Inhalation mask

The invention describes an inhalation or breathing mask for therapeutic nebulisers, in which around a connecting socket 4 for the therapeutic nebuliser is arranged an exhalation valve consisting of exhalation openings and a flexible valve element. The exhalation openings 7 are formed by exhalation channels 8 and can be closed individually by closure devices, for example stoppers, in order to set a predefined exhalation resistance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns an inhalation mask, in particular for use with a therapeutic nebuliser.

BACKGROUND

Nebulisers for therapeutic purposes, hereinafter referred to as therapeutic nebulisers, allow a user to inhale a drug-containing aerosol which was produced beforehand by an aerosol generator in the therapeutic nebuliser. To inhale the aerosol, the user usually takes a mouthpiece which is attached to the therapeutic nebuliser in his mouth and breathes in the aerosol through the mouthpiece. There are however groups of users for whom the use of a mouthpiece to inhale the aerosol is unsuitable or even impossible. For these groups of users, there are used inhalation or breathing masks which are put over the user's face so that the user can inhale the aerosol of the therapeutic nebuliser supplied via a connecting socket, as the aerosol is delivered to the mask via the connecting socket.

Traditional inhalation or breathing masks are of course appropriate solutions for the groups of users for whom the use of a mouthpiece is impossible or impracticable, but as a rule adversely affect the therapeutic quality. It may be supposed that, with inhalation or breathing masks for use with therapeutic nebulisers, improvements which have up to now not yet been exhausted are possible.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It is the object of the invention to show some of these improvements.

This object is achieved by an inhalation or breathing mask with the characteristics of patent claim1. Advantageous embodiments are apparent from the subsidiary claims.

The invention is based on the finding that, for improving the therapeutic quality, it is important in particular to influence selectively the air flow which arises when the patient breathes out. This is achieved as a priority with the inhalation mask according to the invention by the arrangement and design of the exhalation valve. But alternatively, in addition, a further positive effect with respect to the therapeutic quality is obtained by influencing the effective cross-sectional area of the exhalation channels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an inhalation or breathing mask according to the invention. It can be seen that the inhalation mask1can be roughly divided into a first mask region2, which is designed for application of the mask to the user's face, and a second mask region3which according to the invention is equipped with a connecting device4for an inhalation therapy nebuliser5, which is shown by way of example in the form of a nozzle nebuliser. An aerosol output connection6of the therapeutic nebuliser5is connected to the connecting socket4. The aerosol produced in the therapeutic nebuliser is conducted via the aerosol output connection6to the connecting socket4and so passes into the interior of the mask1when the user wearing the mask breathes in.

FIG. 2shows in a sectioned view the second mask region3of the inhalation mask according to the invention. The connecting device4for the therapeutic nebuliser (not shown) is in this embodiment a connecting socket with a basic cylindrical shape which is made from the material of the inhalation mask in one piece with the latter. The dimensions of the cylindrical connecting socket4are selected such that the latter offers sufficient grip to the inserted aerosol output connection of the therapeutic nebuliser.

Around the connecting socket4according to the invention are provided exhalation openings7through which the respiratory air of the user wearing the mask can flow out of the interior of the mask during exhalation. The exhalation openings7are, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, arranged concentrically around the cylindrical connecting socket4. The number of exhalation openings7is selected so as to produce sufficient total cross-sectional area for the respiratory air of a user breathing out into the mask. The total cross-sectional area results from the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the breathing openings7.

As shown inFIG. 2, the breathing openings7are formed by breathing channels8which extend through the material of the breathing mask essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical connecting socket4. Between the breathing channels8are formed connecting webs8awhich connect the connecting device4to the first mask region2. Due to the fact that the connecting webs8aextend in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the connecting device4, the transition region between the first mask region2and the connecting device4is reinforced so that it can serve as the supporting core of the inhalation mask according to the invention and allows a correspondingly lightweight design of the first mask region2.

