JP2857005B2 - Respiratory gas supply device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a respiratory gas supply apparatus using a gas humidifier having a specific structure. More specifically, the present invention provides a respiratory gas supply device using an improved humidifier that can perform humidification moderately even when the flow rate of gas greatly changes and can be used continuously for a long time. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, oxygen therapy for providing oxygen from an oxygen cylinder to a patient with respiratory disease has been performed. Recently, oxygen using oxygen-enriched air obtained by concentrating oxygen in the air has been used. With the development of therapies, the treatments are becoming increasingly popular.

In these oxygen therapies, when supplying a gas such as oxygen or oxygen-enriched air to a patient's nasal cavity, the gas is usually humidified to near saturated water vapor pressure in order to prevent drying in the patient's nasal cavity. A device has been devised to supply gas. That is, in the case of oxygen from an oxygen gas cylinder, liquid oxygen, or the like, since the humidity is too low as it is, it is supplied to a patient after being humidified by passing through, for example, a bubble-type humidifier. In order to obtain oxygen-enriched air, an adsorption-type oxygen enricher or a membrane-type oxygen enricher is used. A humidifier is used to supply humidified enriched air to the patient because it is hardly contained.

Some of these humidifying means are connected to the inflow portion of the breathing gas by screws or one-touch couplers, but the operation is difficult depending on the patient.

[0005]

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem. That is, the present invention simplifies these operations so that the humidifying means (container) can be easily fixed simply by pressing the humidifying means (container) substantially horizontally in the storage place. An object of the present invention is to provide an oxygen-enriched gas supply device which does not require the operation of the conventional fine parts and reduces the burden on the user.

[0006]

As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the humidifying means (container) is mounted by considering the humidifying means (container) in combination with the housing wall constituting member forming a breathing gas (oxygen) supply device. , Which facilitates desorption.

That is, the present invention provides a means for generating respiratory gas,
A respiratory gas supply device comprising a supply means for supplying a respiratory gas from the generating means for use, wherein the supply means includes a respiratory gas inflow portion, a humidified gas outflow portion, and water. It consists of a filled receiver and a lid, the opening of the inflow portion is located in a space above the filling water, and at least a part of the breathing gas is humidified by passing through at least a part of the space. Respiratory gas, characterized by being provided with humidifying means, the connection of which is made by being mounted on a fixed position of the device by a substantially horizontal pushing action. Provide a supply device.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the connection of the humidifying means is connected to the inlet nozzle of the breathing gas and the outlet nozzle of the humidified gas, and each of the nozzle portions Can be connected by plugging in the respective ends of the conduit means which can communicate with said generating means and the downstream conduit means of the supply means.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes an apparatus provided with a handle for facilitating insertion / removal of the humidifier in a substantially horizontal direction on the lid of the humidifier.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention is provided with means for attaching the humidifying means and fixing the humidifying means to provide a necessary tightening pressure for preventing gas from leaking, at a portion other than the nozzle portion of the humidifying container. A gas supply is included.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the humidifying means includes:
The respiratory gas supply device includes a water surface area changing means for changing an area of a filling water surface in accordance with a flow rate of the respiratory gas passing through the space.

Further, in the apparatus according to the present invention, the water surface area changing means is formed of a planar member which can float on the water surface to prevent water evaporation, and is determined in accordance with the range of the flow rate of the breathing gas. A respiratory gas supply device having an area is included.

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the respiratory gas generating means uses at least one selected from a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating means, an oxygen cylinder means and a liquid oxygen storage means. A supply device is included.

According to the present invention, there is provided such a breathing gas supply device, wherein the supply means includes a humidifying means for humidifying the breathing gas, and a flow of the breathing gas downstream or upstream of the humidifying means. The apparatus may further include a respiratory gas supply device including a gas flow confirmation unit for confirming the gas flow including a movable visible member.

In the following, while referring to the drawings as needed,
The present invention will be described in more detail.

