EP0116834B1 - Device to supply a dry cold airstream for treating rheumatic disorders - Google Patents

Device to supply a dry cold airstream for treating rheumatic disorders Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0116834B1
EP0116834B1 EP84100220A EP84100220A EP0116834B1 EP 0116834 B1 EP0116834 B1 EP 0116834B1 EP 84100220 A EP84100220 A EP 84100220A EP 84100220 A EP84100220 A EP 84100220A EP 0116834 B1 EP0116834 B1 EP 0116834B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cyclone separator
connection
air flow
line
liquefied gas
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
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EP84100220A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0116834A1 (en
Inventor
Thomas Von Der Bey
Detlef Jankowski
Hartmut Schmidt
Klemens Thoma
Wolfgang Volker
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Messer Griesheim GmbH
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Messer Griesheim GmbH
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Priority to AT84100220T priority Critical patent/ATE19946T1/en
Publication of EP0116834A1 publication Critical patent/EP0116834A1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/06—Artificial hot-air or cold-air baths; Steam or gas baths or douches, e.g. sauna or Finnish baths
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/06—Artificial hot-air or cold-air baths; Steam or gas baths or douches, e.g. sauna or Finnish baths
    • A61H2033/062—Artificial cold-air baths

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for generating a dry, cold air flow for the treatment of rheumatic diseases.
  • the invention relates to a device for local therapy.
  • the cold air flow for local therapy must be dry and ice-free. Since the air is cooled to around -150 ° C, it is naturally dry, but it must be prevented that the frozen ice particles reach the surface of the body. This would lead to frostbite, at least in the form of micronecrosis.
  • a device for generating a dry, cold air stream for the treatment of rheumatic diseases which fulfills the conditions mentioned.
  • the air flow generated by a fan is passed through an air cooler, in which it is cooled to the required low temperature.
  • This air cooler is a heat exchanger with cooling coils in which liquid nitrogen evaporates. The moisture freezes out on these cooling coils.
  • the dry, cold air is drawn off the air cooler through an insulated hose and sent to the treatment site.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a device for generating a dry, cold air flow for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, which does not have these disadvantages and in particular is quickly ready for use with low refrigerant consumption and suitable for continuous operation.
  • a device for generating a dry, cold air flow for the treatment of rheumatic diseases with a connection for supplying a cryogenic liquefied gas, a fan for generating the air flow, and a device for heat exchange between the liquefied gas and air flow, which separate the frozen ones Moisture enabled, found in which, according to the invention, a cyclone separator serves as a device for heat exchange, the inlet line of which is connected to the outlet opening of the blower by a line in which the connection for supplying the liquefied gas ends and to the outlet opening of which a flexible hose is attached .
  • the basic idea of the invention is therefore to design a device in which the heat exchange takes place directly between the cryogenic liquefied gas, that is to say nitrogen, and the air.
  • the liquefied gas is sprayed into the inlet line of a cyclone separator.
  • the air cools down immediately, the moisture contained in it freezes out in the form of ice particles.
  • the heat exchange is continued in the cyclone separator and the ice is separated.
  • the separated moisture collects in the lower part of the cyclone separator, thaws there and is drained from time to time, for example during breaks in operation, as water.
  • the device shown in Fig. 1 has in its interior the facilities for generating the cold air flow, the commissioning and monitoring is carried out by fittings and switches on the front 1 of the device.
  • a flexible, insulated hose 2 leads out of the device and ends in a handpiece 3.
  • the device also has a connection opening 4 for supplying liquid nitrogen and a plug 5 for establishing an electrical connection.
  • the device also has a separate removable reservoir 6 for liquid nitrogen.
  • This reservoir 6 contains the actual nitrogen storage 7 in its interior. It also has a connection 8 through which liquid nitrogen can flow out of the nitrogen storage 7.
  • Fig. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 in a schematic representation.
  • Liquid nitrogen is withdrawn from the nitrogen reservoir 7 by means of the pump 10.
  • the connection of the connection 8 and the connection opening 4 is represented by the quick coupling 11.
  • the air flow is generated by a fan 14 and the air is sucked in through the filter 15.
  • the outlet opening of the blower 14 is connected by a line 16 to the inlet opening of a cyclone separator 17.
  • the connection 8 ends in the line 16 from the nitrogen store 7.
  • the insulated hose 2 with the handpiece 3 is connected to the outlet connection 18 of the cyclone separator 17.
  • a valve 19 At the lower conical part of the cyclone separator 17 there is a valve 19, to which a waste water separator and evaporator 20 is connected. There is a temperature measuring device 21 in the vicinity of the handpiece 3. Furthermore, an exhaust air fan 22 is located in close proximity to the device. An electrical connection (not shown) causes the exhaust air fan 22 to forcibly run as soon as the device is switched on. An electrical lock, also not shown, also ensures that the nitrogen supply through the solenoid valve 12 is interrupted if the exhaust fan 22 should not run, for example because of a technical defect. Also in close proximity to the device according to the invention is an oxygen warning device 23, which, however, has no functional conductive connection with the device according to the invention.
  • the dry, cold, nitrogen-enriched air leaves the cyclone separator 17 through its outlet connection 18, the insulated flexible hose 2 and the handpiece 3. It then reaches the body part to be treated directly.
  • the temperature of the air flow is controlled and regulated by the temperature measuring device 21.
  • the temperature control is extremely simple, since only the amount of nitrogen sprayed in needs to be varied.
  • the amount of air can also be easily varied by changing the speed of the fan 14.
  • the nitrogen-rich air is continuously extracted by the exhaust air fan 22. Should the oxygen content nevertheless fall below a permissible value, this is indicated optically and acoustically by the oxygen warning device 23.
  • the device according to the invention is a compact unit that can be installed in any room without external leads.
  • the reservoir 6 can be easily replaced at any time when the nitrogen in the nitrogen storage 7 is running low.
  • the liquid nitrogen can be stored in small quantities directly in the treatment room, the shortest possible routes are possible. All that is required is a connection for the electrical power supply.
  • the amounts of air and liquid nitrogen to be mixed can be set separately and independently.
  • the temperature of the cold air flow can be preselected and set over a wide temperature range as desired or required.
  • the device is ready for operation within a very short time.
  • the ice separation in the cyclone separator 17 is safe and reliably prevents ice particles from getting onto the patient's body surface, which could cause cold damage due to micronecrosis.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

