ES2277475A1 - Adjustable venturi device for mixing gases for inhalation - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable venturi device is disclosed for mixing gases for inhalation. The device comprises a first gas inlet (38) and a mixing chamber (50) in fluid communication with a second gas inlet (127) for introducing a second gas into the mixing chamber, first and second venturi inlets (52,54) for introducing a first gas into the mixing chamber (50), and a gas outlet by which a mixture of first and second gases can exit the mixing chamber (50). Each of the first and second venturi inlets (52,54) comprises a fluid conduit that terminates at an exit orifice (53,55) through which the first gas is introduced into the mixing chamber (50). The venturi device is switchable between a first state in which the first gas inlet (38) is in fluid communication with the first venturi inlet (52), and a second state in which the first gas inlet (38) is in fluid communication with the second venturi inlet (54).

Description

Improved Venturi device.

This invention relates to devices of Adjustable Venturi and, in particular, Venturi devices Adjustable mixing gases for inhalation therapy.

In Venturi devices, the mixture of gases is carried out by supplying a first gas to the device a through a venturi outlet or entrance, which comprises a fluid conduit that ends in an outlet small dimensions, so as to form a high jet of gas speed, with what is created, according to the principle of Bernoulli, a low pressure zone around the high jet speed. A second gas that is supplied to the device is attracted to the low pressure zone around the high jet speed. The second gas is dragged with the high jet speed and the mixture of gases that forms leaves the device through an outlet for gas.

An application of Venturi devices that mix gases occurs in the field of inhalation therapy. In In particular, oxygen therapy involves the administration of oxygen to a patient with a concentration greater than that of ambient air, for the purpose of treating or preventing, for example, The symptoms of hypoxia.

A conventional Venturi device for use in oxygen therapy comprises an inlet for oxygen that leads to a Venturi inlet provided with an outlet orifice of reduced dimensions, through which the supplied oxygen in the form of a jet is emitted at high speed, air inlets, which allow atmospheric air to enter the device and mix with the oxygen jet, and an outlet, through which the oxygen / air mixture leaves the device. The concentration of oxygen in the oxygen / air mixture leaving the device depends mainly on the size of the venturi inlet outlet hole, as well as the size of the inlet ports.
air.

One of the Venturi device sets currently used in oxygen therapy comprises a independent Venturi device for each concentration of oxygen required Each Venturi device is formed with Venturi inlet outlet and outlet sizes air inlets that produce the specific concentration required Typical oxygen concentrations are 26%, 28%, 31%, 35%, 40%, 45% and 50%.

Venturi devices have been developed adjustable that allow a single device to supply a certain range of different oxygen concentrations. Typically, adjustable Venturi devices comprise a Venturi only entrance that has an exit hole of known dimensions, and that has air intakes of a size adjustable. The adjustment of the size of the air inlets alters, in Consequently, the oxygen concentration of the mixture of oxygen / air provided by the device at its exit.

However, there are many associated problems to said adjustable Venturi devices. For concentrations elevated, the air inlets result in a relatively large size small and, therefore, the total gas flow that is provided to the patient is reduced In order to ensure that he reaches the patient a sufficient volume of gas, the flow rate of the oxygen must, consequently, increase. Since it is requires a venturi inlet that has an outlet hole of small dimensions for low oxygen concentrations, the exit hole is usually too small for that the rate of oxygen flow can be greatly increased measurement and therefore a back pressure can occur which leads to a reduction in the total gas flow that reaches the patient. As a result, it is also compromised Venturi device accuracy and noise may be generated excessive caused by the passage of a high flow of oxygen to through the venturi inlet provided with an outlet hole of  small dimensions

In order to overcome these problems, they have developed adjustable Venturi devices that comprise more of an oxygen inlet, so that each of them leads to a venturi inlet that has an outlet of a different size. Therefore, a source of oxygen supply to a particular oxygen inlet depending on the oxygen concentration selected. Without However, the need to disconnect the power supply from oxygen from the Venturi device in order to switch between Venturi tickets is highly undesirable.

A Venturi device has now been devised Enhanced adjustable that substantially resolves or mitigates above mentioned disadvantages and / or other disadvantages associated with the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an adjustable Venturi device is provided intended to mix gases for inhalation, said said device a first gas inlet and a mixing chamber that is in fluid communication with a second input of gas, in order to introduce a second gas into the mixing chamber, a first and second Venturi tickets, intended to introduce a first gas in the mixing chamber, and a gas outlet, by the which can leave the mixing chamber a mixture of the first and second gases, so that each of said first and second Venturi inlets comprises a fluid conduit that ends in an outlet orifice through which the first gas is introduced in the mixing chamber, the Venturi device being switchable between a first state, in which the first gas inlet is found in fluid communication with the first inlet of Venturi, and a second state, in which the first gas inlet is in fluid communication with the second inlet of Venturi

The Venturi device according to the invention is advantageous mainly because, for example, in The field of oxygen therapy, the user can switch or easily pass the oxygen supply source to the entrance of Venturi more suitable for the concentration of oxygen being supplying the patient The switching between the inputs of Venturi can be performed. without having to disconnect the source of oxygen supply or having to replace the components of the device, for example. The Venturi device according to The invention is therefore simpler and more immediate to use than Conventional Venturi devices.

Adjustable Venturi device results particularly suitable for mixing gases for therapy inhalation. For example, the adjustable Venturi device can be used as part of an oxygen therapy system in the that the first gas is oxygen and the second gas is atmospheric air. When used for inhalation therapy, the gas outlet will be preferably connects to means for the supply of gas to a patient, and the first gas inlet is connected, preferably, to a source of pressurized oxygen supply by conventional means.

Consequently, according to one aspect In addition to the invention, an inhalation system is provided comprising an adjustable Venturi device, in accordance with the invention, a source of pressurized gas supply, in fluid communication with the first gas inlet, and means for supply gas to the patient, in fluid communication with the gas outlet The means to supply gas to the patient preferably comprise a conventional facial mask.

