MULTI-PART DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-part device for generating a clearly audible sound when an external force is applied onto a first force-transmission means that acts, via a spring system, on a base plate in an apparatus for controlled cardiopulmonary resuscitation of the human body in the event of cardiac arrest, and is characterised in that the external geometric dimensions and shapes are adapted to the anatomical conditions of the pectoral-adjacent thorax, in particular the spring system generating a signal that acts on at least one oscillatable element, the spring system being arranged between the first force-transmission means and the base plate, which spring system consists substantially of at least one spring element and one planar spring element, in particular the spring element also being a conical spring element.

Claims

1. A multi-part device for generating a clearly audible sound when an external force acts on a first force transmission means, which, via a spring system, acts on a base plate in an apparatus for the controlled cardio-pulmonary resuscitation of the human body in the event of cardiac arrest, characterized in that the outer geometric dimensions and shapes are adapted to the anatomical conditions of the thorax close to the sternum, in particular wherein the spring system generates a signal, which acts on at least one oscillatory element, wherein the spring system is arranged between the first force transmission means and the base plate, which spring system consists essentially of at least one spring element and a flat-formed spring element, in particular wherein the spring element is a conical spring element.

2. The multi-part device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring element is arranged on a circular path laterally from the flat-formed spring element, which is in particular a click plate.

3. The multi-part device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least two, preferably at least three, and particularly preferably at least four spring elements, which are in each case arranged laterally from the flat-formed spring element.

4. The multi-part device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the spring elements are conical spring elements.

5. The multi-part device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one spring element is arranged conically between the first force transmission means and the base plate in such a way that a spring cross section of the spring element increases or decreases conically, starting at the force transmission means in the direction towards the base plate.

6. The multi-part device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-part device has only a single spring element, wherein in a radial direction an end of the spring element, which is connected to the base plate, encloses and surrounds the flat-formed spring element in the radial direction.

7. The multi-part device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring element, which is a further spring element, is arranged between the flat-formed spring element and the force transmission means, such that a pressure applied externally to the force transmission means is at least partially transmitted to the flat-formed spring element via the spring element.

8. The multi-part device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end of the single spring element, which is connected to the force transmission means, has such a radial cross section that this end encloses and surrounds the spring element in the radial direction.

9. The multi-part device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is free from further spring elements away from an axis of symmetry, which runs through the flat spring element in the radial direction.

10. A method for generating a clearly audible sound when an external force K acts on a first force transmission means, which, via a spring system, acts on a base plate in an apparatus for the controlled cardio-pulmonary resuscitation of the human body in the event of cardiac arrest, characterized in that a clearly audible signal is generated, which is transmitted to oscillatory elements, by means of the cooperation of the spring system when reaching a settable limit pressure K.sub.max.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The invention will now be described in more detail below on the basis of drawings.

[0045] FIG. 1A shows a lateral sectional illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of the device described herein.

[0046] FIG. 1B shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A in a schematically perspective sectional illustration.

[0047] A top view of the exemplary embodiment 1A and 1B is shown from FIGS. 1C and 1D.

[0048] A further exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in perspective side view.

[0049] FIG. 2C illustrates the further exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 2B in the top view.

[0050] In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1D, only a single, central spring can be seen in FIGS. 2.

[0051] A first exemplary embodiment of a device 1 described here is shown in FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] It can in particular be seen that a multi-part device 1 for generating a clearly audible sound when an external force (K) acts on a first force transmission means 2, which, via a spring system 4, 5, 8, acts on a base plate 3 in an apparatus for the controlled cardio-pulmonary resuscitation of the human body in the event of cardiac arrest, is designed in such a way that the outer geometric dimensions and shapes are adapted to the anatomical conditions of the thorax close to the sternum, in particular wherein the spring system 4, 5, 8 generates a signal, which acts on at least one oscillatory element 8, wherein the spring system 4, 5 is arranged between the first force transmission means 2 and the base plate 3, which spring system consists essentially of at least one spring element 4 and a flat-formed spring element 5, further wherein the spring element 4 is a conical spring element.

[0053] More precisely, a total of four spring elements 4 are arranged along a circular path laterally from the flat-formed spring element 5, which is in preferably a click plate 5, along a circular path. Each of the spring elements 4 is formed conically.

[0054] All spring elements 4 are furthermore arranged conically between the first force transmission means 2 and the base plate 3 in such a way that a spring cross section of the spring element 4 decreases conically, starting at the force transmission means 2 in the direction towards the base plate 3.

[0055] In addition, the spring element 8, which is a further spring element 8, is arranged between the flat-formed spring element 5 and the force transmission means 2, so that a pressure applied externally to the force transmission means 2 is at least partially transmitted to the flat-formed spring element 5 via the spring element 8.

[0056] FIGS. 1B to 1D show the device shown in FIG. 1A in schematically perspective views.

[0057] The force K to be exerted on the first force transmission means 2 generally lies between 35 and 45 kg, preferably at approx. 40 kg, which is necessary in order to be used effectively during the resuscitation of the cardio-pulmonary function. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, there are four helical springs 4, which are arranged around the click plate 5, on a specified circular path. The spring constant or spring rate R of the spring element 4 may be approximately 8.861 N/mm. The helical spring 4 is sharpened at the upper and lower supports, in order to obtain a defined bearing surface on the base plate 3 and the first force transmission means 2.