A device for generating a dry, cold air flow in the treatment of rheumatic diseases includes a cyclone separator as its heat exchange device. The intake line of the cyclone separator is connected to the outlet line of the blower means of a line in which the cryogenic liquefied gas feed ends. The outlet opening of the cyclone generator has attached to it an insulated flexible hose.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Gerät zur Erzeugung eines trockenen, kalten Luftstromes zur Behandlung rheumatischer Erkrankungen.The invention relates to a device for generating a dry, cold air flow for the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Die Kältetherapie zur Behandlung rheumatischer Erkrankungen wurde vor einigen Jahren in Japan entwickelt und setzt sich mehr und mehr durch. Hierbei wird sowohl die Ganzkörpertherapie als auch die Lokaltherapie angewendet. Bei der Ganzkörpertherapie muß sich der Patient über eine gewisse Zeit in einem tief abgekühlten Raum aufhalten. Bei der Lokaltherapie wird ein Kaltluftsttom auf den erkrankten Körperteil gerichtet. Die Erfindung betrifft ein Gerät für die Lokaltherapie.Cold therapy for the treatment of rheumatic diseases was developed in Japan a few years ago and is becoming more and more popular. Both whole body therapy and local therapy are used here. Whole body therapy requires the patient to stay in a deeply cooled room for a certain period of time. With local therapy, a cold air current is directed at the diseased part of the body. The invention relates to a device for local therapy.

Der Kaltluftstrom für die Lokaltherapie muß trocken und eisfrei sein. Da die Luft auf etwa -150 °C abgekühlt wird, ist sie naturgemäß trocken, es muß aber verhindert werden, daß die ausgefrorenen Eispartikel auf die Körperoberfläche gelangen. Dies würde zu Erfrierungen zumindest in Form von Mikronekrosen führen.The cold air flow for local therapy must be dry and ice-free. Since the air is cooled to around -150 ° C, it is naturally dry, but it must be prevented that the frozen ice particles reach the surface of the body. This would lead to frostbite, at least in the form of micronecrosis.