The mixing chamber can have any shape suitable, for example, generally cylindrical or conical. The camera Mixing is preferably generally cylindrical. To the in order to reduce the level of noise produced by the device, the mixing chamber is, of reference, a wall construction double.

In the event that the second gas is air atmospheric, as in oxygen therapy, the second entry of gas preferably takes the form of at least one opening, and, preferably, two openings, made in the wall of the mixing chamber Preferably, the size of the second gas inlet can be adjusted so that the proportion or mixing ratio of the two gases can be modified, so that the concentration of the first gas is varied, for example, oxygen, which Leave the device through the gas outlet. This can achieved by providing that the Venturi device includes a closure that can move between a plurality of positions, in each of which the second gas inlet is occluded in different measure.

In the event that the mixing chamber is generally cylindrical or conical, the closure can, so convenient, take the form of a sleeve mounted on the external surface of the mixing chamber, such that the sleeve is able to rotate with respect to the mixing chamber. He sleeve preferably includes an opening that can Arranged in varying degrees with an existing opening on the wall of the mixing chamber, which allows modification The size of the second gas inlet. Alternatively, the sleeve may include a plurality of adjacent openings that they have different dimensions, allowing more control sensitive to the size of the second gas inlet.

Preferably, the sleeve is susceptible of moving with respect to the mixing chamber between a plurality of discrete configurations arranged step by step, in which the opening of the sleeve and the opening of the wall of the Mixing chamber are aligned in different degrees. Cuff it is preferably mounted slidably on the external surface of the mixing chamber, and is preferably loaded elastically, so that it is coupled with a existing shoulder in the Venturi device. In the most Preferred, the sleeve and shoulder of the Venturi device they have cooperative formations that define the configurations Discreet and arranged step by step. Again, in order to reduce the noise level produced by the device, the sleeve has, preferably, a double wall construction.

The first gas inlet is intended, of preferred way, to connect to a gas supply source to Pressure. Preferably, the Venturi device is susceptible of switching or exchanging between the first and second states under the fact that the first gas inlet is movable with regarding Venturi tickets. In the most preferred way, the first gas inlet is placed on a rotating member, in a position that is offset from the axis of rotation. The first gas inlet and the rotating member are, preferably arranged with respect to the Venturi inputs such that the Venturi device is interchangeable or switchable between the first and second states by turning the rotating member In case the Venturi device have two Venturi inputs, the rotating member is rotated preferably 180 ° in order to switch between the first and Second states

The rotating member preferably extends adjacent to the end of the mixing chamber in which Venturi entries have been formed. Venturi tickets they preferably have the shape of spikes that extend in the inside the mixing chamber from the wall of the chamber mixture. The rotating member is preferably mounted on relationship with the mixing chamber, such that the member swivel can be rotated from a first position, in which the first gas inlet is aligned with the first inlet of Venturi, the other or the other entrance (s) of Venturi being preferably sealed (s) by the rotating member, up to a second position, in which the first gas inlet is aligned with Venturi's second entrance, so that the other Venturi entrance (s) is preferably sealed (s) by the member rotary. Preferably, the rotating member includes a fixing element that attaches to the mixing chamber of such way that prevents rotation of the rotating member until it has been decoupled the fixing element of the mixing chamber. Of the more preferred way, this fixing element takes the form of a skirt located on the periphery of the first gas inlet, the which is received in intimate adjustment within one of the first and second entries of Venturi.

The rotating member is located preferably elastically loaded in the direction of the chamber of mixture. Preferably, the rotating member is mounted to sliding with respect to the mixing chamber, such that the fixing member of the rotating member can be decoupled of the mixing chamber by moving the rotating member away of the mixing chamber, allowing rotation of the rotating member with respect to the mixing chamber.

Each Venturi inlet comprises a conduit of fluid that ends in an exit orifice through which it leaves the entrance of Venturi the first gas, to enter the chamber of mixture. The fluid conduit preferably extends from the mixing chamber wall and, preferably, along the Length of a spigot. Preferably, each spigot extends from one end of the mixing chamber to a approximately central position inside the mixing chamber. From the most preferred way, each of the exit holes of the Venturi tickets is located in position approximately central inside the mixing chamber. In that case, the gas outlet is preferably located at the end of the mixing chamber located in front of the outlet holes of the Venturi entrances, such that a jet of gas penetrates in the mixing chamber through an outlet hole is directed towards the gas outlet. The second gas inlet is preferably located at the end of the mixing chamber from the one that extends the Venturi entrances, or, what is the same, upstream with respect to the flow of gas from the Venturi tickets.

There can be any number of entries of Venturi, depending on the field of application, although, for inhalation therapy, the Venturi device has, preferably, two Venturi inputs: one Venturi input of low concentration, suitable for the generation of gas mixtures with relatively low gas concentrations, for example, of oxygen, which is emitted through that input, and an input of High concentration venturi, intended for the generation of mixtures of gas with relatively high concentrations of, for example, oxygen. The venturi entrance exit hole high concentration preferably has a circular shape that It has a diameter greater than 1.0 mm. The exit hole of the Venturi entry of low concentration may have a form circular, preferably with a diameter that is smaller than that of the entrance of Venturi of high concentration and that is included, most preferably, in the range between 0.5 and 1.0 mm.

However, in order to facilitate the manufacturing and reduce the noise produced by the gas when flowing to through the venturi inlet, the venturi outlet low concentration preferably has a form rectangular. Most preferably, the fluid conduit of the low concentration Venturi entrance includes a portion convergent or gradual narrowing leading to the hole of rectangular outlet

Since Venturi entrance high concentration is intended to be used with a concentration high of the first gas, for example, oxygen, and the inlet of Low concentration venturi is intended for use with a low concentration of the first gas, it is desirable to have a mechanism through which the user can select only a compatible pair of gas mixture ratio adjustments and Venturi entrance.

