JP4504903B2 - Oxygen concentrator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an oxygen concentrator for supplying a user with an oxygen-enriched gas having a high oxygen concentration (hereinafter also simply referred to as oxygen).

So-called home oxygen therapy, in which an oxygen-enriched gas having a high oxygen concentration is aspirated at home in a chronic respiratory failure patient or the like, has been conventionally performed. As a means for supplying oxygen-enriched gas used in this home oxygen therapy, an electric power source such as a high-pressure gas cylinder, a liquid oxygen dewar, or a pressure fluctuation adsorption type (PSA) (specifically, a compressor using an electric motor as a power source) ) With an oxygen concentrator. Among these, for use in the home, an oxygen concentrator equipped with an electric power source (for example, see Patent Document 1) is preferred because it can be used continuously as long as there is a power source.
Japanese Patent No. 3481462

  There are two types of oxygen concentrators used indoors (hereinafter referred to as stationary types) and portable types (hereinafter referred to as portable types). Needless to say, the stationary oxygen concentrator is a function-priority design and not suitable for portability, while the portable oxygen concentrator is a portability-priority design and not suitable for long-term use. For this reason, those who wish to use the oxygen concentrator outdoors need to own both a stationary type and a portable type separately, which has a large economic burden. Moreover, after using a portable type, there is a possibility that the user may forget where to place the battery or forget to charge the battery, and may not be able to cope with a sudden outing.

  Furthermore, the oxygen concentrator may require adjustment of the oxygen supply amount due to changes in the user's symptoms. However, if the user himself / herself makes such adjustment of the stationary oxygen concentrator, an error may occur. There was a risk of an accident.

As described in claim 1, in an oxygen concentrator which have a a mobile unit coupled detachably stationary unit and the stationary unit,
The stationary unit is
An oxygen-enriched gas is produced by taking in the atmosphere and increasing the oxygen concentration in the air, and storing the oxygen-enriched gas in a gas tank, while supplying the oxygen-enriched gas stored in the gas tank to the user It is equipped with a stationary unit oxygen concentrating means that does not provide a supply path,
The portable unit is
The oxygen-enriched gas is produced by taking in the atmosphere and increasing the oxygen concentration in the air, storing the oxygen-enriched gas in the gas tank, and connecting the tube of the nasal cannula from the gas tank to the connection port, A portable unit oxygen concentrating means provided with a supply path having at least a pressure regulator, a bacteria filter, a flow rate setting device, and an oxygen sensor;
A controller for controlling the stationary unit oxygen concentrating means and the portable unit oxygen concentrating means;
A battery for driving ,
A three-way valve that selectively switches between a portable route that connects the gas tank and the supply path, and a stationary route that connects the gas tank of the stationary unit and the supply path that can be connected via a connectable / separable joint. And comprising
In the state where the portable unit is coupled to the stationary unit, the three-way valve is oriented to open the stationary route,
On the other hand, in the state where the portable unit is disconnected from the stationary unit, the three-way valve provides an oxygen concentrator that is oriented to open the portable route .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the oxygen concentrator according to the first aspect, wherein the battery for operating the portable unit is rechargeable and the battery is charged by a power source of a stationary unit.

Further, as described in claim 3, wherein the mobile unit oxygen enrichment means stops production of oxygen enriched gas when the portable unit is oxygen concentrating means and stationary units are coupled to the stationary unit is operating The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1 or 2, which is set to be

In a state where the portable unit is coupled to the stationary unit, the control unit incorporated in the portable unit controls the oxygen concentrating means of the stationary unit, so that the operation that gives priority to the function that is the strength of the stationary type can be performed.
On the other hand, when the portable unit is separated from the stationary unit, the portable unit including the control device, the portable unit oxygen concentrating means, and the battery functions, but the stationary unit separated from the portable unit control device stops. The situation in which the portable unit is separated from the stationary unit means that the user moves away from the periphery of the stationary unit with the portable unit, so there is no problem even if the stationary unit does not move with the portable unit disconnected. .

