US2237633A - Apparatus for embalming bodies - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1941.

M. D. RIKER APPARATUS FOR EMBALMING BODIES Filed June 50,- 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. fife/c 0/07 ,2 F/fier ATTORNEY.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. D. RIKER APPARATUS FOR EMBALMING BODIES Filed June 50, 1938 April 8, 1941.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFME 5 Claims.

This invention relates to embalming apparatus, the object being to provide a new and improved means both for embalming and aspirating a body.

A feature of the invention is involved in the mechanism by which embalming fluid may be introduced under constant pressure into the veins and arteries of a body and by means of which the body may be aspirated.

In the embalming of a body, the apparatus is arranged to inject liquid under pressure into the arteries, veins and capillaries (hereinafter termed the circulatory system) for which purpose a drainage at a point in the circulatory system distant from the point of injection is provided. Heretofore, it has been common practice to pump air on a liquid body in a container to produce pressure for forcing the liquid into the veins and arteries and this former method has been used principally to prevent the hands of the operator coming in contact with the embalming fluid.

By my improved apparatus, any possible contamination of the hands of the operator by the embalming fluid is avoided as the mechanism pumps the liquid directly to the body under constant pressure, and a feature of the invention resides in the construction of a pump whereby a predeterminable pressure only can be produced thereby.

A further feature of the invention is involved in the pump construction adapting it for use in aspirating the body-that is, in withdrawing the body fluids therefrom. In so utilizing the pump, a vacuum bottle is provided having a tube directly connected with the body and another tube leading to the pump by means of which a vacuum is produced in the bottle and, under such condition and by reason of the embalming fluids remaining in the pump at the completion of injection, the pump is liquid packed permitting it to operate successfully to produce a vacuum in the vacuum bottle.

It is therefore a main feature and object. of the invention to provide an apparatus of such character of construction as to adapt it for pumping liquids or gases, or both, and to thus enable it to function to inject liquid under pressure into the circulatory system or to subject the organs of the body to a reduction in pressure by withdrawal of liquids and gases in which operation the pump is so constructed that a small amount of liquid is circulated in the pump to pack the same as is hereinafter more fully described.

These and other objects and novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and the preferred form of construc tion of an apparatus embodying my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows my improved apparatus in full lines as adapted for injection of the embalming fluid into the circulatory system of a body, the dotted line portion of the drawing indicating the re-arrangement of the parts for use in aspirating the body.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 of the tank for the embalming fluid and manner of connection of intake line of the pump thereto by which the pump may be primed by gravity.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation of the pump taken on line 33 of Fig. 4.

Fig 4 is an elevation partly in section taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail in section of the check valve arrangement used on the dome of the pump.

Fig. 5a is a sectional detail of an outlet conduit for the air chamber.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the pump taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 3.

In its preferred form as here shown, the apparatus comprises a pumping mechanism shown in elevation at the left of Fig. 1. This includes a pump casing I and on. the shaft 2! 0f the pump is a flywheel 2. The pump casing has a base portion 3 secured to a foundation t preferably provided with rubber feet 5 and having an upstanding rim 6 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The pump casing is provided with a lug l on which is a pivoted arm 23 secured to a bracket it which suspends an electric motor it. On the shaft of the motor on the side opposite that shown in Fig. 1, is a rubber or friction pulley ll indicated by dotted lines, which engages the flywheel rim. The pivot point of the bracket 6 is in a vertical plane inwardly of the point of contact of the pulley H with the flywheel 2 and thus the motor hangs by action of gravity with a certain pressure contact of its pulley with the flywheel 2 The motor is provided with a flexible conduit [2 through which the current supply is provided. The rubber pulley l l is simply a sleeve sufficiently less in diameter than the shaft to be in frictional engagement. Thus at certain high pressure developed by the pump, either the sleeve will slip on the shaft or the motor swing on its bracket. The pump, however, as hereinafter stated, is so constructed that only a predetermined liquid pressure may be attained.