As shown inFIG. 2, on the outside of the cylindrical connecting socket4in the immediate vicinity of the region8of the breathing channels is formed a peripheral groove9. As shown inFIG. 3, in the groove9is inserted a valve element10which in the embodiment shown here is a flat annular disc which at its inner edge comprises a section11of enlarged cross-section. The section11is adapted to the groove9, so that the valve element10is supported on the outside of the connecting socket4. In this way the valve element10rests with its outer edge12on a supporting edge13which is formed in the breathing mask according to the invention, also running concentrically around the connecting socket4. To prevent the valve element10from sticking, it is advantageous, by a sealing lip in the region of the supporting edge13, in particular a prism-shaped sealing lip, to keep the area of contact between the valve element10and the mask in the region of the supporting edge12as small as possible. When the user wearing the breathing mask breathes in, the valve element10is moved with its outer edge12towards the supporting edge13, so that the breathing openings7are closed. The user breathes in through the opening of the connecting socket4and hence through the aerosol output connection of the therapeutic nebuliser. When the user breathes out into the mask, the valve element10is lifted off the supporting edge13, so that between the outer edge12of the valve10and the supporting edge13of the second mask region3forms a gap which clears the flow path for the exhaled air.

InFIG. 4in a cross-sectional view are shown valve elements in different embodiments which can be used with the inhalation mask according to the invention. Here,FIG. 4ashows a valve element which at the inner edge comprises the section12of enlarged cross-section. The valve element according toFIG. 4ais also shown inFIG. 3. In both figures it can be seen that the flexible portion of the valve element10is arranged centrally to the section12. Due to this symmetrical construction, assembly by the patient after cleaning is made easier. In the embodiment of the valve element inFIG. 4b, the flexible portion of the valve element is moved to the edge of the section12of enlarged cross-section. However, the section12is at the inner edge of the valve element in the embodiment inFIG. 4btoo. In the embodiment inFIG. 4cthe section12of enlarged cross-section is arranged at the outer edge of the valve element10. According to this design, the groove for receiving the section12in the mask must be provided at the location at which the supporting edge13is formed inFIG. 3. Likewise correspondingly the supporting edge must be formed at the location of the mask at which inFIG. 3the groove9is provided. The embodiment inFIG. 4dcorresponds to the embodiment inFIG. 4b, but here too the section12of enlarged cross-section is arranged at the outer edge of the valve element. All the embodiments of the valve element shown inFIG. 4for the inhalation mask according to the invention are rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5shows a further embodiment of a valve element10according to the invention which is attached to the second mask region3of an inhalation mask according to the invention. The flat valve element10is of annular construction and arranged around the connecting socket4for a therapeutic nebuliser. The valve element10comprises a latch projection14which extends around in the vicinity of the outer edge of the valve element10. In the second mask region3of the inhalation mask according to the invention shown inFIG. 5is formed a latch groove15which extends around concentrically to the cylindrical connecting socket5and in which the latch projection14of the valve element10can be latched. Further, a sealing lip16is formed, which runs around the cylindrical connecting socket4and is arranged in the vicinity of the inner edge of the valve element10. Between the latch groove15and the sealing lip16are located the breathing channels8whose breathing openings7are closed by the valve element10when the user wearing the mask breathes in. In this example too the latch projection14can be arranged in the vicinity of the inner edge of the valve element when the latch groove15is arranged correspondingly.

Under certain conditions it is sensible if during his treatment the patient breathes against an elevated exhalation resistance which is desirably adjustable.

FIG. 6shows the inhalation mask according to the invention with a closure device by means of which the effective cross-sectional area of the exhalation openings7can be influenced. The embodiment of the closure device shown inFIG. 6includes one or more stoppers17whose size and shape are adapted to the exhalation openings7or the exhalation channels8. Preferably, the stoppers17have a slight conical shape and can thus easily be inserted in the exhalation openings7or the breathing channels8and fixed. By the number of breathing openings7closed by means of the stoppers the effective total cross-sectional area of the breathing openings in an inhalation mask according to the invention is influenced. In this way an exhalation resistance which is preset for the user of the breathing mask according to the invention can be adjusted. As the stoppers17can be removed again as the closure device, the adjustment of the breathing resistance is variable in stages and adjustable to the user-dependent requirements. Stoppers17which only partially close the breathing channels8can also be provided. A similar effect is obtained by stoppers17which themselves comprise openings or breathing channels.

