JP2007195820A - Oxygen concentrator and method of its use - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oxygen concentrator and a method of its use, which is capable of supplying oxygen from a product tank of concentrated oxygen hygienically to a patient and reducing the burden of the patient by warming the oxygen properly. <P>SOLUTION: The concentrator includes a compressing means (105a) for generating compressed air by compressing a material air, an adsorbing means (108a, 108b) for generating concentrated oxygen by adsorbing elements other than oxygen from compressed air by means of a catalyst, a pressure-reducing means (105b) for feeding pressure-reducing air to purify the catalyst, switching means (107a, 107b) for switching connection conditions, a product tank (111) for storing concentrated air temporarily, an oxygen supply device including a cannula (14) for supplying the oxygen of concentrated oxygen, and warming means (2, 3) for warming the oxygen by means of exhaust heat generated when operating the compressing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical oxygen concentrator, and more particularly to an oxygen concentrator that is easy to use for home oxygen therapy patients and that reduces the burden on patients.

  Various types of oxygen concentrators using an adsorption method for generating oxygen by using zeolite, which permeates oxygen in the air and selectively adsorbs nitrogen as a catalyst adsorbent, have been put to practical use.

  According to this oxygen concentrator, the raw material air taken in from the air intake port is compressed by a compressor as a compression means to generate compressed air, and the compressed air whose temperature has increased during the compression is cooled by a heat exchanger, and this heat exchange is performed. The vessel is cooled by the cooling means that blows outside air together with the compression means described above, and oxygen is generated by alternately supplying compressed air to the pair of adsorption cylinders containing the catalyst, and the oxygen is generated in the adsorption cylinders. It is configured to store oxygen in the product tank, supply concentrated oxygen at a predetermined flow rate from the product tank with a pressure reducing valve and flow rate setting device, and supply oxygen to the patient via an oxygen supply device including a nasal cannula. ing.

  If the oxygen concentrator configured in this way is placed in a place where, for example, an AC power supply (commercial power supply) is provided, for example, a home oxygen therapy patient whose lung function has been reduced can safely take oxygen even while sleeping. As a result, you can sleep well.

  In addition, when used during sleep, an oxygen concentrator that generates very little noise is preferable. If possible, an oxygen concentrator that has a noise level lower than that generated from indoor air conditioning equipment is desirable. Further, an oxygen concentrator used in an oxygen inhalation method that is effective as a treatment method for patients with respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis so that the patient can take it outside is generally not portable. Therefore, when the patient is forced to go out, concentrated oxygen is sucked from the oxygen cylinder while pushing the cart equipped with the oxygen cylinder.

  The oxygen supply to the oxygen cylinder had to be performed in a medical institution such as a hospital, and the QOL (Quality of Life) of the patient was considerably impaired.

Thus, a mobile oxygen concentrator using a battery-driven compressor has been proposed (Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-79165 A

  However, according to the mobile oxygen concentrator proposed above, moving the patient by holding the handle and rolling the wheel is a considerable burden when getting on and off by public transportation means such as trains and buses, It was not yet in practical use.

  In addition, when concentrated oxygen is generated from raw air using a catalyst as described above and supplied via an oxygen supply device including a nasal cannula, liquefied oxygen stored in the product tank must be supplied after vaporization. Therefore, the heat of vaporization may be lost and the temperature may become considerably low. Inhaling oxygen at such a low temperature is a significant burden especially for infants or the elderly.

  On the other hand, oxygen has zero humidity and is very dry. For this reason, inhalation of dry oxygen directly imposes a considerable burden on infants or the elderly in particular, and oxygen concentrators equipped with humidifiers have been put into practical use. Furthermore, a model has been proposed in which a humidifier storing distilled water is heated by a heater to enable supply of wet oxygen whose temperature is appropriately increased.

  However, in order to heat a humidifier with an electric heater, the electric power for that is required. For this reason, for example, a battery-driven oxygen concentrator cannot be employed because the electric heater is operated for a short time because it consumes a large amount of power. Furthermore, it is also known that when a humidifier storing distilled water is left for a long time so as to be heated by a heater, bacteria and fungi in the water grow. For this reason, since it will be in an unsanitary state, the daily distilled water exchange work is needed, but this work becomes a considerable burden on a serious patient.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and oxygen from the concentrated oxygen stored in the product tank can be supplied to the patient in a sanitary manner, and can be appropriately heated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an oxygen concentrator that can reduce the burden on the patient and a method of using the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, according to the present invention, compression means for compressing raw air to generate compressed air, and an element other than oxygen in the compressed air sent from the compression means Adsorbing means for generating concentrated oxygen by adsorbing with the catalyst, depressurizing means for sending depressurized air for purifying the catalyst to the adsorbing means, and between the compressing means and the adsorbing means or when the catalyst is saturated Switching means for switching to a connection state between the decompression means and the adsorption means at the timing of the state, a product tank for temporarily storing the concentrated oxygen by being connected to the adsorption means, and from the product tank An oxygen supply device including a cannula for supplying the concentrated oxygen to a patient, wherein the compression means supplies oxygen from the concentrated oxygen supplied to the oxygen supply device. It is characterized in that it comprises heating means for heating by waste heat generated during operation.

  The compression means is integrally configured as a compressor together with the pressure reduction means, and a soundproof room containing the compressor in a soundproof state, and a cooling laid on an outer wall portion of the soundproof room to cool the compressed air rising in temperature. And further comprising cooling means for cooling the pipe and the compression means and the cooling pipe by blowing air to a first opening provided in the soundproof chamber, and the heating means is provided in the soundproof chamber. The exhaust heat sent from the second opening is guided to the downstream of the oxygen supply device and then discharged to the outside, and the coil is disposed in the conduit and is connected to the oxygen supply device or is meandered. It is characterized by comprising piping.

