JP3251450B2 - 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 device having an automatic on-off valve operable in response to a respiratory cycle.

[0002] It is particularly preferable to provide an oxygen-enriched gas supply device, which is provided with an automatic opening / closing valve which can be operated in response to a respiratory cycle, which automatically detects the judgment of a continuous flow and a demand flow, and further automatically detects the flow rate. The present invention relates to a device in which switching of a decrease or an increase is controlled.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, in oxygen therapy for assisting respiration with oxygen gas performed on patients with respiratory diseases,
An automatic opening / closing valve for opening and closing according to the respiratory cycle and supplying a desired flow rate of oxygen intermittently is installed in the conduit, and if no intermittent supply is required, the automatic opening / closing valve is not installed There is known a device having a means for switching to a conduit for continuously supplying a flow of a different set value (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-221170, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-27254).

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a respiratory assist device including a demand valve for intermittently supplying respiratory gas in response to a user's respiratory cycle, such as the prior art. By enabling the demand valve and the control means attached to it to be placed near the user, the apparatus main body as a means for generating respiratory gas such as a pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator can be placed away from the user. It is another object of the present invention to provide a demand valve which can easily ensure the operation accuracy of the demand valve and can easily place the respiratory gas generating means in a distant place.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have made intensive studies to achieve the above object, and as a result, the main body is provided with a means for generating respiratory gas, and the hand-held operating device is provided with a respiratory phase detecting means and a demand valve. The present inventors have found that a device provided with such control means is effective, and have reached the present invention.

That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a conduit means having breathing gas generating means, one end communicating with the generating means and the other end having a release type supply means for breathing gas, and an automatic opening / closing valve means in the middle. And a respiratory phase detecting means having a function of detecting at least a part of a predetermined phase in a user's breathing, and for controlling opening and closing of the automatic opening / closing valve means based on a detection result of the respiratory phase detecting means. In a respiratory gas supply device provided with automatic opening / closing valve control means, a hand-operated device in which the automatic opening / closing valve means, the respiration phase detecting means and the automatic opening / closing valve control means can be used separately from the breathing gas generating means. The present invention provides a respiratory gas supply device characterized in that:

[0007] This device makes it easy for a user to carry and move a hand-operated device provided with a demand valve, and to ensure the accuracy of the demand valve even when the user moves.

In the apparatus of the present invention, a flow detecting means for breathing gas is provided in the middle of the conduit means, and when the flow detecting means detects a continuous flow, a discontinuous flow is detected. This includes those provided with flow control means for automatically lowering the flow rate of the respiratory gas as compared with the case where detection is performed. With this device, the user can easily move together with the demand valve, and the automatic switching between the demand flow mode and the continuous flow mode can be performed. Here, it is desirable that the flow rate detecting means and the flow rate controlling means are not provided on the hand controller side, but are preferably provided on the main body side including the breathing gas generating means. In this case, the operation switching between the demand flow and the continuous flow can be performed on the remote main body side, and the problem of noise generated on the main body side can be reduced.

The demand flow referred to in the present invention means a flow of respiratory gas intermittently supplied substantially corresponding to an inspiratory operation in a user's spontaneous breathing cycle. In addition, the continuous flow means a flow of the breathing gas that is continuously supplied.

Further, in the operation of the present invention, the flow rate control means may detect a discontinuous flow in the continuous flow path when the flow rate detection means detects the continuous flow. In this case, the demand diversion path includes a respiratory gas supply device that includes a flow path automatic switching control unit for causing the respiratory gas to flow.

In the above-mentioned device of the present invention, the hand-operated device automatically selects both the demand flow operation and the continuous flow operation according to the user's respiratory condition. And a respiratory gas supply device provided with automatic operation switching means. This device allows the user to easily switch between the demand flow and the continuous flow by adapting the user's respiratory condition.

In the above-mentioned apparatus of the present invention, the hand-operated device is provided with a supply-amount setting means for setting the supply amount of the respiratory gas when the operation is performed in the demant flow. A gas supply is included. This device ensures that a prescribed amount of respiratory gas is supplied that is adapted to the user's respiratory condition. In particular, an excellent effect is obtained in which the supply amount can be set in the demand flow at hand of the user.

Further, the above-mentioned device of the present invention is provided with a manual switching means for manually forcibly switching between operation in the continuous flow and operation in the demant flow in the hand controller. A respiratory gas supply is included. With this device, it is easy to reliably switch to continuous-flow-only operation.

