. 1 having a communication means;

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a device according to FIG. 2 showing further features of the connecting means and communication means;

[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a device according to FIG. 2 showing further features of the connecting means, communication means, and gas outlet;

[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a device according to FIG. 1 having a gas cylinder coupled to the device;

[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a device according to FIG. 4 having a gas cylinder coupled to the device, wherein the device is configured as a stand or clip;

[0041] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a device according to FIG. 6 having a gas cylinder coupled to the device, wherein the identifying means is integrated in the communication means; and

[0042] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a device for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder in a system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the Figures, like elements are denoted by identical reference numerals and repeated description thereof may be omitted in order to avoid redundancies.

[0044] In FIG. 1 a device 1 for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder is shown, which comprises a valve 10 and a gas outlet 12 positioned downstream of the valve 10. The gas outlet 12 is in fluid communication with the valve, such that the valve, when in an opened position, may allow a gas to flow from a coupled container (not shown) via the valve 10 and the gas outlet 12 to a patient interface, e.g. a nasal mask or ventilator (not shown). The valve 10 is accordingly connected to a connecting means 14 for connecting a gas cylinder or a connecting element at an end of a gas cylinder (not shown) to the device 1, such that a fluid connection between a cylinder and the valve 10 is provided. The device 1 furthermore comprises an identifying means 18, which is connected with the valve 10 and is configured to identify a cylinder. The valve 10 is furthermore configured to be opened based on the identification of the container. Accordingly, the identifying means 18 may provide a trigger or input to the valve 10.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows the device 1 of FIG. 1, wherein the valve 10 of the device 1 comprises an adjustable pressure regulator 100. The device 1 furthermore comprises a communication means 16. The communication means 16 is in communication with the identifying means 18 and is furthermore connected with the valve 10 to accordingly control said valve 10 and the pressure regulator 100. As depicted in FIG. 2, the communication means 16 comprises a reference information 160. Alternatively, such reference information 160 may be provided by a storage medium in the device or may be provided by an external device or storage solution, such as e.g. a USB stick. The reference information 160 comprises information relating to a gas cylinder, e.g. a suitable composition of a gaseous mixture or a gas cylinder number that may be accepted by the device 1 for patient treatment. Accordingly, the identifying means 18 provides a corresponding information to the communication means 16, wherein the communication means 16 compares the information provided by the identifying means 18 with the reference information 160, such that the communication means 16 may accordingly open or close the valve 10 of the device 1. Although FIG. 2 shows that the identifying means 18 is in communication with the communication means 16 and is not in communication with the valve 10, the identifying means 18 may also be in communication with the valve 10, thereby replacing the control communication between the communication means 16 and the valve 10. Accordingly, the communication means 16 may provide the reference information 160 to the identifying means 18, wherein the identifying means may control the valve 10 as described for FIG. 1.

[0046] According to FIG. 3, the connecting means 14 comprises a single-turn closure 142 to connect the connecting means 14 with a connecting element of a gas cylinder and to provide a fluid communication between a connecting element of a gas cylinder and the valve 10 of the device 1. Accordingly, the single-turn closure 142 provides an easy handling for a user. The device 1 furthermore comprises a deformable protrusion or sensor 140, which is in communication with the identifying means 18. Accordingly, a sensor 140 may provide a signal to the identifying means 18 corresponding to a gas cylinder to be identified. For example, a geometric feature of a connecting element of a gas cylinder (not shown) may be detected by the sensor 140 or may engage or depress the sensor 140, such that the sensor 140 communicates a corresponding signal to the identifying means 18. Accordingly, the identifying means 18 receives a general information relating to the type of gas cylinder coupled to the device 1. In addition, the identifying means 18 comprises an optical sensor 180 e.g. formed as a barcode scanner to optically detect a coded information (not shown) comprised on a gas cylinder. Such coded information may be provided by a barcode and comprises further information relating to the contents in the gas cylinder, e.g. the gaseous mixture retained in the gas cylinder. This information is then communicated to the communication means 16, which is configured in FIG. 3 as a wireless communication means 162 and is configured to receive the reference information 160 via a radio connection with a database (not shown), as indicated by the dashed line. Accordingly, the communication means 16 compares the provided information received from the identifying means 18 with the reference information 160 to control the valve 10.

