CH659396A5 - MEDICAL TREATMENT APPARATUS PROVIDING A HUMID AIR FLOW OF ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE ON THE NASAL MUCOSA OF A PERSON. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medical treatment device, of the type of air humidifiers intended to emit an air flow charged with water vapor, or other suitable liquid, and used in the treatment of inflammations of the nasal mucosa such as rhinitis.

In the known devices of this kind of apparatus, the air flow supplied to the patient is charged with droplets, sprayed perpendicular to the main air flow by the driving pressure of the air, which at the same time ensures the gushing of the liquid. .

In such solutions, the pressure drops in the liquid circuit and in the spraying member require very high pressures to be overcome, which can only be obtained by using relatively large means and at high cost.

Furthermore, since the pressure produced is superabundant in order to be applied to the air circuit directed at the patient, it must be significantly degraded before it leaves the device, hence an expensive energy consumption.

In certain known devices, the device comprises a remote transmission member which is connected to it by means of a flexible conduit, inside which transit, in addition to the blown air, the liquid to be vaporized and the electrical conductors necessary for heating the fluids inside the emission member, worn by the patient in the manner of a mask.

Such provisions, in addition to the discomfort they entail for the patient, due to the wearing of said mask during the treatment session, represent a potential danger for the latter, based on the risk of internal short circuit, by accidental defect. tightness of the conduits coexisting inside the main sheath, and transporting fluids as antagonistic as water and electricity.

The invention overcomes, inter alia, these drawbacks, by providing an apparatus comprising means for supplying pressurized air, means for reheating this air to an adjustable temperature, means for pressurizing and spraying air. '' a suitable liquid, means for mixing with the flow of dry air, to form a flow of moist air which is directed towards the nostrils of the patient using an emission member forming an integral part of the device, to which it is connected by an articulation which makes it adjustable in azimuth, so as to be able to position it easily in front of the nostrils of said patient.

Indeed, the pressures produced within it, to move the air and the liquid to be vaporized, are obtained by simple and independent means from one another. The energy they absorb is limited to the needs necessary to perform each of the functions, without interaction on the other.

Advantageously, the transmitting member is an integral part of the device and, being able to be adjusted in azimuth, allows easy use of the device, without it being necessary to carry it hung on oneself.

The carcass of the device, as well as the parts of the transmitting member which may be in contact with the patient, being made of insulating material, preferably plastic, and far from any presence of electric current, the use of the device is devoid of any potential risk.

The recovery of condensates, which may possibly form in the air line, is carried out at the lowest point thereof, without the presence of electric current. The low drop in the liquid tank allows the static pressure in the air line to return them to this tank.

The possibility of adjustment and separate regulation of each function allows rapid adjustment and adaptation of the respective flow rates and temperatures to the type of condition to be treated.

The apparatus according to the invention is described below with reference to the attached schematic drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view;

Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the main components of the device and their connecting elements;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the wet air emission member and the part of the apparatus on which it is mounted;

Figure 4 is a side view of the humid air duct, upstream of the air emission member;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the liquid reservoir;

Figures 6 and 6bis show two embodiments of the water vaporization member.

In FIG. 1 is represented the external view of a particular embodiment of the apparatus, according to the invention described, in which the latter is designed as being a parallelepipedic box 1, with rounded ends, provided with support legs 2, and d '' a handling handle 3.

It comprises a housing 4, closed by a hatch 5, in which the removable endpiece 6 of the transmitting member 7 can be stored, as well as the electrical supply cord of the device, not shown in the figure and intended to be connected to socket 8 at the rear of the appliance.

The transmitting member 7 folds, for storage, in a cell 9, arranged on the front face of the device, and closed by a folding door 10.

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

3

659,396

At the rear of the device, a liquid reservoir 11, which normally is in the erased position, when the device is not in use, can be lifted and put in the position shown in FIG. 1 when it is full of liquid and you want to pressurize the distribution circuit thereof.

This reservoir 11 itself comprises a handle 12, intended for this use, as well as a liquid filling cap 13, provided with a vent 14.

Advantageously, a cannula 15 makes it possible to connect the flexible pipe 16, and recover in the tank 11 any condensate from the air circuit 25.

Furthermore, a scale 17, provided with marks and engraved on the translucent outer wall of the reservoir 11, indicates the level of liquid which must be reached during filling, in order to achieve pressure in the distribution circuit thereof. advised.

The front face of the housing 1 comprises a table 18, stylized in the figure, where all the commands and the control members of the apparatus are grouped together.

FIG. 2 represents the functional diagram of the apparatus,

according to the invention, and in particular the connections between the various organs composing it. Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are enlargements of the main constituent parts.

The air supplied to the patient is sucked through a strainer 19, which can be fitted with a filter, by an electric ventilator 20, the speed of which is regulated by the control member 21.

The air is sent to the heating resistor 22 and its temperature is controlled by the thermocouple 23, which controls the regulation 24 of the electric power dissipated in the heating resistor 22.

The air thus heated travels through the part of the air line 25 which is in declivity, and where the steam outlet 26 opens. The lowest point of this line 25 is constituted by the articulation 27, of the emission member 7, and includes a nozzle 28, allowing the evacuation of any condensate towards the tank 11, via the pipe 16. Advantageously, the emission member 7 comprises a nozzle 6, removable for its storage, and of which the terminal form can be designed in various ways conducive to the flow of moist air flow over the nostrils of the patient.

Figure 3 shows a particular embodiment of the emission member 7, equipped with its tip 6 and a thermocouple 29 for controlling the final temperature of the wet flow produced, and in which we can notice a particular form of the articulation around the duct 25.

This comprises sealing means 31 and fixing means 32, constituted in this case by flexible tongues, obtained by molding in the same plastic material as the assembly of the emission member 7.

