The present invention relates to a respiratory device, and more particularly to a respiratory device having a function of detecting an airflow pressure difference.
A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) respiratory device is widely used in a medical instrument to treat sleep apnea. The use of the CPAP respiratory device may maintain a continuous level of positive airway pressure of the user in order to avoid breathing obstruction.
Generally, the CPAP respiratory device is connected with a mask of the user through a breathing tube. Moreover, a pressure sensor is installed in the CPAP respiratory device to detect the breathing status of the user. That is, the respiratory airflow pressure generated by the user may be transmitted to the CPAP respiratory device through the breathing tube and detected by the pressure sensor. According to the detecting result of the pressure sensor, the CPAP respiratory device provides accurate and continuous pressure level to the user. Generally, the respiratory droplets produced by the user may be in direct contact with the CPAP respiratory device through the breathing tube. For blocking the respiratory droplets of the user from being introduced into the CPAP respiratory device through the breathing tube, a filter is usually installed in an airflow channel between the CPAP respiratory device and the breathing tube. Since the filter can avoid contamination of the CPAP respiratory device, the CPAP respiratory device can be reused.
However, since the filter is usually installed in an airflow channel between the CPAP respiratory device and the breathing tube, the airflow pressure detected by the pressure sensor of the CPAP respiratory device is substantially equal to the pressure of the respiratory airflow that is produced by the user and filtered by the filter. In fact, because of the installation of the filter, the airflow pressure before the filter and the airflow pressure after the filter are different. Since the detecting result of the pressure sensor is affected by the filter, the detecting result of the pressure sensor cannot actually reflect the respiratory airflow pressure produced by the user. In other words, the conventional CPAP respiratory device cannot precisely control the pressure level to the user.
Moreover, another CPAP respiratory device comprises a flow resistor and a flow sensor in addition to the pressure sensor. When an airflow passes through the flow resistor, a pressure difference between an inlet and an outlet of the flow resistor is generated. The pressure before the airflow enters the inlet of the flow resistor and the pressure after the airflow exits the outlet of the flow resistor are measured by the flow sensor. According to the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of the flow resistor, the flow sensor calculates a flow rate of the airflow. However, the installation of the flow resistor may increase the fabricating cost of the CPAP respiratory device.
Therefore, there is a need of providing a respiratory device having a function of detecting an airflow pressure difference in order to overcome the above drawbacks.
An object of the present invention provides a respiratory device for detecting a pressure level of an unfiltered airflow.
Another object of the present invention provides a respiratory device having a function of detecting an airflow pressure difference without the need of using a flow resistor so as to reduce the cost.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a respiratory device. The respiratory device is in communication with a breathing tube. The respiratory device includes a host, a pressure sensor and a connecting module. The host includes a first airflow channel and a first shell. The first shell includes a communication part. The communication part runs through the first shell. The pressure sensor is installed in the host and connected with the communication part. The connecting module is detachably connected between the host and the breathing tube, and includes a second airflow channel, a filter and an airflow guiding part. The second airflow channel is in communication with the first airflow channel. The filter is installed in the second airflow channel. When the host and the connecting module are combined together, a first end of the airflow guiding part is in communication with the communication part, and a first portion of an airflow unfiltered by the filter is introduced into a second end of the airflow guiding part. A second portion of the airflow is introduced into the host through the second airflow channel, the filter and the first airflow channel. A pressure level of the unfiltered airflow is detected by the pressure sensor through the communication part and the airflow guiding part.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a respiratory device. The respiratory device is in communication with a breathing tube. The respiratory device includes a host, a flow sensor and a connecting module. The host includes a first airflow channel and a first shell. The first shell includes a first communication part and a second communication part. The first communication part and the second communication part run through the first shell. The flow sensor is installed in the host, and connected with the first communication part and the second communication part. The connecting module is detachably connected between the host and the breathing tube, and includes a second airflow channel, a filter, a first airflow guiding part and a second airflow guiding part. The second airflow channel is in communication with the first airflow channel. The filter is installed in the second airflow channel. When the host and the connecting module are combined together, a first end of the first airflow guiding part is in communication with the first communication part, a first end of the second airflow guiding part is in communication with the second communication part, a first portion of an airflow unfiltered by the filter is introduced into a second end of the first airflow guiding part, and a second portion of the airflow filtered by the filter is introduced into a second end of the second airflow guiding part. A third portion of the airflow is introduced into the host through the second airflow channel, the filter and the first airflow channel. A first pressure level of the unfiltered airflow is detected by the flow sensor through the first communication part and the first airflow guiding part. A second pressure level of the filtered airflow is detected by the flow sensor through the second communication part and the second airflow guiding part. Consequently, a pressure difference between the first pressure level and the second pressure level is obtained.