As described above, the apparatus of the present invention is provided with a demand valve or the like in the hand controller and the flow rate detecting means separated from the demand valve is provided in the main body of the apparatus, so that the demand flow and the continuous flow can be switched. This can be performed on the device body side. It should be noted that it is inconvenient if the hand-held operating device is provided with means for switching between the demand flow and the continuous flow because the operating device becomes too large, and if a demand valve or the like is provided in the main body of the device, the nasal cannula is located at a remote position. It tends to be difficult to maintain the operation accuracy of the demand valve when using the valve.

Hereinafter, the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings as necessary.

A preferred apparatus of the present invention is one in which the respiratory gas is oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas, and the means for generating the gas is an oxygen concentrator, an oxygen cylinder, or a liquid oxygen storage tank. Examples of the oxygen concentrator include a membrane oxygen concentrator and an adsorption oxygen concentrator. Examples of the adsorption-type oxygen concentrator include a pressure fluctuation adsorption-type oxygen concentrator using an adsorption tower filled with a nitrogen adsorbent and a compressor or the like (for example, JP-A-5-220224).

The open-type supply means of the present invention supplies respiratory gas in a state in which it is not sealed to a patient's nostrils and mouths, that is, in a state where it is released to the atmosphere. For example, a nasal cannula is exemplified. .

As the automatic opening / closing valve means, a DC-excited solenoid valve, an AC-excited solenoid valve, an air-actuated automatic valve, a pilot-actuated solenoid valve, etc., have a slow acting iron core, etc. Is small, and is more preferable in terms of measures to reduce noise. In particular, a DC-excited solenoid valve is practical.

As the respiratory phase detecting means, any means can be used as long as it can detect respiration and the cycle of respiration 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. Other examples include those based on gas flow characteristics such as fluid logic elements.

There are two types of detecting means based on pressure, one for detecting pressure fluctuation and one for measuring 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, for example, 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.

The diaphragm type micro pressure fluctuation detecting means includes:
Some use metal materials such as stainless steel. Another example is a polymer film which has been surface-treated with a conductive substance for measuring pressure or differential pressure based on capacitance change as a diaphragm (JP-A-64-21).
No. 330). In particular, in the case of a detecting means using such a polymer film as a diaphragm, it is suitable for detecting a fluctuation of a small pressure or a small differential pressure of about several mmH ₂ O.
The conduit communicating with the space on one surface side of the diaphragm and having the other end opened in the nostril may be provided separately from conduit means for supplying respiratory gas to the nostril. May be provided on a single conduit means.

Means for detecting a temperature change include a means for placing a temperature sensing member, such as a thermocouple, in a passage for exhalation and inhalation, that is, in a respiratory airflow. Further, as an example of the means for detecting a change in humidity, there is a method using a hygrometer.

Among them, the pressure fluctuation detecting means is convenient because the fluctuation can be detected at a position away from the respiratory gas such as a nostril. Particularly, the conduit means for detecting the pressure fluctuation supplies the respiratory gas. There is an advantage that can be shared with the conduit means for carrying out.

At least a part of the predetermined phase in the respiration detected by the respiratory phase detecting means is at the start of inspiration, at the start of expiration, and the like. In particular, detection of the start of inspiration as a predetermined phase is practically advantageous because the supply of breathing gas can be stably performed in response to inspiration.

In the normal operation, the breathing gas supply device of the present invention opens and closes the automatic opening / closing means provided in the middle of the breathing gas supply conduit based on the detection result by the breathing phase detection means. At least in part of the inspiratory phase, the respiratory gas is intermittently supplied.

[0026]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a breathing gas supply apparatus according to the present invention.

However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

In FIG. 1, the pressure fluctuation adsorption type oxygen concentrator 1
The oxygen from the oxygen generating means 1 serving as the oxygen concentrating means housed in 9 is a continuous flow based on the detection result of the flow rate detecting means 4 or
A flow path 5a for a continuous flow having a flow rate setting means 16 or a throttle which is switched by a demand flow flow switching means 2 or a three-way valve controlled by a demand flow flow switching control means 3 It passes through the demand flow channel 5b having the means 17 and reaches the extension tube 6 which is the conduit means. Further, the demand valve 7 controlled by the demand valve controller 8 based on the detection result of the respiratory phase detecting means 9 provided in the hand controller 12.
Is supplied to the user from the open type supply means of the nasal cannula 11. Note that A in FIG.
For convenience, the flow control means and the flow detection means 4 composed of the above are shown as a set.

FIG. 2 shows another specific example of the set A in FIG. Instead of the continuous flow or demand flow flow switching means 2 in FIG. 1, the continuous flow or demand flow flow switching control means 23 is controlled based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means 24. 2 way valve 2
2a and 22b are connected to a continuous flow channel 25a having a flow rate setting means 26 and a demand flow channel 2 having a throttle means 27.
5b.