Aus der japanischen Gebrauchsmuster-Offenlegungsschrift Nr. 30189/80 (Anmeldung Nr. 114 029/78) ist ein Gerät zur Erzeugung eines trockenen, kalten Luftstromes zur Behandlung rheumatischer Erkrankungen bekannt, welches die genannten Bedingungen erfüllt. Bei diesem Gerät wird der durch ein Gebläse erzeugte Luftstrom durch einen Luftkühler geleitet, in welchem er auf die erforderliche tiefe Temperatur abgekühlt wird. Dieser Luftkühler ist ein Wärmeaustauscher mit Kühlschlangen, in denen flüssiger Stickstoff verdampft. An diesen Kühlschlangen friert die Feuchtigkeit aus. Die trockene kalte Luft wird durch einen isolierten Schlauch vom Luftkühler abgezogen und dem Behandlungsort zugeleitet.From Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 30189/80 (application No. 114 029/78) a device for generating a dry, cold air stream for the treatment of rheumatic diseases is known, which fulfills the conditions mentioned. In this device, the air flow generated by a fan is passed through an air cooler, in which it is cooled to the required low temperature. This air cooler is a heat exchanger with cooling coils in which liquid nitrogen evaporates. The moisture freezes out on these cooling coils. The dry, cold air is drawn off the air cooler through an insulated hose and sent to the treatment site.

Obwohl dieses bekannte Gerät seinen Zweck zufriedenstellend erfüllt, weist es doch einige Nachteile, insbesondere hinsichtlich Wirtschaflichkeit, auf. So sind die Investitionskosten verhältnismäßig hoch, da der Wärmeaustauscher für die Abkühlung der Luft teuer ist. Der Wärmeaustauscher muß außerhalb der Praxisräume aufgestellt werden. Daher sind lange Leitungswege erforderlich. Die lange Schlauchleitung für die kalte Luft ist wegen der aufwendigen Isolierung ebenfalls teuer. Bei der Inbetriebnahme muß der Wärmeaustauscher mit seinen großen Massen und die Leitungen zunächst abgekühlt werden, bis eine Behandlung des Patienten mit Kälte möglich ist. Die Anlaufzeiten sind daher recht groß. Der Verlust an Kältemittel pro Behandlung ist entsprechend hoch. Bei längerem ununterbrochenen Betrieb, wie er in der Praxis häufig vorkommt, kann die aus der Luft ausgefrorene Feuchtigkeit die Flächen des Wärmeaustauschers vereisen und zum Ausfall des Gerätes führen. Dies läßt sich nur vermeiden, wenn der Betrieb des Gerätes in regelmäßigen Abständen eingestellt wird, um die ausgefrorene Feuchtigkeit abzutauen.Although this known device fulfills its purpose satisfactorily, it has some disadvantages, particularly with regard to economy. The investment costs are relatively high because the heat exchanger for cooling the air is expensive. The heat exchanger must be set up outside the practice rooms. Therefore, long cable routes are required. The long hose line for the cold air is also expensive due to the complex insulation. When starting up, the heat exchanger with its large masses and the lines must first be cooled down until the patient can be treated with cold. The start-up times are therefore quite long. The loss of refrigerant per treatment is correspondingly high. During prolonged uninterrupted operation, as is often the case in practice, the moisture frozen out of the air can freeze the surfaces of the heat exchanger and lead to failure of the device. This can only be avoided if the operation of the device is stopped at regular intervals to defrost the frozen moisture.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Gerät zur Erzeugung eines trockenen, kalten Luftstromes zur Behandlung rheumatischer Erkrankungen zu schaffen, welches diese Nachteile nicht aufweist und insbesondere bei geringem Kältemittelverbrauch schnell einsatzbereit und für den Dauerbetrieb geeignet ist.The invention has for its object to provide a device for generating a dry, cold air flow for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, which does not have these disadvantages and in particular is quickly ready for use with low refrigerant consumption and suitable for continuous operation.