As apparent from this, the control device provided in the portable unit, if to control the stationary unit oxygen concentration means in the control unit, stationary and portable all necessary in one controller Can correspond to the function. Therefore, the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the control device is provided in each of the portable unit and the stationary unit.

  In addition, since the mobile unit is equipped with a control device that controls the stationary unit, for example, a patient who is going to the hospital goes to the hospital with the portable unit, and if the person in charge of the hospital needs it depending on the symptoms of the user, the stationary unit It is possible to change the setting of the oxygen flow rate and the like. This eliminates the need for the user to change the settings of the oxygen concentrator, thereby reducing the burden on the user and preventing accidents due to erroneous operations.

The constant location unit oxygen enrichment means is not provided with a supply path for supplying the oxygen enriched gas produced to the user, to supply oxygen enriched gas to a user via a supply path which is provided in the mobile unit If this is the case, the cost of reducing the cost by sharing the supply path of the portable unit with the stationary unit will of course be reduced. For example, in the past, it would be difficult to move from the room with the oxygen concentrator to the front door in front of the customer. The one with the cannula attached and detached has an excellent practical effect that the portable unit can be pulled out from the stationary unit and moved to the front door quickly.

  Furthermore, since the use of the stationary unit requires the combination of the portable unit, the portable unit is not left behind. Further, if the battery for operating the portable unit is made rechargeable as in claim 2 and the battery is charged by the power source of the stationary unit by the charging function provided in the stationary unit, the stationary unit is being used. In addition, the battery of the portable unit can be reliably charged. Therefore, when suddenly going out, there is no problem that the portable unit cannot be found or the battery cannot be used without being charged.

  Further, as in claim 3, when the portable unit is coupled to the stationary unit and the oxygen concentrating means of the stationary unit is in operation, the production of the oxygen enriched gas by the oxygen concentrating means of the portable unit should be stopped. For example, the oxygen concentration means of the portable unit is not overburdened, and the control of one oxygen concentration means stabilizes the oxygen-enriched gas more stably than when controlling the two oxygen concentration means in a balanced manner. Supply is easy.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the oxygen concentrating device showing a state where the portable unit is coupled to the stationary unit, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the oxygen concentrating device showing a state where the portable unit is separated from the stationary unit, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stationary unit, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable unit, and FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the oxygen concentrating device showing a state in which the portable unit is coupled to the stationary unit.

  The oxygen concentrator includes a stationary unit X and a portable unit Y that is detachably coupled to the stationary unit X. The stationary unit X and the portable unit Y are formed by independent case bodies 1x and 1y, respectively, so that the portable unit Y can be stably accommodated in the portable connecting portion 2x formed in the stationary unit X.

In each of the stationary unit X and the portable unit Y, a stationary unit oxygen concentrating unit 3x (hereinafter also simply referred to as “oxygen concentrating unit 3x”) and a portable unit oxygen concentrating unit 3y ( Hereinafter, simply referred to as “oxygen concentrating means 3y”) . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the oxygen concentrating means 3x and 3y increase the oxygen concentration of the compressors 4x and 4y that take in the atmosphere and send air, and the air sent from the compressors 4x and 4y to increase the oxygen concentration. A pair of two adsorbing portions 5x, 5x, 5y, 5y for creating a concentrated gas, and adsorbing portions 5x, 5x to the compressor 4x, and adsorbing portions 5y, 5y to the compressor 4y alternately. Switch valves 6x, 6x, 6y, 6y, adsorbing sections 5x, 5x to exhaust pipe 7x, and adsorbing sections 5y, 5y to exhaust pipe 7y, a pair of two exhaust switching valves 8x, 8x, 8y, 8y, gas tanks 9x, 9y for storing oxygen produced by the adsorbing parts 5x, 5y, connecting pipes with purge valves 10x, 10y for connecting the adsorbing parts 5x, 5x and the adsorbing parts 5y, 5y on the outlet side 11x 11y and adsorption section 5x, 5y and the gas tank 9x, check valve 12x provided between 9y, it outlined formed from and 12y,. As will be described later, the oxygen concentrating means 3y of the portable unit Y includes a supply path 13y for supplying oxygen stored in the gas tank 9y to the user.

