JP2831399B2 - Respiratory gas supply system and respiratory gas supply device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Applications of the Invention> The present invention relates to a respiratory gas supply device for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient with a respiratory disease or the like, using a transmitting unit, a receiving unit via a communication unit, and a receiving unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for monitoring a respiratory gas supply device. Further, the present invention provides a respiratory gas supply device adapted to such a system.

<Conventional technology> Conventionally, oxygen therapy supplied from an oxygen cylinder to a patient with respiratory disease has been performed. Recently, an oxygen concentrator for separating and concentrating oxygen in the air to obtain an oxygen-enriched gas has been developed. It has been developed and oxygen therapy using it is becoming more and more popular.

Such oxygen concentrators include, for example, an adsorption type oxygen concentrator using an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing nitrogen as an oxygen concentrating function unit, and a membrane oxygen concentrator using an oxygen selective permeable membrane as an oxygen concentrating function unit. There is a vessel.

As another oxygen supply method using oxygen therapy,
It is also known to provide a patient with oxygen vaporized at an appropriately controlled rate from liquid oxygen.

Such oxygen concentrators are increasingly used not only in hospitals but also in homes for home care. Incidentally, these oxygen concentrators are individually arranged in hospitals and homes, and the operating conditions are separately grasped and managed.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> The present invention makes it easy to grasp the operation status of each device for a large number of oxygen concentrators which are individually arranged and whose operation is controlled as described above. The purpose is to be able to perform maintenance management efficiently.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system capable of grasping the state of the apparatus and the state of the patient using the apparatus in a concentrated manner.

That is, the oxygen concentrator used for medical purposes assists the breathing of the patient using the same, and is often directly connected to the maintenance of the life of the patient, and the oxygen concentrator is in an appropriate use state. It is important to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred, to accurately determine if an abnormality has occurred, and to take countermeasures as quickly as possible. Particularly when the oxygen concentrator is used at home, it is important to properly control its use.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present inventors have developed a respiratory gas supply device that can easily and reliably grasp the use status of a respiratory gas supply device such as a medical oxygen concentrator. As a result of intensive research to provide, specific information collecting means and storage means are provided in individual breathing gas supply devices (hereinafter simply referred to as supply devices) which are dispersed and arranged as in each home, and transmission means are provided. In addition, it has been found that it is practically effective to connect to the receiving means, which is a center for information collection, via the communication means, and has reached the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides: (i) a respiratory gas generating means, a respiratory gas supplying means for providing the respiratory gas for use, and a means for detecting or collecting information on use of the generating means and the supplying means. (Ii) a respiratory gas supply device comprising: an information collection unit; a conversion unit for converting the information as necessary; and a storage unit for storing the information as necessary. Transmitting means for transmitting the stored information; (iii) receiving means for receiving the information transmitted from the transmitting means; and (iv) communication between the transmitting means and the receiving means. A respiratory gas supply system comprising:

In a more preferable aspect, the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention includes a respiratory gas flow rate setting means for use by the respiratory gas supply device, wherein the information is the flow rate setting. A respiratory gas supply system relating to a flow set value in the means; the respiratory gas supply device having means for detecting an operation time thereof, wherein the information is related to the operation time. A system comprising: an oxygen concentrator for separating oxygen-enriched gas having an increased oxygen concentration from air; and supplying air to the oxygen concentrator or oxygen from the oxygen concentrator. Pump means with an electric motor for taking out the concentrated gas, wherein the respiratory gas supply device has a pressure, a temperature, and an oxygen concentration of the oxygen-enriched gas. Means for detecting at least one type of information of the concentration and the flow rate and comparing it with a corresponding predetermined value input in advance, and determining that the at least one type of information is abnormal as compared with the corresponding predetermined value A gas supply system for breathing, which is detected as an abnormality alarm in the case where the gas supply device has a built-in microcomputer, and the information is information on overcurrent, abnormal operation of the microcomputer and abnormal power supply voltage. A respiratory gas supply system relating to at least one of the above; a respiratory gas generating means comprising a liquid oxygen storage means provided with a liquid level or weight detecting means, wherein the information is stored in a liquid oxygen liquid A respiratory gas supply system relating to surface or weight; the converting means converting the analog signal collected by the information collecting means into a digital signal A / D signal conversion means for conversion and a respiratory gas supply system which is a parallel / serial conversion means for converting into a communication signal; the communication means uses a telephone line, and the transmission means transmits. A respiratory gas supply system comprising transmission control means for preventing transmission during use of a telephone connected to a means for storing a destination telephone number; respiratory gas comprising a network control means; A supply system; and the receiving unit performs, if necessary, an inverse conversion unit for performing a reverse conversion of the conversion, a display unit of the received information, a storage unit of the information, and an operation using the information. A respiratory gas supply system including at least one kind of arithmetic means is included. It is practically more preferable that the receiving means include a display means such as a display screen or a printer.