  Further, the conduit is characterized in that it has a silencing and heat insulating function.

  Further, a humidifier is connected upstream of the pipe.

  Further, the compression means, the pressure reduction means, the switching means and the cooling means can be driven by an external power supply apparatus including a detachable rechargeable battery in addition to a commercial power supply.

  In addition, the conduit includes a two-way switching valve connected to a part of the conduit, and a first state in which the exhaust heat is guided to the downstream of the oxygen supply device by switching the two-way switching valve, It is characterized in that it can be arbitrarily set to the second state leading from the midway part to the outside.

  A compressing means for compressing the raw air to generate compressed air; an adsorbing means for generating concentrated oxygen by adsorbing an element other than oxygen in the compressed air sent from the compressing means with the catalyst; and the catalyst. Pressure reducing air for purifying the adsorbing means, and a connecting state between the compressing means and the adsorbing means or between the pressure reducing means and the adsorbing means at a timing when the catalyst becomes saturated Switching means for switching to, a product tank for temporarily storing the concentrated oxygen by being connected to the adsorption means, and an oxygen supply device including a cannula for supplying oxygen from the concentrated oxygen in the product tank to a patient. A method of using the oxygen concentrator provided, wherein the oxygen from the concentrated oxygen supplied to the oxygen supply tool is heated by exhaust heat generated during operation of the compression means by the heating means, Oxygen temperature and can be supplied to a patient is characterized by reducing the burden on the patient.

  In addition, a humidifier is connected to the upstream of the piping of the oxygen supply device, so that wet oxygen can be supplied to the patient, and the burden on the patient is further reduced.

  According to the present invention, compression means for compressing raw air to generate compressed air, adsorption means for generating concentrated oxygen by adsorbing elements other than oxygen in the compressed air sent from the compression means with a catalyst, Pressure reducing means for sending reduced pressure air for purifying the catalyst to the adsorbing means, and switching means for switching to a connection state between the compressing means and the adsorbing means or between the pressure reducing means and the adsorbing means at a timing when the catalyst is saturated. Operation of the compression means in an oxygen concentrating apparatus comprising a product tank that is temporarily connected to the adsorbing means to store concentrated oxygen, and an oxygen supply device that includes a cannula for supplying the patient with concentrated oxygen from the product tank It is possible to provide an oxygen concentrating apparatus and a method of using the same that can reduce the burden on the patient by supplying the patient with concentrated oxygen at an appropriate temperature by effectively using the exhaust heat generated at times.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the present invention is capable of various modifications and changes, specific examples of which are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail below, but are not limited thereto. It is needless to say that various configurations are possible within the range specified in the above, and that the present invention is particularly applicable to an indoor-installed oxygen concentrator that uses only an AC power source.

  First, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an oxygen concentrator 1 according to an embodiment as viewed from the upper front diagonally. As can be seen from this figure, this oxygen concentrator 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “device 1”) has a smart travel bag-like appearance that looks slender in the vertical direction in order to minimize the installation location. Yes. For this reason, consideration is given so that it is not known to others that the oxygen concentrator 1 is obtained by a glance. In addition, the biggest feature point is that the electric cost is about 34 yen per day (15. As 58 yen). Moreover, it can be used with any of the attached rechargeable battery and household power supply.

  This rechargeable battery can also be used as a backup power source in the event of a power failure, so patients can use it with peace of mind. In addition, when the oxygen flow rate is set to 1.25 L / min or more in the rechargeable battery usage mode, there is also a function of automatically switching to a “tuning mode” in which oxygen is sent in synchronism with intake air in order to save battery power. ing.

  In addition, the front cover and back cover shown in the figure are the first injection molded resin parts in the industry, and other components including the suction cylinders are also lightened as much as possible to reduce the total weight to about 10 kg (using AC power) As a result, the handle 84 with sufficient strength to withstand so as to be portable so that an adult can carry it with one hand is also provided on the upper side. Yes.

  Moreover, the external dimension of this apparatus 1 is roundish as a whole. Specifically, the width W is 350 mm × depth D is 250 mm × height H is 550 mm. For this reason, since the occupation area on a floor surface can be made as small as possible, the above-mentioned weight reduction and downsizing are realized. In addition, as a design feature of the device 1, a front cover that covers the front surface of the device 1 three-dimensionally from the installation floor surface is moved left and right from an accent line continuous to the bottom surface of the handle 84 as shown in the drawing. A part that is formed in a concave shape in the vertical direction, and the portion sandwiched between these accent lines is a light warm color system, and an operation panel 85 of the same color system is arranged above this, while the remaining part including the back cover is beige or cream The color of the system.

  By adopting the so-called two-tone modern design with the above design and color scheme, consideration is given to harmonizing with other furniture such as furniture when the apparatus 1 is installed indoors. . Further, the front cover and the back cover are made of, for example, ABS resin, which is a thermoplastic resin having impact resistance, thereby ensuring design freedom.

  Further, the operation panel 85 extends obliquely upward at an angle of, for example, about 10 degrees up to the joint surface with the back cover at the opening below the handle 84, and a resin large size in order from the left. A dial type power switch 86, an oxygen outlet 87 which is a resin part, and a large dial type oxygen flow setting dial 88 made of resin are arranged. Above the oxygen outlet 87, there is shown a resin coupler 13 which is engaged with a stepped portion formed in the oxygen outlet 87 in an airtight state and is detachably provided. The coupler 13 is configured so that the opening portion of the tube 15 connected to the illustrated nasal cannula 14 or an oxygen supply tool including an unillustrated oxygen mask is set to communicate with each other, thereby constituting the connecting portion 7.