The means for detecting the flow rate of the breathing gas provided in the conduit means in the apparatus of the present invention can distinguish whether the flow of the breathing gas is a continuous flow or a discontinuous flow of a demand flow. If it is, any thing may be used. As a specific example of such a flow detecting means, there is a flow detecting means 4 shown in FIG. That is, as the flow detecting means 4, there are flow detecting means such as an area flow meter, a surface flow meter, an impeller flow meter, a thermal flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, a mass flow meter, and an eddy flow meter. Can be used.

The flow rate control means in the apparatus according to the present invention may correspond to the detection result of the above flow rate detection means.
Any device can be used as long as the flow of the breathing gas can be automatically reduced when the flow of the breathing gas is continuous as compared with the case of the discontinuous flow. As a specific example of such a flow rate control means, a flow rate control means 3, a flow path switching means 2, and a flow path 5a for continuous flow and a flow path 5b for demand flow shown in FIG. Can be As another specific example, a flow path 25a for continuous flow, a flow path 25b for demand flow, each automatic open / close valve 22a, 22b, and their open / close control means 2 shown in FIG.
3 is given.

The variable throttle means 17 and 27 provided in the demand flow channels 5b and 25b in FIGS. 1 and 2 adjust the throttle in advance so that, for example, the maximum flow rate in the demand flow is reached. It was done. Specific examples of the structure include those that are adjusted by their opening degree using valve means such as a needle valve and a ball valve, and those that are adjusted by their length and inner diameter using a thin tube.

Also, the flow path 5a for continuous flow in FIGS.
The flow setting means provided in 25b has a prescribed flow rate value for the patient in a range not more than the maximum flow rate of the respiratory gas generation means when used in a continuous flow, for example, a flow rate of 0.025 to 2 liters per minute. It can be set manually in accordance with. As a specific structure, there is a structure in which a thin plate member having a plurality of openings is provided, and the flow rate is set by selecting the openings (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-140026). .

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the switching operation between the continuous flow and the demand flow can be automatically performed as described above, or alternatively, it can be manually performed. .

The automatic operation switching means provided in the hand-operated device in the apparatus of the present invention automatically switches both the demand flow operation and the continuous flow operation according to the state of the user's breathing. Anything that can be selected and performed may be used. As a specific example of such automatic driving switching means, the hand controller 1 in FIG.
2 is built in the demand valve controller 8.

As a specific function, for example, when the respiratory phase detecting means 9 does not detect the next predetermined phase by the elapse of a predetermined time T ₁ after the detection of a predetermined phase of respiration, the automatic opening / closing valve ( A demand valve) controller 8 causes an automatic opening / closing valve (demand valve) 7 to continuously open the demand valve 7 after the lapse of the predetermined time to make a continuous flow, and thereafter, when the respiratory phase detecting means 9 detects the predetermined phase, The demand flow is switched to the demand flow by opening / closing control of the demand valve 7 based on the detection result.

As a more specific example, when the detection means does not detect the next predetermined phase by the elapse of the predetermined time T ₁ after the detection of the predetermined phase, the control means sets the automatic on-off valve to the predetermined time T 1. close the automatic opening and closing valve after opening only continuously for the predetermined time T ₂ after _one course, automatic opening and closing valve based on the detection result of the detection means if the detection of the predetermined phase by the detection means during a predetermined time T ₃ to perform the opening and closing operation of those detection of a predetermined phase, which to open continuously an automatic open-close valve between unless a predetermined time T ₃ the predetermined time T ₃ has elapsed after a predetermined time T ₄ and the like (JP See Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-2221170).

As the supply amount setting means provided in the hand-operated device of the apparatus of the present invention, any means can be used as long as the supply amount of the breathing gas can be set during operation in demand flow. There may be. A specific example of the supply amount setting means is the valve opening time setting means 10 in FIG.

That is, the flow channel 5 for demand diversion in the main body 19
b) With respect to the respiratory gas supplied at a predetermined flow rate preset by the variable throttle means 17 in b, the respiratory gas is supplied in the hand-operated controller 12 by a predetermined amount per respiratory cycle according to a doctor's prescribed value. , The valve opening time setting means 10 sets the opening time of the demand valve 7 per one time.

FIG. 1 shows a specific example of the manual switching means provided in the hand controller of the apparatus of the present invention for manually forcibly switching between the continuous flow operation and the demant flow operation. Manual switching means 13 is shown. That is, the manual switching means 13 sends an electric signal to the demand controller 8 so as to open and close the demand valve 7 to manually switch to the demand flow when the continuous flow is used, and manually switches to the continuous flow when the demand flow is used. In order to switch the demand valve 7, a switch for sending an electric signal to the demand valve controller 8 or the like is used so as to stop the opening and closing of the demand valve 7.