Preferably, when the first entry of gas is in fluid communication with the inlet of Low concentration venturi, it is only possible to select a specified range of proportions or mixing ratios between a minimum concentration of the first gas and a maximum concentration of the first gas for the low concentration range. So similar, when the first gas inlet is in fluid communication with the venturi inlet high concentration, only one interval can be selected Specified mixing ratios between a concentration minimum of the first gas and a maximum concentration of the first gas for the high concentration range. The intervals of Low concentrations and high concentrations may overlap. For example, the maximum concentration of the first gas for the low concentration range can be equal to the minimum concentration of the first gas for the interval of high concentrations

The Venturi device can be switchable or  interchangeable between the low concentration Venturi input and Venturi high concentration input only when the device fits a particular intermediate value or interval of mixing proportions. Most preferably, this value intermediate is equal to the maximum concentration of the first gas for the  low concentration range, and at the minimum concentration of   First gas for the high concentration range.

Alternatively, the Venturi device can be interchangeable from the low Venturi input concentration at the entrance of Venturi high concentration only when the device is adjusted in concentration maximum of the first gas for the low concentration range, and from the entrance of Venturi of high concentration to the entrance of Venturi low concentration only when the device is adjust at the minimum concentration of the first for the interval of high concentrations In this case, the device is, of the most preferred way, automatically switched to concentration minimum of the first gas for the high concentration range as the device is switched from the Venturi input of low concentration at the entrance of Venturi high concentration, and the device is, most preferably, switched automatically at the maximum concentration of the first gas for the low concentration range as the device is switched from the high concentration Venturi input to the Venturi entrance of low concentration.

In case the Venturi device understand a sleeve to alter the size of the second inlet of gas, and a rotating member for switching between Venturi entries, the sleeve will preferably include a fixing element that passes through one of a pair of arched openings in the rotating member. So preferred, the fixing element and the arched openings are arranged in such a way that when the input of Low concentration venturi, the fixing element passes to through one of the arched openings and the sleeve looks limited to positions corresponding to the interval of low concentrations, and, when the input of Low concentration venturi, the fixing element passes to through the other arched opening and the sleeve is limited to positions corresponding to the concentration range high.

When the cuff is set to a value for the which device can be switched or exchanged between Venturi inputs, the fixing element passes through a end portion of the arched opening corresponding to the Venturi entry that has been selected.

When there are two Venturi entries and two arched openings, and the device has an intermediate value, arched openings are preferably arranged in such a way that these end portions are diametrically opposite between yes, and the arched openings extend from these portions of end according to opposite directions of rotation. The member swivel is preferably slidably mounted with with respect to the sleeve, such that, when the sleeve is adjust or adjust the intermediate value, the rotating member can be displaced away from the sleeve in order to decouple the fixing element of the end portion of the opening arched to which it is attached. Rotating member it can then be rotated so that it switches to the other Venturi entrance, and the fixing element can be displaced towards the sleeve, in order to mate with the end portion of the Another arched member.

This arrangement allows the sleeve to be rotated in the same direction in order to increase concentration of the first gas regardless of the venturi inlet that selected, and prevents the exchange or switching of Venturi inputs, unless the concentration of the first gas is set to intermediate value. In the most preferred way, the rotating member is elastically loaded so that it is coupled, at rest, with the sleeve fixing element.

In case the device switches automatically between the minimum concentration of the first gas to the high concentration range and the maximum concentration of the first gas for the low concentration range, the device preferably has an arrangement similar to the described above, but that differs in the following aspects. The arched openings preferably extend a total angle of less than 180 °, and the rotating member includes, of preferred form, formations that are rotatably coupled to the sleeve and, consequently, rotate the sleeve between the concentration minimum of the first gas for the high concentration range, and the maximum concentration of the first gas for the interval of low concentrations

The invention will now be described with greater detail, for illustrative purposes only and with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustable Venturi device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the first embodiment, partially cropped;

Figure 3 is a third perspective view of the first embodiment, partially cropped;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view. of the first embodiment;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a low concentration spigot that is part of the first realization;

Figure 6 is a front elevation view of a tool that is used to form the low spigot concentration;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken perpendicular to that of Figure 4, of the low spigot  concentration;

Figure 8 is a side view of the tool of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustable Venturi device of according to the invention, in a discrete configuration of step by step arrangement corresponding to a concentration of 26% oxygen;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment in a discrete layout configuration step by step corresponding to an oxygen concentration of 35%; Y

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second embodiment in a discrete layout configuration step by step that corresponds to an oxygen concentration of fifty%.

Figures 1 to 4 show a device of Adjustable venturi according to the invention. The device of Venturi comprises three main components that are: a body main 10, an adjustable sleeve 20 and a ring or ring Adjustable graduation 30. The Venturi device has been manufactured by injection molding of these three components 10, 20 and 30 of independently and from a suitable plastic material, of the most preferred polypropylene form or acrylonitril-butadien-styrene (ABS)

The main body 10 generally has a cylindrical shape and has open upper and lower ends and an internal partition 14. An upper body portion main 10 (as seen in Figures 1 to 4) is one double wall construction, such that the double wall it has an open upper end and a lower end that is closed except for a pair of arched grooves and located in diametrically opposite positions, which are described with greater detail later. The rest of the main body 10 is one Single wall construction. The lower end of the wall double of the main body 10 shape, on the outer surface of the main body 10, a shoulder circumference) 13 located from face down. Shoulder 13 includes a pair of elements of fixing (not visible in the figures) located in positions diametrically opposed, which are convergent in nature, or that narrows progressively, and are located in areas existing between arched grooves.

A central portion of the main body 10 is extends from shoulder 13 to internal partition or division 14, and a lower portion of the main body 10 extends by below the internal partition 14. The outer surface of the lower portion of main body 10 includes a recess girth) shallow that extends to the extreme lower of the main body 10, thereby forming a shoulder in the upper end of the recess.

