JP2004188122A - Oxygen concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oxygen concentrator in which device's operability and visibility for a patient or an assistant are improved to improve convenience for the patient or the like in a medical oxygen concentrator for home oxygen therapy. <P>SOLUTION: In an oxygen concentrator 200 provided with a compression means for compressing air taken in from an intake of air, an adsorption means for adsorbing a predetermined component except for oxygen in the compressed air to remove from the compressed air, a buffer tank for storing concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component is removed, and a box-like casing 214a for housing the compression means, the adsorption means and the buffer tank, the oxygen concentration device is equipped with an upper cover 214b for protecting an upper portion of the casing 214a and a humidifier 116 for humidifying concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component is removed, and the upper cover 214b is equipped with a tapered loading part for removably loading the humidifier 116 approximately in the center of the cover. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator, and more particularly, to a configuration of an oxygen concentrator for improving user-friendliness.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The oxygen concentrator used in the oxygen inhalation method, which is effective as a treatment for patients with respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, uses a zeolite that can preferentially adsorb nitrogen contained in air as an adsorbent. Is widely used. In this type of oxygen concentrator, as shown in FIG. 1, air taken into the device is subjected to dust removal by a dustproof filter 101 and an intake filter 102, and then compressed by a compressor 105 via a silencer 103. Is cooled by the heat exchanger 106 and the like.
[0003]
The cooled air is sent to the adsorption cylinder 108 filled with the adsorbent via the switching valve 107 for switching the piping flow path. Gas separation is performed in the adsorption cylinder 108, and the generated concentrated gas is temporarily sent to the product tank 111, and then the pressure and the flow rate are further controlled via the pressure regulator 112 and the flow rate regulator 115. (At this time, the flow rate is detected by the flow rate sensor 113, and the oxygen concentration is detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 114.) After being appropriately humidified through the humidifier 116, the flexible extension tube 117, the cannula 118, etc. To be supplied to the patient via a conduit. 109 is a pressure equalizing valve, 110 is a check valve, 119 is a pressure sensor, and 120 is an exhaust silencer for reducing exhaust noise caused by nitrogen and moisture.
[0004]
When this type of oxygen concentrator is small, the number of adsorption cylinders 108 is one or two, and is switched by a switching valve 106 to perform adsorption and desorption. For example, in the case where the adsorption column 108 is composed of two tubes, one of the concentrated gases is used as a product gas during the adsorption step, and the other gas is sent to the other adsorption column 108. Is used as a gas for regenerating the zeolite in the adsorption column 108.
[0005]
The switching valve 106 is used to switch to the other before the breakthrough occurs in the adsorption cylinder 108 during the adsorption process, and the same cycle is repeated to continuously generate and supply the concentrated gas.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-282363
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this type of oxygen concentrator used at home, the internal structure for concentrating oxygen is particularly important, and as a result, the arrangement and decoration of the part exposed to the outside of the device greatly depends on the internal structure, and it is not necessarily It does not take into account the usability of the patient and their assistants.
[0008]
For example, a humidifier 116 is generally used in an oxygen concentrator in order to generate oxygen in a completely dry state, and the humidifier 116 also performs maintenance such as filling and replacement of purified water almost every day. ing. However, the humidifier 116 is often provided at the lower part of the device for the reason of the structural design of the device, and as a result, even when the humidifier 116 is attached or detached, the patient is forced to perform in the posture of squatting each time. There is a problem that the burden on the user is large.
[0009]
In addition, this type of oxygen concentrator often has a dial type setting device (flow rate setting dial) so that the oxygen flow rate can be easily changed, but the determination of the prescribed flow rate is determined by a doctor. However, actually, the patient operates the setting device at home under self-management, which may cause trouble for the elderly patient at the time of operation. For example, a patient unfamiliar with the operation of the device may mistakenly operate the flow setting dial by mistake and the flow setting may deviate significantly from the original setting value prescribed by the doctor, or a part of the body may be incorrect. There is a problem that the setting is shifted due to touching the flow setting dial.