  The operation panel 85 is provided near a height corresponding to a waist portion where a patient having a standard height (160 to 170 cm) stands and both hands are lowered, so that the operation operation of the apparatus 1 can be performed while standing. Can be performed. For this reason, it is not necessary to sit down and look into each other like a conventional device.

  Therefore, the burden on the patient's abdomen is greatly reduced. In addition, even left-handed people can operate without any sense of incongruity because the dials are arranged in symmetrical positions with the oxygen outlet 87 at the center.

  A hook (not shown) for hooking the tube 15 connected to the nasal cannula 14 may be provided. The tube 15 connected to the nasal cannula 14 has an overall length substantially corresponding to the range of movement in the same room where the patient lives. When the tube 15 is not used, the tube 15 is wound several times and then the nasal cannula 14 is wound. It is good to hook the tube 15 on the hook.

  Further, the bottom cover 89 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing is also made of, for example, an ABS resin which is an impact-resistant thermoplastic resin, and is reduced in weight. A carrier 90 that is easy to attach and detach and is used with the fixing screw 92 to be used when moving outside the base cover 89. As shown in the figure, this carrier 90 has a type in which resin wheels 91 are provided at the four corners. The base of the carrier 90 is made of a light metal reinforced aluminum plate and is reduced in weight. All are bent to ensure strength.

  Further, a heating switch 79 for arbitrarily setting the oxygen heating state may be disposed on the power switch 86. By operating the heating switch 79, oxygen can be heated as will be described later.

  Further, a resin-made relay coupler can be connected to the tube 15 of the nose cannula 14 in order to connect an extension tube (not shown) via the coupler 13. By connecting the extension tube in this way, the length can be extended to a length of about 15 m at the longest. As a result, it becomes easier for the patient to use and the movement range of the patient can be increased, so that the QOL can be further improved. Here, for example, even when a patient stumbles and hits the operation panel 85 violently, safety is taken into consideration so as not to be injured. At a position corresponding to the ON position of the power switch 86, for example, an operation state lamp having a built-in light emitting LED that is lit in green and red is provided. Further, a battery remaining amount monitor is provided above the operation state lamp.

  The central oxygen outlet 87 is also provided so that most of the enclosed portion is retracted from the operation surface of the operation panel 85 to the back side (the back side in the drawing) as shown in the figure. On the oxygen outlet 87, an alarm display portion on which characters of “check” are printed is provided. Below this alarm display section, for example, an oxygen concentration lamp that incorporates a light-emitting LED that lights in green and red is provided.

  As shown in the figure, most of the oxygen flow rate setting dial 88 is provided from the operation surface of the operation panel 85 to the back side (the back side in the drawing) so as to be retracted into a mortar-shaped recess. The oxygen flow setting dial 88 is rotated to the character position shown in the 0.25L step from 0.5L (liter) to 2L per minute to set the oxygen flow rate.

  As described above, each operation unit arranged on the operation panel 85 performs a minimum necessary operation on the premise of safety in use and use by the elderly.

  The battery remaining amount display portion is fully lit for about 2 seconds when the power is turned on. After that, if the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery is 100%, the lamp with a built-in light emitting LED provided on the left side lights in green (continuously lights up), and all of the five-stage liquid crystal display units light up. Is displayed. Also, every time the remaining battery level is reduced by 20%, the light is turned off from the right side and the number of lights is reduced.

  When the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery becomes 10% or less, a lamp with a built-in light emitting LED provided on the left side flashes red (lights intermittently) and warns with a built-in buzzer every 5 minutes. In this way, safety in use in the battery drive mode is ensured particularly when going out. The alarm display is printed with the word “check”, and the built-in lamp lights to notify when the oxygen concentration has dropped. In addition, a buzzer sounds when an abnormality occurs on the device side. In addition, when the device stops due to a power failure, it blinks and notifies the visually impaired person by sounding a buzzer.

  In the oxygen concentration lamp, the built-in LED is lit in green when oxygen is flowing normally. Further, the light is turned off when oxygen is not emitted or when the oxygen concentration is lowered. In the battery drive mode, when the oxygen flow rate is 1.25 L or more and the respiratory state cannot be detected for a certain period of time, the light turns red and the buzzer sounds.

  When the power switch 86 is turned on, a buzzer sounds and all the lamps are lit in green for 2 seconds. And when using it in battery drive mode, it is lit and displayed according to the remaining amount in the liquid crystal display part of 5 steps | paragraphs after that. When the patient sets the oxygen flow rate setting dial 88 to a predetermined flow rate according to the doctor's prescription, the oxygen supply is started.

  At the time of stop, when the power switch 86 is turned off, the oxygen lamp is turned off, and the operation lamp blinks for a while and then automatically ends.

  As an operation performed by the patient every day, there is a case where dust and dirt attached to an outside air introduction filter provided on the back cover are removed with a vacuum cleaner. In order to make this operation easy, the outside air introduction filter can be easily attached and detached.

  In order to make the outside air introduction filter detachable from the back cover of the oxygen concentrator 1, the back cover is provided with an opening having a vertical opening for introducing outside air. A lid is detachably provided. Further, the opening has a volume for burying the entire replacement lid, and forms a recess into which the fingertip can enter. The replacement lid is provided with a lateral opening and four standing uprights, and an open-air sponge-made air introduction filter is placed in a portion surrounded by the uprights, and is immobile by its own elastic force. Fit in. This standing portion also serves as a mounting wall portion to the opening. For this reason, the outside air introduction filter is taken out and washed with water or replaced with a new one so that it can be returned to its original state by being set on the replacement lid.

