JP2003010333A - Humidifier and liquid feeding unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier capable of making the humidifying degree of inspiration nearly constant by always optimizing a water storage quantity in the chamber of the humidifier without needing a labor. SOLUTION: The humidifier is provided with a water storing chamber equipped with an inspiration introduction port and an inspiration lead-out port, a heating part for heating the chamber, a water feeding path for feeding water into the chamber by opening and closing water feeding port and a float which rises to be in contact with the water feeding port in a cylinder according to rising of a water level in the chamber to close the water feeding port by the contact and which moves down in the cylinder according to moving down of the water level in the chamber to release the contact to open the water feeding port. The humidifier is installed at the inspiration path of a respirator.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates mainly to a humidifier for humidifying inhalation supplied by an artificial respirator, and relates to a humidifier and a liquid supply unit capable of adjusting the amount of water supplied into a chamber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is important that the inspiration supplied to a patient by an artificial respiration device has moderately high humidity.
A configuration is known in which a humidifier is installed in the intake path of an artificial respiration device. The artificial respirator 1 shown in FIG.
And the humidifier 2 are connected by an intake pipe 4a, the humidifier 2 and a water trap 3 that stores condensed water are connected by an intake pipe 4b, and an intake pipe 4c led out from the water trap 3 is connected to the patient's body. An inspiratory path is formed by being guided to the mouth, and for example, an expiratory path, which is not shown in the drawing and is guided from the patient's mouth to the ventilator 1, is separately formed. The intake air supplied by the artificial respirator 1 is humidified by the humidifier 2 introduced through the intake pipe 4a, and the intake air after the humidification derived from the humidifier 2 is the intake pipe 4b, the water trap 3, and the intake air. It is guided to the patient's mouth or respiratory tract via tube 4c.

As shown in FIG. 3, the humidifier 2 has a chamber 2a provided with an intake inlet 2b and an intake outlet 2c protruding from the upper surface thereof, and a predetermined maximum amount of water is contained in the chamber 2a. By warming the stored water in the heating unit 2d, the intake air introduced from the intake air inlet 2b and passing over the surface of the stored water is humidified, and the humidified intake air is discharged from the intake air outlet 2c. It is like this. The tip of the tube 5b of the replenishment bag 5a that stores water is connected to the water supply hole 2e on the upper surface of the chamber 2a, and a stopper 5c that flows water into the tube 5b in the open state and stops the water flow in the closed state is provided. It is provided on the way of the tube 5b.

To replenish the decrease in the amount of water stored in the chamber 2a due to humidification, a person constantly or intermittently monitors the amount of water stored in the chamber 2a, and when the amount of water stored decreases to a certain extent, the stopper 5c is manually operated. This is done by opening the state to replenish the water, replenishing the reduced amount of water, and then manually closing the stopper 5c again to stop the water replenishment.

[0005]

However, when replenishing the moisture in the chamber 2a of the humidifier 2, the chamber 2 is not used.
Since the human being constantly or intermittently monitors the water storage amount in a and replenishes the reduced amount of water manually when the water storage amount decreases to a certain extent, a great deal of labor is required for the water replenishment work. Is inefficient. In addition, it is difficult to always maintain an appropriate amount of the stored water in the chamber 2a, and for example, when the water temperature in the chamber 2a changes due to a sudden increase in the stored water during replenishment of water, the humidification of intake air There was a problem that variation occurred.

The present invention is proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to efficiently replenish water into the chamber without labor, and at the same time, always store a proper amount of water in the chamber of the humidifier. It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifier having a high degree of stability of humidification, which can be maintained at a constant value and the degree of humidification of gas discharged from the humidifier such as intake air can be made substantially constant.

Another object of the present invention is to automatically supply and stop the liquid or water according to the change of the liquid surface or the water surface of the container, which is efficient and labor-free. It is an object of the present invention to provide a humidifier and a liquid supply unit capable of supplying a liquid to the inside and maintaining an appropriate amount of the liquid or water in the container.

[0008]

A humidifier according to the present invention comprises a chamber provided with an intake inlet and an intake outlet for storing water, a heating section for heating the chamber, and a water supply port. A water supply path for supplying water into the chamber by opening and closing, and a cylinder body rising up to abut the water supply port in response to a rise in the water level in the chamber, and the water supply port is closed by the contact. And a float that lowers the contact according to the water level drop in the chamber to release the contact, and opens the water supply port by releasing the contact, the inhalation path of the artificial respiration device. It is characterized by being installed in.

