Ventilation device, system including the ventilation device, and uses thereof
This invention relates to a device for ventilating a subject and a system comprising such a device, in particular a virtual reality system. It also relates to a kit comprising such a device or system, as well as a virtual reality content attached to a computer medium. The invention also relates to the applications liable to be made of these devices, system and kit, particularly in the medical, well-being and gaming fields.
1 . A ventilation device for ventilating a subject, said device comprising: an oral or oronasal endpiece or an orofacial mask and i) a valve or ii) an inspiration valve and an expiration valve, the valve or inspiration and expiration valves being configured to impose on the subject an expiratory effort greater than the subject's inspiratory effort, inspiration pressure values being between 0 and 10 mbar of resistance, and expiration pressure values being between 1 and 12 mbar of resistance, the pressure values being expressed as an absolute value, wherein the ventilation device further comprises an audio module, said audio module being integrated in, or connected to: the ventilation device and a device for receiving, storing, processing and/or transmitting data acquired by the ventilation device wherein:
the audio module is configured to reduce or cancel surrounding noises and/or to play a sound essentially identical to a sound generated during the use of a scuba diving regulator;
the ventilation device comprises a sensor;
the device for receiving, storing, processing and/or transmitting data acquired by the ventilation device is connected to the sensor of the ventilation device and to the audio module; and
the audio module plays inspiratory and expiratory sounds in a way that is synchronized with inspiratory and expiratory ventilation of the subject, wherein the audio module comprises an audio file reader and a memory card, said memory card comprising a first sound file for playing an inspiratory sound and a second sound file for playing an expiratory sound;
the sensor is a pressure and/or flow rate sensor which delivers a signal; and the device for receiving, storing, processing and/or transmitting data acquired by the ventilation device comprises a processor or a microcontroller which:
i) analyses the signal delivered by the pressure and/or flow rate sensor by comparing a pressure value obtained by the pressure and/or flow rate sensor with at least two previously determined pressure thresholds,
ii) transmits a signal to the audio file reader which triggers or stops the reading of the first or second sound file according to an inspiratory or expiratory nature of a phase of ventilation in which the subject is by adapting intensity of a sound volume as a function of the difference at the two previously determined thresholds, and
iii) records the signal(s) delivered by the sensor and/or transmitted to the audio file reader.
2 . The ventilation device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio module is configured to reduce or cancel surrounding noise and to play a sound essentially identical to a sound generated during the use of a scuba diving regulator under real diving conditions.
3 . The ventilation device according to 1 , wherein the ventilation device comprises, or is connected to, one or more additional sound files for playing one or more sounds at a moment of the inspiration and/or the expiration of the subject, or continuously during a respiratory cycle of the subject, and/or comprises, or is connected to, one or more files forming a medium for a visual content and where applicable forming a medium or media for the sound associated with said visual content.
4 . A system comprising:
the ventilation device for ventilating a subject according to claim 1 ;
a chamber or tubular network for modulating the temperature of all or part of the scalp of the subject and/or electrodes for delivering and/or generating electrical impulses across all or part of the scalp of the subject.
5 . A virtual reality system comprising:
the ventilation device for ventilating a subject according to claim 1 ; and
a tool for viewing a virtual reality content and/or an audio module for listening to a virtual reality content,
wherein the tool for viewing a virtual reality content comprises a screen and a number of lenses.
6 . The virtual reality system according to claim 5 , wherein the tool for viewing a virtual reality content comprises an integrated operating system or is connected to a tool for playing a virtual reality content, the tool for playing a virtual reality content being selected from a computer, a memory card, a games console, a smartphone and/or the Internet.