INLET AIRFLOW ASSEMBLY IN A MEDICAL VENTILATOR

• US 20110259334A1
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Alfieri, Richard Paul, Gorman, Christopher, McDaniel, Christopher W., Needham, Cheryl L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,800,560 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0841 for sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/205 used for exhalation control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0042 in the expiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/125 with incorporated filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3358 Measuring barometric pressure, e.g. for compensation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49718 Repairing

Abstract

A ventilator that is small, lightweight, and portable, yet capable of being quickly adapted to operate in a plurality of different modes and configurations to deliver a variety of therapies to a patent. A porting system having a plurality of sensors structured to monitor a number of parameters with respect to the flow of gas, and a number of porting blocks is used to reconfigure the ventilator so that it operates as a single-limb or dual limb ventilator. In the single-limb configuration, an active or passive exhaust assembly can be provided proximate to the patient. The ventilator is capable of operate in a volume or pressure support mode, even in a single-limb configuration. In addition, a power control mechanism controls the supply of power to the ventilator from an AC power source, a lead acid battery, an internal rechargeable battery pack, and a detachable battery pack.

Claims

1. A ventilator comprising:

(a) a housing having an interior and an exterior;

(b) an inlet port extending from the exterior to the interior of the housing;

(c) a flow generator disposed within the ventilator and being structured to generate a flow of gas;

(c) an outlet port for discharging the flow of gas from the housing; and

(d) an inlet airflow assembly comprising;

(1) a cover member selectively coupled to the housing of the ventilator at or about the inlet port, the cover member comprising a first side, a second side disposed opposite the first side, and an inlet aperture extending through the cover member, the inlet aperture delivering a gas to the inlet port of the ventilator,

(2) a number of filtering members disposed between the first side of the cover member and the housing of the ventilator, and

(3) a fastening mechanism fastening the cover member to the housing of the ventilator, thereby securing the cover member and the number of filtering members with respect to the housing, wherein the inlet airflow assembly is removable from the housing, without requiring the remainder of the ventilator to be disassembled.

2. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the exterior of the housing of the ventilator includes an exterior surface and a pocket extending inwardly from the exterior surface, wherein the cover member of the inlet airflow assembly is selectively disposed within the pocket, and wherein, when the cover member is disposed within the pocket, the second side of the cover member is substantially flush with respect to the exterior surface of the housing of the ventilator adjacent the pocket.

3. The ventilator of claim 2, wherein the inlet port of the ventilator is disposed within the pocket of the housing of the ventilator, wherein the flow generator of the ventilator is disposed proximate the inlet port of the ventilator and is in fluid communication with the inlet port, wherein the cover member of the inlet airflow assembly further comprises a plurality of walls extending substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the first side of the cover member, and wherein, when the cover member is disposed within the pocket, the walls of the cover member extend into the pocket in order to direct the gas to the inlet port of the ventilator.

4. The ventilator of claim 3, wherein the walls of the cover member form an inlet airflow path, and wherein the inlet airflow path extends from the inlet aperture of the cover member toward the inlet port of the ventilator.

5. The ventilator of claim 4, wherein the number of filtering members of the inlet airflow assembly includes at least one air filter, and wherein the at least one air filter is disposed in the inlet airflow path, in order that the gas flows through the at least one air filter.

6. The ventilator of claim 5, wherein the at least one air filter includes a plurality of slots extending therethrough, wherein at least some of the walls of the cover member extend through the slots in order to maintain the position of the at least one air filter with respect to the cover member of the inlet airflow assembly, and wherein the at least one air filter is selectively detachable from the cover member.

7. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the inlet airflow assembly includes an inlet airflow path, wherein the number of filtering members of the inlet airflow assembly includes at least one air filter, and wherein the at least one air filter is disposed in the inlet airflow path, in order that the gas flows through the at least one air filter.

8. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the number of filtering members comprises a first filtering member and a second filtering member, wherein the first filtering member is disposed adjacent the housing of the ventilator, and wherein the second filtering member is disposed between the first filtering member and the first side of the cover member.

9. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the number of filtering members of the inlet airflow assembly are selectively detachable from the cover member of the inlet airflow assembly.

10. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the inlet airflow assembly is replaceable in order to sterilize the ventilator.

11. The ventilator of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism of the inlet airflow assembly is a plurality of fasteners, and wherein each of the fasteners extends through the cover member into the housing of the ventilator.

12. A method of servicing a ventilator, the ventilator comprising an inlet airflow assembly selectively coupled to a housing of the ventilator, the inlet airflow assembly having a cover member and a number of filtering members, the method comprising:

(a) removing the inlet airflow assembly from the housing of the ventilator, without requiring the disassembly of the remainder of the ventilator; and

(b) servicing the remainder of the ventilator.