Es wurde nun ein Gerät zur Erzeugung eines trockenen, kalten Luftstromes zur Behandlung rheumatischer Erkrankungen, mit einem Anschluß zur Zufuhr eines tiefkalten verflüssigten Gases, einem Gebläse zur Erzeugung des Luftstromes, sowie einer Einrichtung zum Wärmeaustausch zwischen verflüssigtem Gas und Luftstrom, welche ein Abtrennen der ausgefrorenen Feuchtigkeit ermöglicht, gefunden, bei dem gemäß der Erfindung als Einrichtung zum Wärmeaustausch ein Zyklonabscheider dient, dessen Eintrittsleitung mit der Austrittsöffnung des Gebläses durch eine Leitung verbunden ist, in welcher der Anschluß zur Zufuhr des verflüssigten Gases endet und an dessen Austrittsöffnung ein flexibler Schlauch befestigt ist.It has now become a device for generating a dry, cold air flow for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, with a connection for supplying a cryogenic liquefied gas, a fan for generating the air flow, and a device for heat exchange between the liquefied gas and air flow, which separate the frozen ones Moisture enabled, found in which, according to the invention, a cyclone separator serves as a device for heat exchange, the inlet line of which is connected to the outlet opening of the blower by a line in which the connection for supplying the liquefied gas ends and to the outlet opening of which a flexible hose is attached .

Der Grundgedanke der Erfindung besteht demnach darin, ein Gerät zu konzipieren, bei dem der Wärmeaustausch zwischen dem tiefkalten verflüssigten Gas, also in der Regelk Stickstoff, und der Luft direkt erfolgt. Hierzu wird das verflüssigte Gas in die Eintrittsleitung eines Zyklonabscheiders eingesprüht. Die Luft kühlt sich dadurch sofort stark ab, die in ihr enthaltene Feuchtigkeit friert in Form von Eispartikeln aus.The basic idea of the invention is therefore to design a device in which the heat exchange takes place directly between the cryogenic liquefied gas, that is to say nitrogen, and the air. For this purpose, the liquefied gas is sprayed into the inlet line of a cyclone separator. The air cools down immediately, the moisture contained in it freezes out in the form of ice particles.

Im Zyklonabscheider wird der Wärmeaustausch fortgesetzt und das Eis abgetrennt. Die ausgeschiedene Feuchtigkeit sammelt sich im unteren Teil des Zyklonabscheiders, taut dort auf und wird von Zeit zu Zeit, beispielsweise in Betriebspausen, als Wasser abgelassen.The heat exchange is continued in the cyclone separator and the ice is separated. The separated moisture collects in the lower part of the cyclone separator, thaws there and is drained from time to time, for example during breaks in operation, as water.

Bei Verwendung von flüssigem Stickstoff als Kältemittel könnten Arzt und Patient durch übermäßige Stickstoffanreicherung in der Atemluft gefährdet werden. Um diese Gefährdung auszuschließen, wird in räumlicher Nähe des erfindungsgemäßen Gerätes ein Abluftventilator installiert, der bei Inbetriebnahme des Gerätes zwangsläufig mit eingeschaltet wird. Durch eine elektrische Verriegelung kann zusätzlich bewirkt werden, daß die Zufuhr von flüssigem Stickstoff unterbrochen wird, wenn der Abluftventilator nicht läuft. Derartige Sicherheitsmaßnahmen erübrigen sich allerdings, wenn flüssige Luft als Kältemittel verwendet wird.If liquid nitrogen is used as the refrigerant, the doctor and patient could be endangered by excessive nitrogen accumulation in the breathing air. In order to rule out this danger, an exhaust air fan is installed in the vicinity of the device according to the invention, which is inevitably switched on when the device is started up. An electrical lock can additionally cause the supply of liquid nitrogen to be interrupted when the exhaust fan is not running. Such safety measures are not necessary, however, if liquid air is used as the refrigerant.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung soll anhand der beigefügten Zeichnungen erläutert werden.An embodiment of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Es zeigen :

  • Figur 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Gerätes mit separatem, abnehmbaren Vorratsbehälter für flüssigen Stickstoff,
  • Figur 2 eine schematische Darstellung des Gerätes nach Fig. 1 in Verbindung mit einem Abluftventilator.
Show it :
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device with a separate, removable storage container for liquid nitrogen,
  • Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the device of Fig. 1 in connection with an exhaust fan.

