JP5097779B2 - Medical gas humidifier, medical gas humidifier / transport system and ventilator system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical gas humidifier and a medical gas humidification / conveyance system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a humidifying device that can stably supply a medical gas that is inexpensive and humidified at a predetermined pressure and can be suitably applied to an artificial respiration system, and a water supply container therefor.

  Air for inhalation into the patient's lungs such as a ventilator, medical gas such as anesthetic gas is filled in the pressure vessel, and when used, the pressure is reduced from the pressure vessel to a predetermined pressure, and the lung side from the exhalation port of the ventilator Pumped to

  In general, the medical gas filled in such a pressure vessel hardly contains moisture. On the other hand, the atmosphere in which humans, animals, etc. are breathing generally contains 40 to 70% water. The medical gas in the pressure vessel is generally at a relatively low temperature of room temperature or lower. Therefore, inhaling extremely dry medical gas from the pressure vessel that is relatively dry may deprive the body of moisture during exhalation, resulting in modulation of the body such as bronchial or alveolar damage.

  Therefore, in such a ventilator, a medical gas in which medical air from a pressure vessel is appropriately heated / humidified via a heating / humidifier for appropriately heating / humidifying a normal medical gas. Is supplied to a patient or the like to exhale (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the conventional ventilator 103 sends out air to which oxygen is added at a predetermined concentration from a medical gas supply means (not shown) at a preset time interval, oxygen concentration, and ventilation volume. And an exhalation port 132 having an exhalation valve for opening and exhaling when inhalation is completed (the inhalation valve is closed at this time).

  When inhaling, the inhalation valve is opened and the exhalation valve is closed to form an inhalation line. As shown in FIG. 7, the inhalation line formed in this manner allows the dried medical gas from the inhalation port 131 to pass through the bacterial filter 105 for removing foreign matter from the inside of the ventilator 103. Sent to.

  On the other hand, in the humidifier 101, water from the water bag 102 is dripped and introduced in a predetermined volume. On the other hand, the water in the humidifier 101 is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, 25 ° C. or 37 ° C.). The inside of the humidifier 101 is under pressure, and the medical gas introduced from the intake port 131 side is humidified by saturated water vapor and sent out of the humidifier 101.

  The humidified medical gas containing saturated water vapor is fed into the patient's lungs through a water and wrap 106 for storing excess water droplets staying in the circuit, and optionally via a nebulizer (not shown). In such an inhalation line, the system is closed from the ventilator 103 side to the patient's lungs.

  When the inspiratory time preset on the ventilator 103 side ends, the inspiratory valve is closed, and the exhalation valve of the ventilator 103 is opened for the preset time on the ventilator side to Form.

When the inhalation valve is closed and the exhalation valve is opened, the patient's lungs are released into the atmosphere, and the lungs are bent by the elastic contraction force, and the gas in the lungs is pushed out and exhausted.
As described above, the inspiratory line and the expiratory line are alternately formed by opening the inspiratory valve and the expiratory valve, thereby ventilating the lungs of the patient.

  The pressure of the medical gas delivered from the intake port is not stable in terms of pulsation of the gas pressure from the medical gas supply means, and constantly fluctuates as shown in FIG. In particular, when switching between an inspiratory valve and an expiratory valve, such as a ventilator, the closed system in the inspiratory line and the open system in the expiratory line are repeated at predetermined time intervals. At present, the gas pressure of the gas is not stable.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-267215

  On the other hand, there is a demand for supplying medical gas humidified with a relatively high and stable pressure to the patient side.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a medical gas humidifier that can provide a relatively high and stable humidified medical gas to the patient.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a water supply container that can be connected to the humidifier and can provide a relatively high and stable humidified medical gas to the patient.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical gas humidification / transport system for transporting a relatively high and stable humidified medical gas.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an artificial respiration system using a medical gas humidification / transport system for transporting a relatively high and stable humidified medical gas.

