Abstract:
A breathing tube connecting device is provided for connecting a breathing tube to at least two respirators. The breathing tube connecting device includes a base body with a breathing gas through duct embodied in the base body, a jacket body, which can be meshed with the base body in a positive-locking manner and thus encloses at least a part of the base body in a coaxial manner, and a transponder. The transponder is provided between the base body and the jacket body. The breathing gas through duct and the jacket body are embodied at least partly as a coupling section for a selective connection of the breathing tube to one of the at least two respirators.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a United States National Phase application of International Application PCT/DE2007/001975 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent DE 10 2006 053 857.9 filed Nov. 14, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a breathing tube connecting device for connecting a breathing tube to at least two respirators. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Breathing tube connecting devices are used in a known manner for connecting a breathing tube or a breathing tube system, designated as breathing tube below for the sake of simplicity, to a respirator. A respirator may comprise an anesthesia apparatus. The breathing tube connecting devices differ with respect to the diameter of a breathing gas through duct. Thus, breathing tube connecting devices for neonatal use have smaller diameters compared to breathing tube connecting devices for connecting a breathing tube to a respirator for adults. Breathing tube connecting devices have either a male or female connection. A connection complementary thereto can be found in each case on the respirator. Breathing tube connecting devices for a connection to a neonatal respirator are usually designed with a female connection, whereas breathing tube connecting devices for a connection to a respirator for adults can be designed with a male or female connection. On the other hand, the connections to the neonatal respirator are usually designed as a male connection and the connections to the adult respirator are designed as a combination of male and female connections. 
     For the breathing tube connecting devices there is a current standard of 11, 15 and 22 mm diameters of the breathing gas through duct. Here, breathing tube connecting devices for neonatal use have a diameter of the breathing gas through duct of 11 mm, whereas breathing tube connecting devices for respirators for adults may have a breathing gas through duct diameter of 15 mm or 22 mm. 
     Respirators for adults generally have a breathing mode for newborns. If a neonatal patient shall now be respirated with a respirator for adults, it is desirable that the breathing tube connecting device of the neonatal breathing tube, which is designed for a connection to a neonatal respirator, can be connected both to the neonatal respirator and to the respirator for adults. Moreover, it should be possible to produce the breathing tube connecting device in a simple and cost-effective manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a breathing tube connecting device that is simple to produce, which eliminates the problem described above. 
     According to the present invention, this object is accomplished by a breathing tube connecting device for connecting a breathing tube to at least two respirators consisting of a base body with a breathing gas through duct embodied in the base body, a jacket body, which can be meshed with the base body in a positive-locking manner and thereby encloses at least a part of the base body in a coaxial manner, and a transponder, which is provided between the base body and the jacket body. The breathing gas through duct and jacket body are designed at least partly as a coupling section for a selective connection of the breathing tube to one of the at least two respirators. In this context, the transponder is defined as an element for wireless sending and for receipt of data. 
     The idea of the present invention is to provide a base body with a breathing gas through duct corresponding to the diameter of the neonatal breathing tube and a jacket body designed in terms of dimensions corresponding to the connection to the respective respirator for adults, whereby the base body can be combined with the jacket body provided for the corresponding respirator for adults and in the combination the base body and the jacket body are meshed in a positive-locking manner, such that a neonatal breathing tube can be connected by means of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention both to a neonatal respirator and to a respirator for adults. 
     The advantages gained with the present invention are especially that the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention can be produced in a very cost-effective manner. In this case, a base body can be produced, which can be combined and can be meshed (engaged) in a positive-locking manner with a corresponding jacket body according to the respective respirator for adults in such a way that the breathing tube connecting device can be connected both to the neonatal respirator and to the respirator for adults. A respectively identical base body may thus be combined with a jacket body, which has a diameter required for connection to the corresponding respirator for adults. The breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention thus makes possible a connection of a breathing tube both to a first and a second respirator, whereby the first and second respirators have a different connecting structure. The first respirator is a neonatal respirator and the second respirator a respirator for adults. In addition, the respirator for adults has a breathing mode for the respiration of neonates. 