The pump proper comprises a chamber formed within the cylindrical member l5 having a threaded flange I6 for engagement in the portion of the pump ll having a similar threaded flange. The flange [5 on its inner left side face in Fig. 3 engages a packing ring 18, the thickness of which may be varied to provide a predetermined width of space between the inner face of the member l5 and the opposite face of the member H. In this space is a rotor I9 having the radial blades which are spring pressed to engage the periphery of the flange it. The width of the blades is less than the width of the space between the inner face of the member I5 and the opposing face of the member II. By varying the thickness 1 of the packing ring, a predetermined slippage is secured thus producing a pump for discharging fluids at a predetermined pressure. The rotor I9 is secured to the shaft 2! on which is the flywheel 2 driven by the pulley or sleeve H on the motor shaft.

It will be noted from Figs. 4 and 5, that there are a series of apertures 22 opening through the wall I! and a similar series of apertures 23 opening through the said wall and that the axes of these apertures are at about the periphery of the rotor element 19. The member I! of the pump casting I is spaced from a parallel wall 24 and in the said space is a dividing wall 25 (see Fig. 6) which extends to the hub in which the shaft 2| is mounted. This wall 25 extends to opposite sides of the hub and at the lower end, as shown in Fig. 6, is formed with an aperture 25 which is controlled by a valve member here shown as a pointed screw 21. There is also a radial rib 28 at a right angle to the wall 25 and extending to the hub thus providing a chamber 29 between the wall 28 and 26 to which the inlet apertures 23 of the pump open. While the apertures 22 and 23 have their axes at about the periphery of the element [9 due to the fact that said element is predeterminedly spaced from the rear wall I? of the pump casing, the apertures may receive flow of fluid throughout the whole cross sectional area thereof.

It is to be noted that the rotor I9 is eccentric to the axis of the inner surface of the flange I6 of the pump chamber and as the blades rotate, fluid is drawn into the pump through the apertures 23 and is discharged through the apertures 22 to the opposite side of the wall 25 which forms one wall of the pressure channel 30. The pump casing, it is noted, extends upwardly from the periphery of the pump to form two channels 38 and 3! and is flanged at 32 at the upper end to receive a glass cylinder 33.

The cylinder 33 is secured to the member 32 by the screws 34 by means of which the cap member 35 holds the glass cylinder in place and provides a dome for the pump. The wall 25 terminates in alignment with the supporting base in the member 32 for the glass cylinder and there are thus two channels formed, the channels 38 and 3|, both of which are open to the glass cyl inder or dome. The cap member 35 for the cylinder is provided with a spring seated ball valve indicated at 36 in Fig. 5 and thus in the pumping operation, air is trapped in the cylinder and the liquid passes through the aperture 31 to the outlet line I3. The inlet chamber 29 of the pump opens to an extension 38 at the base of the pump to which the intake line I4 is connected. Also mounted on the pump casing and open to the channel 3| is a gauge element 39 for actuation by liquid pressure. In operation of the pump for injection of embalming fluid under pressure to the body, the valve 2! is closed. In operation of the pump for producing suction as in aspirating a body, the valve 21 is opened to a greater or less degree.

One of the features of this invention resides in the provision of means for priming the pump by gravity. This is accomplished in the following manner:

It is to be understood that the embalming liquid is taken from a tank 40 and that the level of liquid is at about the dotted line a in Fig. 1. Below this line, I have provided an aperture 4| in the side wall of the pump through which a conduit like element 42 extends and is threaded to receive a nut 44, a packing ring 45 being provided between the nut and the wall of the conduit 40.

A similar packing ring 46 is provided on the opposite side of the wall and is engaged by a hub 41 on the member 42. Thus, by tightening the nut 45, a leakproof connection between the tube 42 and the tank wall is provided. On the inner end of the tube 42 is a conduit member 48 and to the outer end of the member is connected the intake conduit l4 for the pump. In the full line position of the parts shown, the conduit, which is a normally open conduit, fills with liquid under pressure which flows to the pump, the center line of the pump being below the axis of the aperture 4| in the tank. The member 42 is revoluble in the aperture so that the depending conduit 48 of the intake line may be turned to upright position as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, it being understood that the conduit I4 is preferably rubher, and therefore flexible in character, will permit rotation of the members 42 and 48.

When the pump is operated for forcing the embalming fluid into the circulatory system of a body, the valve 2'! is closed and the pump, which at the start of operation does not contain liquid, is primed by turning the member 48 from the dotted line position to the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2 and this is its position in the succeeding operation. The pump is then started and liquid is drawn through the conduit I4 and the ports 23 into the channel 38 and chamber 29.