Each of these has a practically excellent effect that the use state of the respiratory gas supply device and the maintenance management thereof can be performed more easily and reliably.

Further, the present invention includes a breathing gas supply system in which the transmitting means also has a receiving function unit, and the receiving means also has a transmitting function unit. In this system, the respiratory gas supply device includes a display unit for displaying information transmitted from the transmission function unit of the reception unit and received by the reception function unit of the transmission unit. A respiratory gas supply system is included. With such a configuration, it is possible to facilitate more reliable maintenance and the like of the device from a remote place.

The present invention also includes a breathing gas supply system in which the receiving means has an automatic transfer function unit. In such a system, an automatic transferable unit of the receiving means includes a communication unit. A respiratory gas supply system to which the transfer information receiving means is connected is included. Such a configuration provides an advantage that urgent measures can be more easily performed.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of sets obtained by combining the respiratory gas supply device and the transmitting means are connected to one receiving means via communication means, respectively, and A plurality of sets combining the breathing gas supply device and the transmitting means are connected to one receiving means via communication means, respectively, and the receiving means is further provided with a plurality of transfer information receiving means via each communication means. A connected breathing gas supply system is included. Such a system facilitates management of a large number of respiratory gas supply devices, and is particularly effective when used at home.

Further, in the present invention, a respiratory gas generating means, a respiratory gas supply means for providing the respiratory gas for use, and information collection for detecting or inputting information on use of the generating means and the supply means It is an object of the present invention to provide a respiratory gas supply device comprising: means, conversion means for converting the information as required, and storage means for storing information as required. Such a device is easily adaptable to systems having the advantages described above.

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

The respiratory gas supply system according to the present invention includes a respiratory gas supply device, a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a communication unit for connecting them.

Such a respiratory gas supply device, a respiratory gas generating means, a supply means for providing the gas for use, and an information collecting means for collecting information on their use,
It is provided with a conversion unit for converting the information as needed, and a storage unit for storing the information as needed. Specific examples of such storage means include a combination of a RAM (random access memory) and a battery, and a non-volatile memory. The storage means may be independent, or may be incorporated in the conversion means.

Respiratory gases include air, oxygen-enriched gas (ie, concentrated oxygen) separated and concentrated from air used for assisting breathing, oxygen, as well as those mixed with drug vapor and the like. Usually, oxygen-enriched gas or oxygen is often used.

Examples of the means for generating respiratory gas include an oxygen cylinder having a predetermined amount of oxygen outflow function unit, an oxygen concentrator for separating oxygen-enriched gas from the air, and a liquid oxygen device having a predetermined amount of oxygen outflow function unit. Storage tanks and the like. As the oxygen concentrator, there are an adsorption type and a film type, and in some cases, a type utilizing magnetism. For example, in the case of a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator and a membrane type oxygen concentrator, oxygen or nitrogen is selectively adsorbed as an oxygen concentrating function unit for separating oxygen enriched gas having an increased oxygen concentration from air. One or more adsorbent beds filled with a possible adsorbent and a module of a membrane capable of selectively permeating oxygen are used. Usually, one of a compressor and a membrane module for introducing compressed air to the adsorbent beds, respectively. Pump means with an electric motor, which is a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure in the space on the side, is used. Further, if necessary, a fan means for generating cooling air for cooling these pump means is provided. Further, a conduit means for operatively connecting the oxygen concentrating function section and the pump means, and an automatic or manual opening / closing valve required for the conduit means are provided.