13. The method of claim 12, the servicing step includes sterilizing the remainder of the ventilator.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising attaching a new inlet airflow assembly to the housing of the ventilator following the servicing step.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

(a) replacing at least a portion of the inlet airflow assembly, and

(b) reattaching the inlet airflow assembly to the ventilator.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the replacing and reattaching steps include:

(a) removing the number of filtering members,

(b) cleansing the cover member,

(c) replacing the number of filtering members with a number of new filtering members, and

(d) attaching the inlet airflow assembly to the housing of the ventilator.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the housing of the ventilator includes an exterior having an exterior surface and a pocket extending inwardly from the exterior surface, and wherein the reattaching step includes inserting the inlet airflow assembly into the pocket of the housing of the ventilator until the second side of the cover member of the inlet airflow assembly is substantially flush with respect to the housing of the ventilator adjacent the pocket of the housing.

18. An inlet airflow assembly for a ventilator, the ventilator including a housing, an inlet port, a flow generator structured to generate a flow of gas, and an outlet port structured to discharge the flow of gas from the housing, the inlet airflow assembly comprising:

a cover member structured to be selectively coupled to the housing of the ventilator at or about the inlet port, the cover member comprising a first side, a second side disposed opposite the first side, and an inlet aperture extending through the cover member, the inlet aperture being structured to deliver a gas to the inlet port of the ventilator;

a number of filtering members disposed between the first side of the cover member and the housing of the ventilator; and

a fastening mechanism structured to fasten the cover member to the housing of the ventilator, thereby securing the cover member and the number of filtering members with respect to the housing, wherein the inlet airflow assembly is removable from the housing, without requiring the remainder of the ventilator to be disassembled.

19. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 18, wherein the housing of the ventilator includes an exterior surface and a pocket extending inwardly from the exterior surface, wherein the cover member is structured to be disposed within the pocket, and wherein, when the cover member is disposed within the pocket, the second side of the cover member is substantially flush with respect to the exterior surface of the housing of the ventilator adjacent the pocket.

20. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 19, wherein the inlet port of the ventilator is disposed within the pocket of the housing of the ventilator, wherein the cover member further comprises a plurality of walls extending substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the first side of the cover member, and wherein, when the cover member is disposed within the pocket, the walls of the cover member are structured to extend into the pocket in order to direct the gas to the inlet port of the ventilator.

21. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 20, wherein the walls of the cover member form an inlet airflow path, and wherein the inlet airflow path is structured to extend from the inlet aperture of the cover member toward the inlet port of the ventilator.

22. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 21, wherein the cover member includes four peripheral edges, wherein the walls of the cover member include an outer wall disposed proximate the four peripheral edges, and an inner wall spaced inwardly from the outer wall, wherein the inner wall is structured to extend around at least a portion of the inlet port of the ventilator, and wherein the inlet airflow path is disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall.

23. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 22, wherein the cover member further comprises a duct extending inwardly from the first side of the cover member at or about the inlet aperture, and wherein the duct is structured to direct the gas into the inlet airflow path.

24. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 23, wherein the duct includes a plurality of louvers.

27. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover member includes an inlet airflow path, wherein the number of filtering members includes at least one air filter, and wherein the at least one air filter is disposed in the inlet airflow path, in order that the gas flows through the at least one air filter.

28. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 18, wherein the number of filtering members comprises a first filtering member and a second filtering member, wherein the first filtering member is structured to be disposed adjacent the housing of the ventilator, and wherein the second filtering member is disposed between the first filtering member and the first side of the cover member.

29. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 28, wherein the first filtering member has a first thickness, wherein the second filtering member has a second thickness, and wherein the second thickness of the second filtering member is greater than the first thickness of the first filtering member.

30. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 28, wherein the first filtering member is structured to resist the undesired leaking of the gas from between the cover member and the housing of the ventilator.

31. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 30, wherein the first filtering member includes a hole structured to align with the inlet port of the ventilator, and wherein the first filtering member is structured to overlay the first side of the cover member.

32. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 18, wherein the fastening mechanism is a plurality of fasteners, and wherein each of the fasteners is structured to extend through the cover member into the housing of the ventilator.

33. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 32, wherein the cover member has four corners, wherein the fasteners are four screws, and wherein each of the four screws is structured to extend through a corresponding one of the four corners of the cover member.

25. The inlet airflow assembly of 21, wherein the number of filtering members includes at least one air filter, and wherein the at least one air filter is disposed between the walls in the inlet airflow path in order that the gas flows through the at least one air filter.

26. The inlet airflow assembly of claim 25, at least one air filter includes a plurality of slots extending therethrough, wherein at least some of the walls of the cover member extend through the slots in order to maintain the position of the at least one air filter with respect to the cover member, and wherein the at least one air filter is selectively detachable from the cover member.