  The compressors 4x and 4y are connected to the air intakes 14x and 14y of the case bodies 1x and 1y, and take in air from the air intakes 14x and 14y and pressurize it. The power source of the compressors 4x and 4y is an electric motor (not shown). The motor of the portable unit Y is driven by a battery 15y, a commercial power source, a car battery, etc. provided therein, and the motor of the stationary unit X is Drive with commercial power. Of course, when the motor of the stationary unit X is a DC motor, the commercial power source is converted to DC and used.

  The adsorbing parts 5x and 5y increase the oxygen concentration of the air supplied from the compressors 4x and 4y to produce an oxygen-enriched gas. For example, Li-based zeolite as an adsorbent is placed in a cylindrical cylindrical container. Filled. Li-based zeolite has the property of preferentially adsorbing nitrogen in the air when pressurized and releasing and regenerating the previously adsorbed nitrogen when the pressure is reduced to atmospheric or negative pressure. It should be noted that the stationary unit X has a larger oxygen supply capacity than the portable unit Y in terms of the combined oxygen supply capacity of the adsorption sections 5x and 5y and the compressors 4x and 4y.

  Therefore, the oxygen concentrating means 3y of the portable unit Y includes a supply path 13y for supplying oxygen stored in the gas tank 9y to the user. The supply path 13y includes a pressure regulator 16y that lowers the pressure of oxygen from the gas tank 9y to an appropriate value, a bacterial filter 17y that blocks the passage of bacteria, a flow rate setting unit 18y that sets the flow rate of oxygen, and an oxygen An oxygen sensor 19y that detects the concentration and a connection port 21y that connects a tube 20 of a nasal cannula (not shown).

  Note that a three-way valve 22y that can be electrically switched automatically is interposed between the supply path 13y and the gas tank 9y, and connects the gas tank 9y of the portable unit Y and the supply path 13y in FIG. (Hereinafter referred to as a portable route) and the route of FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as a stationary route) connecting the supply path 13y and the connecting pipe 23y leading to the bottom surface of the case body 1y of the portable unit Y are alternatively selected by the three-way valve 22y. You can switch to

  On the other hand, in the oxygen concentrating means 3x of the stationary unit X, the gas tank 9x is connected to the communication pipe 23x communicating with the portable connecting portion 2x of the stationary unit X, and does not include the supply path 13y as in the portable unit Y. . However, the connecting pipe 23x of the stationary unit X and the connecting pipe 23y of the portable unit Y are each provided with a convex male pipe joint 24x and a concave female pipe joint 24y at their respective ends. The mobile unit Y is naturally connected when the mobile unit Y is stored in 2x, and the three-way valve 22y detects that the mobile unit Y is stored in the mobile connection part 2x of the stationary unit X by a sensor (not shown). 2 is set to be switched to the stationary route of FIG. 2, and therefore, in a state where the portable unit Y is coupled to the stationary unit X, the supply path 13y of the portable unit Y is disconnected from the oxygen concentrating means 3y of the portable unit Y, It is connected to the gas tank 9x of unit X.

  By the way, in general, a stationary oxygen concentrator is provided with a humidifier in order to apply appropriate moisture to the dried oxygen. A similar humidifier 25x is also provided in the stationary unit X in the oxygen concentrator of this embodiment. The humidifier 25x includes an introduction pipe 26x, 26y connected by the same male pipe joint 24x and the female pipe joint 24y, and a return pipe 27x similarly connected by the male pipe joint 24x and the female pipe joint 24y. , 27y are connected to the supply path 13y. Three-way valves 28y and 29y similar to those described above are provided at the connection portion between the supply path 13y and the introduction pipes 26x and 26y and between the supply path 13y and the reflux pipes 27x and 27y. When the stationary unit X and the portable unit Y are in a coupled state, the three-way valves 28y and 29y set a route from the supply path 13y to the introduction pipes 26x and 26y and from the return pipes 27x and 27y as shown in FIG. When a route is set in the supply path 13y and the portable unit Y is further separated from the stationary unit X, it is detected and both routes of the introduction pipes 26x and 26y and the reflux pipes 27x and 27y are closed.