FIG. 1 shows a specific example of a respiratory gas supply apparatus of the present invention using a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating means. That is, in a state where the solenoid valves 12 and 18 are opened, FIG.
As described above, compressed air is introduced into the adsorption bed 31 by the compressor 34 through the valve 35 to adsorb nitrogen, and the obtained oxygen-enriched gas is stored in the surge tank 33 through the conduit 13. After the oxygen-enriched gas stored in the surge tank 33 is regulated by the pressure reducing valve 19,
The bacterium is sterilized by 0, set to a predetermined flow rate by the flow setting device 22, humidified by the humidifying means (humidifier) 37, and supplied to a patient with a respiratory disease or the like via a nasal cannula connected to the conduit. Incidentally, the humidifier 37 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as described above is preferably used. Further, the flow meter 24 is a gas flow confirming means that can be visually observed as shown in FIG. 4 described later.

After the adsorption has been continued for a predetermined time, the valve 12 is closed and the valve 35 is switched so that the compressor 3
Using the vacuum pump 4 as a vacuum pump, the pressure in the adsorption bed 31 is reduced to perform desorption. After desorption for a predetermined time,
By switching the valve 35 to introduce the pressurized air into the adsorbent bed 31, and further by opening the valve 12 to cause the oxygen-enriched gas to flow back from the surge tank 33, the adsorbent bed is repressurized, and Is introduced into the adsorption bed 31 to perform the adsorption step.

The conduit 14 on the downstream side of the surge tank 33
Alternatively, the product tank may be arranged in series via a check valve. In this case, even if the internal pressure of the surge tank becomes lower than that of the product tank during re-pressurization, the product tank does not flow backward.

In FIG. 1, a blower 36 is for mainly supplying a cooling air for cooling the compressor 34.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the compressor 34 and the blower 36 are housed in a sound deadening box, and a partition plate having an opening is provided in the sound deadening box to provide a chamber upstream of the cooling air flow. Blower 36
In this case, the compressor 34 is disposed in the downstream chamber, and the open end of the intake-side conduit means of the flow path switching valve 35 is located in the chamber housing the blower. It is desirable that a filter be provided in the cooling air intake of the apparatus.

When the flow rate of the oxygen-enriched gas is as large as, for example, about 4 l / min or more, and the humidifier 37 is used as shown in FIG. It is desirable that the air heated by the heat radiation of the compressor be caused to flow around the humidifier 37 by a duct or the like. Also, for the tube between the humidifier 37 and the flow meter 24, similarly, heated air is allowed to flow around the tube in order to prevent clouding and the like due to dew condensation in the tube. desirable.

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the humidifying means (humidifier) used in the present invention. The inlet nozzle 1 for breathing gas, the outlet nozzle 2 and the receiver for the filling water 3 are shown. It consists of a cover 4 and a cover 5 which is joined to the receiver via a seal member 8 with a screw or a one-touch structure. The inflow portion and the outflow portion are open at the end portions 45 and 46 in the space 7, respectively.

The end 41 of the conduit means which can communicate with the generating means
And the end 42 of the supply means of the respiratory gas such as oxygen-enriched gas such as oxygen-enriched gas such as a nasal cannula is arranged in a state protruding substantially horizontally in the back side of the humidifying means housing part in the device, By pushing each of the inflow nozzle 1 and the outflow nozzle 2 of the humidifying means into the protruding ends 41 and 42 in a substantially horizontal direction, the seal provided on each of the ends 41 and 42 is provided. Through the members 43 and 44, the end 41 can be airtightly inserted into the inflow nozzle 1 and the end 42 can be airtightly inserted into the outflow nozzle 2. In addition, as the seal member 8 and 43, 44, those generally used as a sealant, such as rubber such as silicone rubber, plastic, and cloth can be used. In addition, as a storage portion of such a humidifier, the inflow portion nozzle 1 and the end portion 41,
It is preferable that the bottom surface and both side surfaces of the humidifier are designed to match the storage state of the humidifier, that is, the dimensions fitted to the humidifier so that the outlet nozzle 2 and the end portion 42 are easily fitted to each other. .