Further, in the humidifier of the present invention, a chamber for storing moisture is provided with a moisture supply passage for supplying moisture into the chamber by opening and closing the moisture supply port, and in response to a rise in water level in the chamber. The cylinder is raised until it comes into contact with the water supply port, the water supply port is closed by the contact, and the contact is released by lowering the cylinder in accordance with the water level drop in the chamber, A float is provided which opens the water supply port by releasing the contact.

Further, the humidifier of the present invention is characterized in that the water supply port of the water supply passage is an orifice hole. By making the water supply port an orifice hole, it is possible to prevent a large amount of water being supplied into the chamber in a short time when the water supply port is in an open state, and to prevent the amount of stored water from becoming excessive, and with an appropriate small supply amount. By supplying water, the amount of water stored in the chamber can be constantly maintained at an appropriate amount, and in addition, the temperature of the stored water in the chamber can be kept more constant. It is also possible to obtain the same action by forming the water supply path as a tapered tube that tapers toward the water supply port at the tip.

In the liquid supply unit of the present invention, the liquid supply port for supplying the liquid is opened in the cylinder so that the liquid can be moved up and down in the cylinder in accordance with the change in the liquid level of the container to which the liquid is supplied. A float is disposed, the float rises in the cylinder and comes into contact with the liquid supply port to stop the supply of the liquid, and the float descends in the cylinder to release the contact, so that the liquid is released. It is characterized by supplying. The liquid is, for example, water, and similarly to the above, the liquid supply port may be an orifice hole, or the liquid supply path may be a tapered tube that tapers toward the liquid supply port at the tip, and humidification is performed. When used in a humidifier, it has the same advantages as the humidifier of the present invention.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a moisture supply unit which is an example of a humidifier and a liquid supply unit of the present invention will be described.
Description will be made based on a specific embodiment shown in the drawing. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an inhalation path of an artificial respirator using a humidifier according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a partially longitudinal front view showing a chamber portion in the embodiment of the humidifier.

As a premise, the artificial respirator in which the humidifier 20 of this embodiment is installed is, as shown in FIG.
0 and the humidifier 20 are connected by the intake pipe 40a, and the humidifier 2
0 and the water trap 30 are connected by an intake pipe 40b, and the intake pipe 40 led out from the water trap 30
c is guided to the patient's mouth to form an inspiratory path, and an expiratory path, not shown in the figure, which is guided from the patient's mouth to the ventilator 10 is separately formed. The present invention can also be applied to an artificial respiration device in which no expiratory path is formed.

The inhalation supplied by the artificial respirator 10 is humidified by the humidifier 20 introduced through the inhalation pipe 40a, and the inhalation after humidification derived from the humidifier 20 is the inhalation pipe 40.
The water that has been introduced into the mouth or airway of the patient through b, the water trap 30, and the intake pipe 40c and has been condensed in the intake pipes 40b and 40c is stored in the water trap 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the humidifier 20 has a chamber 21 which is a container for storing water.
And a heating unit 26 are provided. The chamber 21 has a bottom surface 21a which is a substantially horizontal surface, a peripheral side surface 21b having a substantially circular cross section, and a substantially spherical upper surface 21c, and a substantially cylindrical shape which is connected to the intake pipe 40a on the left side of the upper surface 21c in front view. The intake inlet 22 is provided upward, and a substantially cylindrical intake outlet 23 is provided upward on the right side of the upper surface 21c in a front view, and the portions other than the intake inlet 22 and the intake outlet 23 are hermetically sealed. To be done. The humidifier 20 is
For example, the bottom surface 21a of the chamber 21 that stores water is placed on the upper surface of the heating unit 26, and the heating unit 26 heats it to a required temperature for humidification.

Further, the humidifier 20 has a water supply unit 2
4 are provided. The water supply unit 24 has a short L-shaped connecting pipe 241 and a vertical portion 241 a of the connecting pipe 241.
Is fitted to the outside of the intake outlet 23 and attached to the chamber 21, and the other end of the horizontal portion 241b of the connecting pipe 241 is connected to the intake pipe 40b. In addition, the through hole 2 is provided at a position on the upper surface of the connecting pipe 241 that intersects with the center line of the vertical portion 241a.
41 c is bored, a fitting portion 253 formed substantially above the moisture supply pipe 25 described later is fitted into the through hole 241 c, and the moisture supply pipe 25 is attached to the connection pipe 241.