The portable unit Y is provided with a control device 30y, and the compressor 4y, the switching valve 6y, the exhaust switching valve 8y, the three-way valves 22y, 28y, 29y and the like of the portable unit Y are controlled by the control device 30y.
On the other hand, the stationary unit X is provided with a relay board 32x connected to the control device 30y via connectors 31x and 31y. The relay board 32x is connected to the compressor 4x, the switching valve 6x, and the exhaust gas switching valve of the stationary unit X. 8x etc. are connected. Accordingly, the compressor 4x, the switching valve 6x, the exhaust switching valve 8x, and the like of the stationary unit X are controlled by the control device 30y of the portable unit Y.

  3 and 5, reference numeral 33y denotes an operation unit provided in the portable unit Y, which includes a display unit 34y for displaying the oxygen flow rate and the like, a flow rate setting button 35y, or an oxygen concentration, an oxygen leak, etc. (not shown). An alarm unit for displaying is provided. Reference numeral 36y is a hand grip provided on the upper part of the portable unit Y, and reference numeral 37y is a shoulder strap hooked on the upper part of the portable unit Y.

Next, a method for using the oxygen concentrator of the present invention will be described.
First, in the state of FIGS. 1 and 3 in which the portable unit Y is coupled to the stationary unit X, the control device 30y of the portable unit Y and the relay board 32x of the stationary unit X are connected via the connectors 31x and 31y. The connecting pipe 23x of the stationary unit X and the connecting pipe 23y of the portable unit Y are connected by the male pipe joint 24x and the female pipe joint 24y, and the introduction pipes 26x and 26y of the humidifier 25x are connected to the male pipe joint 24x and the female pipe. They are connected by a pipe joint 24y, and the reflux pipes 27x and 27y of the humidifier 25x are connected by a male pipe joint 24x and a female pipe joint 24y. On the other hand, the three-way valve 22y is directed to open the stationary route, and oxygen produced by the oxygen concentrating means 3x passes through the supply path 13y of the portable unit Y, and on the way from the three-way valve 28y to the introduction pipes 26x and 26y. It enters, passes through the humidifier 25x, and is supplied from the reflux pipes 27x and 27y to the tube 20 and the nasal cannula through the three-way valve 29y. Of course, when the oxygen flow rate is low and the humidifier 25x is not required, the flow paths of the introduction pipes 26x, 26y and the return pipes 27x, 27y are closed by the three-way valves 28y, 29y, and the humidifier 25x is not passed. You can also
While oxygen is being produced by the oxygen concentrating means 3x of the stationary unit X, the oxygen concentrating means 3y of the portable unit Y is stopped. However, if the battery 15y of the portable unit Y is rechargeable, the The battery 15y is charged by the power source of the stationary unit X by a charging function provided in the stationary unit X.

  The stop of the oxygen concentrating means 3y of the portable unit Y coupled to the stationary unit X is performed on the condition that the oxygen supply of the oxygen concentrating means 3x of the stationary unit X is normal, and an abnormality of the stationary unit X is detected. It is good to set so that the oxygen concentration means 3y of the portable unit Y may be operated. For example, the case where the oxygen concentrating means 3x of the stationary unit X stops due to a power failure or the like, or the oxygen sensor 19y or the like detects an abnormality of oxygen is applicable. By setting in this way, the portable unit Y can be used more effectively as a backup for a power failure or the like while sleeping.