The adjustable sleeve 20 has a shape generally cylindrical and is slidably mounted on the outer surface of the central portion of the main body 10, immediately below shoulder 13. Adjustable cuff 20 It is also a double wall construction, and this double wall it comprises an internal wall 21 and an external wall 22 that are separated from each other by a pair of crossbars 26, as shown in Figure 1. The double wall 21, 22 of the sleeve adjustable 20 is closed at its upper end and is open by its lower end. The closed upper end of the double wall 21, 22 comprises two series of recesses that cooperate with the pair of fasteners of the main body 10 in any one from a series of discrete setup configurations step by He passed. The inner wall 21 fits intimately around the outer surface of the central portion of the main body 10 and extends a certain distance below the partition internal 14. the internal wall 21 includes, at its lower end, a lip or flange 23 protruding inward, which engages with the shoulder located at the upper end of the recess formed in the lower portion of the main body 10, as shown in the clearest way in Figure 4.

The double wall of the main body 10 encompasses or encloses a spring of plastic material, as shown in the more clearly in Figure 3. The spring comprises a pair of mounting elements 16, joined together by a pair of arched members 17, such that the spring has the shape of a ring The surface facing the inside of each mounting element 16 has a generally rectangular recess that extends from an open end located at the upper end of the mounting element 16, to a closed end located in a position above the lower end of the mounting element 16. The lower end of the mounting element 16 includes a elastic fastener 18 with the shape of a narrow strip of a plastic material The elastic fixing element 18 is extends down from one side of the lower end of the  mounting element 16 to an approximately aligned position with the center of the mounting element 16.

Each mounting element 16 is captured or restricted between a pair of protrusions 19 formed inside the internal surfaces of the double wall of the main body 10. Each pair of projections 19 forms a channel that extends towards up from the closed bottom end of the double wall. Every mounting element 16 is arranged so that it moves in sliding within its associated channel, inside the double wall of the main body 10. The spring is arranged such that the fixing element 18 acts on the surface internal shoulder 13, pushing the spring up, in such a way so that each mounting element 16 is pushed up, in direction to the upper open end of the double wall of the body main 10.

Shoulder 13 has been formed with a pair of grooves  arched and located in diametrically opposite positions, each one of which subtends an angle of approximately 150 ° and that they are located in the corresponding areas on each side of the two channels within which the elements of assembly 16. Accordingly, the elastic fasteners 18 they act on the area of the inner surface of the shoulder 13 that It is located between the arched grooves.

The closed upper end of the double wall 21, 22 of the adjustable sleeve 20 includes a pair of arms diametrically opposed placement 24, which extend up through each of the arched grooves formed on shoulder 13. The upper end of each of these arms of placement 24 includes a widened portion under which hold the arched members 17. Consequently, the pier or spring pushes the positioning arms 24 and therefore the adjustable sleeve 20, up. Therefore, at rest, the main body 10 and adjustable sleeve 20 are in a discrete configuration of step-by-step arrangement in which the upper end of adjustable sleeve 20 is being pushed against shoulder 13, while the pair of fasteners for placement belonging to the main body 10 are coupled with a particular pair of adjustable sleeve recesses 20, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. The force of the spring keeps the sleeve adjustable 20 in this configuration Discreet disposition step by step. The adjustable sleeve 20 can being pushed down by a user against the force of spring 11 and so that it moves away from the double wall of the body main 10, as shown in Figure 1, such that the fixing elements for placement are disengaged from their associated recesses. While the fasteners for placement are decoupled from the adjustable sleeve recesses 20, the adjustable sleeve 20 can be rotated with respect to the main body 10. Once the adjustable sleeve 20 has been rotated to a desired position relative to the main body 10, the adjustable sleeve 20 is released and the spring pushes the adjustable sleeve 20 to another discrete configuration of step-by-step arrangement, in which the pair of fasteners for placement of the main body 10 are coupled with a pair different from recesses of the adjustable sleeve 20. The sleeve adjustable 20 will consequently have a new orientation of rotation relative to the main body 10.

The central portion of the main body 10 and the adjustable sleeve 20 have, each of them, on its walls lateral, a pair of openings located in positions diametrically opposite, as shown in Figure 1 (only one is visible opening of each pair in Figure 1). Sleeve openings adjustable 20 comprise, each of them, a rectangular window located on the outer wall 22 of the adjustable sleeve 20, and a rectangular portion trimmed and removed from the inner wall 21, extending from the lower end of the inner wall 21 to a position near its upper end. When line up to any degree, the two pairs of openings allow that the air in the atmosphere enters a mixing chamber 50 defined by the inside of the main body 10 which is located above the interior partition 14 (as seen in the Figures 2 and 4). During use, atmospheric air is aspirated to through the aligned portion of these openings, by the region of low pressure formed around the high speed oxygen jet that eject the venturi inlets that are described more ahead. The adjustable sleeve 20 can be displaced, according to described above, until adopting any one of a certain number of discrete setup configurations step by step, such that the size of the aligned portion of the two pairs of openings, thereby changing the concentration of oxygen from the oxygen / air mixture that is emitted at the outlet Of the device. The arched grooves of the main body 10 are have arranged in such a way that there are minimum concentrations and maximum oxygen that can be selected, for example, the 26% and 50% oxygen, respectively.

An arrow formation 25, located on the outer surface of adjustable sleeve 20, in adjacent position to one of the positioning arms 24, indicates the concentration of oxygen selected in each discrete setup configuration step by step through its alignment with indications of concentration that have been marked on the outer surface of the double wall of main body 10, adjacent to the groove corresponding arched.

The internal partition 14 of the main body 10 It includes two circular openings. A spigot usually cylindrical 52, 54 extends upwards from each of these openings to the interior of the mixing chamber 50 of the body main 10. Spits 52 and 54 each have a axial bore that extends along the length of the spigot 52, 54 from the corresponding circular opening Each axial bore it has a convergent or gradually narrowed shape, in such a way that the bore is reduced in diameter as spigot 52, 54 extends inside the mixing chamber 50, and ends in a outlet hole 53, 55 of small dimensions. The spigot 52, which is the high concentration spigot, it is relatively more cuts and has an exit hole 53 of circular shape and relatively greater than spigot 54, which is the low spigot concentration. The upper end of the axial bore of the spigot 54 it has the shape of a funnel 56 like a wedge that leads to a exit hole 55 which is rectangular in shape. These forms of the low concentration spigot 54 and the outlet hole rectangular 55 are shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 7.