The water supply pipe 25 is substantially rod-shaped, has a water supply passage 251 extending in the longitudinal direction from the upper end to the substantially middle portion, the lower portion of the water supply passage 251 is tapered, and the tip thereof has a diameter of about 0. A pore 252 having a size of about 5 mm is formed. In addition, a through hole 241 is formed substantially above the water supply pipe 25.
c A fitting portion 253 having substantially the same shape as the inner surface and a diameter substantially the same as that of the inner surface is formed, and a cylindrical body 254 having a substantially cylindrical shape is integrally formed in the lower portion thereof, and the lower end of the cylindrical body 254 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body. A ring 255 having an inner diameter is fitted, and a fitting portion 253 is also fitted.
The outer diameter of the portion between the cylindrical body 254 and the cylindrical body 254 is smaller than the inner diameter of the vertical portion 241a of the connecting pipe 241 and the inner diameter of the intake outlet 23, and the connecting pipe 241 is provided with the moisture supply pipe 25 for intake. Can be conducted.

A substantially cylindrical float 256 having a step formed on the upper portion thereof is provided inside the cylindrical body 254.
Reference numeral 56 is substantially the same as the internal shape of the tubular body 254, and is slightly shorter than the vertical length of the tubular body 254. The outer diameter of the base body 256a is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular body 254 from the middle portion to the lower portion. It is formed with a small diameter. The float 256 is movable up and down in the cylindrical body 254, and is configured to float in water by forming the inside thereof hollow or by using a material having a lower specific gravity than water. Float 2
Since the base body 256a of 56 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the ring 255 fitted to the lower end of the cylindrical body 254, it can move downward until its lower end abuts on the ring 255, and its upper surface which is a horizontal plane. 256b is the water supply path 2
It is possible to move upward until it abuts on the lower end of the small hole 252 at the tip of 51. Further, a protrusion 256c is provided on the peripheral edge of the upper surface 256b of the float 256 so as to project upward along the peripheral edge.

When the humidifier 20 having the chamber 21 is used, water is supplied from the intake inlet 22 or the intake outlet 23 to store a predetermined maximum amount of water in the chamber 21, and the intake inlet 22 is sucked. The water supply unit 24 and the intake pipe 40b are attached to the intake outlet 23 while being connected to the pipe 40a, and the humidifier 20 is installed in the intake path of the artificial respiration device as described above. When a predetermined maximum amount of water is stored in the chamber 21, the float 256 of the attached water supply unit 24 moves upward by the buoyancy of the stored water to the uppermost movable position in the cylindrical body 254. The float upper surface 256b abuts the lower end of the pore 252 to close the pore 252.

Further, the upper end of the water supply pipe 25 of the water supply unit 24 is attached to, for example, one end of a tube 50b provided with a stopper 50c for controlling opening and closing of water flow by opening and closing, and the other end of the tube 50b. The end is attached to the replenishment bag 50a in which water is stored, the stopper 50c is kept open during operation or humidification, and the water supply path 25 is supplied from the replenishment bag 50a through the tube 50b.
The water is constantly supplied into the unit 1. In addition, without providing the stopper 50c, the water supply path 251 is supplied from the replenishment bag 50a.
It is also possible to have a configuration in which moisture is constantly supplied.

The water supplied to the water supply passage 251 is
Basically, the structure is such that the float upper surface 256b abuts against the pores 252 and does not flow out due to the blockage.
When the float upper surface 256b comes into contact with the
Even when the water supplied to the inside of 51 slightly exudes from the pores 252 to the float upper surface 256b, the outflowing water forms a water pool in the recess formed by the float upper surface 256b and the protrusion 256c. With this configuration, the outflow of water at the time of contact is completely stopped due to the blockage and the surface tension of the water pool.

When the inspiratory air is sent from the ventilator 10 to the patient, the warming section 26 brings the stored water in the chamber 21 to the required temperature, and the ventilator 10 inhales the intake pipe 40a and the intake port. Intake air is sent via 22 to the space above the water surface of the stored water in the chamber 21. The intake air is humidified by being moisturized in the chamber 21, and the humidified intake air is discharged through the intake air outlet 23 and the connecting pipe 241. The derived intake air after humidification is the intake pipe 4
0b, the water trap 30, and the inspiratory tube 40c to the patient.