  When the replacement lid is set in the opening, the end face of the shield plate of the main body covers and hides most of the vertical opening for introducing outside air, leaving a slightly upper portion. However, by covering from the inside with the shielding plate in this way, noise described later is effectively prevented from leaking to the outside. In other words, the opening portion to the outside of the apparatus 1 is only the opening and the exhaust heat exhaust port, and the opening area is generated from the inside as the minimum limit necessary for securing the flow rate of the raw material air described later. The noise is reduced by 38 dB so that the sound does not leak outside. In addition to the soundproofing, the outlet part is made as small as possible to make it waterproof.

  In addition, since the apparatus 1 is usually installed with a narrow gap away from the wall surface of the room, external air introduction and exhaust can be performed from the back cover side, allowing exhaust from the place where the external air introduction and exhaust sound are lowest. I have to. It also has a built-in breaker, which makes it possible to cope with the occurrence of an excess current.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a piping diagram that also serves as a block diagram of the apparatus 1. In this figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components that have already been described, and descriptions thereof are omitted, and the double lines indicate air, oxygen, and nitrogen gas flow paths, and are generally indicated as pipes 33. . A thin solid line indicates power supply or electric signal wiring.

  Here, in the following description, the case where a compressor in which the compression means and the pressure reduction means are integrated is described as a compressor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the compression means and the pressure reduction means may be configured separately. Yes.

  In FIG. 2, air is introduced into the apparatus 1 in the direction of arrow F <b> 1 through the outside air introduction filter 20 incorporated in the filter replacement lid. This air is divided into raw air and cooling air by blowing air in the direction of the arrow by a pair of blowers 104 serving as cooling means. Each of the blowers 104 and 104 has a high thermal conductivity for cooling the compressed air whose temperature rises, and covers the cooling pipe 37 arranged by meandering a pipe material such as aluminum, which is a light metal material. It is fixed on the cooling chamber 36. The cooling chamber 36 is provided with a second opening for blowing air, and introduces air from the blowers 104 and 104 into the cooling chamber 36. The cooling chamber 36 may be made of a reinforced aluminum plate, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, or the like for weight reduction and high heat transfer.

  The cooling chamber 36 is fixed as shown in the figure in a ceiling portion of a soundproof chamber 35 in which a first opening for blowing air is formed in the outer wall portion and a cooling pipe 37 is disposed along the outer wall portion. The The soundproof chamber 35 is also preferably made of a reinforced aluminum plate for weight reduction and high heat transfer, and other materials such as an aluminum alloy and a titanium alloy can be used.

  Inside the soundproof chamber 35, there is built in a compressor 105 in which a compression means 105a for compressing raw material air to generate compressed air and a decompression means 105b are integrated. The soundproof chamber 35 is provided with a first opening at a position opposite to the second opening of the cooling chamber 36, and air from the blowers 104, 104 is introduced inside to cool the compressor 105. Configured to do.

  The exhaust heat that has risen in temperature after cooling is sent to the outside in the direction of the arrow from the lower second opening 35d and travels into the conduit 2 connected to the second opening 36d. A maze-like muffler chamber 2a is formed in the conduit 2 in the middle of the conduit 2 so as to mute when exhaust heat passes.

  The exhaust heat sent from the conduit 2 is guided to the downstream side of the cannula 14 as shown by a double arrow and then exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port 4. In addition, the conduit 22 has a built-in pipe 3 formed so as to be sufficiently heated by making the flow path length sufficiently long by being coiled or meandering, and heating the oxygen. It is possible.

  The conduit 2 has a heat insulating function in addition to the above-described silencing function. Further, a two-way switching valve 10 that is turned on and off by the heating switch 79 is provided in the middle of the conduit 2. By switching the two-way switching valve 10, exhaust heat is transferred to the downstream side of the cannula 14 as described above. A first state of guiding and leading to the outside and a second state of guiding from the midway part to the outside and discharging to the outside from the exhaust port 5 can be arbitrarily set.

  Further, a temperature sensor 11 may be provided in the conduit 2 so that the two-way switching valve 10 is automatically switched to keep the temperature appropriate. Further, only the conduit 2 may be provided without providing the two-way switching valve 10 described above.

  On the other hand, from the cooling chamber 36, a pipe 33 is connected to the intake filter 101 that performs secondary filtration for killing bacteria and the like in order to send raw material air for generated oxygen. A large-capacity intake buffer tank 102 is piped downstream of the intake filter 101, and a pipe is connected from the intake buffer tank 102 to the compression means 105a. The intake buffer tank 102 temporarily stores the raw material oxygen taken from the cooling chamber 36 and silences the operating sound generated from the compression means 105a. For this reason, if the piping from the side surface of the intake buffer tank 102 serving as the resonance point is connected to the compression means 105a, more effective noise reduction can be achieved. The inside of the intake filter 102 has a volume of about 200 cc and a weight of about 120 g.

  Next, the filtered raw material air is pressurized by the compression means 105a of the compressor 105 provided with a horizontally opposed piston to become compressed air. At this time, the temperature rises, so a heat exchanger piped downstream It is sent out toward the cooling pipe 37 described above. As described above, the cooling pipe 37 has a surface area increased by making a lightweight metal pipe (for example, an aluminum pipe having an outer diameter of 6 mm and an inner diameter of 4 mm) excellent in heat dissipation effect into a spiral or spiral coil shape. The pipe may be a rectangular pipe limited to a round pipe. The cooling pipe 37 is fixed in close contact with the outer wall portion of the aluminum soundproof chamber 35, and is effective in heat conduction by directly blowing air from the pair of blowers 104 and 104 and cooling the outer wall portion by blowing air. Chilled. Thus, by cooling the compressed air, the zeolite which is an adsorbent whose function is lowered at high temperature can be sufficiently concentrated as a catalyst carrier for generating oxygen by adsorption of nitrogen.

