Abstract:
A device for measuring the volume flow or other substance properties of a gas, whose direction of flow can reverse. The arrangement contains a specially designed Y-piece, which is used for branching into direction-dependent flow paths and can be used at the same time for the measurement. Such devices can be preferably used in the area of mechanical respiration.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Application DE 10 2004 017 403.2 filed Apr. 8, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention pertains to a measuring device for measuring the volume flow or other substance properties of a flowing gas, whose direction of flow can reverse. Typical applications of such measuring devices are found in the area of artificial respiration, where the monitoring of various parameters of the breathing air is frequently a part of patient monitoring and/or contributes to the increase in the reliability of operation of the respirators. The present invention shall therefore be described based on the example of respiration technology.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In case of mechanical respiration imitating natural respiration, the inspiration and the expiration take place via a single-channel tube introduced into the patient&#39;s trachea. Splitting into separate flow paths is performed in the vicinity of the patient via a Y-piece, and these separate flow paths can be released via actuated valves and thus make possible a desired uncoupling of the volume flows generated during expiration and inspiration, corresponding to the mode of respiration selected.  
         [0004]     The uncoupling of the volume flows can never be complete for anatomic and technological reasons. For anatomic reasons, there is a dead volume, which is determined, among other things, by the volume of the trachea, even during natural breathing. In case of artificial respiration, the volume of the tube is a technological dead volume. If additional volume areas through which both volume flows flow are present between the outer end of the tube and the beginning of the separate flow guiding, these automatically increase the dead volume during respiration. To attain a low flow resistance during respiration, the cross section is usually expanded already in the transition area between the tube and the Y-piece. As a result, the Y-piece itself may already contribute appreciably to the technological dead volume. If additional flow-carrying components, for example, sensor heads with flow sensors, are inserted between the tube and the Y-piece, these also increase the dead volume of the respiration unit.  
         [0005]     The dead volume may, as a rule, be tolerated if the tidal volume is markedly larger than the dead volume. However, cases in which a small tidal volume must suffice for complete respiration frequently occur during mechanical respiration in medicine. This may be due to various impairments in the functionality of the respiratory system or a small lung volume. The latter occurs mostly in neonatology. It is desirable in such cases to keep the dead volume as small as possible during artificial respiration.  
         [0006]     It is frequently desirable to obtain the data necessary for a “real-time monitoring” of a patient possibly in the vicinity of the patient from a measurement of the gas flows being sent through the respiration unit. If flow sensors or sensors for measuring certain properties of flowing gases are directly exposed to the gas flow to be measured, they frequently yield evaluable signals only if uniform flow conditions prevail in their immediate environment and the sensors themselves do not affect the gas flow in an undefined manner. Sensors are therefore sometimes accommodated in special components which are optimized only with the aim of guaranteeing defined flow conditions in the environment of the sensor. However, the integration of additional components implies an increased effort for installation, it possibly increases the dead volume and may lead to problems in terms of optimization in the overall system if individual components are optimized concerning their individual functions but not for an optimal cooperation. One example of such an optimization concerning individual functions is the design of conventional Y-pieces. These contain an unbranched area, which can be called a base area, which is flown through in both directions and whose dimensioning is determined essentially by the conditions of connection to the tube or to a tube adapter. Furthermore, Y-pieces comprise two outflow pipes for the connection of separate flexible tubes, which are flown through in one direction only. Flexibility problems are usually the most important aspects in designing these outflow pipes. The connection sites must have a certain minimum distance for the possibility of handling and shall permit rapid mounting. As a result, difficult-to-define flow conditions may arise in the base area of the Y-pieces, where the separate flow paths are merged.  
