Respirator

Abstract

Disclosed is a respirator comprising at least one flow path. Said respirator is composed of several interconnected components which ar disposed one behind another in the flow path and through which the flow path extends. The fluid resistance of each individual component is optimized so as to obtain a low total fluid resistance of all components.

1 . A ventilator, which has at least one flow path and comprises several interconnected components, which are successively arranged along the flow path, which runs through these components, wherein the flow resistance of each individual component ( 1 ) is optimized to achieve a low resultant total flow resistance of all components ( 1 ). 
   
   
       2 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the component ( 1 ) has a surface profile ( 3 ). 
   
   
       3 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein that the surface profile ( 3 ) has a lotus structure. 
   
   
       4 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the surface profile ( 3 ) has a shark skin structure. 
   
   
       5 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the surface profile ( 3 ) has longitudinal grooves. 
   
   
       6 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinal grooves have different widths relative to one another. 
   
   
       7 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinal grooves are separated from one another by different distances. 
   
   
       8 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinal grooves are formed as sawtooth grooves. 
   
   
       9 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinal grooves are formed as trapezoidal grooves. 
   
   
       10 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the longitudinal grooves are formed as L-shaped grooves. 
   
   
       11 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least two components ( 1 ) have flow paths with a continuous transition into each other. 
   
   
       12 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the flow path ( 12 ) has a porous trailing edge ( 19 ) in the vicinity of at least one cross-sectional constriction. 
   
   
       13 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the flow path ( 12 ) is provided with a flow guide element ( 18 ) in the vicinity of at least one cross-sectional change. 
   
   
       14 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the flow guide element ( 18 ) is designed as a brush-shaped edge. 
   
   
       15 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the flow guide element ( 18 ) is formed as a soft lamella. 
   
   
       16 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the flow guide element ( 18 ) is porous. 
   
   
       17 . A ventilator in accordance with  claim 1 , with a molded body, especially as a part of an apparatus or as a component or accessory part of a medical device for ventilation, sleep therapy, cardiotherapy and/or cardiovascular therapy, emergency supply, or oxygen supply, including diagnostics in all of the specified areas, wherein at least certain sections of its surface have a functional property or impart a functional property. 
   
   
       18 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property is of a physical nature or has a physical effect. 
   
   
       19 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property is at least also physical in nature or at least also has a physical effect. 
   
   
       20 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in an effect that reduces surface adhesion. 
   
   
       21 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in an effect that lowers the surface energy or the flow resistance of the surface or in an effect that lowers the noise generation of liquids or gases flowing along the surface. 
   
   
       22 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in an effect that lowers the kinetic friction on or at the surface. 
   
   
       23 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in an effect that alters (makes easier or more difficult) the wettability or the fogging tendency. 
   
   
       24 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in a hydrophilic effect. 
   
   
       25 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in an oleophobic effect. 
   
   
       26 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in an effect that enhances the self-cleaning ability. 
   
   
       27 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property consists in an antireflective effect or in an effect that lowers surface reflection at least for certain wavelengths and/or certain polarizations and/or certain angles of incidence. 
   
   
       28 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the given functional property is already realized by suitable formation of one or more limited parts or sections of the surface of the molded body. 
   
   
       29 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the functional properties selected from the group consisting of
 a) wherein the functional property is of a physical nature or has a physical effect;   b) wherein the functional property is at least also physical in nature or at least also has a physical effect;   c) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that reduces surface adhesion;   d) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that lowers the surface energy or the flow resistance of the surface or in an effect that lowers the noise generation of liquids or gases flowing along the surface;   e) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that lowers the kinetic friction on or at the surface;   f) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that alters (makes easier or more difficult) the wettability or the fogging tendency;   g) wherein the functional property consists in a hydrophilic effect;   h) wherein the functional property consists in an oleophobic effect;   i) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that enhances the self-cleaning ability;   j) wherein the functional property consists in an antireflective effect or in an effect that lowers surface reflection at least for certain wavelengths and/or certain polarizations and/or certain angles of incidence are simultaneously realized in the molded body, at least with respect to the same part or section of the surface.   
   
   
       30 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the functional properties selected from the group consisting of
 a) wherein the functional property is of a physical nature or has a physical effect;   b) wherein the functional property is at least also physical in nature or at least also has a physical effect;   c) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that reduces surface adhesion;   d) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that lowers the surface energy or the flow resistance of the surface or in an effect that lowers the noise generation of liquids or gases flowing along the surface;   e) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that lowers the kinetic friction on or at the surface;   f) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that alters (makes easier or more difficult) the wettability or the fogging tendency;   g) wherein the functional property consists in a hydrophilic effect;   h) wherein the functional property consists in an oleophobic effect;   i) wherein the functional property consists in an effect that enhances the self-cleaning ability;   j) wherein the functional property consists in an antireflective effect or in an effect that lowers surface reflection at least for certain wavelengths and/or certain polarizations and/or certain angles of incidence are separately realized in the molded body, at least with respect to two separate parts or sections of the surface.   
   