  The compressed air that has been sufficiently cooled by the cooling pipe 37 is alternately supplied to the first adsorption cylinder 108 a and the second adsorption cylinder 108 b through the pipe 33. For this purpose, the compressed air is sent to the three-way switching valves 107a and 107b. In these three-way switching valves 107a and 107b, a pipe 33 to the pressure reducing means 105b and a pipe to the release valve 118 are further shown in order to further purge (purify) the first adsorption cylinder 108a and the second adsorption cylinder 108b. The purging is performed by setting the adsorbent (catalyst) in a reduced pressure state, and nitrogen and moisture released from the adsorbent are exhausted. Further, an exhaust silencer 120 is piped to the decompression means 105a.

The zeolite stored in the first adsorption cylinder 108a and the second adsorption cylinder 108b is an X-type zeolite having a SiO ₂ / Al ₂ O ₃ ratio of 2.0 to 3.0 as a catalyst carrier, and this The amount of nitrogen adsorbed per unit weight is increased by using at least 88% of Al ₂ O ₃ tetrahedral units combined with lithium cations. In particular, those having a granule measurement value of less than 1 mm and at least 88% or more of tetrahedral units fused with lithium cations are preferred.

  By using such a zeolite, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of raw material air used to generate the same oxygen, and as a result, the compressor 105 for generating compressed air can be made a small type. This can further reduce noise. Here, conventional zeolite that has been used in the past may be used, and even in this case, a sufficient noise reduction can be achieved by the muffling function described later.

  On the other hand, a check valve 130 is connected to the upper outlet side of the first suction cylinder 108a and the second suction cylinder 108b as shown in the figure. Moreover, the piping 33 is comprised so that the downstream of each check valve 130 and 130 may join, and the product tank 111 for storing the produced | generated oxygen is piping as shown in the figure. Further, an equal pressure valve 119 is piped between each outlet side of the first adsorption cylinder 108a and the second adsorption cylinder 108b so as to perform secondary purification of each adsorption cylinder.

  On the downstream side of the product tank 111, a pressure regulator 112 that automatically adjusts the oxygen pressure on the outlet side to be constant is provided. An oxygen concentration sensor 114 is connected to the downstream side of the pressure regulator 112 so as to detect the oxygen concentration. A flow rate regulator 115 linked to the oxygen flow rate setting dial 8 is connected to the downstream side, and is connected to the oxygen outlet 7 of the apparatus 1 through a demand valve 116 serving as a respiratory synchronizer on the downstream side. Yes.

  With the above configuration, oxygen concentrated to about 88 to 94% at a maximum flow rate of 2 L / min is supplied to the patient via a nasal cannula (not shown).

  In addition, the control board 124 of the control means is energized by a commercial power source through the AC power connector 130 connected to the AC power source, the breaker 18 and the switching power source unit 125. When the user goes out, the control board 124 is energized via the connector 131 because the battery (rechargeable battery) 127 is used.

  On the other hand, the oxygen concentration sensor 114, the flow rate regulator 115, the three-way switching valves 107 a and 107 b, the equal pressure valve 119 and the release valve 118 are connected to the control board 124.

  The compressor 105 has a total weight of about 1 kg, and motor drive control is performed by a motor control unit 123 connected to the control board 124 and a variable speed controller 123a connected thereto. The compressor 105 can be operated at various speeds, can provide the necessary vacuum / pressure levels and flow rates, produces only a little noise and vibration, generates little heat, is small and light, And it is preferable that a little electric power is consumed.

  Further, a variable speed controller 123a, which is a variable speed control means, is connected to a power source such as a rechargeable battery 127 or other commercial power source in order to reduce power consumption required for the compressor 105. By providing the variable speed controller 123a connected to the motor control circuit 123, the speed of the compressor 105 can be freely changed based on the activity level of the patient and the environmental conditions. For example, if the variable speed controller 123a determines that the patient's oxygen demand is relatively low, such as when the patient is sitting, sleeping, or in a low place, the variable speed controller 123a reduces the drive rotational speed of the compressor 105 and The patient's oxygen demand is relatively high, such as when standing, active, or at high altitudes, and can be speeded up when deemed to have increased.

  This reduces the power consumption of the entire apparatus 1, extends the life of the rechargeable battery 127 when driven by the rechargeable battery 127, reduces the weight and size of the rechargeable battery 127, and reduces the degree of wear of the compressor 105. This can extend the life and improve the reliability.

  Furthermore, the apparatus 1 has an AC drive mode and a battery drive mode, and automatically switches the oxygen generation amount in the AC drive mode to 2 L, which is about twice the oxygen generation amount in the battery drive mode. At the same time, the blower is controlled to rotate at a high speed in the AC drive mode and at a low speed in the battery drive mode.

  The compressor 105 has both compression and decompression functions as described above, and the rotation speed is automatically controlled according to the oxygen flow rate to be taken out. Specifically, the rotation speed is from 500 rpm to 3000 rpm. The operating life when rotating at about 1700 rpm, which is a normal optimum speed, can be extended to 15000 hours. The compressor 105 compresses air to 100 kPa, preferably about 75 kPa.

  The operating temperature surrounding the compressor 105 is preferably 0 ° C. to 40 ° C., the driving voltage for the compressor 105 is preferably DC 12V or 24V (power source obtained from an adapter such as an automobile), and the power consumption is , About 45-80W.