Figures 5 and 7 show the upper portion of the low concentration spigot 54 which has a hole of rectangular outlet 55 and a wedge-shaped funnel 56, which leads to exit hole 55. This rectangular shape of the exit hole 55 has an output with a noise widely reduced compared to a conventional outlet hole of circular shape, and it is much easier to manufacture. Figures 6 and 8 show the core of a tool 58 that is used to mold the low concentration spigot 54 and the outlet hole 55. This form of core 58 of the tool has a less likely to break during use compared to the tool core that is conventionally used to form an outlet with a circular shape, which comprises a cylindrical bar intended to form the axial bore, and a tip cylindrical of a much smaller diameter, intended to form the small circular outlet hole. This conventional tool is very weak in the intermediate zone between the cylindrical bar and the cylindrical tip of much dimensions minors, which entails time-consuming interruptions during the manufacture of the spouts 52, 54. The core of tool 58 shown in Figures 6 and 8 has, without However, a thickness that is gradually reduced, so as to form the wedge-shaped funnel and the hole forming portion is of a reduced size only in one dimension, so that reduces the likelihood of tool core 58 breaking during its manufacture.

Adjustable graduation ring 30 includes a cylindrical outer portion 31 having a series of projections of little openwork on its outer surface, which form a grip for the fingers, and an inner portion comprising three cylinders stacked coaxially 32, 33, 34, small diameter, such as shown more clearly in Figure 4. The portion outer 31 has a diameter greater than that of the lower cylinder 32 of the inner portion (as seen in Figures 1 to 4), and it is arranged around the inner portion such that the upper end of the outer portion 31 is at the same level than the upper end of the lower cylinder 32.

The lower cylinder 32 has a diameter that is same as that of the lower end of the main body 10, and a height that is less than that of the outer portion 31. The ends upper portions of the outer portion 31 and the lower cylinder 32 are joined together by two arched separators 41 and 42, as shown more clearly in Figure 9.

The central cylinder 33 of the inner portion is attached to the upper end of the lower cylinder 32 and has a smaller diameter than this one. The diameter of the central portion 33 is such that the central portion 33 fits or fits intimately within the lower portion of the main body 10 and is capable of slide with respect to the main body 10. The lower end of the main body 10 contact butt with the shoulder formed between the lower and central cylinders 32 and 33 of the inner portion. He upper cylinder 34 of the inner portion is attached to the end upper of the central cylinder 33 and has a diameter smaller than East. The upper end of the upper cylinder 34 includes a circumferential flange that extends radially.

A spring or spring 35 is fixed between the underside of the circumferential flange of the upper cylinder 34 and four protrusions formed on the inner surface of the lower portion of main body 10. This spring 35 pushes to the circumferential flange, and therefore, to the rest of the ring of Adjustable graduation 30, in direction, towards the internal partition 14, such that, at rest, the upper end of the cylinder upper 34 butt contact with the bottom face of the partition internal 14, and the shoulder formed between the central cylinders and lower 32, 33 contact butt with the lower end of the body main 10.

The inner portion of the graduation ring Adjustable 30 has an open bottom end and one end closed top, contact butt, at rest, with partition internal 14. The closed upper end of the graduation ring Adjustable 30 includes two vertically raised circular skirts 36, 37 that are received within the two circular openings of the internal partition 14. Skirts erected vertically 36, 37 and the axial bores of the spindles 52, 54 are formed in such so that the inner surface of each erect skirt vertically 36, 37 is aligned with the inner surface of the axial bore of the corresponding spigot 52, 54. When the end upper adjustable graduation ring 30 contact butt with the internal partition 14, the coupling between the erect skirts vertically 36, 37 and the corresponding openings of the internal partition 14 prevents adjustable graduation ring 30 rotate with respect to the main body 10.

The upper end of the graduation ring Adjustable 30 includes an opening that has an inner wall that it is aligned with the inner wall of one of the erect skirts vertically 37. A generally cylindrical oxygen inlet 38 extends downward from this opening, with a slight convergence or gradual narrowing, to a position by below the lower end of the outer portion 31. The entrance of oxygen 38 has an axial bore that extends, with a slight gradual narrowing, from the lower end of the entrance of oxygen 38 to the opening that is aligned with the erect skirt vertically 37. In this way, the lower end of the entrance of oxygen 38 is in airtight fluid communication with the low concentration spigot 54 and, consequently, with the hole output 55, as shown in Figure 4. In this position, the lower end of the low concentration spigot 52 it is sealed by means of the skirt erected vertically 36 and the upper end of the adjustable regulation ring 30

During use, the regulation ring adjustable 30 can. be pushed down by a user, in against the action of spring 35, such that the ring of Adjustable regulation 30 slides inside the body main 10 and skirts erected vertically 36, 37 are decouple from the openings of the internal partition 14. The ring adjustable adjustment 30 can then be rotated 180 ° until that the skirt erected vertically 37 is aligned with the opening leading to the high concentration spigot 52 and the vertically upright skirt 36 is aligned with the opening that leads to the low concentration spigot 54. The user can then release the adjustable regulating ring 30 in such a way that the skirts erected vertically 36, 37 are coupled in the openings of the internal partition 14. In this way, the output of oxygen 38 can be positioned such that it is in fluid communication with one of the pins 52 and 54, while that the other spigot 52, 54 is sealed.

However, since the high concentration spout 52 is intended for use with high oxygen concentration settings, typically between 35% and 50% oxygen, and the low concentration spout 54 is intended to be used with adjustments Low oxygen concentration, typically between 26% and 35% oxygen, it is desirable to have a mechanism whereby the user is allowed to select only a compatible pair of oxygen and spigot concentration settings
52, 54.

