Abstract:
A therapeutic device for improving the respiration of a patient, the device comprising a curved or kinked pipe section, into the first end of which a mouthpiece provided with a passage is disposed, a holding peg inserted into a second end of the pipe section and connected thereto, the holding peg having a passage disposed therein and being insertable into the inside of the pipe section, and a flexible hose attached to the holding peg inside the pipe section, a free end of the hose moveable freely in an area of the mouthpiece between an inner wall of the pipe section, such that the therapeutic device can be used during inhalation and exhalation, the device ( 1 ) enabling the patient to train his respiratory passageways both during exhalation and inhalation, thereby to improve the effectiveness of respiration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a therapeutic device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    During exhalation, the person&#39;s breath is forced into a hose disposed in the inside of a curved pipe section. The curvature of the pipe section kinks the hose, with the effect that the hose reproduces the curvature of the pipe section and can, as a result, be induced to adopt adjustable and different vibratory conditions. 
         [0005]    As a result of the variably adjustable length and rotation of the hose inside the pipe section, it is possible to achieve variable adjustments to the pressure conditions by means of which the hose is induced to undergo oscillating vibrations and, accordingly, the pressure resistance values of the hose can be adapted to the requirements of the particular user. Consequently, this embodiment of the therapeutic device can be used for improving the pulmonary volume and improving the exhalation process in patients ranging from asthma suffers to performance athletes. 
         [0006]    Although such respiratory therapeutic devices have proven effective in practice, it has become apparent that there is a significant medical requirement for providing such respiration therapy devices not just for exhalation but also for inhalation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The task of the present invention is therefore to provide a respiratory therapeutic device which can be used both during inhalation and exhalation, with the effect that the respiratory therapeutic device enables the patient to train his or her respiratory passageways both during inhalation and exhalation, thereby to improve the effectiveness of respiration. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, it is the task of the present invention to provide a respiratory therapeutic device by means of which a user may inhale and exhale at choice or continuously in order to achieve the corresponding therapeutic results without having to put down the respiratory therapeutic device. 
         [0009]    Due to the fact that a channel branch is provided in the mouthpiece, it is possible to connect a second pipe section to this, and to have an opening incorporated in this second pipe section which either restricts or releases the emergence of air, thereby establishing adjustable flow conditions and providing an advantageous way of adapting the air resistance to the requirements and the therapeutic results of the user. Consequently, a combination respiratory therapeutic device of this kind can be used both for inhaling and exhaling. 
         [0010]    If a further hose is inserted in the second pipe section, this acts as a valve during inhalation, because the resulting pressure conditions inside the second pipe section lead to the effect that the hose is pulled together due to the negative pressure, with the result that no air can pass through the hose. Thus, the hose acts in the same ways as a stop valve. 
         [0011]    During exhalation, on the other hand, the hose in the second pipe section is opened out and the respiratory air can flow through it, thus causing the hose to undergo oscillatory vibrations. At the same time, the hose inserted in the first pipe section is pressed together due to the positive pressure prevailing in the inside of the pipe section, and thus functions in the same way as a valve, as a stopper or air closure element. At the same time, the positive pressure prevailing in the first pipe section causes the hose inserted in it to vibrate, with the effect that the user can hear and detect what respiratory results are being produced during inhalation, as a result of the pressure condition that is established and the vibratory behaviour of the first hose which is in a causal relationship with the pressure condition. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The drawings show a sample embodiment configured in accordance with the present invention, the details of which are explained below. In the drawings, 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows in a perspective view a combination respiratory therapeutic device consisting of two curved pipe sections parallel to one another, in each of which a vibrating hose is arranged in an offset arrangement inside the corresponding pipe section, and a mouthpiece connecting the two pipe sections together within which a channel branch is disposed, 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a  shows the respiratory therapeutic device in accordance with  FIG. 1 , in the condition of inhalation and with the resulting flow conditions, 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   b  shows the respiratory therapeutic device in accordance with  FIG. 1 , in the condition of exhalation and with the resulting flow conditions, 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  shows in an exploded view a ring element inserted into the first pipe section in accordance with  FIG. 1 , with passage openings disposed in the ring element and with an adjustable sleeve for covering the passage openings, 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   b  shows the ring element in accordance with  FIG. 3   a , in a lengthways and transverse section, and 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   c  shows an air distribution element which is inserted in the second pipe section in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a therapeutic device  1  for improving the respiration of a patient which, in accordance with  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , can be used simultaneously for inhalation and exhalation, and thus for a combined airway therapy.  FIGS. 1 ,  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  are intended to explain the design and structure of the therapeutic device  1 , and  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  to explain the mode of function of the therapeutic device  1 . 