         [0007]     A device is known from WO 84/01704 as an example of the integration of additional components for measurement purposes, in which venturi tubes are arranged behind the Y-piece in the flow paths already extending separately, and the pressures occurring at the reduction of the area of these venturi tubes are monitored for differential pressure measurement. However, the measured values are not obtained particularly close to the patient because of the arrangement behind the Y-piece.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The object of the present invention is to provide a device for measuring the volume flow or the substance properties of a gas, whose direction of flow can reverse, which device makes it possible to obtain the measured data close to the patient and makes do with a very small dead volume, and wherein simple integration of the device into existing systems shall be possible.  
         [0009]     A device according to the present invention for measuring the volume flow and/or additional substance properties of a gas, whose direction of flow can reverse, contains an arrangement with a Y-piece, one end of which is connected to a gas-carrying component, in which varying directions of flow may prevail, and whose other ends are connected with gas-carrying components, in which no change takes place in the direction of flow, wherein the Y-piece has separate, essentially uncoupled flow paths for gas flows of different directions of flow, which extend at least partially in parallel to one another, are separated from one another by a flat partition in the area in which they extend in parallel to one another and are equipped with means for obtaining measured values for characterizing the flowing gas in the area in which they extend in parallel to one another.  
         [0010]     Consequently, the present invention is based, in respect to respiration technical applications, on exploring the area located in the vicinity of the tube, which is unbranched in conventional Y-pieces, as a measuring site located close to the patient, and at the same time not to allow this area to act as a dead volume any longer. The base area of the Y-piece close to the tube is divided for this purpose into two areas by a partition extending in the direction of flow. On the side facing away from the tube, each of these areas opens into the respective branch of the Y-piece, via which fresh breathing gases are supplied or the used breathing gases are removed during expiration. On the side of the Y-piece close to the tube, the partition may extend into the area of connection to the tube. The Y-piece itself does not contribute to the dead volume in this case.  
         [0011]     Due to the flow paths being separated already in the base area of the Y-piece, it is possible to increase the overall length of the Y-piece in the base area without hereby causing an increase in the dead volume. It was found that such an increase in the overall length, in conjunction with the partition according to the present invention, causes flow conditions that permit interesting measured values to be obtained in a reliable manner from the gas flows in the area close to the patient to emerge in the areas of the Y-piece that are separated by the partition and extend in parallel.  
         [0012]     The introduction of a partition according to the present invention reduces, in principle, the dead volume. It is especially advantageous for the flat partition to extend up to the area in which the connection with the gas-carrying component takes place, in which varying directions of flow may prevail. This area is determined mostly by a tube adapter.  
         [0013]     An especially good uncoupling of the separate flow paths is achieved if a movable flap, which is movable between two positions, is fastened at the end of the partition, and in case of a direction of flow from the Y-piece to the gas-carrying component, in which varying directions of flow may prevail, this flap assumes a position that reduces the flow cross section as little as possible and in the reversed direction of flow it assumes a position in which it facilitates the inflow into the flow path intended for that direction of flow.  
         [0014]     It is advantageous if at least one of the two positions of the movable flap is determined by an end stop. An especially expedient and simple embodiment of a device according to the present invention is obtained if the movable flap is fastened such that the position of the movable flap is set by the flow forces acting on the flap. The mobility of the flap can be advantageously brought about by means of elastic fastening means between the movable flap and the flat partition.  
         [0015]     Especially favorable flow conditions, which lead to good measuring results, do arise if the cross section of the Y-piece is approximately round in the area in which the separate flow paths extend in parallel to one another. This permits, in addition, an especially simple adaptation to conventional tube adapters.  
         [0016]     In another advantageous embodiment, the cross section of the Y-piece is approximately square in the area in which the separate flow paths extend in parallel to one another. This makes it possible to arrange chip sensors for measuring the flow in/at the outer wall of the Y-piece in an especially flow-neutral manner in the areas of the separate flow paths that extend in parallel to one another, because the planar geometry of the chips corresponds to the geometry of the flow-limiting surface.  