[0010]
As an important element of the oxygen concentrator, it is important that the patient be able to clearly understand that the device is operating normally and that the patient can easily find out if a failure should occur. Recently, attention has been paid to patients, for example, because such matters are regarded as important, and attention is being given to the devices using a large display or voice. However, since the apparatus is used by various patients and the display is enlarged, there is a problem that the apparatus is bright at night and unable to sleep, and thus there is no wide-ranging support for individual patients.
[0011]
In addition, since the concentrated oxygen supply device is installed and used by a patient at an appropriate location at home, the appearance of the device may cause discomfort to the interior of the room where the device is installed or adjacent furniture. Although it is required that this does not occur, the appearance of the device is generally fixed, the degree of freedom in selection is small, and the device is often separated from the environment of the installation place.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to improve the operability and visibility of a patient or an assistant thereof in a medical oxygen concentrator used at home, and to improve the usability of a user.
[0013]
Specifically, the present invention relates to a compression means for compressing air taken in from an air intake, and adsorbing and removing predetermined components other than oxygen in the compressed air from the compressed air. An oxygen concentrator comprising: an adsorbing unit for storing the concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component has been removed; and a box-shaped housing for accommodating the compressing unit, the adsorbing unit, and the buffer tank. An upper cover that protects an upper portion of the housing, and a humidifier for humidifying the concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component has been removed, wherein the upper cover is configured to removably mount the humidifier. A loading portion having a tapered shape is provided substantially at the center of the cover.
[0014]
Further, the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a control means for controlling a supply amount of concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component accumulated in the buffer tank has been removed. It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a control unit provided, and the upper cover is configured to be able to load the control unit near the humidifier.
[0015]
Further, a display unit for displaying the supply amount of the air controlled by the control unit, an illuminance detection unit for detecting an illuminance at an installation location of the oxygen concentrator, and the illuminance detection unit detect the illuminance. It is preferable that the display device further includes a luminance control unit that controls display luminance of the display unit according to illuminance, and the upper cover is configured to be able to load the display unit near the control unit.
[0016]
The present invention for solving the above problems further includes an oxygen concentration detecting means for detecting the oxygen concentration in the air stored in the buffer tank, and a notification for notifying the oxygen concentration based on the detection result by the oxygen concentration detecting means. And the upper cover, wherein the upper cover is configured to be capable of loading the notification unit in the vicinity of the humidifier, the housing includes a replaceable member, and the member includes a plurality of members. It is preferable to have a design.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 2A is an external view of the oxygen concentrator main body as viewed from the front. Here, 200 represents an oxygen concentrator main body (hereinafter, referred to as main body 200). The main body 200 mainly includes a housing part 214a and a cover 214b on the upper part of the housing. Reference numeral 201 denotes a flow monitor indicating the operation status of the main body 200, and its display mode will be described later. Reference numeral 115 denotes a flow rate setting dial for setting the oxygen flow rate. The flow rate setting dial 115 is provided on the back side of the concave portion 202 formed in the cover 214b, and is concealable by a cover 401 described later. 203a is a power switch for switching between operation and stop of the main body 200. The power switch 203a is provided on the back side of the concave portion 203b formed in the cover 214b, and is set so as not to protrude from the surface of the cover 214b. Even so, the power switch 203a is hard to be pressed. . 116 is a humidifier, and 116a is a cap of the humidifier. Reference numeral 205 denotes an oxygen output port for connecting a nasal cannula or an extension tube.
[0019]
Reference numeral 206 denotes an alarm unit for notifying a power failure or an abnormality inside the apparatus. The alarm unit 206 has a built-in Cds sensor and an inspection lamp for detecting the illuminance in the room. 207a is a flow rate display unit for displaying the flow rate set by the flow rate setting dial 115. The flow rate display unit 207a is provided on the back side of the concave portion 207b formed on the right side of the humidifier 116 when the main body 200 is viewed from the front as illustrated. The flow rate display unit 207a is configured by a 7-segment LED, and is configured to be able to control the luminance according to the brightness (illuminance) of the installation location.
[0020]
Reference numeral 208 denotes a display switch, which is a switch for switching the content displayed on the flow rate display unit 207a. When the switch 207 is pressed, the display unit displays the usage time for, for example, 5 seconds.