         [0020]    The therapeutic device  1  initially comprises a first pipe section  2  which is curved or kinked. A second pipe section  22  is provided in parallel to the first pipe section  2 . 
         [0021]    A first end  3  of the first pipe section  2  is provided with a mouthpiece  6  inserted in it or placed on it, by means of which the two pipe section  2  and  22  are connected together. This is because the mouthpiece  6  has a channel branch  21  provided in it, by means of which two air channels  7  or  7 ′ of the mouthpiece  6  which communicate with the two pipe sections  2  and  22  are combined into one output or input channel  21 ′. 
         [0022]    The first pipe section  2  is provided with an inlet opening  10  provided in its second end  4  facing away from the mouthpiece  6 , and a holding peg  11  can be attached to the inlet opening  10  in such a way that the holding peg  11  can be positioned in various positions in relation to the second end  4  of the first pipe section  2 . This is because the holding peg  11  is provided with a first hose  13  attached to it which is firmly attached to the holding peg  11 . The holding peg  11  is provided with a passage channel  12  disposed therein which is in a communicating active connection with the first hose  13  in such a way that the air flowing in through the inlet opening  10  enters the first hose  13 , causing it to expand and, given an adequate air flow, leading to oscillating vibrations of the hose  13 , with the effect that the hose  13  positioned inside the first pipe section  2 , and in this case in particular its free end  24  facing towards the mouthpiece  6 , is moved back and forth in between an inner wall  5  of the first pipe section  2 . 
         [0023]    Furthermore, it is disclosed in  FIGS. 1 and 3   a  that a ring element  17  is inserted in the first pipe section  2 , between the free end  24  of the first hose  13  and the mouthpiece  6 , in which case this ring element  17  has, on the one hand, four passage openings  18 , or slots, disposed therein in the peripheral direction and, on the other hand, a baffle plate  20  aligned at right angles to the axis of symmetry of the pipe, by means of which baffle plate  20  the air flow inside the first pipe section  2  is deflected in the direction of the inner wall  5  of the first pipe section  2 , and thus in the direction of the passage openings  18 . 
         [0024]    Moreover, an adjustable sleeve  19  is provided which has a mesh  30  in its inside on which a filter  28  is placed. As a result, the filter  28  is held by the adjustable sleeve  19 . The adjustable sleeve  19  faces towards the mouthpiece  6  and is held and supported within it in a friction-locking arrangement. The mesh  30  can also be provided in the mouthpiece  6  for holding the filter  28 . 
         [0025]    The adjustable sleeve  19  allows the passage openings  18  to be fully or partially closed or fully opened, because the adjustable sleeve  19  has a circumferential collar  19 ′ formed onto it which is provided with one or more openings  35  disposed therein with diameters of different sizes, and the inside contours of which can be configured in different ways in relation to one another. The passage openings  18  of the ring element  17  can be closed or partially opened by the collar  19 ′, or else it is possible to provide a setting in which the passage openings  18  are fully opened when the openings  35  in the collar  19 ′ are flush with the adjustable sleeve  19  and aligned with one or more of the passage openings  18  of the ring element  17 . 
         [0026]    The filter  28  serves to clean the air which flows through it, and to capture and hold back suspended matter or microparticles. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, the therapeutic device  1  consists of an air distribution element  23  arranged in the second pipe section  22 , the air distribution element  23  being positioned in the area of the mouthpiece  6 . The air distribution element  23  is shown in particular in  FIG. 3   c  and is provided with a ring-shaped configuration, with the effect that it corresponds to the inside contour of the mouthpiece  6  and the second pipe section  22 , and can be inserted into them. 
         [0028]    The air distribution element  23  has passage openings disposed therein with differently sized diameters, as is shown in  FIG. 3   b  in cross section. Starting from the smallest size D 1 , the geometrical relationships increase to the largest diameter D 4 . It is possible for a plurality of differently sized passage openings  26  to be provided in the air distribution element  23 . 
         [0029]    The air distribution element  23  also has the baffle plate  20  located at right angles to the axis of symmetry of the second pipe section  22 . The opposite side of the baffle plate  20  has the mesh  30  provided on it on the air distribution element, and a second filter  29  is held on the mesh  30 . The mesh  30  and the filter  29  can be installed optionally for exhalation. 
         [0030]    In accordance with  FIG. 3   c , the second pipe section  22  is provided with a second hose  14  inserted in it by means of a holding ring  15 . The holding ring  15  is arranged at a distance from the air distribution element  23 , with the effect that a sufficiently large intermediate space is provided between these two components inside the second pipe section  22 . 
