METHOD AND DEVICE TO SENSE BREATHING

Abstract: Method and devices intended to be used at sensing of breathing of a man or an animal in order to by means of a breathing sensor securely sense the breathing regardless of whether it occurs through the nose or mouth. A device (1) conducts breathing air flows to and from the nose as well as the mouth past a position (5), at which the sensor is located. In one embodiment the device is tubular and has two orifices (2, 3) for location at the nose and mouth respectively, as well as a third orifice (5) onto which a sensor may be fastened by snap action.

Description: Method and device to sense breathing. The present invention refers to a method and assisting devices intended to be used to sense the breathing of a man or an animal . With "to sense breathing" in this document is referred primarily to achieve a signal which to a substantial extent follows the breathing air flow. In connection to utilization of an equipment to sense breathing according to the international patent application WO 94/16620 a breathing sensor should be placed so that it is located in the breathing air flow at exhaling as well as inhaling. This is exemplified in the application by a retainer that is applied in a nostril. A problem that is solved by the present invention, is by means of a breathing sensor to reliably sense the breathing regardless of whether it occurs through the nose or mouth. Another problem that is solved is to securely hold the breathing sensor in its position and simply be able to apply and remove the same. Moreover it should be possible to move the sensor from one patient to another without a risk of transmisson of infection. A further problem that is solved is to give small influence on normal breathing. These and other problems are solved by a method and devices according to the following patent claims . In the first place thus a device is used that conducts breathing air flows to and from the nose as well as the mouth past a position at which the sensor is placed so that breathing detection may take place irrespective of how breathing occurs . In a first embodiment a tubular device is used that is fixed between and with an end orifice at each of the nose and mouth and a third orifice of the sensor placed on the tubular device. This embodiment includes three main parts: the tubular device, a fastening plate for the tubular device and a sensor retainer which can be fastened to the device by snap action. A second embodiment is constituted mainly by a convexly rounded part intended to be fastened above the nose and mouth together with the first embodiment and formed such that it captures the breathing air flows and leads them to the orifice of the sensor. The tubular as well as the convexly rounded part are designed such that they do not constitute any obstruction for normal breathing. A variant of the convexly rounded part is provided to be able to be used together with a nasal canula. The sensor retainer according to the invention can also be used for patients that have been intubated, whereby a special intermediate part with a connection tube piece for the sensor retainer is used. In a third embodiment, the tubular device is externally shaped with a flattened portion which is provided with adhesive means so that a special fixing plate is not required to fasten the tubular device to the upper lip. This embodiment can also be designed to be directly fastened to a nasal canula without requirement of the convexly rounded part according to the second embodiment. The devices according to the invention not only may be used with an equipment of the type mentioned above that utilizes a fibre end in the breathing air flow, but also together with other breathing sensors intended to be placed in breathing air flow, for example such being based on temperature sensing. Devices that utilize hoses to conduct air flows from nose and mouth respectively to a common breathing sensor are known through WO 9641571 A (Figure 8a, claims 1-10) and WO 9705824 Al (Figure 5). Moreover, devices with several sensors for sensing mouth and nose breathing are known through the above references, as well as US 5069222 A and US 5413111 A. The invention will now be described in greater detail in connection to the drawing. Figure 1A, IB and 1C shows a tubular device according to a first embodiment of the invention in which Figure 1A shows a frontal view, Figure IB shows a section A-A according to Figure 1A, and Figure 1C shows a lateral view with a nose ring mounted. Figure 2 in three views shows a retainer of a device according to Figure 1, where Figure 2A shows a frontal view, Figure 2B shows a view from below and Figure 2C shows a lateral view. Figure 3 shows in three partial figures a second embodiment of a retainer similar to that of Figure 2. Figure 3A thus shows a frontal view, Figure 3B a view from below while Figure 3C shows how the retainer can be made from a material strip. Figure 4 in three views and two sections shows a fibre retainer intended to be releasably fastened to the device according to Figure 1. Figure 4A, 4D and 4E thus shows three partial views, while Figure 4B and Figure 4C show sections according to B-B and A-A in Figure 4A respectively. Figure 5 in three partial views, Figure 5A, 5B and 5C shows a second embodiment in the form of a convexly rounded part which can be used with the devices according to figures 1-4. Figure 6 in two views, from the front according to Figure 6A and laterally according to Figure 6B, shows a second embodiment of the convexly rounded part according to Figure 5, intended to be used with a nasal camula. Figure 7 shows an intermediate piece with a connection pipe intended to be used at intubation. Figure 7A shows the intermediate piece from one side and Figure 7B shows a section A-A according to Figure 7A. Figure 8A, 8B and 8C shows a third embodiment of the invention corresponding to the tubular device 1 in Figure 1A, IB and 1C, where Figure 8A shows a frontal view, Figure 8B shows a section A-A according to Figure 8A, and Figure 8C shows a lateral view with a nose ring mounted. Figure 9A, 9B, and 9C shows a modified version for a nasal canula of the device according to