The supply means for supplying the respirable gas for use includes those provided with a conduit means, a nasal cannula, a mask and the like.

The information collecting means is for collecting information on the use of the generating means and the supplying means, and preferably includes a detecting means and an external input means as needed for the collection. Such information is appropriately selected according to the generating means. For example, in the case of a membrane-type or adsorption-type oxygen concentrator, the pressure, oxygen concentration, flow rate, temperature in the concentrator, current, power supply voltage, Concerning abnormalities in the built-in computer, etc., the patient's name such as oxygen concentration, flow rate, pressure, temperature, etc., as required, operating time of the concentrator, set flow rate used, concentrator base number, patient name, etc. And other information. The specific information in the case of the liquid oxygen storage device includes the liquid level, the total weight, and the like. Note that these pieces of information may be collected by being detected by a detection unit provided in the apparatus. For example, a detector (that is, a tester) including an oxygen concentration detector or a flow meter may be used. If necessary, it may be detected by being connected to an oxygen concentrator, input by the input means, and collected.

For information on abnormalities, for example, when the respiratory gas generating means is an oxygen concentrator, the pressure, temperature, oxygen concentration, and the gas concentration of the gas detected by the detecting means provided in the oxygen concentrator or externally connected as necessary. The information relating to the flow rate and the like is compared by a comparing means with each predetermined value inputted and stored in advance, and when at least one type of information is judged to be abnormal from the result of the comparison, it is detected as an abnormal alarm. Preferably, the gas pressure here refers to the pressure in an adsorption bed or an oxygen-enriched gas storage tank that is usually checked in the case of, for example, a pressure fluctuation adsorption-type oxygen concentrator, and in the case of a membrane oxygen concentrator. Means the pressure in the region depressurized by the vacuum pump. The temperature refers to, for example, the temperature of the internal space of a compressor room or a vacuum pump room of an adsorption-type or membrane-type oxygen concentrator. The flow rate refers to the flow rate of the breathing gas normally used.

As the conversion means provided in the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention, for example, when the information is an analog signal, an analog / digital (A / D) conversion means or a parallel /
Serial signal conversion means. If the information is based on a contact signal or an operation signal, it is desirable to use the information as it is without going through such a conversion means.

In addition, microcomputer means is preferably used as storage means provided in the apparatus of the present invention. In this case, at least one of overcurrent, computer operation abnormality, power supply voltage abnormality, and the like may be used as information relating to abnormality. desirable. In the case of the pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator, it is desirable that the microcomputer controls the automatic opening / closing valve for performing the adsorption / desorption cycle.

In the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention, a preferred specific example of the transmitting means is a network control means, and a preferable specific example of the communication means is one using a telephone line. In particular, the transmission means includes storage means for storing a telephone number of the destination, a transmission schedule, and the like, and further includes a connection means for a telephone line so that transmission can be performed only when the telephone connected to the telephone line is not used. The network control means provided with the transmission control means for performing this is practically and advantageously used. As the telephone line as the communication means, it is desirable to use a communication telephone line between the transmitting means and the telephone station and a dedicated line between the telephone station and the receiving means.

In the receiving means in the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention, the information converted by the converting means of the respiratory gas supply device may be, for example, serial /
It is practically preferable to provide a means for performing reverse conversion such as parallel conversion. Further, it is preferable that the receiving means include a display screen for outputting and displaying the received information or a display means such as a printer. In addition, the receiving unit may include an operation unit for performing various operations using the received information.