   
       31 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 29 , wherein the multiple functional properties are produced with the same material or with the same method of surface shaping or treatment or with an analogous (physical, chemical, or biological) effective mechanism. 
   
   
       32 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional properties or at least one of the specified functional properties is produced or enhanced with at least two different materials or with at least two different methods of surface shaping or treatment used together or with at least two different (physical, chemical, or biological) effective mechanisms used together. 
   
   
       33 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the molded body is transparent, at least partially or at least in certain sections, even in the area of the functional surface. 
   
   
       34 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the molded body consists at least partially of plastic or consists of plastic in certain sections. 
   
   
       35 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the molded body contains a polymer as an active substance at least partially or in certain sections. 
   
   
       36 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the molded body is furnished with a coating. 
   
   
       37 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein at least a portion or section of the surface of the molded body has a surface energy of less than 35 mN/m. 
   
   
       38 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion or section of the molded body has a textured surface with regular elevations or depressions. 
   
   
       39 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion or section of the molded body has a textured surface with irregular elevations or depressions. 
   
   
       40 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion or section of the molded body has a textured surface with both regular and irregular elevations or depressions. 
   
   
       41 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the elevations and/or depressions have a height or depth of 5 nm to 200 μm and/or are separated by a distance of 5 nm to 200 μm. 
   
   
       42 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the elevations and/or depressions have a height or depth of 20 nm to 25 μm and/or are separated by a distance of 20 nm to 25 μm. 
   
   
       43 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the elevations and/or depressions have a height or depth of 50 nm to 4 μm and/or are separated by a distance of 50 nm to 4 μm. 
   
   
       44 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the molded body is an apparatus casing, a hose, a gas or liquid line or flow control system, a gas or liquid reservoir, a patient interface, an atomizer, a nebulizer, a humidifier, an oxygen valve, a filter, a sound absorber, a suction device, a collecting container, or a defibrillator housing, or a part, a component, or an accessory part (including fastening, conveying, and storage devices) of any of the devices specified above. 
   
   
       45 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the generation of noise in at least one operating variant is simultaneously reduced by the functional property. 
   
   
       46 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 45 , wherein the reduction of noise generation, measured at a distance of 1 meter, is at least 5% or at least 1 dB(A). 
   
   
       47 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the power consumption in at least one operating variant is simultaneously reduced by the functional property. 
   
   
       48 . A molded body in accordance with  claim 47 , wherein the reduction of power consumption is at least 2%. 
   
   
       49 . A medical apparatus for ventilation, sleep therapy, emergency supply, or oxygen supply with several molded bodies in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property is realized in several molded bodies, independently of the material that is used or the physical, chemical, or biological surface shaping or treatment. 
   
   
       50 . A medical apparatus for ventilation, sleep therapy, emergency supply, or oxygen supply with several molded bodies in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the functional property is realized in several molded bodies, independently of the material that is used but with the same-physical, chemical, or biological surface shaping or treatment. 
   
   
       51 . A method for producing a molded body or a medical apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the molded body is produced by plastic injection molding, and then at least certain sections of the molded body are coated. 
   
   
       52 . A method in accordance with  claim 51 , wherein microparticles are used which have a particle diameter of 0.02 to 100 μpm, preferably 0.1 to 50 μm, and especially 0.1 to 10 μm. 
   
   
       53 . A method in accordance with  claim 51 , wherein a solvent that contains particles is applied by spraying, doctoring, dropping, or immersing. 
   
   
       54 . A method in accordance with  claim 51 , wherein the surface is rendered hydrophilic. 
   
   
       55 . A method in accordance with  claim 51 , wherein the particles are pressed into the surface. 
   
   
       56 . A method in accordance with  claim 55 , wherein a mold is provided with particles before the injection molding, and the particles are pressed in during the injection molding. 
   
   
       57 . A method in accordance with  claim 51 , wherein the surface of the molded body is modified at least in certain sections by means of a molding operation. 
   
   
       58 . A method in accordance with  claim 57 , wherein the molding operation is carried out by the LIGA process. 
   
   
       59 . A ventilator with an air delivery system, to which a patient interface can be connected by a respiratory gas hose, wherein at least one area of at least one part of the total device, which consists of the ventilator, the respiratory gas hose, and the patient interface, has a surface that has flow-optimized and/or textured and/or porous properties.