Next, when the portable unit Y is lifted and separated from the portable connecting part 2x of the stationary unit X by holding the handle part 36y of the portable unit Y as shown in FIG. 2, the oxygen concentrating means 3x of the stationary unit X separated from the control device 30y. Stops. For example, a check valve or a solenoid valve is installed in the communication tube 23x connected to the portable unit Y, and when the portable unit Y is separated from the stationary unit X, the communication tube 23x is closed by the check valve or the solenoid valve. In this case, the oxygen concentrating means 3x can be a completely closed system.
When the portable unit Y is separated from the stationary unit X, the three-way valve 22y is activated to instantly switch the stationary route up to that to the portable route, and the other three-way valves 28y, 29y are also activated to introduce the inlet pipes 26x, 26y. And the flow path of the reflux pipes 27x and 27y is closed. Then, the oxygen concentration means 3y of the portable unit Y is activated, and the oxygen thus produced is supplied from the supply path 13y through the tube 20 to the nasal cannula. The portable unit Y may adopt a breath synchronization function (a function of intermittently supplying oxygen in synchronization with the user's breath) to save power consumption.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is of course not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the embodiment, the rechargeable battery 15y is exemplified as the power source of the mobile unit Y, but the battery 15y may be a dry battery.

  In the embodiment, the three-way valves 22y, 28y, and 29y that can be automatically switched by electric power are used. However, a mechanical switching valve that switches using a displacement that attaches or detaches the portable unit Y to or from the portable connecting portion 2x of the stationary unit X as a power source. May be adopted.

  In the embodiment, the humidifier 25x is provided in the stationary unit X. However, for example, in the case of a type having a small oxygen flow rate, the humidifier 25x and its related components (introducing pipes 26x, 26y, The reflux pipes 27x and 27y, the three-way valves 28y and 29y, etc.) may be omitted.

It is a schematic block diagram of the oxygen concentration apparatus which shows the state which couple | bonded the portable unit with the stationary unit. It is a schematic block diagram of the oxygen concentration apparatus which shows the state which isolate | separated the portable unit from the stationary unit. It is a perspective view of an oxygen concentrator. It is a perspective view of a stationary unit. It is a perspective view of a portable unit. It is a schematic block diagram of the oxygen concentration apparatus which shows the state which couple | bonded the portable unit with the stationary unit.

X ... Stationary unit Y ... Portable unit 3x ... Stationary unit oxygen concentrating means 3y ... Portable unit oxygen concentrating means
9x, 9y ... Gas tank 13y ... Supply path 15y ... Battery
16y ... Pressure regulator
17y ... Bacteria filter
18y ... Flow rate setting device
19y ... oxygen sensor
20 ... Tube of nasal cannula
21y ... Connection port
22y ... Three-way valve
24x ... Male pipe fitting (Fitting)
24y ... Female pipe fitting (fitting)
30y ... Control device

Claims (3)

In the oxygen concentrator which have a stationary unit and a portable unit coupled detachably to said stationary unit,
The stationary unit is
An oxygen-enriched gas is produced by taking in the atmosphere and increasing the oxygen concentration in the air, and storing the oxygen-enriched gas in a gas tank, while supplying the oxygen-enriched gas stored in the gas tank to the user It is equipped with a stationary unit oxygen concentrating means that does not provide a supply path,
The portable unit is
The oxygen-enriched gas is produced by taking in the atmosphere and increasing the oxygen concentration in the air, storing the oxygen-enriched gas in the gas tank, and connecting the tube of the nasal cannula from the gas tank to the connection port, A portable unit oxygen concentrating means provided with a supply path having at least a pressure regulator, a bacteria filter, a flow rate setting device, and an oxygen sensor;
A controller for controlling the stationary unit oxygen concentrating means and the portable unit oxygen concentrating means;
A battery for driving ,
A three-way valve that selectively switches between a portable route that connects the gas tank and the supply path, and a stationary route that connects the gas tank of the stationary unit and the supply path that can be connected via a connectable / separable joint. And comprising
In the state where the portable unit is coupled to the stationary unit, the three-way valve is oriented to open the stationary route,
On the other hand, in the state where the portable unit is disconnected from the stationary unit, the three-way valve is oriented to open the portable route .   The oxygen concentrator according to claim 1, wherein the battery for operating the portable unit is rechargeable, and the battery is charged by a power source of a stationary unit. It said portable unit oxygen enrichment means, according to claim 1, the portable unit is characterized in that and the stationary unit the oxygen concentrating means is coupled to the stationary unit is set to stop the production of oxygen enriched gas when operating Or the oxygen concentrator according to 2.

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