     The structure of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention is designed in such a way that both the outer surface of the base body and the inner wall of the jacket body have a preferably cylindrical design. This design makes possible a stable connection of the base body and jacket body. The base body and jacket body are connected in a positive-locking manner preferably by means of a meshing of a circumferential beading provided on the outer surface of the base body with a complementary circumferential groove provided on the inner wall of the jacket body. To prevent a rotation of the jacket body in relation to the base body after the meshing of the base body and jacket body in a positive-locking manner, particularly when connecting or disconnecting the breathing tube connecting device to or from the respirator, means that prevent rotation are provided in another embodiment of the device according to the present invention. For this, preferably the base body has a lug directed at right angles to the outer surface of the base body and the jacket body has a complementary cutout directed at right angles to its inner wall. The lug of the outer surface of the base body meshes with the cutout of the inner wall of the jacket body when they are connected in a positive-locking manner. A material of the base body and the jacket body preferably consists of polypropylene. As is well known, polypropylene is an elastic material that promotes the positive-locking connection of the base body and jacket body. In addition, the part of the breathing gas through duct of the base body directed toward a respirator and the outer surface of the jacket body run in a cone-shaped manner for an optimal connection of the breathing tube connecting device to a respirator. 
     The transponder is advantageously provided between the base body and jacket body. Transponders have a high heat sensitivity. Insertion into the base body or jacket body during a production of the base body or jacket body in the injection molding process is almost impossible without destroying its functions. A positioning of the transponder on the outer surface of the breathing tube connecting device, for example, by bonding, may, on the one hand, cause damage to the transponder during the connection of the breathing tube connecting device to the respirator, and, on the other hand, lead to an untightness of the respirator/patient connection. 
     The structure of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention does make it possible to position the transponder between the outer surface of the base body and the inner wall of the jacket body, such that the transponder is protected against damage by the jacket body of the breathing tube connecting device surrounding it. 
     Auxiliary means for positioning the transponder on the base body are preferably provided on the outer surface of the base body. For example, the circumferential beading provided on the outer surface of the base body can be provided as a positioning aid when mounting the transponder on the base body. The transponder is preferably mounted on a side of the base body pointing toward the respirator. Thus, passive transponders with a highly limited range may also be used. This may be, for example, an RFID transponder that has a range of ca. 18 mm. 
     The transponder is preferably mounted on the outer surface of the base body by means of a suitable bonding process. Bonding processes for mounting transponders on the surface of a certain part are known from the state of the art; hence, this will not be discussed in detail at this point. However, in a preferred process step shortly before completion or after the production of the base body by means of an injection molding process, provisions may also be made for mounting the transponder on the base body, while the base body preferably initially remains in an injection molding die after its production and the transponder is mounted onto the outer surface of the base body by means of a suitable injection molding technique, without the transponder being entirely surrounded by injection molding material. 
     In an especially preferred embodiment of the breathing tube connecting device, the transponder is equipped with a function for storing data. By means of the storage function of data, the transponder advantageously makes possible a filing of breathing parameters. For example, a respiration rate, a breath, a breathing pressure and/or an identification of the breathing tube can be filed as breathing parameters. When the respirator is changed, e.g., because of a change within the clinical area of the patient, the breathing tube remains at the patient. The data filed in the transponder are thus available with the breathing tube and make possible an automatic or semi-automatic setting of the breathing parameters required at this respirator when the breathing tube is connected to a different respirator. Thus, the setting parameters of a first respirator can be transmitted in a simple manner to a second respirator. Furthermore, data about forbidden parameters of other apparatuses can be filed in the transponder of the breathing tube connecting device. For example, a breathing mode for adults can be blocked when the neonatal breathing tube is connected to a respirator for adults after recognition of the neonatal breathing tube. 