The inflow nozzle and the outflow nozzle are integrated into one unit in appearance, and the internal flow passage is divided into two by a concentric or flat partition member. The parts may also be adapted to them.

When the humidifier of the present invention is used, the humidifier can be easily inserted simply by applying a lateral force, and the inside of the downstream tube by the entrainment like a conventional humidifier of the bubble type is used. This is more hygienic because no water droplets are generated in the humidifier and, for example, the filling water in the humidifier does not move to the downstream tube even if there is contamination or bacteria.

As described above, the humidifier of the present invention can be inserted and inserted only by inserting and inserting in a substantially horizontal direction into a predetermined storage portion. End 41 and outlet nozzle 2 and end 4
The humidifier fixing means for applying the necessary tightening pressure for preventing the humidifier from leaking from the connection seal portion of No. 2 or No. 1
It is preferable to provide the parts other than the part. As a specific mode of such fixing means, there are provided stopper means such as projections on the outer portion of the bottom surface where the humidifier is located so that the humidifier is located in a predetermined place, or humidification in a state where the humidifier is stored. And a device provided with a cover means for pressing the container.

As means for introducing the breathing gas into the space of the humidifying means, the nozzle of the humidifier lid connected to one of the nozzles may be extended halfway in the container as shown in FIG. . Further, a partition plate and a collision plate may be provided in the space to prevent a short path.

FIG. 3 shows a more preferable example of the humidifier used in the present invention, in which a flat member 9 for eliminating water evaporation is floated on the surface of the filling water 3. 1 to 7 in the same figure mean the same contents as in FIG. The inflow end 44 may extend to near the water surface as shown in FIG. This may be the tip of either the inlet 1 or the outlet 2. Alternatively, it may be similar to a partition plate. Here, the flat member 9 may be, for example, a plastic plate or a plastic film member floating on water.

The flow rate of the respiratory assist gas such as oxygen-enriched gas containing 90% or more of oxygen is 0.2
When the flow rate is 5 to 2 l / min (liter / min), the remaining water surface when floating on the water surface is reduced by 40 to 70%, more preferably 50 to 70%, of the relatively low flow rate of the respiratory assist gas at room temperature. It must be designed and prepared in advance so as to have an evaporation area capable of humidifying to a relative humidity of up to 70%.

In such a low flow rate range of 0.25 to 2 l / min, the respiratory assist gas is easily humidified to a high relative humidity of, for example, 90% or more by the evaporation of the filling water from the entire water surface as shown in FIG. In addition, the problem that dew condensation occurs in the conduit on the downstream side is likely to occur. The lower the temperature of the chamber and the lower the flow rate, the higher the relative humidity, which tends to cause this phenomenon. Therefore, it is particularly necessary to reduce humidification in such a low flow rate region. By using a humidifier having a water surface area changing means of the present invention,
It is possible to surely keep the humidity within a relatively lower range of about 40 to 70% than the conventional humidity. In addition, when using a normal nasal cannula, 0.25-2 l / mi
At a flow rate of the respiratory assist gas in the range of n, a large amount of air around the nose is inhaled, so that even if the relative humidity is about 40%, the problem such as overdrying of the nasal cavity for the patient may occur. It was found that no particular problem occurred. As described above, the apparatus of the present invention has confirmed that there is no particular problem even if the degree of humidification in the low flow rate region is lower than usual, and then ensures that the generation of water droplets due to dew condensation or the like in the downstream tube is ensured. This is to prevent it.

As means for changing the water surface area effective for humidification in the humidifier of the present invention, in addition to the means shown in FIG. 3, for example, the space 7 may be narrowed during operation in a low flow rate region. One in which a partition plate having a cylindrical shape or the like is attached to the lid 5 can be used. In this case, it is desirable to provide minute holes in the partition plate in order to balance the inner pressure. Note that the plate-like member 9 shown in FIG. 3 which has a simple structure and is easy to clean is practically preferable.