  Here, the role of the release valve 118 is to adjust the degree of vacuum on the compression means side of the compressor 105. That is, since the compressor 105 employed in the apparatus 1 has both functions of a compression unit and a decompression unit, there is an advantage that it can be reduced in size and weight. However, the compressor integrated in this way has a problem that vibration is larger than that of the compressor dedicated to pressurization of the compression means and the compressor dedicated to vacuum of the decompression means. In particular, the vibration becomes particularly intense at the time of transition to the pressure equalization process in the compression process. This is because the flow path of the three-way switching valves 107a and 107b is in a state where the compression means side and one suction cylinder side are in communication with each other and the pressure reduction means side is shut off. Due to the extreme high vacuum between the means. In order to eliminate this high vacuum state, an opening valve 118 that communicates with the outside air is provided, and the opening valve 118 is operated to open in response to an instruction from the control board 124 in synchronization with the pressure equalization step. The inside of the flow path is brought closer to the atmospheric pressure so that the outside air enters inside. Due to this action, the compressor 105 is in a state close to a no-load state, so that generation of vibration can be prevented, and noise can be reduced and power can be reduced.

  On the other hand, the blowers 104 and 104 that cool the compressor 105 and the inside of the apparatus 1 consume about 2.7 W of power. An axial fan may be used instead of this blower. Here, the maximum noise pressure level of the apparatus 1 is 35 dBA or less at the maximum rotation speed, and 33 dBA when the concentrated oxygen flow rate is 1 L / min or less.

  As the three-way switching valves 107a and 107b, electromagnetic valves that perform a valve operation generally called a direct acting type by a magnetic force during energization can be used. This type of solenoid valve has a problem of high power consumption because the main valve is operated only by electric power. In this device 1, a pilot-type three-way switching valve can be used for the three-way switching valves 107a and 107b. According to this valve, since it can be operated by using a little power consumption and air pressure from the compressor, the power is greatly reduced as a result of reduction from the conventional 8 W to 0.5 W. .

  With the above configuration, when the power switch 86 of the apparatus 1 is turned on, supply of a predetermined voltage is started, and the control board 124 performs a self-check. Subsequently, the compressor 105, the blowers 104 and 104, and the three-way switching valve 107 are energized, so that external air is introduced and the accompanying air introduction sound is continuously generated. At the same time, the vibration of the compressor 105, the noise accompanying the vibration, and the transmitted sound from the pipe extending to the adsorption cylinder are continuously generated.

  Following this, the introduced air is introduced into the first adsorption cylinder 108a through one of the three-way switching valves 107a, and the produced oxygen flows into the product tank 111 through the check valve 130, and the pressure gradually increases. When a predetermined pressure is reached, the equal pressure valve 119 is “opened” for a predetermined time. With the above, a part of oxygen concentrated in the first adsorption cylinder 108a is used to prepare the second adsorption cylinder 108b for cleaning and subsequent pressurization. Moreover, since the operation sound is accompanied when the equal pressure valve 119 is operated, it is surrounded by a soundproof sponge.

  Next, the three-way switching valve 107b is operated to perform the desorption process (discharge of nitrogen and moisture) of the first adsorption cylinder 108a and intake of compressed air into the second adsorption cylinder 108b. Before and after this, the release valve 118 is operated to release the nitrogen gas remaining in the first adsorption cylinder 108a. This exhaust noise is temporary but loudest. The oxygen produced by the compressed air that has flowed into the second adsorption cylinder 108 b flows into the product tank 111 via the check valve 130. Thereafter, when a predetermined pressure is reached, the equal pressure valve 119 is “open” for a predetermined time. After this, preparation for the cleaning and the subsequent pressurization of the second adsorption cylinder 108a is performed.

  By opening the equal pressure valve 119 as described above, oxygen generated in the second adsorption cylinder 108b is sent to the outlet of the first adsorption cylinder 108a, so that the built-in zeolite is cleaned. It will be. By repeating the above switching operation at a predetermined timing, continuous stable supply of oxygen is possible.

  Note that the flow rate detection means is for the control board to read the set value of the flow rate setting device for determining the oxygen flow rate to be used as described above, but when the flow rate drops due to disturbance factors such as tube breakage. In preparation, the actual flow rate may be measured. As described above, the oxygen concentration can be stably maintained regardless of the arbitrarily set oxygen flow rate.

  In addition, the supply sound of compressed air, the introduction sound of external air, the introduction sound of filtered air for producing raw material air, the operation sound and exhaust sound of the three-way switching valve are periodically generated. In order to reduce the generated noise, in the conventional apparatus, the external air introduction passage is set to be long, a large number of refractions are given, and further, it is housed in a sound insulation box provided with a sound absorbing material. For this reason, the quiet oxygen concentrator was supposed to be enlarged. Further, the adsorption cylinder filled with zeolite is generally arranged at a place where it is difficult to be affected by the temperature because the nitrogen adsorption amount decreases as the temperature rises.

  For this reason, pressure loss due to the length of the piping path may not be negligible, but these problems are all solved by the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and the mechanical configuration described later.

  Further, the rechargeable battery 127 is a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, for example, and supplies power through a connector set to the battery connector 131. Also, a remaining amount confirmation button that displays the remaining amount of the battery by being pressed on the surface, and five display portions with a remaining amount of 100% when this remaining amount confirmation button is pressed to confirm the remaining amount. It is provided with a five-stage display unit that is lit and one display unit is lit when the remaining amount is 20%. For example, a remaining amount confirmation monitor for liquid crystal display is provided. By confirming the remaining amount of charge before using the rechargeable battery 127 configured in this way, it is possible to prevent the worst situation in which the battery runs out when going out. An AC cable connected to an AC power source and a connector connected to a connector are connected to the dedicated charger for the rechargeable battery, and charging is performed by a power supply device built in the charger main body. .