         [0017]     Another advantageous embodiment is obtained if chip sensors for measuring the flow in/at the partition are arranged in the areas of the separate flow paths that extend in parallel to one another. The electric lines necessary for the operation of the chip sensors may now be integrated in the interior of the partition.  
         [0018]     Another advantageous embodiment for flow measurement is obtained if hot wire sensors are arranged for flow measurement in the areas of the separate flow paths that extend in parallel to one another.  
         [0019]     It may be advantageous to arrange holes, through which pressure measurement can be performed if the holes are connected with pressure measuring means via pressure pipes, in the outer wall of the Y-piece in the areas of the separate flow paths that extend in parallel to one another.  
         [0020]     An especially great certainty of measurement is obtained if the holes in the outer wall lead into at least one buffer volume, whose inner pressure can be measured. The number of holes may be selected to be relatively large because the individual holes do not need to be provided with pressure pipes. As a result, there will be a high tolerance to the clogging of individual holes, and slight variations or inhomogeneities in the flow will also have only a reduced effect on pressure measurement. Such a buffer volume is advantageously associated with each pressure measuring means.  
         [0021]     In another advantageous embodiment of a device according to the present invention, openings, which can be connected with pressure measuring means via channels extending in the interior of the partition, are arranged in the partition in the areas of the separate flow paths that extend in parallel to one another. The number of flexible tubes leading into the vicinity of the patient is reduced as a result.  
         [0022]     It is especially advantageous if two means of the same type for obtaining measured values to characterize the flowing gas are coupled in the separate flow paths such that they make possible a difference measurement between the separate flow paths. It is usually possible due to the difference measurement to determine the flow component of changing direction in case a continuous basic flow is superimposed to a flow of changing direction. Dead space rinsing by a basic flow is necessary in some medical applications. The field of use of the device according to the present invention is thus expanded by the difference measurement.  
         [0023]     An especially advantageous embodiment with the possibility of measuring the pressure difference between the separate flow paths is obtained if a movable part is integrated in the partition and it is provided with measuring means, and the movable part sends a signal that depends on the pressure difference by its deflection in case of a pressure difference between the separate flow paths. This can be embodied, for example, by a piezo measuring element.  
         [0024]     An alternative embodiment with the possibility of measuring the pressure difference between the separate flow paths is obtained if windows that are permeable to ultrasound and are located approximately on a straight line that is sloped against the direction of flow are arranged in the partition and in the outer walls of the Y-piece in the area in which the separate flow paths extend in parallel to one another, and ultrasound transducers, which form a measuring section between them, via which flow measurement can be carried out by time of flight measurement, are arranged in front of the windows outside the flow paths.  
         [0025]     A further improvement of the accuracy of measurement and reproducibility is achieved if flow rectifiers are arranged in the direction of flow in front of the particular site at which measured values are obtained to characterize the flowing gas. These may be various flow guide vanes which ensure a sufficiently stable laminar flow at the particular measuring site in case of complicated incoming flow conditions.  