Referring then to Figure 9, the upper ends of the outer portion 31 and the cylinder bottom 32 are linked together by two separators diametrically opposed 41, 42. Each separator 41, 42 consists of a flat member that extends perpendicularly between the inner surface of outer portion 31 and surface outer of inner cylinder 32. Spacers 41, 42 include, each of them, a pair of end stops 40 that extend down from separator 41, 42 to the other end of the outer portion 31. The separator 41 has been sized in such a way so that it forms subtends an angle of approximately 60 °, and the separator 42 has been sized so that it subtends a angle of approximately 160 °. Consequently, a pair is formed of openings 48, 49 between the spacers 41, 42, the cylinder inner 32 and outer portion 31. These openings 48, 49 each of them subtends an angle of approximately 70 °. The openings 48, 49 have been arranged such that the end portions of openings 48, 49 that are adjacent to the separator 42 are located in diametrically opposite positions each. Circular skirts 36, 37, and, therefore, the entrance of oxygen 38, are both located on the straight comprised between these two end portions, in such a way that the oxygen inlet 38 is located adjacent to the portion of end of the opening 48 which is adjacent to the spacer 42.

The adjustable sleeve 20 has been formed with a positioning arm 24 extending downward from the end bottom of the inner wall 21, through one of the openings 48, 49 of adjustable graduation ring 30, and up to one position located at approximately the same level as the lower end of the outer portion 31. The positioning arm 28 has been arranged such that, when the oxygen inlet 38 is in fluid communication with the low concentration spigot 54, the Adjustable cuff 20 can be adjusted in a series of low oxygen concentrations ranging from a low setting minimum concentration, for example 26%, up to a low adjustment maximum concentration, for example 35%. When the cuff Adjustable 20 is adjusted in the low minimum concentration setting, the positioning arm 28 is placed inside the end portion of the opening 49 which is adjacent to the separator 41. As it increase the concentration adjustment, the positioning arm 28 is shifts clockwise (as seen in Figure 9) to different discrete positions arranged step by step at opening length 49.

When the adjustable sleeve 20 fits in the maximum low concentration setting, positioning arm 28 is locates inside the end portion of the opening 49 that is adjacent to spacer 42 and in line with the two skirts circular 36, 37 and oxygen inlet 38. When the arm of placement 28 is in this discrete disposition position by steps, the adjustable graduation ring 30 can be pushed down by a user, against the action of spring 35, such that the adjustable graduation ring 30 slides in the inside of the main body 10, the erect skirts vertically 36, 37 are decoupled from the openings of the internal partition 14, and the positioning arm 28 is disengaged from the  opening 49. Adjustable graduation ring 30 can be made then rotate 180 ° until the skirt is erected vertically 37, and with it the oxygen inlet 38, are aligned with the opening which leads to the high concentration spigot 52, and the arm of placement 28 is: aligned with the end portion of the opening 48 which is adjacent to separator 42 and in line with the two circular skirts 36, 37 and oxygen inlet 38. The user then release the adjustable graduation ring 30 in such a way that the skirts erected vertically 36, 37 are coupled in the openings of the internal partition 14 and the positioning arm 28 are it engages in the opening 48.

When the positioning arm 14 is in this position, the adjustable sleeve 20 remains located in the Maximum low concentration setting, but oxygen input 38 is now in fluid communication with the high concentration spigot 52. The low concentration setting maximum corresponds, therefore, to the high setting minimum concentration Since, in this position, the opening 48 extends in the clockwise direction (the direction of the hands of the clock) with respect to the position of the positioning arm 28 (according to it is observed in Figure 9), the oxygen concentration can, in consequently, increase so that the positioning arm 28 travels clockwise to different positions at along the opening 48.

During use, if the Venturi device is adjusts at a low concentration of 26% oxygen, so that the low concentration spigot 54 is therefore active, and the user wishes to select a low concentration of 31%, the user only has to push the adjustable sleeve 20 in shoulder shift 13 from main body 10, turn the adjustable sleeve 20 until arrow 25 is aligned with the 31% indication existing in main body 10, and release then the adjustable sleeve 20 in order to select the Discrete configuration of appropriate step-by-step arrangement.

However, if the user wishes then select a concentration of 40%, the user selects in first the maximum low concentration of 35%, as it has been described above. In this configuration, the adjustable sleeve 20 rotate additionally, when reaching the arm of placement 28 one of the ends of its associated opening. He user then switches to the high spigot 52 concentration by rotating the graduation ring 180 ° adjustable 30, as described above The sleeve adjustable 20 can then be further rotated until 40% oxygen is selected.

In order to use the device Venturi previously described for oxygen therapy, it connect an oxygen supply source to the input of oxygen 38 and a facial mask or element similar to the open upper end of the main body 10. Once it is you have selected the required oxygen concentration as described above, and the facial mask has been adjusted or similar element in the patient, the supply source is connected of oxygen at the desired flow rate. The oxygen gas enters the device through the oxygen inlet 38 and flows to through that of the spindles 52, 54 and that of the holes of output 53, 55 that have been selected. The oxygen gas leaves by the outlet orifice that is active, 53, 55, and flows inside of the mixing chamber 50 in the form of a jet of gas from high speed According to Bernoulli's principle, it forms a region of low pressure around this jet of oxygen at high speed, and the air in the atmosphere is sucked into inside the mixing chamber 50 through the aligned portion of the two pairs of device openings that have formed in the side walls of the adjustable sleeve 20 and the body main 10. The atmospheric air that is sucked into the interior of the mixing chamber 50 is picked up or dragged along with the jet of oxygen at high speed. The oxygen / air mixture then leaves  of the device through the open upper end of the body main 10, passes through the facial mask and is inhaled by the patient.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show a second realization of an adjustable Venturi device according to the invention. Figure 10 shows the second embodiment in the discrete configuration of step by step arrangement corresponding to an oxygen concentration of 26%; Figure 11 shows the second embodiment in the discrete layout configuration by steps corresponding to the oxygen concentration of 35%; and the Figure 12 illustrates the second embodiment in the configuration discrete disposition step by step corresponding to a 50% oxygen concentration.