  Next, the soundproof chamber 35 is a sealed box that houses the compressor 105 in a soundproof state, and the front soundproof chamber lid is fixed with a plurality of fixing screws. For this purpose, the soundproof chamber 35 is bent, and an attachment portion in which an insert nut is implanted is integrally provided. A soundproof material is laid in the soundproof room. In addition, the outer peripheral surface is a damping member, and a sheet-like material made of a mixture of synthetic rubber and special resin material is laid, and the soundproof chamber 35 itself made of a thin aluminum plate vibrates due to resonance or the like. Is preventing. A second opening 35d is formed in the lower surface of the soundproof chamber 35, while a first opening is formed in the upper surface of the soundproof chamber 35 at a position opposite to the second opening of the cooling chamber 36. Has been. Further, another hole is formed in the soundproof chamber 35 so that the cooling pipe 37 is positioned as shown and the pipe 33 can be taken out.

  Further, the silencer 120 is composed of a light metal aluminum round pipe (outer diameter Φ6 mm, inner diameter Φ4 mm), the end on the side not connected to the compressor 105 is closed, and the pipe side surface has a diameter of Φ0.3 to A plurality of small holes of about 1.0 mm, for example, 2 to 6, are formed. If it is further increased, noise will be increased, and if it is decreased, the exhaust efficiency of the compressor is lowered, which is not preferable.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the flow of outside air introduction air, raw material air and exhaust air. In this figure, components that have already been described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Air that has been primarily filtered by the outside air introduction filter 20 is introduced into the inside in the direction of the arrow F1. The introduced air is sucked by the blower 104 so as to branch in the directions of arrows F2 and F3, and flows in the directions of arrows F4 and F5 through the opening of the cooling chamber 36 and the first opening of the soundproof chamber 35. Thereby, the compressor 105 is cooled. If the compressor 105 generates a large amount of heat and does not cool, the temperature rises to about 75 degrees at the maximum, so it is necessary to cool it efficiently. For this reason, the meandering pipe which is accommodated in the soundproof room and cools the hot oxygen after compression is brought into close contact, and further provided with a cooling chamber, a blower is provided thereon, and the meandering pipe and the compressor 105 are blown by air from two blowers. Cooling efficiency is improved by cooling both sides.

  A part of the air introduced into the cooling chamber 36 flows as raw material air through the pipe 33 in the direction of arrow F6, passes through the filter 101 and the buffer tank 102 for secondary filtration in the direction of arrow F7, and passes through the pipe 33 in the direction of arrow F8. It passes in the direction toward the compression means 105a. At this time, the intake sound is completely blocked. Further, the exhaust heat flows through the conduit 2 after exiting the second opening 35d in the direction of the arrow F9, and is sufficiently silenced in the silencing chamber to sufficiently heat the pipe 3. Thereafter, the gas is discharged from the exhaust port 4 in the direction of arrow F10. Therefore, the exhaust port 4 is provided on the back surface of the device 1.

  As described above, all the main components necessary for substantially generating oxygen are soundproofed, so that the sound of the compressor 105, which is a continuous noise source, is transmitted from the air exhaust port 4 serving as an opening to the outside. At this time, when passing through the muffler chamber 2a, the sound energy is attenuated by repeatedly reflecting and absorbing sound, so that the annoying sound is reduced. Further, a heat insulating material (not shown) is laid on the conduit 2 so that the temperature drop during the guiding to the pipe 3 while keeping the exhaust heat temperature can be minimized.

  Further, the conduit 2 connected to the two-way switching valve 10 communicates with the exhaust port 5 on the back surface of the apparatus 1 and is configured to be exhausted in the direction of the arrow F11.

  On the other hand, the interior of the soundproof room has a noise absorbing material on the inner surface, so that the noise source can be kept to a minimum, and the conventional exhaust passage is separated from the parts required for oxygen generation. Compared to the above, space can be used efficiently, so that downsizing and maintenance of the apparatus can be greatly improved.

Although the medical device 1 of the present invention has been described based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, adsorbs nitrogen from the air. Thus, the catalyst carrier for generating oxygen is an X-type zeolite having a SiO ₂ / Al ₂ O ₃ ratio of 2.0 to 3.0, and at least 88 tetrahedral units of the Al ₂ O _3. % Or more can be combined with lithium cations to make one adsorption cylinder. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the design of the cover is not limited to the above configuration.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main part of the second embodiment. In this figure, components or components that have already been described are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. A humidifier configured by a lid 8 and a container 9 is provided downstream of a demand valve 116 serving as a respiratory synchronizer. Is connected, and the pipe 3 is connected to the downstream side of the lid 8.

  Since the humidifier is configured to store distilled water in a transparent container 9 and obtain wet oxygen by allowing oxygen to pass through the distilled water, the humidifier passes through the humidifier. Later, moderately moist oxygen can be supplied.

  In addition, since distilled water is consumed after a predetermined time, it can be seen, and it is obliged to change it daily to prevent the growth of bacteria and the like. Conventionally, if this effect is forgotten, the humidifier has been heated by a heater, which has caused bacterial growth.

  Therefore, heating on the downstream side of the humidifier can solve the conventional problems and can realize a more comfortable oxygen supply for the patient.

  Furthermore, having an additional battery pack that has been charged allows for longer outings and the like, and its QOL is greatly improved. Further, the device 1 may be a cart (two-wheel or four-wheel cart) having wheels, and may be a handcart type provided with a stopper, a retractable / extendable handle, and the like. The system may also include a soundproof box that further covers the device 1 for soundproofing at bedtime.