By continuously feeding the intake air while humidifying, the amount of stored water in the chamber 21 decreases, and the amount of the stored water decreases below a predetermined reference water amount so that the water level is lower than the reference water level at the reference water amount. When it lowers, the float 256 moves into the tubular body 2.
Within 54, it moves slightly or slightly downward and moves away from the lower end of the pore 252 with which the float upper surface 256b is in contact, and the blockage of the pore 252 is released. By releasing the blockage,
The water supplied into the water supply passage 251 has pores 252.
Flows out from the lower end of the float, and the float upper surface 256b and the protrusion 25
6c falls into a concave portion to form a water pool, and water that overflows from the water pool and exceeds the upper end of the protruding portion 256c passes through the gap between the cylindrical body 254 and the float 256 to replenish the stored water in the chamber 21. To be done.

The chamber 2 is supplied depending on the replenishment of the stored water.
1 rises, the float 256 moves upward in the cylinder 254 in response to the rise in the water level, and when the water level reaches the reference water level, the float upper surface 256b causes the fine holes 25
Again contact the lower end of 2 and float 256 at the contacted position
The upward movement of is stopped. Due to the contact, the pores 252 are closed again by the float upper surface 256b, and the water supply by the outflow from the pores 252 is stopped. Also in this case, the outflow of water is completely stopped due to the blockage and the surface tension of the water pool in the recess.

Therefore, when the amount of stored water in the chamber 21 is in a range between a predetermined maximum amount of water and a reference amount of water or a amount of water slightly smaller than the reference amount of water, or when the maximum amount of water is made equal to the reference amount of water, It is possible to constantly maintain an appropriate amount such as a substantially reference water amount, which is a range between the water amount and a water amount slightly smaller than the reference water amount. Further, since the reduced amount of the stored water is replenished from time to time without abrupt replenishment of water into the chamber 21, the water temperature of the stored water is maintained substantially constant and stabilized. Therefore, it is possible to humidify the intake air with a substantially constant and high stability. The humidifier, the liquid supply unit, or the water supply unit of the present invention is suitable for being installed in the intake path of the artificial respiration device and used for humidifying the inspiratory air, but in the case of humidifying air with a normal humidifier. It can also be used for.

[0026]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION By using the humidifier of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently replenish water into the chamber without labor and keep the amount of water stored in the chamber of the humidifier at an appropriate amount at all times. Therefore, the humidification degree of the gas discharged from the humidifier such as intake air can be made substantially constant, and the stability of the humidification degree can be increased or improved.

The humidifier or liquid supply unit of the present invention can automatically supply or stop the liquid or water according to the change of the liquid surface or the water surface of the container,
The liquid can be efficiently supplied into the container without labor, and the amount of the liquid or water stored in the container can be maintained at an appropriate amount.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an inhalation path of an artificial respiration device using a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially longitudinal front view showing a chamber portion in the embodiment of the humidifier of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an inhalation path of a conventional artificial respiration device using a humidifier.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Ventilator 20 humidifier 21 Chamber 22 Intake inlet 23 Air intake outlet 24 Moisture supply unit 241 connecting pipe 25 Water supply pipe 251 water supply channel 252 pores 254 cylinder 256 float 256b upper surface 256c protrusion 26 Heating section 30 water trap 40a, 40b, 40c intake pipe

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A chamber provided with an intake air inlet and an intake air outlet for storing water, a heating unit for heating the chamber, and water for supplying water into the chamber by opening and closing the water supply port. In accordance with the supply path and the rise in the water level in the chamber, the cylinder rises until it abuts the water supply port, and the water supply port is closed by the contact.
Installed in the inhalation path of the artificial respiration device, having a float that lowers the inside of the cylinder according to the water level drop in the chamber to release the contact, and opens the water supply port by releasing the contact. Humidifier characterized by being. 2. A chamber for storing water is provided with a water supply passage for supplying water into the chamber by opening and closing the water supply port, and the water supply port is provided inside the cylinder in response to a rise in water level in the chamber. The water supply port is closed by the contact, and the water contact is released by lowering the water level in the chamber and the contact is released by releasing the contact. A humidifier characterized in that a float for opening the supply port is provided. 3. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the water supply port of the water supply path is an orifice hole. 4. A liquid supply port for supplying a liquid is opened in the cylinder, and a float is arranged so as to be movable up and down in the cylinder according to a change in the liquid level of a container to which the liquid is supplied. Is supplied to the liquid by stopping the supply of the liquid by ascending in the cylinder and coming into contact with the liquid supply port, and by the float descending in the cylinder and releasing the corresponding contact. Liquid supply unit.