The adjustable sleeve 120 of the second embodiment is similar to the adjustable sleeve 20 of the first realization. However, the adjustable sleeve 120 of the second embodiment comprises a second pair, therefore, a pair additional, of diametrically opposite openings 127. Each opening additional 127 comprises a clipped portion of the inner wall 121 extending from the lower end of the sleeve adjustable 120 (as seen in Figures 10 to 12) up to a position close to the upper end of the adjustable sleeve 120, as well as a clipped portion of the outer wall 122, which is extends from the lower end of the adjustable sleeve 120 to a position approximately midway between upper and lower ends of the adjustable sleeve 120.

As described above, the first realization has been arranged in such a way that each configuration discrete disposition step by step have a different degree of alignment between the first pair of adjustable sleeve openings 20 and the pair of main body openings 10. In contrast, without However, the second embodiment has been arranged such that low oxygen concentrations of 26%, 28% and 31% are correspond to discrete setup configurations step by step that have different degrees of alignment between the first pair of openings of the adjustable sleeve 120 and the pair of openings of the main body 110, as illustrated in Figure 10; the low oxygen concentration of 35% corresponds to a discrete configuration of step by step arrangement in which neither the first pair of openings nor the second pair of openings 127 of the adjustable sleeve 120 are aligned at all with the pair of main body openings 110, as illustrated in Figure 11; and high oxygen concentrations of 40%, 45% and 50% correspond to discrete configurations of step by step arrangement that have different degrees of alignment between the second pair of openings 127 of the adjustable sleeve 120 and the pair of openings of the main body 110, as illustrated in Figure 12.

Adjustable graduation ring 130 second embodiment is similar to adjustable graduation ring 30 of the first embodiment. However, one of the openings of the Adjustable graduation ring 130 is of a reduced length with with respect to the other opening. Consequently, the separator plus extended or wide 142, adjustable graduation ring 130 subtends an angle of approximately 180 °, instead of 160 ° corresponding to the largest amplifier 42 of the first realization. In addition, the upper cylinder of the graduation ring Adjustable 130 comprises protrusions that cooperate with an element of fixation formed on an internal surface of the main body 110, in order to limit the rotation of the graduation ring Adjustable 130 at a 180 ° interval. Finally, the second embodiment includes a pair of protruding end stops 139 up from one end of the upper surface of the wider amplifier 142.

In addition, the adjustable sleeve 120 comprises a only widened recess that cooperates with the fixing element for placement belonging to the main body, in order to define discrete setup configurations step by step corresponding to oxygen concentrations of 35% and fifty%. This allows the adjustable sleeve 120 to be rotated automatically between these settings with the rotation of the Adjustable graduation ring 130, as described more exhaustively later.

During use, when the graduation ring Adjustable 130 is in communication with the low spigot concentration and, therefore, one of the low oxygen concentrations of 26%, 28%, 31% and 35%, is possible to select a low oxygen concentration different from move the adjustable sleeve 120 to a discrete configuration a different step-by-step arrangement, similar to that of The first realization. Similarly, when the ring of Adjustable regulation 130 is in communication with the spigot high concentration, and therefore, one of the high oxygen concentrations of 40%, 45% and 50%, it is possible select a different high oxygen concentration moving the adjustable sleeve 120 to a configuration discrete of appropriate step-by-step arrangement, in a similar way to that of the first embodiment.

However, when the 35% oxygen concentration and graduation ring Adjustable 130 is rotated 180 ° for coupling with the spigot high concentration, as is done in the first embodiment, an end stop 139 comes into contact with the arm of placement (not visible in Figures 10 to 12) of the sleeve adjustable 120, so that the adjustable sleeve 120 is made turn automatically to select oxygen concentration 50% before the adjustable sleeve placement arm 120 fits into an adjustable graduation ring opening 130. Similarly, when the concentration of 50% oxygen and adjustable graduation ring 130 is made rotate 180 ° in the opposite direction for coupling with the low concentration spigot, as for the first embodiment, a end stop 139 comes into contact with the positioning arm of the adjustable sleeve 120, such that the adjustable sleeve 120 is automatically rotated to select a 35% oxygen concentration before the arm of 120 adjustable sleeve placement fits into an opening of adjustable graduation ring 130.

In all other aspects, the second embodiment is used in a manner analogous to the first realization.

Claims (31)