         [0031]    The air distribution element  23  has a setting ring  27  allocated to it which is held on it in a rotating arrangement, and into which the openings  35  are disposed with differently sized diameters or opening widths. As a result, when the setting ring  27  is turned, it is possible for the openings  35  in the setting ring  27  to be set to different flow cross sections with the passage openings  18  provided in the air distribution element  23 , with the effect that the air flowing through is partially obstructed. This is because the air flowing in should flow through them out of the air distribution element  23  into an intermediate space  36  located between an inner wall  16  of the second pipe section  22  and the air distribution element  23  or the outer circumference of the setting ring  27 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  shows that the second pipe section  22  has a second end  33  which can be sealed using a stopper  37  in which an opening  37 ′ is disposed. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2   a  firstly shows the inhalation procedure schematically. The flow direction established for the drawn-in air is indicated by the reference number  8 . As a result, the patient uses his or her respiratory musculature to breathe in air through the first pipe section  2  which flows into the pipe section  2  in the area of the second end  4  through the inlet opening  10 , and enters the first hose  13  through the passage channel  12  of the holding peg  11 . 
         [0034]    As shown by the schematic vibration arrows  8 ′, the free end  24  of the first hose  13  is moved back and forth between the inner wall  5  of the first pipe section  2 . The vibratory behaviour of the first hose  13  can be variably adjusted as a result of the different curvature of the pipe section  2  and the adjustable position of the first hose  13  relative to it. The holding peg  11  is held in a moveable arrangement in the second end  4  of the first pipe section  2 , which means the length of the first hose  13  which protrudes into the first pipe section  2  can have different lengths, as a result of which the hose  13  can be kinked or bend at different points. 
         [0035]    The air flowing in, or drawn in, causes the flexible hose  13  to expand, with the effect that the air passes through it and enters the inside of the first pipe section  2 . The baffle plate  20  of the ring element  17  redirects the air outwards, i.e. in the direction of the inner wall  5 , and from the baffle plate  20  the air is guided sideways in the direction of the passage opening  18  or openings  35  in the ring element  17  or the adjustable sleeve  19 . 
         [0036]    The cross sectional area set between the passage openings  18  and the openings  35  means the air resistance prevailing there is increased or reduced according to the cross sectional area through which the air flow can pass. 
         [0037]    As soon as the air flow leaves the ring element  17  in the direction of the mouthpiece  6 , it flows through the first passage channel  7  in the direction of the shared channel  21 ′ of the channel branch  21  into the patient&#39;s mouth cavity. As a result of the air pressure situation prevailing inside the two pipe sections  2  and  22 , a negative pressure is formed in the second pipe section  22 , because air is drawn out of this in accordance with the air flow direction  8 . This negative pressure is communicated to the second hose  14  due to the air pressure situation prevailing between the air distribution element  23  and the inside of the second pipe section  22 , as a result of which a negative pressure results inside the second hose  14 , causing the flexible side wall of the hose  14  to enter into contact, thereby preventing air flow through the second hose  14 . As a result, the second hose  14  acts in this operating status as a kind of valve preventing air from entering through the second pipe section  22  in the direction of the mouthpiece  6 . 
         [0038]    As a result of the vibratory behaviour of the first hose  13 , the patient can hear and detect that the necessary negative pressure preset by the opening width has been achieved. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2   b  shows the operating status during exhalation. The flow direction of the exhaled air out of the patient&#39;s pulmonary space is identified by the reference number  9 . The air flow is initially forced into the mouthpiece  6  and, there, it is distributed in the area of the air channel branch  21 . The air flow which enters the second pipe section  22  is forced through the passage openings  26  into the intermediate space  36  and, from there, it enters the inside of the second pipe section  22 , and thus into the second hose  14  which is now expanded by the air flow and is, in its turn, induced to adopt an oscillating vibratory behaviour if a sufficiently high air pressure is generated by the air that is forced in. 
         [0040]    The air flowing out through the second hose  14  is evacuated into the atmosphere through the second end  33  and the opening  37 ′ in the stopper  37 . 
         [0041]    The other portion of the exhaled air flow enters the first pipe section  2  and, there, it initially exits the ring element  17  through the passage openings  18  and enters the inside of the first pipe section  2 . There is a positive pressure in this pipe section  2  due to the air flowing in, as a result of which the first hose  13  is compressed and thereby closes like a kind of valve, with the effect that no air can escape from the inside of the first pipe section  2 . 
         [0042]    The positive pressure prevailing in the first pipe section  2  therefore leads to the situation that a correspondingly formed cushion of air prevails immediately after exhalation, by means of which the exhaled air is directed into the second pipe section  22  after a certain period of time, at least in its entirety. The first and second pipe sections  2  and  22  can be provided with separate mouthpieces  6  and consequently can be used independently of one another.