  In addition, the breath synchronization control is performed in order to perform control synchronized with breathing so that the patient can use the concentrated oxygen more efficiently when the entire oxygen concentrator 1 is driven by the rechargeable battery 127. However, during normal breathing, the patient spends about 1/3 of the inspiration / expiration cycle time on inspiration and the remaining 2/3 on exhalation.

  The concentrated oxygen produced during exhalation is unnecessary for the patient, so that additional battery power that efficiently provides this excess concentrated oxygen flow is wasted. Therefore, if the inspiratory / expiratory cycle is 1 (inspired): 2 (expired) by supplying the concentrated oxygen generated during exhaled at the time of inhaling, 3 at the time of inhaling. It becomes possible to supply up to double the flow rate.

  Thus, by performing respiratory synchronization control, it is possible to reduce the size and power consumption of the apparatus. The opening / closing control of the respiratory tuner 116 is performed over the entire period (the compressor 105 also operates over the entire period).

  Referring to FIG. 2, the oxygen concentrator 1 is equipped with an oxygen sensor 114 as a standard, but various sensors such as an acceleration sensor 135, a GPS (global position sensor) 134, a shock sensor 132, a pulse sensor, a blood pressure A sensor, a blood oxygen saturation sensor, etc. can be optionally attached. As the oxygen sensor, a galvanic cell type, an ultrasonic type, a zirconia type sensor or the like can be used, but a zirconia type oxygen sensor is preferable from the viewpoint of size and measurement accuracy. In addition, a history storage unit that stores the amount of oxygen used, operation time, trouble integration, and the like in time series may be provided so that maintenance can be performed by an external device.

These are the external appearance perspective views which looked at the oxygen concentrator 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention from the front left diagonal upper direction. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the oxygen concentrator 1 shown in FIG. 1. These are the external appearance perspective views which showed a mode that external air introduction air, raw material air, and exhaust air flow. These are block diagrams which showed the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of the oxygen concentrator 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Oxygen concentrator,
2 Conduit 3 Piping 4, 5 Exhaust port 14 Cannula (oxygen supply tool)
15 Tube 20 Outside air introduction filter 33 Piping (made of resin)
35 Compressor room (aluminum)
36 Cooling chamber (aluminum)
37 Cooling piping (aluminum)
101 Intake Filter 102 Intake Buffer Tank 104 Cooling Fan (Cooling Means)
105 Compressor (compression means, decompression means)
107 Solenoid valve (made of metal)
108a, 108b Adsorption cylinder (aluminum)
111 Product tank 112 Pressure regulator 116 Respiration tuner 114 Oxygen sensor 127 Rechargeable battery F1 to F11 Flow direction of outside air introduction air, raw material air, exhaust gas

Claims (8)

Compressing means for generating compressed air by compressing raw air, adsorbing means for generating concentrated oxygen by adsorbing elements other than oxygen in the compressed air sent from the compressing means with the catalyst, and purifying the catalyst Switching to a connection state between the decompression unit and the adsorption unit between the compression unit and the adsorption unit or at a timing when the catalyst is saturated. A switching means; a product tank that is connected to the adsorption means to temporarily store the concentrated oxygen; and an oxygen supply device that includes a cannula for supplying the concentrated oxygen from the product tank to a patient. An oxygen concentrator,
An oxygen concentrating apparatus comprising a heating means for heating oxygen from the concentrated oxygen supplied to the oxygen supply tool by exhaust heat generated during operation of the compression means. The compression means is integrally configured as a compressor together with the decompression means,
A soundproof room containing the compressor in a soundproof state, a cooling pipe laid on the outer wall of the soundproof room for cooling the compressed air that rises in temperature, and the compression means and the cooling pipe are drilled in the soundproof room. A cooling means for cooling by blowing air to the first opening provided;
The heating means includes
A conduit for discharging the exhaust heat sent from the second opening formed in the soundproof chamber to the outside after being guided to the downstream of the oxygen supply tool;
The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, comprising a coiled or meandering pipe disposed in the conduit and connected to the oxygen supply device.   The oxygen concentrator according to claim 2, wherein the conduit has a silencing and heat insulating function.   The oxygen concentrator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a humidifier is connected upstream of the pipe.   5. The compression means, the decompression means, the switching means, and the cooling means can be driven by an external power supply device including a detachable rechargeable battery in addition to a commercial power source. 2. The oxygen concentrator according to item 1.   The conduit includes a two-way switching valve connected to a middle portion thereof, and a first state in which the exhaust heat is guided to the downstream of the oxygen supply device by switching the two-way switching valve and guided to the outside; The oxygen concentrator according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the oxygen concentrator can be arbitrarily set to a second state leading from the outside to the outside. Compressing means for generating compressed air by compressing raw air, adsorbing means for generating concentrated oxygen by adsorbing elements other than oxygen in the compressed air sent from the compressing means with the catalyst, and purifying the catalyst Switching to a connection state between the decompression unit and the adsorption unit between the compression unit and the adsorption unit or at a timing when the catalyst is saturated. A switching means; a product tank that is connected to the adsorption means to temporarily store the concentrated oxygen; and an oxygen supply device that includes a cannula for supplying oxygen from the concentrated oxygen in the product tank to a patient. A method of using the oxygen concentrator,
Oxygen from the concentrated oxygen supplied to the oxygen supply tool is heated by exhaust heat generated during operation of the compression means by the heating means, so that appropriate temperature oxygen can be supplied to the patient and the burden on the patient is reduced. A method of using an oxygen concentrator characterized by that.   The use of the oxygen concentrator according to claim 7, further comprising connecting a humidifier upstream of a pipe of the oxygen supply device to supply wet oxygen to the patient, thereby further reducing the burden on the patient. Method.

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