[0021]
212 are casters, which are fixed to the four corners of the bottom surface of the main body 200. The operator can move the main body 200 or perform a lifting operation by gripping these handles 213 when moving on the floor surface or transporting the main body 200 using the casters 212. Has become. For this reason, the strength of each handle 200 is strong enough to withstand the lifting force of the main body 200.
[0022]
214a is a metal or wooden housing. The housing portion 214a has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the up-down direction, and a caster 212 is provided at the bottom to facilitate movement. The compressor 105, the heat exchanger 106, the switching valve 107, the adsorption cylinder 108, the product tank 111, and the like shown in FIG. 1 are housed in the housing 214a.
[0023]
214b is a cover for covering the upper part of the housing part 214a, and 219 is a flat frontal decorative panel which covers the front surface from the floor surface. The decorative panel 219 can be applied not only to the front surface but also to the entire body.
[0024]
The cover 214b has a beige or cream color, while the front decorative panel 219 has a blue color, which is a so-called two-tone modern design. In addition, by providing these colors with variations, it is possible to integrate into the environment where the main body 200 is installed without discomfort.
[0025]
FIG. 2B is an external view of the main body 200 as viewed from directly above. Here, reference numeral 209 denotes an air intake, on which the cover 210 and the dustproof filter 101 are set. Reference numeral 211 denotes a maintenance cover, which is opened and closed by a maintenance worker to replace the intake filter 102 and obtain maintenance information.
[0026]
FIG. 2C is an external perspective view showing the oxygen concentrator 200 of the present invention together with the patient (or user) P at substantially the same scale. As can be seen from this figure, the main body 200 has such a size that a desired maintenance can be performed even if the patient P does not particularly bend over the upper body, and the arrangement of the maintenance unit. The main body 200 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (width 350 mm × depth 355 mm × height 675 mm) which is long in the vertical direction in order to minimize the installation range.
[0027]
In FIG. 2c, the cover 214b forms a curved surface from the ceiling surface to the front decorative panel. As shown in the figure, a patient P of standard height stands near a height H substantially corresponding to a waist portion with both hands lowered in an upright state. A concave portion 215 for providing the humidifier 116 is further formed substantially continuously at substantially the center. By forming the concave portion 215 at the center in this way, the patient K can perform the water replenishment work of the humidifier 116 in a standing posture when performing the frequently performed water replenishment operation. You don't have to sit down and bow down. Therefore, the burden on the patient's abdomen is greatly reduced. Further, since the convex portion 215 has a symmetrical structure, the humidifier 116 can be attached and detached without difficulty, regardless of which dominant arm.
[0028]
Also, as shown in FIG. A breaker switch 216 is provided to enable a measure to be taken in the event of an excessive current. In addition, by installing the breaker switch 216 on the back of the main body 200, it is possible to prevent the switch from being tampered with unintentionally, thereby preventing electrical trouble. A power cord 217 is connected to a commercial power outlet to enable power supply. An exhaust port 218 is provided below the main body 200, and exhaust is performed through the exhaust port 218.
[0029]
As described above, the humidifier 116 is detachably provided substantially at the center of the curved surface on the front side of the cover 214b of the main body 200, and the power switch 203a and the oxygen outlet tube 205a are formed by the concave portions 203b and 205b formed on the cover 214b. By disposing it on the left side of the humidifier 116 so as to surround it, and by providing the flow rate display unit 207aa on the right side of the humidifier 116 so as to be deep inside the concave portion 207b, each member is concentrated at the center of the upper surface of the main body 200. As a result, the operability is improved.
[0030]
Further, the humidifier 116 is mounted on the upper portion of the main body 200, and it is not necessary to bend the body for attaching and detaching the humidifier 116, so that the burden on the patient is greatly reduced.
Also, for example, even when the patient P trips and hits the cover 214b violently, the cover 214b provided with a shock absorbing function made of resin has a suitable curved surface on the front side of the cover 214b so as not to be injured. The above considerations have been taken.
[0031]
Next, each component of the main body 200 will be described in detail below.