Further, in this apparatus, a humidifier may be installed in the gas flow path in the hand controller 12. In that case, for example, a bypass is provided via a three-way valve on the upstream side of the demand valve 7, and a humidifier is provided during the bypass, and the humidifier can be used by switching the three-way valve as necessary. What you did.

FIG. 3 is a more specific example of the respiratory gas apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 3, A1 is an apparatus main body,
B1 is a hand controller. In FIG. 3, 31 is a compressor, 32 is a safety valve, 33 is a fan, 34 is a four-way valve, 35 is an adsorption bed, 36 is an automatic opening / closing valve, and 37 is a buffer tank. (JP-A-5-220224). FIG.
Among them, 38 is an automatic opening / closing valve, 39 is a pressure regulating valve, and 4
0 is a flow path switching means, 41 is a flow rate setting means for continuous flow, 42 is a flow path switching control means,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a humidifier, 44 denotes pressure loss (ΔP) detecting means as flow rate detecting means, and 45 denotes demand flow restricting means. Here, when ΔP is continuously larger than 0, the flow path switching means is adjusted so that a continuous flow path can be selected. If ΔP is 0 within 2 seconds, the demand flow path is selected. It can be so. If ΔP is 0 or more than 2 seconds, an alarm is issued by alarm means (not shown). 47 is a demand valve, and 48 is a demand valve.
Is a respiratory phase detecting means, 49 is a demand valve controller, and 50 is a nasal cannula.

FIG. 4 shows another specific example of the respiratory gas supply apparatus of the present invention, wherein A2 represents the apparatus main body, and B2 represents the hand-held operation device. In FIG. 4, 31 to 36, and 47 to
Each of 50 represents the same content as in FIG. Further, in FIG. 4, 51 is a buffer tank, 52 is an automatic opening / closing valve, 53 is a pressure regulating valve, 54 is a flow rate setting device, 56 is a humidifier in a continuous flow channel, and 58 is a demand flow channel. An automatic opening / closing valve, 59 is a pressure regulating valve, 60 is a throttle means, 55 is a flow path switching means, and 57 is a flow rate detecting means.

[0044]

According to the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention, the user can easily carry and move the hand-operated device including the demand valve, and even in that case, the demand valve can operate with good reproducibility. Excellent effects can be obtained.

In some cases, the respiratory gas supply device of the present invention is provided with an automatic opening / closing valve means that can be operated according to the respiratory cycle, and can automatically supply the continuous flow and the demand flow of the respiratory gas. Automatically, switching from demand flow supply to continuous flow supply automatically switches to a means for reducing flow rate, and switching from continuous flow supply to demand flow supply, automatically switches to means for increasing flow rate .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a part of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another specific example of the device of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61M 16/00-16/16

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Pressure fluctuation as a means for generating breathing gas
An adsorption-type oxygen concentrator; conduit means having one end communicating with the generating means and the other end having a release-type supply means for the respiratory gas and having an automatic opening / closing valve means in the middle thereof; A breathing apparatus comprising: a suction phase detecting means having a function of detecting a predetermined phase of a part; and an automatic opening / closing valve control means for controlling opening / closing of the automatic opening / closing valve means based on a detection result of the respiration phase detecting means. Pressure fluctuation suction
Flow rate measurement of breathing gas in the middle of the conduit
Output means, and the flow rate detecting means detects a continuous flow.
Breathing than when detecting discontinuous flow
Flow control means for automatically reducing the flow rate of the working gas
And the automatic opening / closing valve means, the respiratory phase detecting means, and the automatic opening / closing valve control means are provided in a hand-operated device which can be used separately from the breathing gas generating means. For gas supply. 2. A flow path for a continuous flow when the flow rate detection means detects a continuous flow, and a flow path for a demand flow when the flow rate detection means detects a discontinuous flow. , the breathing gas supply apparatus according to claim 1 is intended to include a channel automatic switching control means so that flow of breathing gas. 3. The operation device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation automatic switching means for automatically selecting both the demand flow operation and the continuous flow operation in accordance with the breathing state of the user. The respiratory gas supply device according to claim 1. 4. The respiratory gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the hand-operated device is provided with a supply amount setting means for setting a supply amount of the respiratory gas when operating in a demant flow. 5. The respiratory gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein said hand-operated device is provided with a manual switching means for manually forcibly switching between operation in a continuous flow and operation in a demant flow. .