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a respiratory device. The respiratory device is in communication with a breathing tube. The respiratory device includes a host, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor and a connecting module. The host includes a first airflow channel and a first shell. The first shell includes a first communication part and a second communication part. The first communication part and the second communication part run through the first shell. The flow sensor is installed in the host, and connected with the first communication part and the second communication part. The pressure sensor is installed in the host and connected with the first communication part. The connecting module is detachably connected between the host and the breathing tube, and includes a second airflow channel, a filter, a first airflow guiding part and a second airflow guiding part. The second airflow channel is in communication with the first airflow channel. The filter is installed in the second airflow channel. When the host and the connecting module are combined together, a first end of the first airflow guiding part is in communication with the first communication part, a first end of the second airflow guiding part is in communication with the second communication part, a first portion of an airflow unfiltered by the filter is introduced into a second end of the first airflow guiding part, and a second portion of the airflow filtered by the filter is introduced into a second end of the second airflow guiding part. A third portion of the airflow is introduced into the host through the second airflow channel, the filter and the first airflow channel. A first pressure level of the unfiltered airflow is detected by both of the flow sensor and the pressure sensor through the first communication part and the first airflow guiding part. A second pressure level of the filtered airflow is detected by the flow sensor through the second communication part and the second airflow guiding part. In addition, a pressure difference between the first pressure level and the second pressure level is obtained by the flow sensor.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a respiratory device. The respiratory device is in communication with a breathing tube. The respiratory device includes a host, a pressure sensor and a connecting module. The host includes a first airflow channel and a first shell. The first shell includes a communication part. The communication part runs through the first shell. The pressure sensor is installed in the host and connected with the communication part. The connecting module is detachably connected between the host and the breathing tube, and includes a second airflow channel, a filter and an airflow guiding part. The second airflow channel is in communication with the first airflow channel. The airflow guiding part is arranged between the filter and the breathing tube. The filter is installed in the second airflow channel. When the host and the connecting module are combined together, the communication part is in communication with the airflow guiding part so as to receive an airflow from the breathing tube.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a respiratory device. The respiratory device is in communication with a breathing tube. The respiratory device includes a host, a flow sensor and a connecting module. The host includes a first airflow channel and a first shell. The first shell includes a first communication part and a second communication part. The first communication part and the second communication part run through the first shell. The flow sensor is installed in the host, and connected with the first communication part and the second communication part. The connecting module is detachably connected between the host and the breathing tube, and includes a second airflow channel, a filter, a first airflow guiding part and a second airflow guiding part. The second airflow channel is in communication with the first airflow channel. The filter is installed in the second airflow channel. The first airflow guiding part is arranged between the filter and the breathing tube. When the host and the connecting module are combined together, the first airflow guiding part is in communication with the first communication part, the second airflow guiding part is in communication with the second communication part, and the first airflow guiding part and the second airflow guiding part receive an airflow from the breathing tube and provide the airflow to the flow sensor, respectively, so that a pressure difference of the airflow is obtained.
The above contents of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
In this embodiment, the communication part 113 comprises a hollow channel 1131, a first hollow post 1132 and a second hollow post 1133. The hollow channel 1131 runs through the first shell 111, and is arranged between the inner wall 114 and the outer wall 115 of the first shell 111. A first end and a second end of the hollow channel 1131 are connected with the inner wall 114 and the outer wall 115 of the first shell 111, respectively. The first hollow post 1132 is a hollow structure protruded from the inner wall 114 of the first shell 111. In addition, the first hollow post 1132 is connected with the first end of the hollow channel 1131. The second hollow post 1133 is a hollow structure protruded from the outer wall 115 of the first shell 111. In addition, the second hollow post 1133 is connected with the second end of the hollow channel 1131.
In this embodiment, the host 11 further comprises a communication tube 1134 having two ends. A first end of the communication tube 1134 is sheathed around the first hollow post 1132. Consequently, the communication tube 1134 is connected with the first hollow post 1132.