[0032]
First, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display form of the flow monitor 201 and the alarm unit 206. The flow monitor 201 is composed of five green and red LEDs, and (a) shows a display mode when the main body 200 is operating normally. Five green LEDs are lit. The display of the flow monitor 201 indicates that five of the flow rates detected by the flow rate sensor 113 are lit when a flow rate of 80% or more of the flow rate set by the flow rate setting dial 115 is secured. The number of LEDs to be turned on decreases as the flow rate decreases to 60%, 50%, and 40%. For example, when only a flow rate of 60% or more and less than 70% is secured, as shown in FIG. Light.
[0033]
However, when the flow rate is reduced to less than 60%, as shown in (c), not only does the number of lighting LEDs decrease, but the lighting LEDs switch from green to red. As described above, when the flow rate is reduced, the buzzer sound becomes “peep-peep”, and alerts the patient.
[0034]
As a cause of such a decrease in the flow rate, for example, when the flow rate setting by the flow rate setting dial 115 such as the dial is located in the middle of the scale is not complete, or when the humidifier is not completely attached, There are cases where the cap 116a of the humidifier 116 is loose.
[0035]
Further, when the above occurs in the apparatus itself, the inspection lamp of the alarm unit 206 shown in (f) is turned on, and a buzzer sound of a predetermined pattern is output as well as a message prompting a contact with a trader. In this case, it is necessary to stop the operation of the apparatus by pressing the power switch 203 and immediately contact a maintenance company.
[0036]
Further, when there is an abnormality in the power supply, a sound "Please check the outlet and the breaker" is output together with the buzzer sound "Pee". At this time, the inspection lamp blinks red. Such an abnormality of the power supply is caused by a power failure, forgetting to insert the power cord 217, incomplete connection with an outlet, or a breaker operating.
[0037]
The brightness of the flow rate display unit 207a is controlled in accordance with the illuminance detected by a Cds sensor built in the alarm unit 206. For example, when the interior of the room is turned off at night to sleep the patient, the decrease in the illuminance is detected by the Cds sensor, thereby limiting the brightness to the brightness suitable for the room. Therefore, even if the oxygen concentrator is equipped with a large display, the problem of being unable to sleep at night due to being bright at night can be solved, and a wide range of treatments for individual patients can be achieved.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of the flow setting dial 115 and the flow display unit 207a. (A) shows a state in which the protection cover 401 is attached to the flow setting dial 115. The protection cover 401 prevents the flow rate from being changed by accidentally touching the flow rate setting dial 115. Further, for a patient whose prescribed flow rate is substantially fixed, it is possible to clearly indicate that there is no need to operate the flow rate setting dial 115 by the protective cover 401. Of course, if necessary, as shown in (b), the protective cover 401 can be removed by putting a finger on the knob 402, and the flow rate can be set by the flow rate setting dial 115.
[0039]
The flow rate set by the flow rate setting dial 115 is digitally displayed on the flow rate display unit 207a, and the set level can be easily grasped. The settable flow rates are, for example, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.50, 3.00 (L / Minute). When the display switching button 208 is pressed, the display content of the flow rate display unit 207a can be temporarily switched from the flow rate to the use time.
[0040]
As described above, the protection cover is provided on the set flow rate dial 115, so that trouble after setting can be prevented. As a result, careless contact with components is eliminated, and the risk of erroneously changing the flow rate is reduced. Further, even for a patient whose prescription flow rate is almost fixed and the set flow rate is not changed, the provision of the protective cover eliminates the need to check every operation, so that the monitoring burden can be reduced.
[0041]
Next, replacement of the dustproof filter 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0042]
FIG. 5A shows a state where the cover 210 is attached to the air intake 209. The cover 210 can be detached with a finger on the concave portion 501. When the cover 210 is detached, the cover 210 and the dustproof filter 101 can be separated as shown in (b), and are set on the cover 210 by washing with water or replacing with a new one.
[0043]
Further, since the air intake 209 is located above the cover 214b as shown in FIG. 3C, the patient does not need to bend down when replacing the dustproof filter 101 as in the related art, and the dustproof filter 101 is cleaned. Will be easier. Further, even when the main body 200 is installed along the wall as shown in FIG. 3C, there is no effect on the intake air by the wall, and further, as in the case where the air intake port is arranged at the lower part of the device as in the related art. It is less affected by dust on the installation floor. Furthermore, the surface 502 on which the air intake 209 is located is not parallel to the wall, but is positioned obliquely upward and rearward of the main body 200 (for example, the elevation angle can be set to 45 °). The operation sound generated at the time of intake does not reflect on the wall 503 and does not give the patient any discomfort.