  As a result of diligent investigations to solve the above problems, the humidification / conveyance system for medical gas composed of medical gas supply means, a water supply container for humidification, and a humidifier is a closed system. In the humidification supply line of humidified medical gas transported from the vessel to the patient side, the excess pressure exceeding the pressure set to a predetermined level is returned to the water supply container to humidify the medical gas as a closed system. It has been found that the transport line is always maintained at a predetermined pressure.

That is, the present invention relates to the following items.
(1) A water region for retaining humidifying water partitioned by a gas selective permeable membrane in a liquid-tight / air-tight container, and a gas for retaining medical gas from a medical gas supply means A medical gas humidifier having a container having a region, humidifying a medical gas staying in the gas region with water vapor evaporated from the water region, and pumping the humidified medical gas to a patient side ,
The water region extends to a water supply container having a water storage part for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier and a gas retention space above the water storage part of the water container, and is liquid-tight and air-tight. Has a water inlet to connect the adjustment pipe,
The gas region has a gas discharge port for pumping the humidified medical gas to the patient side, and when the gas pressure of the excessive medical gas is loaded inside the humidifier, the gas region A medical gas humidifier having a connection port for connecting a pressure adjusting pipe for returning the excessive pressure to a water supply container.

(2) The medical gas according to (1), wherein the humidifier container is configured to be partitioned into a lower water region and an upper water region by a gas selective permeable membrane. Humidifier.
(3) A water supply container for humidifying medical gas for connecting to the humidifier for medical gas according to (1) or (2),
A sealed water storage unit body having a water storage unit for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier;
A water outlet for connecting a pipe to the water inlet of the humidifier, and a connection for connecting a pressure adjusting pipe in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner extending to the gas retention space above the water reservoir of the water container Mouth,
A water supply container for humidifying medical gas, characterized by comprising:

(4) medical gas supply means for supplying medical gas stored in the pressure vessel;
A water region for retaining humidifying water partitioned by a gas selective permeable membrane in a liquid-tight / air-tight container and a gas region for retaining medical gas from the medical gas supply means A medical gas humidifier that humidifies the medical gas retained in the gas region by water vapor evaporated from the water region, and pressurizes the humidified medical gas to the patient side,
A water supply container composed of a sealed water storage body having a water reservoir for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier;
A medical gas supply line for supplying medical gas from the medical gas supply means to the humidifier;
A water supply line for supplying water from the water supply container to the humidifier;
A medical gas transport line for supplying the humidified medical gas to the patient;
A medical gas humidification / conveyance system mainly composed of
The gas region of the humidifier and the water supply container include a pressure adjusting pipe for returning the excessive pressure to the water supply container when an excessive gas pressure of medical gas is loaded inside the humidifier. Connected through
The medical gas humidification / conveyance system, wherein the pressure adjusting pipe is extended to an upper part of a water storage part of the water supply container.
(5) The check valve set at a predetermined pressure from the humidifier side toward the water supply device side is provided in the middle of the pressure adjusting pipe, according to (4), Humidifying and conveying system for medical gas.

(6) medical gas supply means for supplying medical gas stored in the pressure vessel;
A water region for retaining humidifying water partitioned by a gas selective permeable membrane in a liquid-tight / air-tight container and a gas region for retaining medical gas from the medical gas supply means A medical gas humidifier that humidifies the medical gas retained in the gas region by water vapor evaporated from the water region, and pressurizes the humidified medical gas to the patient side,
A water supply container composed of a sealed water storage body having a water reservoir for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier;
A medical gas supply line for supplying medical gas from the medical gas supply means to the humidifier;
A water supply line for supplying water from the water supply container to the humidifier;
A medical gas transport line for supplying the humidified medical gas to the patient;
A medical gas humidification / conveyance system mainly composed of
A gas release means is provided in the middle of the medical gas transport line to release the excessive medical gas when a gas pressure of excessive medical gas is loaded inside the humidifier. The gas release means and the water supply container are connected via a pressure adjusting pipe for returning the excessive pressure to the water supply container when an excessive medical gas pressure is loaded inside the humidifier. Has been
The medical gas humidification / conveyance system, wherein the pressure adjusting pipe is extended to an upper part of a water storage part of the water supply container.