Das in Fig. 1 dargestellte Gerät besitzt in seinem Inneren die Einrichtungen zur Erzeugung des Kaltluftstromes, die Inbetriebnahme und Überwachung erfolgt durch Armaturen und Schalter an der Frontseite 1 des Gerätes. Aus dem Gerät heraus führt ein flexibler isolierter Schlauch 2, der in einem Handstück 3 endet. Das Gerät besitzt ferner eine Anschlußöffnung 4 zur Zufuhr von flüssigem Stickstoff und einen Stecker 5 zur Herstellung einer elektrischen Verbindung. Das Gerät besitzt ferner einen separaten abnehmbaren Vorratsbehälter 6 für flüssigen Stickstoff. Dieser Vorratsbehälter 6 enthält in seinem Inneren den eigentlichen Stickstoffspeicher 7. Es besitzt ferner einen Anschluß 8, durch welchen flüssiger Stickstoff aus dem Stickstoffspeicher 7 abfließen kann. Ferner ist ein Stecker 9 zur Zufuhr elektrischer Energie vorhanden. Das Gerät ist einsatzbereit, sobald der Vorratsbehälter 6 angeklemmt ist, wobei die Stecker 5 und 9 sowie die Anschlußöffnung 4 und der Anschluß 8 in Eingriff gelangen.The device shown in Fig. 1 has in its interior the facilities for generating the cold air flow, the commissioning and monitoring is carried out by fittings and switches on the front 1 of the device. A flexible, insulated hose 2 leads out of the device and ends in a handpiece 3. The device also has a connection opening 4 for supplying liquid nitrogen and a plug 5 for establishing an electrical connection. The device also has a separate removable reservoir 6 for liquid nitrogen. This reservoir 6 contains the actual nitrogen storage 7 in its interior. It also has a connection 8 through which liquid nitrogen can flow out of the nitrogen storage 7. There is also a plug 9 for supplying electrical energy. The device is ready for use as soon as the reservoir 6 is clamped, the plugs 5 and 9 as well as the connection opening 4 and the connection 8 coming into engagement.