         [0026]     Devices according to the present invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments. 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  
       [0027]     In the drawings:  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the present invention in the area of the Y-piece;  
         [0029]      FIG. 2A  is a cross sectional view of a Y-piece according to the present invention in the area in which the separate flow paths extend in parallel to one another;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2B  is a cross sectional view of another Y-piece according to the present invention in the area in which the separate flow paths extend in parallel to one another;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the present invention in the area of the Y-piece with holes for pressure measurement in the area of the outer wall;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view of a partition according to the present invention with channels milled in for pressure measurement;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a schematic sectional view of a partition according to the present invention with integrated piezo pressure measuring element;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view of a partition according to the present invention with integrated chip sensors;  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the present invention in the area of the Y-piece with integrated ultrasound measuring path;  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the present invention in the area of the Y-piece with integrated hot wire sensors for flow measurement;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the present invention in the area of the Y-piece with chip sensors integrated in the outer wall;  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a schematic sectional view of a portion of a device according to the present invention with a movable flap at the end of the partition in the connection area to the tube adapter;  
         [0039]      FIG. 10 . 1  is an enlarged schematic sectional view of the device of  FIG. 10  showing the movable flap at the end of the partition in the connection area to the tube adapter;  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a schematic sectional view of the portion of the device according to  FIG. 10  showing a different position of the movable flap at the end of the partition in the connection area to the tube adapter;  
         [0041]      FIG. 11 . 1  is an enlarged schematic sectional view of the device of  FIG. 10  showing the movable flap at the end of the partition in the connection area to the tube adapter; and  
         [0042]      FIG. 12  is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the present invention in the area of the Y-piece with buffer volume and flow guide vanes. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]     Referring to the drawings in particular,  FIG. 1  shows a Y-piece  2  according to the present invention connected to a tube  3  via a tube adapter  1  in a respiration unit for mechanical respiration. The base area (or parallel section)  4  of the Y-piece is divided by a flat partition  5  into two separate flow paths  6 ,  7  extending in parallel to one another. During respiration, inspiration takes place via one flow path  6 , and expiration via the other flow path  7 . Both flow paths extend at first direction flow passage  66  and second direction flow passage  77  to the connection pieces (not shown here) of the Y-piece  2 , to which additional gas-carrying components, such as breathing tubes or the like, may be connected. On the patient side, the separation of the flow paths  6 ,  7  ends in the area of the tube adapter  1  (ends at an opening that is a bidirectional flow passage or the bidirectional flow opening with the tube adapter forms a bidirectional flow passage). The base area  4  of the Y-piece  2  does not contribute to the dead volume of the respiration unit. The uncoupling of the separate flow paths is improved compared with respiration units with conventional Y-pieces. A flow, whose direction can reverse, prevails in the tube  3  only. The arrows shown illustrate possible directions of flow in the respective sections of the device according to the present invention. Flow conditions that permit reliable measurement of different parameters of the flowing gases prevail in the flow paths  6 ,  7  extending in parallel to one another in the base area  4  of the Y-piece  2 , as a result of which a measuring site located very close to the patient is explored, at which flows without reversal of direction can be measured. The measuring technique is simplified as a result.  
         [0044]     In special embodiments of the base area  4  of the Y-piece  2 , the base area has, according to  FIG. 2A  a round cross section  4 ′ or according to  FIG. 2B  an approximately square cross section  4 ″. It is divided by a flat partition  5 ,  5  in both cases. The embodiment with approximately square cross section ( FIG. 2B ) can, in particular, be advantageously combined with planar sensors (not shown).  
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a variant of a device according to the present invention, in which the static pressure in the flow paths  6 ,  7  can be measured via holes  8 ,  8 ′. A pressure measuring device  10  is connected via flexible tubes  9 ,  9 ′. Measurements of the differential pressure can also be carried out with this configuration.  
         [0046]      FIG. 4  shows a modified form of a flat partition  5  according to the present invention, in which channels  11 ,  11 ′ are milled, which are connected with a pressure measuring device  10 . Measurement of the static pressure can also be measured with this arrangement in the areas of the separate flow paths that extend in parallel to one another. One advantage of this design is the reduced number of flexible tubes leading into the patient&#39;s immediate vicinity and the possibility of a highly compact design.  
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows a modified form of a flat partition  5  according to the present invention, in which a piezo pressure measuring element  12  is integrated. When a differential pressure is present, the resulting action of the force produces a deflection from the inoperative position of the piezo pressure measuring element  12  into another position  12 ′. As a result, an evaluable voltage is generated, which can be processed with a voltage measuring device  13  or corresponding evaluating units (not shown).  
         [0048]      FIG. 6  shows a modified form of a flat partition  5  according to the present invention, in which planar measuring elements  14 ,  14 ′ are integrated for flow measurement. Each of these measuring elements sends a signal via electric lines  15 ,  15 ′ integrated in the partition, and this signal can be processed with a voltage measuring device  13  or corresponding evaluating units (not shown). This embodiment is likewise characterized by a highly compact design and can be used to measure individual flows as well as flow differences.  