(7) A ventilator system comprising the medical gas humidification / transport system according to any one of (4) to (6).

It is the schematic which shows the outline of the artificial respiration line which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the principal part of the inhalation line in embodiment of the ventilator system shown in FIG. (A), (b) is drawing which shows the flow of medical gas. It is drawing which shows the gas pressure in the gas exhaust port in embodiment shown in FIG. (A) And (b) is drawing which shows another Example of the humidifier of this invention. (A) And (b) is drawing which shows another Example of the humidifier of this invention. It is drawing which shows the conventional artificial respiration system. It is drawing which shows the pressure of the medical gas of the downstream of the humidifier shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a ventilating line according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of the inspiratory line in the embodiment of the ventilator system shown in FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are views showing the flow of medical gas, FIG. 4 is a view showing the gas pressure at the gas outlet in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. FIG. 6 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the humidifier of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment shows an example in which the medical gas humidification / conveyance system of the present invention is applied to an inhalation line in a ventilator, and is enriched with oxygen from a gas supply means A. Artificial respiration having an inhalation port 31 having an inhalation valve for discharging air (hereinafter referred to as medical air) to the patient side via the humidifier 1 and an exhalation port having an exhalation valve for switching from the inhalation line to the exhalation line A humidifier 1 for humidifying medical gas from the intake port 31, a water bag 2 that is a water supply container for dripping a predetermined amount of water into the humidifier 1, It is mainly composed of a heater 4 that is a heating means for heating water to a predetermined temperature, and a Y piece 6 that is a switching tool for switching between an expiration line and an inhalation line.
In FIG. 1, equipment such as a bacteria filter, a water and a wrap as shown in FIG. 7 is omitted.

Further, the humidifier 1 in the present embodiment is formed from a liquid-tight / air-tight container, and an upper side that forms a gas region by a membrane (gas selective permeable membrane 13) made of hydrophobic hollow fiber. It is partitioned into a chamber 11 and a lower chamber 12 constituting a water region.
The material for constituting the main body of the humidifier 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can be used for medical purposes and can make the humidifier main body liquid-tight and air-tight. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Examples thereof include plastic materials and metal materials such as stainless steel.

  In the present embodiment, the upper chamber 11 is a gas region for humidifying medical gas from the intake port 31 side to discharge the humidified medical gas to the patient side, and for medical use from the exhalation port 31 side. A gas inlet 12a for drawing gas, a gas outlet 11b for discharging medical gas humidified by water vapor passed from the lower chamber 12 through the gas selective permeable membrane 13 to the patient side, and a water bag A connection port 11c for connecting a pipe (pressure adjusting pipe 5) for releasing the pressure when a predetermined pressure is exceeded on the second side is provided.

  The lower chamber 12 is a water region having a function of storing water supplied from the water bag 2 and allowing the generated water vapor to pass through the gas selective permeable membrane 13 to the upper chamber 11 which is a gas region. The lower chamber 12 has a fluid inlet 12a for drawing water from the water back.

  In the present invention, it is essential to have a configuration in which the gas region and the water region are separated through the gas selective permeable membrane 13 as described above. Separating the humidifier 1 into a gas region and a water region by such a gas selective permeable membrane 13 is a technique well known in the art.

  The gas selective permeable membrane 13 in the present embodiment means a material that selectively permeates gas (in this case, medical gas) and does not permeate water, and more specifically, is hydrophobic. This means that a hollow membrane made of a conductive material, a tube-like membrane in which hydrophobic fibers are knitted with a predetermined mesh, a cassette made of hydrophobic fibers, and the like are included. Such a material is not particularly limited as long as it can be used for medical purposes and has the above properties.