Fig. 2 zeigt das Gerät von Fig. 1 in schematischer Darstellung. Aus dem Stickstoffspeicher 7 wird mittels der Pumpe 10 flüssiger Stickstoff abgezogen. Die Verbindung des Anschlusses 8 und der Anschlußöffnung 4 ist durch die Schnellkupplung 11 dargestellt. In dem durch die Schnellkupplung 11 verlängerten Anschluß 8 befinden sich ferner ein Magnetventil 12 und eine regelbare Blende 13. Der Luftstrom wird durch ein Gebläse 14 erzeugt, die Luft durch das Filter 15 angesaugt. Die Austrittsöffnung des Gebläses 14 ist durch eine Leitung 16 mit der Eintrittsöffnung eines Zyklonabscheiders 17 verbunden. Erfindungsgemäß endet in der Leitung 16 der Anschluß 8 aus dem Stickstoffspeicher 7. An den Austrittsstutzen 18 des Zyklonabscheiders 17 ist der isolierte Schlauch 2 mit dem Handstück 3 angeschlossen. Am unteren konischen Teil des Zyklonabscheiders 17 befindet sich ein Ventil 19, an welches ein Abwasserabscheider und Verdunster 20 angeschlossen ist. In der Nähe des Handstückes 3 befindet sich eine Temperaturmeßeinrichtung 21. Ferner befindet sich in räumlicher Nähe des Gerätes ein Abluftventilator 22. Durch eine nichtdargestellte elektrische Verbindung wird bewirkt, daß der Abluftventilator 22 zwangsweise läuft, sobald das Gerät eingeschaltet ist. Durch eine ebenfalls nichtdargestellte elektrische Verriegelung wird außerdem erreicht, daß die Stickstoffzufuhr durch das Magnetventil 12 unterbrochen wird, falls der Abluftventilator 22, beispielsweise wegen eines technischen Defektes, nicht laufen sollte. Ebenfalls in räumlicher Nähe des erfindungsgemäßen Gerätes ist ein Sauerstoffwarngerät 23 angeordnet, welches jedoch mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Gerät in keiner funktionellen leitenden Verbindung steht. Beim Einschalten des Gerätes laufen der Abluftventilator 22, das Gebläse 14 und die Pumpe 10 gleichzeitig an. Dadurch wird durch den Anschluß 8 flüssiger Stickstoff in die Leitung 16 gesprüht. Es erfolgt ein direkter Wärmeaustausch zwischen dem in die Leitung 16 gesprühten Stickstoff und der Luft aus dem Gebläse 14. Da sowohl die Leitung 16 als auch der Zyklonabscheider 17 wenig Masse haben, kühlt sich die gesamte Einrichtung sehr rasch ab, so daß nur wenig Stickstoff zur Abkühlung des erfindungsgemäßen Gerätes auf seine Betriebstemperatur benötigt wird. Die in der Luft aus dem Gebläse 14 enthaltene Feuchtigkeit friert in Form von Eispartikeln aus, die in bekannter Weise im Zyklonabscheider 17 abgetrennt werden. Sie sammeln sich im unteren konischen Teil des Zyklonabscheiders 17, wo sie wieder auftauen und von Zeit zu Zeit durch das Ventil 19 in den Abwasserabscheider und Verdunster 20 abgelassen werden. Die trockene, kalte, mit Stickstoff etwas angereicherte Luft verläßt den Zyklonabscheider 17 durch dessen Austrittsstutzen 18, den isolierten flexiblen Schlauch 2 und das Handstück 3. Sie gelangt dann direkt auf die zubehandelnde Körperpartie. Die Temperatur des Luftstromes wird durch die Temperaturmeßeinrichtung 21 kontrolliert und geregelt. Die Temperaturregelung ist äußerst einfach, da hierzu lediglich die Menge des eingesprühten Stickstoffes variiert zu werden braucht. Auch die Luftmenge kann durch Drehzahländerung des Gebläses 14 leicht variiert werden. Die stickstoffreiche Luft wird durch den Abluftventilator 22 ständig abgesaugt. Sollte der Sauerstoffgehalt dennoch einmal unter einen zulässigen Wert fallen, wird dies durch das Sauerstoffwarngerät 23 optisch und akustisch angezeigt.Fig. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 in a schematic representation. Liquid nitrogen is withdrawn from the nitrogen reservoir 7 by means of the pump 10. The connection of the connection 8 and the connection opening 4 is represented by the quick coupling 11. In the connection 8, which is lengthened by the quick coupling 11, there is also a solenoid valve 12 and an adjustable orifice 13. The air flow is generated by a fan 14 and the air is sucked in through the filter 15. The outlet opening of the blower 14 is connected by a line 16 to the inlet opening of a cyclone separator 17. According to the invention, the connection 8 ends in the line 16 from the nitrogen store 7. The insulated hose 2 with the handpiece 3 is connected to the outlet connection 18 of the cyclone separator 17. At the lower conical part of the cyclone separator 17 there is a valve 19, to which a waste water separator and evaporator 20 is connected. There is a temperature measuring device 21 in the vicinity of the handpiece 3. Furthermore, an exhaust air fan 22 is located in close proximity to the device. An electrical connection (not shown) causes the exhaust air fan 22 to forcibly run as soon as the device is switched on. An electrical lock, also not shown, also ensures that the nitrogen supply through the solenoid valve 12 is interrupted if the exhaust fan 22 should not run, for example because of a technical defect. Also in close proximity to the device according to the invention is an oxygen warning device 23, which, however, has no functional conductive connection with the device according to the invention. When the device is switched on, the exhaust fan 22, the fan 14 and the pump 10 start up simultaneously. As a result, liquid nitrogen is sprayed through line 8 into line 16. There is a direct heat exchange between the nitrogen sprayed in line 16 and the air from the blower 14. Since both the line 16 and the cyclone separator 17 have little mass, the entire device cools down very quickly, so that only little nitrogen is used Cooling of the device according to the invention to its operating temperature is required. The moisture contained in the air from the blower 14 freezes out in the form of ice particles, which are separated in a known manner in the cyclone separator 17. They collect in the lower conical part of the cyclone separator 17, where they thaw again and are discharged from time to time through the valve 19 into the waste water separator and evaporator 20. The dry, cold, nitrogen-enriched air leaves the cyclone separator 17 through its outlet connection 18, the insulated flexible hose 2 and the handpiece 3. It then reaches the body part to be treated directly. The temperature of the air flow is controlled and regulated by the temperature measuring device 21. The temperature control is extremely simple, since only the amount of nitrogen sprayed in needs to be varied. The amount of air can also be easily varied by changing the speed of the fan 14. The nitrogen-rich air is continuously extracted by the exhaust air fan 22. Should the oxygen content nevertheless fall below a permissible value, this is indicated optically and acoustically by the oxygen warning device 23.