[0058] The diameter of the circular path, on which the spring elements 4 are arranged, preferably does not exceed 100 mm, so as not to design the geometric dimensions of the entire device to be too large, which is essentially determined by means of the anatomical dimensions of the thorax of the human body and the operational safety.

[0059] The diameter of the flat click plate 5 lies approximately between 30 mm and 55 mm, and rests in a quasi punctiform manner with its edge region 22 on the circumference on at least three support points 10, which rise from the plane of the base plate 3.

[0060] In the middle region, the click plate 5 has at least one curvature 7, on the upper point of which at least a second oscillatory element 8, thus the further spring element 8, is arranged with its one end.

[0061] A second end is supported in a friction-locked manner on a bottom surface of the first force transmission means 2.

[0062] The first force transmission means 2 has an approximately U-shaped cross section, such that the two legs of the U-shaped cross section or elevations, respectively, from the plane of the bottom side of the first force transmission means 2, is formed as at least an, in particular acoustically, oscillatory part 8 (see further below), which absorbs the acoustic waves generated by the click plate 5 and transmits them to the outside.

[0063] In the assembled state, all of the spring elements 4, 5, 8, which are arranged between the base plate 3 and the first force transmission means 2, have a certain pretension, which is generated because the first force transmission means 2 and the base plate 3 each have an elevation 13, 13′ including a snap closure 14 on the end of the elevation. The snap closure 14 may further include a guide providing a degree of freedom directed longitudinally, in which a hook forming part of the elevation 13 moves.

[0064] When bringing together the first force transmission means 2 and the base plate 3, the two ends of the respective elevations interlock all the way to a predetermined stop, so that in the assembled state, all of the individual spring elements 4, 5, 8 have a certain predetermined pretension, which ultimately have a resulting compressive force of approx. 40 kg as a result of the cooperation between the individual spring elements, which is necessary to guide the click plate 5 to the limit value for the “break-through” of the click plate 5, in response to which it generates a clearly perceivable sound, which is transmitted essentially to the lateral oscillatory parts on the first force transmission means 2 and which is amplified by means of modulation of the acoustic waves at the oscillatory parts 9, reaching acoustic waves, as a result of overlapping of the various wave ranges in the audible range, so that, as a result, a clearly audible signal rings out when reaching the predetermined force K.sub.max of approximately 40 kg. In response to the withdrawal of the exerted force K on the first force transmission means 2, the click plate 5 or signal-generating unit 5, respectively, moves back independently into its initial position by emitting a further signal.

[0065] A molded part 16 is arranged on a bottom side 15 of the base plate 3. The molded part 16 consists of a suitable foam, such as, for example, a foam rubber, which takes an elastic effect on the one hand, and which is moisture absorbing on the other hand, and which develops a certain adhesiveness on the naked skin as a result of its material properties and pore size, which has a particularly favorable effect during the treatment of the patient.

[0066] Due to the elastic effect of the foam of the molded part 16, this spring force is to be included into the calculation of the total force of approx. 40 kg for generating the first audible signal. The surface of the molded part 16 resting on the naked skin of the patient is essentially adapted to the anatomy of the thorax in the region of the sternum.

[0067] In the top view, the molded part 16 is formed in a pear-shaped manner, wherein the thinner end 17′ of the foam part 16 should correspond approximately with the position of the lower end of the sternum during the treatment of the patient, in order to take the optimal effect during the resuscitation of the patient.

[0068] A further exemplary embodiment of a device 1 described here is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 2.

[0069] It can be seen that, in contrast to FIGS. 1, the device 1 introduced in FIGS. 2 has a single spring element 4, namely a single central spring element 4, which encloses the flat spring element 5, wherein the spring element 8 is still installed, thus in the same manner as in FIGS. 1.

[0070] In its spring cross sectional surface, the central spring element 4 tapers in the direction of the force transmission element 2, starting at the base plate 3.

[0071] An end connected to the base plate 3 is fitted in an enclosure 31, so that this end is limited by means of the enclosure 31 in the radial direction R (parallel to the horizontal direction) and is thus stabilized mechanically. The lower end of the spring element 4 can thus not slip away to the outside or shift in the radial direction R.

[0072] The further end of the spring element 4 is fixed by means of an inner enclosure 22. In this exemplary embodiment, the inner enclosure 22 is thereby arranged within the spring cross section. However, both enclosures 22 and 31 follow a circular path, but with different radii. This is so, because in this particular exemplary embodiment, the radius of the circular path of the enclosure 22 is in smaller than the radius of the enclosure 31. However, both enclosures share the same axis of symmetry. The axis of symmetry thereby runs perpendicular to the radial direction and thus parallel to the spring deflection direction E1 of all springs.

[0073] FIGS. 2B to 2C show the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A in schematically perspective views.

[0074] The invention is not limited by the description on the basis of the exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention captures every new feature as well as every combination of features, which in particular includes every combination of features in the patent claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not specified explicitly in the patent claims or in the exemplary embodiments.

List of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1 device [0076] 2 force transmission means [0077] 3 base plate [0078] 4 spring element [0079] 5 flat-formed spring element/click plate/signal-generating unit [0080] 7 curvature [0081] 8 oscillatory spring element [0082] 9 oscillatory part [0083] 10 support points [0084] 13 elevation [0085] 13′ elevation [0086] 14 snap closure [0087] 15 bottom side [0088] 16 molded part [0089] 17′ thin end [0090] 22 edge region/inner enclosure [0091] 31 enclosure [0092] R radial direction [0093] K force [0094] E1 spring deflection direction