That is, the gas permselective membrane is a membrane applicable to medical use composed of fibers that do not permeate (retain) liquid water molecules and can permeate water vapor.
In the present invention, the reason why the water region and the gas region are partitioned by the gas selective permeable membrane is to prevent the water from the water bag 2 from flowing backward to the water bag 2 side.
In the present embodiment, a heater 4 for heating water to a predetermined temperature is disposed at a position in contact with the lower chamber 12 that is a water region (that is, below the humidifier 1).

  The heater 4 is not particularly limited as long as the water stored in the water region can be heated to a predetermined temperature. For example, a heater element or the like may be provided in the lower chamber of the humidifier 1. Alternatively, a heater configured in a mesh shape with carbon fibers or the like may be provided below the gas selective permeable membrane 13 in the water storage region, or the gas selective permeable membrane and the heater 4 may be integrated.

  Although not limited, the water bag 2 which is a water supply container is generally arranged at a higher level than the humidifier 1 and is a water-tight / air-tight water container. It comprises a water storage area (area shown by a wavy line in the figure) and an area above it. The water bag 2 has a fluid outlet 2a, and the fluid outlet 2a is connected to the lower chamber 12 that is a water region through a pipe (liquid supply line Lw). Then, water from the water bag 2 is supplied to the lower chamber 12 by a predetermined amount by a method well known in the art.

In this embodiment, the upper chamber 11 that is a gas region and the water bag 2 are connected by a pressure adjusting pipe 5. The pressure adjusting pipe 5 is connected in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner through the connection port 11 of the upper chamber 11 and the connection port 2 b of the water bag 2, and is extended to the upper region of the water storage region of the water bag 2. ing.
As described above, the pressure adjustment pipe 5 is extended to the water storage area of the water bag so that the medical gas with excessive pressure is discharged from the upper chamber 11 side into the water bag 2 as described later. The purpose is to prevent inhalation of water in the water storage area.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressure adjusting pipe 5 is provided with a check valve 51 set to a predetermined pressure in order to prevent a back flow from the water bag 2 to the humidifier 1.
The water bag 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a conventionally known material that is airtight and liquid tight and has resistance to a pressure slightly higher than the set pressure. Furthermore, as long as the water bag 2 can supply a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier 1, its shape and arrangement position are not limited.

Next, the operation of the inspiratory line in the ventilator system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
2 is a drawing showing the main part of the inspiratory line in the embodiment of the ventilator system shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are drawings showing the flow of medical gas, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the gas pressure at the gas outlet in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the inhalation line in the ventilator system of this embodiment, the medical gas conveyed by the predetermined pressure from the inhalation port is introduce | transduced into the humidifier 1 through the bacteria filter which is not shown in figure. The medical gas introduced into the humidifier 1 is supplied in a predetermined amount from the water bag 2 and humidifies the medical gas with water stored in the water storage region, and the humidified medical gas is pumped to the patient lung side. To do. At this time, the inhalation port 31 of the ventilator 3 is in an open state, and the exhalation port 32 is in a closed state.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the inspiratory line of the ventilator according to the present embodiment is previously provided between the inspiratory port 31 (medical gas supply source) and the patient's lung in the inspiratory mode. It becomes the time closed system set on the ventilator side.

When the pressure in the humidifier 1 is the set pressure (Po = a), as shown in FIG. 3A, the humidified medical gas with the set pressure (Po = a) is directly supplied to the patient lung side. Sent.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the pressure of the medical gas in the humidifier 1 exceeds a predetermined pressure by b (Po = a + b), the humidified medical gas at the set pressure (Po = a). On the other hand, the medical gas corresponding to the excess pressure b is sent to the water supply container side through the pressure adjusting tube.