         [0049]      FIG. 7  shows a variant of a device according to the present invention, in which windows  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″, which are permeable to ultrasound and are located on a straight line that is sloped against the direction of flow, are arranged in the partition  5  and the outer walls of the Y-piece  2  in the area in which the separate flow paths  6 ,  7  extend in parallel to one another. Ultrasound transducers  17 ,  17 ′, which form a measuring section between them, via which flow measurement can be carried out by time of flight measurement, are arranged in front of the outer windows  16 ,  16 ′ outside the flow paths  6 ,  7 . The advantage of this arrangement is that no sensor needs to be directly exposed to a flow to be measured and no sensor can thus distort the flow due to geometric effects.  
         [0050]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show a schematic sectional view of a device according to the present invention in the area of the Y-piece with integrated hot wire sensors  18 ,  18 ′ directly in the flow to be measured or with planar chip sensors  19 ,  19 ′ for flow measurement at the outer walls of the Y-piece  2  that limit the flow paths  6 ,  7 . The measured signals are sent in both cases to a voltage measuring device or a corresponding evaluating unit. Individual or difference measurements are possible.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 10, 10 . 1  and  11 ,  11 . 1  show schematic views of a device according to the present invention with a movable flap  20  at the end of the flat partition  5  in the connection area to the tube adapter  1  during inspiration ( FIG. 10 ) and during expiration ( FIG. 11 ) as well as corresponding enlarged views ( FIGS. 10 . 1 ,  11 . 1 ) of the area of the connection between the movable flap  20  and the flat partition  5 . During inspiration, the movable flap  20  is in a position in which it reduces the flow cross section of the flow path  6 , through which the inspiration takes place, only slightly. If the direction of flow changes, the gas flow arriving at the movable flap  20  stands up the movable flap  20  until the latter assumes a position determined by a fixed stop, in which it markedly reduces the flow cross section of the flow path  6  for the inspiration. At the same time, it acts as a guide vane for the flow path  7  for the expiration and thus facilitates the inflow of the expiration flow into the flow path  7 . An especially effective uncoupling of the separate flow paths  6 ,  7  is achieved as a result.  FIGS. 10 . 1  and  11 . 1  show a design principle that makes possible a flap movement just described. The front side of the flat partition  5  has the shape of a flat notch. The flanks  22 ,  23  of this notch are at an obtuse angle with one another. In areas in which the flanks  22 ,  23  touch each other, the movable flap  20  is fastened to the flat partition  5  with elastic fastening means  21 . The position of the flanks  22 ,  23  determines the position of two stop positions. The elastic fastening means  21  are pretensioned such that without gas flow or during inspiration, the movable flap  20  is in contact with the flank  23  in one stop position and can be moved into the other stop position, in which there is contact with the flank  22 , due to incoming flow during expiration.  
         [0052]      FIG. 12  shows a variant of a device according to the present invention, in which holes  8 ,  8 ′ in the outer wall of the Y-piece lead into buffer volumes  24 ,  24 ′, whose internal pressure is monitored. If an individual hole is closed due to clogging, this has hardly any effect on the pressure measurement, because each of the buffer volumes  24 ,  24 ′ communicates with the gas flow to be measured via a plurality of holes  8 ,  8 ′. Flow rectifiers in the form of guide vanes  25 ,  25 ′, which ensure an especially uniform flow behavior, which in turn leads to especially reliable and reproducible measured values, are arranged in front of the site of pressure measurement in the direction of flow, i.e., in this case in front of the holes  8 ,  8 ′, which also corresponds at the same time to the site at which measured values for characterizing the flowing gas are obtained according to claim  16 .  
         [0053]     While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and 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.