     Furthermore, the transponder of the device according to the present invention makes it possible to detect and file such personal data as, for example, a identification number. By means of a patient identification number, a respirator connected to a clinical network can be set to the breathing parameters required for the corresponding patient. 
     In another embodiment of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention, parameters are transmitted for a guarantee of a perfect function of the breathing tube. For example, a shelf life of the breathing tube can be stored on the transponder and corresponding information can be sent to the user after the end of a time, e.g., a time determined and fixed for a guarantee of a perfect function of the breathing tube. 
     The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified sectional view of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified sectional view of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention for explaining a connection of a neonatal breathing tube to a neonatal respirator; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified sectional view of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention for explaining a connection of a neonatal breathing tube to a respirator for adults, and 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified sectional view of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention in a second embodiment with a transponder. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in particular, the breathing tube  1  shown in  FIG. 1  is provided in its end area with a breathing tube connecting device  2 , which has a base body  3  and a jacket body  4  enclosing a part of the base body  3  directed toward a respirator  12 . A breathing tube fastening section  6 , in which the breathing tube  1  is fixed, is formed in the area of the base body  3  on the breathing tube side. The base body  3  has a breathing gas through duct  5 , whose through cross section essentially corresponds to the through cross section of the breathing tube  1  connected to the breathing tube fastening section  6 . Both the outer surface of the base body  3  and the inner wall of the jacket body  4  of the breathing tube connecting device  2  shown in  FIG. 1  have a cylindrical design. 
     In a middle area of the base body  3 , a circumferential beading  8  is provided on the outside thereof, via which a positive-locking connection with a complementary circumferential groove  9  located on the inner wall of the jacket body  4 , which is favorable from mechanical points of view, is achieved. To prevent a rotation of the jacket body  4  against the base body  3  when connecting or disconnecting the breathing tube connecting device  2  to or from a respirator  12 , a lug  10  directed at right angles to an outer surface of the base body  3  is provided, which meshes with a complementary cutout directed at right angles to the outside of the jacket body  4 . A snapping of the lug  10  of the base body  3  into the cutout of the jacket body  4  signals an accurate connection of the base body  3  and jacket body  4 . The base body  3  and jacket body  4  are preferably made of polypropylene (PP) because of good elastic properties. However, it is also possible to make the base body  3  and the jacket body  4  out of other suitable materials. 
     For the purpose of explaining the connection of the breathing tube connecting device according to the present invention to a respirator  12 ,  FIGS. 2 and 3  show a respirator-side connecting structure  16 , which has a design essentially complementary to the coupling section  7  embodied by the base body  3  and jacket body  4 .  FIG. 2  shows a breathing tube connecting device  2  for connecting to a neonatal respirator  12 . A neonatal respirator  12  is generally designed with a male connecting structure  16 , which has a diameter of 11 mm. A respirator  12  for adults, as it is shown in  FIG. 3 , usually has, by contrast, a male and a female connecting structure  16 , whereby the male connecting structure  16  has a diameter of 15 mm and the female connecting structure  16  has a diameter of 11 mm. The breathing tube connecting device  2  according to the present invention may advantageously connect a neonatal breathing tube  1  to a neonatal respirator  12  and to a respirator  12  for adults. In the connection of a breathing tube connecting device  2  of a neonatal breathing tube  1  to a connecting structure  16  of a neonatal respirator  12  schematically shown in  FIG. 2 , the coupling section of the breathing tube connecting device  2  identified by reference number  7  meshes with a pin section  15  of the connecting structure of the neonatal respirator  12 . The coupling section  7  is formed by the inner wall of the base body  3 , [i.e.] the breathing gas through duct  5 . A part of the breathing gas through duct  5  of the base body  3  directed toward the respirator  12  advantageously has a cone-shaped design. The pin section  15  of the connecting structure  16  of the neonatal respirator  12  shown in  FIG. 2  has a shape complementary to the coupling section  7 . 