Figure 8A, 8B and 8C with corresponding partial views. Figure 9D shows a section B - B according to Figure 9A. The embodiment of the invention according to Figure 1A-C consists of a tubular part 1 with a first end orifice 2 and a second end orifice 3 and a channel interconnecting the orifices. At the first end orifice 2 the tube is cut mainly perpendicularly. In proximity to the first end orifice 2 the tubular part 1 is angled about 70 degrees so that the first end orifice can be directed inwards towards air channels in the nose when it is placed in a nostril. A sealing ring 4 of slow elastic foam plastic is arranged on the tubular part 1 at the first end orifice 2 (Fig. 1C) . The other end orifice 3 of the tubular part 1 is also open a portion along the longitudinal direction of the tubular portion and it is this opening that is intended to be placed over the mouth when the device is used. A tube piece 5 which is connected to the inner channel of the tubular part 1 is located on the tubular part so that there is formed almost a straight line for an airflow from the first end orifice 2 to the tube connector 5, which thus exhibits a third end orifice. This dimensioning has proven to give good breathing detection at nasal as well as oral breathing. The pipe connector 5 at its end is provided with a groove 6 in order to faciliate fastening of a sensor part by snap action. A retainer in the shape of a plate 7 with a tube part 10 (Fig. 2) is intended to keep the tubular part 1 in place by threading this through the tube part 10 and the plate 7 is adhered to the upper lip. The plate 7 is also provided with holes 8,9 so that the device if necessary can be fixed by means of a rubber string or the like round the head. In addition the plate 7 is provided with an adhering layer 11. In an alternative embodiment of the retainer according to Figure 3 (3A, 3B, 3C) this consists of a strip 12 according to Figure 3C. The strip 12 is provided with a cross shaped groove 13 and two opposite grooves 14 so that one of the ends of the strip 12 may be threaded through the cross shaped groove 13 until the opposite grooves 14 come into engagement with the groove 13 and tube part 10 and the plate 7 is formed by the strip 12. As indicated in Figures 2 and 3 the retainers may be provided with recesses 15 on the tubular part 10, whereby the recesses 15 are adapted to receive the tube connector 5 thereon. As an alternative to the retainers according to Figure 2 and 3 the tubular part 1 may be provided with a fastening plate. The fibre retainer according to Figure 4 is intended to protect the end of an optical fibre which constitutes the breathing sensor, and faciliate its location on the assisting devices according to invention. The fibre retainer 30 is shown in three projections in Figure 4A, 4D and 4E and in two sectional views according to B-B in Figure 4B and A-A in Figure 4C respectively. It consists of a longish part 31 which at one end has a substantially cylindric air duct 32 passing through. A channel 34 runs through the longish part 31 and mainly perpendicularly versus the air duct 32 adapted for an optical fibre (not shown) , which in a mounted state is retained in the fibre retainer so that the fibre end is located centrally in the air duct 32. The fibre channel 34 is provided with an expanded portion 35 with a diameter corresponding to the protection cover of the fibre. One end of the air duct 32 is funnel-shaped widened and provided with a groove 36 so that a flange 37 is formed. The flange 37 is adapted to be received in the groove 6 so that the fibre retainer can be snapped onto the connecting tube 5. The longish portion of the fibre retainer 31 is flattened and is provided with opposite grip surfaces 37 and 38 as well as a protrusion 39 in order to faciliate its fastening and removal . In those cases where the invention is used together with sensors other than optical fibers only the fibre retainer needs to be modified and adapted to the sensor type in question. The device according to Figure 5A, 5B and 5C is constituted by a convexly rounded part 45 of a thin material of substantially uniform thickness, intended to be placed above parts of nose and mouth of a patient and is used together with devices according to Figures 1-4. The convexly rounded part 45 is provided with holes 46, 47 so that it can be fastened around the head by means of a rubber string or the like. It has a dome-shaped, somewhat unsymmetrical form with a convex portion 49 seen in section from outside and a somewhat concave portion 48. It is shaped such that its position can be tested out for the individual patient with either the convex or the concave portion directed upwards against the nose, in order to achieve the best possible respiratory detection by means of the device according to Figure 1 by nasal breathing as well as oral breathing. The reason why a convexly rounded portion 45 sometimes is required is that certain patients especially by oral breathing have a weak and uneven breathing air flow. The device according to Figure 6A and 6B constitutes an alternative to the embodiment according to Figure 5 A-C . In the first place it is intended to be used with a nasal canula 50 which is used to supply oxygen to both nostrils. It mainly consists of a convexly rounded device 51 provided with two holes 52 so that it can be threaded over the nasal canula and held in place under the nose by this. Thus the convexly rounded device 51 can serve as a retainer for a tubular device 1 according to Figure 1 or placed above a separately retained tubular device 1. The convexly rounded device 51 then captures the breathing flow at nasal breathing and leads it to the the upper orifice 2 while the lower orifice 3 normally is held in place in front of the mouth and captures the breathing air flow by oral breathing. The intermediate piece 70 according to Figure 7A and 7B is provided with a through channel 71 which can be coupled to a tracheal tube and is provided with a connection tube 72 with a cross channel 73 similar to the tube connecting piece 5. By intubated patients the intermediate piece 70 can be used with the fibre retainer 30 instead of the tubular device 1, whereby a