  Actually, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4, the gas supplied from the medical gas supply means A (see FIG. 1) is pulsating and is not constant. Therefore, when the pressure adjusting pipe 5 is not provided as in the prior art (see, for example, FIG. 7), the gas pressure of the medical gas once stored and humidified in the humidifier 1 is the gas in the humidifier 1. It is not constant on the discharge port 11c side.

On the other hand, when the pressure adjustment tube 5 is provided as in the present embodiment, the overpressure medical gas is introduced into the water bag 2 through the pressure adjustment tube 5.
Thus, in the inspiratory line in the ventilator of this embodiment, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, the gas pressure of medical gas is always sent to the patient lung side in a constant state. Moreover, since the humidifier 1 has a water region and a gas region separated from the water region by a gas selective permeable membrane, and the pressure adjusting pipe is connected to the gas region side, Water staying in the vessel does not flow backward.

  In this embodiment, the switching from the inspiratory line to the expiratory line is the same as described in the prior art, and the details are omitted.

Next, various embodiments of the humidifier 1 of the present invention will be described based on FIG. In the humidifier shown in FIG. 5, the fluid introduction line from the water bag 2 is omitted for the sake of simplicity.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 5A has a configuration in which an upper gas chamber 11 and a lower chamber 12 are partitioned by a gas selective permeable membrane 13 as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. The upper chamber is provided with a gas inlet 11 a for introducing medical gas from the intake port, a gas outlet 11 b for discharging humidified medical gas, a water bag 2 and a pressure adjusting pipe 5. Connection port 11c for connection.
That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the check valve 1 is not provided.

  With this configuration, the functions shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be provided with a very simple configuration.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the pressure adjustment line is provided outside the humidifier 1 (downstream of the gas discharge port 11c).
Therefore, a branch valve 60 is provided in the middle of a line that is discharged from the humidifier at a predetermined pressure and pumps medical gas to the patient side. The branch valve 60 is set in advance to a predetermined pressure. When a pressure exceeding this pressure is applied, the branch valve 60 is configured to release the pressure not on the patient lung side but on the water bag 2 side. Even if comprised in this way, it is possible to produce an effect equivalent to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.

  Next, based on FIG. 6, the structure of the humidifier of this invention is demonstrated. The humidifier of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the water region and the gas region can be separated by the gas selective permeable membrane and the excessive pressure is returned to the water bag 2 side. It is essential to have a gas inlet 11a and a gas outlet 11b on the side, and a connecting port for releasing excess pressure to the water bag 2 on the gas region side (or FIG. 5 ( As shown in b), it has a connection port for releasing excessive pressure to the water bag on the downstream side of the gas discharge port 11b).

  The gas region is generally provided on the upper side as shown in FIG. 6A, but may be provided on the lower side, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B. Furthermore, you may make it the structure which provides the humidifier main body with the tubular water area | region comprised with the hydrophobic fiber. In this case, the entire humidifier body is a gas retention region. Furthermore, you may provide the cassette for water areas comprised from the hydrophobic fiber in a humidifier main body. Also in this case, the whole humidifier main body becomes a gas retention area. The hydrophobic fiber tube or cassette-type water region is a well-known technique in the technical field, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment.
For example, a medical gas transport method using the medical gas humidification / transport line described in the embodiment is also within the scope of the present invention.
Further, the humidifier of the present invention can be widely applied to supply of anesthetic gas or artificial lung incorporating a ventilator system.
Moreover, although the position of the pressure adjustment pipe showed the example which protruded from the water surface of the water supply apparatus, it is not limited to this, For example, it may be underwater.

According to the present invention, there is provided a medical gas humidifier capable of providing a relatively high and stable humidified medical gas to a patient.
In addition, a water supply container that can be connected to the humidifier and can provide a relatively high and stable humidified medical gas to the patient is provided.
Furthermore, there is provided a humidifying and conveying system for medical gas for conveying relatively high and stable humidified medical gas.
These humidifiers, water supply containers, and medical gas humidification / conveyance systems can effectively use medical gas at a stable pressure on the patient side in an artificial respiration system.