1. An adjustable Venturi device for gas mixture for inhalation, said device comprising a first gas inlet and inlet and a mixing chamber in fluid communication with a second gas inlet, in order to introduce a second gas inside the mixing chamber, a first and second Venturi tickets, intended to introduce a first gas in the mixing chamber, and a gas outlet through from which a mixture of the mixers can leave the mixing chamber first and second gases, each of said first and Venturi's second inlets a fluid conduit that ends in an outlet orifice through which the first gas is introduced in the mixing chamber, the Venturi device being switchable  or interchangeable between a first state, in which the first gas inlet is in fluid communication with the Venturi's first entry, and a second state, in which the first gas inlet is in fluid communication with Venturi's second entrance. 2. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 1, wherein the device of Venturi is likely to switch between the first and second states because the first gas inlet is movable with regarding Venturi tickets. 3. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 2, wherein the first entry of gas is located on a rotating member, in a position that is off center with respect to the axis of rotation, and the first gas inlet and rotating member have been arranged, with with respect to the Venturi inputs, so that the device of Venturi is switchable between the first and second states by rotating the rotating member. 4. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 3, wherein the device of Venturi has two Venturi entrances and the rotating member is rotates 180 ° in order to switch between the first and second state. 5. An adjustable Venturi device according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which the rotating member is mounted with respect to the mixing chamber such that the rotating member can be rotated from a first position, in the that the first gas inlet aligns with the first venturi inlet, leaving the other (s)
Venturi inlet (s) sealed by the rotating member, to a second position, in which the first gas inlet is aligned with the second inlet of Venturi, leaving the other inlet (s) of Venturi sealed (s) by the rotating member. 6. An adjustable Venturi device of according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in the which the rotating member includes a fixing element that couples with the mixing chamber in order to prevent rotation of the rotating member until the fixing element has decoupling the mixing chamber. 7. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 6, wherein the fixing element It takes the form of a skirt located on the periphery of the first gas inlet, which is received in intimate adjustment within one of The first and second. Venturi tickets. 8. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 7, wherein the rotating member it is mounted on sliding with respect to the mixing chamber and is elastically loaded in the direction of it, such that the fixing member of the rotating member can be decoupled of the mixing chamber by displacing the member swivel away from the mixing chamber, so it allows rotation of the rotating member with respect to the chamber mixing 9. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 8, wherein the fluid conduit extends from the wall of the mixing chamber and along The length of the spigot. 10. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 9, wherein each exit hole of the Venturi entrances is located in a position approximately central inside the mixing chamber. 11. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 10, wherein the gas outlet is placed at the end of the mixing chamber facing the exit holes of the Venturi entrances, such that a jet of gas entering the mixing chamber through a exit hole is directed towards the gas outlet, and the second gas inlet is located at the end of the mixing chamber from which the Venturi entrances extend, that is, waters above the gas flow from the Venturi inlets. 12. An adjustable Venturi device of according to any of the preceding claims, in which The mixing chamber is a double wall construction. 13. An adjustable Venturi device of according to any of the preceding claims, in the which the second gas is atmospheric air and the second gas inlet it takes the form of at least one opening made in the wall of The mixing chamber. 14. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 13, wherein the size of the second gas inlet can be adjusted such that the ratio or mixing ratio of the two gases can be modified 15. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 14, wherein the device of Venturi includes a closure that is likely to move between a plurality of positions, in each of which the second Gas inlet is occluded in a different magnitude. 16. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 15, wherein the mixing chamber is cylindrical or conical and the closure takes the form of a sleeve mounted on the external surface of the mixing chamber, such so that the sleeve is able to rotate with respect to the camera mixing 17. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 16, wherein the sleeve includes an opening that can be aligned with the opening of the wall of the mixing chamber in a variable magnitude, so that allows to modify the size of the second gas inlet. 18. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 17, wherein the sleeve is movable between a plurality of discrete layout configurations in steps, with respect to the mixing chamber, in which the sleeve opening and chamber wall opening of Mix line up in different magnitudes. 19. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 18, wherein the sleeve is slidably mounted on the outer surface of the mixing chamber and is elastically loaded so that it engages with a shoulder of the Venturi device. 20. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 19, wherein the sleeve and the Venturi device shoulder have cooperative formations that define discrete layout configurations by Steps. 21. An adjustable Venturi device of according to any one of claims 16 to 20, in the which sleeve is a double wall construction. 22. An adjustable Venturi device of according to any of the preceding claims, in the which Venturi device has a Venturi socket or input low concentration that is suitable for the generation of mixtures of gas with relatively low concentrations of the gas emitted at through the entrance as well as a high Venturi entrance concentration for the generation of gas mixtures with relatively high concentrations of the gas emitted through that entry. 23. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 22, wherein the size of the second gas inlet is capable of being adjusted so that the mixing ratio of both gases can be modified, and the device has a mechanism thanks to which the user only you can select a compatible pair of ratio settings from Venturi mix and input. 24. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 23, in which it can only select a range of low mix ratios specified concentration, between a concentration minimum of the first gas and a maximum concentration of the first gas when the first gas inlet is in communication of fluid with the low concentration Venturi inlet, and Only a specified range of high concentration mixing ratios between a concentration minimum of the first gas and a maximum concentration of the first gas for the high concentration range when the first gas inlet is in fluid communication with the inlet Venturi high concentration. 25. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 24, wherein the device of Venturi comprises a sleeve designed to alter the size of the second gas inlet, and a rotating member intended to commute or swap between Venturi tickets, including the sleeve a fixing element that passes through one of a pair of arched openings in the rotating member, such that, when the Venturi input is selected from low concentration, the fixing element passes through one of arched openings and sleeve is restricted to positions corresponding to the low concentration range, and, when  select the high concentration Venturi input, the element fixing passes through the other arched opening and the sleeve is restricted to positions corresponding to high concentration range. 26. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 25, wherein the device of Venturi is liable to commute or exchange between the low concentration Venturi entrance and the Venturi entrance of high concentration, only when the device is set to a particular intermediate value or intermediate range of mixing ratios 27. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 25, wherein the device of Venturi is capable of switching from the Venturi input of low concentration at the entrance of high concentration Venturi only when the device is adjusted in concentration maximum of the first gas for the low concentration range, and from the high concentration Venturi entrance to the entrance of Low concentration venturi only when the device is adjust at the minimum concentration of the first gas for the interval of high concentrations. 28. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 27, wherein the device is automatically switches to the minimum concentration of the first gas for the high concentration range according to the device it is switched from the low concentration Venturi input to the High concentration Venturi inlet, and the device is automatically switches to the maximum concentration of the first gas for the low concentration range according to the device it is switched from the high concentration Venturi input to the Venturi entrance of low concentration. 29. An adjustable Venturi device of according to claim 28, wherein the openings arc of the rotating member include formations that engage on the sleeve when turning, so they turn the sleeve between the minimum concentration of the first gas for the interval of high concentrations and the maximum concentration of the first gas to The low concentration range. 30. An inhalation system comprising a Venturi device adjustable according to any of the preceding claims, a source of gas supply to pressure, in fluid communication with the first gas inlet, and means for supplying gas to the patient, arranged in communication of fluid with the gas outlet. 31. An inhalation system in accordance with the claim 30, wherein the means for supplying gas to the patient comprise a conventional facial mask.