When the degree of humidification is insufficient when the flow rate of the respiratory gas in the humidifier of the present invention is as large as about 3 l / min or more, as will be described later, the exhaust heat of the combined motor-equipped compressor is used. In order to heat the humidifier, it is effective to provide, for example, a duct for flowing air heated by the exhaust heat to the periphery of the humidifier. In another embodiment, if necessary, the porous member is immersed in the filling water of the humidifier shown in FIG. 2 so that a part thereof is exposed on the surface of the water, and the porous member is formed by capillary action. The water that has risen may be evaporated from the exposed portion.

The flow rate setting means provided on the upstream side of the humidifying means in the breathing gas supply means in the breathing gas supply device of the present invention is provided by changing the flow resistance in the flow path of the breathing gas stepwise. One that sets the flow rate stepwise is mentioned. As a preferred specific example, for example, a thin plate-like member having a plurality of independent through holes having different hole diameters is provided, and the flow rate is set by selecting the through holes and allowing the gas to flow. . Other,
Instead of the plate-like member, there is a flow setting device provided with a plurality of thin tubes having different hole diameters or lengths.

Further, as an example of an embodiment of the gas flow confirming means provided on the downstream side of the humidifying means for confirming the flow of the breathing gas, a gas flow confirming means having a visible member which can be moved by the flow of the gas is mentioned. Can be As a specific example, there is a flowmeter in which a plastic ball 11 of a color different from that of the tapered tube is placed in a transparent plastic tapered tube member 10 as shown in FIG. As the plastic sphere 11, the flow rate of the breathing gas is, for example, 0.25 l.
It is desirable that the floating flow resistance does not pose a problem in the range of / l to 5 l / min. The gas flow checking means such as a flow meter only needs to be able to simply check the flow of the gas visually, and may have a simple structure having no flow rate measurement function. Another example of the gas flow confirmation means includes an impeller that can be rotated by the gas flow.

FIG. 5 shows a more preferred embodiment of the humidifying means used in the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 5A is a plan view showing a state where the humidifier is inserted and stored in a predetermined position of the storage unit 50 of the breathing gas supply device, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the humidifier. , FIG.
(C) shows a side view thereof. The reference numerals in FIG. 5 basically mean the same contents as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 (C), it is preferable that a handle means 50 is provided on the front side of the lid portion 5 so that the humidifier can be easily attached and detached.

In general, the seal between the receiver and the lid of the container in the humidifier is fastened with a screw through a gasket.
What can be closed by rotation of about 90 ° C., such as the packing 8 of FIG.

The supply means in the apparatus of the present invention controls the opening and closing based on the detection result by the respiration phase detection means having a function of detecting at least a part of a predetermined phase in respiration based on characteristic values of respiratory airflow. It is desirable to have an automatic opening / closing valve means. In this case, the breathing gas flowing out of the generating means is guided to the user's nose or mouth from the open-type supplying means via conduit means provided with an automatic opening / closing valve means (demand valve). That is, by controlling the opening and closing of the demand valve in accordance with the respiratory phase, it becomes possible to supply the respiratory gas only during the first half of the inspiratory phase, for example.

The open-type supply means supplies the breathing gas to the patient's nostrils and mouth without being sealed, and is, for example, a nasal cannula.

As the respiratory phase detecting means, any means can be used as long as it can detect the expiratory and inspiratory cycles during respiration. As a specific example, there is a means for detecting a value that changes based on breathing, such as pressure, temperature, and humidity, related to an airflow in an expiration and inhalation passage.

As the detecting means based on the pressure, there are a means for detecting a pressure fluctuation and a means for measuring the pressure itself.
The former is practically preferable, and the one that detects the rate of change of pressure is particularly effective in increasing the sensitivity. As a means for detecting pressure fluctuation, there is a pressure fluctuation detecting means using a diaphragm or the like in a conduit having an opening in a nostril or the like which is a passage through which expiration and inhalation pass. Among these, the pressure fluctuation detecting means is convenient because it can detect the fluctuation at a position away from the respiratory airflow such as a nostril, and in particular, a conduit means for pressure fluctuation detection is used for supplying breathing gas. There are advantages that can be shared with the conduit means.