Claims (7)

It has a water region for retaining humidifying water partitioned by a gas selective permeable membrane in a liquid-tight / air-tight container and a gas region for retaining medical gas from a medical gas supply means A medical gas humidifier having a container, humidifying a medical gas staying in the gas region by water vapor evaporated from the water region, and pumping the humidified medical gas to a patient side,
The water region extends to a water supply container having a water storage part for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier and a gas retention space above the water storage part of the water container, and is liquid-tight and air-tight. Has a water inlet to connect the adjustment pipe,
The gas region has a gas discharge port for pumping the humidified medical gas to the patient side, and when the gas pressure of the excessive medical gas is loaded inside the humidifier, the gas region A connection port for connecting a pressure adjusting pipe for returning the excessive pressure to the water supply container;
A medical gas humidifier characterized by that.   The medical gas humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the container of the humidifier is divided into a lower water region and an upper water region by a gas selective permeable membrane. . A water supply container for humidifying medical gas for connecting to the humidifier for medical gas according to claim 1 or 2,
A sealed water storage unit body having a water storage unit for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier;
A water outlet for connecting a pipe to the water inlet of the humidifier, and a connection for connecting a pressure adjusting pipe in a liquid-tight and air-tight manner extending to the gas retention space above the water reservoir of the water container Mouth,
A water supply container for humidifying medical gas, characterized by comprising: Medical gas supply means for supplying medical gas stored in the pressure vessel;
A water region for retaining humidifying water partitioned by a gas selective permeable membrane in a liquid-tight / air-tight container and a gas region for retaining medical gas from the medical gas supply means A medical gas humidifier that humidifies the medical gas retained in the gas region by water vapor evaporated from the water region, and pressurizes the humidified medical gas to the patient side,
A water supply container composed of a sealed water storage body having a water reservoir for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier;
A medical gas supply line for supplying medical gas from the medical gas supply means to the humidifier;
A water supply line for supplying water from the water supply container to the humidifier;
A medical gas transport line for supplying the humidified medical gas to the patient;
A medical gas humidification / conveyance system mainly composed of
The gas region of the humidifier and the water supply container include a pressure adjusting pipe for returning the excessive pressure to the water supply container when an excessive gas pressure of medical gas is loaded inside the humidifier. Connected through
The medical gas humidification / conveyance system, wherein the pressure adjusting pipe is extended to an upper part of a water storage part of the water supply container.   The medical valve according to claim 4, wherein a check valve set at a predetermined pressure is provided in the middle of the pressure adjusting pipe from the humidifier side toward the water supply device side. Gas humidification and transfer system. Medical gas supply means for supplying medical gas stored in the pressure vessel;
A water region for retaining humidifying water partitioned by a gas selective permeable membrane in a liquid-tight / air-tight container and a gas region for retaining medical gas from the medical gas supply means A medical gas humidifier that humidifies the medical gas retained in the gas region by water vapor evaporated from the water region, and pressurizes the humidified medical gas to the patient side,
A water supply container composed of a sealed water storage body having a water reservoir for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the humidifier;
A medical gas supply line for supplying medical gas from the medical gas supply means to the humidifier;
A water supply line for supplying water from the water supply container to the humidifier;
A medical gas transport line for supplying the humidified medical gas to the patient;
A medical gas humidification / conveyance system mainly composed of
A gas release means is provided in the middle of the medical gas transport line to release the excessive medical gas when a gas pressure of excessive medical gas is loaded inside the humidifier. The gas release means and the water supply container are connected via a pressure adjusting pipe for returning the excessive pressure to the water supply container when an excessive medical gas pressure is loaded inside the humidifier. Has been
The medical gas humidification / conveyance system, wherein the pressure adjusting pipe is extended to an upper part of a water storage part of the water supply container.   A ventilator system comprising the humidification / conveyance system for medical gas according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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