reliable detection of the breathing may be carried out. In the embodiment according to Figure 8A, 8B and 8C the tubular device 1 shown in Figure 1A, IB and 1C is replaced by an adapter device 81 which has an essentially similar inner channel between the first end orifice 2 and the second end orifice 3 as the tubular device 1, but externally has a longish flattened portion along the second end orifice 3 and the main portion of the inner channel. The longish flattened portion, which constitutes the main portion of the adapter device 81, is designed with a waist of grip surfaces in order to faciliate application, and above the other, longish end orifice 3 is provided with a dome-shaped portion, on which a cushion 82 of resilient material e.g. foam plastic has been applied, outwards provided with an adhesion means 83 with a covering protection film 84. Through this design the adapter device 81 can be fastened directly on the upper lip after tearing off the protection film 84 and no further retainer is required. In the adapter device 81 the connection tube 5 is arranged in a straight line with the air flow from the first end orifice 2, while the channel from the second end orifice 3 forms an angle of about 70 degrees with the connection tube 5. The sealing ring 4 in this case is constituted by ring-shaped flanges of resilient material. The cross-sectional areas of the air channels from the end orifices 2 and 3 and in the connection tube 5 are adapted to give detectable breathing air flow through the connection tube 5 regardless if nasal or oral breathing occurs when the first end orifice 2 is located in or at a nostril and the second end orifice 3 outside the mouth of a measuring object. Figure 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D shows how the device according to Figure 8A, 8B and 8C may be modified to be used in connection with a nasal canula 50. The main portion of the adapter device 91 has thus been formed with a tongue 92 which can be threaded over and hung on the nasal canula and replace one of its orifices, which has been removed. Oxygen via the nasal canula is then supplied via one of the nostrils while breathing measurement may be performed by the adapter device 91 in the other nostril. In order to allow an air flow large enough at oral breathing from the second end orifice 3 to reach the connection tube 5, the intermediate air channel 93 at the tongue 92 has been given an oblong cross section, see Figure 9D. As in the adapter device 81 in this case the tongue 92 has been provided with a pad 82 with adhesion means 83 and a protection film 84. Other designs are also possible within the scope of the following patent claims.

Claims: What is claimed is : 1. A method to sense the breathing of a man or an animal, in which is used a sensor influenced by the breathing air flow and a device that conducts breathing air flows from the nose as well as the mouth past a position, at which the sensor is placed such that breathing detection may be carried out by one and the same sensor, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that a short, essentially straight tubular part (1) is used, which part is fixed between the nose and the mouth with an end orifice (2,3) at each thereof, and an intermediate channel as well as a third orifice on the tubular part which is in communication with the channel and at which a sensor is applied. 2. A method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that one utilizes a convexly shaped device which is fastened over portions of the nose and mouth and at least portions of the tubular part. 3. A device to sense breathing of a man or an animal by conducting a breathing air flow from the nose and a breathing air flow from the mouth to one and the same sensor that is influenced by breathing air flows, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it includes a tubular part (1) , which has a length that is mainly equal to the distance between the mouth and a nostril and exhibits a first part (1,2,4) to conduct breathing air flow intended to be placed at the nose or in a nostril, a second part (1,3) to conduct breathing air flow intended to be placed in or in front of the mouth, as well as a channel with an end orifice (5), at which the sensor is intended to be placed and that breathing air flow is conducted by the first part and by the second part to and from the end orifice (5) of the channel of the sensor, the first part to conduct breathing air flow is constituted by a first end portion with a first orifice (2) of the tubular part (1) and that the second part to conduct breathing air flow is constituted by a second end portion with a second orifice (3) of the tubular part (1) and that the end orifice (5) of the sensor is arranged on the tubular part between the end portions . 4. A device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the tubular part (1) is retained at the patient by means of a plate (7) with an adhereing layer (11) and is provided with a tube part (10), in which the tubular part (1) can be located. 5. A device according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the end orifice (5) of the sensor is provided with means (6) for releasable holding of a sensor unit which contains the breathing sensor. 6. A device according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the sensor unit (30) includes a longish part (31) with a substantially cylindric air duct (32) passing through the same, at the center of which the end of an essentially radially arranged optical fibre is located. 7. A device according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the air duct (32) is arranged through the longish part (31) at one end thereof while the other end is shaped as a handle part (37, 38, 39). 8. A device according to any of claims 3-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further includes a convexly rounded part (45, 51) intended to be fastened over at least parts of the nose, mouth and the sensing device.

Inventors: PETTERSSON HANS, PETTERSSON, HANS
Applicants: OPTOVENT AKTIEBOLAG PUBL, PETTERSSON HANS, OPTOVENT AKTIEBOLAG (PUBL), PETTERSSON, HANS
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61B5
IPC codes: A61B5