Das erfindungsgemäße Gerät ist eine kompakte Einheit, die in jedem Raum ohne äußere Zulei- ' tungen aufgestellt werden kann. Der Vorratsbehälter 6 kann jederzeit leicht ausgetauscht werden, wenn der Stickstoff im Stickstoffspeicher 7 zur Neige geht. Da der flüssige Stickstoff in kleinen Mengen direkt im Behandlungsraum aufbewahrt werden kann, sind kürzeste Leitungswege möglich. Erforderlich ist lediglich ein Anschluß zur elektrischen Energieversorgung. Die Mengen an Luft und flüssigem Stickstoff, die miteinander vermischt werden sollen, können getrennt und unabhängig voneinander eingestellt werden. Die Temperatur des Kaltluftstromes kann je nach Wunsch oder Anforderung über einen weiten Temperaturbereich vorgewählt und eingestellt werden. Das Gerät ist innerhalb kürzester Zeit betriebsbereit. Die Eisabscheidung im Zyklonabscheider 17 ist sicher und verhindert zuverlässig, daß Eispartikel auf die Körperoberfläche des Patienten gelangen, welche Kälteschäden durch Mikronekrosen verursachen könnten.The device according to the invention is a compact unit that can be installed in any room without external leads. The reservoir 6 can be easily replaced at any time when the nitrogen in the nitrogen storage 7 is running low. As the liquid nitrogen can be stored in small quantities directly in the treatment room, the shortest possible routes are possible. All that is required is a connection for the electrical power supply. The amounts of air and liquid nitrogen to be mixed can be set separately and independently. The temperature of the cold air flow can be preselected and set over a wide temperature range as desired or required. The device is ready for operation within a very short time. The ice separation in the cyclone separator 17 is safe and reliably prevents ice particles from getting onto the patient's body surface, which could cause cold damage due to micronecrosis.

Claims (2)

1. Devise for generating a dry, cold air flow for treatment of rheumatic diseases, the device having a connection (8) for feed of a cryogenic liquefied gas, a blower (14) for generating the air flow, and a unit for heat exchange between liquefied gas and air flow, with possibility of separating the frozen-out moisture, characterized in that the heat exchange unit is a cyclone separator (17), said cyclone separator has an intake line connected to the outlet line of said blower by means of a further line (16) in which said connection (8) for the liquefied gas feed ends, and said cyclone separator has an outlet opening at which an insulated, flexible hose (2) is attached.
2. Devise according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed of liquid nitrogen in said connection (8) is prevented by means of an electrical blockage while an air discharge fan (22) installed in the vicinity of said devise is in its non-operating condition.
EP84100220A 1983-02-17 1984-01-11 Device to supply a dry cold airstream for treating rheumatic disorders Expired EP0116834B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84100220T ATE19946T1 (en) 1983-02-17 1984-01-11 DEVICE FOR GENERATION OF DRY COLD AIR STREAM FOR TREATMENT OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3305434 1983-02-17
DE3305434A DE3305434C2 (en) 1983-02-17 1983-02-17 Device for generating a dry, cold air flow for the treatment of rheumatic diseases

Publications (2)

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EP0116834A1 EP0116834A1 (en) 1984-08-29
EP0116834B1 true EP0116834B1 (en) 1986-05-28

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Country Status (5)

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US (1) US4532779A (en)
EP (1) EP0116834B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE19946T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3305434C2 (en)
NO (1) NO155427C (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO155427B (en) 1986-12-22
US4532779A (en) 1985-08-06
DE3305434C2 (en) 1985-11-28
DE3305434A1 (en) 1984-08-23
EP0116834A1 (en) 1984-08-29
NO155427C (en) 1987-04-01
ATE19946T1 (en) 1986-06-15
NO840333L (en) 1984-08-20

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