[0044]
Next, attachment and detachment of the maintenance cover 211 will be described with reference to FIG. (A) shows a state in which the maintenance cover 210 is attached. The cross section along the dotted line 601 at this time is as shown in FIG. As described above, when the maintenance cover 210 is attached, the engagement portion 603 is engaged with the main body 200. For example, as shown in (d), even when a patient or the like pushes the engagement portion 603 with a finger to release the attached state of the maintenance cover 210, the engagement portion 603 has no portion that is caught by the finger, and thus the cover 210 is not caught. It cannot lift itself and cannot be released.
[0045]
However, by using the suction cup 602 made of plastic (or vinyl or rubber), the mounted state can be easily released. Therefore, when an installer performs maintenance inside the apparatus, the suction cover 602 is used to remove the maintenance cover 210 to perform maintenance. In other cases, the maintenance cover 210 is attached and the maintenance work is performed by patients. The inside of the device is not easily tampered with.
[0046]
In the first place, an oxygen concentrator as used in the present invention is used 24 hours a day by a patient, and the normal operation of the device has a significant effect on the health of the patient. It is necessary to constantly monitor operating conditions with caution. That is, a considerable monitoring burden is imposed on patients and their assistants.
[0047]
On the other hand, in the present invention, the elements required for maintenance are linearly installed in the upper part of the center of the apparatus, so that the maintenance part of the patient is clarified, and those that are used less frequently are hidden by a protective cover or the like. This makes it possible to further clarify the important parts to the patient. In this way, the patient does not need to look around the device when operating or monitoring the device, and only needs to monitor the required portion in the upper center of the device. In addition, it is not necessary to take an unreasonable posture when performing operations such as cleaning the humidifier with purified water and the filter, so that the burden on the patient can be reduced. Thereby, the monitoring burden imposed on the patient or the like is reduced physically and mentally.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an oxygen concentrating device that improves the operability and visibility of the device by a patient or an assistant, and considers the usability of patients.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2a is a front view of an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2b is a diagram of the appearance of the oxygen concentrator according to the present invention, as seen from above.
FIG. 2c illustrates the use of an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2d is a view of the oxygen concentrator according to the present invention, as seen from the back.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display form of a flow monitor 201 in an oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of a flow setting dial 115 and a flow display 207a in the oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining replacement of a dustproof filter 101 in the oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a maintenance cover 210 in the oxygen concentrator according to the present invention.

Claims (5)

Compression means for compressing the air taken in from the air intake, and adsorption means for adsorbing a predetermined component other than oxygen in the compressed air and removing it from the compressed air, An oxygen concentrator comprising a buffer tank for accumulating concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component has been removed, and a box-shaped casing for housing the compression means, the adsorption means and the buffer tank,
An upper cover that protects an upper portion of the housing;
A humidifier for humidifying the concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component has been removed,
The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein the upper cover includes a tapered loading section for detachably loading the humidifier substantially at the center of the cover. Control means for controlling the supply amount of concentrated oxygen from which the predetermined component accumulated in the buffer tank has been removed, further comprising control means having a removable cover,
The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein the upper cover is configured to be able to load the control means near the humidifier. A display unit for displaying the supply amount of the air controlled by the control unit,
Illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance at the installation location of the oxygen concentrator,
According to the illuminance detected by the illuminance detection means, comprising a brightness control means for controlling the display brightness of the display unit,
The oxygen concentrator according to claim 2, wherein the upper cover is configured to be able to load the display unit near the control unit. Oxygen concentration detecting means for detecting the oxygen concentration in the air stored in the buffer tank,
A notification unit that notifies the oxygen concentration based on the detection result by the oxygen concentration detection unit,
The oxygen concentrator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper cover is configured to be able to load the notification unit near the humidifier. The oxygen concentrator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing includes a replaceable member, and the member has a plurality of designs.

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