GB1430377A - Tantalum insufflator - Google Patents

Abstract

1430377 Pneumatic conveyers BARBERCOLMAN CO 3 Sept 1973 [18 Sept 1972] 41385/73 Heading B8A [Also in Divisions B1 A5 and F2] Apparatus for insufflating a patient with a radiopaque powder 10 comprises a chamber 11, an insufflating circuit consisting of an inlet line 24 communicating with atmosphere and the chamber 11 and an outlet line 20 leading from the chamber 11, and a cloud generating circuit including a pump 30 having an outlet conduit 31 with its free end directed towards the powder 10 and an inlet conduit 40 communicating with the chamber 11, whereby the cloud generating circuit generates a powder-containing cloud at substantially atmospheric pressure in the chamber 11 for inhalation by the patient. Alternatively, a force-feed system is used and includes a pump 101 and a catheter connected to the patients' lungs. The air circuits further include check valves 45, 75, 105, 106, a pressure regulator 37, a desicator 46, a flow meter 47, a heater 107, a temperature sensor 110 and a biological filter 53 which prevents powder 10 from entering the inlet line 24. A power-driven hammer 55 is provided for shaking the powder 10 from the walls of the chamber 11 and the filter 53. A mouthpiece 79 has a three-way connector in which flap valves (86, 93), Fig. 6 (not shown), and a filter (95) ensure that the powder 10 may be inhaled but not exhaled to atmosphere. The ends of the conduit 31 and the lines 24, 20 in the chamber 11 are horizontally and vertically displaced to ensure that a sufficient quantity of the powder 18 is entrained in the air stream. The end of the conduit 31 has a nozzle 33 in which a central airway (34), Fig. 4 (not shown), and inclined outer passages (35) ensure even dispersion of air on to the powder 10.