By rotation of the blades, the liquid is discharged through the ports 22 into the channel 30 and thence to the chamber provided by the dome 33 which will compress air in the top part of the said dome and the liquid will pass out through the channel 3| to the outlet aperture 3'! to line l3 which, at its discharge end, is understood to be open to an artery of a body. The air trapped at the top of the dome will provide for an even and constant pressure of the liquid passing to the body and any air that may be in the suction line is trapped in the dome 35 and liquid only passed to the body. It is pointed out that the dome is normally closed by the check valve 35 during the pumping of liquid into the body and usually three or four pounds pressure is used but the pressure may be higher if occasion demands. This pressure is shown on the gauge 39 which opens to the chamber 31 as will be understood from Fig. 6.

Subsequent to forcing liquid under pressure into the circulatory system of a body, it is desired to withdraw liquids and gases from the stomach or other organs of the body containing liquid or, as it is termed, to aspirate the body. For this purpose, the intake line I4 has connected thereto an extension 5| and included with the extension is a check valve which is opened by pump suction and closed by a spring 52. The end of the dlschargeline I3 is merely placed in the tank such as the tank 40 to receive any liquids that may be dispelled from the air chamher.

It is important that the valve 27 be opened slightly during the aspirating process to maintain a liquid packing for the pump. There will be a Constant flow of liquid through the pump sufiicient to close all clearance at the top of the rotor l9 and this liquid, because of centrifugal force, will constantly hug the periphery of the cylinder. pump will therefore be forced to the inside or at the surface of the rotor and between the blades and will be adjacent to ports 22 when compression is complete anddischarge is effected.

In operation of the device, under the above stated conditions, in aspirating bodies and Withdrawal of the liquids and gases from the organs of the body, the gases will pass off through the open check valve and into a conduit of preferably flexible character indicated at 56 in Fig. 5 and this may lead to any convenient receptacle. It is pointed out that in the operation of the device, the aspirating step is subsequent to the injection of fluid, such as formaldehyde, and as the injection of formaldehyde has been completed there remains in the pump some of the embalming liquid. This liquid not only acts in a manner to pack the pump so that it may be effective in Withdrawing the gases but it is also pointed out that the gases are discharged through the formaldehyde to the outlet conduit and thus are sterilized and the odors entirely removed therefrom. The operator therefore is not annoyed by the odors of gases removed from the body and the check valve 5! in the intake conduit M, as previously stated, acts to prevent back flow of liquid or gases from the pump during the period of aspiration.

A container 60, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, may be employed between the intake conduit of the pump which leads thereto on one side and an extension conduit ti which leads from the trocar introduced into the circulatory system and discharges to the container 60. This arrangement will avoid the possible drawing of the liquid from the body into the pump system.

By means of the open receptacle 40 in the operation of the apparatus to inject embalming liquid, a further desirable result is attained.

In the embalming of the body, the liquid first injected is more dilute and of less strength than that desired to be subsequently discharged into the circulatory system. If the liquid were full strength in the beginning of the operation, the walls of the veins or capillaries are apt to become seared and thus tend to choke the flow as they would no longer expand and permit blood clots to be forced therethrough. By starting with a diluted embalming liquid and by means of an open vessel, the strength of the solution may be increased from time to time or the chem ical mix changed without stopping the injection or removal of the tubes from the body but after the veins have been practically filled with embalming fluid then the strength of the solution may be so increased as to harden and preserve the tissues to the degree desired. The difficulties encountered by apparatus heretofore known to me are therefore avoided by the apparatus herein disclosed.

I take advantage of the open top container 40 in another way and that is, by making the base 6 to fit the interior of the open end of the container which, when empty, may be passed'over Any gases passing through the the apparatus with the open end seating about the base 6 thus providing the entire apparatus in a single package.

From the foregoing description, it is believed evident that the apparatus is of comparatively simple construction and is highly emcient in operation, particularly in comparison to the previous known apparatus in which air is pumped onto the embalming liquid in a container to force it into a body in the injection of the embalming fluid. The liability of the hands of the attendant coming in contact with embalming fluid isalso reduced to a minimum. Further-- more, the pressure is maintained constant under continuous flow at given speed of pump and thus insuring a steady pressure in the injection of the embalming fluid and Without possibility of injection of air. This is important in view of the fact that if air pockets existed in the liquid flowing in the conduit 13 during the embalming, the air will form a pocket or pockets and provide an obstruction to flow of the embalming fluid.