[0047] As an alternative to the single-turn closure 142 in FIG. 3, the device 1 may comprise a motorized element 144 to connect the valve 10 by means of the connecting means 14 to a corresponding connecting element of a gas cylinder, as schematically shown in FIG. 4. The motorized element 144 is in communication with the communication means 16, such that the connection between the device 1 and a gas cylinder may be automatically established by the motorized element 144, when a corresponding output is provided by the communication means 16. Upon detection of a geometric feature of a connecting element of a gas cylinder by a sensor 140, which corresponds to a suitable gas cylinder, the communication means 16 automatically outputs a signal to the motorized element 144 to connect the gas cylinder. Accordingly, a user is immediately provided with feedback, whether the inserted gas cylinder is suitable for a patient treatment or device or not. The motorized element 144 may also assist in coupling the device 1 to a gas cylinder, wherein e.g. a single-turn closure 142 may be closed or connected by means of the motorized element 144 and/or wherein a single-turn closure 142 may initiate the connection between the device 1 and a gas cylinder.

[0048] In addition, the device 1 in FIG. 4 comprises both a flow sensor 120 and a signaling means 166, which are in communication with each other. The signaling device 166 is configured to detect a flow from the flow sensor 120, which is provided in the gas outlet 12, and provides an alarm signal, when a predetermined limit is exceeded. For example, in case of a leaking valve or false setting, the signaling device 166 may indicate an alarm signal relating to an overpressure, such that a user or patient is informed and a health risk is reduced. The signaling device 166 is provided in the communication means 16. Accordingly, the device 1 may comprise either stored limits or may be provided by such limits via a reference information 160 via the wireless communication means 162. As an alternative to the flow sensor, the gas outlet 12 may comprise a pressure sensor 120, having the same communication function, such that a signaling device 166 may e.g. indicate that a required pressure for a treatment is not present. The communication means 16 is furthermore provided with a transmitting device 164, such that the device 1 is capable of communicating a signal or information to other entities, e.g. to accordingly update a status field in a database.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows the features of the device 1 according to FIG. 1, wherein a gas cylinder 2 is coupled to the device 1. Accordingly, a connecting element 20 of the gas cylinder 2 is connected to the valve 10 by means of the connecting means 14. In the coupled and connected combination of the device 1 and the gas cylinder 2 the identifying means 18 may identify the gas cylinder 2 and accordingly control the opening and closing of the valve 10 to provide a gas flow from the gas cylinder 2 via the valve 10 to the gas outlet 12 and e.g. a connected patient interface (not shown). Both the device 1 and the gas cylinder 2 are schematically depicted with only few features, however, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that such combination may comprise a plurality of features, as described in the above and as shown in the embodiments.

[0050] For example, a device 1 and a coupled gas cylinder 2 are schematically depicted in more complexity in FIG. 6, wherein a gas cylinder 2 is coupled to the device 1. The device 1 resembles the device 1 as shown in FIG. 4 and is configured as a stand or clip comprising a top part 1A, a bottom part 1B and a middle part 1C. The middle part may be slidably adjustable to accommodate a variety of gas cylinder heights. The majority of the features of device 1 are arranged in the top part 1A of the device 1, whereas the bottom part 1B may provide stability for the gas cylinder 2 or may be formed as a clip element, to releasably engage the bottom part 1B. The gas cylinder 2 comprises a geometric feature 200 at the connecting element 20 at a top end 2A of the gas cylinder 2. The geometric feature 200 is detected by a deformable protrusion 140, which is depicted to be deformed or depressed by the geometric feature 200 upon coupling or insertion of the gas cylinder 2 to the device 1. The deformation or depression of the deformable protrusion 140 corresponds to the insertion of a specific or suitable gas cylinder 2, such that a signal is communicated to the identifying means 18 and the communication means 16 automatically outputs a signal to the motorized element 144 to connect the gas cylinder 2.

[0051] In addition to the geometric feature 200, the gas cylinder 2 is identified by a scanner 180 of the identifying means 18. The gas cylinder 2 as depicted in FIG. 6 comprises a coded information 22, e.g. a barcode, at a top end 2A of the gas cylinder 2, which is brought into proximity of the scanner 180 upon insertion and coupling. Although the coded information is depicted on one side of the gas cylinder 2, the coded information 22 may also be provided at a plurality of points at the top end 2A of the gas cylinder 2 or may be provided continuously in a circular manner on the top end 2A to facilitate alignment of the gas cylinder 2 for scanning and identifying purposes. After insertion of the gas cylinder 2, the coded information 22 may then be scanned and a corresponding signal or information may be communicated to the communication means 16 to be compared with a reference information 160 in order to control the valve 10.