Further, the transmitting means in the system of the present invention may be provided with a receiving function part, and the receiving means may also be provided with a transmitting function part. For example, it is possible to specify a transmitting function from the transmitting means or a filter used in the oxygen concentrator. It is practically advantageous that a command at the time of replacement is input from input means provided in the receiving means and transmitted from the transmitting function part to the receiving function part of the transmitting means. In this case, it is desirable to provide a display means for displaying, for example, the time of replacement of the filter in the oxygen concentrator or the transmission means.

It is preferable that the receiving means in the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention is provided with a function unit for transferring to another receiving means, preferably an automatic transfer function unit. Communication means is connected to the automatic transfer function unit,
It is necessary to provide a transfer information receiving means before that. In addition, an alarm requiring an urgent measure is adopted as the transfer information, and the transfer information received at the sales office in charge of the aftercare of the respiratory gas supply device that issued the information or carried by the person in charge. It is practically preferable to transfer the data to a means. Such transfer information receiving means includes:
It may operate constantly, or operate only at night or on holidays.

Further, as a system of the present invention, there is a system in which a plurality of sets in which a breathing gas supply device and a transmitting means are combined are connected to one receiving means via the transmitting means. Thus, a large number of respiratory gas supply devices can be connected via communication means to one receiving means, which is a central device incorporating computer means, and the operating state of each device, the history of use, and in some cases, It is easy to intensively grasp the condition of the patient using the apparatus. still,
A plurality of respiratory gas supply devices may be combined with one transmission unit to form one set.

A system in which a plurality of sets combining a breathing gas supply device and a transmitting means are connected to one receiving means via a communication means, and further, the receiving means is connected to a plurality of transfer information receiving means by separate communication means. Is more effective in practical use. A subsystem in which a plurality of sets combining a breathing gas supply device and a transmitting means are connected to one receiving means via a communication means is defined as a subsystem, and the plurality of sets of such subsystems are further connected to a center via the communication means. The system may be connected to one receiving unit as a device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a breathing gas supply system of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a patient's home, 2 is a nasal cannula as a respiratory gas supply means, and 3 is a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator having a function as a respiratory gas generation means. It is shown. The concentrator may have any function as long as it has a function suitable for the purpose, and details of the structure are omitted. As an example of the specific structure, for example,
140619. Reference numeral 4 denotes a concentration sensor, 5 denotes a flow sensor, 6 denotes an hour meter, and 7 denotes external input means. Reference numeral 8 denotes an A / D converter, which also includes storage means combining a RAM and a battery. Reference numeral 9 denotes a terminal network controller (NCU) [manufactured by NTT Kansai Telecon Corporation], and reference numeral 10 denotes a connection device for branching from the patient's home telephone 11 to the terminal NCU.

21 is a telephone office, 22 is a communication telephone line, and 23 is a dedicated telephone line.

Reference numeral 31 denotes an information center as a receiving means, 32 denotes a network controller (NCU) for incoming calls, 33
Is a data processing system (that is, a computer) having arithmetic means and the like, 34 is a communication control system also having a function as a transfer means, and 35 is a modem functioning as an automatic transfer to another receiving means. In addition, as a connection method of 33 and 34, F / D (floppy diskette type memory)
Alternatively, direct connection may be used, and both may be included in the same CPU. Numeral 36 denotes a CRT as a display screen, and numeral 37 denotes a printer, both of which are for displaying the results of calculations in the data processing system. 38 is an outgoing network controller (NCU) [NTT Kansai Telecon Corporation]
Numeral 24 denotes a dedicated telephone line which does not ring the bell of the central office 11 by adding an NRT (noring trunk) at the central office 21. Reference numeral 39 denotes an input means for inputting command information at the time of transmission.

41 is an information transfer communication means at the time of an alarm, 42 is transfer information receiving means, and 43 is a receiver including a modem and a CPU. Reference numeral 44 denotes a telephone office when the transfer communication means is performed via a telephone line, and reference numerals 45 and 46 each denote a dedicated telephone line. 47
Denotes a printer as a display unit of transfer information.