     During the connection of the breathing tube connecting device  2  of a neonatal breathing tube  1  to a connecting structure  16 , as is schematically shown in  FIG. 3 , of the respirator  12  for adults, the coupling section  7  of the breathing tube connection device  2  meshes with a recess  14  and with the pin section  15  of the connecting structure  16  of the respirator  12  for adults. The coupling section  7  is formed by the inner wall of the base body  3  and the outer surface of the jacket body  4 . With the breathing tube connecting device  2  according to the present invention, a neonatal breathing tube  1  can thus be connected both to the connecting structure  16  of the neonatal respirator  12  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and to the connecting structure  16  of a respirator  12  for adults (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The outer surface of the jacket body  4  advantageously has, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a cone-shaped design and cooperates with the cone-shaped recess  14  of the connecting structure  16  of the respirator  12  for adults. 
       FIG. 4  shows a very particularly preferred embodiment of the breathing tube connecting device  2 . A transponder is provided between the outer surface of the base body  3  and the inner wall of the jacket body  4 . The transponder  11  is used for the wireless sending and the wireless receipt of data and is additionally equipped with a function for storing data. The circumferential beading  8  provided on the outer surface of the base body  3  is used as a positioning aid during the mounting of the transponder  11  on the base body  3 . It is thereby guaranteed that the transponder  11  has a reproducible position and is provided very close at one end of a side of the base body  3  pointing toward the respirator  12 . This makes it possible to use passive transponders  11 , for example, an RFID transponder  11  with a range of ca. 18 mm. The receipt and sending of data are thus optimally guaranteed. The transponder  11  of the breathing tube connecting device  2  according to the present invention of  FIG. 4  makes it possible, by means of a data storage function, to advantageously file such breathing parameters as, for example, a respiration rate, a breath, a breathing pressure and/or a form of respiration. If only the breathing tube  1  is uncoupled from the neonatal respirator  12  and is coupled to a respirator  12  for adults, the breathing parameters of the neonatal respirator  12  stored on the transponder  11  can be transmitted to the respirator  12  for adults, or these breathing parameters are released to the respirator  12  for adults. A setting of too-high breathing pressures for newborns, as they are necessary for a respiration of adults, is thus ruled out. Furthermore, personal data, for example, a patient identification number can be stored with the transponder  11  of the breathing tube connecting device  2  according to the present invention. In case of a change of the clinical area and thus of the respirator, the breathing tube  1  remains at the patient. The data stored in the transponder  11  are thus available with the breathing tube  1  and make possible a transmission of the data to the respirator  12  when the breathing tube  1  is connected to the respirator  12  for adults. By means of a patient identification number, for example, a respirator  12  connected to a clinical network can be set to the breathing parameters required for the corresponding patient. 
     In another embodiment of the breathing tube connecting device  2  shown in  FIG. 4 , parameters for a guarantee of a perfect function of the breathing tube  1  are transmitted to the transponder  11 . For example, the time of using the breathing tube  1  at the respective respirator  12  is measured and then sent to the transponder  11 . Thus, the overall shelf life of the breathing tube  1  can be stored on the transponder  11  and after reaching a time duration that defines an end for the guarantee of the perfect function of the breathing tube  1 , corresponding information can be sent to the user. 
     A preferred process for the manufacture of the breathing tube connecting device  2  according to the present invention is explained below based on the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 . In a first process step, the base body  3  is produced by means of an injection molding process. The base body  3  has thereby a circumferential beading  8  protruding from the outer surface, which is used for the positioning of a transponder  11  to be mounted on the outer surface of the base body  3  in another process step. The transponder  11  is thereby mounted on a part of the outer surface of the base body  3  pointing toward the respirator  12 . After that or in parallel thereto, the jacket body  4  is produced by means of an injection molding process. In another process step, the base body  3  is connected to the jacket body  4  in a positive-locking manner. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.