[0052] The combination of the device 1 and the gas cylinder 2 as schematically depicted in FIG. 7 generally resembles the features shown in FIG. 6. Instead of comprising a scannable coded information 22 on the gas cylinder 2, the gas cylinder 2 comprises a identifier entity 24. The identifier entity 24 may comprise or correspond to the same information as a coded information 22 or may comprise more complex data structures. The identifying means 18 is accordingly integrated in the communication means 16, which is configured as a wireless communication means 162 comprising a wireless receiving element. The identifying means 18 may hence wirelessly retrieve and receive the information provided by the identifier entity 24 to identify the gas cylinder 2, as indicated by the dashed line. Accordingly, the number of devices may be reduced and a proper alignment of the gas cylinder 2 with the device 1 is not required to identify said gas cylinder 2. The integration of the identifying means 18 in the communication means 16 allows the coupling and identification of the gas cylinder 2 to the device 1 as well as the opening and closing of the valve 10 to occur in a fully automated manner, such that a user or medical professional is facilitated during the setup of a medical treatment for a patient.

[0053] The device 1 and gas cylinder 2 may also be configured to be fully mobile, such that a patient has a larger range of motion and may be treated at different locations without any significant treatment interruptions. To facilitate the transportation of a mobile combination, the device 1 may comprise a fixation means 6 to securely fix the gas cylinder 2 to the device 1. This may also be required in medical facilities to prevent a combination to tilt and fall down. Accordingly, other fixation means may be provided, e.g. to securely attach the gas cylinder to a wall or the like. Furthermore, fixation means may be provided to attach the device 1 to a carrying or transportation device of a patient, e.g. a backpack.

[0054] FIG. 8 schematically shows a device 1 for controlling a medical gas flow from a gas cylinder 2 in a system. For reasons of redundancy, the various features of the device 1 are not shown. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the device 1 and gas cylinder 2 may comprise a plurality of features, as described in the above. According to the system shown in FIG. 8, the device 1 at least comprises a wireless communication means to receive a reference information 160. The reference information 160 is emitted by a transmitter 42 from a mobile patient entity 4 comprising a patient information 40. Accordingly, the patient information 40 may be used as a reference information 160 for comparison with the identified gas cylinder 2. The gas cylinder 2 is identified by the wireless communication means by means of an identifier entity 24. Accordingly, the device 1 may control the valve by comparing the reference information 160 with the information retrieved from the identifier entity. Should the gas cylinder 2 be found to be compatible with the reference information 160, i.e. to be suitable for a patient treatment, the device 1 may open the valve of the device and output a gas flow from the container via the valve and the gas outlet to a patient interface 5, e.g. a nasal mask or a ventilator. The device 1 may furthermore be in communication with a database 3 or computer system comprising a database 3, such that the device 1 may communicate an updating information 168 relating to e.g. a current treatment status of a patient to the database 3. In addition, the system may comprise a monitoring system (not shown), such that the updating information 168 may also be used for e.g. medical billing purposes.

[0055] It will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that these embodiments and items only depict examples of a plurality of possibilities. Hence, the embodiments shown here should not be understood to form a limitation of these features and configurations. Any possible combination and configuration of the described features can be chosen according to the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0056] 1 Device for controlling a medical gas flow from a cylinder [0057] 1A top part [0058] 1B bottom part [0059] 1C middle part [0060] 10 valve [0061] 100 pressure regulator [0062] 12 gas outlet [0063] 120 flow sensor or pressure sensor [0064] 14 connecting means [0065] 140 deformable protrusion or sensor [0066] 142 single-turn closure [0067] 144 motorized element [0068] 16 communication means [0069] 160 reference information [0070] 162 wireless communication means [0071] 164 transmitting device [0072] 166 signaling device [0073] 168 updating information [0074] 18 identifying means [0075] 180 optical sensor or scanner [0076] 2 gas cylinder [0077] 2A top end [0078] 2B bottom end [0079] 20 connecting element [0080] 200 geometric feature [0081] 22 coded information [0082] 24 identifier entity [0083] 3 database [0084] 4 mobile patient entity [0085] 40 patient information [0086] 42 transmitter [0087] 5 patient interface [0088] 6 fixation means