The connecting module 12 is detachably connected between the host 11 and the breathing tube 13. In this embodiment, the connecting module 12 comprises a second shell 120, a second airflow channel 121, a filter 122 and an airflow guiding part 123. The second airflow channel 121 is disposed within the connecting module 12 and aligned with the first airflow channel 112. Moreover, the second airflow channel 121 is defined by at least one part of the second shell 120. When the connecting module 12 is connected between the host 11 and the breathing tube 13, the second airflow channel 121 is in communication with the first airflow channel 112 and the breathing tube 13 so as to receive the airflow 130 from the breathing tube 13. The filter 122 is installed in the second airflow channel 121 and partially locked within the second shell 120 so as to filter the airflow 130 from the breathing tube 13. By the filter 122, the second airflow channel 121 is divided into an inlet zone 124 and an outlet zone 125. The inlet zone 124 is arranged between the filter 122 and the breathing tube 13. The outlet zone 125 is arranged between the filter 122 and the host 11. After the airflow 130 introduced into the inlet zone 124 is filtered by the filter 122, the filtered airflow 130 is exited from the outlet zone 125. The airflow guiding part 123 runs through the second shell 120 of the connecting module 12. A first end and a second end of the airflow guiding part 123 are formed as an outlet opening 1231 and an inlet opening 1232, respectively. The outlet opening 1231 is formed in an outer wall 1200 of the second shell 120 and aligned with the second hollow post 1133. The size of the outlet opening 1231 matches the size of the second hollow post 1133. When the host 11 and the connecting module 12 are combined together, the second hollow post 1133 is inserted into the outlet opening 1231 and connected with the outlet opening 1231. The inlet opening 1232 of the airflow guiding part 123 is in communication with the inlet zone 124. The airflow 130 coming from the inlet zone 124 and unfiltered by the filter 122 is received by the inlet opening 1232.
The pressure sensor 116 is installed in the host 11 and connected with a second end of the communication tube 1134. The pressure sensor 116 is used for detecting the pressure level of the received airflow. It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the pressure sensor 116 is directly connected with the first hollow post 1132. Under this circumstance, the communication tube 1134 may be omitted.
Please refer to
Moreover, the connecting module 12 further comprises a second coupling part 127. The second coupling part 127 is protruded externally from the second shell 120 and located beside the inlet zone 124 for covering the inlet zone 124 of the second airflow channel 121. When the breathing tube 13 is sheathed around the second coupling part 127, the breathing tube 13 and the connecting module 12 are combined together.
Please refer to
In this embodiment, the first communication part 316 comprises a first hollow channel 3161, a first hollow post 3162 and a second hollow post 3163. The first hollow channel 3161 runs through the first shell 311, and is arranged between the inner wall 314 and the outer wall 315 of the first shell 311. A first end and a second end of the first hollow channel 3161 are connected with the inner wall 314 and the outer wall 315 of the first shell 311, respectively. The first hollow post 3162 is a hollow structure protruded from the inner wall 314 of the first shell 311. In addition, the first hollow post 3162 is connected with the first end of the first hollow channel 3161. The second hollow post 3163 is a hollow structure protruded from the outer wall 315 of the first shell 311. In addition, the second hollow post 3163 is connected with the second end of the first hollow channel 3161. The second communication part 317 comprises a second hollow channel 3171, a third hollow post 3132 and a fourth hollow post 3133. The second hollow channel 3171 runs through the first shell 311, and is arranged between the inner wall 314 and the outer wall 315 of the first shell 311. A first end and a second end of the second hollow channel 3171 are connected with the inner wall 314 and the outer wall 315 of the first shell 311, respectively. The third hollow post 3132 is a hollow structure protruded from the inner wall 314 of the first shell 311. In addition, the third hollow post 3132 is connected with the first end of the second hollow channel 3171. The fourth hollow post 3133 is a hollow structure protruded from the outer wall 315 of the first shell 311. In addition, the fourth hollow post 3133 is connected with the second end of the second hollow channel 3171.
The connecting module 32 is detachably connected between the host 31 and the breathing tube 33. In this embodiment, the connecting module 32 comprises a second shell 320, a second airflow channel 321, a filter 322, a first airflow guiding part 323 and a second airflow guiding part 326. The second airflow channel 321 is disposed within the connecting module 32 and aligned with the first airflow channel 312. Moreover, the second airflow channel 321 is defined by at least one part of the second shell 320. When the connecting module 32 is connected between the host 31 and the breathing tube 33, the second airflow channel 321 is in communication with the first airflow channel 312 and the breathing tube 33 so as to receive the airflow 330 from the breathing tube 33. The filter 322 is installed in the second airflow channel 321 and partially locked within the second shell 320 so as to filter the airflow 330 from the breathing tube 33. By the filter 322, the second airflow channel 321 is divided into an inlet zone 324 and an outlet zone 325. The inlet zone 324 is arranged between the filter 322 and the breathing tube 33. The outlet zone 325 is arranged between the filter 322 and the host 31. After the airflow 330 introduced into the inlet zone 324 is filtered by the filter 322, the filtered airflow 330 is exited from the outlet zone 325. The first airflow guiding part 323 and the second airflow guiding part 326 run through the second shell 320 of the connecting module 32. A first end and a second end of the first airflow guiding part 323 are formed as a first outlet opening 3231 and a first inlet opening 3232, respectively. A first end and a second end of the second airflow guiding part 326 are formed as a second outlet opening 3261 and a second inlet opening 3262, respectively. The first outlet opening 3231 is formed in an outer wall 3200 of the second shell 320 and aligned with the second hollow post 3163. The size of the first outlet opening 3231 matches the size of the second hollow post 3163. The second outlet opening 3261 is formed in the outer wall 3200 of the second shell 320 and aligned with the fourth hollow post 3133. The size of the second outlet opening 3261 matches the size of the fourth hollow post 3133. When the host 31 and the connecting module 32 are combined together, the second hollow post 3163 is inserted into the first outlet opening 3231 and connected with the first outlet opening 3231, and the fourth hollow post 3133 is inserted into the second outlet opening 3261 and connected with the second outlet opening 3261. The first inlet opening 3232 of the first airflow guiding part 323 is in communication with the inlet zone 324. The airflow 330 coming from the inlet zone 324 and unfiltered by the filter 322 is received by the first inlet opening 3232. The second inlet opening 3262 of the second airflow guiding part 326 is in communication with the outlet zone 325. The airflow 330 coming from the outlet zone 325 and filtered by the filter 322 is received by the second inlet opening 3262.