To facilitate handling of the closure device17in the form of one or more stoppers, in the embodiment of the closure device according to the invention shown inFIG. 6is provided a holding device18to which the stoppers17of the closure device are connected by connecting elements19. The connecting elements19are advantageously constructed in such a way that stoppers17which are not used can be detached, for example broken off, from the holding device18. Preferably the stoppers17, the holding device18and the connecting elements19are made from a material in one piece. The holding device18is ring-shaped so that it can be inserted in the cylindrical connecting socket4of the breathing mask according to the invention and supported there preferably on account of the selected dimensions (fit). However, in the connecting socket4of the inhalation mask can also be provided latch elements, for example a latch groove which extends around on the inner surface of the cylindrical connecting socket and whose width and depth are adapted to the dimensions of the holding ring19.

InFIG. 7is shown a further embodiment of the closure device according to the invention comprising several stoppers17which can be inserted in the breathing channels of the therapeutic mask according to the invention. The stoppers17are in this embodiment held by a holding device18which on the one hand holds the stoppers17and on the other hand fixes the exact position of the stoppers17, so that the latter can easily be introduced into the correspondingly arranged breathing channels8(cf.FIG. 6) of the therapeutic mask according to the invention. When the closure device shown inFIG. 7is inserted in the breathing mask according to the invention, all the exhalation channels8are closed. To adjust the effective cross-sectional area, individual stoppers17can be detached from the holding device18, as the stoppers can be broken out. For this purpose the stoppers17are each surrounded by a perforation18awhich allows each stopper17to be separated from the holding device18.

The webs of the perforation18aare to be regarded as connecting elements19.

InFIG. 8is shown a further embodiment of a closure device20,21for an inhalation mask according to the invention. The closure device of this embodiment includes two flat annular discs20and21which are each provided with a number of openings22. The two annular discs20and21lie one on top of the other and can be rotated relative to each other in such a way that the openings22lie one over the other to different degrees. Advantageously, the annular discs20and21comprise a marking which makes it easier for the user to align the annular discs with each other and hence align the openings with each other. InFIG. 8is shown a rotational position in which the openings22overlap each other by about 95%. In this way a very large proportion of the maximum possible effective cross-sectional area is set for the exhalation openings7. It can be seen fromFIG. 8that the two flat annular discs20and21can also be arranged relative to each other in such a way that the openings22lie exactly one over the other, so that the maximum effective cross-sectional area is set for exhalation. A rotational position of the two flat annular discs20and21in which the openings22are closed is not possible in the embodiment shown inFIG. 8, because complete closure of the exhalation openings7is normally not desirable, as the patient then breathes out into the connecting socket4for the therapeutic nebuliser and with the exhaled air can adversely affect production of the aerosol in the therapeutic nebuliser.

As shown inFIG. 9, one of the flat annular discs20is provided with holding lugs23which pass through an inner opening of the other flat annular disc21and can be inserted in the interior of the cylindrical connecting socket4. As can be seen more clearly inFIG. 9, the holding lugs23in the inserted state are located behind a latch projection24which is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical connecting socket4. The latch projection24can be in the form of a peripheral latch groove. The holding lugs23of one flat annular disc28can however also be designed so as to be held in the interior of the cylindrical connecting socket4only on account of the suitably chosen dimensions (fit). In this case the holding lugs23can also be designed in the form of a holding cylinder or holding ring, similarly to the embodiment inFIG. 6. The construction shown inFIG. 8is advantageous because rotation of one flat annular disc20relative to the other21is easier, because the holding lugs23do fix both flat annular discs in the axial direction, but build up a lower resistance for a rotational movement of one flat annular disc20or21. By contrast, the design with a holding cylinder must preferably be effected in such a way that the second flat annular disc21, which is fitted on the holding cylinder, is fixed relative to the holding cylinder on account of the chosen dimensions (fit) in a predetermined rotational position relative to the first flat annular disc20before the two flat annular discs20and21are fastened by means of the holding cylinder in the connecting socket4of the inhalation mask according to the invention.