The apparatus of the present invention is provided with control means for automatically opening and closing the demand valve based on the detection result of the respiratory phase detection means. In addition, as the control means, any commonly used control means may be used.
For example, a device using a microcomputer or the like can be used.

Preferred examples of the respiratory gas in the present invention include oxygen-enriched gas and oxygen in the air.
In addition, as means for generating respiratory gas, in addition to oxygen concentrating means for concentrating oxygen in the air, a means using a cylinder filled with oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas under high pressure or a tank filled with liquid oxygen is used. And the like. A preferable example of such an oxygen concentrating means is a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating means.

Further, the present invention relates to a respiratory gas supply device comprising a means for generating respiratory gas, and a supply means for supplying the respirable gas from the generator for use. Humidifying means for humidifying the use gas, and gas flow confirming means for confirming the gas flow provided with a visible member movable on the downstream or upstream side by the flow of the breathing gas. A respiratory gas supply device characterized by the above is included. As the humidifying means in such a device, in addition to the above-mentioned static water evaporation type,
Bubble type and the like can be mentioned, and specific examples of the gas flow confirmation means include the above-mentioned ones. It should be noted that such a breathing gas supply apparatus has a great practical advantage that gives a sense of security that a user such as a patient with a respiratory disease can directly check the flow of the breathing gas with his own eyes.

[0044]

According to the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention, the humidifier mounting means can be mounted by pushing in the horizontal direction, so that operability can be achieved even for relatively elderly patients who frequently use this device. Is greatly improved, and a practically excellent effect is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow sheet of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a humidifying means used in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a more preferable humidifying means used in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a gas flow confirming means used in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a specific example of a humidifying unit used in the apparatus of the present invention.

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A respiratory gas supply device comprising: a respiratory gas generating means; and a supplying means for supplying the respiratory gas from the generating means for use. And the outlet of the humidified gas, a receiver filled with water and a lid, the opening of the inlet is located in the space above the filling water, at least a part of the breathing gas Humidifying means humidified by passing through at least a part of the space portion, the connection being made by being inserted into a predetermined position of the device by a substantially horizontal pushing operation. A respiratory gas supply device comprising humidifying means. 2. A structure in which said humidifying means is connected via an inflow nozzle for breathing gas and an outflow nozzle for humidified gas, and each nozzle is connected to said generating means. 2. The respiratory gas supply device of claim 1, wherein the end of each of the conduit means and the conduit means downstream of the supply means can be connected by inserting and mounting. 3. A breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said humidifying means is provided at a portion other than said nozzle portion of said humidifying vessel, and said means for fixing said humidifying means to provide a necessary tightening pressure for preventing gas leakage. For gas supply. 4. The respiratory gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein a handle for facilitating attachment and detachment of the humidifier in a substantially horizontal direction is provided on a lid of the humidifier. 5. The humidifying means includes a water surface area changing means for changing an area of a filling water surface in accordance with a flow rate of a breathing gas passing through the space.
The respiratory gas supply device according to any one of the above. 6. The water surface area changing means comprises a planar member floating on the water surface and capable of preventing water evaporation, and having an area determined according to a range of the flow rate of the breathing gas. A respiratory gas supply device according to claim 5. 7. The supply means has flow rate setting means for setting a flow rate by stepwise changing a flow resistance in a flow path through which the breathing gas passes, and downstream of the flow rate setting means. The respiratory gas supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the humidifying means on the side, and further comprising a gas flow checking means for checking the flow of the respiratory gas downstream of the humidifying means. 8. The respiratory gas generating means uses at least one selected from a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrating means, an oxygen cylinder means and a liquid oxygen storage means. A respiratory gas supply device according to claim 1.