<Effect of the Invention> The respiratory gas supply system of the present invention has an excellent advantage that information on the use state of a respiratory gas supply device using an oxygen concentrator or the like can be easily collected at a remote place. It is something that can be done. In particular, the present invention has an excellent effect that, in the case of a respiratory gas supply device used even at home, the use state can be grasped and maintenance management can be performed efficiently and accurately.

Further, the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention can be easily adapted to a respiratory gas supply system having such advantages.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the respiratory gas supply system of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Shigeru Takagi 1-6-7 Minamihonmachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Teijin Limited (56) References JP-A-57-160434 (JP, A) JP-A JP-A-62-275003 (JP, A) JP-A-61-16748 (JP, A) JP-A-60-17414 (JP, U) JP-A-60-118723 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int) .Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A61M 16/00 370

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] (I) An oxygen concentrating function unit for separating an oxygen-enriched gas having an increased oxygen concentration from air, which is individually arranged at a user's house, and air is provided in the oxygen concentrating function unit. Supply means for supplying oxygen or removing oxygen-enriched gas from the oxygen-concentrating function section, oxygen supply means for providing oxygen for use, and use of the generation means and supply means An oxygen supply device comprising: information collecting means for collecting information on information by detection or input; conversion means for converting the information; and storage means for storing the information; (ii) the storage; Transmitting means for transmitting the information stored by the means to the information center; (iii) receiving means arranged at the information center for receiving information transmitted from the transmitting means; (iv)
A home medical oxygen supply system comprising communication means for performing communication between the transmitting means and the receiving means via a telephone line. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said oxygen supply device comprises flow rate setting means for breathing gas to be provided for use, and said information includes a flow rate setting value in said flow rate setting means. Home medical oxygen supply system. 3. The home medical oxygen supply system according to claim 1, wherein said oxygen supply device has means for detecting the operation time thereof, and said information includes information relating to said operation time. 4. The home medical care system according to claim 2, wherein the oxygen supply device has input means for patient information using the oxygen supply device, and the information includes information relating to the patient information. Oxygen supply system. 5. An oxygen supply device comprising: a detecting means for detecting at least one kind of information of a gas pressure, a temperature, an oxygen concentration and a flow rate of an oxygen-enriched gas, and a means for comparing with a corresponding predetermined value inputted in advance. Having, if the at least one type of information is found to be abnormal compared to the corresponding predetermined value,
The home medical oxygen supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the system is detected as an abnormal alarm. 6. The oxygen supply device according to claim 5, wherein the oxygen supply device includes a microcomputer, and the information includes at least one of an overcurrent, a microcomputer operation abnormality, and a power supply voltage abnormality. Home medical oxygen supply system. 7. The home medical use according to claim 1, wherein said oxygen generating means comprises a liquid oxygen storage means having a liquid level or weight detecting means, and said information includes information relating to said liquid level or weight. Oxygen supply system. 8. The home medical oxygen system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission means includes transmission control means for preventing transmission when using a telephone connected to means for storing a destination telephone number. Feeding system. 9. The home medical oxygen supply system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means has a receiving function part, and said receiving means also has a transmitting function part. 10. The oxygen supply device further comprises display means for displaying information transmitted from the transmission function unit of the reception means and received by the reception function unit of the transmission means. Home medical oxygen supply system. 11. The home medical care system according to claim 10, wherein said receiving means has an automatic transfer function part, and said transfer information receiving means is connected to said automatic transfer function part of said receiving means via communication means. Oxygen supply system. 12. The home medical oxygen supply according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets obtained by combining said oxygen supply device and said transmission means are connected to one reception means via communication means. system. 13. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said means is independently and individually arranged at a user's house.
An oxygen concentrating function section for separating oxygen-enriched gas having an increased oxygen concentration from air, and a pump means with a motor for supplying air to the oxygen concentrating function section or removing the oxygen-enriched gas from the oxygen concentrating function section An oxygen generating means comprising: an oxygen supplying means for providing oxygen for use; an information collecting means for collecting information on the use of the generating means and the supplying means by detection or input; and converting the information. At-home medical oxygen supply device comprising a conversion means for storing information and a storage means for storing information.