FIG. 4 shows two partial views, which normally follow one another along the axis shown, of the air duct 25, between the suction strainer 19 and the articulation 27 of the emission member 7.

The following are thus stylized and put in place: the fan 20, blowing the air onto the heating resistor 22, which is wound on an insulating and heat-resistant support 33, a straightening grid for the air threads 34 and the thermocouple 23 regulating the temperature of the dry air produced.

In the downstream part of the air duct 25 is the steam inlet 26, as well as the shape detail 30 allowing the articulation 27 of the emission member 7.

Figures 2 and 5 show the layout of the liquid circuit; the reservoir 11, containing the liquid to be vaporized, is integral with a hollow piston 35, provided with a sealing member 36 and with a non-return valve 37.

The piston 35 slides in a cylindrical body 38, acting as an auxiliary reservoir, where the liquid is pressurized when the main reservoir 1, duly filled with liquid, is lifted by its handle 12 and then abandoned to the action of gravity .

During the upward movement of the reservoir 11, the non-return valve 39, constituted by a ball made of material lighter than the transported liquid, is blocked against the end of the cylinder 38, and the liquid of the main reservoir 11 enters the auxiliary reservoir 38 by the channel 30, arranged in the wall of the reservoir 11.

When the reservoir 11 is released, the non-return valve 37, of the same kind as 39, blocks the passage of the internal duct of the piston 35; the pressure rises within the auxiliary tank 38 and the liquid is expelled towards the vaporizing member 42, via the solenoid valve 41.

In another variant of the apparatus, the liquid reservoir 11 can be constituted by a capacity placed in a raised position relative to the whole of the apparatus, and in particular relative to the steam outlet 26, so that the driving pressure of the liquid is generated by the difference in height between the two ends of the liquid conduit. Given the low level of pressure achievable in this solution, without giving prohibitive values to the drop, it may be advantageous to multiply the number of vaporization coils 42 to ensure the flow of liquid necessary for the saturation of air vapor provided.

FIGS. 6 and 6bis represent two particular embodiments of the embodiment 42.

The liquid to be vaporized is blocked by the solenoid valve 41, which opens only when the temperature of the coil 42, measured by the thermocouple 43, is sufficient to ensure the vaporization of the incoming liquid.

The liquid then enters the coil 42, constituted by a tube of small section and of great length, of metallic material, wound around a heating element 44, as in FIG. 6. In another embodiment, represented in Figure 6a, it may be advantageous to constitute the resistor 44 for heating the liquid by the coil itself.

In both cases, a thermoswitch 45 is placed in series with the electrical supply of the heating member 44, and interrupts the latter as soon as its own temperature reaches a certain safety limit, in the case where, for example, the circulation of liquid is accidentally interrupted.

Preferably, a regulating and regulating member 46. controlled by the temperature of the thermocouple 43, ensures the consistency of the temperature of the vapor outlet of the vaporizing member 42, whatever the flow rate of liquid admitted.

On the dial 47 of a measuring device, stylized in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 by a galvanometer, relayed by a three-position contactor 48, the temperatures of the thermocouples 23, 29 and 43 can be continuously read and thus checked. the progress of the chosen process.

When the apparatus is put into operation, and after filling and lifting the reservoir 11, the closing of the double contact 49 energizes the fan 20 and the heating resistor 22, adjusted and regulated as described above.

As soon as the air temperature is adequate, the contactor 50 is put in the on position, by the action of the thermocouple 23, and the liquid heating resistance 44 is supplied by the electric current.

When the temperature of the coil 42 reaches the pre-selected value, the contactor 51 activates the solenoid valve 41 and the liquid which is under pressure in the reservoir 38 enters the coil to be vaporized there.

The vapor which is thus produced is sent into the air duct 25 where it mixes with the dry air to give humidified air which is sucked in by the patient through the emission member 7 and the nozzle. 6. Thermocouple 29 indicates the temperature of the air supplied.

The present invention has its application in the medical field, for the treatment of inflammations of the nasal mucosa, such as rhinitis, both in the hospital field, as a clinical device, and in individuals as a device. personal care and relief.

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

R

3 sheets of drawings

Claims (9)

659396 1. Apparatus providing a flow of humid air at an adjustable temperature over the nasal mucosa, characterized in that it comprises means for supplying pressurized air (20), means for reheating this air to a temperature adjustable (22), means for pressurizing (38) and vaporizing (42, 44) a suitable liquid, means for mixing (25, 26) with the flow of dry air, to form a flow of humid air which is directed towards the nostrils of the patient using an emission member (6, 7) connected by a joint (27) which makes it adjustable in azimuth, so as to be able to position it opposite the nostrils of said patient. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow of air and that of the liquid for its vaporization are provided by separate means. 2 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air flow is provided by a fan, communicating to the air an energy dictated by the only pressure drops in the air duct, at the flow considered. 4. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquid is pressurized using a reservoir provided with a sealed piston, in the manner of a syringe, on top of which one can act on the weight of a variable mass, depending on the pressure to be obtained. 5. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the variable mass which acts on the piston of the liquid reservoir consists of the liquid to be vaporized itself. 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the mass of liquid which acts on the piston is partially transferred to an auxiliary pressurization tank at each lifting operation of the liquid tank. 7. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the liquid reservoir is constituted by a container of any shape placed in an elevated position relative to the entire apparatus. 8. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the vaporization member is constituted by a metal tube heated directly or indirectly by the passage of electric current, and whose essential function is to ensure that all the liquid introduced at one end of said conduit is vaporized before being able to reach the outlet at the other end. 9. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the recovery of condensate, which can form in the air line, is carried out at the lowest point of the latter by the action of the static pressure prevailing in the air tubing, sufficient to send them to the liquid tank.