It is believed, therefore, that the various objects and features of the invention are attained by the arrangement and construction of the apparatus described.

Having thus fully described my invention. its utility and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In apparatus for the injection of embalming fluid into the circulatory system of a body, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, an air dome, having openings in its bottom and forming part of the outlet, 2. tube having an end connected with the inlet, a receptacle for liquid with which the opposite end of the inlet tube is connected, and a tube connected at one end with the outlet and to the circulatory system at the other, the arrangement providing that, in operation of the pump, the liquid is forced into the dome compressing air in the upper part thereof and is thereafter discharged directly through the outlet beneath the air, and means providing for a predetermined slippage in the pump to thereby provide a discharge pressure not materially differing from the pressure required to overcome the resistance of the circulatory system to flow of fluid thereinto.

2. In apparatus for the injection of embalming fluid to the circulatory system of a body, a pump constant speed having an inlet and an outlet, an air dome therebetween opening at its bottom to both the inlet and the outlet, 2. tube open to the inlet at one end, an open receptacle for the embalming fluid in which the opposite end of the inlet tube is connected, and a discharge tube opening at one end to the outlet and at the other end to the circulatory system and providing an arrangement of parts for continuously supplying fluid to the circulatory system under a substantially constant pressure, the open receptacle permitting replenishment of the liquid during the embalming operation without cessation of the injection of liquid, and means providing for variation in the volume of fluid discharged from the pump per unit of time without variation in its speed of operation to thereby provide for discharge of fluid from the pump at a predeterminable pressure.

3. In apparatus for the injection of embalming fiuid to the circulatory system of a body, a rotary pump having an inlet connected with a source of fluid supply and an outlet open to the circulatory system at a point distant from a drainage point therefor, an air dome in the outlet having openings in its bottom and forming part of the discharge conduit, the fluid being discharged by the pump to the air dome and thence to the body and thereby pocketing air in the said air dome and beneath which pocketed air the fluid is discharged through the outlet conduit, valve means for discharging air from the air dome, said air dome providing a means whereby any air in the fluid discharged by the pump is separated therefrom prior to discharge to the system, and means providing for a predetermined slippage in the pump to thereby predetermine the pressure imposed upon the fluid discharged thereby at certain speed of rotation of the pump.

4. In apparatus for first embalming and then aspirating a body, a pump having an intake connectible with a source of supply of embalming fluid and an outlet connectible with the circulatory system of the body, an, electric motor for operating the pump wherein the embalming fluid is drawn into the pump and discharged through the outlet under pressure, a wall within the pump between the inlet and outlet having an opening, a valve for closing the opening during the embalming operation and operable to provide a fixed area of opening when aspirating the body and thereby providing for a predetermined flow of fluid from the outlet to the inlet, the inlet conduit during aspiration of the body being connectible with a vacuum bottle for withdrawing fluid and gases from the organs of the body and the said outlet being closed, the embalming fluid remaining in the pump subsequent to the embalming operation providing a liquid packing for the pump during the aspirating operation.

5. In embalming apparatus, means for removing gases and liquids from. the organs of a body comprising a rotary pump and an inlet chamber each having openings through the pump casing on one side, there being a wall in said chamber between the inlet and the outlet and having an aperture, a valve for varying the area of the opening of the aperture, the outlet openings being positioned at approximately the periphery of the rotor and the said rotor being predeterminedly spaced from the said wall, said pump having a quantity of embalming liquid therein which is passed from the outlet to the inlet by operation of the pump to thereby maintain the pump liquid packed and adapting the pump to exhaust liquids and gases from the organs of the body being aspirated, a vacuum bottle, an intake conduit connected with the inlet openings of the pump and leading to the Vacuum bottle and a conduit leading from the vacuum bottle to the body whereby the liquids are discharged into the said vacuum bottle and the gases pass to the intake of the pump, an air dome to which the outlet of the pump opens, said dome having a normally closed check valve in its upper part, and a conduit connectible therewith tending to hold the valve open for discharge of gases, the gases being sterilized and deodorized by passing through the embalming fluid maintained in the pump for packing purposes.

MALCOLM D. RIKER.

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