The host 31 further comprises a first communication tube 3134 and a second communication tube 3135. Each of the first communication tube 3134 and the second communication tube 3135 has two ends. A first end of the first communication tube 3134 is sheathed around the first hollow post 3162, so that the first communication tube 3134 is connected with the first hollow post 3162. A first end of the second communication tube 3135 is sheathed around the third hollow post 3132, so that the second communication tube 3135 is connected with the third hollow post 3132.
The flow sensor 313 is installed in the host 31, and connected with a second end of the first communication tube 3134 and a second end of the second communication tube 3135. The flow sensor 313 is used for detecting a first pressure level of the unfiltered airflow 330 corresponding to the inlet zone 324 and a second pressure level of the filtered airflow 330 corresponding to the outlet zone 325, calculating a pressure difference between the first pressure level and the second pressure level and obtaining a flow rate of the airflow 330 according to the pressure difference. It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the flow sensor 313 is directly connected with the first hollow post 3162 and the third hollow post 3132. Under this circumstance, the first communication tube 3134 and the second communication tube 3135 may be omitted.
Please refer to
Moreover, the connecting module 32 further comprises a second coupling part 327. The second coupling part 327 is protruded externally from the second shell 320 and located beside the inlet zone 324 for covering the inlet zone 324 of the second airflow channel 321. When the breathing tube 33 is sheathed around the second coupling part 327, the breathing tube 33 and the connecting module 32 are combined together.
As shown in
In comparison with the respiratory device 3 of the second embodiment, the respiratory device 5 of this embodiment further comprises a pressure sensor 516 for detecting a pressure level of the airflow 330. Moreover, the first communication tube 5134 comprises three ends. A first end of the first communication tube 5134 is sheathed around the first hollow post 3162, a second end of the first communication tube 5134 is in communication with the flow sensor 313, and a third end of the first communication tube 5134 is in communication with the pressure sensor 516. Consequently, both of the pressure sensor 516 and the flow sensor 313 are in communication with the inlet zone 324 through the first communication tube 5134, the first hollow post 3162, the first hollow channel 3161, the second hollow post 3163 and the first airflow guiding part 323. In other words, the pressure level of the airflow corresponding to the inlet zone 324 can be detected by the pressure sensor 516 and the flow sensor 313. In comparison with the conventional respiratory device, the detecting results of the pressure sensor 516 and the flow sensor 313 can actually reflect the respiratory airflow pressure that is produced by the user. According to the detecting results of the pressure sensor 516 and the flow sensor 313, the respiratory device 5 provides accurate and continuous pressure level to the user.
From the above descriptions, the present invention provides a respiratory device having a function of detecting an airflow pressure difference. The respiratory device includes a host, a pressure sensor and a connecting module. The host comprises a communication part. The connecting module comprises an airflow guiding part. A first end of the communication part is in communication with the pressure sensor, which is disposed within the host. A second end of the communication part is in communication with a first end of the airflow guiding part. An unfiltered airflow coming from a breathing tube is received by a second end of the airflow guiding part. Consequently, the pressure of the respiratory airflow produced by the user can be directly detected by the pressure sensor through the communication part and the airflow guiding part. In comparison with the conventional respiratory device, the detecting result of the pressure sensor of the inventive respiratory device can actually reflect the respiratory airflow pressure that is produced by the user. According to the detecting result of the pressure sensor, the respiratory device provides accurate and continuous pressure level to the user. Moreover, the pressure difference between the inlet zone and the outlet zone at opposite sides of the filter can be directly detected by the flow sensor of the respiratory device of the present invention. Consequently, the filter has the function similar to the flow resistor. Since the respiratory device of the present invention is not equipped with the flow resistor, the respiratory device of the present invention is more cost-effective.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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103130712 | Sep 2014 | TW | national |